System vs Rebirth

Noel was sitting on top of the wall, ready to leave. However, he seemed to be occupied with something as he kept staring at empty air.

"What's wrong?" Anna came to him with a gentle smile on her face. They were about to start their hunt, so she wanted to check Noel's condition first.

"Nothing. I'm just looking at my mission and medals." Noel shook his head.

In his system, it was shown four new medals he received not long ago.

Name: One with the Sword Medal

Effect: Sword Proficiency +20%

Name: Demon Exterminator Medal

Effect: Sensing a Demon within a 100 meter radius.

Name: Dignity Medal

Effect: Charisma +30%

Name: Blessing Medal

Effect: While fighting together with your family, the user's Spiritual Energy increases by 30%

Name: Wife Medal

Effect: While fighting together with your wife, the user's Spiritual Energy increases by 15%, the user's strength and speed increases by 10%, and the pain tolerance increases by 20%.

He changed his medals for this hunt.

Name: Noel Ardagan

Job: Rune Knight

Weapon: Ardagan Sword

Main Medal: Demon Exterminator Medal, Elite Medal, Wife Medal

The Demon Exterminator Medal was basically an upgraded version of his Demon Hunter Medal. So his senses wouldn't lose to Anna's instinct from now on.

He could replace this Demon Exterminator Medal with the One with the Sword Medal whenever there was a big fight.

Noel still hadn't completed the Rune Knight's mission, which asked him to fight with runes. He had a few things in mind and planned to test it during this hunt, so he was a bit excited for this hunt.

Before going, Noel added, "Ardagan. You're not going to give me any missions? I might reach Spirit Transcendence after this hunt, you know."

[Mission: Pest Extermination.]

[Description: Annihilate all demons standing in your way. Setting up the target for the hunt. Kill 50,000 Demons during the hunt (0/50,000).]

[Reward: Demon Suppression Medal.]

[Mission: Spirit Transcendence.]

[Description: Reaching the Spirit Transcendence Stage.]

[Reward: Eternal Flame Body]

[Mission: Fighting the Unknown.]

[Description: An unknown danger is looming in the area. Overrelying on the system is bad. Figure out the unknown and defeat it with your own strength.]

[Reward: ???]

Noel widened his eyes in shock. "Killing fifty thousand demons? Are you serious? They are pretty scattered around the area, so it'll be hard to reach that number. No, it's possible if I somehow kill one thousand demons a day. We're probably hunting for two and a half months and will be back before spring anyway. Still, I'm not hunting alone this time."

As if understanding what Noel was implying, Ardagan made a correction.

[Confirm you want to have a joint mission with your wife?]

"That's possible?" Noel frowned. "Yes."

[Mission: Pest Extermination.]

[Description: Annihilate all demons standing in your way. Setting up the target for the hunt. Kill 75,000 Demons during the hunt (0/75,000).]

[Reward: Demon Suppression Medal.]

"Hahahahaha. You're kidding me." Noel laughed because the number was so ridiculous. Then again, Anna didn't have to hold back because Noel had to get the kill. So this could be considered an upgrade."

"Also, Ardagan… Is this Eternal Flame Body the same thing I'm thinking about?"

[Yes. It is my True Spirit Body.]

"Oh? That's perfect." Noel smirked. "Now that I think about it, what about the information I've received from Duke Lorelei about what I will get after becoming a Spirit Transcendence?"

[No need for the system.]

"…" Noel gave a wry smile. "Alright."

When Noel turned around, Anna realized that he was done reorganizing everything related to the system. "So what do you want to do? Will there be a change for our plan?"

"No. It's just…" Noel explained everything the missions gave him, including the number of kills and the unknown danger.

Anna contemplated for a moment. "If that's the case, we can proceed according to the plan. And since we're heading north, do you plan go to a bit further and find that kingdom?"

"No, not yet." Noel shook his head. "There must be a reason why Old Ru asked Andreas to bring us after reaching the Spirit Transcendence Stage. So we'll follow his words."

"Alright. Just to let you know, our first destination is an ancient ruin. It's so big that we need to be careful since there are going to be thousands of demons and numerous Peak Level Demons."

"I know." Noel turned around, releasing a bit of his spiritual energy as if calling someone.

In just a few seconds, both Dimitri, Howard, and Old Jade appeared.

"Are you going now, Master?" Dimitri asked politely.

"Yes. Dimitri will be acting on my behalf until I come back. You shall do your best to stop anyone from dying. Charlotte will be his deputy. Effective immediately, with Howard as the witness."

