The next day, Leo and Helmond trained alongside Gabriel. After encountering the Tyrant, Leo's motivation burned stronger than ever, pushing him beyond his limits. His power grew noticeably—he could now channel Light into his blade, enhancing it to the point where it could cut through even the hardest metal they possessed.
Helmond's abilities, however, remained a mystery. He continued to wear his cloak, though it was now new and well-fitted, thanks to having his own wardrobe at last.
Suddenly, Eryndor interrupted the training session by hurling a sword straight at Leo. Instinct took over—Leo reacted with astonishing speed, deflecting it without even realizing what he had done until the moment passed. Eryndor smirked and told him that if Leo could fully unlock his potential, he might one day fight the Tyrant toe to toe.
The words weighed heavily on Leo. He wasn't confident enough to believe it yet, but the pressure Eryndor placed on him left him with no choice. If he wanted to survive what was coming, he would have to train harder than ever before.
Leo still hadn't conquered his fear and had yet to master hand-to-hand combat. Seeing this, Eryndor proposed a strict plan: he would train Leo only if Leo unleashed his full power to him. After a moment of hesitation, Leo agreed and, for the first time, accepted Eryndor as his master.
While Eryndor pushed Leo to his limits, Helmond focused on understanding the true nature of his own mysterious powers. Meanwhile, the second-strongest warrior, Art Ryder, took it upon himself to train the entire army, preparing them for the inevitable confrontation with the Chainbound Lord.
After a week of relentless training, Leo hadn't even landed a single blow on Eryndor. Exhausted, his body aching, he still refused to give up, pushing himself to train over and over again. Eryndor acknowledged his determination, but he still considered Leo weak and useless—far from ready.
Desperate to prove himself, Leo unleashed his most powerful attack, nearly striking Eryndor. But his body had no energy left, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Eryndor immediately ordered Helmond to carry Leo to the Great Wizard for healing. Helmond was surprised by his own speed as he moved, realizing that if he could enhance it even further, it might be the key to unlocking his own potential.
Helmond realized that he could be faster than anyone here—except for Eryndor, of course. Eryndor was resting when Helmond approached him and asked if he could train both himself and Leo simultaneously. Eryndor agreed, but warned that they needed to figure out their powers faster than expected.
Helmond hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed to the plan. His focus would be on enhancing his speed, while Leo would train both mentally and physically, pushing himself to unlock his full potential.
After Leo fully recovered, their training resumed—and this time, it was even more intense than before. Leo moved with more confidence, while Helmond focused on dodging Eryndor's attacks with incredible speed. Eryndor couldn't help but be impressed by Helmond's instincts, though he remained slightly faster.
For the first time, Leo managed to land a hit on Eryndor—a small strike to his chest—but it was enough to show progress. Helmond, meanwhile, dodged nearly every attack with precision, steadily improving each time. Together, they realized the key to winning a fight was confidence and trust in their abilities.
During the session, Leo accidentally unleashed a new power: a slash of radiant light that nearly caught Eryndor off guard and even cut through part of their training area. Eryndor smiled, thrilled to see this power emerge, and suggested they focus on refining it the next day. Meanwhile, Helmond continued pushing his limits, moving faster with each attempt.
At night, Leo wandered through the city and spotted Rein hanging out with her friends, who were also magic users. Her friends were clearly smitten with Leo, which embarrassed him immensely in front of Rein. Trying to save face, he awkwardly joined their conversation.
Meanwhile, Rein was quietly thinking about the gem Helmond possessed. Leo noticed and asked, "Why do you want that gem from Helmond?"
Calmly, Rein replied, "I wanted to show you how strong I am."
Leo smiled and said, "I already know you're strong."
Rein shook her head with a small laugh. "Not enough… not yet."
To comfort her, Leo handed her a small barbecue he had brought along. They left Rein's friends behind and found a quiet spot to talk about their training, discussing whether Leo was truly ready to face the Tyrant again.
Eventually, the conversation faded, and the two of them fell asleep under the moon, sharing a calm moment amidst the chaos of their world.
The gem Helmond possessed could potentially unlock Rein's true power, allowing her to enchant her staff and greatly enhance her magic.
The Chainbound Lord originates from the Land of Virelith Stone. Five hundred years ago, he was a fierce and unstoppable warrior, feared across the Five Lands. During the First Great War, he was ultimately slain—but his defeat was far from the end.
Before his death, the Phantom Curse, a mysterious and sinister being who wields the Chainbound, chose him as its next vessel. The curse bound its power to Kharous Raine, embedding the eyes of the Phantom Curse within the Chain Ball and linking their fates forever.
Now, 500 years later, Kharous Raine has returned, resurrected and possessed by the Phantom Curse, determined to finish the conquest he failed to achieve centuries ago. With the Chain Ball in hand, he is both a man and a weapon—a living embodiment of vengeance, power, and destruction.
After his resurrection, Kharous Raine, the Chainbound Lord, wiped out the army of the Land of Virelith Stone, devouring their souls and absorbing nearly all of the land's life force. The devastation was catastrophic; the Land of Virelith Stone now lies in ruins. While some people survived, most are injured, weakened, and unable to defend themselves.
