SOML – Chapter 34: Legends

 Chapter 34 – Legends

…

Kind Mother skipped through the almost vertical stairs like nothing. Only a few seconds passed by, but she was already on top.

When she saw the slab, she scoffed. She read each written word aloud as if she was provoking someone.

“During his life in the clan, he experienced love and comfort. But when a Demon slaughtered and toyed his family, he felt hatred.”

“During his life in the kingdom, he acted as a guard for the king and then understood loyalty. But when a subject plotted the fall of the king, he learned betrayal.”

“During his travels, he saw all kinds of sufferings and calamities of humankind. But when tragedy fell, he saw people stubbornly clinging to hope, their warmth amidst the freezing situation, and their sacrifices. He realized the beauty of life. Then, he decided to spread his views to the masses.”

“During his teaching in academy, an indignant child asked him, why is the heaven unfair? Others have tremendous talent and luck while himself is suffering from my poor talent and background.”

“Pure man smiled and said, ‘Human is like this—a glass of water.’ A glass simultaneously appeared with half water in it. The heaven can only give much fortune to each one.”

“Now, see this rock. It represents your sufferings.”

“Pure Man tossed stones after another until the glass became full and said. Take each suffering as experience and you will be full. So, don’t be repressed by situations. But learned from it, live with it and use it.”

“The land churned, and space and time paused. A voice echoed in his head and asked, you have seen too much suffering, why won’t you hate?”

“Pure Man laughed, just like a child, pure and unrestrained, lively and energetic. He didn’t answer but left the hall with his shadow growing bigger and with pure gait.”

Kind Mother was sneering at the end of the passage. She spoke at her back. “Don’t you think, this is so hypocritical?”

Pure Man scratched the middle of his forehead. He raised his hand in defeat. “It’s not me! My students like to do things like this. I mentioned about it many times but they are just too stubborn.” He chuckled at end of his words.

Although dubious, Kind Mother only snorted.

“Why are you here, anyway?” The old man quickly steered away from the embarrassing legend.

“The Calm Era… it’s the seed planted by our predecessors and our fruit of labor. But I’m afraid it will end soon.” Worry flashed in her eyes before disappearing.

“Just more than a century of peace.”

“Yes, only a century.”

“Evils, that accursed bastard Baidu, or even the newcomer Clown. They are stirring shit.” Kind Mother became worked up as she gripped both her fist. Small rocks rolled and fell down the stairs. The temple in the distance quivered as if going to fall at any second.

Old Pure Man quickly pacified her. “Calm down, calm down you.”

Kind Mother stood on the stair nosing. She overlooked everything below it. The scattered clouds, the light of civilization and the All Blue in the far corner of her vision.

“Someone once told me that prayers moved the present to the future.”

“And I’ve been praying for the wellness of our race because of that. Same with Old Hopes and Dreams. He was the one far simpler than the three of you. The worrisome is that his hopes and dreams are just too simple.”

“Do you dream? Or perhaps pray? I know you do it more than I do. That’s what Enlightened always do.”

“But what do you pray?”

Pure Man only answered her with silence.

“Perhaps… it’s not entirely demons’ fault. Perhaps, a few of us are doing something in the back.” She half-faced Pure Man. “Tell me, was it really you teasing them about that girl?”

“Yes and no.” Pure Man finally spoke. He was also looking down from where they were. They were just beside of each other. But they probably seeing things down there differently.

“I see. You are worried.”

The old man stretched his arm. With only one hand, he could cover everything. He had so much power, yet he separated himself from the struggles.

He knew he wasn’t the smartest, but people always recognized him as a cornerstone of humanity.

Because out of all, he could see the secrets of the universe. Hence, he didn’t need to helm the ship called race.

But only this time he’d question his own power. “Fear is a poison. Only by conviction we can pass through veil of darkness.”

“But, what if? What if darkness is in our kind?”

“I am afraid. She might be the black dragon.”

“So you are still a cowardly kid.” Kind Mother gave a smile that didn’t look like a smile.

Pure Man nodded. He had thought of things. A few sentences from him made a single life harder. That was why…

“That’s why I have a favor to ask.” Kind Mother perked her ears.

“Help those children after they exit that world.”

This made the old woman smile. It blossomed like a fresh flower. She looked at him, straight in the eye. They immediately understood each other. “Of course. That’s our future golden dragon. We can’t have her endanger, ain’t it?”

“My turn now. I have a wish that I want you to fulfill.”

“Pray tell.”

“If and only if, someone of us wanted a change, I want you with all your power to kill him.”

