“Nooo---------!!!”
[Now---, now--, now-. Do not scream, boy.]
"---."
But just as Levis was beginning to shout, lamenting at whatever nightmare he was in, which did not want to give him any rest, his entire being froze still as his howl ended all of a sudden. Yet the result was far more prominent and severe, as droplets of sweat formed all over his body, forced by the tension and conflict of the body and the mind, which came to endure the intense response, to the sudden loss of strength and mobility.
[Now---, this is better. After all, it will be troublesome if someone comes here and requests of you what has happened. So do not fear, for you just need to know, that all I want, is to let you understand, what is currently happening to you.]
"---."
[But---, if you want to know how serious I am, I will let you know beforehand, that I can, and I will slaughter everyone here just to prove the point of my intention, if you are to not listen to me.]
[---.]
[Prior to this, I did not have the time to express myself clearly, but I most definitely am not a good---, mmm--, well you know-, a person, I think. Anyhow, if you do not want anything bad to happen to the people here, then stay silent and accept how your life will be headed from now on. Although, do not worry, for the benefits for you, will outweigh the cons---, I suppose.]
Stuck and frozen in place, mouth agape and eyes widening in shock and fear, this was the current predicament in which Levis was finding himself in, were there to be anyone looking at him in the current moment.
[And now you have him scared. How are we to create a good relationship with our disciple if he is going to fear us from the second instant, we came to have a word-for-word with him?]
[What do you want? This is the fastest method to get his attention. Just take a look at how concentrated he is now!]
But while he was incapable of moving his body as a whole, his eyes remained free to roam around, because, at this moment, his eyeballs and the perspiration on him, were the only two factors which could give away his panic and frantic state of mind that he was in.
[That is because you have him sealed in place, and then you threaten him with everyone he knows. He is desperate and confused, not focused on what you have for him.]
[Do not come to me and mind the minor details, when you are not one that can speak to me about this. Now shut it, and let me begin.]
[Alright, alright, go on. But do not worry disciple, nothing is going to happen to you or anyone here. This stubborn head is just anxious to see you cultivate, so you do not need to take his words at face worth.]
[You---, ummm--, mhhh-, mmm!!!]
And yet, the reassurance from the easygoing voice that came to interject as well did not give Levis any comfort at all, as he was still latched in place as though a motionless rock. But as time progressed, he came to realize that the muscles of his body could still move, for it was more proper to say, that he was encapsulated in an airless layer of stone, that was in the perfect shape of his body.
[Mmmm---! Amhhh--!! Ahhhh-!!! Mhamaamhh!!!]
[Oh! I almost forgot that I was thwarting part of your conscious self as well.]
However, it was not only his body which was frozen, for even in his mind Levis's internal dialogue was also being oppressed at this moment, as after one word, everything which came from his mind was consequently an incomprehensible muffled blend of what might probably be words, as though a hand was suffocating his very thought process, which was causing and trying to actively stop him from thinking out loud his very own thoughts.
[You can go on---, and speak now.]
[Ahhhhhhhhh---------!!!!!!!!! Wh---, what--, what-, what do yo---, y--, you-, you want?!!!]
[Do you see it now, he can not keep his composure after what you just did!]
And so Levis's first word was a scream, a cry that reverberated in his mind, when his reason came to be freed, for in this very moment, he was on the verge of losing his own sanity, due to the confusion and all the fright he came to be subjected under.
Nonetheless, his own voice brought him a very strange feeling, as though his words, were, and moved throughout his whole body, akin to a ripple in a calm puddle that had just been disturbed from a falling stone or pebble.
[Relax, little one---, brat--, boy-, kid! I have your back---, hmmm no--, that is not it-, you are safe, and I will not harm anyone?! That sounds more reasonable. Right? Now gather yourself together. Do not go and lose yourself now, alright?]
[----.]
But in response to Levis's outburst, the serious voice, came to yield some of its hardness, as though panicking for some cause of his own, due to his own circumstances and unknown reasoning.
[You---!]
[---.]
[You want me to cul---, cultivate!?]
[Hmmm?!]
[You want me to cultivate right? Then I---, I will do it, so release me.]
