"..."
"I'm serious. You're from 3083 and I'm from 3103. that's 20 years different! So that must mean that I've traveled in time... NO! you're the one who travels in time! How did you do it?"
"I... I didn't do anything. I didn't even travel forward in time... I'm still at the cave."
"um..." The bulky man strokes his chin "You're in Boniha island right?"
"Yes?"
"The trial just end and you're in a cave with Layla right?"
"H...How did..." Michael was startled, How did this man exactly know.... wait didn't say that his name was also Michael? Is it really him from the future?
"Kid, I think we have something in common. I think we are the same person."
"...." Looking at the bulky man, his features were mostly the same. The jawline and eyes and the hair but other than that, Micahel couldn't imagine how did he evolve into this hulking walking muscle who's as tall as 2 meters.
"Don't look at me like that, I'm a better version of you! I work my ass off for 20 years so I could be this strong! I gain all this power and muscle! I'm The strongest!" The bulky man shouts with a hint of anger in his voice. His eyes stared at Michael the whole time.
"I didn't..."
"But you doubt!"
"....."
"You doubt the possibility. You didn't believe that you could be me! I can see it in your eyes. Michael, I know what you think! How did he become this strong? I can't do that. You gave up when you've not even started! Michael, That's why you're weak!"
"....." His body shivered and his hands shake. "Then... How did you do it? I'm not you! You clearly got something that change you right!? How did you do it?"
The man extends his hand. and with a flick of his finger, he sends Michael tumbling into the ground. Even without the injuries, Michael could fell that hit would've killed him. His head hurts like it's about to explode.
"Get up!"
"..." Michael pushes himself up with much effort. The flicker hurt him on a deeper level.
Pah!
He got pushed down again
"Get up!"
Michael tries to get up but, he is unable to. everything he is about to be on his feet, The muscle man flicks his finger pushing him down time and time again.
"What do you want from me!" Michael is frustrated, he doesn't understand what the man is trying to do.
"Get up!"
The boy gritted his teeth and push himself up again. Only to be pushed down once again. Michael doesn't know what to do. He look around in this endless black space trying to find how he could escape from this torture. But alas the only thing that he found is an endless black void and a million small stars that decorate the black space.
The frustration is adding up. His emotion swirled inside and he let out a tear.
"Why are you doing this." Micheal didn't cry because of the pain but, he cries because of how powerless he is. Thinking back to everything that happens to him... He lacks power. He wants to have it!
"GET UP!" The man seems to be furious at the sight of Michael.
Gathering all his strength Michael push himself up but, this time he won't stay still. Michael dodge the flicker and threw a punch at the bulky man. Michael's unexpected move surprise the man a bit but, he react quickly and receive the punch with his hand. All the force that Michael could pull up dissipate before the bulky man's hand.
It felt like he just punch into a solid block of steel. His hand hurt from the alteration.
"Get... up"
"WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO!" Michael screams his lung out "I TRAIN EVERY DAY! I FOLLOW MY UNCLE'S INSTRUCTIONS! BUT ALL IT DID WAS NOTHING! I STILL GOT LEFT BEHIND BY EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO? LOOK AT YOU, all high and mighty... You expect me to get up? HOW! you will push me back again! Why are we even doing this? Just let me go already!"
PAH! The bulky man kicks Michael.
"You asked me how something change me." The man pauses and looks at MCIhael's body. Lying powerlessly on the ground and his anger rose to an unimaginable level. "DO YOU THINK THIS IS GOOD!? This power?"
"....."
"Look at me!? What do you think to change me into this Michael? Encounter with a hidden master who taught me his hidden art? Luckily eating a forbidden fruit that changes my body?" The man picks up Micahel by the collar.
"No, Michael... No amount of hidden master will change me into this. Michael, I change into this. You only see my power But, do you know how hard it is?"
"..."
"Do you know what changed?"
"....."
MIchael's mind feels hazy from the man screaming into his ear. His word felt like a hammer pounding his head and sending him information.
"I work harder and train harder. I studies all the things that would make me stronger and vowed to myself that I will never let anyone close to me die again. That's what changed Michael. You've already given up while I still pursue power."
The man's voice sounds a little less aggressive but, more sorrowful. You could feel the pain in his voice.
"Who did I... you lost?"
The only one that could change him if they're out of his life could be counted on one hand. And he doesn't want to think about how one of them dies.
The man looks at Michael and smiles. It was mixed with all sorts of emotions sad, anger, pity, warmth, and last hope. Michael can't read into what this man is thinking at all.
"...Maybe it's not too late... Do you want power?"
"....." Michael did not answer but stared at the man with a complex expression. What is the man planning now?
"Do.... you.... want.... power?"
The man says his word one by one while staring at Michael. The kid looks at the man that's holding onto his collar, his expression changing into one that exudes determination.
"YES"
"Wise choice" The man throw Michael onto the floor and conjured a wooden spear out of thin air.
"As long as you don't forget the feeling. As long as you're powerful enough. You can protect anyone you want. You can become an Ultimate apex hunter. Standing proud among the best of the best. You'll be my first and only disciple of mine."
"What do I call you?" their name are the same and this man seems to have some pride so, he expects that the man would have called himself Michael.
"Call me Pike the Sky shaker."