Return of the Mythic Bloodline

Before the day I was teleported to Vyoman, I hadn't seen anyone with a serious injury. I couldn't even watch gore content in movies. Just the sight of blood would make me feel like vomiting.

The only thing I possessed was the ability to remain calm in intense situations. No matter how bad I felt, I could somehow make rational decisions most of the time.

So what happens when this kind of person is exposed to the sight of mass murder, severed limbs, and land tainted with blood?

After coming back to reality, I wasn't able to think much about what I saw in Jambavan's memories, as my focus had shifted to the immediate injuries I had suffered.

But when I saw that stone on Jambavan's chest, all the horrors of his memory flashed before me.

It would have been more strange if I hadn't suffered after-effects from witnessing that bloodbath.

However, there wasn't a chance in hell I would let it overwhelm me. It was not a pleasant experience, but a necessary one.

It wasn't guaranteed that I wouldn't encounter a mass murder again, so I had to prepare my mind and heart to be strong for any future challenge.

I gritted my teeth, triumphing over my panic, and spoke, "It was just the pain leaving my body after Ruru's blessing."

"'But it didn't seem—' Nymeria began, but I cut her off. 'Let's not talk about this.'"

I put the stone in my pocket, then moved towards Ruru, who was sitting beside Jambavan.

"Ruru, are you mad at me because I hurt your friend?" I asked, slowly moving my hand toward her.

She raised her head, touching my hand, assuring that she was fine.

Then she immediately shifted her focus to Jambavan, whose hand began to twitch.

He was about to wake up. His eyelids flickered, and he finally opened his eyes, coming back to consciousness.

Ding...

"Congratulations! You have completed the subquest

Subquest:

→ Free Jambavan from his agony by absorbing the cursed Soulforce: completed

[Claim the reward]"

"I'll look at it later," I muttered, waving a dismissive hand at screen.

"How are you feeling?" I asked in a soft voice.

"Who... the hell are ya?" Jambavan mumbled, his voice rusty rasp.

"Did—did you hear that? That bear just talked," Nymeria whispered, pulling my jacket.

"What are you saying, Nymeria? Aren't you the one who told me he is the God of Strength? Of course, he would have that much intelligence," I murmured back as Jambavan silently watched our exchange.

"Ahem... ahem...—My name is Raj, this pretty lady here is Nymeria el Snowbane, and I don't think I need to introduce her to you," I said, pointing at Ruru.

"Ruru... so it was really ya? It's- it's been so long," he spoke, tears rolled out from his only eye.

Ruru moved her head closer to him as he raised his arms to hug her.

They embraced each other without saying a single word, letting their emotions speak volumes.

After a few minutes, Jambavan spoke, looking at me,

"Ya said yer name's Raj, huh... Are ya the one who freed me from that damn curse? Must be ya... seein' as that girl behind ya's got her Soulforce sealed..."

"Well... that kind of happened since I needed to leave this forest and you were in the way," I replied, trying not to meet his gaze to avoid any unnecessary praise.

"But, how do you know her Soulforce is sealed?" I asked, my voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

"Ay can sense the energy o' Queen Gumiho on her seal," he replied, slowly leaning against a tree.

"Do you know a method to lift this seal?" Nymeria asked abruptly, cutting me off.

"Only Queen Gumiho herself can lift this level o' seal. Yer lucky that's the only consequence ya suffered. The seal she used is powerful enough to block the life meridian. Yer a formidable warrior and ya ain't even reached half of yer potential,"

he said, gazing at Nymeria.

"It's an honor to receive praise from the God of Strength himself," Nymeria replied, slightly bowing her head with respect.

"Ay ain't a God o' Strength no more. Ay don't deserve that title," he responded, looking downward.

"Lord Jambavan, may I ask you something?" I said, sitting before him.

"Just call me Jambavan. And yer mah saviour—ya can ask anything," he replied, holding his injured sides.

"What is this curse? And how did someone as strong as you get affected by it?" I asked, my tone turning serious.

"Didn't ya find that answer when ya sneaked into mah memories?" he spoke, a smirk appearing on his face.

"How—how do you know?" I gasped, my eyes widening from the sudden hit of his words.

"All o' mah knowledge about this curse, how it affected me and the other Gods, is bein' blocked by a foreign seal in mah mind. Ay only remember that there exists a bizarre skill that can help the caster absorb this curse and also peek into the memories o' the inflicted. That's why ay asked ya if ya found that answer when ya peeked into mah memories," he explained, licking his wound in between.

"Unfortunately, I didn't. I was thrown out after your battle with those creat—"

He suddenly gazed at me, his eyes burning with raw hate. The air became heavy, and the debris on the ground began floating upward.

Then a loud thud followed.

His own punch had struck his face.

"Ay apologise. Ay lost my poise for a moment," he muttered, grinding his teeth.

"It's alright. I understand," I replied. Then, with a bit of a pause, I said, drawing the stone out of my pocket, "Take this. I found it clinging to your chest when I absorbed your curse."

He raised his trembling hand slowly and grabbed the stone.

"Not even a million thanks would be enough for what ya have done for me," he replied in a cracking voice. Then, putting his massive hand on my head, he spoke further,

"Let me give ya this small gift to show mah gratitude."

A crimson-colored energy started pulsating from his hand and, in the form of thick lines, began entering the mark on my forehead.

It continued for a few minutes, then...

Ding...

"Congratulations!!! You have received the Blessing of the God of Strength – Mystic Bear Jambavan"

Blessing of Jambavan: When facing an opponent stronger than you:

→ All of your stats will be increased by 50%

→ All of your skills will be increased by one level

Note: This blessing consumes an immense amount of Soulforce, and if the Host doesn't possess enough, it will fail to activate.