Deep within an uninhabited valley, the wind brushed against the rock walls, carrying a faint echo.
Loren sat cross-legged on a bluestone smoothed by time, his eyes closed, his breathing long and steady.
This was the perfect meditation spot he had found specifically for this purpose.
[Daily Quest: Meditate for one hour in an extremely quiet environment.]
The quest progress bar advanced slowly and steadily, and a nearly solidified tranquility enveloped him.
Suddenly, a system warning blasted into Loren's mind without any prior sign.
[Ding! Major Obstacle Detected: Vegeta (Battle Power 18,000), Nappa (Battle Power 4,000)!]
[Warning! They will arrive on Earth within 24 hours! This will severely threaten your future life!]
Loren's eyelids twitched, and he reluctantly opened them.
His hard-won peace had been shattered by the system's alarm.
He let out a long sigh, full of resentment at being disturbed.
"Seriously… can't a person get two days of peace?"
He stood up from the bluestone, stretching his stiff body.
Vegeta and Nappa were about to descend.
These two were far more troublesome than the simple-minded Raditz—especially Vegeta, whose combat experience was rich.
And if he couldn't win, he had the trump card of transforming into a Great Ape, multiplying his power tenfold.
Loren could also transform into a Great Ape, but he didn't want to turn into a giant gorilla—too ugly, damaging his image.
He rolled over and leaned against the rock wall, muttering.
"It seems that if I want to peacefully lie down until the end of the universe, I'll have to work overtime again."
"I hope it won't be too much trouble."
[Ding! Daily Quest Issued: Taste Earth's most delicious spring water.]
[Reward: Battle Power + 30.]
[Ding! Daily Quest Issued: Overlook the scenery from Earth's highest peak for half an hour.]
[Reward: Battle Power + 40.]
Loren curled his lips, staring at the newly refreshed quests.
So this was considered "pre-battle warm-up."
At the same time, on the other side of Earth…
In a barren rocky region, violent winds kicked up sand and dust, tinting the sky a gloomy yellow.
Piccolo stood coolly atop a giant rock, arms crossed.
Below him stood Krillin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and a significantly matured Gohan. Their auras were far stronger than a year ago.
But right now, everyone's face was tense.
Two powerful evil presences were closing in fast. Even from space, the pressure made their hearts pound.
"So… strong," Krillin clenched his fists, voice trembling.
"Stronger than Raditz by a lot."
Tien Shinhan's third eye was tightly shut as he sensed the approaching power.
"Has Goku still not returned yet?"
Yamcha looked toward the sky, worry in his tone.
"Hmph. Even if Son Goku returns—" Piccolo interrupted sharply, "there are two enemies, and each one far surpasses Raditz. In this battle, we have no retreat."
Gohan bit his lip, fear still lingering, but overshadowed by the resolve built through the past year.
Pressure hung over every Earth warrior.
But for Loren, this suffocating pressure was nothing.
Loren had already left the valley. He now stood atop a remote snow-capped mountain.
The air was crisp and thin. Beneath his feet, pure glacier ice glistened.
He found a clear spring.
He bent down, cupped water into his hands, and drank.
Extreme coolness and sweetness rushed down his throat.
[Ding! Daily Quest: Taste Earth's most delicious spring water — Completed.]
[Reward: Battle Power + 30.]
A faint warm current spread through his body.
Then, with a flicker, Loren appeared atop the highest peak on Earth.
The strong wind howled past him, whipping at his clothes.
He looked down at the continuous sea of clouds like pure white cotton candy—magnificent beyond compare.
[Ding! Daily Quest: Overlook the scenery from Earth's highest peak for half an hour — Completed.]
[Reward: Battle Power + 40.]
Loren's perception swept across Earth.
He sensed the Z Fighters gathered in the wilderness, their nerves tense.
He quietly recalled the tragic outcomes awaiting them—Chiaotzu's self-destruction, Tien Shinhan losing his arm, Piccolo dying to protect Gohan…
They needed these hardships to grow.
There would be many future enemies. He couldn't always be the one cleaning up.
His job was to sleep, fish, and sunbathe.
Loren lay down on a flat, wind-sheltered patch of snow.
The calm before the storm was the perfect time for a nap.
The more crucial the moment, the more important calmness—and sleep—became.
This was Loren's "patience."
Time passed slowly.
The atmosphere over Earth grew heavier and heavier, as if shadows pressed down from above.
Then—
Two fireballs, trailing long plumes of flame, ripped through the sky.
They were headed straight for a bustling eastern city.
The Saiyans had finally arrived.