Chapter 86: The Will of Illudan

Evan stood in front of the door to the Trial Grounds.

More precisely, he was inside the Trial Grounds, looking toward the door.

‘Is this the place?’

Illudan Kerrten—his spirit remained here in the form of a rusted sword.

And this sword had led Evan here.

His voice echoed softly in Evan’s ear.

And along with it came the heartfelt will he had left behind for future generations.

“Two swords open a new path. The sword is the guide to open the path. It is the utopia of the unreachable. At the place where one can reach something new, the true way of the sword that we know will open.”

At the moment, Evan couldn’t understand the meaning clearly.

However, he could tell it was pointing toward a certain place.

What Evan discovered was that the current family heir’s sword and this first progenitor’s sword were keys to unlocking the gate there.

‘This sword is guiding me.’

Evan approached the open door.

He drew the sword embedded where the family’s heirloom sword was placed.

Then, the Trial Grounds’ door slammed shut.

Clank!

Rrrrrrr!

The heirloom sword was the key to opening the Trial Grounds’ door.

Naturally, without the sword, the door sealed itself.

Yet Evan found something interesting.

‘I didn’t realize it from the outside.’

With the door closed, he looked inside and saw a different pattern from the outside.

The Crest of the Family no longer had a shield, but two sword-shaped grooves had been carved.

One was red, the other blue, seemingly indicating that the swords should be fitted there accordingly.

‘The blue must be the heirloom sword, and the other must be the first progenitor’s sword.’

Now, Evan thought he understood what the voice had meant.

The two swords it mentioned were referring to the crest on this door.

Evan placed each sword into its corresponding groove.

Kukukung!

Moments later, with a tremor, a message appeared before Evan’s eyes.

[You have discovered the Hidden Piece: Illudan’s Trial Chamber.]

‘Wasn’t this the Trial Grounds already? Is the real Trial Chamber somewhere else?’

It seemed that this place was merely a training ground.

The real one was somewhere else.

The door opened, revealing the scenery outside.

But the sight was quite different from what Evan had imagined.

‘This isn’t underground?’

Though the door opened, this place was not the basement of the mansion where he had come from.

It was inside a building—a vast hall.

Armor stood neatly in rows along both sides of the corridor, and a red carpet was laid out.

Evan stepped slowly out of the door.

“This place?”

No matter how he looked, it was clearly inside a mansion.

But he had never heard of such a space existing within the Marquisate household.

Evan cautiously looked around as he walked.

Then, he spotted someone.

At the end of the red carpet, a man sat majestically in an ornate chair.

His blond hair covered his ears but was disheveled and unmanaged, and he wore the Kerthen Family’s special ceremonial uniform.

However, his head was bowed low as if asleep or deep in thought, making it impossible to see his face.

Resting his chin on his hand, he was utterly still, evoking the image of a corpse.

Yet Evan did not relax his guard.

Because he felt the aura of a powerful being radiating from him.

‘If he is human at all…’

Somehow, Evan felt he understood who this man was and why he was waiting here.

[You have discovered the Will of Illudan Kerrten.]

[The founder of the Kerthen Family welcomes you.]

As expected, he was Illudan Kerrten, the founder of the family.

How had he survived until now?

‘Wasn’t he a figure from a very long time ago?’

It was impossible from the start.

‘Could a person from the past really be alive to this day?’

There were many questions, but Evan recalled the system message.

‘The Will of Illudan Kerrten. So it might not be a physical being.’

The Trial Grounds Illudan prepared was also a place where mental power was materialized.

It was entirely plausible.

Evan slowly approached him.

His footsteps echoing loudly to wake him.

Then, finally, a voice broke the silence.

“Have you come?”

That short phrase carried the weight of having waited a long time.

The strong energy and the deep voice pressed down on Evan’s entire body.

The effect of Beast’s Heart activated.

Naturally, the fear immunity effect triggered. That meant Illudan’s aura was tremendously powerful.

“Who are you?”

Evan knew his identity but chose to ask first.

For the first time, Illudan lifted his head.

“A surprisingly young child has arrived.”

Despite the powerful aura, his face was kind.

Yet the gentle charisma within made him seem even more formidable.

“But coming here means you already know everything.”

Evan seemed to understand what he meant and answered immediately.

“You’re referring to the Memoir.”

“Yes. My descendant. It’s lamentable that no one has visited this place until now.”

He sighed deeply, wearing a sad expression.

“There are so few talented people. The things I prepared nearly became unnecessary.”

He rose from his seat.

The sadness faded, replaced by a brighter expression.

“Anyway, it’s fortunate that the seal was broken even once. Once the seal breaks, my will will be inherited. And descendant, someday you will take my place and pass this seat to others after you.”

