Alright. After an entire week, the children had become almost as strong as the elite warriors of the tribe. Not bad, if I do say so myself. The kids can now use the power of water. They also learned some Spells from Granny who apparently is the tribe’s Shaman.

Good to know.

I expected some offensive spells, but all they had were healing spells and defensive spells. And the healing spell looked like a rose made of water that would enter someone and cleanse the wound, increasing the healing powers. Sort of like a better version of the stuff Little Sister does.

The defensive spell makes it look like a turtle shell appears on their back and it has a lot more defense than our meager water shields. But…turtle? Rose? Mr. Black seems to be more than just a Guardian. Could he be a Legendary Creature? Hmm…turtles in mythology…I can think of the…

Oh. A Black Turtle.

The symbol of the North and winter…Usually depicted as a turtle or tortoise with a snake and also referred to as the Black Warrior. Hmmm…I don’t think he’s only 150 years old. If he is, then his father must be a true Legend.

I wonder. Are we in the north?

Granny said yes. Well then. This will be weird. I asked and there are 8 different tribes, each with their own Spirit Bloodline. By invoking the Spirit, they can perform magic. So how did the spirits use magic?

And why does this world have some myths and legends from my world? Why does a simple way to calm my mind in my previous world give me superpowers in this world?

I have so many questions, and I don’t think they will get answered. Not now, anyway. It’s not like I will find someone who knows the secrets to the entire existence of everything.

Well, I am sitting at the bonfire the people set up. It was without a doubt that I was still powerful compared to the kids. So, Little Brother and I were picked to join.

There were some disapproving glares, but those people were relatives of the two children that were pushed away by our appearance.

By now, I had gotten pretty used to the power dwelling within me, but I needed more of those strands. I had created 3 more turquoise strands, but I still passed out for the rest of the day when I did so.

Little Brother had finally managed to complete his first turquoise strand and then passed out for two days. The Young Master managed to procure some fire related stuff to give him some fire energy. I kind of wanted some, but I didn’t ask. It wasn’t mine, after all.

I never saw the butler practice, which was weird. I mean, even some of the adults sat down and watched me teach as well. Then again, none of the Elders, which included Granny, or the elite warriors did either.

And then something crazy happened. A man walked up to me and introduced himself. I forgot his name already because I quickly put him out of my mind.

Why?

Because he wanted me to take his daughter! What the shit?!

“If you win us this Tournament, I will gladly bet my family’s future on you!”

Really. After that, a little girl no older than 10 sat beside me, scared out of her wits.

“I’m only half a year old.”

“But you are a monster. You grow fast, yes?”

I wasn’t going to tell them I could already have kids. These guys might drug me or something. Then Granny walked up and everyone quieted down. Yes, please save me!

“Fellow people of the Misty Turtle Tribe, we who offer our sincerest regards to the holy Guardian of our people do so vow to win this year’s Tournament of the Mountain! We will appease our ancestors and grow stronger!”

Many people cheered, but some things were answered for me. There is more to this battle. Are they fighting over the mountain? There must be something up on top. Could there be some sort of important something there? Also, each of these tribes holds a different creature as their Spirit.

All I know are the two tribes on either side of us, probably the Northwest and Northeast tribes.

To the Northwest lies the Poison Snake Tribe. To the Northeast is the Wood Bear Tribe.

For the brat to have seven siblings all contending for the top position seems weird to involve all these people. There has to be a great something on top of this mountain.

Oh, they’re serving frog legs. They gave one each to the three kids attending the tournament with us. However, they wanted Little Brother to eat the last leg while I ate the head.

Uhhh…I don’t like cannibalism, so I said,

“Give the foot to the strongest child, and give the head as a gift to the Young Master.”

The tribe members were confused, then realized it was a good idea. The brat was slightly disgusted at first, but upon taking that one bite, they all exclaimed in surprise. Good job, Arthur, you did a good job.

Yes, they now had a strand of wind in them. There was enough for the two kids to each get two, the leader kid got four, and the brat got 6 at one go. Nice going.

They unfortunately couldn’t use their turtle Spirit with the wind energy so they had to use it like they learned from me. The kids fought each other to the cheers of the adults.

It’s a shame that even though they have done what I did, they can still use magic. That’s because the turtle spirit is in their blood! Why can’t I have something cool?!

The next day, we travelled up the mountain taking a long path. I used it as a chance to train. So did most people. Like me, some were carrying weights. But what surprised me were the massive turtle shells on the back of the elite warriors.

I tried to lift one but couldn’t! What, do they belong to Master Roshi, or something?!

Anyways, I could actually notice my siblings following along. I had to go out of my way to send them back. I gave them a little chore as well. Since I was going to have them challenge each other when I got back. I planned on rewarding the strongest one. Hehe, they ran off like their butts were on fire.

Even still, Hu Lao kept following me. Hopefully she doesn’t get attacked by anyone, or I may have to kill them. I am not going to have Elder heron come after me!

