After landing beside them, Licht threw a towel at Liebe and said, "Now that was strong."
Liebe said, "Well, I still don't know what happened after I spent seven hours 300 km deep in the Abyssal Zone, and somehow my body adapted to it. So I was just trying to get the hang of it."
Licht said, "Wipe your face, dumbass. You reek of weakness."
Liebe said, "Yeah, sorry about that."
Licht said, "I swear you sweat like a horse after a race."
After the fight, Eosian was shocked. He couldn't help but think, *Big Sis is far beyond me. Even after so much training, I'm still a Level One, but Sis might actually be a Four, and yet this person dwarves her. He might just be a mid-Level Five. And Aile is also a Level One. But even with all four of us, we couldn't bring him down. He is a monster that I doubt is in the higher end of a Six. Even the leader of the Godkin is Level Seventeen, and he is compared to the 25 Princes of Hell.*
Licht said, "You sure have grown."
Liebe said, "Seems like it. And you should also use this opportunity, since, well, we don't get to venture into the Abyssal Zone everyday."
Licht said, "Yeah, at this point you might just be stronger."
Liebe said, "Yeah, but if you and Elizabeth were also present, there was no way I could have won."
Licht said, "Yeah, but right now you are actually stronger."
Liebe said, "Wanna go for a round?"
Licht said, "Nah, if I fight you now I might just die from your smell."
Liebe said, "Yeah."
Eosian said, "Tell me, Liebe."
Liebe said, "Tell you what?"
Eosian said, "How are all of you so strong? I have been venturing into the Abyssal Zone since I was 9, yet even with my party of five we can't venture deeper than 25 km, and we are still stuck at Level One. Yet you all are far beyond."
Liebe said, "Is that so?"
Eosian said, "Answer me! I'm also born with an exceptional attribute like yours, yet I'm stuck. Why? Answer me!"
Liebe said, "Ok then, let me answer your question with a question of my own: what time is it, and how long have we been fighting for?"
Eosian said, "As of right now, it's 6:32 PM, and we have been fighting for 7 hours and 16 minutes."
Liebe said, "That's where the problem is at."
Eosian said, "Sorry, what?"
Licht said, "What he is saying is that if you have the time to focus on knowing the time and counting how long you are fighting for, you didn't pay enough attention to win."
M said, "In order to grow stronger, you must forget the sense of time, space, day, night, weather, and even the seasons. Now tell me, how many times a week do you go into the Abyssal Zone?"
Eosian said, "Me and my party, we venture in four times a week."
Alysa said, "You see the problem? We have been here for about four days, yet every day we just want to train and win. Liebe even survived 300 km deep in it."
Liebe said, "The harsh reality is that those who can train till their bodies adapt from constantly being shattered apart are the ones who stand at the pinnacle."
Alysa said, "We aren't saying this to discourage you; it's just you need to train harder."
Eosian said, "It's just that I want to be stronger. I want to be like you guys—besides Liebe, of course."
Liebe said, "Now that's just rude."
Licht said, "Trust me, kid, the reality is that unless your hands turn bloody from the sword handle, you won't grow."
M said, "Yeah, that's true. I remember I had to use ice just to get rid of the bruises."
Liebe said, "Understandable."
Alysa said, "You see, growing up we all fought to train, and trust me, our teacher, Gelda, she was scary, like the bosses in the Abyss."
Eosian said, "I understand."
Liebe said, "Good. And now that the boss, Skelos, has respawned, want to fight it again? It's just 75 km from the walls and the weakest boss."
Licht said, "Sounds fun."
Aile said, "Actually, you can't. A party of first-class God Knights called Bright Star will be fighting it tomorrow for the monster parts. Most of their party consists of Level Threes and a Four."
Liebe said, "Let's beat them to it."
Licht said, "Maybe."
M said, "Since you can't provide one of the things you promised me, I want compensation."
Liebe said, "I know, I know."