Listening to his explanation, Evan began to grasp the situation.

‘Is this like a baton pass?’

Evan nodded slightly and responded.

“I understand. So, you are the founder of the family?”

“Indeed. What is your name, descendant who came here?”

“Evan.”

Illudan stood and approached Evan.

“Evan, that’s a good name. I like that look in your eyes. I expect great things from you at such a young age.”

He laughed heartily and continued.

“Are you curious how I’m still alive?”

“Yes. And I don’t understand what you mean by ‘taking my place.’”

Illudan’s smile did not fade at Evan’s questions.

A visitor after a long time—he was pleased to have someone to converse with.

And finally, it was time for him to complete his role and pass the torch to the next generation.

“Strictly speaking, my body has died, but my spirit has dwelled here.”

He raised one hand.

A crystal condensed with runes appeared floating above it.

“This made everything possible.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a relic from our ancestor. It can recreate everything you have experienced coming here. It contains a mysterious power to replicate the user’s spirit.”

This was fascinating information for Evan.

Though Evan asked for more details, Illudan shook his head.

“I don’t know much myself. This is an ancient relic from a time so distant, even the ancestors don’t know its origin. It might be from a time so long ago, perhaps spanning eternity.”

Even Illudan had little knowledge of the relic passed down through generations.

‘How long has this world existed?’

Considering the vast history of this world, Evan could guess one thing.

‘The main quest difficulty is going to rise more than I expected.’

In a world like this, anything could appear at any moment.

“Are you done with your questions?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s get to the point. Evan, I will now pass everything to you.”

Illudan drew a sword from the Red Scabbard at his waist and spoke to Evan.

“First, I want to test your skills. Pass the trial.”

At that moment, a new message appeared before Evan’s eyes.

[A Hidden Quest has appeared.]

[Pass Illudan Kerrten’s Trial.]

Evan silently began to form his sword.

***

Study of Clyd.

Clyd, Evan, and Delian had gathered here.

The day to decide the Heir.

Delian looked worn out, as if he had been tormented for some time.

It was understandable—his lifelong goal was vanishing.

‘I… now…!’

Though it was a goal that required personal sacrifice, Delian had been proud and held it with great pride.

Delian had resolved to dedicate his life to the Earl’s Territory.

A dream.

That dream was now on the verge of disappearing.

Like a marionette with its strings cut, Delian seemed utterly defeated.

Clyd, seeing Delian like that, had no words.

There was only one way—to overcome it himself.

Clyd turned his head back to Evan.

“Evan, you have passed all the family head’s trials. From now on, you will become the official Heir. Are you prepared?”

Evan was the eldest son of the Count Kerthen Household.

Originally, it was only natural for the Heirship to fall to Evan.

Though the process had felt somewhat anticlimactic, everything was now falling into place.

Evan gave a faint smile in the strange atmosphere and replied.

“Yes. Of course, I am prepared.”

“Good. From tomorrow, as the head of the family, you will work with me on the affairs of the Marquisate. Brace yourself.”

But Evan shook his head.

“No. I’ve changed my mind. I don’t intend to take that position.”

Delian’s eyes widened at the unexpected statement.

Clyd furrowed his brows as well.

“What do you mean by that? You refuse to become the Heir?”

His voice was agitated.

This was disrespectful, especially toward Delian.

Delian had prepared desperately for this, taking the succession trial.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he had lived his entire life to become the Heir.

To give up such a position so lightly—it meant Evan considered it trivial.

“Explain what you just said, Evan.”

Clyd’s voice was low and threatening.

Depending on the circumstances, Evan could face severe punishment.

Delian’s expression was complex.

He didn’t know how to interpret this.

He couldn’t exactly be happy, nor could he be displeased.

Evan calmly maintained his composure and slowly spoke.

“I will succeed as the Heir. However—”

The sword in the Red Scabbard appeared in Evan’s hand.

“It is the will of the predecessors that I intend to inherit.”

It looked similar to the blue heirloom sword but had a more modest impression.

At the same time, Clyd’s eyes grew wide.

His expression—usually so unreadable—showed great surprise.

“How did you get that?”

Clyd couldn’t hide his astonishment.

It was a legendary sword known only from family records.

Clyd had tried to find it but had failed, leaving it only in memories.

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect the sword to be before him, held in Evan’s hand.

“The Legacy of the Ancestor…”

The sword that contrasted with the family heirloom sword.

Its value exceeded imagination.

Then, a new message window appeared before Evan’s eyes.

[The Family Heir Quest has been updated.]

[Upgraded from Branch Quest to Main Quest.]

[Main Quest: Path of Shadows has begun.]