After the entire day of walking, we finally made it to a stone building with a massive set of doors behind it. But…couldn’t we just walk around it? It’s not like there’s a wall. Wait…

I Strengthen my eyes like they did on Hunter X Hunter and notice a hazy yellow film surrounding the area ahead. I turn to where Hu Lao was hiding and send her a message to go home. Reluctantly, she obliges. Good.

We then take a small break outside the building when a big guy about twice as big as me and a good head taller than the tallest warrior we had walks out and welcomes us.

“Hello! The Tournament will take place in about several hours! If you want, we can immediately send you to the location of the Arena.”

Then Granny walked up and slightly bowed to the huge guy as she said,

“Thank you, Senior Gatekeeper. We would appreciate that very well.”

Damn, even Granny has to show respect? Who is this guy? Hm? An eye? He had a brand of an eyeball on his shoulder. How strange.

Around us a glowing circle appears. There is a loud buzzing sound and then our surroundings change. We had come to a platform made out of what looked like stone but felt cool, even during the heat of the day.

We walked down some stairs and I saw several buildings that reminded me of ancient Aztec ruins or something. However, these buildings are in pristine condition. There are several of the big guys wearing the yellow robes and more eye tattoos.

We were led to a coliseum like arena with stands and a special room off to the side that seemed like where important people would be. I looked around and noticed the brat was gone.

Oh, there he is. Standing next to a gorgeous woman. They look kind of similar, with the blond hair and the weird grin on their face. One of his sisters, perhaps?

“Sis, take a look at this weird guy I found! He’s strong!”

“Oh? Are you sure you not going to cheat? Eh? What is this gross thing?”

Peh, I don’t like her already. It’s not only her words, but her eyes and the way she holds herself.

She’s a bitch.

Shit, I hate being nice to idiots.

“I have no name with which to present to you, Young Lady, but I would be happy to make your acquaintance.”

“Ooh, he’s mannerly.”

“Not all the time, Sis. He can be rather stuck up! Especially when he is training someone!”

“Oh? Then he’s old?”

“No! He’s only”

“Enough to participate, Madam.”

I cut the brat off and give him a look. He gets a little angry at first, but I pull him away.

“What are you doing, frog? Do you want to be cooked?! Don’t make me look like a fool in front of my sister!”

“Now, now, which would be better?”

“Huh?”

“Telling your sister all your secrets, or showing off the power the tribe you picked during the Tournament? Think about it, won’t it be cool to surprise your family? You could astound those you like and make the ones you don’t grow green with envy.”

“You…You are absolutely right! Good!”

Yes, if I can bump fists with the brat, I may be able to get myself a powerful ally. Why? Because all this time, I found out why there was only one escort.

The butler wasn’t for protecting the brat, he was to protect everything from the brat!

We separate and I could see the sister’s face give me a searching glare. Let’s give her some asskissing. That works well with anyone.

“Madam, my brother and I are thrilled to participate in such a prestigious event such as this. To whom do you sponsor?”

Hehe, she giggled at my attempt to be noble. Soon I will have you wishing to talk to me. And guess what? I won’t! I don’t like talking with ‘ugly things’! Go shove it!

Ahem. Pardon me.

“I happen to be the backer of the Lava Lizard Tribe to the Southwest. Here are my warriors for this year.”

Out came three small wimpy kids and two dangerously big teenagers that were already growing hair on their face. Gee, I wonder which ones actually came from the tribe? Well, I have no room to talk.

“Eww, there is some horrible creature here. Guards! Get rid of it!”

An annoying nasally voice calls out unexpectedly, giving me enough time to react.

I can hear weapons being drawn so I hurriedly jump up, dodging the strikes from several grown men. I land on one’s head and give it a good smack, rattling his balance. I jump up again to dodge his swipe. Someone else tries to stab me in midair so I end up using some water to push myself out of the way in time.

These guys aren’t all that fast. How strange. I would expect the personal guards of someone so important to be like the butler, not like…oh. They are tribal warriors. Good for me.

Little Brother was also traipsing around the other warriors with ease.

“Are you planning on killing a representative of the Misty Turtle Tribe?!”

I shout out from the ground.

“Huh? How could a monster speak? And why would you be participating? This Tournament is only for natives.”

“I was born in raised in the lakes and rivers of the Northern part of the mountain. If I am not a native, then neither are any of these people here.”

Does he have a vein bulging? That looks gross, man. You are grown, act like it.

“Then I see that the Northern Tribe has fallen to new lows to rely on stupid beasts.”

An elderly man dressed in gray about the same height as Granny appeared, hunched over and clearly blind.

“We are as much a part of this mountain as the birds and the trees. You would do well to remember that, Young Master.”

Another old monster using human skin, huh? At least he seems sort of nice. But…shifty…

Before the idiot blond man with sleeked back hair could respond, a loud booming voice came from the arena.

“Come! We are about to begin the Tournament!”

==================================

And that’s why they call him Cliff Hanger!

But for real, I will post another chapter later today…sometime…maybe definitely.