Although the Chainbound Lord grew immensely powerful from the souls he consumed, he was slightly weakened by the few brave warriors who stood against him. Unable to finish his conquest there, he withdrew, leaving destruction in his wake, and set his sights on the Land of Luminous Flame.
Driven by vengeance against the warriors who dared to injure him, Kharous Raine now seeks to absorb the life force of other lands, growing stronger with each conquest and leaving a trail of terror wherever he goes.
Kharous Raine was a loving husband and devoted father to two daughters. He died at the young age of 29, leaving his family heartbroken. Five years after his death, his wife eventually moved on, finding a new husband. His daughters grew up to become remarkable young women, thriving despite the loss of their father. In the end, with their mother remarried, they were able to build their own families and continue their lives, carrying on the legacy of their father in spirit.
Kharous Raine was chosen by the Phantom Curse because he was one of the strongest warriors in history—if not the strongest human of his time. The Phantom Curse itself is a manifestation of humanity's greed for war.
During the First Great War of the Five Lands, the curse was born from human conflict, a being created by the very desires and ambitions that drove nations to fight. Its purpose was to pose a threat to humanity itself, a force so powerful that it could push people to unite against it.
By selecting Kharous Raine as its host, the Phantom Curse bound itself to the strongest human available, amplifying its power while ensuring its presence would create maximum chaos and challenge for all of humanity.
The Chainbound Lord began hunting the weaker inhabitants of the Land of Luminous Flame, using them to restore his strength after his long absence. As he prowled, he stumbled across the native creatures of the land, devouring them one by one and regaining his stamina with each life absorbed.
Once fully replenished, he began formulating a plan to infiltrate the major cities of the land. His sights were set on the City of Lucindor and the City of Perona. Both were formidable and well-defended, but with careful strategy and precise execution, he believed even these bastions could be brought to their knees.
Sol finally forged his double-edged blade using the orb he had taken from the Darklord. It was the Orb of Corrupted Souls—a powerful but dangerous artifact, for the stronger the power within it, the more chaotic and corrupting it became.
After finishing the forge, Sol tentatively touched the blade. Immediately, the souls trapped within the orb began whispering in his ears, their voices eerie and unsettling. Fearful, he tried to throw the sword away—but the blade swiftly returned to his hand, as if declaring that he was the only worthy wielder of the double-edged Lunar Blade.
The sword carried deep personal meaning: one blade had been a gift from his mother, the other from his father. The original blades were weak, but by fusing them with the orb, Sol had transformed them into a single, immensely powerful weapon, perfect for the battles to come.
Mourvine Sol was ready to face the greatest Elf in the land, Arrarvon, but his nephew tried to stop him, warning that it was too dangerous. Undeterred, Sol challenged Arrarvon to a duel of honor, determined to restore the respect his family had lost.
The duel was personal: Sol's mother had taken her own life after learning that Sol's father had died fighting Arrarvon, who had fought dishonorably, breaking the code of the duel. Now Sol sought to avenge his father and reclaim the honor that had been stolen.
During the fight, Sol let the corrupted power of the Orb of Souls guide his emotions, amplifying his aura and strength. He fought with unrelenting intensity, mocking Arrarvon for his lack of honor and showing no mercy. Each strike carried both skill and rage, making him appear far stronger than he truly was.
In the end, Sol defeated Arrarvon decisively, killing him on the spot. The surrounding Elves were powerless to intervene, overwhelmed by the sheer force and presence of Sol's corrupted aura.
After the duel, the power he wielded began to feel uncontrollable, its chaotic energy surging through him. Seeking clarity and a way to calm his mind, Sol left the village and wandered into the woods, searching for something—anything—that could help him feel at peace.
The forest trembled as Sol stepped forward, sensing the dark, oppressive aura of the Chainbound Lord. His fingers tightened around the hilt of the Lunar Blades, and for the first time, he thought—I can beat him.
Without hesitation, he charged, slashing the blades in a blur of light. The Orb of Corrupted Souls within his weapons shimmered, feeding his strikes with raw, chaotic energy. Kharous, however, remained calm, almost amused, his purple-black aura radiating power that bent the air itself.
The first clash rang out like thunder. Sol's blades struck Kharous's armor, sparks and shadows exploding with every hit. But Kharous barely flinched, his movements fluid, precise, and devastatingly fast. Every counterattack forced Sol to dodge with all his might; even with the Lunar Blades, each swing was met with unrelenting force.
For nearly an hour, the forest became a battlefield. Trees splintered, the ground scorched, and the wind howled from the intensity of their movements. Sol fought with all his skill, willpower, and rage, mocking Kharous, testing his defenses, trying to find an opening. He landed a few shallow cuts on Kharous's armor, but they barely slowed the Chainbound Lord.
Gradually, Sol's stamina began to falter. His breathing grew ragged, his movements slightly slower. Kharous noticed, and a faint smile twisted his lips. With a single, effortless strike, Kharous knocked the blades from Sol's hands. The Lunar Blades skittered across the forest floor—but without Sol to wield them, their power lay dormant.
