Path of the Slayer B3 33. Juggernauts & Vows

Path Energy: 15%.

Shaking my head, I ignored the temptation to lean against the nearest pearly wall and show weakness. That strike from a Demigod had been a lot to endure, and he hadn’t even hit me directly.

That was the first time I’d ever met one of that Grade, and the impression he left on me would last for a while. The mountain of power remained ever taller.

“I’ll Keep Going,” I said, my Epiphany resonating sharply, perking me back up.

Though there was one unexplainable curiosity that left me stumped.

Why had he stopped?

I wanted to say the System must’ve stepped in and forced him to halt. But I wasn’t sure.

Everything had happened too fast for me to track. By the time the attack had ended, I was doing all I could to remain composed before taking my exit.

“Eh, it doesn’t matter anymore. And I’m hungry,” I muttered, pulling out an Epic Path Elixir from a pouch on my belt.

After popping off the top and draining it, I regained 200% Path Energy plus a little extra. Still pretty far from refilling me all the way.

Having a maximum capacity of 1200% Path Energy made the emptiness more annoying

Glancing around, I examined the shiny crystal floors, the luxurious high-Rank rugs, and the many art displays hanging on the walls. Above my head, grandiose chandeliers glittered with myriad colors from each crystal ornament.

The heart of the Central Diamond Castle, which housed a palace in a highly aristocratic district, didn’t stop short with displaying its eye-catching value. I imagined that most of the overt opulence would awe most Young Pathwalkers.

The Pathwalker Revival Token in one of my pouches could probably buy the entire palace and evict Demigod Douglas from his throne. But he didn’t need to know that. Nor did anybody else.

If that wasn’t funny enough, the Demigod had even done me a huge favor. I felt the changes in my System Logs.

Making my way to breakfast, I examined the new notifications, a smile growing on my shaded face.

[Congrats! Your Great Skill evolved! From Pain Eater Devourer to Pain Eater Juggernaut!]

[Pain Eater Juggernaut: Level 61 (Epic): Dude, congratulations! You’re one of the few across the entire Realm Verse to get a Great Skill above Exquisite. This is an immense achievement, and you’ll know it each time you activate this skill! For a temporary time window, you can absorb hugely intense damage, raising your toughness, recovery, counterstrikes, strength, and intimidation to an immense degree. Additionally, you’ll have an easier time extending your energy to toughen your allies!] [Cost: -20%]

I burst out laughing as I entered the grand dining hall. Other than my squad, there were noble visitors and supplicants of the Challenge Floor Administrator. The babble of conversation and thrill died down with my entrance, my booming laughter carrying across the spacious and long atrium.

The glitter and glam shone even brighter here. The younger and weaker me would’ve been impressed by it all.

The current me didn’t give a damn as I launched across the fancy dining hall and landed on the table in front of my gathered squad, a burst of power emitting from my boots to keep still all of their platters and utensils.

The silence throughout the entire dining hall was nearly overwhelming, and I gladly disrupted it with joy and warmth in my voice. “I had a conversation with Demigod Douglas. We didn’t see eye-to-eye, so I let him be and came here to eat a hearty breakfast with you, my squad.”

“Can you not show off every second you breathe?” grunted Veteran Sharia, the first to regain her wits. Granted, the powerful and devoted housewife half-orc had the beginning of a smirk appearing on her full lips, her tusks glinting extra bright. “You’re going to leave a bad impression on your juniors.”

“Honestly, I need more of that impression placed upon me. I’m on the Path of the Bard of all things, and Sir Arden’s sense of showmanship outdoing mine!” Veteran Zez complained cheekily, the fuzzy and crisply suited ratkin bounced upon from his wife’s lap, only to get engulfed by a large hug from behind.

Clearly, his wife didn’t want my influence to embolden her husband too much.

“I want all the bad impressions! When can I be as cool and awesome as you, Elder Arden?!” Grimmy cheered, scrambling out of her seat. She kicked over a few platters and bowls of steaming hot and deliciously scented food.

I would’ve winced if it weren’t for how the little half-gob girl crashed into my leg for a hug. It was painful how happy and adorable she could act. “I knew you would return! Elder Merlin was worried to death about you!”

“We were all worried,” bellowed Marnarka, the half-minotaur voicing more of what was on the others’ minds.

I noticed wary looks from Brug, Redfang, Velira, and Weaver of all people. Noodles remained mostly soulless and deranged, and Kroker’s faith was unbroken, so he was okay.

Still, the half-minotaur woman didn’t hold back in showing her concern. “We’ve trained hard and pushed ourselves as hard as we could while you were away. Yet, I feared it would be for naught if we were to lose you.”

That dampened my cheer a little.

I caught the slight scolding look on Veteran Sharia’s face that urged me to say something encouraging. But to all of our surprise, someone else spoke in my stead.

“Don’t kid yourselves, everyone. Most of our success is because of Arden being so daring and out there. If he’s not risking it all and outwitting death, we won’t survive what’s coming.” Merlin stood from his seat, separating himself from Syleth – the two of them back together, but with a calmer arrangement that didn’t concern me as much as before.

I watched as the dwelf wizard climbed onto the dining table before kneeling in front of me. I wanted to stop him, but I sensed this was important, so I let Merlin do what he must.

“Dude, you keep going above and beyond for people who are practically still strangers to you. Maybe if it weren’t for your sheer kindness and ability to make things happen, most of us wouldn’t be able to take you seriously,” Merlin said. “But you just keep finding a way. And in Grimmy’s words, man, you’re awesome. So, I’m sincerely sorry for acting like an asshole, and I just want you to know I’m your wizard until death do us part.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

I didn’t know what to say.

Then Redfang broke the moment. “Oh my System, that’s so hot.”

“Yessss,” Syleth hissed.

Finding my voice, I mumbled, “I … accept?”

Merlin nodded, still kneeling.

“When are we gonna go over our gains?” Grimmy asked, yanking on my leg. “I grew so much!”

Shaking my head, I focused on straightening my thoughts. There was a lot happening at once. In fact, there was more to Merlin’s devoted words than just a mere statement of fealty. 

There had been magic in those words, and I felt the brush of the God-Queen between us.

More importantly, we were surrounded by hundreds of curious eyes and ears. All it took was for me to catch Thumper’s slumped over position at the edge of our squad, the Perfect Rogue scanning all around us warily.

Then Veteran Sharia said the obvious. “Maybe we should have breakfast before finding a private space first.”

After Merlin got back on his feet, I found my voice again. “Eat up as much as you can. Then, make sure you’re already packed and ready to go. We’re leaving soon.”

“We’re already packed and ready,” Weaver said, silky smooth and with a slight hint of haughtiness. “Despite your recent excursion away from us, you aren’t too complex to predict, Elder Arden.”

“Onto the next adventure, aye?” Velira added, the fingers of one hand interlocked with Weaver’s own. The elf and drider looked closer than ever.

“Hear! Hear!” Brug cheered.

“Hear! Hear!” cheered the others.

I couldn’t keep the smile from returning to my face. Thankfully, my helmet shaded my features. There were too many strangers looking upon us, and I didn’t want to break my role as an intimidating force to the public.