Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 335: The Islands

Chapter 335: The Islands

"Usually, I tell new players to do a favour for me, but, well..." Gregory gestured at the table and the food. "I don’t even feel like it anymore."

"To be honest, I don’t mind."

"Huh?"

"If you want me to do a side-quest for you, I can do it. It’s no big deal. I bet it has to do with your work, doesn’t it?"

"Yes, actually. I work as a farmer near the border of the city close to Anostos. My job is to be a protector."

"Near Anostos? The realm of twilight?"

"Ah, so you already know of them?" A flicker of something—pity, perhaps—crossed his daughter, Callista. "The island of Meropis is divided into three. We are in Eusebes. Anostos and Machimos are the other regions, though calling them cities is perhaps...generous."

There it was. The bias of all species and tribes.

The daughter Callista went on to explain in her father’s stead. "The people of Machimos are skilled and proud, but their lives are hard. They toil in the forge, creating weapons of great power. The smell is often nauseating. As for Anostos, it is a place few speak of. It lies at the edge of our world, a yawning abyss covered in red fumes. It is said there is neither day nor night there, only an eternal twilight."

"Do monsters live there?" Kazi asked.

"Yes," Callista replied.

"So the main objective is what then?"

"Simple, really," Gregory said. "Go to each city and spend six hours in each city. You will gain ten thousand XP and points. Underwhelming, I know, but that’s because this is a low-stake island. Nothing much happens and even with players nothing will change it."

’So simple exploration is my goal.’

"But the fact that there are monsters in Anostos means it won’t be a walk in the park."

"It won’t. But that’s not the point. The city is a city of twilight with many, many types of monsters. It’s a whole ecosystem that is running with Class Two Monsters. I believe the boss is low Class Three."

"And who is the boss?"

"The giant Anostos bird is the mini-boss. As for the actual boss, it’s a pegasus."

"A pegasus?"

"Not a mature one. If I recall, it takes eight to ten years for pegasi to reach adulthood. Since the pegasus here is typically killed and spawns two years before the gates open, the pegasus is a child. I advise against killing it though. Doing so will imprint your soul with corruptive darkness. I’ve seen the short-term and long-term effects of it. My friend, it is not pretty and I would rather you be alive."

"So it’s not a matter of power."

"You’re strong," Gregory said. "Very strong. But you are not the level necessary to kill a pegasus without repercussion. Believe me."

"I want to ask about the special and hidden objectives but it’s pointless, right?"

"Right on. The Templars know of the special and hidden objectives," Gregory said. "I do not know what they are."

"Really? After being here for this long?"

"The Templars are tight-lipped about it. Remember, this is a one and done realm. Whoever does it fastest gets it. In this case, the Templars have already left."

And Gregory lived her like an ordinary man. Did every civilian in a city care about every immigrant and foreigner that came in? No. Perhaps those that caused trouble but the Templars were natural. They came, did their business, and left before they knew it.

"So I’m late. That’s fine. I still have to get these legs stretched. Thank you for the help, Callista, Gregory."

"The honour is all ours."

"Thank you for the visit," Callista said. "Father is always happy when you players come."

"Haha, then I’ll be sure to visit. Oh, and about the side—"

"Kazi, Kazi." Gregory shook his head. "You’re too nice for your own good. Get going. A player shouldn’t’ be dilly-dallying here."

"But still..."

"Don’t underestimate me." Gregory patted his bicep. "I’m a former player that did a degree in Wizardry and Sorcery. I can do some farm work."

"Is that right?" Since meeting him, an idea had been formulating. "Say, are you in the business of tutoring?"

"Tutoring?"

"I have a party member, see..."

***

According to Callista, the city of Eusebes was the northern part of the island. South-west was Machimos and south-east was Anostos. One of wealth and prosperity, one of war, and one of unknown danger.

Kazi was alone in his journey. Outside the city were flat, rocky plains. He saw two-wheeled carts pulled by mules. There was a lake nearby. They must have been getting their fresh water reserves there.

Kaxi rolled his shoulders and bent down to touch his toes. It had been a while. Establishing a company wasn’t easy. He slept for less than three hours everyday and supervised every little detail. So far, they had produced a thousand units of cell phones and several dozen agricultural devices.

Although it had been some time, mana flowed through him like normal. It was like nothing had changed.

He crossed several kilometers in a minute. Finding Anostos took longer than Kazi expected. The island was huge. Every minute, he passed one forest after the other yet still he didn’t counter one of the main areas.

’The geography is ridiculous.’

Kazi was forced to slow down when he saw a mountain come up. Climbing it wasn’t a big deal, he could do it. But seeing mountains brought bad memories and he preferred to avoid it. He decided to keep to the ground and circled the mountain.

Keeping west, he saw the ocean connected to the island. Besides the wonderful view, he noted how alone the island was. There was nothing in sight.

Kazi halted. He scratched his head. "Huh, that horizon is...off." He did the numbers in his head. Yep, the light of the horizon definitely shouldn’t have looked like that. "Probably the map limit or something. I do wonder what’s beyond it all..."

Oh well.

With that, he was back to running. His footsteps were stomping on the cliff. He ran anyway. His vision soon found the border to darkness. Without hesitation, he leaped through.