It’s above my expectations.

Viers happily thought despite the piercing pain in his hand. His bloodline seemed to have successfully awakened. He didn't know what kind of adventure his disciple went through but the result was very satisfactory.

The way he saw it, Boram’s base stats had been greatly improved and there was that apparition from before. Was it Boram’s ancestor or Boram himself in the future?

Viers was reminded of the iconic scene where Genos and Saitama first sparred. What he experienced was a bit similar. Although, Boram lacked the absolute strength Saitama showed. With the right training and if the stars aligned, perhaps Boram would really reach that height.

Viers was happy with the result but hoped when he became an evil overlord in the future, Boram wouldn't time-travel to the past and bonk him in the face.

Individuals could have powerful abilities based on their ancestry; such things were categorized as the bloodline ability. There were those that had it naturally like Boram, and there were those that gained it through other means like Paina and Farley. A powerful bloodline could become a great boon in the Path of Power.

Guess I’m the only one who doesn't have a bloodline? Well, there’s no helping it. My parents are normal humans after all. Wait a minute… Isn't my monster transformation kind of resembling bloodline ability? Is it actually one?

The rumbling of the mountain interrupted Viers’ train of thought. The peanut gallery was in quite an uproar. Boram seemed to have triggered an omen. It was quite the common trope in the xianxia genre. Based on their reaction, it was a major one. As if his kid got an award after winning a competition, Viers’ pride also swelled.

Not that he ever had a child in the first place. In this world or the old.

Welp, the job’s done. Time to get out of here.

The question was how? He was surrounded by a lot of people after all.

Walking out as if he was on a stroll was Viers’ how.

Of course, he didn’t go unnoticed. Rather, anyone that had eyes wouldn't be able to miss him.

“Stranger, where do you think you’re going?”

“Going in and out without permission in someone else’s land is a rather rude act, wouldn't you agree?”

“There are a lot of things we want to talk about.”

Except for Elder Hoseb, all the remaining three elders barred Viers’ way.

Viers knew why they were pissed. They felt their wealth was taken from them. Imagine if there were a gold mine in one’s own backyard but then someone else mined it. The situation was like that.

This island had a lot of Giant race’s marks, according to the information that Viers got. Since these people had Giant’s bloodline in their veins, they should be distant relatives to Boram but like in many places, outsiders were not welcomed.

A Pathseeker’s journey was a journey of resources, about what they could gain from the world. The thing was, resources were limited. One man’s gain meant another’s loss. For example, if someone else gained the Everlife Goldbloom Flower before Viers did, Viers’ journey would be far different.

Whatever that Boram did, the trials he passed or the inheritance he inherited, he had eaten a meal that these indigenous people believed rightfully theirs. It made sense to Viers and they weren't wrong. If he was in their shoes, Viers would be angry too.

Only, the big bad Viers didn't care. Niceties weren't Viers’ way, at least, not today.

The good aligned engaged in war struggle for resources too. Only, unlike how the evil aligned did things, they covered the ugliness of the power struggle under the rug so it was hidden from public eyes to maintain their image.

No matter how righteous the forces, or the individual, the reality of finite materials in this world would force them to clash with other people.

And conflict was always an ugly and messy affair.

Viers had known this from the multiple Fables in his mind. As such, he didn't feel particularly bad.

He sent Boram because he believed he could gain them.

He came here because he believed he could bring Boram back safely.

In the first place, Boram gained his harvest with his own efforts. So Viers didn't even bother to give these people any sort of explanation.

“Excuse us, people.”

Viers said three words and kept walking while carrying Boram.

“How rude!”

“Who do you think he is?”

“This is out of line!”

The mobs were angered. Of course, they were.

“Brothers, it seems we have been underestimated,” an elder spoke.

“A youthful arrogance. How saddening.”

“Sonny, you brought this unto yourself.”

The three elders raised their Victa; their Level 3 peak cultivation was in full display, astounding the onlookers.

It began with intimidation.

Viers wasn't intimidated. His stride was as even and as calm as before. He didn't even look at any of the elders’ faces.

