Chapter 33: A Heart for Power


    A few days had passed, and Sena sat in his dimly lit room, eyes focused on the items scattered across the wooden table in front of him. His brow furrowed as he ran his fingers over the objects, feeling the weight of responsibility they carried. A basket-like backpack lay open, ready to carry the other tools he had meticulously prepared. Thin knives, each honed to a sharpness only a surgeon would appreciate, gleamed under the faint candlelight. There were jars as well, strange magical lines etched across them in a spiraling pattern, the lines expanding horizontally near the lids. These jars were essential, containers for preserving the essence of whatever he would encounter.


    The tools weren''t meant for combat. They were instruments for precision, for surgery—a procedure so dangerous that even the knowledge of it had come at a cost. Sena still remembered the old tome, the one he''d studied so intensely before it had vanished once the trial period was over. Its pages had detailed something incredible but equally horrifying: the art of replacing one’s heart with that of a magical creature. The heart, combined with the blood essence of the creature, was supposed to awaken the individual’s latent magical properties and propel them into the rank of Apostles. But the risk… the risk was astronomical.


    The procedure required more than just surgical skills. It needed magical substances to even stand a chance of success. "Holy Juice," a rare magical liquid, was necessary to prevent contamination during the operation. Without it, any attempt at replacing a human heart with a magical entity would result in immediate death from infection or magical backlash. Even if that hurdle was passed, there was the trauma—the body had to withstand the shock of the transformation. Only a specific magical plant, known as "Traumarest," could dull the body’s response and allow the heart to settle within its new host.


    Sena''s fingers traced the surgical tools once more, his mind racing. He had no idea where to find the Holy Juice or Traumarest, but the idea of performing the operation haunted him, night and day. What if it worked? He could become stronger, ascend to Apostlehood, and be free of the limitations that plagued all recruits. But if it failed...


    A shiver ran down his spine. He stood from his chair and walked to the window, staring out into the expanse of the Stone Forest beyond. Clouds hung low, casting eerie shadows over the forest, their edges glowing faintly from the light of the setting sun. Today would mark a crucial step in his journey. He had accepted a task to venture near the border of the Inner and Outer Perimeter, a dangerous area that held greater threats but also greater rewards. The task was led by Cloudbreaker, a recently returned recruit—less famous than figures like Gloomeyes or Salamander, but a survivor nonetheless.


    Cloudbreaker’s goal was the same as Gravedigger’s had been: to achieve a breakthrough and rise to the level of an Apostle. Sena was determined to learn from the experience, to observe firsthand what it took to succeed in such a dangerous ritual. On top of the promise of knowledge, the task was generous in terms of contribution points, and any spoils they found—whether it be magical plants, monster materials, or hidden treasure—would be theirs to keep. Sena knew that any remains of a magical beast could be invaluable to his future plans.


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    He would not miss this opportunity.


    Just then, a soft knock at the door broke through his thoughts. Sena turned to find Abel standing in the doorway. They had spoken earlier about the mission, and Abel had seemed intrigued by it. Both of them had gone to Poole’s store to gather supplies for the journey, including the jars and backpack Sena now had. Abel had seemed particularly interested in the jars, marveling at the intricate magical lines etched onto them which preserved the things within for longer than normal. Sena had been too focused on the upcoming mission to fully engage with his friend, but he appreciated the company.


    "Ready?" Abel asked, stepping inside and glancing at the table full of tools.


    Sena gave a tight smile. "As ready as I’ll ever be. Cloudbreaker’s mission could be my chance to gather what I need for the… procedure."


    Abel nodded, though his expression was cautious. "That’s dangerous work, Sena. You sure about this?"


    Sena sighed, picking up one of the knives and turning it over in his hand. "I know. But if I don’t take risks now, I’ll never move forward. The procedure—replacing my heart—is risky, but it''s the only way to ascend. I can’t stay a recruit forever, besides we will be going on expeditions at some point too and they are dangerous, why not temper ourselves now?."


    Abel crossed his arms, leaning against the wall. "Just be careful. I’ll be watching your back today."


    Sena chuckled, but the weight of the situation wasn’t lost on him. "I appreciate it, Abel. Really. I just hope Cloudbreaker’s ritual goes smoothly. Gravedigger gave us all a huge hint—concentrating mana within yourself or using a stimulant to trigger the breakthrough. It sounds so simple when you say it, but in practice…" His voice trailed off as he thought of the grueling trial ahead.


    "Yeah, well, nothing’s simple out there. The creatures, the environment, all of it’s out to kill you," Abel said, his tone serious. "We’ll get what we need, but we’re going to have to be sharp."


    Sena nodded in agreement. "I just hope I can find the remains of a magical beast. If I do, I might just have what I need to move forward."


    The two fell into silence for a moment, contemplating the dangers ahead. Finally, Abel clapped Sena on the shoulder, breaking the tension. "Let’s go meet Cloudbreaker. We’ll figure it out as we go."


    Sena nodded, gathering his things and slinging the basket pack over his shoulder. He grabbed the jars, carefully placed them inside, and picked up his set of knives, securing them to his belt. He gave one last glance at the room before following Abel out into the dim hallway.


    The air outside was thick with tension as they made their way toward the gathering point. The sky above the Stone Tower loomed heavy with clouds, and the strange lights and shadows that flitted through the Stone Forest gave the evening an unsettling feel. Sena couldn’t help but feel that something dark lingered just out of sight, watching and waiting.