Desperation, was the sole feeling which was hovering over little Levis at this moment, since his mind stood overwhelmed and pressured by what was happening, because in the end, he was forced to go along with the wish or order of the voice, since he could not see or think a way to escape his predicament, or rather, he knew subconsciously that there would be no escape even if he were to try his all.
[Exactly the words that I wish to hear! But I can not take the risk of you making a mess or a scene, so stay this way for a moment longer and listen to me obediently.]
[But you will release me if I listen to you!? And you will not harm the villagers, yes?!!]
[I will---. And you actually believe me that I would be so bored so as to kill these little ants---, you must really initiate to grasp and understand someone's intention throughout their spoken words, but, hmm---, no matter, I---, we will see to this at a later date.]
[---.]
[Now, cultivation, I talked about body, mind, and dantian that make the essential things a cultivator is what it is, right? And I talked about my life's work, that is you. The now you, that is at the moment a transcendent human with no blocks on the cultivation path, since the entirety of your form acts as body, mind, and dantian, in the advanced stage that I have hypothesized all the damn time. And it is probably the most perfect physique till this moment. Well---, l---, never mind, now let us proceed on to the pros and cons of your physique.]
[Yes. Let us go---, faster.]
In response to the voice that was caught in his own world with his own explanation, an instantaneous answer came from little Levis, yet it was more akin to a plea on his part, so as to end this waking nightmare that he was finding himself in, as he could not see it end sooner.
[Good! I might begin to like you more if you are to become more forthcoming with me from now on.]
[Are you sure he is not just more afraid of us?]
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
[Does not matter. As once he will understands what I have offered him, he will have no more protests with me.]
[---.]
[Now, where was I? Yes, the pros and cons. To begin with, I will explain the absorption process, since this is one of the most crucial points of what makes you extraordinary to begin with. Aham-----! Cultivators' of low stages are required to breathe in order to gain energy, so---, what I have device in your case is total absorption using your whole body, for this, is something I had observed in some peculiar beasts that breathe through their skin, even so, they did not appear to be very efficient in absorbing energy at all, to the point that they might as well not have it at to begin with. And so---, once you begin to absorb the first sliver of energy and infuse it with your body, you will begin the never-ending process, where your whole body will act as a magnet or a zero gravitational well, for the surrounding energy to slowly be pulled towards you, essentially making you kid, more alike to an unstoppable growing monster that can be said to be a lazy God devouring everything. This is an idea that I brought and modified from the hungry void for a future development that you need to achieve---,]
And so, without much notice, the mad and scary voice began, persisted and continued in talking and expressing about numerous somethings, which evidently little Levis did not comprehend, even by a little sliver. However, a trace of anticipation was growing within him at the same very time, as after hearing the words “unstoppable”, “monster” and “God”, which in his mind were all correlated with the big image of his future self, something in him was set alight, for he had always dreamt of being, something greater than what his limited self was, even as he had not much of an idea of what the voice was truly lecturing him about.
[---, the second good and best speciality of what I have offered you is your quasi-unkillable body. Obviously, you will need a certain level of cultivation and understanding of how it functions, but that can be arrived at, rather quickly.]
[---.]
[But know, that as I have changed your being completely, by making you a complete existence, your death can only occur when your entire body, that being all of your blood, flesh, and bones are completely destroyed and completely erased, otherwise you can still have the prospect of renewing yourself from a mere drop of blood, piece of flesh or bone, that may have escaped your doom. Evidently, you will need to recultivate your power in that case, even so, critical wounds will and would no longer be enough to kill you, for it will just pose as a minor inconvenience, even in the most dangerous of battles. This is---, what a true Immortal existence should be, and not what those bastards---, have--, said-. Bastards?! Hmmm---, no matter. So what do you say my subje---, disciple, does your present situation sound good?]
[Y---, Yes! It sounds f---, f--, f-, fantastic!]
With the long explanation that was made by the voice in his head seemingly accomplished, Levis who by this point was still as exasperated as just a moments ago, gave an immediate answer in response, although, his stuttering words were not reassuring at all, for even the "Mad" voice itself, could distinctly sense the tension and fear the little boy had from him at this moment.
Yet, beneath everything, Levis's growing anticipation was not diminished in the least, for it continued to grow, despite all the pressure and fear he was submerged under.
