8 One Falls, One Stands (2/2)
”Good, I hate long-winded explanations…” Rathe tilted his head back and fell to the ground.
”But… how does such a technique exist? And where on earth did Dioro find it?” Vloz's analytical mind struggled to imagine such a technique.
”Simple, like I said it's a soul technique but unlike any other. Think of it as a god-level technique with no direct correlation to cultivation. But to gain such strength there is a price to pay.”
”How is that?”
Rathe took a moment to catch his breath and continued, ”First off, it's nearly impossible to get. It's a forbidden technique that Dioro found during his time in Devil's Canyon.”
”Devil's Canyon!” Vloz's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. ”How did he enter Devil's Canyon!?”
”Oh yeah, I never told you,” Rathe remembered, ”Dioro was the West Quadrant Mortal Champion and won a single favor from the gods. That's how he asked and received entrance into Devil's Canyon. I probably should've mentioned that a while ago, eh Vloz? Vloz?”
”You mean to tell me that Dioro once won the mortal championship!?” Vloz was caught off guard, and Rathe's casualness only made it worse.
”That's nothing!” Rathe got excited at one-upping himself, ”The name of that soul technique is outrageous. It's called the Infinite Torment technique, and it strengthens the soul by slowly increasing the torment you can bear with every level of training.”
”Hey, Rathe?” Vloz remembered something important.
Rathe was lost in his ramblings, ”I'm only at the third level so far, but I can only imagine what level Dioro has—”
”Yo, Rathe!”
”Huh, what's up?”
”Don't you need to go help Dioro and the others?” Vloz reminded.
”Oh, to be honest, I think they'll be fine.”
”But they're surrounded by Zetro's entire clan and he has a total of three perennials including himself. I'm sure he needs your help to—”
”Calm down already you pussycat, I was only in a hurry because I wanted to see the look on Zetro's face when Dioro wipes the floor with them. But knowing Dioro, I don't think we have enough time to get back and enjoy the show,” Rathe insisted on taking his time as he slowly sat up while bracing his arms. ”I can barely move, let alone stand after using that technique in such a weakened state. How about you carry me back? I'm only like this because of you.”
”Bu-,” Vloz gave it up, ”Fine, I'll help you climb on. Let's at least go find that kid you punted through the trees.” It took almost a minute, but together they were able to get the weakened Rathe on top of Vloz's back.
”Yo, Rathe.”
”Yeah?”
”How strong is Dioro, anyway?” Vloz asked.
”I'm not sure,” Rathe attempted to shrug his shoulders, ”but I think he was finally about to breakthrough.”
”Seriously! He'll be a high-perennial?” Vloz was basing his estimate off of Zetro's suspicions, that Dioro should almost be a high-perennial despite rarely fighting thanks to Rathe.
Rathe shook his head. ”What? No, he passed that long ago.”
”Wait, you mean he's—”
”Yup, he's almost a king,” Rathe interrupted.
Vloz's jaw locked in place, not letting him finish his sentence. With so much to take in, hearing that Dioro was almost at the king level was the straw that broke the leopard's back.