Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 283

BOOM!

A thunderous roar echoed as Theo’s punch struck the obsidian horn, sending dust billowing into the air. He frowned, an unsettling sensation lingering on his fist. The strange texture of the horn when his fist collided with it left him with an inexplicable sense of discomfort.

Despite the force of his strike—enough to shatter the entire wall—the horn remained utterly motionless.

However, something was different.

It’s... stagnant.

The enormous amount of mana Theo had unleashed was neither absorbed nor dispersed. Instead, it lingered, swirling restlessly in place.

Whirrrr.

A mechanical hum began, and the stagnant mana slowly started to spin, forming a vortex as though it were being sucked into a drain.

Rumble!

The sound of something activating echoed from within the wall. The horn began to vibrate slightly, cracks forming along the cliffside as a piercing light seeped out from the darkness.

The massive mana that had failed to enter the horn earlier now began to flow into it at an accelerating rate.

RUMBLE!

The deafening mechanical noise grew louder, signaling that something significant was unfolding inside.

FZZT!

A burst of dazzling light erupted, illuminating the surroundings. Five beams of light branched out from the center, crawling along the cliffside in intricate patterns.

“Fascinating,” Lodbrok murmured, her gaze fixed intently on the unfolding spectacle. She even leaned forward slightly, as if trying to absorb every detail.

I didn’t expect Loddy to be this intrigued, Theo thought, observing her keen interest.

The five beams of light etched complex patterns as they spread outward, forming intricate glyphs that seemed impossibly precise. Even to the untrained eye, the patterns were breathtaking in their symmetry and beauty. The glowing designs expanded until they covered the entire cliff face, their sheer scale adding to their overwhelming presence.

What was once a chaotic, unnatural flow of mana now seemed harmonious, perfectly integrated into the environment. Lodbrok’s eyes sparkled as she examined the scene, as though savoring a fine work of art.

Zzzzzhhhhh.

When the circular border of the design completed itself, a massive magic circle materialized. Its luminous patterns blinked once, then began emitting a soft, steady glow.

“Incredible,” Lodbrok muttered, her tone filled with genuine awe. “To think someone could create such a thing.”

Her pure admiration was evident in the way she nodded repeatedly. For Lodbrok, this magic circle wasn’t just a tool—it was a masterpiece, an exquisite work of art.

[Ding!]

[A worthy soul has knocked on the door.]

[Access to ‘Mystery’ is granted.]

So this is Mystery...

Theo’s thoughts raced, but there was no time to linger on his surprise.

WHIRRRR!

A powerful gravitational force erupted from the center of the magic circle.

RUMBLE!

The sheer intensity of the pull caused the cliff behind it to quake violently. Stones broke free and were sucked into the magic circle, their impact echoing loudly as they crashed against its surface.

BOOM! BOOM!

Massive chunks of rock collided with the magic circle, shattering into debris and sending shards flying. It felt as though the entire cliff might collapse at any moment.

Theo didn’t know what lay beyond this gateway, but if it was truly "Mystery," he would deal with whatever awaited on the other side. Trusting his instincts, Theo surrendered to the pull, allowing himself to be drawn rapidly into the magic circle.

The overwhelming gravitational force consumed him entirely, and the world around him dissolved into a blinding cascade of light.

***

“Ugh… Ugh…”

Theo groaned as a sharp pain throbbed in his head. For a moment, he realized he must have lost consciousness. He was lying face down, his body heavy and unsteady.

Beside him, Lodbrok was curiously inspecting the surroundings, her expression full of intrigue.

“You’re awake?” Lodbrok asked.

“Yes… but where are we?” Theo replied, pushing himself up.

“I have no idea. Even I, with all my years of existence, didn’t know such a place existed.”

Theo stood and surveyed the area.

No signs of an enemy…

Given the ominous nature of this place, Theo had expected a guardian or some form of hostility, but there was nothing. No presence, no mana signatures—just an unsettling quiet that grated at his nerves.

So this is what it’s like…

He quickly pinpointed the source of his discomfort. The environment was unnatural. The air was thin in some places and oppressively dense in others, making it difficult to breathe evenly.

Mana flowed in clumps, gathering unpredictably, creating spots that could feel like walking into an invisible wall if one wasn’t careful. Gravity shifted erratically—crushingly strong in some areas and nearly non-existent in others.

It felt more like a sadistic trap than a mystical space.

Whoever created this must have a wicked sense of humor.

Theo couldn’t help but wonder about the creator of this space. The sheer malevolence of the design made him feel as though this “Mystery” was actively hostile to any who entered.

When he took a step, a strange sensation coursed through his body, as though his very soul were slightly out of sync with his physical form.

Even the senses are distorted here?

It was like a dissonance between his body and spirit. Every movement, no matter how small, felt awkward and unnatural.

