ã€ŠMuscle Cultivation: I Will Become Reality Itselfã€‹


 1. I Want The Perfect Physique

    In the distant reaches of the ninth ring of the universe, a solitary blue planet trembled beneath the looming shadow of a falling moon. Dislodged from its orbit, the colossal sphere plummeted, splitting the sky with fire, its descent promising total annihilation.

    For most civilizations, such an event would signal the end of days. Yet for the inhabitants of Planet Blue Eagle, it was little more than a disruption to their daily routine. Some glanced skyward with weary indifference. Others scrambled for higher ground, their hardened gazes defying the celestial threat with an almost reckless curiosity.

    Among the defiant stood Ged.

    Perched atop the peak of a dumbbell-shaped mountain, Ged cast a heroic shadow against the rising sun.

    He squinted at the incoming moon, its fiery surface fractured with glowing cracks. ¡°Which Celestial is it this time?¡± he muttered, his focus lingering beyond the descending meteor.

    Far above, a towering figure hovered alongside the moon, his frame sculpted with muscles that seemed forged from the stars themselves.

    Like a master conductor leading a celestial symphony, he directed the moon¡¯s descent with precise, commanding bodybuilding poses, each movement radiating divine intensity.

    As the moon dipped closer to the planet¡¯s atmosphere, the cosmic conductor grew serious, striking a powerful ''front double bicep.''

    The moon shattered into countless fragments that rained toward the surface like a fiery storm.

    Ged narrowed his eyes at the scene before him.

    "Good muscle separation... well-defined bicep peaks... That must be Celestial Koh." He commented.

    Koh was not finished. With a few more calculated poses, he controlled the descent of each fragment, guiding them to their destined impact zones across the planet.

    A fragment spiraled toward Ged.

    ¡°Celestial iron again,¡± he muttered, shaking his head.

    Below him, the circular city of Elpida sprawled across the barren landscape. Indestructible stone spires dotted the area, connected by a web of cracked roadways.

    At its center lay a vast, fog-shrouded pit known as the Abyssal Mouth.

    The fragments Koh guided slammed into Abyssal Mouths across the planet. Their impacts sent violent tremors rippling across the surface, tearing the stone ground like paper. Magma bubbled to the surface, turning the atmosphere a hazy red.

    Sweat dripped down his forehead, as Ged stared hatefully at the world around him.

    Without warning, a deep, guttural sound rumbled through the air.

    The sound of chewing from an unimaginable creature.

    The planet itself was feasting, grinding Koh¡¯s offering with the monstrous tremors of its vast, unseen jaws.

    ¡°Can¡¯t this damn Planet chew quietly?¡± Ged muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.

    The bright blue eagle tattoo on his neck flared to life. The mark shimmered as if alive, mocking him with its relentless glow. Instinctively, Ged¡¯s hand shot to the tattoo, his nails digging into his flesh in a futile attempt to claw it away. Raw, bloody streaks marred his neck, but the mark remained untouched.

    The chewing subsided, followed by a grotesque, resonant swallow that echoed through the air.

    At last, the planet grew still, and colossal orbiting body sorcerers emerged in the sky. Through a string of bodybuilding poses, they absorbed the planet¡¯s heat.

    Among them, Koh stepped forward and performed one final pose as the last wisps of excess heat left the planet¡¯s atmosphere.

    From the depths of the Abyssal Mouth, a thunderous voice boomed, its tone cold. ¡°Celestial Koh, your offering was adequate. Six quintillion kilograms of mass have been deducted from your debt. You now owe 5,872,564,347,431,234,128,123,000,888,167 kilograms.¡±

    Koh, unmoved by the staggering number, nodded and resumed his orbit with the rest of the cosmic body sorcerers, their figures slowly fading away from the planet.

    Ged watched Koh¡¯s retreating figure.

    "Such a large payment, yet still so far from freedom,"he sighed. ¡°Is it even possible to break free from these chains?¡±

    His fists tightened. ¡°I must create the perfect physique for myself. Only then can I reclaim the freedom that was stolen from me.¡±

    With renewed determination, he turned away from the mountain¡¯s peak and activated Goat Walk. Blue lines glowed along his calves as he descended toward Elpida with enhanced speed and agility.

    At the city''s entrance, his pace slowed, and a deep frown settled on his face.

    In front of him, two thugs were extorting people for their mass.

    Stationed inside the mouth of a worm, they traveled through the ground, emerging suddenly in front of their victims.

    Watching them from afar, his gaze narrowed.

    A large-built man in a suit and tie was on his way to work at one of the spires when the ground before him ruptured, revealing the open maw of a worm with the two thugs inside.

    "One kilogram, and you keep your legs." One of the thugs slurred through broken teeth, waving his gun menacingly.

    The suited man sighed. He was used to this kind of thing. Reaching into his abs, he pulled out an unassuming stone and tossed it over.

    He lowered his head and turned to leave when the second thug inside the worm piped up.

    "Wait. Don¡¯t leave so soon." He grinned. "I need my payment as well." He outstretched his hand expectantly.

    The suited man gritted his teeth. But faced with their threats, he had no choice but to pay up.

    The two stored the stones into their abs and moved through the ground onto the next victim.

    "This new city is amazing. I can¡¯t believe how many kilograms we made just from this one outing." One of them snickered, counting the stones inside his abs.

    "Look at that guy," one of them muttered as the worm¡¯s eyes peered through the ground and locked onto Ged. "He¡¯s got to be loaded with a physique that massive."

    "No gang tattoos either. He¡¯s a total civilian. We really struck it big today!" the other commented. "Let¡¯s charge him five¡­ no, ten kilograms," he said with a greedy grin.

    The worm arose to the surface and opened its mouth. The two thugs grinning viciously. But they didn¡¯t even know what was in store for them.

    But before either thug could utter a word, a large piece of rock shot into the worm¡¯s mouth and obliterated one of the gang members¡¯ heads, sending his body limp to the floor.

    The remaining thug stood in a daze, barely registering what had just happened.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Ged had anticipated their arrival.

    Lining up a kick to a protruding stone, he awaited the worm¡¯s appearance before sending the stone hurtling toward the thug¡¯s head.

    The remaining thug¡¯s first instinct was to flee, but Ged cut off his escape. Placing his hand on the worm, he sent heat into its body, forcing it docile. The thug desperately tried to command it to descend underground, but the creature refused to move.

    Without escape he brandished the gun in his hands and fired bullets at Ged.

    But Ged¡¯s physique was too refined.

    With a flex of his chest muscles, the bullets bounced off his body like pebbles against a mountain.

    The thug stared in horror, utterly helpless before the monster standing before him.

    "I-I didn¡¯t realize sir¡¯s physique was so magnificent. Had I seen you up close, I would have never tried to extort you for kilograms," the thug¡¯s voice shaking, tears in his eyes. "Please look the other way just this once and let me live. I was just trying to make a living. You know how tough life is out here."

    Ged didn¡¯t speak. His eyes narrowed as he reached into his abs, pulled out a clay tablet, and handed it to the man.

    The thug shakily took the tablet and peered at its contents. His pupils dilated as an image of a golden sun appeared, illuminating his face with a golden glow.

    "An in name member of the top gang of Elpida, the Golden Suns," the man whispered. ¡°You¡¯re a Drug Lord¡­¡± Realization set in. He had tried to extort the wrong man.

    "Sir Drug Lord, you have to understand! We never wanted to come to your territory. We were forced to!" The man¡¯s words tumbled out as he tried to clear his name. "Our turf in Oyzys was compromised."

    Oyzys. The name was familiar to Ged.

    "What about the Cumulus Gang, I thought they were in charge there?" Ged asked, yanking his identification tablet back from the thug.

    "Wiped out. Last I heard they were looking to relocate."

    Ged frowned.

    The thought of the Cumulus Gang relocating unsettled him. If they decided to come to Elpida and clash with his gang it would cause a lot of trouble for his business.

    "I see¡­" Ged finally replied. "You¡¯re in luck. Killing you would be an inconvenience. Give me all the kilograms you and your friend extorted, and I will spare your life."

    Fear overcame him, as he thanked Ged profusely. He hunched over, and retrieved the stones hidden in his partner¡¯s corpse. Then, emptying out the stones in his own abs, he offered everything to Ged without a second thought.

    Ged accepted the payment but didn¡¯t lift his gaze from the thug.

    "Is there something wrong?" the thug asked, his voice trembling.

    Without a word, Ged moved forward and sliced open the thug¡¯s abs. Five more kilograms spilled out onto the floor.

    The thug screamed in pain, stepping backwards holding his abs in pain.

    Ged stepped in after him, extracting the stones that tumbled to the floor. For good measure he also checked his partner¡¯s corpse one final time. Only then did he leave feeling satisfied.

    Releasing the worm from its docile state, he gave one final, curt warning.

    "Don''t set foot in my city again."

    The thug nodded profusely, swearing his compliance.

    Still clutching his bleeding abdomen, he commanded the worm to burrow underground, vanishing away from Ged¡¯s sight.

    With the distraction dealt with, Ged didn¡¯t waste any more time. Quickening his pace, he aimed to reach the Abyssal Mouth as fast as possible before all the Celestial Iron was taken.

    The streets were bustling with people as vendors hawked body sorcery-related goods from temporary stone-carved structures.

    Ged paid little attention as he pressed forward, but as he neared the city center, the crowds grew denser.

    Just as he was about to reach his destination, something caught his eye, stopping him dead in his tracks.

    Near the Abyssal Mouth, a crowd of protesters had gathered. They waved picket signs and shouted venomous slogans, their judging stares and hateful jeers aimed at anyone with visible muscle.

