The Priest's Memories
The journey to Astral Forest took longer than expected.
Although their primary objective was to continue the Main Quest, every member of Guild TEMPLAR still took advantage of every map they crossed by hunting Mostro along the way.
"It'd be a waste to just pass through," one guild member said as he cut down the Mostro before him. "Free EXP and item drops."
Reina smiled.
"Go ahead. We're not in any hurry."
Even Reina and Lisa occasionally stopped to eliminate the Mostro they encountered.
KRSSSKKK!!
A glowing scroll dropped onto the ground.
"Manual XG Lv.150!" one member shouted.
Yukio, who happened to be nearby, immediately ran over.
"May I borrow that manual?"
The guild member nodded.
"And your weapon too," Yukio added.
"Huh?"
"Trust me."
Yukio quickly unpacked his blacksmithing equipment.
As a Craftman, he could forge equipment anywhere, provided he had enough materials.
He placed the owner's Great Sword together with the Manual XG and several Catalyst materials.
A brilliant light enveloped them.
TING!!
Moments later, a brand-new weapon appeared.
Prometheus Great Sword XG
+30% Damage
The weapon's owner stared in disbelief.
"It worked!"
He immediately swung the sword several times.
"Haha! My damage increased so much!"
Witnessing the successful upgrade, the other guild members became excited.
"Let's find more Manual XGs!"
"Hunt!"
In an instant, the atmosphere became much livelier.
Reina watched as the Clerics simply smiled while the Warriors enthusiastically competed to obtain more manuals.
Her gaze eventually stopped on Mina, who looked slightly dejected.
"Hey."
Mina looked up.
"Don't worry."
"Demonic and Demonia also have a chance of dropping Manual XG."
"Really...?"
Mina's eyes immediately brightened.
Reina nodded.
"When we hunt in Astral Forest, everyone should focus on collecting manuals."
"If anyone gets extras, prioritize the Clerics' weapons."
"Agreed!"
"We'll help!"
Hana was the first to answer, followed by the rest of the guild.
Hearing that, the Clerics smiled with relief.
Not long afterward, they arrived at the entrance to Astral Forest.
The scenery beyond the gate left nearly everyone speechless.
Gigantic trees stretched so high that they completely blocked out the sky.
House-sized mushrooms grew throughout the forest, emitting a soft bluish glow that gave the entire area a mysterious atmosphere.
Before they could fully admire the scenery...
Dozens of glowing red eyes appeared from behind the trees.
"Demonic..."
"Demonia..."
Reina immediately gave her orders.
"Formation!"
The Knights quickly formed a defensive circle at the front.
The Warriors positioned themselves directly behind them.
The Mages and Rogues spread out along both flanks.
Meanwhile, every Cleric remained safely in the center.
Just as Reina expected...
Dozens of Demonic and Demonia charged toward them simultaneously.
"Attack!"
The battle began.
Although the number of Mostro was overwhelming, Guild TEMPLAR's coordination had become far superior to what it once was.
The Knights absorbed the first wave of attacks.
The Warriors shattered the enemy front line.
The Mages bombarded the battlefield with magic.
Meanwhile, the Clerics maintained a constant stream of healing and buffs.
Armed with the Level 150 equipment crafted by Yukio, they steadily advanced while continuing to hunt toward a cave in the northern section of the forest.
Henia Cave.
Throughout the journey, Reina and Lisa repeatedly exchanged glances.
"This keeps getting stranger..." Lisa murmured.
Reina nodded.
"The map locations are exactly the same as Kosmik Online."
"But the Main Quest is completely different."
"Galdier..."
"Xina's prophecy..."
"None of this ever existed."
Lisa quietly nodded.
"Maybe..."
"This world really isn't just a game anymore."
Upon reaching the entrance to Henia Cave, Reina stopped the guild.
"You all stay outside."
Everyone looked toward her.
"This cave is still part of Astral Forest."
"The quest progress will be shared with the entire guild."
"While we're inside, hunt as much as you want."
"Collect as many Manual XGs as possible."
Everyone nodded.
Even Yukio joined the hunting party alongside the Knights and Clerics.
With their protection, he finally felt confident enough to use his basic combat abilities.
Meanwhile...
Reina and Lisa entered Henia Cave.
Just as Reina remembered, the cave's interior was filled with Level 120 Mummies.
They defeated the Mostro one after another.
Not long afterward...
KRSSSKKK!!
Sacred Crystal
"It really drops here."
Reina stored it in her inventory.
However, after obtaining several Sacred Crystals, the two of them became confused.
"But..."
"Where's the gravestone Xina mentioned?"
The cave resembled a labyrinth.
There were no clues whatsoever.
Suddenly, Reina stopped.
"Wait..."
Lisa looked at her.
"What is it?"
"I remember."
"Back in Kosmik Online..."
"There was another quest inside this cave."
"The one about the giant stone."
"I think it was..."
Reina carefully retraced the path from memory.
Several minutes later...
They arrived inside a vast chamber.
At its center stood a massive gravestone.
Its surface was covered with strange, unfamiliar inscriptions.
Its appearance was almost identical to the gravestone they had discovered inside Esmen Mine.
Lisa walked toward it.
"This has to be it."
She took out one of the Sacred Crystals.
Then—
CRAAAK!!
She shattered the crystal directly above the gravestone.
Instantly, the entire chamber was engulfed in black light.
Their vision blurred.
At that very same moment, every member of Guild TEMPLAR experienced the quest effect.
"What's happening?"
Several guild members asked through Guild Chat.
Reina quickly replied.
"Stay calm."
"I think this is part of the Main Quest."
"Just watch."
The world before them transformed into a scene from the distant past.
A young boy knelt before a small gravestone.
Above his head appeared the name:
Amanael
Suddenly, black light emerged from within the gravestone.
A deep voice echoed throughout the darkness.
"I am Cronio Orion."
"I know you have come here to devote yourself to me."
Amanael immediately lowered his head.
"I hate King Leon."
"Grant me power."
"I will serve you."
The black light expanded.
"Then..."
"Establish a cult."
"Spread my teachings."
The vision shifted once again.
Now they stood within Loki Forest.
Beneath the enormous tree they knew so well.
Amanael had grown into an adult.
He wore the black robes of a priest.
Dozens of followers stood before him.
From that day onward...
Amanael abandoned his old name.
He took on a new identity.
Priest Galdier.
Beneath that great tree...
The Cult of Cronios was founded for the very first time.
The black light gradually faded.
Every member of Guild TEMPLAR returned to the present.
Silence once again filled Henia Cave.
Lisa looked at Reina.
"So..."
"Galdier was actually Amanael."
Reina nodded slowly.
"So what we just witnessed..."
"...was history."
Finding no further clues, the two left Henia Cave and rejoined the rest of the guild, who were still hunting throughout Astral Forest.
Not long after everyone regrouped...
TING!!
A system notification appeared before every guild member.
Amanael Story Completed
A tremendous amount of EXP flowed into every member.
Reina advanced to Level 180.
Lisa also reached Level 180.
Meanwhile, the remaining guild members now ranged between Level 150 and Level 170.
After a brief discussion, Guild TEMPLAR decided to remain in Astral Forest for several more days.
Besides continuing to gain EXP, they also wanted to ensure that every member obtained a Manual XG for their own weapon.
Only after everyone had everything they needed would they return to Nergal City to meet Fortune Teller Xina once again and continue Cosmia History.