"9995... 9996... 9997... 9998... 9999... 10,000!"

Swish!

"Mm. Nice work, Ryu!"

Sara complimented cheerfully, clenching her hands together in excitement while watching Ryu swing his swords.

"That's your final swing for today, right? You already got accustomed to the 10 times gravity."

"Foo... Phew... Yes, auntie, that's why you need to train harder. You were already stuck in the nine times gravity for a week."

"Nngh... Even if I'm older, you're still a boy; you'll surpass me easily."

"An excuse? Look at Kaori. She's already on the 20 times gravity."

"Stop, stop! She's different. Just focus and train today. Leave me alone, okay?"

"Fine. You're too old to pout now."

"Did you just say something?!"

"...No."

There was once a story back on earth that Ryu had read. Practicing in a place with increased gravity could boost one's physique faster. With this theoretical knowledge, he suggested using this chance to train themselves.

To his surprise, it actually helped them more than he imagined.

They have been camping on the gravity field for 90 days. Eating, sleeping, and training where he saw their bodies become fit and well-toned.

It was favorable that no monsters were there to disturb them. Maybe due to the effect of increased gravity. But one time Ryu nearly sprained an ankle because he was impatient to get to the source. Since then, they decided not to rush things just because they wanted to.

Learning a lesson, they decided to slow things down and make themselves stronger first.

After some rest, he chose to move to the 11 times gravity.

"Here I go."

Bam!

A small crack formed when Ryu took one step forward on the ground.

"Phew... Heavier than I thought."

"Careful, Ryu!"

"I can still move."

Bam! Bam! Bam!

He felt his legs tremble while walking under this condition. Knowing that he was getting stronger with every step was his motivation.

'Slowly... Walk... Slowly...'

After a few struggles before he arrived at the 14 times gravity and stopped, Ryu told himself that this was his limit for now and sat to stabilize.

"I'll practice here for now."

Swordsmanship and physical exercise in the morning, magic training in the afternoon, and combined training in the evening. These were Ryu's daily routines on the gravity field.

Sara practiced her defensive stances, improving how long she could maintain holding a shield. Sometimes they spar with each other to overcome their weaknesses and change them into strengths.

Kaori, already a 4-Star Spear Master, used this opportunity to advance into 5-Star. One level lower than those who could create their own weapon aura. It was a skill covering one's weapon with power, allowing a person to cut a tree without effort.

For now, they meditated on improving themselves while walking toward the gravity field. If his instinct was right, there should be an artifact doing this.

That item was their final goal.

***

Another 90 days passed.

Winter was coming. Everyone felt the slight change of cold air inhaled in their lungs and exhaled a visible cloud-like smoke.

"It's cold. We need to meet our goal by next month."

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

An incoming dilemma. It would be impossible for the groups to train in a freezing environment when the coldest season came.

Fortunately, by this time, Kaori gave them hope by reaching the end of the gravity field.

30 times gravity.

Meanwhile, Ryu arrived at 28 and Sara at 25 times gravity. Which allowed them to see the source from a distance.

Kaori, who saw it close, told them the appearance of a sword pierced into the ground.

It was a giant black sword. The size was almost big as a human. Its blade was made with unknown dark-colored metal and had glowing runes embedded in the blade's center.

They suspected that these runes were the ones that amplified the gravity around.

Another time passed before Ryu also reached the source.

He saw a human corpse with only bones remaining, resting its back on a boulder while holding tightly to the sword as if its life depended on it.

Kaori, who was sitting with her eyes shut, opened them slowly. She might have already felt the magical power required for the aura, advancing to a 6-Star Spear Saint. Though advancing might need more time.

"You arrived, my Lord. Should I pull out the sword for you?"

"Let's wait for auntie."

"As you wish."

"Mm... Anyway, Kaori, you kept calling me My Lord. Do you really not want to call me by name?"

Again, Kaori's face was always distressed whenever Ryu debated changing honorifics.

"I apologize, my Lord. I would lose my honor by not properly serving my savior. Am I not needed anymore?"

"No, of course... Never mind, call me whatever your heart desire."

Kaori sighed in relief. She has her family tradition of serving their savior as their masters. The reason she insisted on calling us by proper titles.

They continued to practice while they waited for Sara, taking another 30 days for her to reach the location.

After the discussion, they decided to pull the sword out.

"Hmm... Kaori, how about you take it?"

"How, how would I dare use something better than my master?"

"Then, auntie?"