    "Crack down on underground body sorcery!" one group chanted. "Ban the dangerous drug Blue Water!" another added, their voices tinged with righteous fury.

    A muscular man in a white tank top walked through the crowd, moving hesitantly under the barrage of insults.

    ¡°Scumbag!¡± a white-haired old man shouted, shaking his fist. ¡°You better have a well-paying job with that kind of physique!¡±

    ¡°I do¡­¡± the man replied cautiously, trying to placate him, but before he could continue, another protester cut in.

    ¡°Yeah, right! You¡¯re just another selfish punk,¡± a woman with frizzy hair yelled, pointing an accusing finger. ¡°We don¡¯t need any more body sorcerers! You¡¯re all criminals, seeking power over peace!¡±

    The man opened his mouth to protest. ¡°uh...¡± Her accusations weighed on him, stealing his words.

    A woman stepped forward, tears staining her face. In trembling hands, she clutched a faded photograph of a child. Her voice wavered with raw grief. ¡°My son idolized you people. He wanted to be big and strong like you. But he got caught up in your underground gangs... and now he¡¯s dead!¡±

    The man staggered back, numb, unable to speak.

    The mob¡¯s anger swelled to a fever pitch, their voices rising like a swarm of wasps, each word a sting of judgment. He raised his hands, desperate to defend himself, but their fury drowned him out.

    His voice was swallowed by their rage; they were past listening. Despite his size, the crowd trampled him, leaving nothing but a broken shell.

    Then Ged arrived.

    He rolled his eyes as he swaggered into the chaos, his presence rippling through the crowd like a spark to dry kindling.

    Unlike the man before him, Ged was one of the infamous ¡°underground body sorcerers¡± the crowd despised. He felt no need to justify himself; their hate meant nothing to him. He welcomed it.

    ¡°Screw off. I need these muscles,¡± he snapped at a thin man who questioned his massive frame.

    Using his arms like a snowplow, Ged shoved people aside with little effort or regard, clearing his path. Stray comments reached his ears, but only a few earned a response.

    ¡°My daughter overdosed on the drugs you sold!¡± a man shouted, voice cracking. ¡°Can¡¯t you have a shred of decency and think about the lives you¡¯re ruining?¡±

    Ged didn¡¯t stop. ¡°Her decisions were her own,¡± he said flatly, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t blame me because she was weak.¡±

    The man¡¯s face reddened with fury. ¡°You monster! Can¡¯t you at least respect the grief of a parent?¡±

    ¡°Respect for what?¡± Ged sneered, finally pausing. ¡°Was she even your real daughter? No one¡¯s had a natural child in over two centuries in Elpida. Don¡¯t waste my time with your delusions.¡±

    The man¡¯s hands shook. ¡°Love isn¡¯t only about blood,¡± he shouted, anger heating his voice. ¡°We¡¯re all struggling."

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with caring for someone beyond yourself?¡± the man demanded, his voice rising. ¡°Just because you¡¯re another selfish, Plunk-worshipping coward doesn¡¯t give you the right to dismiss my hardships!¡±

    ¡°And what if I do want to be like Plunk?¡± Ged asked.

    ¡°Plunk rose to the stars when no one else dared to do it. Why shouldn¡¯t I follow?¡±

    ¡°He killed millions to do it!¡± the man snapped, voice trembling with rage. ¡°You can¡¯t possibly think that¡¯s a path worth following.¡±

    ¡°I do. So what?¡± Ged shrugged. ¡°Tell me, what gives you the right to judge what he¡¯s done?¡±

    The man faltered, his fury draining under Ged¡¯s unrelenting gaze. ¡°You¡¯re not human,¡± he murmured. ¡°I hope you burn in hell.¡±

    Ged smirked and continued deeper into the protest, unfazed by their glares or curses.

    Ahead of him, a human blockade formed at the edge of the pit. Their arms interlocked in defiance, guarding the entrance like brave tree huggers. Ged barely paused to snort.

    Without hesitation, he began dismantling the blockade, flinging protesters aside as though they were debris. ¡°Get out of my way,¡± he growled.

    ¡°Stop it, you bastard!¡± a thin man shouted, barely dodging one of Ged¡¯s careless tosses. His voice trembled with a mix of rage and fear. ¡°You think your strength gives you the right to treat us like pavement?¡±

    Ged didn¡¯t turn, flinging more bodies behind him without a second thought. ¡°Yes, I do.¡±

    The thin man¡¯s fists clenched as he glared. Around him, injured protesters nursed their wounds, their eyes burning with indignation. ¡°What¡¯s the point of your muscles? Is it just a tool to bend others to your will? Why can¡¯t you just leave us alone and let us live our lives in peace?¡±

    Ged glanced around at the seething mob, their anger swelling like a storm. He let out a cold laugh, slicing through their fury like a blade.

    ¡°I just want a better life for myself,¡± Ged said. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? If my ambition puts me at odds with your ¡®peace,¡¯ then I¡¯ll gladly bend you all to my will.¡±

    The mob erupted in rage. Rocks, sticks, and debris flew toward Ged, but they rebounded harmlessly against his frame, as though striking steel. Ged shook his head, amused by their futility.

    Desperation set in. Some clung to his arms and legs in a last-ditch effort to stop him. Ged frowned. With a single motion, he shook them off, sending them tumbling to the ground.

    ¡°I warned you,¡± Ged said icily, his glare cutting through the crowd. ¡°I¡¯m not kind to those who stand in my way.¡±

    He turned to the remaining protesters, his voice rising like a thunderclap. ¡°Now get back! Give me room! If I see any of you step out of line, I¡¯ll toss you into the Abyssal Mouth myself.¡±

    The threat silenced them. The protesters exchanged nervous glances but dared not challenge him again.

    Satisfied, Ged nodded and turned his focus to the Abyssal Mouth. He approached the edge, his thoughts already moving beyond the crowd behind him.

    From within his abs, he retrieved a fishing device and spun a magnetic ball-bearing hook into the foggy depths below.

    As the line unspooled, Ged scanned the pit¡¯s edge, eyeing the others who were fishing near the lip.

    On the far side, a hairless body sorcerer stood, his forehead marked with puffy cloud tattoos in place of eyebrows.

    "Cumulus Gang," Ged muttered. "So they did come..."

    His eyes narrowed as he scanned more of the Abyssal Mouth¡¯s perimeter. Several more Cumulus Gang members emerged from the shadows, and as he pieced together the situation, realization struck.

    This wasn¡¯t just a visit. This was war.

    His lips curled into a smirk. "Resh will pay well for this kind of information. This conflict might benefit me if I play my cards right.¡±

    But then something else caught his eye, and he frowned.

    Body sorcerers marked by golden sun tattoos carved into the sides of their faces were moving through the crowd at a steady pace. His expression darkened.

    The Golden Suns were about to arrive at the pit.

    "This protest is about to turn ugly," he muttered. "The Golden Suns would never let the Cumulus Gang get away with fishing in their pit. I need to get out before things get too ugly."

    His grip tightened around the fishing rod, knuckles turning white.

    His line continued to descend, the Celestial Iron still far out of reach.

    Leaving empty handed was not an option.

 2. The Equalizers

    The protest was a chaotic sea of movement and noise. In the distance, a group of men with golden sun tattoos shaved just above their ears slipped into the crowd. Their eyes locked on a rival Cumulus gang member, and they moved swiftly toward the Abyssal Mouth to intercept him.

    Nearby, Ged flexed his body, his muscles radiating an eerie blue light. He gripped the fishing rod tightly, channeling bursts of energy through his limbs and into the reel. The string unwound at an accelerating pace, each surge sending the hook plunging deeper into the foggy abyss below.

    Shrouded in mist loomed his destination: a massive, beak-like mouth lined with serrated teeth. Small deposits of glistening green iron clung stubbornly to its jagged edges, like kernels lodged in teeth. Magnetic ball bearings, tethered to invisible strings, moved in a precise rhythm, scraping celestial iron from the deposits as if flossing the planet''s teeth.

    Ged''s ball bearing dangled far from this surreal scene, his line barely halfway to the depths below. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead as he cursed under his breath, his eyes darting nervously to the chaos erupting around him.

    The Golden Sun gang members closed in, confronting the lone Cumulus gangster. Their leader charged his fist with golden energy, fiery light coiling around his hand. With a devastating blow, he struck the Cumulus member in the back, sending him tumbling toward the pit below.

    The Cumulus gangster furrowed his cloud-shaped eyebrows as he fell. Smoke blurred around his feet, slowing his descent with a hazy cushion. From his abdomen, he pulled a thorny, vine-like lasso and cracked it toward the legs of one of the Golden Sun members.

    The lasso coiled tightly around its target, thorns digging viciously into flesh as it dragged the victim toward the pit. The remaining Golden Sun members reacted swiftly, grabbing their ally''s shoulders and anchoring themselves in place. Their bodies hardening into tiny mountains as they resisted the pull.

    A tense standoff ensued, the Golden Sun members struggling to untangle the vine while the Cumulus gangster used its tension to climb precariously back toward the pit''s edge.

    The violent exchange was a spark in a powder keg, igniting chaos between the protesters and rival gangs. Weapons were drawn, fists flew, and blood spilled as the melee escalated into a fiery clash over contested territory. Even bystanders were swept into the fray, colliding in a frenzy of fury and desperation.

    Ged¡¯s carefully cleared space quickly disappeared as protesters and fighters alike stumbled into him. A hard shove to his back almost threw him off balance, threatening to send him plummeting into the pit.

    "I have to leave!" Ged gritted his teeth, glancing at the fishing rod in his hands. "But this loss..." His grip tightened, and conflict danced across his face, the temptation of what lay below battling with his need to survive.

    "I can¡¯t afford it!" His voice cracked with desperation. He scanned the rim of the Abyssal Mouth, his mind racing.

    Nearby, one of Ged¡¯s body sorcerer neighbors, a man in a red flannel shirt, was frantically reeling in his fishing hook. From the foggy depths, a large chunk of celestial iron glinted on the hook, catching Ged¡¯s eye.

    For a moment, the chaos faded. Greed surged through him, sharp and undeniable. The prize was too good to pass up.

    Without hesitation, Ged sprang into motion. Activating his Goat Walk muscle ability, he angled his feet to grip the pit wall. His glowing calf muscles powered him as he took agile steps along the vertical slope, closing the distance in moments.

    Not far away, the Cumulus gang member clung to his vine-like whip, his hands bloodied from the thorns. Gritting his teeth, he kicked up clouds to propel himself higher along the edge of the pit.

    Suddenly, his grip faltered as a powerful foot slammed into his face. His whip flew from his hands, and he tumbled into the Abyssal Mouth below. A hateful glare burned in his eyes, locked onto Ged¡¯s silhouette as he plummeted to his demise.

    Ged used the Cumulus gang member as a springboard, vaulting upward toward the red-flannelled man. Twisting mid-flight, he adjusted his trajectory and descended like a black blur. His fist connected with the man¡¯s jaw in a precise, ruthless strike.

    The red-flannelled man staggered back, dazed, the fishing rod slipping from his grasp. Ged caught it mid-air and moved with practiced speed, leaving behind his own rod, he tangled his neighbor in its unwound line. The man struggled, his confusion giving way to fury as he slowly realized what had happened, but it was too late.

    Ged darted into the crowd, the stolen rod in hand, his expression steeled with determination.

    Behind him, the red-flannelled man slashed through the fishing line with his fingers, his gaze scanning the chaos. ¡°Show yourself, you damn thief!¡± he roared. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m good friends with an Equalizer. You¡¯ll regret this!¡±

    Ged had already merged with the crowd, his heart still racing from adrenaline, but his expression cold. The Equalizers were a force to be reckoned with, but Ged wasn¡¯t concerned. Created to let the weak seek justice against the strong, they rarely intervened without clear evidence. For a body sorcerer like the flannelled man, their help was notoriously hard to secure. Between his muscle-bound frame and his inability to see Ged¡¯s face, the man¡¯s threats rang hollow.

    Ged¡¯s thoughts had already moved on. The chaos of the protest churned around him, but his focus lingered on his discarded fishing rod.

    ¡°Some people are just too wasteful,¡± he muttered, shaking his head.

    A small smirk tugged at his lips as he slipped deeper into the crowd, letting the turmoil cover his tracks. But as he glanced over his shoulder, a prickle of unease crept over him. The rising tensions of the protest gave him a bad feeling, a sense of foreboding he couldn¡¯t shake.

    The crowd¡¯s fury boiled over. Reports of deaths spread rapidly, anger and desperation thickening the air. Body sorcerers retaliated with brutal force against those around them. Protesters were shoved aside in waves, many trampled underfoot as the chaos spiraled out of control.

    Ged didn¡¯t linger to witness the inevitable. He pressed forward, weaving through the unending waves of people. The press of bodies and the deafening roars of anger felt suffocating, but he pushed on. With so many angry people in one space, without intervention, a catastrophic loss of life was certain.

    <i>Bang! Bang! Bang!</i>

    Thunderous drums boomed across the city, their deep, commanding beats reverberating through the masses.

    A cold wave of clarity rippled through the crowd. Weapons were lowered, tempers cooled. Like a parent forcing quarreling children into uneasy compromise, the violence ebbed, replaced by tense, hostile stares.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Even the rival gang members faltered. Moments earlier, they had unleashed their most vicious strikes, but now they hesitated, dropping their weapons. Some hastily covered their faces, retreating into defensive postures, sensing the impending storm.

    From beneath the city¡¯s stone roads, red and blue flying saucers emerged, their smooth, gleaming forms hovering ominously around the Abyssal Mouth.

    Body sorcerers descended from the saucers like otherworldly beings, suspended in bright yellow beams of light.

    ¡°I figured the Peacekeepers would show up eventually,¡± Ged muttered, his tone flat. ¡°Those higher division government authorities never like anything getting out of control.¡± Relaxing his stance, he stopped pushing forward and stood still, resigned to wait for the inevitable.

    The yellow beams scanned the masses like searchlights. When they found a troublemaker, the beams froze them mid-air in a glowing halo, rendering them weightless. Flailing helplessly, the captured individuals spun slowly, as though adrift in space.

    Several gang members, too slow to hide or reckless enough to keep fighting, were caught in the lights, their bodies dangling like marionettes.

    Suddenly, a new beam of light appeared at the crowd¡¯s center. Within it stood a towering body sorcerer as large as a mountain arrived above everyone, his figure awe inspiring like divine light. Gasps and murmurs of awe rippled through the crowd.

    "The Abyssal Mouth is now closed to the public."

    "Prepare to be dispersed immediately."

    "City Governor... I can''t believe I get to see him." people whispered, pointing at the giant man in reverence.

    Ged remained unmoved, his expression flat.

    The City Governor reached into his abs and pulled out a metallic faucet. Fixing it into his palm, he turned one of its knobs. A waterfall of shimmering, illusory water gushed out, cascading onto the crowd below.

    Though intangible, the torrent moved with immense force. It swept protesters and bystanders alike in an invisible flood, scattering them far from the Abyssal Mouth.

    In seconds, the crowd vanished, carried off by the unseen flood. Only those trapped in the yellow beams of light remained, suspended in glowing halos, awaiting harsh punishment from the authorities.

    Ged was among those caught in the currents. He tumbled through the uneven stone streets, gritting his teeth and flexing his body to absorb the blows from the jagged rocks beneath him. After being carried nearly half a kilometer from the Mouth, he grabbed onto a spire, halting himself at last.

    The shouts and clamor of the protest were now distant echoes. Ged¡¯s shoulders relaxed slightly. As he tested his bruised limbs, he realized he¡¯d escaped largely unscathed. Surveying the vacant streets and toppled spires, he noted other washed-away protesters in varying states of disrepair. Letting out a sigh of relief, he acknowledged his luck.

    Scanning the area for enemies or acquaintances, Ged ensured there were no immediate threats before rising to his feet.

    A wry smile tugged at his lips. ¡°Looks like I got lucky this time,¡± he muttered, savoring the rare sense of relief.

    Reaching into his body, Ged felt for his newly acquired goods. His fingers brushed against the stolen fishing rod, and a satisfied grin spread across his face.

    The sleek black handle gleamed with a polished finish, and as he tested the mechanism, he noted it could release and retract at twice the speed of his old rod.

    ¡°No wonder that rich idiot snagged celestial iron so quickly. With a rod like this, fishing is easy,¡± he muttered, his tone laced with begrudging admiration.

    Hefting the green celestial iron clustered on the magnetic ball bearing, Ged let his grin widen. ¡°Not bad. This¡¯ll trade for a month¡¯s worth of vials from Resh.¡±

    Brushing the dust from his clothes, Ged carefully navigated away from the stone spires. With his spoils secured, he was eager to leave the city behind.

    ¡°This place looks like I got dragged through the Sixth Sector,¡± he mused, recognizing the repetitive spires. ¡°For now, I¡¯ll head toward the outskirts and see if I can find his new hideout.¡±

    With a new goal in mind, Ged moved quickly, his steps purposeful as he left the city center. He maintained a brisk pace, but as he neared the city¡¯s edge, his stride faltered. Hanging in the sky, a glowing red handprint insignia cast its ominous light, a silent warning to all.

    ¡°Looks like an Equalizer is out on duty. I guess I spoke too soon about my luck...¡± Ged muttered, his tone heavy with irritation.

    This sight wasn¡¯t uncommon, but Ged typically avoided these stations. Today, he chose to walk boldly through, unwilling to delay. However, as soon as he spotted the Equalizer casting his light, regret gripped him.

    ¡°Of all people, that bastard Wattkinz had to be out patrolling today.¡±

    Ged loathed his meddlesome ways.

    Wattkinz was a man of harsh discipline, uncompromising in his judgment. Having known him since his miserable childhood, they have always had a tenuous relationship. To Wattkinz, rules were absolute, and anyone who stepped out of line deserved to be hammered back down.

    And Ged was his favorite nail.

    Beneath the glowing handprint, a colossal man loomed, several times Ged¡¯s size. His trench coat stretched awkwardly over his massive frame, unable to fully conceal his bulk. A lit cigar glowed between his lips, and his mirrored sunglasses reflected the trembling figure in front of him.

    ¡°Please!¡± the bloodied man wailed, stumbling forward. ¡°Mr. Equalizer, I didn¡¯t mean to take my physique above regulations. It was a genuine mistake!¡±

    Wattkinz didn¡¯t respond. He simply grinned, his cigar bobbing slightly as though savoring the man¡¯s agony.

    ¡°Shut up, you power-hungry degenerate,¡± Wattkinz rasped. ¡°We don¡¯t need your tyrannical beliefs here on Blue Eagle.¡±

    The man¡¯s broken legs finally gave out, and he crumpled to the ground. Wattkinz shaded him like an oak tree, his shadow swallowing the smaller man whole. The man passed out from fear, slumping into unconsciousness.

    Taking a puff from his cigar, Wattkinz didn¡¯t even glance at the fallen man before calling out, ¡°Little brother Ged,¡± his gravelly voice cutting through the air. ¡°Why are you ignoring me? Up to no good again, I assume?¡± He smirked.

    Ged halted, forcing his expression to remain neutral. ¡°You¡¯re on duty. Why should I bother you?¡±

    ¡°Duty?¡± Wattkinz scoffed, his grin widening. ¡°This? Hardly. I always have time for my beloved brother.¡±

    Reaching into his abdomen, Wattkinz pulled out a white capsule, which hissed open and unfolded into a sleek mechanical hatch. With casual precision, he nudged the unconscious criminal inside with his foot.

    Turning back to Ged, Wattkinz¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°I heard the protest at the Abyssal Mouth turned into a riot,¡± he said, his tone mockingly curious. ¡°I hope you behaved and didn¡¯t stir up any trouble.¡±

    Ged shrugged. ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything.¡±

    ¡°Nothing?¡± Wattkinz laughed, his scar twisting with amusement. ¡°Maybe my delinquent brother is finally turning over a new leaf. Perhaps we should celebrate.¡±

    Suddenly, the handprint insignia buzzed. A light flickered over Wattkinz¡¯s sunglasses, causing him to frown.

    "Hold that thought." He continued to speak, "We¡¯ll have to finish this another time. Apparently, I¡¯m needed elsewhere.¡± He began wheeling the capsule away, its metallic wheels clattering softly on the stone street.

    He paused, glancing back at Ged to lock eyes one final time.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think you can hide your physique away from me,¡± he said, his voice cold and unyielding. ¡°I know what you¡¯re trying to do, but it¡¯s impossible.¡±

    ¡°Not everyone can become a Celestial,¡± he continued, his tone hardening further. ¡°Don¡¯t go chasing something you have no ability to achieve. Try to find at least one thing that brings you peace, even if it means settling for less.¡±

    As he moved on, the wheels clacked softly in his wake. Over his shoulder, his voice softened.

    ¡°It would be nice to actually see you happy for once...¡±

    Wattkinz¡¯s broad back and sculpted muscles loomed large in Ged¡¯s vision, a silent display of authority and power that gnawed at him.

    ¡°You think I¡¯m miserable?¡± Ged muttered, his glare hardening. ¡°That¡¯s because I am.¡±

    A sharp pain stabbed at his chest. He inhaled deeply, steadying himself. ¡°I know my dreams are impossible. But I don¡¯t care.¡±

    ¡°For me, stillness itself is torture. So what¡¯s the point of settling for less? Happiness be damned.¡±

    He clenched his teeth, his resolve solidifying like steel. Turning away from Wattkinz, Ged strode toward the city¡¯s outskirts, each step a declaration of his unyielding defiance.

    Out of the city, he left the scene behind and set his sights on finding Resh¡¯s hideout.

    Walking through the fields of stone, he paused periodically to press his palm against the ground, sensing the resonance. Each time it turned cold, he adjusted his path, searching elsewhere.

    Finally, the resonance warmed beneath his hand, guiding him to an inconspicuous stone grotto. The plain exterior gave little away, but Ged knew he was on the right track.

    Activating his muscle ability, his traps glowed bright blue as his arm spun like a drill. The ground crumbled beneath his effort, and after digging deep, the floor gave way, and Ged dropped into a crystalline cave bathed in hazy, red-tinged light.

    Ahead of him, a glowing sign hung over what appeared to be a nightclub bar: "The Hidden Olympian."

    Its entrance was flanked by two massive body sorcerer bouncers standing stoically behind a red velvet rope, their eyes scanning the space with quiet intensity.

    Ged allowed himself a small smirk. "Found it."

 3. The Hidden Olympian

    Not wasting any time, Ged approached the two Golden Suns bouncers stationed outside the Hidden Olympian.

    "Chim, I''m here for Resh," Ged said to the larger of the two doormen.

    Chim turned to the second doorman. "Bo, go check if he''s able to see him."

    Bo spat in protest, but a sharp glare from Chim kept him in line. Begrudgingly, Bo turned and disappeared inside the bar.

    Inside, the Hidden Olympian was a den of pure degeneracy. Drug use and gambling dominated different corners of the space. The air hung heavy with the stench of cigarette smoke and other narcotics, while loud, droning electronic music reverberated off the cave walls of the underground bar.

    In a private room, seated alone at an oversized table, was a gargantuan body sorcerer. His massive chair resembled a throne, and his chest was so broad it looked as though you could fit a snowplow inside it. His sunken eyes glowed a vibrant blue, staring vacantly into the distance. With methodical precision, his hands crushed peanuts one by one, their shattered shells forming a growing mound of dust before him. Nearby, an overflowing bowl of cigarette butts teetered precariously. He chain-smoked without pause, releasing thick plumes of smoke in rhythmic bursts, like the exhaust of an industrial smokestack.

    Lost in vivid hallucinations, Resh¡¯s senses were completely consumed by the vision of a vast, endless ocean. The sound of lapping waves filled his mind, and above the water¡¯s surface floated an indescribable orb. It twisted and distorted space around it, a presence so alien it seemed to defy existence itself. He reached for it, his hands trembling, yearning for connection.

    "Resh," Bo called cautiously. There was no response.

    "Sector Leader Resh," he tried again, louder this time. Still nothing. Frustration creeping into his voice, Bo moved closer, leaning over the table to place himself directly in Resh''s line of sight.

    Bo snapped his fingers sharply in front of Resh¡¯s unblinking gaze. ¡°Ged¡¯s at the door. Do you want to see him?¡±

    The snap shattered the vision. The ocean and the orb evaporated, leaving Resh adrift in the dim, smoke-filled room. His head tilted slightly as he tried to make sense of his surroundings, his glowing blue gaze snapping to Bo¡¯s hand with a sudden, unnerving intensity.

    Without warning, Resh¡¯s hand shot out with explosive ferocity, crushing Bo¡¯s arm in an iron grip. The sickening snap of bones echoed through the room.

    ¡°You idiot! Do you understand what you¡¯ve done?¡± Resh shouted, tears streaming down his face. ¡°The most beautiful creation¡ªgone! Right when it was within my grasp!¡±

    He clawed at the air, desperate to reclaim the vanished vision. His voice rose to a fever pitch, trembling with frustration. ¡°Unbounded and unrestrained, I saw the peak of all things bathed in the water of the absolute!¡±

    Bo gasped, clutching his mangled arm. He wanted to scream, but terror kept him silent. Resh¡¯s words grew darker, more erratic.

    ¡°Concepts, sensations, perspectives¡­¡± Resh¡¯s voice softened into a reverent whisper. ¡°They all knelt before it, powerless to describe its beauty. And it appeared before me, offering just a kernel of its truth.¡±

    His tone turned cold, laced with accusation. ¡°But you! With your jealous, earthly interruptions, shattered my connection to it. Have you no shame?¡±

    Bo¡¯s stomach churned with fear. ¡°This isn¡¯t right,¡± he thought, panic tightening in his chest.

    "Fuck, Resh must have taken too much Blue Water. He''s completely lost it," he screamed internally, his mind racing for a way to pull his superior back to reality.

    Steeling himself, he fought to keep his voice steady. ¡°You told us to let you know if someone was at the door,¡± he said, his words strained through clenched teeth. "Remember?"

    Resh¡¯s expression darkened further. His free hand curled into a fist as if to strike again, but he stopped himself, exhaling deeply.

    ¡°I did say that,¡± he muttered, shrugging with a detached air. ¡°But that was before I understood the true nature of everything. Things are different now, but I can¡¯t blame you for not knowing.¡±

    He paused, his voice softening slightly. ¡°Who¡¯s at the door again?¡±

    Bo steadied his trembling voice. ¡°Ged.¡±

    ¡°Ged?¡± A flicker of sanity returned to Resh¡¯s face as he mulled over the name. The glow in his blue eyes dimmed momentarily, replaced by a fleeting look of recognition.

    ¡°Ha! How bold my friend has become, seeking me out while I¡¯m preoccupied with so many important matters,¡± Resh said, rolling his eyes. ¡°I gave him a piece of our drug operation to oversee because I thought he had some swagger. Yet he still hasn¡¯t committed to joining me fully, despite all the benefits he¡¯s received.¡±

    He paused, his expression darkening as he lit another cigarette and inhaled the entire stick in one deep drag. Smoke curled from his lips as he muttered, almost to himself, ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve been too soft on him lately¡­¡±

    With a raspy cough, the last of the smoke escaped his lungs. Resh finally croaked, ¡°Let him in, I should see him.¡± A predatory smile crept across his face as he began to consider how best to handle his unyielding friend.

    Bo hesitated, clutching his broken arm, his voice quivering with pain. ¡°Resh¡­ can you do something about my arm before I go?¡±

    Resh squinted at him, his eyes narrowing as he studied the injury with a detached curiosity. A strange glint appeared in his glowing gaze.

    Without hesitation, Resh reached into his abdomen, his fingers sinking into his flesh, and pulled out a pulsating crystalline prism. A cryptic smile spread across his face, his gaze narrowing with eerie focus.

    He flexed his entire body, steam curling from the prism as heat flowed into it from his blue-marked skin. Within moments, the prism glowed red-hot, boiling and twisting like molten fire.

    With brutal precision, Resh tore the broken arm clean from Bo¡¯s shoulder. He screamed, his cries echoing through the room as blood poured from the stump.

    Before Bo could process the agony, Resh pressed the molten prism to his exposed shoulder. The crystal leapt onto the raw flesh like a living predator. It twisted and reshaped itself into a grotesque claw-like appendage, its crystalline surface hardening to a crustacean blue.

    Bo convulsed violently as the transformation overtook him. The process lasted only seconds, but to him, it felt like an eternity.

