***
A typical Sunday for a seven-year-old would involve playing with friends, computer games, perhaps reading a book, or watching television. In Leon's case, it was spending time like any other regular kid, immersing himself in the joy of computer games.
"Leon, dinner's ready."
His moment of fun came to an end, but not without Leon checking the time before wrapping up.
"Isn't it a bit early for that?" Murmured, wearing a grumpy expression. Nevertheless, he had to leave despite his discontent.
He descended the stairs slowly, yet there was no scent or indication that something should have reached his nose.
In fact, the kitchen stood devoid of food, save for a solitary chopping board and a butcher knife. It was evident that Mary had summoned him early, a demand he found to be premature.
"Mother, why did you call me this early?"
"We will be preparing the meal together," Mary smiled, placing her camping bag on the table in front of the television.
As if infused with life, the bag shifted and moved, reminiscent of a child playfully kicking their mother's belly. Parts of the bag received these playful nudges. This sight alone triggered a memory for Leon—an unpleasant one from two years ago back in the forest.
Taking a life is a challenging matter, particularly for children, until the realization dawns upon them that they have indeed taken one. Squashing a bug the size of a fly is a simple task for the majority of people, but as the size increases, the act of taking a life becomes significantly more difficult.
The notion that every life has equal value is a common saying. However, in reality, things were quite different. Animals and humans, like two sides of a coin, share the same life, yet one side must take the life of the other to survive. It has always been the case, and it continues to be so.
Despite the notion that all life is equal, the reality is different. Killing a cow for consumption, a common occurrence every day draws little criticism. However, if one were to kill an animal regarded as a pet, especially one of larger size, the scenario changes entirely. Killing a gecko and killing a dog, though, aren't regarded as the same thing, even though, ideally, they should be.
"M-Mother, what is in there?"
"Just wait in there for a while, okay?"
"O-Okay."
Her hand raised in parallel to the bag above, and the other slowly opened it. The unveiling process was deliberate and measured until, in an instant, the entire bag opened. The moment the being within saw the light, it leaped toward the first piece of meat it laid eyes on.
"Hissss!"
"A-A snake!"
"Yes, I caught it today."
Unfazed by the bite to her hand, she swiftly seized the creature by the tail and hoisted it onto the chopping board. Meanwhile, Leon had ascended the stairs, positioning himself as high as possible while maintaining a watchful eye on her.
"D-"Doesn't your hand hurt?"
"Do you think this little guy can hurt me, a Level 2?"
"C-Can't it?"
"It's just a regular snake. Of course, it can't hurt me. Now, come here," she nonchalantly uttered, pushing the snake's head with one finger while using her right hand to keep its tail steady.
"W-What do you want me to do?"
Leon wasn't that naive. He had eyes and was well aware of what his mother expected him to do. Despite having experienced the same thing before, he chose to ask once again.
Thanks to his mother's words and the familiarity of the act of taking a life, Leon's unpleasant experience became somewhat more palatable. Mary, however, didn't relish the sight of his incessant tears. Nevertheless, she understood the necessity of doing what must be done.
Taking a life with a gun and taking a life with a knife differed in experience, though ideally, they should be the same. A single bullet, that's all it took to end a life. Hence, compared to a century ago, the number of killings had dramatically decreased.
Thanks to the universal energy arts that everyone possessed, people had become immune to conventional bullets. This was one of the benefits bestowed by the Gods.
"Leon, one day you'll have to take a life," she said slowly, "One day, I'll also tell you the truth about Gods."
"Truth?"
"Just take the knife."
Sudden words laden with hidden truths were meant to be forgotten by seven-year-old Leon. After all, for the next seven years, he had other matters to occupy his mind. A few uttered words, for once, held no immediate significance, nor did they have the time to gain any value in his young mind.
***
It's obvious this guy is a guard. But what's his level? If he's Level 3, we're dead. However, if he's under Level 3, we can deal with him easily. Hehe, I've got so many stat points to spend, haven't I?
"Why are you laughing!?"
