Chapter 10: Six Years Later
Six Years Later… (7 years overall.)
With the sun rising from the clouds' horizon, the land slowly regained its orange hue.
Above the summit of the Beastial Mountain Peak, clouds drifted everywhere and torrents of wind breezed through the misty land.
Despite his eyesight being blocked, a gray-haired boy stood at the center, eyes closed, with an iron staff in his hand. The staff was clad with a white bandage and on its handle, strokes of lines resembling four letters were carved that spelled his name—Zeus.
Zeus stood at 1.7 meters tall. His hair that hasn't been trimmed for years already reached his waist. A small burn scar could be seen under his neck and it gave him a little battle-hardened demeanor.
'I got this.'
In front of him, a thick metal obelisk more than 3 meters in height stood tall. Although the misty clouds limited his vision, it didn't make any difference at all, but they added a touch of mysteriousness to the scene.
"Steady your breathing Zeus. Let the oxygen inside your lungs flow naturally, and focus on your weapon!" a man guided.
A distance away from Zeus, three men enclosed with capes watched the scene unfold. Unlike Zeus who didn't have any vision, the three men could vividly see him perform a fighting stance.
Hearing his master's words, Zeus closed his eyes and focused his mind on his weapon.
'Just a little bit longer… a little more…'
As his immersion increased, his mind wandered in a void world—an abyss without light. He sat there shackled by chains, with the only thing he could use being his sixth sense.
'Just a little longer… I could feel it…'
At that moment, as soon as he moved his hand, his immersion ended and Zeus' eyes opened.
< Ding! >
< Your Basic Staffmanship Proficiency reached 100%.>
Looking at the transparent screen in front of his face, a subtle grin formed on his lips.
'It's time…'
Then, with one swift motion, he slammed the staff onto the obelisk.
Cling!
The staff slightly bent and the obelisk trembled as the force enveloped its whole.
After a short pause,
Crack!
A small crack appeared on its surface.
Crack! Crack!
It was followed by multiple cracking sounds that spread throughout the whole obelisk pillar. Zeus stepped back and watched the pillar from a few feet away.
However, to his surprise, the cracks ended. It didn't even shatter the obelisk.
Zeus sighed heavily. "This is hard as hell."
This pillar has become his training target throughout these past few years. As finding boulders became a hassle, Sera made him a pillar he could hit made from good quality materials.
However, after 6 years of training, he still cannot destroy it. He glanced at his red and calloused palms and a bitter expression formed on his face.
'Not enough. I'm still weak.'
With this thought in mind, Zeus looked behind him and met the eyes of a middle aged man. He lowered his head and muttered, "Master, I'm sorry."
Sera tasked him to destroy the obelisk pillar in exactly 6 years. With this failure, he felt ashamed.
If he can't even do this simple task, what was all that training for?
At first, he thought he could do it but the result caught him off guard.
Sera walked towards him and patted his shoulders.
"It's alright. If you used 'enhance', it would be a different story."
"But…"
"But what? Are you disappointed that you failed me? Or disappointed in yourself?"
"It's both."
Sera sighed and ruffled his hair. "Remember Zeus, failure is a lesson. My boy, you have already exceeded my expectations. You have nothing to prove anymore."
"Zeusy, you're already a monster boy at 12, so don't doubt yourself."
Limuel, who was standing behind Sera, also added.
"Yeah, when I was your age, I couldn't even walk 10 seconds straight without getting out of breath." Mari patted his bulging tummy and gave him a thumbs up.
At their words, Zeus' face slightly brightened.
"Thank you guys…"
Looking back, all his hard work finally paid off. The blood, sweat, and tears he shed didn't go to waste.
'Maybe, I'm underestimating myself too much.'
"Since it's Zeus' birthday today, why don't we have a small banquet?" Mari suggested.
"Boss, this kid is already an adult too! We should teach him how to drink like a man!"
"Hahaha." Sera burst into laughter and continued. "Alright, alright we'll have a banquet!"
"Come on, let's go down first. It's misty here."
"Hahaha, Mari don't forget our bet!"
"Bet? When did I do that?"
"Boss, you heard our bet right!? You were there too!"
"Never heard of it."
"What!!!?"
Looking at the backs of the three people who took care of him like a family, a gentle smile bloomed on Zeus' lips.
Having them by his side filled the void in his heart. For him, they are like his brothers and Sera is their father.
It might be a strange thing to say but Zeus really sees them now as his family.
"Zeus, why are you standing there!?"
"Nothing. Let's go."
…
The small banquet became a big one as Mari cooked numerous savory dishes. The four of them ate like there was no tomorrow.
