Chapter 27: A Shrine?

“This isn’t training anymore! This is torture! I only have one arm!”

“You’re the one that needs to be at the sixth realm before you crash into the planet!”

“Shut up!”

“Is that any way to talk to your teacher!? Five thousand more!”

“NOOOO!”

I was currently doing pushups with gravity at ten times normal gravity. Pushups with one arm is normally hard!

I regret taking Spacey as my teacher! This has been hell!

Day after day of endless exercises. The only thing that I couldn’t do was running. Spacey said that it was impossible to create a separate space safe enough for me to enter… which means he can create one.

I don’t like the sounds of it. It feels like I have a long way to go to becoming strong though.

“Hey Spacey.” While I was doing pushups I calmed myself enough to speak to Spacey in a calm tone.

He tilts his head “What is it?”

I smile slightly, “Is it possible for me to become stronger than you?”

He shrugs his shoulders, “It depends on how hard you work and you luck. I am an entity that was birthed by the universe itself. My cultivation will not be the same as a different entity that has been created. You could easily surpass me. However, I need to know one thing.”

I tilt my head while still doing pushups, “What is it Spacey?”

He makes a serious expression, “Are you okay with no longer being human?”

“What? What are you talking about? Is that even possible?” I make an extremely confused expression, but I don’t dare to stop doing pushups.

Spacey’s expression becomes calm, “No need to worry about those things for now. It will make more sense as you grow stronger.”

I smile slightly, “Spacey, if you tell me that much, my mind will jump to conclusions you know.”

He sighs, “I know it will. You’re a smart kid. Sometimes too smart for your own good. Moving on to today’s actual activity. You reached the fourth realm, right?”

Sadly, Spacey was right. I had reached the fourth realm just before I collapsed from exhaustion the night before.

It has been three weeks since the Starshit Galactiderp left Behemoth. Roughly six more months until I reach Numonos.

To be honest. Spacey’s training makes me want to curl up in a corner and die… but it works. It works so well it hurts.

My muscles constantly feel like they are on fire.

The worst part. The part that makes it almost unbearable is the unceasing hunger.

Spacey felt sorry for me so he got some food for me. I don’t really want to know where it came from, but when I ate it, it made me hungrier until it digested completely.

So it is better to not eat anything at all. Water was the exact same. Spacey thought that this drug was more a blessing than a curse despite its effect.

That is because of the minor healing effect that is continuous.

My muscles will constantly heal themselves when I exercise them. Instead of the process of them breaking down completely, they will grow back stronger as they heal.

It hurts a lot, but it means that I can exercise almost endlessly. I still have to sleep. The drug doesn’t help with being tired.

Thank you science. You made my life a living hell.

Despite my complaining I enjoy getting this strong so fast. I am worried about my skills deteriorating because my body will not be used to the massive strength increases. Spacey said I shouldn’t worry about those things, but it still worries me.

I frown, “Today’s main activity. Please be anything but squats. Please don’t be squats.”

Spacey frowns, “You didn’t answer the main question. Are you in the fourth realm?”

I smile, “Yep! As a reward we shouldn’t do squats!”

He leans his head back, “Oh how I would love to make you do more squats, we have to start practicing the fourth realm spatial skills.”

I smile as I continue to do pushups, not daring to stop until I am told to, “Spatial skills, what kind of skills do I get to use?”

Spacey gives me an expression full of pity, “You can keep doing pushups while I teach you the basics of the first spatial skill, ‘Dimensional Rift’. It is the easiest skill to use out of all of the spatial skills.”

I smile widely, “That sounds powerful! What does it do?”

Spacey laughs, “It is but a mere defensive skill. Most spatial skills are movement or defense skills. Hence why so few people practice it.”

I tilt my head, “How does such a menacing name end up attached to a defensive skill?”

Spacey takes a deep breath, “Well, first of all, I named most of these skills myself. Secondly, the names of most of the skills make it so that the actual skill does not need to be described for too long. However, in your case, you need to learn it, so I will need to explain all details of it.”

I nod my head while continuing to do pushups, “Let’s do this!”

Spacey nods, “So then. Let’s start.”