"Yes, sir!" Howard placed his fist on his chest and lowered his head, acknowledging his words.

Noel smiled at Dimitri. "I know you're worried about me, but believe me, I have enough strength to at least run away."

"Yes, Master." Dimitri nodded dejectedly.

Noel then turned to Old Jade. "Dimitri will have a lot on his shoulders, so Old Jade, I hope you can take care of the city's defense. I doubt anyone will try anything during the winter, but be vigilant."

"Yes, sir." Old Jade accepted it with a serious expression. Then, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going to become a Spirit Transcendence after this?"

"Are you worried about the power balance or something else?" Noel asked with a smile.

"I apologize." Old Jade gave a wry smile as Noel had seen through him. "To be honest, I have heard about the Spirit Transcendence stage. You have created your Spirit Heart and Spirit Mind, so the next is to become one with spirit."

"I know." Noel nodded, recalling information from his grandfather.

…

A few weeks ago.

"You should remember that Spirit Master is basically the rank for Assimilation and the Spirit Grandmaster is the rank for Fusion. Now that you have created a fusion with your spirit, you have to understand them and finally become one. We call this Synchronization.

"All the exceptional Spirit Grandmasters have 'Fusion' with their spirits, which we call True Spirit Body.

"However, Spirit Transcendence is different. Synchronization is not as simple as you think. For example, if we use our strength to shoot an attack, we are charging the Spiritual Energy while the spirit is infusing their elements, right?

"On the other hand, in this Synchronization, the roles will be the same. The human acts like a spirit, and the spirit acts like a human. For example, if we charge the spiritual energy, the spirit will have to do the same. If the spirit infuses the element, humans have to do the same.

"This way, you are able to release your power twice as fast. But that's not all. I've heard that if you want to become a Spirit Transcendence, you will have to become one with the spirit.

"In other words, your body will gradually change from normal human to half spirit. You will kind of notice the strong spirit around you and so on. Then again, I'm not a Spirit Transcendence, so I can't explain it to you.

"Just remember that when you're about to approach that stage, the Spirit Seal will undergo a transformation. There aren't many records about having two spirits in one body, but it's said that the last person who has a twin spirits is unable to reach Spirit Transcendence because of the clash between the two spirits.

"I don't know what kind of obstacle you will receive, but I pray that you're able to overcome it."

Noel nodded with a serious expression. "I'll do my best, Grandfather."

"Mhmm. If you manage to overcome that obstacle, you will be unparalleled. You might even get a new ability. According to my teacher, a Spirit Transcendence will have an ability surpassing anyone's imagination."

"I'm looking forward to it. But for now, I want to focus on overcoming the limit first." Noel smiled.

"Alright."

…

Noel remembered that conversation and couldn't help but say, "Spirit Union Ability, huh?"

"!!!" Old Jade looked surprised while Dimitri added, "I heard from Oscar that the Spirit Union ability is something you can't use easily. But once he uses it, destroying a single city with one ability is actually possible."

"…" Howard and Old Jade could only listen to something that they would never achieve in this life.

Meanwhile, Noel and Anna turned serious. If the Spirit Union Ability could do something like that, they thought the record about Noel's ancestor being able to destroy a mountain or create a valley as a Spirit King might be true.

Noel added, "And that will force the royal family to make their move. That's why I want you to keep this matter a secret… All of you."

"Understood." Dimitri nodded. "Still, you have to be careful, Master. Even a twin spirits user is unable to create a balance in his body. You…"

Noel understood Dimitri's concern. If two elements that actually stemmed from twin spirits couldn't unite as one, his fire and ice, which were opposite of each other, would create a much bigger impact. That was why Dimitri was worried.

"I know, Dimitri." Noel waved his hand. "In any case, we should get going now."

"Please have a safe journey." The three lowered their heads.

Noel and Anna were standing on the edge, exchanging smiles. "Shall we go?"

"Of course. I'll remain beside you even if it's to the end of the world."

Both of them jumped and landed on the ground at the same time as if they knew what each other was thinking. After that, they ran toward the north at high speed.

Before entering the woods, Noel said, "In our previous lives, we haven't reached Spirit Transcendences, right?"

"Yes. That's why it's also an unknown territory for me."

"Then, it's time for us to surpass our previous lives. Are you with me?" Noel smiled while extending his fist.

"Of course." Anna bumped his fist lightly as they entered the forest.