[Good, now the cons---.]
[---.]
[---.]
[The cons---, are--?]
[---!?]
[Well---, as for the cons--, they are--.]
But as though to prolong the anticipated problems of all the good qualities, or for some other reason to make little Levis partake in his discourse, the Mad voice made a rather strange pause, which prompted the boy to grow temporarily more attentively to his words.
[The cons are, the fact that you will not be able to do anything of such, anytime sooner than when you will be assured, that this planet---, this world, will not have any more enemies that will be capable of standing---, no, be capable of being a true threat against you.]
[What---?! Then what was all about being invincible and what not---------?!]
Even so, at the end of the "Mad" voice's grand articulation, all of the good traits came to be completely invalidated, a matter which took Levis by shock, stunt, and speechlessness, at the sudden reversal of all that he had heard till a moment ago.
Moreover, as he was in a somewhat poor attitude, little Levis came to erupt at the voice that was appearing to be promising him the world, but at the same time not being capable of doing anything with it, as though he was a rich man, but unable to buy anything which he desired, even as he had more wealth than he could imagine.
[Aha---, aha--, aha-, ha!!! Do you really believe that having the ability to outshine every expert in the world is a good merit to have? Let us not talk about the fact that you are the closest thing to a real Immortal Human, just the absorption which you will display will become a massive headache, once any expert or secluded monster is to know of it. Now try to imagine that you start to absorb energy uncontrollably, what do you expect it will happen? No need to think, for I will tell you directly. You will be "hunted" and "killed", for trying to encroach on other expert's territory, and that is the best-case scenario you can have. Because if you are to be found of how you absorb said energy, you will definitely become the most hunted being on the entire planet---, world. And it will not be just small fries to come after you, but the old monsters that are desperate for any opportunity which might give them a breakthrough in their cultivation.]
[---.]
[Moreover! If we are to say that the orthodox way is what everyone does, then that means that you, and the fruit of my life research is a perversion and transgression on the cultivation method of the universe and the myriad beings that exist in the macrocosm itself. And as such you will most likely be labelled as a heretic for not conforming to the whole. And---, hmmm--, phuuu-, phuuu, if you are to be discovered at large of what you truly are, there will be two problems that will happen or better said two kinds of groups that will come after you, exactly as I mentioned earlier. One will consist of the hypocrites who will label you as an abomination to destroy and the second will be formed by those who will try to do anything to obtain, possess or understand how the growth of your body operates. Since the enticement of no bottlenecks is the "want" that every cultivator can only dream of.]
[----------.]
[And yes. It is not as though no one has ever tried to arrive at the same conclusion regarding the inside workings of the cultivation process. But it is just that nobody has done what I had done, that is, my extensive search throughout most of the universe, in endeavouring to study and experiment over and over again for aeons on end, on all manner of creatures. But can you understand that? No! You can not. Anyhow---, it is high time to see you begin!]
[In that case, I will not cultivate! Now let go of me and move to somebody else please---, please!!!!!!!!!!]
As the explanation continued and the negatives of what could happen, if someone discovered him became more dangerous. The only thing growing in little Levis's mind was the idea of how to get away from all of it as soon as possible and forget everything as the sole idea of so many important people on the “planet” that the voice had discussed, made his hair stand on end and his skin to become like that of a chicken.
And so, desperate as he was to get away from everything and to end the nightmare he was in, Levis began to scream immediately in his mind as the Mad voice appeared to end his long tirade of words. Even so, his plea was more akin to begging than anything.
[Are you sure?]
[Yes---!!!]
Nonetheless, to his desperate appeal, the Mad voice reached back with a meek and somewhat of a regrettable tone in his words, a consequence which had a small effect of shakin' Levis's will, though not enough to stop him thoroughly, in changing his view.
[In that case, let me adjust and pose my words once more, and if I can not convince you, I will leave you alone, deal?]
[Yes.]
However, unbeknownst to Levis's lack of life experience, the mellower tone which came from the Mad voice, could not be less of that of a sword tongue devil that had his prey already in his grasp and ready to be eaten, by the moment that they had continued their own conversation.