Spacey stands up from his invisible chair and walks to the center of the room.

He snaps his fingers and I see the air around him grow hazy, “This is the skill ‘Dimensional Rift’. This skill will allow you to absorb the damage from incoming attacks. It works by opening a nearly invisible rift in space. This leads to a space that not even I could hope to survive in it is so chaotic. So there is no need to worry about anything on the other side. In order to start the skill, you need to move your internal spatial energy outside your body and arrange it in a lattice type pattern that is extremely thin and then force it to rotate.”

I smile, “That sounds really simple.”

Spacey shrugs his shoulders, “I did say it was the easiest skill out of all the spatial skills to use. However there should be one thing you must note. The amount of power the rift can absorb before it returns to normal space is based on the amount of skill you have using the skill, and the realm you are in. At your strength you could absorb three hits from another person at the fourth realm and maybe half a hit from someone at the fifth realm.”

I make an excited expression, “When can I start practicing this skill!?”

“Now!” Spacey snaps his fingers and gravity changes to what it would be on Numonos. Two times what I was used to.

I slowly stand up and stretch my arm to start practicing the skill. However, my mind wanders.

Ever since I started to remember the past, I can’t seem to get the memories out of my head.

Shortly after I regained consciousness from overusing my internal energy…

“Hey Elizabeth! He’s waking up! Get him some water!”

“Quiet down Darius. He must have a hard time thinking straight after using that much internal energy.”

I hear the two argue as I start to wake up. I see, we made it away. That’s nice that they didn’t leave me alone while I was unconscious. Well, most people wouldn’t, especially if you saved them. Well, whatever, I’m just thinking too much.

I slowly breathe in order to calm my mind quickly. I quickly stand up and dust myself off, “Ah. How unsightly of me. I talk big about saving you guys, but then just pass out in the middle of it.”

The two look at me, flustered. The male, probably Darius suddenly smiles, “Don’t worry about it. We really appreciate the help.”

I shrug my shoulders, “I just do things on a whim, no need to thank me.” I turn around and wave, “I should be going now! I have things to do! May we meet again if fate allows!”

Before I walk even two steps my waving hand is bragged by small hands, “Please don’t leave us! We found an amazing area, we need some help! We can give you a third of the treasure we find!”

As I turn back around I see that it was Elizabeth that grabbed my hand, “You’re quite the forward person aren’t ya Lizzy.”

She pulls away her hand as she blushes, “I already have a husband… I can’t…”

I pat her head gently, “I was just teasing you. No need to worry. So Darryl.”

“Darius!”

“Darrey?”

“Da-Ri-Us!”

“Mark?”

“How is that even close!?”

I shrug my shoulders, “Whatever. The real topic is I want half of whatever treasure is in that place you found. Judging by your actions and reactions. You two are married… or at the very least, engaged.”

Their faces stiffen. Lizzy is the first one to talk, “How did you figure that out so quickly?”

I shrug my shoulders, “Mostly a guess, but it seems I was somewhat right. Doesn’t matter. If you don’t accept my offer, I have better things to do with my time. I will give you ten seconds to decide.”

The two quickly start whispering to each other.

[Endless Skills][Insta-Cast]{Super Hearing}

“Can’t we just let him do it?” Lizzy

“We need to get some money in order to try and convince our parents.” D-man

“Well yeah, but do you think money is going to solve the issue of hate between our families?”

“We always try… right?”

“I think it is better if we make this guy our friend. He seems to be more powerful than he looks. Also, he doesn’t really seem to care all too much about anything. He might be in a similar situation to us. Maybe he needs money more than we do.”

“I guess you might be right.”

“Then let’s do it. We can give him half of whatever we find in that place. I hope it is worth it.”

“Yeah!”

My ears feel like they start bleeding because of the unexpected shouting from D-dude. I cancel the spell as I smile, “So, what’s the verdict?”

“We can give you half, on one condition. You tell us the reason you are travelling.” Lizzy asks me an unexpected question.

D-person looks as confused as I am. I make a complicated expression, “Well, I was basically thrown out. That is all I feel comfortable telling strangers.”

