Finn slowly shook his head and set aside the strange creature's reaction for now. He focused his attention on the old lantern resting in his hands. Gathering his soulforce, he began to probe the peculiar object.
Minutes passed.
Finally, Finn let out a quiet sigh.
He had not truly expected to uncover any secrets this way—but even so, he still felt the weight of disappointment. If even the strongest Adventurers in the kingdom couldn't unravel the lamp's hidden mysteries, what chance did he have? His strength was a mere speck compared to the reigning king of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom.
Yet if this yielded nothing, he had another method to try—brute force.
He tossed the old lamp upward and waited for it to descend.
When it was level with his chest, Finn's body moved in a sudden burst of speed. He struck with all the power he possessed.
Azure Wood Palm!
A spectral palm, forged from pure soulforce, exploded from Finn's hand. It smashed against the falling lamp—and in that instant, something unexpected occurred.
A circular barrier shimmered into existence around the lamp, enveloping it completely.
Finn's eyes went wide as he watched the collision.
Even when he unleashed the full force of his clan's signature technique, the lamp remained unscathed.
A turbulent wind roared out from the clash of energies. The lamp floated in midair, utterly unmoved, the barrier around it flawless as ever.
Moments later—
BANG!
A violent shockwave blasted through the area.
Finn's body hurtled back more than ten meters before slamming into the ground and tumbling across the grass.
In the distance, the little black creature continued to watch without any change of expression, still observing with eerie caution.
The lamp, meanwhile, dropped to the earth, searing away the grass and leaving a shallow crater where it landed.
Slowly, Finn pushed himself to his feet and wiped the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
He gazed solemnly at the lamp's resting place.
It was true—uncovering its secret would be no simple feat.
If even the most powerful Adventurer in the kingdom could not crack it, how could he?
Still…he refused to give up so easily.
He strode forward again and picked up the lamp.
Turning it over in his hands, he searched every inch for any sign of a change.
Nothing.
Finn nodded to himself, feeling a surge of determination.
He hadn't left a scratch on it.
And that only made him all the more certain—whatever this lamp hid, it must be something extraordinary.
The harder a secret was to unveil, the greater its value.
After a moment of thought, Finn set the lamp upright on the grass.
He exhaled slowly, then drew upon his soulforce once more.
A deep, oppressive aura began to radiate from him, so intense that cracks spiderwebbed through the ground beneath his feet.
Unrivaled Flame Technique—First Skill: Flaming Claw!
BANG!
Golden Bamboo Technique—First Skill: Heavy Strike!
BANG!
Luminous Technique—First Skill: Luminous Kick!
BANG!
Three distinct attacks in swift succession struck the lamp.
As before, the lamp manifested its shimmering barrier, protecting itself from harm.
Flashes of colored light blazed across the clearing. Flames erupted, and a thick column of smoke billowed around Finn and the lamp.
When the smoke finally cleared—
The lamp still stood exactly where he'd left it, unscathed.
Around it, a yawning chasm had been blasted into the earth.
In the depths of that pit, Finn panted raggedly, his gaze locked on the lamp above.
His crimson uniform was torn and scorched. His black trousers were shredded in places, and shallow cuts marred his skin.
Confusion and disbelief churned in his eyes.
He had poured everything into those attacks. Techniques not born of this kingdom—skills he had learned through the system and from Kurt's memories.
Compared to them, the so-called "secret techniques" of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom were no better than trash.
And yet—
They had done nothing.
Finn leaped up, landing before the lamp once more.
He picked it up in both hands and carried it away from the crater to a wide stretch of grass.
There, he set it down carefully.
Then he turned and strode off a short distance.
When he returned, he was hefting an enormous sword.
The blade was crimson from hilt to tip, broad enough to resemble a slab of steel, and radiated the unmistakable aura of a High-tier Excellent Armament.
[Blood Heavy Sword]
Armament Grade: Excellent
Quality: High-tier
Damage: 10,200
This was the weapon Finn had chosen for his next attempt.
He was growing frustrated now.
If his skills alone couldn't crack the lamp, then he would wield an armament instead.
The massive blade weighed several hundred kilograms, but Finn lifted it easily to his shoulder.
Each step he took pressed the grass flat beneath his boots.
Adventurers were not ordinary people—they possessed strength and abilities no common man could dream of.
"Hmph. If you won't yield to my techniques, then let's see how you fare against an armament!" he snapped irritably.
He was talking to the lamp as though it were alive.
By now, he had stopped thinking of it as just an object.
He gripped the Blood Heavy Sword tighter.
All he wanted was to break through the barrier—to see what lay within and to discover why, every time he touched it, something inside him felt ready to awaken.
When he drew close, Finn unleashed his full power.
