Gael and Fortis woke up early to set up traps surrounding the sleeping Cyclops so that in case the old Cyclops managed to escape the shackles bounding him, there will be traps ready to be activated, this will increase the odds of Gael and Fortis winning and surviving.
Gael inspected his equipment such as his leather armor and sword, he prefers leather armor because it is lighter than the steel armor that the army provides, he is also a swordsman that specializes in swift attacks and consistent moving from place to place that is why he needed to be as light as he can be, he also inspected Fortis' equipment, the Goblin's armor are all worn out from consistent fighting, the leather chest piece has scratches on it while his shoulder pauldron and vambrace are shipped and filled with scratches as well, but it is fine, Gael estimated that it is still usable and can still provide decent defense.
" are you ready?" Gael asked Fortis with a serious face.
" kiiiik! "
" then let's go!" Gael leads the way towards the place where the old Cyclops is.
They walked for an hour and a half before they arrived at their destination.
" this big bastard is still sleeping, how long does a Cyclops have to sleep? " Gael said crouching in a nearby bush, afraid to wake the Cyclops while being unprepared.
He looked towards Fortis behind him and nodded, the Goblin nodded as well, Fortis turned into a green blur and disappeared from where he was standing.
Gael put down his bag and unsheathed his sword then he slowly approached the still sleeping old Cyclops, Fortis did the same thing on the other side of the Cyclops where he positioned himself.
When the two of them reached a certain distance from the Cyclops, they both turned into a blur, they reappeared in the air targeting the Cyclops' head, they then descended pointing their swords towards the face of the Cyclops, but when their swords are only a few inches away from the Cyclops, the Cyclops suddenly woke up from its slumber, it opened its big terrifying eye and used its big hand to block Gael and Fortis' sword. The sword stabs the palm of the old Cyclops.
" shit! Retreat! " Gael shouted, Fortis immediately retreated using dash and Gael did the same, when they successfully got away from the Cyclops, the old Cyclops swiftly stood up despite its huge frame.
Gael stared at the standing figure of the old Cyclops.
*gulp
Seeing the full height of the monster hailed as the perfect A- rank Gael's mouth started to dry, and now he is starting to regret his life choices.
" holy shit!" Gael exclaimed while Fortis took a step back in fear.
The height of the Cyclops paired with its bulging muscles releases an aura of an immovable and stalwart mountain, a mountain that withstood calamities and time itself, the Cyclops' beard made it even more intimidating.
The Cyclops turned its head as if looking for something, then its gaze landed on Gael and Fortis, it roared, the roar made rocks and leaves fly around and the trees swayed as if it was facing a huge storm, Gael and Fortis faced the fierce wind and roar, their face deformed caused by the force of the wind and their ears started to hurt because of the loud sound of the roar, Gael and Fortis is slowly being pushed back but they resist and after a few seconds the roar ceased, Gael and Fortis started panting, they are sweating profusely as their hearts beat fast, but their faces still keep the same expression they have when they decided to attack the old Cyclops, a smile, the two of them despite facing the terrifying Cyclops are still smiling and behind their smile are mixed emotion of fear, excitement, fighting intent, determination, and other emotion.
When the Cyclops saw the smile on Gael and Fortis' faces it smiled inwardly as well, but the smile is not a terrifying smile but a genuine and warm smile.
The Cyclops moved its arm and punched in the direction of Gael and Fortis, seeing the giant fist incoming, Gael and Fortis prepared themselves for the strong impact, they held up their sword to block the incoming fist, since they do not have enough time to dodge they have no choice but to block, they both closed their eyes waiting for their inescapable fate but the punch that they are waiting for didn't arrive instead they heard a loud sound of metals clashing.
Gael and Fortis slowly opened their eyes and saw the giant fist a few meters away from them.
*whew
Gael heaved a sigh of relief, and then he slowly walked towards the side to see what is happening.
He saw the reason why the punch didn't reach them and It is the shackles, the shackles prevented the punch from reaching them, he then looked up and he saw the expression on the old Cyclops' face, he was confused because the cyclops is smiling and his smile is that of a warm-hearted grandfather.
When the Cyclops saw Gael's confused face he laughed out loud.
" Gagagagagagagagaga " the old cyclops laughed loudly.
When Gael heard the old Cyclops laugh he went to fighting position automatically as if it was his second nature, then Fortis slowly went to Gael's side holding his sword.
" what are you?" Gael asked, although it is obvious that the monster is a Cyclops he is still confused because this is the first time he heard a monster laugh loudly and human-like as well.
" Tybalt" the Old Cyclops answered in human language.
" ahhh so your name is Tybalt… wa-wa-wa-wait did you just speak in human language " Gael took a few steps back with his mouth wide open from his shock.
'a monster speaking human language, what the hell is going on here!? '
" yes I can speak in human language Gagagagaga" the old Cyclops answered.
" wait how!" Gael shouted.
" Sit down so I can explain to you, " the Old Cyclops said.
Gael was about to sit on the ground.
" wait why should I follow you… what really are you, I never read anything about a monster speaking in human language in every book I read in the library " Gael said.
" sit down so I can explain to you, " said the cyclops
" o-o-o-okay " Gael calmed down and took a seat, Fortis took also took a seat beside him.
" I see that you familiar is a Goblin… very interesting, " Tybalt said as he stroked his beard.
" yes, his name is Fortis " Gael answered and Fortis looked at the Cyclops.
" Fortis huh, but why a Goblin? There are countless monsters out there, they even have a higher rank than your Goblin "
" well I had the chance to have a B rank monster as my Familiar but I don't feel like they suited my style " Gael answered.
" hhhmmm, I see, I see, " Tybalt said nodding.
" wait a minute why am I the one answering your question! It should be the other way around, now explain yourself, what are you? " Gael asked in an annoyed manner.
" I am a Cyclops can't you see " Tybalt pointed at his eye.
" I know you're a Cyclops, but how can you speak the human language and what are you doing here?"
" I can speak the human language because I studied how to speak your language "
" why? " Gael asked again.
" to communicate with humans, there was a time when I had to work with humans so I studied your language "
" so you are not someone's familiar? "
" Gagagagaga I am the great Tybalt how can I yield to a mere human, if it wasn't for that catastrophe I won't even learn your language and work with you puny humans "
" What catastrophe? " Gael asked, he got intrigued when Tybalt mentioned the word catastrophe.
" you are too weak you don't deserve to know " Tybalt flatly answered.
" Who are you calling weak! I can kill you right here, right now! " Gael snapped when he was called weak by the Cyclops, if there is one thing that Gael takes pride in it is his strength, though he knows he is not the strongest, he is still stronger than most of his age.
" you of course I am calling you weak, plus look at your familiar, with that D rank Goblin you won't reach the peak of your strength " Fortis stood up and brandished his sword when he heard the Cyclops insult Gael and him, though he does not understand the human language, he still knows what Tybalt mean because of his mental connection with Gael.
" calm down little guy I am just telling the truth, I say you both go back to where you came from and flaunt your identity as a Tamer and play king since you will never achieve great things, well you young man had the potential but you ruined it when you chose a Goblin as your familiar " Tybalt said emotionlessly.
" hahahahahahahahaha! " Gael's laugh echoed throughout the forest, Tybalt and Fortis looked at him in confusion.
" Why are you laughing? " asked Tybalt.
" I was laughing at you… Do you think I will just do what you say? Hahahahaha I am a man who hates losing, the moment I chose Fortis as my familiar I already know that it will not be an easy road, but I also know that we will surpass our limits and reach the pinnacle of strength " Gael said in a straight face, the atmosphere surrounding them turned silent as if time has stopped.
" you said you hate losing does that mean earlier when you two attack me you think that you can win? " Tybalt asked as if he was mocking Gael.
" of course, I intend to win, I a quarter of my life on the battlefield, I never joke about a fight "
" I can kill you two in one punch, " said Tybalt.
" I know, I realized that earlier, but so what, I told you I hate losing, you can kill me but you cannot defeat me, if we fight and I die, I will take you along with me" Gael smirked.