They both shrug their shoulders. D-buddy starts to laugh lightly, “We are in a similar situation to being kicked out, so we understand. Pleasure working with you Ryusei.”

I nod and hold out my hand, “Pleasure to work with you Dare.”

Lizzy laughs as I call him by anything but his proper name.

D-thing shakes my hand, “Maybe you could call me by my name?”

I look to Lizzy after shaking his hand, “So where is this place, Can we go now? You have got me interested.”

They both look at me. This is getting tiring. Can’t they just work together and decide who talks when?

Lizzy starts talking first, “It is a place that is completely surrounded by seventh and eighth realm monsters. The building is collapsed from what we saw, but we can safely assume there is an underground area where there might be some treasure.”

I scratch my head, “Assumptions and possibilities. Sounds like my thing! Let’s go! Lead away!”

The two look surprised at my quick acceptance.

Darius speaks up, “It is a short distance from here. It is to the northwest and if we sprint we might make it before noon.”

I shrug my shoulders as we start running at full speed.

Darius moves next to me while running, “What skill did you use to help us run away from all those monsters earlier? Also, are you sure you don’t need to rest?”

I smile, “First question is a secret, and the answer to your question is more complex than what you could understand, so I will leave it at that. It looks like the monsters are already appearing.”

Lizzy smiles weakly, “Any of you had a plan?”

Darius frowns, “I thought you had a plan!”

I smile, “I have one. Just walk right past them, the monsters shouldn’t even notice you unless you are stupid enough to touch them.”

[Endless Skills][Hidden: No Realm][Insta-Cast]{Scent Removal}{Sound Dampening}{Cold Blooded}

I love these skills and spells.

Hidden will remove the presence of the realms. Insta-cast… self-explanatory. Scent removal removes all smells so the monsters with strong senses of smell can’t find us. Sound dampening removes almost all sounds so that monsters with good hearing won’t find us. Cold blooded makes it so that monsters that can sense heat won’t find us.

I take deep breaths in order to calm my internal energy, “If a monster manages to find us right now, I think I would cry.”

The both look confused but trust me regardless.

We easily run all the way to the collapsed building. The amazing amount of monsters made us slow our running down in some spots just due to how many of them there were.

I am glad my spells were in working order.

I feel an ominous aura coming from the collapsed building. It was a single story building that used to have a gate. The roof had long since disappeared and was replaced by plant life.

The inside was very dusty, but it was clear that there was something moving through here constantly. On the far side of the building where time had taken less of a toll on the building there was a door and above were the words, ‘Basement Access’.

I frown, “That seems way too convenient.”

Lizzy nods, “I definitely agree. However, we did just walk here without having to fight anything. Normally this would be the treasure after the fight.”

Darius opens the door, “Well if you two aren’t going in, I’ll just take all the treasure for myself.

I walk in behind him, “Who said I wasn’t going in?” Lizzy follows close behind me.

After walking down a long spiral staircase, we arrive at another door. I slowly open after a moment of hesitation.

It was a large room with a ton of chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The floor and walls were covered in gold colored marking that shone with a sliver radiance.

In the center of the room there was a sword on a pedestal being held up by two gold rods on either end.

The sword was still in its sheath, but it was a straight blade with a Blue gold handle with the grip being wrapped with red string.

The floor and wall markings all connected to the center pedestal in one way or another. The pattern was winding, but seemed straight. It was flat, and yet seemed to pop out. The marks were stationary, yet it seems to move.

I was mesmerized by the markings until I heard an aged voice from beside me, “Welcome to my shrine. How may I help you?” There was an old man standing beside me. When did he get there?

I take a deep breath, ready to talk to the old man that suddenly appeared near us.

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Hello again peoples.

I was trying to be consistent with releases.... but that's a thing that just doesn't happen with me.

Anyways, I hope you are all enjoying this arc in the story.

I know this doesn't have the 'Reader Interactive' tag, but, I am wondering what kinds of things you guys/gals would like to see happen when Ryu gets to 'Numonos'. I already have most of it planned, but I am curious to see what you would like. You can send me a personal message or just comment on this thread.

Have a nice day/night!