As time passed, the banquet was filled with dramas, laughter, and singing. Zeus also got a taste of his first wine in this world.
The sun was already setting when the banquet ended. Looking at the sleeping trio, Zeus went to the lake and decided to take a bath.
Caw—!
Hearing a familiar chirp, he raised his head. A black raven circled in the air and flapped its humongous wings to show off.
"Ahh, Shelly, you're here!"
It was the bird he got 7 years ago. As it grew older, its race gradually became clear and Sera even said that its bloodline seemed special.
The bird that was only the size of his palm back then, had already grown to a height of 1 meter with a 2-meter wingspan. Its furry feathers were more refined and its strength seemed to be going stronger as well.
Though not as strong as him, Zeus was also proud of Shelly's improvement.
Also, after finding out that it's a girl, he gave her a proper name. After all, Birdy just seemed inappropriate.
"Did you eat?"
Caw!
Shelly landed her nest and went back to her nap. Aside from hunting, she also has a hobby of sleeping. Though it's not a bad thing, Shelly tends to be lazy because of it.
Zeus took off his silver shirt. His strong chest and perfect muscles together with his abs would make him a perfect model back on Earth.
Of course, in this world, having this physique was considered a norm.
After taking off his clothes, he jumped on the lake.
Splash!
"Ahh… so comfortable."
As he dipped underwater, he recalled all his past achievements in these 7 years.
"Status."
< Strongest System.>
[ Name: Zeus Walton.]
[ Talent: Language, ???.]
[ Magic Affinity: Unawakened.]
[ Shop: Locked.]
[ Quest: Ongoing.]
[ Pet: Shelly (Raven).]
[ System Points: 100.]
[Skills: Tap to open.]
[??]
[ The rest of the status was either currently locked or unawakened.]
< Skills. >
[Enhance]
[Passive / Active Skill.]
[Level: 9 / 10.]
[Description: A physical art that increases a person's overall physical attributes.]
[Proficiency: 97%.]
—
[Basic Staffmanship]
[Passive Skill.]
[Level: 10 ]
[Description:a unique fighting style created for a person versed in the art of staff.]
[Proficiency: 100%.]
[Advancement is required.]
For Zeus, his biggest gain is these two skills. His 'enhance' only needs 3% proficiency to reach max level while his 'Basic Staffmanship' already reached its maximum level.
According to Sera, the next realm was called 'Skilled'. However, it would need him to awaken his aether first.
Aside from these two skills, Zeus also has many skills that for some reason, don't count as skills like breathing technique, perception, and physical mana control.
His fighting experience was also enhanced and he could already give a 1st order monster a run for its money.
That might sound weak but it's common knowledge that a person who hasn't awakened their aether yet, cannot possibly defeat a 1st order monster.
After all, those monsters can use 'aether'. Although it's only basic applications, that's enough to overwhelm any normal person.
It's already a miracle that Zeus could fight them.
But this wouldn't make him arrogant enough to think he could defeat one.
However, only in battles could he grow and only fighting could give him a great leap in battle experience.
"Maybe, there will be a new training routine tomorrow. I'm already excited."
…
Meanwhile, as soon as Zeus went to the lake, Sera's eyes immediately shot open. Limuel and Mari also opened their eyes as if the tons of liquor they consumed were nothing.
The branches rustled and leaves fell from the tree they were shading on.
"Tell me the result." Sera broke the silence.
Limuel and Mari glanced at each other and nodded.
"We found it, boss."
It was Mari who spoke.
"Really!?" Sera's eyes widened.
"Yes." Mari continued with a trace of reluctance. "However, it seemed like we couldn't take it with us."
"Wait, why?"
"When we explored it we came to a conclusion."
"I think 'that' has a purpose for being here. Although I don't know what it is, I do think this is not the right time. Unleashing 'that' in this time would surely cause catastrophic consequences. We're not ready for that sudden change yet, boss. But if you want… "
"No. Since it's that way, leave it be. The world must not fall into chaos. At least not now."
The three fell into silence.
Sera sighed heavily and looked ahead. His purpose of being in this place has already been achieved. Originally, they came here to confirm 'its' existence, and though they cannot take it, at least those 7 years didn't go to waste.
"Tomorrow." Sera said.
"Tomorrow?"
"We will set off tomorrow." As Sera said this, his eyes glanced at Zeus' location. "Pack your things."
At that moment, a bitter smile formed on his lips.
"It's time to say goodbye."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
IQCA
IQCA If you like the story please vote! Your power stones means a lot to me.
Thank you!!!
Like it ? Add to library!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone