The Earth After Rebirth

Hubris was overcome with joy. He wasn't even tired anymore, he was busy celebrating the victory over his master.

"This surely means, you revoke my punishment?"

"We had no such deal!"

"Can we wager on that then?"

"Fine, when we conquer this mountain, if you win, I'll revoke your punishment. If I win, I'll add to it."

Hubris nodded in agreement, he didn't exactly need to eat, but he liked it. It healed him faster than his natural body did. 10 seconds may seem like not a lot, but it could decide the victor on a battlefield.

Kiro decided for them to stay there for the night, the blood and guts were already gone. The only proof that this was ever a battlefield were the broken down rocks, and the craters on the ground.

He didn't need to start a fire, Hubris was warm enough for the both of them, he cuddled close to him. He looked like a flea taking refuge on a dogs body, that's how much the flame fur devoured him whole. He thought this was more comfortable than his dorm bed.

He laid there, eating a dried and cured meat. They were tired, Kiro was sure they'd run into another kind of monster if they went ahead without rest, so it was better to go ahead when they were in their best shape.

Charging forward whilst tired would be stupid, this was a marathon not a sprint. He was a bit familiar with Sun's mountain, courtesy of having lived in the future. He didn't really remember every detail, but he knew the mountain was full of monsters, therefore great for levelling up.

The sky looked too close from how high up they were. There was no moon tonight, just beautiful stars, poking holes at the very dark night sky.

"Hey Hubris, how was your home like?"

Hubris was silent for a long time, so much that Kiro thought he was too tired and slept the moment they decided to take a break.

"I was young, I don't remember much about those days, but I do remember that it wasn't this peaceful," he said softly, finally.

Kiro didn't want to pry further, he and Hubris did share emotions after all, so he could feel how painful the topic was for him. Even though Hubris wasn't quite real, his emotions felt very real to Kiro.

He didn't know why, but he felt like he wanted to help him as best he could. If Hubris wanted to exert revenge, he'd willingly go to the pits of hell and help him.

They were a two man army, but they were hell of a strong one, that was proven against those stone lions. He found himself excited, he couldn't wait for what Sun's mountain had in store for them next.

The weather was cold but between his armour and Hubris, he rested without any discomforts. Looking at the star riddled sky, he found himself missing his family. Especially his little Freckles, she would've absolutely loved this beautiful sky.

It felt like such a long time since he spoke to or seen them. Of course it had been just a few weeks since he left home for the academy, but with everything he went through during those few weeks. It felt like years.

He couldn't be bothered to tell them about the happenings either, he didn't really want to worry them much. He didn't want to add the entirety of his world on their shoulders to bare.

But he hoped the currency conversion happened soon, because if it didn't, this would only mean he was prolonging the inevitable. They'd find out sooner or later.

He crossed his arms under his head for a makeshift pillow. He sighed deeply at his thoughts. He needed to make money, at the very least, he could make some to move his family to the middle district. While investing in that company that put him out of work in his previous life.

If all else failed, investing in that company would be his greatest asset. The company will meet great success in the not so distant future.

There were plenty of rich brats who had no problem plundering their parents' money on things such as this game. Getting quick money through dungeon runs for them was a bright idea. He wondered what would they pay to rent a beast, he left a mental note to train his beasts to prepare for that.

He fell asleep with these positive thoughts.

The next day wasn't sunny at all, the heavens woke up on the wrong side of the bed. The sky was very grumpy, and there was a little drizzle, with a great fog, which was an impediment for Kiro.

But he wasn't too worried since he had Hubris who could see beyond dimensions, as per the description of the skill.

He felt very rested, like those positive thoughts cast a spell upon him, he felt a lot lighter than he was. Everything didn't feel like it was suffocating him anymore.

He breathed in deeply the fresh air, "let's go Hubris."

He was in a better mood than when they started this journey, he felt like everything will workout, he felt good about life. They started their journey once again.

He was resting atop of Hubris, dried meat in one hand, Ryu in another. Ready for when or if they get ambushed just like last night.

Unlike then, Hubris wasn't running at full speed. Ontop of the slippery snowy mountains floor, it was raining. He didn't want to take any chances.

As they moved near their destination, it was getting warmer instead of colder. They both noticed at the same time at the change of atmosphere, that they had entered a monster's abode.

Ding!

[You've entered a space that is controlled by Earth Golems. If you're lucky, there'll be only 3 of them.

Earth Golems

Level 40

HP 15000-25000]

The closer they got, the hotter it became. It was almost suffocating.

"Hiro would love this." He absentmindedly commented.