Once he understood the cause of his discomfort, he managed to calm himself. Yet, there was something surprising about this situation.

Have my senses become this sharp?

What would have registered as a faint unease before now felt deeply disturbing. That heightened sensitivity meant Theo’s perceptions had evolved significantly.

He could think of only one explanation.

The fight with the Second Apostle… The Blood Moon Festival must have sharpened me.

The clash had pushed Theo to his limits, allowing him to unleash his full potential. Now, he was experiencing the results—both the growth and the aftereffects.

Despite the newfound clarity, Theo couldn’t shake his curiosity about this space.

Where are we?

Above them floated a temple, suspended in a void as black as night. The edges of the platform they stood on disappeared into the abyss below. The entire structure seemed unbound by gravity, like it was drifting aimlessly through the cosmos.

What kind of deity could create such a space?

While the temple defied gravity, the path leading to it—a staircase lined with solemn braziers—emanated an almost reverent aura.

Who is this god?

Whoever it was, their authority had to be immense. The scale of this subspace alone was beyond mortal comprehension. It wasn’t just impressive—it demanded respect.

As Theo and Lodbrok ascended the staircase, each step triggered the braziers to flare with sacred flames, as if welcoming them.

“Do you know what this is?” Lodbrok asked suddenly, her voice laced with excitement.

“What do you mean?” Theo replied.

Lodbrok grinned, a rare display of genuine enthusiasm. She seemed deeply invested in her surroundings, more so than Theo had ever seen before.

“This space, and the magic circle outside—it’s all from the Age of the Gods.”

The revelation stunned Theo. The Age of the Gods was a time of unparalleled power, when gods walked among mortals and their magic shaped the very fabric of reality.

“That’s why this is so fascinating,” Lodbrok continued, her smile widening. “To think I’d see such exquisite divine magic…”

For someone like Lodbrok, who had lived through countless eras, encountering a remnant from the Age of the Gods was akin to Theo discovering a lost masterpiece of swordsmanship. However, that also carried significant implications.

If this place truly originated from the Age of the Gods, it meant that whoever created it was wielding divine-level magic—a terrifying thought.

Whether they’re an ally or an enemy, I need to stay cautious.

Even Lodbrok’s enthusiasm was tinged with unease. While she appreciated the marvel before her, the potential for danger wasn’t lost on her.

As they climbed the stairs, the pair remained vigilant, but the eerie silence persisted. No enemies revealed themselves, and the oppressive atmosphere grew heavier with each step.

When they finally reached the massive temple at the summit, they were awestruck. The sheer grandeur of the structure was overwhelming. Its pristine white stone radiated a soft, comforting glow that seemed to seep into their very souls.

Is this… divine power?

Theo could feel it—pure, untainted mana that felt like it was cleansing his body from the inside out. It wasn’t his first encounter with divine power, but his recent growth made him far more attuned to it.

The sensation was almost euphoric, as though his body was floating in an otherworldly current. It was at that moment that he noticed something unusual at the far end of the temple—a lone monolith.

The stone stood isolated, unadorned, and stark in its simplicity. Its lack of decoration made it feel forlorn, almost tragic.

This entire space exists for that monolith…

The realization struck Theo immediately. The energy emanating from the monolith filled the entire space, its aura clearly the source of the oppressive atmosphere and chaotic phenomena.

Lodbrok narrowed her eyes, studying the monolith intently.

“Hm. That must be the keystone,” Lodbrok said.

Without hesitation, she began walking toward it, and Theo followed.

Zzzzzhhh.

A sharp, grating noise filled the air with each step they took. The sound grew louder, accompanied by a crushing pressure that felt like a boulder being placed on their shoulders.

Is it trying to keep us away?

Each step felt heavier than the last. The sound of their movements echoed like a giant’s footsteps, the weight threatening to buckle Theo’s knees.

Can I endure this?

Theo activated his triple core, circulating mana through his body to enhance his physical capabilities. The effort gave him just enough strength to push forward.

Lodbrok’s using magic to resist it.

Lodbrok, unbothered by the weight, moved with effortless grace. Yet, Theo knew that even she was cautious. The intensity of the pressure was steadily increasing, pushing both of them to their limits.

BOOM!

Theo widened his stance, trying to cover more ground with each step. Suddenly, the pressure doubled, slamming into him with overwhelming force.

What!?

The sudden shift made him stumble, almost collapsing to the ground. It was as if the space itself was punishing him for attempting to outsmart the divine power.

No shortcuts…

The crushing weight was a warning, a divine rebuke against arrogance. With a deep breath, Theo steadied himself and resumed his march, this time moving with deliberate, measured steps.

Crunch.

As he neared the monolith, the sheer weight caused cracks to form in the stone floor beneath him. Each step reverberated through his body, and then a new sensation hit him.

Gasp.

His breath caught in his throat, as though an unseen force were suffocating him.