“…”

“And also, destroy that slab. It is so hypocritical.” Kind Mother sneered before bouncing away. In mere seconds, she became a dot on the horizon.

…

“Red-red, our lesson for today is about this river.” Clown laid comfortably on a backrest. With sunglasses on top of the mask, his view was black. He rode on a boat, seemingly with no direction. Strangely enough, no one was manning the boat, yet it continued to steer clear of the rocks.

“This river reaches the All Blue, an estuary that is so breath taking. The legends said that seeing it was like being reborn. Don’t you want to go there?”

“It’s also connected to two basins, mainly the water source of the East Region. This is also the line that divides east from the west.”

“Currents attached itself to its surroundings like wires, nourishing the surrounding lives. It’s the Mortal Lands’ blessing.”

“I also think of them as a person. Water is strong but selfless. Kind enough to sustain life.”

“Just like a system. If it’s good, the governance is good, then the likely result is the good for everyone.”

“But when an arrogant fool who thinks he is the only smart one, talks about good and bad, everything becomes a disaster.”

“Hence, arrogance is like a rock in the river. Or a tool. Or maybe a weapon. Something that can hurt anyone, even its bearer.”

“So, Red-red. If we wanted to make our life follow an excellent system, we need to rid of those rocks.” Clown uttered something as if no big deal.

Alongside Clown were a bunch of papers piled up into a mess. They were now wet, though still readable. It included names of Sarah, Ben and Jed.

But most of them had Cloud Rider’s information written in details. There were several columns, and each talked about different things. For example, his legends, theories about his weakness and the powers he had shown so far.

His fingers playfully moved over his head.. “That Sarah… what does she have that made her confident to go against odds?”

“A Supreme Venerable?” “Or her clan?”

“Anyway, that brat, Marakur, is going. This is exciting to watch.” Clown pumped his two fists.

…

Kacha. The sound of bones breaking unnerved these top predators. But they couldn’t run even if they wanted. 

A large body faced them. Slurping and crunching sounds emerged from time to time. Beside them laid several carcasses. One in particular was so large it made the room full.

“Beast’s meat is the best.” Relishing, the large body licked his fingers. Next, his hand snaked towards a slender thigh. It looked like it came from a female human. He ripped it and slurped the greasy taste.

After a long time, the place got finally emptied. As for the Manecoons, they remained standing on the corner and every one of them shivered in fear. They pushed each other with their eyes, hoping to sacrifice others. If not for the remuneration, they won’t give their service to this monster.

Eventually, one with a lion-head steeled himself.

“Sir. They have taken the food. We can now follow Sarah and her bodyguards.”

“More…”

“Sir? Our me-.” But his words turned cut short as a gigantic hand gripped his head. The limb lifted him above ground.

Everyone noticed lion-headed man’s busy feet. Struggling and struggling until he got shoved to an enormous mouth!

Pshk. Crunch. Crunch.

“More!”

“Only the special and powerful bodies are worthy as my meal!”

“I want that Sarah’s body!”

Everyone scrambled to the exit. Behind them, an enormous shadow loomed following them.

In no time, they traversed a great distance. In the center of their pupils, they could see a figure alone in the dense forest.

It was already midnight, but Ben remained sitting. He kept playing what happened a while ago.

He could finally do what he wanted, an opportunity presenting itself. To run free from burdens of other people. Became adventurous like how fictional characters always did. Find lucky chances and took over the world!

Yet a sense of lost appeared in his heart. Somehow, there was something missing. A void he couldn’t help but feel.

And even without it, he didn’t know where his brother or how to start. He was… aimless.

“I’m an ungrateful person. And above all, a loser. I got guts to contradict her, yet I know nothing.” He murmured.

Suddenly, multiple loud steps thundered in the distance. Ben became shock and hurried to stand. He shivered, seeing several Manecoons dashing from the forest.

But his heart started drumming faster when he saw a far larger figure blasting a tree to the ground.

In no time, he got surrounded.

“Sir, this is where the scent ends.” A Manecoon respectfully gestured. “It looks like that Sarah is careful. The Olfactory Evil Art could only trace up to here. It seems only this kid ate the food we distributed in their market.”

Hearing this, Ben sweated. He recalled the chicken he ate and had the urged to beat himself. Right now, he just wanted to take a dump in his position.

“What should we do with this brat?” Someone pointed at him.

All of them felt bloodthirsty as their eyes lit up in frenzy. They wanted nothing but to gain brownie points from the large being.

The monster stared at Ben with his gigantic eyes. The latter felt his soul being sucked as the protruding teeth became visible. A hint of disdain appeared in those beastly pupils.