A savage aura rippled out from him, making the air quiver.
He poured all his strength into the enormous sword.
A bloody light flared along the blade's edge.
Seven Heavy Sword Art—First Skill: Heavenly Slash!
He swung with all the force he could muster.
The blade struck the lamp—and once again, the barrier flared to life.
The impact sent a shockwave exploding outward.
Cracks split the ground.
Grass flattened in every direction.
But the lamp's barrier remained intact.
Finn's arms trembled.
A heartbeat later, he could no longer hold the sword steady—
And he was flung backward, crashing onto the grass with a dull thud.
Lying there, his face darkened with fury.
He ground his teeth together, then staggered back to his feet.
He stomped toward the lamp, grabbed it in both hands—and yelled at it with raw frustration:
"You! You're just an old lamp! So why—why can't I open you?! You're driving me insane!"
He wound back his arm—and hurled the lamp with all his might.
It soared away into the distance, spinning end over end.
Out of the corner of his eye, Finn saw the little black creature slip away from its perch.
A sudden clarity returned to his mind.
"…I let my emotions get the better of me."
He took a slow breath.
"I have to retrieve it and find a way to uncover its secret… piece by piece."
His scowl faded, replaced by a rueful smile.
He set off in the lamp's direction.
As he walked, he glanced around, searching the grass for where it had fallen.
Moments later, his steps froze.
His eyes widened.
The barrier that encircled the Myriad World Mirror had…a small hole.
And lying within it was the lamp, perfectly intact.
Finn's heart leapt.
He lunged forward, reaching for it—
But just as his fingertips were about to close around it, the hole sealed shut.
His hand smacked into the invisible wall.
"…What now?"
He pressed his palm flat against the barrier, despair twisting his gut.
"I can't break this. How am I supposed to get it back? Who put this damn seal on the Myriad World Mirror?!"
His shout echoed in the silence.
His face flushed red with helpless rage.
With the lamp sealed beyond his reach, Finn felt the last embers of his hope guttering out.
He stood there a long while.
Finally, he exhaled and turned away.
He climbed the mountain of armaments and selected three Top-tier Rare Armament, placing them in his interspatial ring.
When he was done, he smoothed out his tattered clothes and donned a fresh uniform.
The shallow cuts on his skin closed, leaving no sign he'd ever been injured.
Once he felt fully recovered, Finn summoned the mirror's exit.
He stepped through—and the brilliant, otherworldly realm vanished behind him.
Back in the real world, the mirror shrank and sank into his body once more.
He opened his eyes and swept his gaze around the quiet room.
Dawn's light filtered through the closed window.
He walked over and unlatched it, letting the warm morning breeze wash over his face.
Finn closed his eyes and drew a deep breath.
Calm returned to him.
When he opened them again, golden irises glimmered with renewed resolve.
He turned to the door, removed the lock he'd placed on it, and stepped into the corridor.
No one was about.
Without delay, he climbed to the second floor.
He needed to speak with Noah.
When he reached the landing, he spotted Noah and Marcus in quiet conversation.
Noah's brows lifted when he saw Finn approach.
He stood, regarding him intently.
"Finn Doria? Is something wrong?"
Finn smiled faintly, bowing with respect.
"There's no problem. I came here because I have something to offer."
"Oh?"
Noah's eyebrow rose higher.
He tried to read the boy's thoughts—but, as always, Finn's mind was like a sealed vault.
"Sit down," he said.
Finn inclined his head politely and approached their table.
He didn't waste time on pleasantries.
"I won't beat around the bush," he began, his tone steady. "I'm here to present three items to you. They can be used by Ezekias, Lan, and Juvia in combat. Consider this my repayment for the old lamp you secured for me."
As he spoke, he touched his interspatial ring.
Three armaments materialized in a flare of light and settled gently onto the table.
A powerful aura immediately filled the air.
[Shining Red Whip]
Armament Grade: Rare
Quality: Top-tier
Damage: 1,100
[Shining Silver Fan]
Armament Grade: Rare
Quality: Top-tier
Damage: 1,100
[Shining Green Cloth]
Armament Grade: Rare
Quality: Top-tier
Defense: 1,100
Noah and Marcus were struck speechless.
Astonishment rippled across their faces.
How could a youth from an Ordinary Clan possess such treasures?
"No… We can't possibly accept these," Noah said, shaking his head. "We gave you the lamp willingly. There is no debt to repay."
Even as he refused, he knew how valuable these armaments were—worth at least three times the cost of the lantern.
Finn simply smiled and shook his head.
"I already have weapons of my own," he said gently. "These mean little to me. And, to be honest…I don't like owing anyone anything. You granted me a favor, so it's only natural for me to repay it."