Next came with the obstruction. Since they couldn't stop Viers with aura alone, a surprise in itself since they perceive Viers as a non-Pathseeker, they began their obstruction.

One elder, confident in his CQC, stood in front of Viers’ path and tried to stop him physically, but to his surprise, he was unable to touch Viers. As if there was an invisible barrier between him and Viers. What confused him was his Unreality Field didn't have the sensation of clashing with another Unreality Field. That meant the other party wasn't using them.

“Excuse. Us.”

Viers said the same words but this time it was much more domineering.

It was then that alarm bells began to ring inside their heads. Viers wasn't as toothless as they thought. No matter how he achieved this, he wasn't someone to be underestimated. The elders, rotten as they were, were still Pathseekers with decades of experience, so they realized this and changed their mentality even though the crowd was oblivious.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The knives were out, so to speak. The elders were about to bare their fangs and begin to fight in earnest.

Viers rolled his eyes in his mind.

Why did they begin with intimidation in the first place? He would have begun to attack immediately. Face, another part of his mind answered. They had spectators. For someone in their status, using their full strength from the start against weaker younger people must be a disgrace.

Viers had another question. Why didn't they think he was stronger than them in the first place? If Viers encountered someone younger than him but he couldn't perceive their power, it was a very clear red flag. It meant he or she was a very dangerous individual, a threat to his life. He treated the Mary Sue of the Book World like this, before he was aware of Anne’s true identity. Ignorance, once again the answer came from another part of his mind. Unlike him with his Fables, with all the MCs and the faces slapped, the elders most likely never encountered someone as special as Viers before.

Knives out. In response to the elders’ actions, Viers let out his bloodlust. Like an opened watergate, it surged forth. In a battle, Viers had no mercy, especially against men.

A heavy pressure, similar to the three elders’ earlier yet different. Viers’ bloodlust made the pressure increase in quality. The crowd was affected, for Viers didn't rein it in. As a result, some of the weaker of the lot pissed their pants. It was fun and games for them but now they had the sensation of a blade on their neck, the feeling of death that might come any second.

Only Fio was exempted.

“Enough.”

Elder Hoseb, the Level 4, the only one that Viers thought of as a threat, stopped the battle from erupting.

***

“Elder Hoseb, we can't let some outsider freely walk over us!”

The elders that faced Viers earlier protested.

“Indeed. Even if he has some unique power, he won’t be our match collectively.”

“His soul,” Elder Hoseb said while watching the direction where Viers went.

“Pardon?”

“I suspect that man has elevated his soul to the next tier. An impressive feat. In history, there are less people with Grand Soul than those rising to Level 5.”

“To think there’s such a thing…” An elder was shaken.

“Even then, Elder Hoseb should have no trouble beating him, right?”

“Who knows? I have yet to fight against a Grand Soul. What I do know is he would kill our people if he was pressured. Unlike the disciple, Boram’s master is quite the murderous rascal.”

Elder Hoseb deduced Viers personality.

“So that’s why Elder Hoseb stopped us… But we can't let him trample our dignity.”

Elder Hoseb nodded. “We cannot.”

“Aiii,” an elder put a hand on his forehead. “There’s also the matter of Lord Titan’s approval on the half-blood. This is going to be a headache.”

After a period of silence, Elder Hoseb sighed.

“A wind from a new era is blowing.”

***

“Mrgh…” Boram stirred.

“Take it easy. You’re deeply injured.”

“Master… Good to see you. Where are we?”

“A simple camp. You need immediate treatment before we go out into the sea. There’s also them.”

Viers pointed to the coast, where Boram saw five giants that acted as bulwarks. They were roughly thirty meters tall, one was approaching forty. Five Level 4s. They must be a hidden power in this place. Viers believed there were others mightier still.

“So we are really leaving?”

“Yeah, sorry for not telling you beforehand. Do you have unfinished business?”

“Just one. I wish I can say goodbye to someone before we go,” Boram looked a bit sad.

“Well, what are you waiting for? She’s right there.”

“Eh?”