    Resh stepped back, admiring his work with a twisted sense of pride. ¡°I always thought you were built wrong,¡± he said with mock satisfaction. ¡°Consider this my gift. A small trace of my newfound enlightenment.¡±

    Bo lay panting on the floor, his grotesque claw twitching involuntarily. His hatred for Resh burned through his exhaustion as he glared at his grotesque new limb.

    Resh wasn¡¯t finished. His eyes gleamed with inspiration as he studied Bo¡¯s trembling form. ¡°No¡­ this is incomplete. It won¡¯t do.¡± He paused thoughtfully, then brightened with sudden excitement.

    ¡°Aha! A new start in body sorcery demands a new name, one that transcends your old self.¡±

    He pointed dismissively. ¡°From now on, you will be known as Crab. Your old identity is gone. You have a long road ahead of you, and I¡¯ll be watching your progress with great interest.¡±

    Resh brushed the mound of peanut shells aside, revealing a dusty stack of napkins. Muttering to himself, he began scribbling furiously. ¡°Claw curls¡­ six to twelve reps¡­ perhaps paired with forearm rotations¡­¡±

    Crab stared at Resh, his anger simmering beneath the pain. But as Resh scribbled on, it was clear there would be no sympathy from his leader.

    After a moment, he finally pushed himself up from the ground, careful not to risk disturbing Resh any further. Silently cursing to himself, he made his way back to the entrance, his arm throbbing with each step. The humiliation of the ordeal weighed heavily on him, his solemn expression betraying his search for respite from both the pain and disgrace.

    Outside the Hidden Olympian, Ged sat on a jutting flat crystal, one hand propping up his cheek as boredom crept in. He had been waiting for a while now, his posture relaxed but his patience steady.

    Ged didn¡¯t think much of the delay, some things simply took time to wrap up. But when he saw Crab return, his arm grotesquely altered into something alien, Ged¡¯s brow furrowed. His eyes narrowed as unease settled in, his mind racing to piece together what might have transpired inside.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    ¡°Ged.¡± Crab spoke flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. Yet his eyes, shadowed by dark circles, betrayed the toll of the ordeal. ¡°Resh will see you now.¡±

    ¡°How is he?¡± Ged asked cautiously, his tone measured. Even Chim, typically stoic and unmoved, cast a curious glance at Crab¡¯s unnatural arm.

    ¡°Not good.¡± Crab¡¯s stoic fa?ade cracked, a faint trace of sorrow slipping through his voice. But as his grip tightened on his mutated arm, anger replaced the sorrow in his expression. ¡°He¡¯s completely gone mentally. I think we should report him to his Killswitch.¡±

    ¡°His Killswitch?¡± Ged¡¯s voice dropped, disbelief tinging his words. ¡°You think he¡¯s reached the final stages of Blue Water madness? How can you be sure?¡±

    A chill ran through Ged as he considered the implications. For underground body sorcerers, treading the fine line between enhancement and insanity was an accepted risk of the lifestyle. The potent drug Blue Water promised unparalleled power but carried the ever-present danger of irreparable mental collapse. To safeguard against such an outcome, those who delved too deep into madness relied on a trusted individual, designated as their Killswitch, to end their life if they strayed too far from reason.

    But madness was an ever-present specter in the underground, believed to simply be apart of the cost of achieving greatness.

    "I just saw him a few days ago. He seemed fine then. Are you sure this isn¡¯t just a bad dose?" Ged asked, his tone tinged with doubt.

    Ged¡¯s expression darkened as he continued. "Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re overstepping a little by deciding something like this on your own?"

    Crab¡¯s anger flared, and he thrust his grotesque arm forward. "Don''t you see my arm? I¡¯ve turned into a freak of nature!" He glared at Ged with undisguised hatred. "He¡¯s deranged. His ramblings have gotten worse, and now he attacked me just for waking him up from his glazed stupor. Resh is out of line. I plan to take this to the boss and let him make the final decision, and I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll agree with me."

    Crab spat venomously. "You think you¡¯re so much better than me, acting like you have all the answers. You¡¯re not even one of us, not a Golden Sun. People like you are the reason the Cumulus Gang dares to treat us like weak vermin, waiting to be exterminated. You¡¯re nothing but a parasite, feeding off our strength. When the time comes, you¡¯ll be the first to be cast aside."

    "Do you really believe this conversation with Resh will end well for you? Even in his madness, Resh sees the truth," he sneered.

    Crab finished with a sinister grin. "Your days are numbered."

    Ged didn¡¯t flinch. He wasn¡¯t someone who cared about the power of titles or group identities. To him, they were nothing more than tools designed to bind people and force them into conformity. Crab¡¯s words were a testament to this mindset, a reflection of the cage he had willingly stepped into. Ged saw him as a prisoner, confined to a life where his choices were dictated by the shadows cast by his superiors. His delusional rant was little more than a gish-gallop of baseless assertions, describing a reality that didn¡¯t exist. To Ged, such a pitiful figure wasn¡¯t worth taking seriously.

    "You may regret those words," Ged said, his voice cool and detached, a faint smile playing on his lips. "But hold on to your mistake if you must. I don¡¯t mind."

    "You¡¯ve spoken your piece. Now take me to Resh," he added, his tone growing sharp with impatience.

    Crab sneered but chose not to press the issue further, feeling as though he had won the exchange. Smugly, he led the way for Ged while Chim unhooked the velvet rope, granting him entry into the Hidden Olympian.

    They moved through the derelict scenery of the cave bar. Beyond the entrance, the space opened into a sprawling main area centered around a runway where female body sorcerers moved with calculated allure. At the end of the runway, one performer transitioned smoothly into a pole-dancing routine on the central stage, captivating the audience below.

    Surrounding the stage was a group of stoic, expressionless male body sorcerers. Though their faces betrayed no emotion, their gazes lingered on the performances. Periodically, they placed glittering, colorful stones at the edge of the stage. The dancers eagerly collected the stones and consumed them, triggering an immediate transformation. White steam billowed from their bodies, and multicolored lights radiated from them, merging with the vibrant stage lighting. Their movements grew more fluid and vigorous, drawing subtle but satisfied reactions from the paying body sorcerers.

    The space branched into several passageways, each leading to different areas of the Hidden Olympian. Some paths wound toward gambling centers, others to drug dens or private rooms where nearly anything was permissible.

    Crab guided Ged past the stage and into one of the dimly lit cave passageways. They passed a series of occupied underground rooms, muffled sounds and indistinct voices seeping through the thick rock walls.

    Finally, they arrived at the entrance to Resh¡¯s private space, marked by a faint, illusory black veil. Using his human hand, Crab peeled back the veil, the Golden Sun tattoo on his skin glowing faintly as he worked.

    Crab remained silent, his glare daring Ged to step inside. Unfazed, Ged returned a brief nod before ducking through the opening Crab had created for him.

    As Ged stepped into the private room, his vision was immediately clouded by the thick smog of cigarette smoke. The dimly lit, cluttered space slowly came into focus. In the corner, Resh sat slumped in his chair, his body listless and his eyes still glowing a bright blue. In front of him lay a scribbled-on napkin, presumably prepared for Crab.

    "He''s definitely a little quieter than the last time I saw him," Ged muttered with a smirk, surveying the scene.

    Striding purposefully toward Resh¡¯s vacant gaze, Ged received no response. Without hesitation, he walked up beside him and delivered a sharp strike to the back of Resh¡¯s head, sending him face-first onto the table mid-drag of his cigarette.

    "Resh, you look terrible," Ged said, shaking his head pitifully. "When was the last time you saw the sun? You really need to take better care of yourself."

    Resh roared in anger, barely regaining his senses. He lifted his head from the table, his face smeared with soot and peanut crumbs, as he began to shake off the fog clouding his mind.

    Spitting out the crushed cigarette, Resh glanced around the room, his face a mask of confusion and anger. "What the fuck?" he growled, his glowing eyes flickering with a volatile mix of rage and returning sanity. Finally, his gaze locked onto Ged, who stood smugly over him. "You¡¯ve got a lot of guts, Ged!"

    With the explosive force of a coiled spring, Resh launched himself out of his chair. Still groggy, his movements were unsteady as he swung heavy, clumsy fists at Ged.

    Ged reacted with practiced ease, relying on quick footwork to evade the wild strikes. He ducked and sidestepped, staying just out of reach of Resh''s furious swipes.

    "Resh, come on," Ged said, his tone calm but exasperated as he moved fluidly around the attacks. "You were completely out of it. It was just a tap to snap you back to reality. I¡¯d expect you to do the same for me."

    But Resh wasn¡¯t listening. As his focus sharpened, so did his anger. His swings became faster, more precise, the drunken haze in his movements giving way to the raw power of his size and fury.

    Ged quickly realized he was losing ground. Resh¡¯s sheer size and strength made it only a matter of time before one of the blows landed. With a calculated decision, Ged stopped dodging and braced himself, letting Resh¡¯s fist connect squarely with his jaw.

    The punch was devastating. Ged¡¯s body twisted under the force, his feet skidding as he caught himself with one hand before hitting the ground. He clutched his numb cheek, pain radiating from the impact. Slowly, he adjusted his jaw with a sickening pop, then spat a mouthful of blood onto the floor.

    Grinning darkly, his blood-streaked teeth bared, Ged let out a low chuckle. "Good hit," he said, his voice tinged with mocking admiration. "A strike for a strike. I let you have that one."

    Straightening himself, Ged¡¯s tone turned firm. "Now come on. I have things to discuss, and this suffocating room isn¡¯t the place. Let¡¯s take this outside."

    Resh hesitated, his movements slowing. Though one hit on Ged didn¡¯t fully satisfy him, it was enough to momentarily quell his anger. The burst of violence seemed to jolt him awake a little more.

    "Outside?" Resh repeated, his voice tinged with reluctance. "Ged, things are different now. The Cumulus Gang members are lurking in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike. And I¡¯ve just begun to grasp my own enlightenment, my path forward in body sorcery. There¡¯s still so much for me to process," he protested, his tone bellowing with resistance.

    "Cumulus Gang? Those bastards were swarming the Abyssal Mouth today," Ged said bluntly, ignoring his ramblings. "They¡¯ve already shown their true colors. There¡¯s nothing to hide from."

    "You saw them at the Abyssal Mouth?" Resh asked, his curiosity flickering through his grogginess. "Tell me more."

    Ged moved toward the doorway, ignoring Resh¡¯s question. "The sun is setting soon. We shouldn¡¯t delay any longer. It¡¯d be a shame to miss it."

    Resh remained rooted in place, his gaze fixed on the vacant chair he¡¯d just vacated. An inexplicable longing flickered in his eyes, as though he couldn¡¯t bring himself to leave the suffocating comfort of the room.

    Noticing Resh¡¯s hesitation, Ged leaned in with a sly smile. "I also scored some Celestial Iron for you," he said in a low, conspiratorial tone. "A massive piece. If you come along without any more fuss, I might even sell it to you at a discount."

    Resh shut his eyes, letting out a deep, resigned sigh. After a moment of contemplation, he reached into his body and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with practiced ease. Taking a long drag, he exhaled a plume of smoke before muttering, "Fine. Lead the way. I have things I need to say to you as well."

    Ged felt satisfied with his response and was about to leave when his eyes caught on the napkin where Resh had scrawled a workout plan for Crab. A curious gleam flickered in his eye.

    ¡°What kind of workout is this?¡± Ged asked, raising an eyebrow as he pointed at the notes. ¡°Claw curls? What kind of nonsense arm are you trying to create here?¡±

    Resh turned, grabbing the napkin. His mind buzzed as he recalled what he had written. ¡°Its not for me,¡± he muttered dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s a routine I was putting together for Crab.¡±

    ¡°Crab?¡± Ged echoed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before understanding dawned. His expression shifted to sly amusement as he snatched the napkin back, examining it closely.

    A mischievous grin spread across Ged¡¯s face. ¡°Why only one arm? Aren¡¯t workouts supposed to be balanced? Or are you planning for him to be permanently lopsided?¡±

    Resh snatched the napkin from Ged¡¯s hand, rereading his notes with narrowed eyes. The meaning behind Ged¡¯s words began to sink in.

    ¡°I see what you¡¯re saying,¡± Resh murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully. The glow in his blue eyes intensified, signaling a familiar rush of inspiration. ¡°You¡¯re right. His development could become uneven. That¡¯s no good.¡±

    Ged leaned casually against the doorway, feigning interest. ¡°I think you¡¯re onto something with this physique transformation. But if Crab¡¯s going to shine using these workouts, he might need¡­ another adjustment.¡±

    Resh nodded slowly, the gears in his mind turning as he stared at the napkin. ¡°Indeed, it''s a bit incomplete¡­ He¡¯s not finished yet.¡±

    Satisfied, Ged pushed away the veil of the doorway and made his way out of the room. Outside, Crab stood waiting near the doorway, his expression grim and his grotesque claw twitching slightly.

    Ged stopped beside him, a hidden smile curling at his lips.

    ¡°What?¡± Crab snapped, his voice sharp with irritation.

    Ged said nothing, his mysterious grin deepening. He lingered by the doorway until Resh emerged from the room, his glowing eyes fixed on Crab like a leopard locking onto its prey.

    Panic flashed across Crab¡¯s face. Instinctively, he hid his remaining human arm behind his back, as if shielding it might protect him from the unsettling thoughts brewing in Resh¡¯s mind. Cursing his luck, he held back his rage toward Resh and instead glared daggers at Ged, fearful of what was to come.

 4. The Fourteen Muscle Groups Of A Body Sorcerer

    ¡°Argh!¡±

    Crab wailed, his voice echoing through the cavern as he writhed on the floor. Both his arms had turned a crustacean blue, their grotesque forms clicking involuntarily. Struggling to prop himself upright, he flopped like a fish out of water, his movements frantic but futile.

    Resh worked in silence, his hands moving with surgical precision, indifferent to Crab¡¯s screams. The transformation was over quickly, leaving Crab gasping and broken on the stone floor.

    Even Ged, hardened by years in the underground, couldn¡¯t fully suppress his discomfort. His expression tightened as he watched, a flicker of pity crossing his face.

    ¡°Here.¡± Resh extended the napkin bearing his scrawled workout plan. ¡°Follow these movements to strengthen your arms. Build them up as large as possible.¡±

    He set the napkin beside Crab, nodding with a calm smile. ¡°Report your progress.¡± Without waiting for a response, he turned and followed Ged, already moving toward the hallway.

    Crab lay motionless for a moment, his grotesque arms twitching involuntarily. Resentment burned in his eyes, but he could do nothing except stare at their retreating backs, left to grapple with his fate in solitude.

    Ged and Resh emerged into the bustling main hall of the Hidden Olympian, where the air buzzed with activity.

    Having spent several days locked away in his private room, Resh scanned the bustling room with a renewed intensity. His gaze swept over the seedy atmosphere of the Hidden Olympian, but when his eyes landed on the stage, his expression hardened.

    ¡°Ged...¡± Resh¡¯s voice cut through the noise, halting Ged mid-step. ¡°Wait a moment. I need to handle this.¡± He gestured toward the pole-dancing woman with a critical frown.

    Ged sighed, already anticipating what was coming.

    One of the female body sorcerers clung to the pole like a human flag, her arms and legs trembling under the strain. She swayed, her form faltering, while the crowd below shifted restlessly.

    ¡°Caroline!¡± Resh bellowed. ¡°How many times must I correct you? That form is a disaster. You¡¯re wasting mass and losing the audience!¡± He jabbed a finger at the dissatisfied customers below, some of whom had already turned their attention elsewhere, their interest waning.

    Caroline¡¯s face tightened as she struggled to maintain her position. A loud tearing sound followed, and she collapsed onto the stage, clutching her abdomen in pain.

    Resh watched in silence, his face a mask of cold disdain. Employees and body sorcerers rushed to the scene, scrambling to restore order, their frantic movements only adding to the chaos. Without Resh¡¯s leadership, the usual chain of command had crumbled.

    Finally, Resh stirred. ¡°What are you fools doing?¡± His voice cut through the commotion like a whip. ¡°Have you forgotten how to handle workout injuries?¡±

    A worker in a crisp white suit darted to Caroline¡¯s side, placing a glowing hand on her abdomen. Pulsing blue waves spread from his fingertips across her skin, massaging and reconnecting the torn muscle fibers with precision. Gradually, her color returned, and her pained grimace softened.

    Resh¡¯s expression remained unreadable as he observed. ¡°This is unacceptable,¡± he said coldly, his gaze sharp as a blade. ¡°If her injury had escalated to muscle necrosis and she needed to be replaced, it would have cost more than your life.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. It won¡¯t happen again,¡± the therapist stammered.

    Resh stepped forward, anger burning in his eyes. But before he could continue, Ged¡¯s firm hand landed on his shoulder.

    ¡°Come on, Resh,¡± Ged said evenly. ¡°Deal with it later.¡±

    Resh blinked, his fury momentarily tempered. After a grumble and a sharp glare at Ged, he relented. ¡°Caroline, rest and recover. We¡¯ll talk later. And you,¡± his gaze shifted back to the therapist, colder than ever, ¡°learn to be useful, or I¡¯ll send you to workout in the Blue Crystal Mines.¡±

    Finally, Ged led the way out of the Hidden Olympian, Resh trailing behind with a solemn expression.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this far enough? Do we really have to go all the way to the surface? What good is there in seeing a little sunlight?¡± Resh asked impatiently, his gaze flickering with blue.

    Ged didn¡¯t answer, continuing to move forward. Without pause, he began drilling into the wall, creating an angled slope for them to climb. As they ascended, the stone walls behind them sealed shut, as if the earth itself were alive, leaving them in complete darkness.

    At last, they breached the surface. Sunlight poured over them, illuminating their forms and bathing the rocky terrain in a warm glow.

    Ged surveyed the surroundings with a genuine smile, breathing deeply of the fresh air. Nearby, the planet¡¯s rocky surface gleamed, casting long shadows around the jagged grotto that mouthed the mountain.

    Resh grimaced, shielding his eyes with one hand. ¡°Fuck, it¡¯s worse than I remembered,¡± he muttered, stumbling back toward the shade of the grotto¡¯s entrance.

    Before he could retreat fully, Ged¡¯s voice cut through the stillness. ¡°I spoke with Crab. He said you¡¯d gone completely mad. But it seems his concerns were... exaggerated.¡±

    Resh frowned, his expression darkening. ¡°People have called me all kinds of names behind my back for as long as I can remember. As long as they fall in line, their words are meaningless,¡± he said with indifference. ¡°You could stand to learn a thing or two from them.¡±

    Ged¡¯s gaze sharpened. ¡°Your men don¡¯t look like they¡¯re falling in line, Resh. Their loyalty is slipping. I saw it in their faces. They¡¯re uncertain of your leadership.¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    He hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s the drugs. You¡¯re not handling them well. What was your last cycle? Have you increased it since we last spoke?¡±

    Resh harrumphed, crossing his arms. ¡°I¡¯m at six vials and handling it just fine. Compared to your entire stack, I¡¯m practically restrained. If anything, I¡¯ve thought about increasing it. I¡¯ve fallen behind in training recently.¡±

    Ged¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Resh...¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t start,¡± Resh interrupted, his tone softening slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t need you of all people to worry about me.¡±

    He paused, his voice dropping lower. ¡°I¡¯ve got too much going on. My enemies circle me every day, waiting for me to stumble. Even my brothers eye my seat like it¡¯s already theirs. If I show weakness now, I¡¯m as good as dead.¡±

    His eyes blazed with blue fire as he stared directly into the sun. The light burned his irises a charcoal black, drying his eyes. Despite the pain, he didn¡¯t flinch.