Before Sol could recover, Kharous struck again, a blur of shadow and force, sending him crashing to the ground unconscious. Calmly, Kharous picked him up, draping the unconscious warrior across his shoulders. Even as he carried Sol, Kharous's aura flared, drawing souls from nearby creatures, feeding his strength with every step.
The forest was eerily silent now, save for the whispers of the absorbed souls and the faint hum of the dormant Lunar Blades. Sol remained unconscious, helpless yet unbroken, while Kharous walked with an air of casual menace—the predator holding a prize, already plotting the next step in his dark designs.
Kharous Raine had reached the peak of his strength and power, his body and aura pulsating with the energy of countless souls he had devoured. Every vein of his being thrummed with the raw, unstoppable force of the Phantom Curse.
For the first time in centuries, he believed he could do what no one else could: destroy the City of Lucindor and the City of Perona single-handedly. The forests and plains before him seemed insignificant, mere obstacles in the path of his wrath.
King Henry prepared the army to face the Chainbound Lord, rallying his people and urging them to stand strong against a one-man army. The Great Wizard warned that the Tyrant was drawing near, and that he would strike sooner or later. "He has finally reached the peak of his power," the Wizard said, "and witnessing it is terrifying."
Hearing this, Leo felt a wave of fear and pressure. The weight of the coming battle, combined with the discipline and relentless training Eryndor had pushed him through, made him anxious for his life.
Meanwhile, Helmond's speed had improved drastically after three weeks of intense training under Eryndor, and his instincts were sharper than ever. Eryndor himself was fully prepared, having taught both Leo and Helmond every technique in hand-to-hand combat he knew. Except they were still no match for him, he trusted them to hold their own against most opponents and fight bravely when the time came.
The army readied themselves, the tension in the air thick as the shadow of the Chainbound Lord loomed ever closer than expected.
Art Ryder and his elite men were actively hunting Kharous, while Eryndor was ordered to select a worthy warrior to assist him during the fight. He went to the city to find that person and searched for two days. On the second day, he spotted someone using teleportation to fight off two bandits. Eryndor was intrigued — the young man was almost the same age as Leo.
Eryndor asked if he was interested in joining the force, but the young man insisted he wasn't. To prove his skill, Eryndor threw a dagger at him, and even when the young man teleported, Eryndor still caught up and pinned him to the ground.
Impressed by Eryndor's speed, the young man finally allowed him to speak. Eryndor introduced himself, and the young man revealed his name: Ethan Port. He already knew who Eryndor was. After the introduction, Ethan agreed to join the force — on one condition: after the fight, his family should be given a large amount of gold and left completely out of danger. Eryndor agreed, but they still needed to discuss the arrangement with the King.
The King and the higher officials agreed to Ethan's condition, but he had to honor it by serving the city for one year. Ethan accepted in order to free his family from poverty. Eryndor finally accepted him as his student alongside Leo and Helmond, who had been training nonstop ever since coming under Eryndor's guidance.
Ethan finally met Leo and Helmond during a training session.
Leo felt intimidated by Ethan's presence, viewing him as cocky and selfish, while Helmond stood awkwardly in silence, uncomfortable with social interaction.
Ethan introduced himself with confidence and determination. He was a ghoul slayer and a powerful teleportation user.
He harbored a deep hatred for ghouls because they had killed his brother, which fueled his desire to hunt every last one. Although he worked as a bounty hunter, he had a good heart, but his emotions and intensity were very much like Eryndor's.
Ethan already knew who Leo was, but he didn't know the extent of his abilities. Leo, on the other hand, was intimidated by Ethan, aware of the enormous skill required to even be considered worthy of Eryndor's training.
Helmond, curious about his own limits, decided to challenge Ethan to test how fast he really was. Ethan agreed, and the fight began.
Ethan teleported behind Helmond, striking, but Helmond dodged with his incredible speed. Ethan teleported again and landed a kick, yet Helmond recovered and counterattacked — this time managing to hit Ethan with a few sharp strikes, showing his growing skill. Helmond pressed forward, landing several more blows on Ethan's back, but each time Ethan teleported just in time to avoid the most dangerous hits.
Despite Helmond's impressive attacks, Ethan's mastery of teleportation allowed him to anticipate and control the fight. With a final teleport combined with a precise strike, Ethan caught Helmond off guard. Overwhelmed and unable to keep up, Helmond began losing consciousness.
Leo stepped forward to help the weakened Helmond and called a doctor to heal him. Ethan, witnessing Helmond's incredible speed, was impressed and finally acknowledged him as the real deal.
Meanwhile, Eryndor was alerted by a report from the Higher Officials of the Defense Team. Art Ryder and his men were battling a thousand ghouls at their camp. Art called for backup, but his message was interrupted by a terrifying, unknown aura — the aura of The Chainbound Lord.
Art Ryder immediately ordered his forces to fall back, but as they ran, nearly all of his men were devoured by the ghouls. Only Art and three of his men managed to barely escape the chaos.
Art quickly alerted the City's Defense and called for reinforcements while retreating back to the city. Meanwhile, Kharous Raine continued consuming the souls of the elite soldiers, transforming them into ghouls under his command.