"S-Sorry, sir. I didn't mean to—"
"Cut the crap! Raise your hands!"
"Y-Yes, sir."
I need to buy myself some more time, but this f*cker has to grant me that opportunity first.
"Sir, are you a guard?"
"Can't you see that I am!?"
"From the tough look you've got, you must be a Scepter."
Seems like my compliment, "Scepter!? Do you think anyone can be a Scepter!?" Created a reverse effect.
"Do you think Neaire has any Scepter!?" He continued to yell incessantly; this seemed to be this idiot's area of expertise.
"We're tourists here, sir. Then, you must be a Sting."
"I'm a damn Sand!"
'Yep, we f*cked up.'
I need to check my status for a moment.
I think I know just how to do that.
"Enough of—"
I slowly turned my head to the left, as if something was unfolding there. In reality, nothing was happening; the explosion occurred to our right. However, it was sufficient to make him turn his head. Since outrunning him was not an option, seizing this opportunity to check my stats was the best course of action.
'Status.'
[Name: Leon Rastia]
[Race: Human]
[Universal Energy Arts: Level 1]
[Chaos: 2]
[STR: 6 (+12) STA: 0 (+13)]
[AGL: 0 (+14) INT: 0 (+15)]
[Unassigned Stat Points: 25]
[Magic: ----]
Hmm. The optimal strategy might be to invest everything in STR and try to knock him unconscious. I'm not sure if it would be enough to harm him, though.
"Why are you rolling your eyes around!? Are you trying to find something!?"
"Sir, please calm down."
'Put every stat into STR.'
Biiiip!
What's this? A red screen this time?
[You can't surpass your organic limits!]
F*ck you, useless sh*t! Weren't you supposed to make me the strongest being ever born!?
"Alright, looks like you, crazy kid, want to force me!"
[Do you want to max your STR stat?]
'Yes, do it!'
[STR +4]
[STR: 10 (+12)]
[Unassigned Stat Points: 21]
So, 10 is my max right now? Overall, I have 22 STR. Well, unless he uses magic, we can handle him. I hope. Still, I should make Triss understand the situation, as I need her help.
"Sir, can you please wait a second? You see, my mother also works as a guard, and she was in the—"
Thuudd!
This b*stard literally destroyed a part of the ground!
"Enough! I've waited long enough just because you were kids! But, I also have a limit! Do you think I don't have a brain!?"
"S-Sir, do you have someone you love in there?"
"That's not your business, kid!"
"Understood, sir," I said, glancing at Triss, and it seemed like her brain was working this time, as she nodded in agreement.
I didn't let him utter a single word after that; I couldn't, as he was already on edge.
"Sir, it looks like my friend over there has something to say."
Knowing it was her turn, she slowly took a few steps toward the guard, her hands raised in the air like mine. Yet, it seemed like she still had some fear; I could see her hands shaking slowly.
"S-Sir, the thing is…"
"What is it—"
"Do it now!"
Then, I rushed, just in the time I'd yelled.
Pat! Pat!
Triss positioned in front of him, and I took my place on his left. Our objective was to pin him to the ground, rendering him unable to move for a while. If we killed him outright, the other guards would rush in, and we would be dead.
His sword was on his left, lodged in the ground from the previous attack. There couldn't be a better time to strike than this. We had to capitalize on our one and only chance to make him faint.
As I charged at him, Triss was retrieving her knife using her telekinesis. The best-case scenario would have been to seize the guy's sword, but his telekinetic power surpassed ours, and attempting to take it would only waste our energy without gaining anything.
"Are you kids trying to attack—"
"Gaaahh!"
I felt it! My punch hurt him!
"Keep the attack going!"
"On it!"
"You little sh—"
I've got him all turtle now! I have to maintain this momentum and for that…
'Put 10 stat into AGL and STA!'
[AGL: 10 (+14)]
[STA: 10 (+13)]
[Unassigned Stat Points: 1]
I feel it! I can feel that my body getting lighter and faster!
But what's this heat, though?
Buuum!!