    ¡°I can¡¯t give up yet... I still have things I want to achieve,¡± he said, his voice quieter now. After a moment, he massaged his eyes, the blackened pupils slowly returning to a faint blue glow.

    Ged watched silently, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°I must transcend this life,¡± Resh declared, his voice trembling with intensity. His eyes continued to burn and heal as he stared into the sun.

    ¡°Transcend?¡± Ged looked at him, puzzled.

    ¡°I¡¯m tired of always being behind,¡± Resh said quietly. His voice grew sharper as his gaze remained fixed on the sun. ¡°This sun is not hot enough to blind me, yet it still dares to burn my eyes.¡±

    ¡°When I look at the sun, I want my gaze to be the one that burns it.¡± He balled his fist, raising it in defiance, his expression hardening with resolve. ¡°But the life I have is still too weak.¡±

    Turning to Ged, his face twisted into a crazed smile. ¡°The sky, the ground, the stars, they all trample over me like second-rate trash. They will never listen until I force their submission. With the entire universe underneath me, I will create a universal body, walking beyond this reality as a transcendent being, above all.¡±

    Ged felt a strange stirring within him. Though Resh¡¯s words were tinged with madness, they resonated deeply. ¡°I feel similar,¡± he said thoughtfully.

    ¡°I want my freedom from this world. Perhaps that too is a form of transcendence... unfettered by anyone¡¯s control, I want to live my life as I choose, unbound by others.¡±

    ¡°Freedom?¡± Resh laughed harshly, his eyes blazing once more as he turned back to the sun. ¡°That won¡¯t ever happen.¡±

    His voice dropped to a mocking growl. ¡°Even you will fall beneath my feet eventually.¡±

    Ged gave a sly smile, shaking his head. ¡°Why must it always be like this? Perhaps there¡¯s room for both our desires. Let me claim my freedom, and the rest of the universe is yours to conquer as you see fit.¡±

    Resh sneered. ¡°If you truly believe that, then prove it.¡± He crossed his arms, his voice taking on a commanding edge. ¡°Audacious words demand action. Show me your conviction.¡±

    ¡°I saw about twenty Cumulus Gang members at the Abyssal Mouth today,¡± Ged said, his tone shifting. ¡°Some high-ranking ones too. I got a good look at their physiques and an estimate of their total mass.¡±

    Resh¡¯s ears perked up, his focus sharpening. His expression darkened slightly when Ged stopped talking, a faintly teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± Resh said, his tone measured and his curiosity piqued. ¡°Tell me, what would it take to keep you talking?¡±

    ¡°How many vials do you have on you?¡± Ged asked quickly.

    Resh reached into his abdomen, rummaging through his storage. ¡°About two hundred.¡± He pulled out two rubber-banded stacks of ten Blue Water vials and handed them over. ¡°I got two stacks just for you.¡±

    Ged frowned, his disappointment clear. ¡°So low... Have the Blue Crystal Mines dried up? Why are you so stingy?¡±

    ¡°Nothing like that,¡± Resh said with a shrug. ¡°I just changed my supply chains, prioritizing more pressing needs. You¡¯re lucky I¡¯m even willing to give you these. They¡¯re from my personal stash.¡±

    Grimacing with regret, Ged reluctantly took the vials from Resh¡¯s hands. He began detailing the events at the Abyssal Mouth, describing the Cumulus Gang members and the physiques of some high-ranking individuals. Resh nodded, listening intently. Once Ged finished, Resh pulled out another stack and handed it over.

    ¡°Something feels off,¡± Resh said, stroking his chin in thought. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard about anyone swinging their weight in Ozys to challenge the Cumulus bastards. It doesn¡¯t make sense for them to be this bold.¡±

    He furrowed his brow deeply. ¡°Their motives are hidden. I¡¯ll need to think about this more, but for now, it doesn¡¯t change anything.¡±

    His voice grew serious, his gaze sharpening. ¡°War is coming.¡±

    The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. ¡°Whether it¡¯s this newfound threat with the Cumulus Gang or my own brothers, I need you to be ready when the time comes.¡±

    Resh¡¯s tone darkened as he continued. ¡°Look at this.¡± Flexing his biceps, he tore the sleeves off his shirt in one swift motion, revealing two massive peaks of muscle. Embedded within each bicep, floating beneath the skin like fetuses in a womb, were the incomplete shapes of semi-automatic pistols.

    ¡°From now on, all Golden Suns and their allies will cease normal routines and prepare for war.¡± Reaching into his abdomen, he pulled out a clay tablet engraved with golden letters and handed it to Ged. ¡°If I¡¯m going to survive this battle, I¡¯ll need you to build me some guns as well.¡±

    Ged frowned as he examined the clay tablet.

    Outlined on it was a bicep workout routine designed specifically to create removable firearms. It was an artifact workout, a category Ged had avoided in favor of strength-based training.

    Workouts in this world fell into three categories: strength, abilities, and artifacts.

    Strength routines focused on building muscle mass and definition, fueled by nutrients. Abilities routines shaped magical skills within muscles, offering combat advantages without contributing to physical growth. Artifact routines allowed body sorcerers to create tangible weapons or tools from their muscles, though this often came at the cost of overall mass, depending on nutrition and training balance.

    Of the fourteen muscle groups available for development, Ged focused almost entirely on muscle growth. The only abilities he had allocated were "Goat Walk," "Digging Hands," and "Storage," none of which were suited for offensive combat.

    Resh¡¯s personal request forced Ged to reconsider. While he currently enjoyed the advantages of being under Resh¡¯s authority, Ged knew that if Resh pushed too far, he might have to reevaluate their relationship.

    ¡°How many do you need built?¡± Ged finally asked, his voice tinged with indignation.

    ¡°Twenty, if you can manage,¡± Resh said flatly. ¡°Whether you do it yourself or find someone else, I don¡¯t care.¡± He handed Ged ten stacks of Blue Water vials. Then, almost as an afterthought, he pulled out three more clay tablets. ¡°These are offensive abilities. If you don¡¯t use the guns, at least try and make yourself useful when things go south.¡±

    Ged nodded. The request, though frustrating, was reasonable. He took the tablets from Resh and began discussing additional trades.

    Retrieving the Celestial Iron he had collected earlier from his abdomen, Ged offered it in exchange.

    Resh, pleased with its size, traded him a variety of drugs and other useful materials.

    Ged stored everything in his abs. With his haul secured, he bid Resh farewell, eager to return home and make use of his spoils.

    Resh lingered at the grotto¡¯s entrance, his gaze fixed on the setting sun. The madness that had gripped him seemed to fade with the waning light, leaving his eyes a near charcoal black, though faint wisps of blue still lingered, stubborn and unyielding.

    ¡°Good that you brought me here,¡± Resh muttered as Ged turned to leave. ¡°I expect you¡¯ll manage on your own.¡±

    He paused, his voice carrying an edge of warning. ¡°Remember, if I fall, your territory won¡¯t last. Use your time wisely.¡±

    Ged didn¡¯t reply. He simply turned and trekked into the rocky expanse, the horizon swallowing his shadow.

    The wind howled across the barren land, but Ged barely noticed.

    War, alliances, chaos¡ªnone of it mattered.

    Freedom belonged to the strong.

    Only relentless training would break his chains.

 5. Training Away The Last Flicker Of Humanity

    The road home was neither long nor short, and by the time Ged arrived at the rocky entrance to his bunker, the sun had completely set.

    The entrance, once a secure rectangular outline, now sagged grotesquely, warped by the heat from the planet¡¯s recent feeding. The misshapen doorway looked ready to collapse at any moment. On its side, a faded picture of a blue eagle could be seen.

    Ged gazed at the sight with some confusion. "Strange... I see they still haven¡¯t fixed the paint on the entrance. Usually they are pretty on top of things. Feeding was hours ago. What have my parents been doing?" He frowned, pulling at the melted door handle. It stuck fast, and with a grunt of effort, he eventually wrenched it free, the metal screeching as it came loose. With a loud clang, he tossed the door aside and peered into the dark stone steps leading to his bunker.

    ¡°Stu. Celia. I¡¯m home!¡± Ged called as he descended into the dim bunker.

    His brows furrowed with indignation as silence greeted him in response.

    The cramped interior was tidy but sparse. For someone of Ged¡¯s massive stature, the low ceilings and tight spaces felt suffocating. A small, empty kitchen and an equally bare living room met his gaze. He frowned. "Not here. Have they gone out?"

    On the kitchen island, a clay tablet caught his attention. As soon as he picked it up, a wave of heat spread through his body, triggering a vivid, pulsating hallucination. Images of two familiar figures appeared in his mind.

    Stu and Celia, the temporary guardians who had cared for him the past two years, materialized before him. Their voices echoed softly, speaking directly to him.

    ¡°Ged¡­ if you¡¯re hearing this, you¡¯ve probably noticed we¡¯re gone,¡± Stu began, regret lacing his tone.