[Then let me ask you---, “how are you going to take your revenge on the bandits?”. Can you hunt and kill them as you are right now? Because if you can not---, well--, I guess-, aha, ha, aha, your grandpa and grandma are just going to be always waiting for “someone else” to “take the vengeance for their deaths then"!]
And a trap it was indeed, for as the Mad voice spoke, Levis could feel that the words the voice was saying might as well have been swords that were plunging through his heart, while his body was trembling nonstop and his mind appeared to be in a storm from where no words could ever come in retort to the remarks that were sent at him.
[I guess you are not the great man Ato Levis, and just little Levis that everyone seemed to take you for. Aha---, aha--, aha-, ha! After all, even you yourself, all that you ever do, is to speak, that you will be something, while doing absolutely nothing, taking no risks, and so---, aha--, aha-, aha, you will accomplish in every way---, nothing!]
But as the words from the voice continued, so did little Levis's silence, for as he stood motionless with maniac-like bloodshot eyes, he seemed on the verge of exploding his own veins, as he himself could not say of what it might be, between the shame, anger, humiliation, frustration, desperation, or simply because of the insane rage that was directed at himself.
[Sigh---, but it seems that I lost time for nothing. And if this is to be the case, I might as well leave right now, to find a greater man than the child that can not be true even to himself.]
“Wait!!!"
[Hmmm!]
Yet, to the incessant mockery done by the Mad voice, Levis came to give a deep, low and heavy shout, which caught the voice unprepared for the event which came from the statue-like child.
"I will do it! I will become your disciple or whatever it is that you want!"
[This---!?]
[Hmmm---?!]
Nonetheless, the following words, surprised both of the voices, for even as they knew how the boy was about to react to the constant mockery, they had no way of readying themselves for the resolution behind his words. For as the words came out from his unmoving mouth, the boy appeared to be more akin to a statue-like monster, that was carved in Hell, for the words of a young child did not have the tone of one, but of something that was human no more.
[He---?! You force your entire consciousness to resonate with your body so as to speak? This---! Aha---, aha--, aha- ha! You truly are the crazy one here, kid! Aha---, ha--, aha-, aha, you could have died from this act of yours, if your mind were to crash against my consciousness that looks you in place.]
[My name is Ato, as my grandfather! And as a man whose name is Ato, I will not back down from hardship, what I must do, I will do, if you will give me the power to avenge my grandpa---, I will become your disciple, and help you with anything you need.]
And as his conclusive line of words persisted and arrived from the entirety of his consciousness, the intensity, power and determination began to subside little by little, as tiredness and fatigue bore on him once the paralysis he was under came to be undone, and so while gasping heavily, he directly fell on the mattress that was beneath him.
[Acceptable, as from now on, you will listen to me and follow my directions, and so, I will assure you, that you will be provided with the most suitable prospects for your cultivation, and as for your troubles, they will be settled with nothing more than a bit of my personal guidance. Am I understood, kid?]
[Yes.]
Tired as he was, the faint and feeble final word that came out of little Levis’s mouth appeared to carie a certain guarantee and confidence, as he came to make not just a life-changing decision, but a vow to himself that will have to hone at the cost of his life.
[Now---, I do not care that you are tired, let us see you cultivate. So what do you say---?!]
"---."
"------."
"---------."
"------------."
"---------------."
"------------------."
But while little Levis was exhausted to the point of pain and could barely move, the world around him continued its activity, as some time after he had crashed down from his mental tiredness, the wife of the Village Chief had come to see him, so as to scold and rebuke his audacious act of taking the food and come to eat alone, when she had expressed herself to him so as to came and eat with everyone no so long ago.
But even so, she was forced to leave indignant, once she caught a glimpse of the sleeping Levis, who at said moment was taking large breaths of air, as though he was a sapped horse with any breath left in him.
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But despite the slow life in the encampment made by the guards for the villagers, time passed as per the unusual usual given the circumstances in which all of them were, and so, the night moved and came to be almost over before one could know, as the morning of a new day arrives before everyone, but in the valley where the stronghold of the bandits was situated, at the base of the cliff of the mountain, noises of hoves hitting the ground echoed around the valley, as rider after rider took off from the stronghold, and were proceeding at a galloping speed towards the expressed aforementioned camp of the guards and villagers.