28 Spiritual Encounter (1/2)

To designate status in the Sect, members are rewarded varying facilities. As people usually had their own sword which they were emotionally attached to, the Sect did not grant people swords as they had already adopted the ideology which states that swords were like fortuitous encounters and they must be toiled with not for. The facilities rewarded included baths, smiths, housing, and obviously places to train. They might not have lived as luxuriously as they could have if they left the sect but through a.s.sociating with other pa.s.sionate lovers of the Sword and being taught by those superior, one had more potential to reach greater heights in their lifetime.

Since Sword Sages were figureheads, they obviously were given lavish accommodations. Sword Sages and Saints lived in separate residences while Blademasters and below resided within the same communal building within tiered floors.

Guren did not have the key to his own residence however, that mattered little to someone like Atlas.

[Skill Unveiled: Lockpicking B]

[Skill Unveiled: Dexterity B+]

With hands that were able to type over 250 words per minute before meeting the System, he could have been considered quite dexterous. However, that would be an understatement as due to having been locked up by his family so often, he had mastered the art of picking locks with flimsy materials and could be an incredible ma.s.seur if he had any interest in the occupation.

Through his masterful manipulation of strings which were flexible yet firm, he effortlessly unlocked the door to what should have been his home. As the residence had a total of three stories, he calmly surveyed the furnis.h.i.+ngs of the home.

The Mystical Blade Sect sure didn't cut any corners when providing for their figureheads as the wood which the furniture was carved from was of high quality and durable enough to contend with steel. The carpeting was also embroidered with detailed murals which seemed to have used threads of pure gold. Guren would have spent his time reviewing and studying the ancient furnis.h.i.+ngs of imperial quality if it was not for the intense stench of musk lingering in the air.

Guren dared not touch the furnis.h.i.+ngs despite being curious as splotches of a dubious substance stained parts of them. Reaching the staircase leading to the second floor, the stench only grew stronger and he caught sight of scattered garments. Many soiled dudous lay on the floor which made it obvious that those responsible were far more than l.u.s.tful. They copulated like rabbits that did it not for the pleasure but because it was required in order to live. It disturbed him as he was disgusted but he was more confused by what he sensed.

Upon arriving at the third floor, he started hearing sounds of grunts and sensuous moans. A nubile female moaned in a sultry and alluring tone as she continually tempted the male which relentlessly discharged into her.

”More, Faster!”, the female demanded as her visage distorted into an o.r.g.a.s.mic expression.

”How much more?”, the man complained as he was clearly tired of doing the same thing over and over again.

The man then sighed with slight disgust and suggested, ”If you need it that badly, why don't you just start an orgy?”

The female then shook her head vehemently and slightly glared at him, ”They're too weak for it to have any effect. Besides, isn't stroking your ego beneficial to you?”

She was about to change positions before continuing but stopped completely. Disregarding her state of complete undress, she stared in fear at Guren who stood just behind the door. The man had just noticed as well but before they could react, Guren kicked down the door.

”How are you two simultaneously both dead and alive?”, Guren asked while unleas.h.i.+ng an oppressive aura.

The two gawked with jaws agape as they could not believe that the person they had killed had resurrected and had become so powerful.

”Could he also be possessed?”, the female Swordwielder suggested.

”Impossible. The real soul has long since departed”, the male Blademaster clarified.

Knowing that the newly arrived ent.i.ty was not one of their own but also capable of affecting souls, they immediately tried to retreat.

Pulling out a small key which was faintly purple, the male Blademaster and the female Swordwielder tried to open a portal. Seeing the tear in reality, Atlas was reminded of the h.e.l.l realm which he was currently reconstructing into a more Elysian place as he was not very fond of macabre and grotesque depictions. Seeing the two try to enter, he immediately slashed towards the portal with Worldly Rend.

The Blademaster reacted quite quickly and attempted to mitigate the blow. The former female Swordwielder had already entered which made Guren frown.

The frightening strength of Worldly Rend shattered the Blademaster's sword and diced the flesh on his arms. Despite having shredded flesh that oozed blood hanging on his forearms and near death, the Blademaster did not back down as he was a prideful creature. Before Guren was able to finish the defeated, the arms of the female Swordwielder appeared out of the portal and dragged the Blademaster in at a speed which rivaled Atlas'.

Due to being experienced with portals, Atlas had no fear and tried to enter the portal which began to dwindle.

[Requirements Not Met]