New Game+

Garenjazz remained in his pose for a long time. Yet he was very, very excited.

Before him, was a famed Pangean Painter who had relocated to South America after a conflict and political upheaval in Pangea. He was branded a traitor and a supporter of the former administrations of Pangea. This painter painted several controversial paintings that painted the South Pacific Confederate badly.

The mustached gentleman had a dignified pose and continued to paint the portrait of this man.

"I feel... that I should paint an aura of a red shade for you. Is this to your liking?" The man asked.

"Red, huh? I feel that a dark shade of violet is more suited." Garenjazz answered.

"But if that hider your creative genius, then please use red! Who am I to argue with the great Granite Malang?" Garenjazz asked.

"A praise can't get you anywhere, youngster." Granite chuckled.

"I'm quite curious. How do you paint? I have seen some of your other works. And as I am acquainted with some of the people you did a portrait on, I'm just amazed at how accurate these were!" Garenjazz praised.

"Oh? Which painting do you mean? I am happy that my analysis of these persons is accurate. I do have the knack for knowing people." Granite chuckled.

"Well, there are some huge differences in how I see them as to how they are portrayed in your painting. Of course, it may just be me, in my perspective. But what I am amazed at is how someone like you, who has only glanced at this person the first time, can draw out certain details perfectly. How do you do it?"

"Believe it or not, my parents told me that I was born in a very delicate situation. I was exposed to a strange radioactive element that the government could not even identify. But from the recent events that had happened, it sort of solidified the theories that my family had about me for so long!" Granite chuckled.

"What theory?"

"It's like those stories of old of how people become superheroes. I did not suffer any long-lasting from my radiation apart from the burns I felt at first. My mom also survived. But she did not develop any strange superpower. The government forced us to keep the element a secret. Who knows? It could be the one that those people who fought in Egypt made."

"Oh? What an interesting theory." Garenjazz laughed.

"If I may... I'm not stupid. Why did you call me? You and your friends... I can roughly guess who. I had the pleasure of meeting someone in Pangea when we were fleeing and being transferred in a secret transport. A young boy, barely older than my son. If I were to paint him, I would make him look like a goat." Granite's paintbrush tapped stronger in the canvas.

"You are just like him. That other woman too. I have never! Ever! Seen! Humans! Like! You!" He tapped harder on the canvas with great anger.

"Why am I here?!" Granite finally shouted.

"You are clearly among those people riding in thrones! Are you the WGP?! Are you the Lost Primordial?! Are you the Progenitor?! Who are you?!" Granite demanded angrily.

Garenjazz was caught off guard.

"I apologize. But you misunderstand. I will tell you that I am among those you listed. But my intention is but pure vanity. I just want my painting done. I do not want to kill you." Garenjazz answered calmly.

Granite was trembling as he held on to the brush.

"Each time I paint people like you... I move closer to death. I won't accept any payment. The canvas is half complete. I want to know what affected me. What element was it that I was exposed to at birth that made me like this? I am thankful for it. Now, when you... beasts are fighting over the world. I just want peace and answers."

"Honestly, I didn't believe you when you gave your tale. But now, that it's a demand, and the fact that I'm using my own secret powers to figure it out, I believe that you ARE telling the truth." Garenjazz smiled.

"I think I get it. Ambrosia. The Tree of Life. The Fountain of Youth. In your stories, these legends and religious times may have a basis from the truth. These things could exist. And I'm guessing that element you found is the Fountain of youth. How old are you, really?" Garenjazz asked.

"So you do know it! You found out my real age!" Granite exclaimed. There was deep joy in his voice.

"Ah. I was right."

"You guessed it! The group that met me was from the WGP. I am actually three decades older than I am!"

"So that's it. Then it must be that element. We call it the Olomide rock. It has the properties that heal and could hold out aging. I get it now. The WGP must have found it, and that became the basis for the many life-prolonging medical breakthroughs here... How clever."

"Clever?"

"Ahh, ignore it. It's just that the WGP went to such great extents to hide its name... that it seems like the Lost Primordial has its connection with the WGP earlier than me, my peers know. In any case, it explains why your cells are acting very weird and how it helped you see it."

"Are you... going to experiment on me?"

"Nah. I already have a way to see what you see. But I'm no painter and have no artistic means of reflecting it." Garenjazz chuckled.

"Are you going to kill me? You... talked more than I wanted to hear. The secrets you just said..."

"Will soon be pointless as it will be revealed. Was this girl exposed to the same element?" Garenjazz asked as he turned to one of the girls that accompanied the old man.

"This... is my daughter. She is born deaf, as you can see, and scarred for life. I believe that her defect is because of that element in me. Am I correct in assuming this?"

"Yeah. It's definitely because of that!" Garenjazz laughed.

"But it's interesting. Such an element is theoretically impossible to have formed in Earth's current structure. It must be that. Those Presiders that were here must have done something..." Garenjazz smiled and spoke no more.

"Thank you for clarifying this. I can die in peace now." Granite bowed and continued to paint

"Whatever. Now that your done acting, just hurry up with the painting. I know you plan to tell the WGP Emperors you serve about this. I won't kill you for spying on me. Still, good acting! If it was a Mid-Tier, you would have fooled them. Oh right! Tell the WGP there are ranks among us. I am what you call a Top-Tier." Garenjazz laughed.

Granite froze as he was about to continue painting.

Garenjazz laughed and sat down and motioned for Granite to continue.

Granite continued to paint. But each stroke was no longer as Granite was trembling.

"Eh? I should have said that after you painted. Calm down. I won't kill you. But please hurry up! I still have a lot to do. Oh... And if your interested as to what it is, its related to this game. Oh... I can't believe that we can finally play the original third generation! To think that that mathematician, Lennox of the Underworld has it!" Garenjazz laughed.

Granite did his best to paint but the fear was just to great that he even dropped the paint brush.

"Hurry up." Garenjazz sighed as he saw the paint brush fall.

Unknown to Garenjazz, the lady at the side could already hear. She used her Unlocking to repair the damage done to her ear.

Alean had learned and heard what she needed, and everything was going according to her plans.

"I won. My Path can finally outsmart and deceive a Top-Tier.." Alean thought to herself.