M said, "I want Licht to accompany me into the Abyssal Zone, about 120 km deep."
Licht said, "Why me?"
M said, "Our attributes are almost perfectly compatible."
Licht said, "Fine then."
Liebe said, "Feel free to train here as much as you want for the five days we are here."
M said, "That's an acceptable compensation for me."
Liebe said, "It's a deal. And if you want, you can come to the hotel with us. If it's ok, you can share a room with Gelda."
M said, "No need. I will be back before departure."
Liebe said, "Ok."
Licht said, "Good, I finally got a chance to train. This will be fun."
M said, "We will depart right now."
Licht said, "Fine, let me just get some coffee."
M said, "Fine."
Eosian said, "Can I fight the boss, Skelos?"
Liebe said, "Of course you can, just not sure about surviving the experience part."
Licht said, "Good one. Guess I'll see you guys in five days."
Liebe said, "See you."
Alysa said, "Get me a souvenir."
Seeing this, Eosian couldn't help but be surprised as two people alone were going 120 km deep into the Abyssal Zone, and they were talking about it like a casual chit-chat. A place where a party of experienced Level Fours are needed, and they are going in alone.
Liebe said, "Well, kid, hope you learned something."
Eosian said, "I did. First, I will train and grow stronger, then cleanse the Empire of half-breeds like you."
Alysa said, "Now that's racism with dedication."
Liebe said, "I know. I like this kid."
Eosian said, "You aren't mad?"
Liebe said, "Why would I be?"
Eosian said, "I'm planning to beat you."
Liebe said, "Trust me, Mr. Tiny Dumbass, when people say the same shit who start sweating when they see me in battle, it gets annoying. At least you have the balls to stand before me in a fight instead of pissing your pants. Now that's bravery."
Alysa just laughed and said, "Yeah, at least he is a go-getter."
Liebe said, "But seriously, don't fight Skelos. That boss might be a giant skeleton, but from what I know, you will die."
Eosian said, "Fine, I understand."
Liebe said, "Good."
Later, as they went inside the walls, a group of knights were preparing.
Liebe said, "Excuse me, umm, what is happening here?"
The person said, "We are members of the group Bright Star, and we are preparing to fight Skelos tomorrow morning."
Liebe said, "Why morning and not now?"
After hearing the reason, Liebe said, "No wonder. It seems a lot more dangerous."
The man said, "That's why."
Liebe said, "Thanks, I appreciate it."
And after they went to their hotel room, Gelda said, "Lord, I ordered dinner."
Liebe said, "Thanks."
As they sat down to eat, Liebe said, "Gelda, where is Eldrie?"
Gelda said, "Well, yeah, that's the thing. He went mountain climbing. He said he had gotten out of it and was feeling quite weak, so he is exercising."
Liebe said, "By hiking?"
Gelda said, "Seems like it."
Alysa said, "Now that is definitely not suspicious."
Liebe said, "Think of it in a positive light. Maybe soon we will get a Mrs. Eldrie soon enough."
Gelda said, "Knowing Eldrie, now that will be surprising. In any way, he will return tomorrow morning."
Liebe said, "Let's see. I'm most certainly sure this little training voyage might just help his stamina."
Gelda said, "Possible."
And then they went to bed. And around 1 AM, there was a loud banging on the door. As Alysa was about to open the door, Gelda said, "Alysa, watch out! It might be an attack. I will open it."
Alysa said, "Ok."
As Gelda opened the door, it was Aile. She was out of breath.
Gelda said, "What happened?"
Aile, barely able to talk between her breaths, muttered, "Is Alysa there?"
Gelda said, "Yes, she is. Please come in and take a deep breath."
As Alysa came over and listened, after hearing what Aile had to say, she covered her mouth in shock. As she desperately banged on the door to Liebe's room, Liebe rushed over. After hearing what Alysa said, Liebe said, "Oh god, the dumbass will get himself killed!"
As Alysa started to cry.