CLING!
[First Commandment: Thou Can Not Lie]
"What? You've got to be kidding me… I can't lie?" Dera muttered, his eyes narrowing at the glowing screen hovering before him.
He paced back and forth, fists clenched. "How the hell am I supposed to live without lying? I mean…" His voice dropped into a guilty whisper. "I even lied a couple of minutes ago."
Of course, he had. Just earlier, he'd convinced the VHA representatives he didn't remember a thing from the double Venom cave when, in truth, the memories haunted him like shadows clinging to his heels.
"I hope that doesn't count as lying yet," he muttered nervously.
CLING!
[Second Commandment: Thou Shall Complete Your Daily Quest]
Dera froze. "Huh? Daily quest? What daily quest?"
[Daily Quest: Training to Become a Formidable Avatar]
Sit-ups: 0/100
Push-ups: 0/100
Squats: 0/100
"Are you serious right now?" he groaned, his frustration bubbling to the surface.
Despite his protests, a deep sense of unease gnawed at him. He didn't want to find out what kind of "penalty" the system had in mind for failure. And of course, he wouldn't find another chance to get stronger like this. Reluctantly, he dropped to the floor.
First came the sit-ups. His core screamed in protest. Then the push-ups—his arms wobbled like jelly by the end. Finally, the squats. Each movement felt like a mountain to climb, but he pushed through.
By the time he collapsed on the bed hours later, his entire body felt like it had been dragged through hell. Hunger and thirst gnawed at him, his stomach growling loudly in protest.
CLING!
[Daily Quest Completed. You Have Received 5 Points.]
[STATS]
Strength: 18
Agility: 18
Stamina: 13
Perception: 13
Aura: 25/25
Available Points: 5
"The daily quest actually paid off…" Dera mumbled, his breath heavy but triumphant. He grinned weakly. "All my stats increased by three."
He raised a trembling finger toward the screen. "Guess I'll add the five points to Strength."
[Strength: 23]
"Done." He leaned back, a sense of accomplishment settling over him.
Then a voice pierced the room like thunder.
"For someone who survived a double venom cave, you look quite agile."
Dera jumped to his feet, eyes darting around. His gaze landed on an old man seated on the wooden floor, legs crossed, arms folded. The man's gray hair and beard framed a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. He wore a white and blue kimono with a lightning insignia embroidered on the back.
"You!" Dera exclaimed, pointing. "You're… aren't you the patriarch of the Lightning Clan I saw at the Constellation Hall!?"
The old man's expression was calm, unreadable. Dera's mind raced. 'How did he get in here? I didn't hear a single step—or sense him.'
"Your memory seems sharp," the man said, standing slowly. "Good. That means you're ready."
"R-ready? Ready for what?"
"Ready for your training with me, of course," the man replied with a sly smile.
Dera's thoughts whirled in panic. 'Training? The Lightning Clan? Arya specifically warned me not to get involved with them. They only have four techniques! I need to think of an excuse, something polite to—
"Hey, old geezer, no one wants to join your loser of a clan. Piss off!"
Dera blinked twice, and a moment later, his eyes widened in absolute horror.
Because he wasn't planning on saying that, his lips moved on its own, betraying his carefully crafted thoughts. Hell even his expression changed for a second.
'Shit, shit, shit!... what the hell was that!' he thought as a wave of terror drowned him.
The Damned first commandments.
The old man's smirk twisted into a dangerous grin, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.
VHOOM!
Before Dera could react, the old man vanished. A split second later, a fist connected with his jaw, sending him flying. He crashed through the wooden wall, splinters flying everywhere, and landed hard on the ground outside.
"Ugh…" Dera groaned, his vision spinning as stars danced before his eyes. His cheek throbbed, swelling from the impact.
The old man stepped through the jagged hole, his smirk never faltering.
"You're bold. I admire that. But let me give you some advice: don't always say what's on your mind. You already did that with Akira, The Arcane Hunter. If he hadn't chosen to retreat, you'd be dead by now."
He crouched down, his face inches from Dera's. "Name's Anaya. From now on, you'll call me Master."
The old man's grin widened into something almost feral. "Don't worry. I'll make you a great hunter."
Dera gulped. The words felt more like a threat than a promise.
"Now," Anaya said, standing up, "try to keep up."
Before Dera could respond, the old man took off running at an impossible speed.
"Shit… this old geezer," Dera muttered, forcing himself to his feet. His legs wobbled as he staggered forward, determined to keep up.
For nine grueling hours, they ran as dusk approached. Dera's lungs burned, his legs screamed in agony, and his vision blurred.
"Old—" Dera caught himself mid-word to avoid another hit in the face "M-Master… I can't run… another mile…" he panted, his legs wobbling as though they might give out.
"Just a bit further," Anaya called back without breaking stride. "Unless you want to end up as venom food, I suggest you keep moving."
'Damn old geezer... just how far is this place he's taking me?' Dera muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice.
'Damn it, I really should've invested more points in stamina,' he thought, forcing himself to keep going.
The old man suddenly glanced across his shoulders..
'For someone who hasn't eaten or drunk anything for three straight days, he's surprisingly strong to keep up with my pace for hours,' the old man noted, a smirk playing on his lips. 'As expected of the Chi clan. I've found myself a worthy apprentice.' He thought.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they arrived. The Lightning Clan's manor loomed before them—a grand wooden structure, a bit old but elegant, its architecture intricate and refined.
"We're here," Anaya announced. But when he turned around, Dera had already collapsed from sheer exhaustion.
The next morning, Dera woke to the mouthwatering scent of food. He sat up, his stomach growling louder than ever.
His gaze locked onto an elegant figure, approaching with a tray laden with steaming dishes. The girl appeared to be around eighteen, her blue and black hair tied into neat braids. Her sapphire eyes sparkled as she smiled. She wore a beautifully embroidered blue and white outfit—a loincloth-style wrap around her waist and a top that left her toned stomach bare, adorned with intricate flower tattoos.
"You're awake," she said softly, her smile as radiant as the morning sun.
Dera blinked as he watched her approach, mesmerized. For a moment, he forgot his hunger.
"My name is Eva. You must be starving," she said, crouching gracefully to place the tray in front of him. Her movement tightened her wrapper, accentuating her toned thighs and revealing the faintest glimpse of bright blue underwear.
Dera's cheeks flushed crimson.
"What are you staring at?" Eva asked, tilting her head innocently.
Snapping out of his trance, Dera scrambled for an answer. then he opened his mouth and said..
"Your underwear."