I Died and Became a Noble's Heir-Chapter 383: Partial Set Bonus Activated
"My family kept this for centuries because we knew it mattered. Didn’t know why or know what it did. But we knew it was important. More than just metal and tradition."
He began unwrapping the chain from his forearm. Metal links slid free with a whisper of dark steel against skin.
"My father told me something before he died," Chiron continued. "Said someday, someone would come asking for this chain. Someone who knew what it was. What it did. He said when that person showed up, when they asked for it knowing its true nature, I should give it to them."
The chain came free, pooling in Chiron’s palm.
"He said it meant House Stormblood had finished an ancient task. That we’d kept something safe until its rightful owner came to claim it." Chiron’s gaze stared into Jack’s soul. "I thought he was rambling. Old man lost in legends and prophecies."
He extended his hand, the chain resting on his open palm.
"But you know what this is. You understand what it does. What it’s meant for."
"I do," Jack confirmed.
"Then here’s my offer." Chiron’s grin widened. "Swear you’ll come to Draconia. Swear you’ll give me that fight. The real one, where neither of us holds back. Swear it. Prove it with blood. And this chain is yours. Honor your word that you’ll honor the deal."
Jack didn’t hesitate. His hand moved to his belt, drawing a small knife. The blade was sharp, and he pulled it across his left palm without flinching. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
Blood welled immediately.
"I swear," Jack said, his voice clear and certain, "that I will come to Draconia after I complete my business in Caeloria. That I will fight you with everything I have. Holding nothing back. Testing both our limits. This I swear on my blood and my word."
He extended his bleeding hand.
Chiron’s grin widened. He took the knife and cut himself. He clasped Jack’s hand firmly. Their blood mixed as the oath sealed itself.
Then Chiron placed the chain in Jack’s other hand. The metal settled against his palm with surprising warmth.
The moment the transfer completed, Jack’s awareness exploded.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
[Fractured Chain of the Soul Warden obtained.]
[Soul Warden Set: 2/3 pieces acquired.]
[Current pieces: Mask of the Soul Warden (Fractured), Chain of the Soul Warden (Fractured)]
[Warning: Items remain in a fractured state. Restoration is required before the set bonus can activate its full effects.]
[Soul-bound entities: 4]
[Set bonus activated: number of entitles allowed has increased! The new total is 500!]
’Wait 500!!!’ Jack grinned so wide. Chiron could practically see him salivating.
’System, why is it so high? Not that I’m complaining. I want to understand.’
[You have two fractured pieces of the Soul Warden. Partially set bonus activated. Soul Capacity is determined by Magic × 2.]
[Set bonus will increase when Fractured items have been restored.]
’How do I restore the fractured pieces?’
[You must seek out a past Soul Warden to find out how. I do not have the information, Jack.]
’Okay. So I need to find that serpent pronto. What about the last piece?’
[Third piece location: Unknown. Seek the Warden’s Legacy to complete the collection.]
The information flooded through Jack’s mind. He forced his expression down despite the satisfaction of finally obtaining the second piece.
Chiron released Jack’s hand, studying his face. "You felt something. When the chain touched your hand, what was it?"
"Confirmation," Jack replied. "That this is what I needed."
"Good." Chiron’s grin returned. "Then I’ll expect you in Draconia within the year. Don’t make me come looking for you, Jack Kaiser. I hate waiting for good fights."
"I won’t keep you waiting," Jack confirmed, wrapping the chain around his own forearm. The metal settled against his skin like it had been made for him.
The chain disappeared after wrapping it around his left arm.
"Where did it go?" Chiron asked as he stared at Jack’s arm.
"It’s here, it just became a part of me."
Chiron nodded once, then turned and walked away into the gathering darkness.
’I guess now would be a good time to see Ren.’
-----
Morning light filtered through the Kaiser manor’s windows, illuminating corridors that showed no sign of last night’s festivities. One would assume you’d see crystal goblets sat abandoned on tables, and flower arrangements wilted from hours of warmth.
But the servants who were hired at the Kaiser estate were some of the best servants in the kingdom. They rivaled the royal family’s servants.
Jack stood in his chambers, water still dripping from his hair after a long shower. The heat had helped ease the tension that came with wearing Zephyros’s bracelet. The damn thing amplified every sensation to exhausting levels.
Through his window, he watched carriages departing in steady streams. Most nobles had stayed through the night, taking advantage of Kaiser hospitality and the opportunity to forge connections in the aftermath of his duel with Rhys.
Marriage proposals, business ventures, and political alliances.
Jack was focused on more important things.
His attention was focused elsewhere.
Jack had built shrines to two patron gods. One for Draven on the surface and one beneath the manor for Dreknar. Each one represented a different aspect of his power, a different path he could walk.
But Dreknar’s shrine had remained largely untouched since its construction. He’d built it knowing he’d need it eventually, but since its construction, he’d only visited once.
Jack dressed quickly. Simple clothes suitable for walking around the manor.
He left his chambers and moved through the manor’s corridors. Servants bowed as he passed, nobles still lingering attempted to catch his attention, but Jack ignored all of it. His focus remained fixed on the destination.
The entrance to the lower levels sat in a storage room that most people assumed held nothing more than old furniture and forgotten supplies. Jack opened the door and descended the stairs.
The air grew cooler as he descended. Torches flickered to life automatically as he passed. The stairs seemed to go on forever, spiraling down into darkness that would be oppressive to most people.
Jack didn’t mind. Darkness had stopped being frightening years ago.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Unknown entity detected following the host. Stealth skill detected.]
Jack’s stride didn’t falter. His expression remained neutral, giving no indication he’d noticed anything at all. The system’s warning pulsed in his awareness, but he made no move to acknowledge it.
The stairs finally ended at a corridor carved from solid stone. A large door leading to the dungeon crystal was behind that door. But that wasn’t where he was going.
To anyone else, it would appear as nothing more than a stone wall. No indication that anything lay beyond.
But Loryn’s shadow magic had created something more sophisticated than simple illusion.
He walked forward without hesitation, and the stone parted around him like water.
Behind him, still concealed in shadows and stealth enchantments, the servant froze.
They’d been following the young master for some time now. Watching his movements. Reporting his activities.
But recently, something had changed. The young master’s power had grown at a rate that defied normal progression. His behavior had shifted, becoming more confident and more dangerous.
And now he’d just walked through a wall that shouldn’t exist.
The servant waited several minutes to ensure Jack had truly gone, then moved closer to examine the stone. Solid. Completely impassable. But the young master had passed through it as if it were smoke.
This needed to be reported immediately.
The servant produced a small crystal from their robes, a communication device far more sophisticated than anything the Kaiser household officially possessed.
They channeled mana into its surface, and the crystal flared to life with colors that swirled like oil on water.
"My lord," the servant whispered. "The young master has been behaving strangely. His power has increased dramatically in a very short time, and he’s just entered a hidden area beneath the manor that I cannot access."
The crystal pulsed, and when the response came, the voice that emerged was deep and riveting. The kind of voice that could command armies or seduce kingdoms.
"Strangely?" The voice carried amusement mixed with satisfaction. "No, everything is proceeding exactly according to plan."
The servant hesitated, then pressed forward with their report. "My lord, what should I do?"
"Continue observing. Do not interfere. Everything is proceeding exactly as planned."
Silence from the crystal
Then, another voice spoke up.
"Your puppet can’t speak."
