Chapter 72

When was the last time I felt a “wall” in my life? Maybe it was when I fell in the forest and finally had a proper showdown with Porori.

Back then, I was incredibly weak, while Porori was already ridiculously strong. Getting knocked out with a single hit was a common occurrence.

But as days passed, I began to even the playing field, and eventually, I was able to claim victory. Leaving a mark of triumph was a bonus.

Thanks to that, I realized that walls can be overcome with effort. The thrill of that moment is something I can never forget.

“I’ll help you learn to control your Berserk ability every weekend from now on, until one day the Sivar brothers can activate it on their own.”

“What happens when I can control it myself? The key will be maintaining my sanity.”

“We’ll figure that out when we get there. But think of it this way: Berserk is essentially a type of awakening ability. The chances of losing your sanity are pretty slim.”

“A waking ability?”

At Rize’s explanation, Luna tilted her head in confusion. It was clear she’d never heard the term before.

There’s still so much she doesn’t know. Sure, she has a talent that defies the concept of time, but experience is something you can’t rush.

Before long, Rize returned to her Saint mode and smiled gently, taking her time to explain.

“It’s a skill that boosts your general abilities, including your physical body. Though it drains a lot of Magic Power and physical strength, the benefits outweigh the costs.”

“Isn’t it similar to how Priests enhance physical abilities?”

“It’s similar but still different. You have to activate it on your own, not through someone else. I could teach you too if you want, Luna.”

“Really?!”

Luna’s eyes sparkled at Rize’s offer. I could tell she was thinking about shortcuts once again.

In simple terms, an awakening ability is basically a ‘buff.’ One that can only be activated on yourself, not on others.

The downside is that it consumes a lot of stamina, so it’s something you’d usually activate as a last resort. An example is Hector wrapping himself in lightning.

“Yes, but there are many conditions. First, your body has to become accustomed to magic power. Second, you need to significantly increase your physical strength. If you can’t meet at least one of those conditions, it’ll be hard to use.”

“The first can be achieved with Condensation and Sculpting, but what are the benchmarks for the second?”

In the Soul World, the minimum stamina required to use an awakening ability is 100. And that’s barely feasible.

Just like how games have minimum and recommended specs, if the minimum is 100, the recommendation likely surpasses 120.

“I’ll tell you about that slowly. However, if Kara’s stamina is anything close, she should be able to use it comfortably.”

“Huh? Me?”

Kara blinked at the sudden mention, her green eyes filled with curiosity.

“Can’t you use an awakening ability, Kara?”

“Yeah, but I hardly ever use it unless it’s in a real fight.”

In duels, it was literally just a sparring match, so she would’ve fought barehanded. Using an awakening ability wouldn’t have changed the outcome much.

To put it another way, even Kara has to shoulder the burden of an awakening ability. Especially since it’s even more burdensome for Gulrak followers.

Even Hector, having to envelop himself in powerful lightning, would struggle if he didn’t have a sufficient body and stamina.

“Did you hear that? So right now, it’s best to focus on building stamina. They say stamina is power for a reason.”

“Yeah…”

Luna wore a gloomy expression at the thought of repetitive training. She clearly found it tiresome.

Once she learns something, she never forgets. But the need to repeat it to master it bores her.

“If you want, I can help you rapidly increase your stamina. As long as you can keep up with me.”

“I’ll do it!”

“Great! Then after each lesson, I’ll expect you to come back here. Rod will allow this too, right?”

“Do whatever you want. I can’t exactly do anything about it.”

Some people struggle to escape from hell, while she chooses to walk straight into it.

I shot Luna a sympathetic look, unaware if she even realizes what choice she just made.

‘This is training that could make even a game character throw up.’

A player chosen by Chaos gets dragged along by Rize and faces countless training sessions.

How arduous must it be for a playable character to vomit? It’s not just exaggeration; there are actual motions for throwing up in the game.

But Rize carries on with the training, completely unbothered, even when trying to escape seems futile.

‘But didn’t Luna not even get chosen by Chaos? So why is Rize doing this for her?’

Rize is quite perceptive, so it could simply be her interest. On the other hand, Kara has her routines, so she stays out of it.

But getting trained by Rize could make Luna stronger quickly—if she can endure it.

Inwardly, I expressed my condolences to Luna, worrying she’d become more and more haggard as time went on.

“Well, now that things are settled, Sivar brother?”

“Yeah.”

“I know you need stability, but could you start listening to my story?”

I don’t want to. I want to stay a little longer. I shook my head in response.

After Rize instilled a sense of death in me, I was calming my troubled heart with some comfort. Naturally, Eli was there to comfort me.

The way she offers comfort is quite simple. Eli wrapped me in a warm embrace and gently patted my back.

Honestly, I wanted to bury my face in Eli’s chest, but given the circumstances, I could only settle for a hug.

‘What a ghostly timing that was.’

She originally wasn’t supposed to be here. But somehow she showed up at just the right moment.