“Tell me where they go and I will spare you.” The being grinned, rattling Ben’s very being. The stench and the bloodlust - it was unbearable. But the notion of death creeping was far worst.

“I-.” Ben felt sick. He couldn’t control his trembling hand, subconsciously pointing where his friends went.

Then his heart and mind went numb. He felt he was far worse than he thought himself to be. He didn’t even notice he was the only one remaining in the forest.

…

“Sis!” Jed whispered but in alert tone. His figure flashed across the foliage.

“I know. They are unbothered to hide their sounds.” Sarah snorted, only to become angry. “Shit! We miscalculated. To think there’s a stronghold nearby!”

“There’s nothing we can do. Demons are pretty secretive with their places.” Jed comforted her.

“Damn it! Why there’s no such report in the county? Are they neglecting their duties!” When Sarah thought about it more, she became angrier and angrier.

Exhaustion already took a toll on them, but they still tried hard because their goal was close.

Thus, they continued running.

But the noise in their back continued to increase and became louder. Even Jed’s steel heart knew it became impossible to escape anymore.

Knowing their pursuers had come close, Sarah actually slowed down instead.

“Jed. Let’s split.” The boy knitted his brows. He held Sarah and yanked it. “No one is going to leave someone.”

“But we left Ben.”

“That and this is different.”

“I’ve thought it through, Turtle.” Figures slowly surrounded them. But the girl smiled. “I made you and Ben do this.”

“He is correct. It’s my problem. I don’t know how faster you are right now, but I know you can leave.”

Jed stopped and shook his head. “Not faster than you think. Eventually, they can still catch me.”

“Not unless if I stayed here.” Sarah had already stopped earlier. She was scanning all the figures before them. “Go. If you are wondering what made me confident to continue our journey, I’ll tell you. My clan had prepared for this. You only need to walk a few more meters.”

“They are here!” “You won’t able to run.”

Jed smiled too. His right hand patted his pocket. “Let’s change it. I’ll stay and play with them while you run.”

Sarah stared at him. A cotton-like-feeling emerged in her heart, easing the pain she felt a little. At least someone still got her back. She couldn’t help but smile, even with danger surrounding them.

“That’s not a good plan. But I have a better idea.” A crooked expression became visible on Sarah’s face. “We take half.”

Jed replied silence. Though Sarah knew he was readying himself. She teased. “If Ben was here, we could get to divide it to three.”

Jed showed a pleasant smile.

“You ready?” The girl asked.

“Nine Lives Cat Movement Art.”

Swing. But Jed’s reply was quicker than she thought.

It was too fast. Only a blur registered in everyone’s vision. The demons only just landed when it happened.

The moment they recovered all they could see was a dog’s head flying in the sky!

Although surprised, Sarah used that moment to flash away. Jed also dashed, but before he could hear the large being’s terrifying voice.

Roar!

“I, Marakur, could have spared you. But now… you will end the same with that girl!”

“You three kill that little bastard. As for her, she is mine!”

…

Ting. Jed calculated his chances. The knife in his right and the dagger in his left danced, hiding his stress. Following the boy were lynx-head, cheetah-head, and fox-head demons. Jed’s speed paled compared with their speed.

“Don’t run boy!” “Hoot, hoot!”

Jed slid under a fallen tree. The claw that almost behind him stuck on the wood. Two other figures hopped around him.

The boy felt the aching of his muscles. His killing earlier was only thanks to his trump card. And with gain, there was pain. Gritting his teeth, he knew could only do it again one more time.

“But… there’s three of them. Other than that, I still have one more move.”

His eyes were gleaming. He was observing the ruthless cold intent on his opponents’ eyes.

“My eyes haven’t recovered yet. Even so, I can only kill two. As for the last one, it will be up to luck.”

The four of them continued exchanging blows. Jed had already mastered Basic Hope Combat Arts as his fists and feet flashed. He also used a few unmastered Common-grade arts in between of attacks while sneaking attack with his knife and dagger.

Yet these did nothing but surprise his opponents.

Jed’s heart sank; he felt his strength draining as time passed. His opponents quickly noticed it too and guffawed.

“Hahaha.” “This boy is weakening.”

“Just continue, we still need to follow Sir Marakur, lest we only get the scraps. Don’t grumble. This lad made Sir furious. So this is still a bounty.” Devilish smiles appeared on their beastly faces.

Jed clenched his jaw while his body was running sweat. He dashed through the thick bushes. Many plants and trees existed, but it did nothing to cover the heat. He even felt that it only gave advantage to his opponents instead.