Viers pointed to a tree and then Fio gingerly popped out from behind the tree after being called out, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Ehehe. Sorry for the intrusion…”

“Fio…”

“Say your goodbyes, just don't take too long.”

Viers rose from his seat and went a little bit far. Both Boram and Fio were grateful for his delicacy in their hearts.

Left on their own, the two let out words left unsaid between them.

“I'm going to miss your fishcake.”

“I’ll miss you.”

Boram remembered their first meeting. When the villagers refused to sell him food and he was starving, Fio shared with him her fishcake.

“One day, I’ll save you. I promise.”

“Mm-hm. I believe you.”

Fio remembered the time the two of them went catching fish in the river fondly. The refreshing coldness of the water, the sunlight peeking from the leaves, and of course, Boram’s promise.

Their goodbye was most definitely a heartwarming scene. Viers could imagine based on their conversation alone. Who could blame him if he had super ears? If he wanted to, he could even use his soul sense to see behind him.

After a while, Fio approached Viers from behind. Viers was watching the five giants.

“Is it finished?” Viers asked.

“Yeah.”

Viers gave Fio a glance from the side.

So this is the girl that Boram got smitten with, huh? Not bad, disciple.

Viers didn't yet know if the two were in love with each other but the goodwill was definitely on both sides.

She’s not simple either. The Level 4 elder seems wary to not hurt her. Not a Pathseeker, not a whiff of danger, Euryale Sight found nothing, but my intuition tells me there’s more to this girl than meets the eye. Although, she’s a bit of a shotacon… Ehh, it's gonna be fine. If a fat otaku gets identified as a lolicon everybody loses their minds, but when a cute girl likes a cute boy, nobody’s complaining.

“Um, may I ask a question?”

“Since you’ve been good to my disciple, it's the least I can do.”

“Can you release Boram from slavery?”

“That’s the plan. However, he has to prove himself first.”

“I’ll believe it for now.”

“You shouldn't believe me. Believe him,” Viers said.

“Your trust in him is kind of unfair. I won't lose. Anyway, there will be a chance to escape in one hour. Please don't miss it.”

Fio, a powerless girl, said with such certainty that Viers found it hard to doubt her.

“My gratitude,” Viers said with his lips.

Pity, my Attack on Titan has to be postponed then, Viers thought with his Horizon-laden mind.

An hour later, there was a tsunami that swept the giants away. Viers and Boram used that chance to escape.

In an enchanted small boat that Fio gave Boram in their goodbye, the master and disciple gazed upon the island they were leaving behind. They saw Fio on a cliff, waving her hand with a smile on her face and tears on her cheeks. Furthermore, the sunset scattered a million diamonds on the sea’s surface.

What a view.

“You look like a man who has found his purpose in life,” Viers suddenly said. “Do you need my help?”

“Thank you for the offer, Master,” Boram said while holding back his tears, his sight never left Fio. “But this matter I must do myself.”

Viers slapped Boram’s back.

“Attaboy.”

***

“There he goes…” Fio said with melancholy. “Thanks for the help, Mama.”

“How can I refuse my sweet daughter’s plea?”

There was a voice but no shadow of a single person. The voice came from the sea.

At this point, the giants that got swallowed by the tsunami showed themselves again but it was too late.

“Hmph! That’s what you get for forgetting your place!” Fio scolded.

“So that’s the boy my daughter’s interested in.”

“He’s amazing, right? Before Lord Titan showed his approval, he even turned Papa’s craggy-rock skin as smooth as marbles! Isn't he amazing?”

Fio chuckled remembering the stone golem’s appearance, like a balding man. Boram whittled his stone body pebble by pebble. After she laughed at him after seeing him, the stone being declared he would seclude himself in the cave until his skin recovered.

“No small feat,” the kindly voice from the sea answered. “I’m more interested in the other man, though.”

“My,” Fio responded. “Papa will be jealous.”

“Hush, it’s not like that, child. They don't actually need my help.”

“Wow… Boram’s master is really strong, huh? Like teacher like student?”

“The end of an era approaches. My intuition tells me he will have a part to play.”