Hero of Darkness

Again… the duo was left dumbfounded after learning the fact that both of them were in a trance and frozen like statues for straight-up 8 months while receiving enlightenment about the blacksmithing craft.

Kahn and Blackwall were speechless at this moment since they still couldn't accept this unbelievable fact since it went beyond their understanding that how what felt like hours to them were actually months in the real world of Vantrea.

Although they got some amazing and extremely handy gifts from the two deities of Blacksmithing and also learned a few things about other deities and how few things worked… they also paid the price of losing 8 months of their lives. Something that they were already running short on because of the upcoming face-off Kahn had against Helsi.

And to make things even more unfavorable, it was going to be displayed around the whole empire while Throk's entire company was at stake. By no means was their current predicament any good in any way.

Finally after a few minutes, Kahn calmed himself and started thinking about the facts while trying to make sense of what happened.

Kahn heard the word 'realm' often from the dwarven brothers and how everything aside from the forging room was only a contrast of black and red... Means that place was definitely not in Vantrea. Thus, he hypnotized that since it was a different realm…

Time and Space relativity worked differently between the realm where Kahn and Blackwall went against the normal time in Vantrea altogether.

Also, he was unaware about how long did he spend just to reach the forging room before he regained his consciousness and control over the body.

So there were very few logical explanations he could find about what caused this huge loss of time and created more trouble for them in due process.

Meanwhile, Throk noticed this expression on Kahn's face and saw how bewildered Blackwall was… so he decided to console his students.

"In my case, the enlightenment only lasted 2 months. Even someone like master Ivaldi took 4 months. So don't think that you've already lost the war.

Who knows if it could benefit you a lot in the future."

"What? You received enlightenment too?" asked Blackwall with his mouth agape.

"Yes. When I was only a semi-saint blacksmith 60 years ago.

That enlightenment was what helped me become a saint blacksmith.

All the top 5 saint blacksmiths of the empire have received it one way or another.

But I don't remember what happened to be honest.

But after I woke up, my skills improved greatly and my understanding rose by leaps and bounds in a couple of years." revealed Throk with a prideful expression.

[Master, I think the old dwarf and others did enter that realm too but failed during the journey to that room.

Maybe that's why they can't remember it.

If our master also received any blessings, he would not be able to mention this at all. Means he only had some gains but unlike us, he didn't get to meet the two deities.] said Blackwall as he made sense of everything from Throk's words.

[You're right. Because even if someone had the knowledge and wisdom for it… they may be lacking physical strength and mental tenacity.

Brokkr & Eitri did say that those who excelled in all three aspects would be able to reach the final room. Otherwise, they'd be sent back to the real world after failing in any of the criterias.] responded Kahn as he too quickly judged the situation quickly.

Again, after seeing their jarring expressions… Throk felt like both of them had lost their will to fight. With this mindset, no way in hell would Kahn be able to compete against Helsi in the challenge.

"Cheer up lads. Although we're short on time… let's make use of whatever you gained from the enlightenment.

Now, we can't waste any more time. We barely have 6 months left." he said and a fired-up battle intent was revealed in his eyes.

Kahn agreed. He said that he needed some time to recover completely and would continue their training from the next morning.

After taking a bath and having a scrumptious dinner, he lay down on the bed and commanded…

"System, give me the details."

He ordered the system that was dormant in his body from the last 8 months while his soul was in a different realm.

[Following are the Gifts received by the host from the Deities of Necromancy :

Blacksmiths' Intent (Saint Rank) (Passive) :

Allows the host and the subordinate named Blackwall to figure out the characteristics of a metal or material, the optimal temperature to forge them to create the best output and ways to refine the product at hand.

Note : This ability will upgrade only after the host becomes a Saint rank Blacksmith himself.

Mimir's Eyes (Saint Rank) (Active) :

Allows the caster to appraise any metal, alloy and material to be forged and determine by their quality. Thus, helping the user to maximize the chance to create higher-grade weapons, equipments and artifacts.

Current activation time limit : 1 hour per day.

Note : This ability's rank and the time it can be used for will increase with the host's rank in the Blacksmithing class.

Prometheus' Forethought (Saint Rank) (Active) :

Based on the rank of the Blacksmithing skills and abilities the host is in possession of, this skill can allow the user to predict the final outcome of the finished product and results while forging any weapon or armor.

Current activation time limit : 3 Hours

Note : The host must become a Saint Rank Blacksmith to use this skill.

And the host can not hide or limit his strength as well as rank while using this skill as a lower realm.

Means it can only use it while revealing the host's full prowess as this ability will exert a great burden on the caster's mind, mana, physique and world energy at the same time.] reported the system in its lifeless voice.

Kahn didn't bother overthinking the benefits of these skills. They were too obvious and simply a big game-changer in many aspects, truly worthy of being the gifts from Deities.

And now… he had only one objective in his mind as he planned to make up for the lost time and overcome his dire situation.

"Let's fucking win this challenge."