Then he saw the three demons pouncing on him.

“If I continue like this… I will die! So− I’ll stake everything!”

Suddenly, everything became slower to him. His expression froze and his eyes dilated into needles.

The Room of Death, where every day they became practice target for those torturous balls. Even now, he still flinched from remembering their training.

Thus, he didn’t know why he was recalling it amidst life and death scenario.

Swoosh. Just like that, the ball shot towards him. His body followed its instinct, sidestepping the outstretched claws like he had done it many times.

Next, his figure blurred, moving in diagonal whilst his dagger stabbed downwards.

Pshk.

A small hole appeared in the demon’s head.

The Manecoons’ eyes enlarged, not believing what just happened.

A tremendous amount of pain released Jed from that miraculous phenomenon. Even he didn’t expect his attack to be smooth.

His attack using Nine Lives Cat Movement Art before only became successful because the demons didn’t know it yet.

His current attainments in his Combat Art could boost his speed by two times, albeit for a short amount of time. Also, he could use it only two times lest his body broke down from stress.

Hence, Jed was sure his opponents could fight him even with twice the speed.

This wasn’t an underestimation of his capabilities because he had experienced this during his training in the Mountains of Hope. Once they were on guard, his options would be limited.

At best, he could heavily injure one of them.

Thus, doubling his speed didn’t mean sure kill.

The boy gulped, still shock by his attack. He didn’t know what that miraculous phenomenon but he was thankful for it.

Using their moment of stupor, Jed recovered and circled around one demon.

Seeing his movement, the demons finally awakened. The lynx-head demon picked himself and swung his claws on the back.

But the expected collision didn’t happen.

The last demon heard a thud. The latter’s neck craned and saw his other comrade lying in his own blood. Beside it, he saw the boy huffing and gasping for air.

“Huff.” Jed’s vision turned blurry and red. He wiped the warm blood gushing out of his eyes. But he knew it wasn’t time to stop. He quickly leapt backwards.

Woosh. The grass in his position got ripped apart. Before him was a manic demon with saliva spluttered. From the latter’s eyes displayed his anger, fear and insanity.

Jed’s heart constricted. He didn’t know else how to solve this problem. Everything from here on out was up to luck.

Jed continued to tumble and roll. But his opponents followed closely. It was to the point many wounds had inflicted on him.

Ting. His dagger flew for how numbed his hands already. A smack came from below and sent him flying.

Jed coughed a mouthful of blood. He frowned hard, feeling the jelly-feeling inside him. His legs became noodles and his vision turned shaky.

Yet, in the moment of defeat, he couldn’t help but recall his past life.

A fire enveloped everything in his view. Someone urged him to run. Shouting, saying just keep running.

And he kept that. Running until he became exhausted. Till the dark horizon vanished from the background.

That was the reason he pursued East Venerable Cloud Rider’s legend.

“A fast speed, capable of reaching anywhere.” The boy closed his eyes. His head jerked, just a shave away from the demon’s claw. His feet tapped on the ground.

The Nine Lives Cat Movement Art had nine levels. Hence, it was a Grand-grade Arts. And because of that, the amount of resources needed was far larger than a Common-grade.

But Jed reached one level.

It was nothing amazing if compared with those in clans. Yet, training in it with limited resources was nothing but a miracle.

And now, amidst a dangerous situation, he actually started training in it.

Large veins appeared on his small body like worms drilling inside him. After a second, blood poured out from all of his orifices.

And yet he felt different.

“I… I’m flying.”

The demon grew angry as time passed and made a flurry of swipes.

But the boy weaved around, not minding the increasing wounds.

Faster and faster. His feet danced and his body followed in motion. From left to right, his figure became nothing but a faint.

And a moment after, the demon discovered the boy had vanished in his vision!

The last thing the demon heard was a sigh and words filled with relief.

“Level two. Thank you.” Then the demon’s head tilted to one side.

Jed sighed once again. He quickly ceased using the Combat Art.

There were many examples of people who could improve their training amidst a battle. But most of them died right after it.

So, it was fortunate Jed’s fate wasn’t among them.

Blood leaked from his lips to his chin. Jed could feel his insides in disarray. A classic result of trying hard and training without resources.

“Thrice the speed but only still two times a day.” Jed wobbled on his feet, before smacking to the ground. He sighed at how a mess he was.

After a few seconds, he stood. It was too short for respite, but he gnashed his teeth and picked up himself. He then stared at the distance, his destination−towards Sarah.

…

Chapter 33 | Chapter 35