"It's too much for me to handle. You can have it."

"If you guys say so."

'Not gonna lie; even I wished to wield this sword.'

Ryu was mesmerized the first time he saw this oversized sword. So he was grateful when Sara and Kaori didn't fight for ownership.

Without delay, Ryu grabbed the sword's handle, pulling it out. The hand of the corpse holding it crumbled along with its body, turning into ashes.

The previous owner must have died a long time ago.

After touching the sword, the glowing runes began to shine brighter and covered a large area, forcing them to close their eyes for a moment. Then, they felt their bodies become lighter as the gravity field vanished.

When Ryu opened his eyes, the giant rune sword rested and fitted perfectly in his hands.

Inspecting for the second time proved that the sword was indeed large.

"I pulled it."

"Congratulations, my Lord."

"Ryu, that sword looks great on you."

"Thank you."

Ryu raised the sword as he examined it.

"It doesn't feel heavy at all."

"Really?"

Being freed from gravity, Sara excitedly ran toward Ryu.

"Can I hold it?"

"Sure."

Ryu lent the sword to Sara but was surprised at what happened next.

Bam!

Sara abruptly dropped the sword. Ryu was so worried that he asked immediately.

"What happened?"

"Ryu... You said it wasn't heavy, but it almost broke my arm!"

"Heavy?"

Confused, Ryu tried to pick it up, and again to another surprise. He carried it effortlessly with one hand.

"It's not heavy."

"My Lord, the sword might be an artifact only the owner can wield weightlessly."

The sword recognized Ryu as its master. It changed the weight preferred and prevented other people from using it by making itself heavier.

'Wasn't it like one of those special weapons of superheroes? With this in mind, I excitedly thought of a name for the sword.'

"Gravity Rune Sword."

"Gravity Rune Sword?"

Sara confusingly repeated.

"The name of my sword."

"Oh..."

"Unquestionably a good name, my Lord."

Little did Ryu know what the Gravity Rune Sword's immeasurable future held for him.

In conclusion, they spent more than half a year on the gravity field, but the time they used was not pointless. In fact, they found out that their actual physical strength increased by threefolds. Even their agility itself improved.

"Awesome!"

Sara shouted while running back to the camp. They also cleaned up so they could return back home.

'My parents must have been worried.'

In this half year, Ryu sent people once in a while to confirm that they were doing fine. But he knew that only seeing them personally would ease their worries.

***

"We're home!"

"Ryu! Sara! I missed my babies."

Hazel ran towards them with a hug.

"Mother, I'm not a kid anymore."

"Me too, sister."

"Did you guys start to hate me now you became independent? Boohoo."

She turned around, crying. She even glanced discreetly, hinting for Ryu and Sara to notice her miserable state.

Not wasting time, Ryu looked at Sara and appealed.

"Auntie."

"Mm?"

"Go hug your sister."

"...Why me? It's your mother."

"Didn't you uttered wanting a new sword on your birthday?"

"Oh, c'mon!"

Sara, who expressed discontent, had no choice but to agree. She walked toward her sister, Hazel, consoling her.

Ryu entered the house and talked with his family. Melancholy and pleasant feelings overflowed at the same time.

While drinking his coffee, Graham saw the rune sword wrapped behind Ryu's back.

"Son, is that a sword?"

"Yes, father. Wanna look?"

Carefully unwrapping the sword, Ryu then placed it on the table.

"Amazing! This sword is huge!"

"Careful father, it's a special sword with magical ability."

"Magical Ability?"

"It can control gravity, the same thing that pulls every object toward the ground."

Hearing his explanation made his father's jaw drop that Hazel needed to assist Graham.

"Where did you get this? In the south forest?"

Graham tried to pick up the gravity rune sword but failed.

"Heavy!"

"Yep, this is why we left for half a year."

"But son, this would cost a fortune. You should not use it in front of strangers."

"—To prevent those thieves?"

Sara joined, guessing.

"You're growing up wise, Sara."

"Hehe. Thank you, brother-in-law."

"Don't worry, father, as long as I am alive, only I can use this sword."

"More reason to be careful. You should get a scabbard for the sword to hide and carry easier."

"Okay, father, I'll go to the blacksmith later—or tomorrow."

Ryu yawned. His mother, who saw him, quickly suggested.

"You kids must be tired. Go and rest. I'll call you when the food is ready."

"Okay, mother."

"Thank you, sister."

Plop!

'The bed at home is still the best.'