Jung stood there, too dazed to move and too happy to speak. Nero became his companion in every sense, both in name and in heart. "Let's get the loot from the losers you killed," he said and left the territory.
The cat hopped on his shoulder. This small and quiet journey was something important for both of them. Connecting didn't come easily to Jung, yet in Nero, he found a comforting reflection.
After a while, when they got the items they needed and Jung devoured corpses again, it was time for the cat to improve.
All in all, Jung had about 30 taming pills. After spending some on the dungeon entrance, that was all that remained. Only four of them were from the wizard archetype, but it was a decent amount nonetheless.
Nero ingested them one by one and enjoyed the process. The taste was to her liking, and the warm, fuzzy feeling filled her body as well as her mind. Trusting Jung completely, she consumed pills from other groups without hesitation.
The entire process netted her 4%, which was nothing extraordinary, but an increase was still an increase, no matter how small. They encountered another interesting discovery. According to Nero's description, Rebel and Hero's pills brought her the greatest pleasure, indicating that they were the most beneficial for her. As Jung tried to think of a reason, Nero was one step ahead. "This is most likely attributed to the Archeons," she meowed and guessed. "What do you mean?" Jung asked about the topic shrouded in mystery. "But I thought you didn't know much about them." Nero licked her paws and stared at him. "I said I'm not certain whether they're related to the gods," she paused, jumping on his shoulder. "But I do know that they have a friendly relationship. Take Wizard and Hero, for example." Jung wanted to pry, but she was quicker once again. "However, some of them don't like each other. It means friendly Archeons have some kind of influence on archetypes as well. Maybe there is more than that, but I don't know." "Do you know how they look, where they are, or what they are doing?" Jung asked an insignificant part of the questions he had. "Not me, and I doubt humans would know either. They are not constant. Regularly reforming is part of their nature. One Archeon could be a beast, but another could transform into a mountain, and we would never know." Nero showed patience with her explanation. Jung moved toward the city on his way home because he spent enough time, and evening would soon descend. "Are they on our side at least?" "They should be, because if it's not the case, every living thing on Maskera would perish, and the creatures from the moon would own this place, and I doubt Archeons would want that," Nero said, thinking to herself. Maskera birthed Archeons so they would support humanity against otherworldly foes. This was what all textbooks said. The fact that people believed. Archetypes were blessings from Archeons. A gift that saved everyone and everything centuries ago. It was an undeniable fact and the only precise knowledge that lasted to this day. Anything else was myths, lies, speculations, and the product of imagination. "Gods have archetypes as well," Nero added to the topic. "But they are more selfish and are driven by their desire, which comes from the archetypes themselves." This was new information for Jung. It was a piece of knowledge Nero never shared with him, maybe because she didn't trust his capabilities, or she simply didn't dare to. At any rate, she continued and revealed even more. "Ruler god," her voice was full of malice. "That's the asshole who cursed us. He is obsessed with power and control." Jung hid behind bushes and changed his appearance back to his young face, listening attentively. "I fear other gods would be the same," Nero added, considering the possibility that all the gods would be driven by their archetypes. "It means they are weak," Jung concluded, saying daring words about the towering beings. "The same powers are consuming them when it should be the other way around." He smiled and touched his immature hand on the cat's paws. "You don't have to worry about me. I know I promised to become a god, but it doesn't mean I would lose control like them." His confident voice gave Nero the ease she needed. "Who said I am worried about you?" she protested, scratching Jung's face and hiding her true feelings. [Ting!] The system got involved. She voice-acted and showed another minor change. «Rewards: Unknown; Unknown; Bonus skill; Finding yourself. Until now, it was unknown who Jung had to slay, this time it changed and showed his true target. Despite this, Jung had one thought. 'Ruler god. Is that asshole somehow connected to Elara's disappearance?' Lisa and Baki used every means necessary to find their lost child, yet there were no leads, nothing that could help them or give any hints about Elara and the people who took her. Her entire existence became a mystery, and no information remained, as if she never existed. Jung asked Nero about his doubt. But the answer he got was nothing like what he hoped for. "I know little about him," stated Nero. "His attack on my race was brief and unexpected, but I can tell you for certain, that he is cunning, merciless, and resourceful." Nero took some time to collect her thoughts. "He is scary as an ally and terrifying as an enemy. Imagine these qualities in a person, but he is a god, which makes him much more dangerous." Jung said nothing as he tried to be understanding, and every joke his brain came up with against his permission stayed unsaid. The rest of the walk was relatively quiet, his pace increased, and he reached home in quick succession. Parents stood in the yard, waiting for his return. 'What's going on? Why are they outside?' Jung asked himself and went to them. Lisa and Baki hurried to meet him with their joyful expressions. As soon as Jung stood before them, both of his parents hugged him, announcing in unison. "Jung, you are going to the academy!" They looked both happy and concerned. 'Ohh, fuck!' annoyed, the boy thought to himself.