As soon as Eli arrived, I started to pout and lean into her. She welcomed my needy attitude with open arms.

“Just give him a little more space. Sivar is scared out of his wits right now.”

Once again, Eli understands my feelings well. She’s as perceptive as Kara.

As Eli continued to soothe me, patting my back, I leaned in further. A warm sensation enveloped my whole body.

Since the embrace radiated sincerity, my fear-filled heart gradually calmed down.

I could feel the contact of our chests, but surprisingly enough, I didn’t feel any lewd thoughts—just a sense of comfort.

“Hmm. Well, I suppose it is scary. The shock must have been quite severe, so it might be best to talk about it once we return to our residence.”

“That sounds good. Sivar will agree, right?”

I nodded at Eli’s question. That much should suffice.

Reluctantly setting aside my disappointment, I slowly released the hug. As I did, Eli’s face came into view.

Her slightly flushed cheeks and an innocent smile. Seeing her face blush, I wondered if I had squeezed her a bit too tightly.

Since I hugged her without minding my strength, it made sense. I should apologize later.

“W-was that uncomfortable? It must’ve been hard for you with my chest in your face.”

“Not at all.”

Far from feeling uncomfortable, I felt recharged. My once-fearful heart was now painted with calm.

Moreover, that question was something I should’ve asked. I hugged her tightly enough to blush, yet she didn’t make a peep.

“Good to hear. From now on…”

“Don’t say anything weird; let’s get going already. We can’t just linger here!”

As Eli was about to say something, Kara’s voice intruded between us.

Her voice rang loud enough to clearly echo in my ears. I turned to look at Kara.

With her characteristic sly smile, Kara seemed displeased. I couldn’t figure out why she had that expression.

“And Eli, what if this spoils Sivar’s habit? You should only indulge him to a degree.”

Kara then pointed out Eli’s behavior, which was indeed indulgent whenever given the chance.

Eli seemed to understand the point and nodded. But what came next had merit.

“Just let it be, Sis. Sivar’s coming from living in the forest. He might still be at a stage where he doesn’t know what loneliness is, but is slowly starting to realize.”

“By the way, hugs are a great remedy for loneliness. They can even alleviate depression.”

Rize added to Eli’s explanation, having experience and expertise in healing.

Strangely enough, every night I was struck by a sense of loneliness and isolation I couldn’t explain. In a different sense, I struggled to fall asleep.

That’s probably why I felt so cheerful every morning. Nobody calls someone a social animal for nothing.

“…Really? Then I guess it can’t be helped.”

Kara seemed to decide it was pointless to further counterargue. With Rize’s testimony, any objection became moot.

Looking over at me, she cleared her throat and prepared to speak quietly, glancing around.

“…In exchange, I’ll help a bit too. Just hugs, right?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“You can’t be the only one put through hardships, Eli. Remember when I said I’d help whenever you needed?”

She did say that. Though it didn’t carry much weight due to potential misunderstanding.

But I didn’t expect her to bring it up now. Eli’s golden eyes were darting from side to side.

“W-well, it’s fine! I can take care of this by myself, you know! And Kara, you’ve got personal training to do, right?”

I tried to keep my composure as I spoke, but I could feel my voice trembling. Clearly, she was flustered.

Kara either noticed or didn’t care, replying nonchalantly.

“Oh, come on. A hug is easy. I did it when Sivar and I trained, after all.”

“Huh, what? You hugged while training? What are you talking about?”

“Have you heard of grappling? The Saint knows what it is, right?”

“Of course. It’s a technique involving physical contact, like pinning an opponent to the ground or choking them unconscious.”

Once again, the Saint was graciously explaining. With proficiency in both medicine and martial arts, she’s a walking encyclopedia.

Eli’s eyes began to shake more intensely. This caught her completely off guard.

She seemed lost for words before shifting her gaze to Luna for confirmation.

After stuttering a little, she sought validation.

“Is that, is that true? L-Luna, you train too, right?”

“Yeah? That’s right, but what’s the big deal?”

“L-Luna, you too?”

“Is that a problem?”

Luna tilted her head in genuine confusion, clearly not grasping the situation. Meanwhile, Eli’s expression morphed in real time.

In a scene swirling with utter chaos, it was only I who stood there blankly. For the record, Rod had already returned.

“Excuse me, trying to claim all the glory, eh?”

Suddenly, I heard Kara’s voice ringing in my ears. I turned to look at her.

With her trademark sly smile, she was clearly teasing me. Did she just call me greedy?

“What did you just say? That didn’t sound like a common language.”

Rize, who shared my keen hearing, asked Kara. With a refreshing tone, Kara replied.

“Nothing much. Just talking to myself, talking to myself.”

“Was that Tartar’s language?”

“Yes. Saint, do you understand our language?”

“No. If it’s another country, that’s one thing, but the Tartar I encountered on my pilgrimage had a jumbled language. I heard that Hector unified it, is that not so?”

So that was Tartar’s language. But why did it feel familiar?

[Your faith is increasing!]

What now?