CHAPTER - 136

  Narrator: After lunch, Dav stood up, looked at Kael and Eldrin, and said firmly:

  "See you in the arena."

  He walked away with a determined step, leaving the hall behind.

  Eldrin followed him with his gaze, watching in silence as he disappeared.

  Eldrin: (sighing) I wonder if there's anyone stronger than him in this world...

  (Thinking out loud) Maybe he feels alone, unable to release his full strength without the risk of hurting someone.

  It's just a feeling I get, but...

  Kael: (curious) Well, one thing’s for sure... he's the strongest.

  We shouldn't worry too much if something like what happened ten years ago happens again.

  [Evelyn watches Kael attentively, clenching her fists.]

  Evelyn: (tense) Let’s not forget they say he lost 70% of his power.

  (Shivers.) What would happen if a calamity like that repeated itself?

  [Silence falls for a few seconds.]

  Eldrin: (closing his eyes) Now we have a lot more heroes, and I’ve heard many are training hard with the holograms, improving their rank through experience and training after watching the duel between Azrael and Dav.

  Even the video of the strike against the high-rank hologram monster.

  (Opening them again) If it happens again, he won’t be alone this time to fight off an entire army and a boss.

  Selene: (looking at the table) Azrael is currently SS+, and others are ranked S+ as well.

  (Looking up) But if it really happened... even with the little Dav has left, there’d be no hope for anyone.

  Evelyn: (looking at Selene) Did you forget how Dav crushed Azrael without the slightest effort? It was all a farce.

  Kael: (sweating, trembling lip) As true as that is... I have to agree with Evelyn.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  To think that with just 30% of his power he nearly destroyed the entire arena, with the great mage and Azrael inside...

  and then pushed back his own magic to save them.

  Eldrin: (drinking) Exactly.

  How big is that 30%?

  How many of us would it take to stop him? How many SS+? How many S+?

  During that crisis ten years ago, many of the million monsters were SS rank... and I’m not talking about five or ten.

  They were hundreds of thousands.

  And he was just a boy.

  In the end, only four remained. And with the help of the new hero Azrael, we managed to slaughter the last ones.

  Azrael was only an S+ back then.

  The rest of the army was made of low ranks… B, C, a few A.

  Dav made sure to destroy the strongest and the boss, leaving us only the small fry... in case he didn’t make it.

  Evelyn: (looking at Eldrin) Master Eldrin... if he hadn’t gone, would we all be dead?

  Eldrin: (sighing) Maybe not... or maybe yes.

  (firmly) But I’m a hundred percent sure we would be.

  All we can do is thank him every day... and pray to him, not to some other god that abandoned us that day.

  Kael: (laughing) "The God Dav", huh? I bet that would piss him off a lot!

  Selene: (Thinking) If I remember correctly, he even proclaimed himself "God" at the royal palace ahaha...

  Narrator: Meanwhile, Dav was walking toward the arena, sneezing several times.

  "Someone’s got my name in their mouth today or what?"

  He arrived and saw Lexia waiting for him outside, clearly annoyed.

  "You really took your sweet time!"

  Dav, with a goofy face, still walking:

  "You’re just early, I’m not late.

  Maybe you should buy yourself a watch."

  Lexia followed him inside the arena, swiftly.

  "Ungrateful."

  A few minutes later, Eldrin and Kael arrived, greeting Lexia with a nod.

  Kael: (scratching his neck, happy) It’s a pleasure to see you again, Miss Lexia.

  We’re here to help your brother again today.

  Lexia: (eyes locked on Kael) You’re so sweet, Kael.

  Just call me Lexia, no need for formalities.

  (touching his chin with a gentle smile) My little brother is the most important thing in this world.

  How could I not come help him?

  Kael: (embarrassed, smiling) I get it! I get it!

  Dav: (goofy and annoyed face) Yeah, great story, very convincing.

  Now get back to reality and let’s start.

  Lexia: (dramatically, lying with conviction) Even though I’m the youngest, I always took care of him!

  I cooked, helped him with everything...

  and now he doesn’t love me anymore!

  Dav: (closing his eyes, sitting down) Yeah, sure... Let’s begin.

  [Dav looks at Kael with one eye open.]

  Dav: Kael, you’re a chicken.

  Kael: (confused) Huh?..

  Narrator: Once again, they began.

  Dav and Lexia focused, entering the labyrinth like last time.

  Lexia, in an ethereal voice:

  "Dav, can you hear me? I’m close, can you see me?"

  Dav saw her in front of him, transparent like a ghost.

  He could see right through her body.

  "Yes, I see and hear you. Stay close to me.

  We need to reach that tower.

  From there... I’m sure we’ll find something."

  They walked for a long time.

  Around them, sad and desperate shadows kept appearing, ignoring Dav.

  Lexia stayed close, watching him with admiration... but also concern.

  His memories were scattered everywhere, like trash on the roadside.

  "Why didn’t you tell us anything that day?"

  Dav, walking with eyes fixed ahead:

  "Which day?"

  Lexia, sighing with arms behind her head, walking:

  "The day the world fell into panic.

  The army, the boss...

  Why didn’t you tell us anything about your powers? About your strength?"

  Dav sighed, then glanced at a memory floating to his left: his own face, covered in blood.

  With a calm tone:

  "Why are you asking me that? Do you know what I had to go through to get here?

  We didn’t have time to waste.

  I had to decide fast... or it would’ve been too late. Even with the arrival of the heroes."

  END OF CHAPTER - 136