Chapter 370: Death of A Spirit (1/2)

Arthur related to Romba's situation because he was the same. He became a lord of a city in Alka after going through so much. Here, he had countless people who looked up to him in fear, respect, and even love.

What did he have back on Earth?

He had a fake identity, enemies all around him, and a quest he needed to finish. The three years he spent digging through dungeons for scraps didn't exactly leave him overjoyed.

He was tired of everything, but did he jump on the chance to leave everything behind as this man did? No, he did not. But, accepting that it was okay to run away would break his will.

Romba didn't reply to Arthur's words and simply retreated. Li followed after Arthur, walking beside him.

”What is this place, friend?” Li hesitated as he looked at the platform. ”I can feel its ominous presence.”

”It seems this place is where the pig eats seekers,” Arthur explained, and he could feel Li's apprehension. ”However, I plan on going there.”

”Why?”

”The only way is forward,” Arthur said with a grin, but it's not that Li could tell from his face. ”The pig eats seekers here, so it's the only place we can attack it.”

”We are inside it, so it should be the strongest existence here,” Li said with a nod. ”This is a worthy opponent to test our skills against.”

”I think... you should stay back?” Arthur scratched his head, and Li halted his steps. Then, turning to the faceless man, Arthur could feel the infinite shock he felt.

”Stay... back?” Li's deep voice trembled as if his soul left his body. ”You want me to stay back while you fight the spirit?”

”Uh, yes?” Arthur nodded awkwardly. ”I don't want you to get hurt or die. So it's better if you stay out of this until I'm done.”

”I refuse.” Li's reply was curt, and he wasn't willing to elaborate further than that. He resumed walking and went past Arthur, straight toward the platform.

Arthur watched Li's back with annoyance, not knowing how to convince this ancient man that standing back wouldn't make him less of a warrior.

Before he could think of a way to trick him, Li was already a few steps away from the platform. Arthur sighed and sprinted to follow after him, deciding to allow the man to fight. The two stepped on the podium at the same time.

”There's no shame in avoiding a battle, but I won't try to dishonor your will.” Even though Arthur said that, he was still tempted to use his chains and throw Li out.

The only reason he didn't was his debt toward the man or the future version of him. Li nodded as the two took the stage, and light surrounded them as a barrier trapped them.

From the central piece of the platform came out several runes that orbited around each other. The aura around the runes turned into a giant creature that resembled the pig's mouth.

Arthur felt the platform restrict his movements. The ground beneath him seemed to disturb spiritual powers, and it was enough to make them unable to move.

”I see,” Arthur nodded. ”This is why the pig is confident about absorbing seekers. However, I'm confused about one thing: why is this pig capable of doing such a thing to visitors of the spirit realm?”

”I think because we are in a separate space, so the rules don't apply here,” Li said as he tried to move but failed. Even moving his hand seemed to take a toll on him, not to mention fighting the giant mouth approaching them.

”I told you that you should stay back.” Arthur sighed as Li failed again to move his body. Li then grunted and shouted as he took a step back.

”My will is unbreakable!”

Arthur watched with shock as Li's form began to distort, and he sprinted forward. His arm stretched long, and his legs bent unnaturally, but he was running nonetheless.

The fearless warrior jumped toward the mouth and punched it, making it cave in. The aura of the pig dented in as if it was a balloon before it flew away and ended up slamming into the barrier.

The spirit dropped like a deflated balloon as Li landed. He fell to one knee as his spiritual energy wavered, seeming to be unstable. Arthur walked toward the man in a relaxed manner and stood next to him.