    Celia¡¯s voice followed, warm yet strained. ¡°We have so many children to care for. As the world grows, so does our responsibility to ensure no child feels unloved.¡±

    ¡°We tried to find a permanent solution for you,¡± Stu continued, his voice heavy. ¡°But the truth is, our resources are stretched too thin. We spoke with our supervisor, but there¡¯s only so much we can do. A new assignment came, and it forced us to change our residence as well.¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t hate us, Ged,¡± Celia added. ¡°We truly wish you the best. We know you¡¯ll achieve your dream of becoming a Celestial one day.¡±

    ¡°Hugs and kisses from both of us. Goodbye, Ged,¡± Stu concluded as the vision faded.

    Ged stood motionless, the tablet trembling in his hands. Then, with a sharp motion, he crushed it into dust. The message could have been replayed, but he didn¡¯t want to hear their excuses again.

    Stu and Celia had been good people, warm and kind. They showered him with love and support. But Ged never wanted just their love or support.

    He remembered his birthday years ago. For his present that year, Ged had asked for one thing: for them to remain with him as his permanent parents, to be there for him indefinitely. Seeing their faces in the hallucination, telling him they had no choice but to leave, left a burning lump in his throat.

    "Should¡¯ve known," he muttered bitterly. ¡°Every fucking one of them are liars.¡±

    "They say over a hundred years ago, before the Blue Rain fell, families were different. They were permanent, bound by blood, born from couples who loved their children unconditionally. But clearly, that is all fantasy." He spat.

    ¡°The Celestials lived through those days. They saw real families. And yet they don¡¯t care about preserving them at all. They spawn us children in their muscles like factories, creating us solely to suffer for their survival, all under the guise of ''necessity.''¡±

    His eyes burned with hatred as he cursed the world that had brought him into existence.

    "What¡¯s the point of preserving humanity, if I can¡¯t even have a sliver of it for myself?"

    Ged¡¯s voice faltered, but his rage burned on, filling the silence of the empty bunker.

    "I will never allow them to control me." He steeled himself.

    "Celia and Stu were just another band-aid I had to rip off eventually. With the house to myself now, I can operate more freely." Ged gave a wry smile, masking his pain as he approached the fridge in his small home.

    Inside was an arrangement of colored rocks, alongside a note from Celia and Stu apologizing for leaving so suddenly once again.

    Ged barely acknowledged the note, crumpling it and tossing it onto the floor. Reaching into his abs, he retrieved an assortment of stones from his trade with Resh. He took out two peculiar, oddly shaped stones left behind by Celia and Stu, each weighing about five kilograms. Splashing cold water on his face, he allowed the chill to momentarily ease his simmering frustration. Passing through the bunker¡¯s main area, he descended the creaking stairs into the earth¡¯s depths, his mind churned with the weight of unfinished tasks.

    The walls of the staircase bore a faded blue eagle, its paint struggling to hold back the regenerating force of the living planet. The earth pulsated against its restraints, as if eager to break free and consume the house. Every month, a fresh coat of paint was required to keep the bunker from being crushed by Planet Blue Eagle¡¯s relentless hunger.

    "I''m going to have to do another coat soon, before I lose my damn house to this planet again," Ged muttered, frowning hatefully.

    Once Ged reached a particular point in his descent, the staircase opened into a circular clearing. The floor was lined with pod-like chambers embedded in the ground, each marked with a small eagle etched into the surface.

    On the wall, a meticulously organized schedule outlined the days of the week, listing workouts, rep counts, and total weights. The precision in its writing reflected the relentless discipline of its owner.

    Ged scanned the room, his gaze settling on the open space before him. "At least I¡¯ve got chest and legs today," he muttered, attempting to lift his sour mood. It was one of the few routines he genuinely enjoyed.

    Reaching into his abs, he withdrew a stack of vials. Flexing his bicep, he cut off blood flow to his arm. With practiced precision, he pierced a swollen vein with his finger, then popped the cork from the first vial, letting the liquid flow in. One by one, he emptied all ten vials of Blue Water. As the substance coursed through him, the usual color of his arm deepened into an unnatural purple. He relaxed his bicep, massaging the area expertly to speed healing and ensure the Blue Water circulated fully. Veins lit up like a glowing river map, the blue light eventually suffusing his eyes as well.

    Ged grabbed the colored rocks, placing them in his mouth. The crunch echoed through the room as he chewed, his teeth grinding the stones down. With each bite, the Blue Water¡¯s effects intensified.

    His vision warped as hallucinatory raindrops began falling from the ceiling, shimmering and surreal. Before they could touch the ground, a dark shadow from his mind extended outward, swallowing the drops like a ravenous beast. The hallucinations never fully took hold, allowing him to maintain clarity.

    Ged swallowed the rocks with deliberate effort. A faint white steam rose from his body, billowing outward and signifying the loss of mass through a bodily reaction. He stood motionless, allowing the sensations to course through him. His body felt lighter and sharper, but the loss of precious mass left a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew that this resource would only become more critical as he pursued his goals.

    Stepping into the pod, Ged activated it by channeling heat from his core. The surrounding earth adhered to his body as he descended, encasing his muscles in pressurized stone. Only his chest and arms were free, ready for action.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    He gripped two stone slabs, each weighing over 300 kilograms. As the ground above opened, he began a motion similar to dumbbell flyes. The slabs clattered together at the top with a thunderous boom, vibrations rippling through the pod.

    "Bah!" Ged roared, his voice echoing off the chamber walls.

    The day¡¯s weight bore down on him: the loss of his foster parents, the jeers of protesters, and Resh¡¯s grim warnings of war. These thoughts swirled in his mind like a raging tornado, amplified by the surreal Blue Water rain. The storm within fueled his drive, warping his vision and pushing his body beyond its limits.

    One rep. Two. By the third, his arms trembled violently, on the verge of collapse. Refusing to give up, Ged summoned every ounce of strength for a fourth rep. The slabs met at the top with a faint tap before he lowered them with a resounding crash.

    "I¡¯m still too weak!" he growled, frustration dripping from every word. Adjusting the pod¡¯s heat levels, he reduced the slabs¡¯ weight to 260 kilograms and continued.

    Ged pushed through two more punishing sets, managing seven reps in the first and five in the second before his arms gave out completely. Emerging from the pod, he scribbled his totals on the wall. It was a personal best, but the achievement did little to ease his frustration.

    White steam still radiated from his body as he descended once more, this time for underground squats. With a resistance of 1200 kilograms, he started strong, completing 20 reps in his first set. By the final set, his legs shook uncontrollably, barely managing eight reps.

    As the workout concluded, the white steam had almost entirely dissipated, leaving only faint wisps in the air. Ged regarded them with a bitter smile.

    "What a waste. I couldn¡¯t use it all," he muttered, disappointment etched across his face. His chest and legs had reached their limits, and the last remnants of mass were absorbed uselessly into the surrounding walls.

    For most body sorcerers, measuring body mass was a routine necessity. Government regulations treated physiques like concealed weapons, enforcing strict weight limits through mandatory weekly checks. Without proper clearance and permits, no one could legally exceed a total mass of 1,000 kilograms.

    In the underground body sorcery circuits, however, most far surpassed that limit. Those who did were forced to abandon legitimate work, relying on illegal activities to fund their growth and avoid the government¡¯s suffocating oversight. Outside society¡¯s boundaries, they pushed their bodies to unimaginable extremes.

    Ged flexed his chest, examining himself in the mirror with a frown.

    "It¡¯s starting to get noticeable. It won¡¯t be long before the municipal authorities flag me for a physique check. Soon, I¡¯ll have no choice but to stay underground, increasing my mass in secret," he muttered. "How does Resh manage it? He¡¯s already sacrificed his sanity to chase his dream, shutting himself away in that dark room, cut off from the sun. And here I am, still hesitating to do the same."

    Ged¡¯s fists tightened at his sides, his frustration evident.

    "One day, like Resh, I¡¯ll be surrounded by enemies on all sides," he said through gritted teeth. "I should just commit and bulk up, but something keeps holding me back. I can¡¯t bring myself to hide away like he does."

    His voice softened as he looked away from his reflection, the weight of his thoughts hanging heavy in the room.

    Next to his workout chamber was a wooden door that led to a small sauna. Heated by magma from the earth, the space radiated an intense warmth, its smoldering atmosphere reinforcing Ged¡¯s dedication. The heavy door creaked shut behind him as he stepped inside.

    The room was sparse. A lone meditation mat lay at its center, surrounded by shimmering waves of heat. In the far corner, a tiny pool of magma bubbled softly, casting a faint orange glow over the walls.

    Ged reached into his abs and withdrew a bucket of water. Pouring it into the magma, the room filled with thick steam, the heat intensifying as smoke curled upward. He lowered himself onto the mat, crossing his legs in the lotus position.

    With slow, deliberate breaths, Ged began circulating the hot steam through his body. Deep in his lower abdomen, a small ball of light pulsed rhythmically. This was his heat core, the concentrated spark that powered his abilities and artifacts. It served as a vital anchor preventing his massive physique from collapsing under its own weight. Without it, his body would implode.

    As a body sorcerer¡¯s mass increased, the strain on their core grew proportionally. A larger core could store greater amounts of heat, unlocking exponential power, but this growth was far from linear. Advancing just one stage higher could grant a molten core overwhelming superiority, even over someone of comparable mass.

    ¡°I¡¯m still far from reaching Asteroid Mass,¡± Ged muttered, his frustration apparent. ¡°At best, I¡¯m probably only at one and a half Meteoroids.¡±

    Body sorcery revolved around significant milestones of mass and power. Most body sorcerers were confined to the first three: Meteoroid, Asteroid, and Moon Mass. Ged had already achieved the first milestone, Meteoroid, which granted him a brilliant silver core that sparkled like starlight. The next milestone, Asteroid Mass, remained a distant aspiration, while the mythical Moon Mass felt like an unattainable dream.

    Those at Meteoroid Mass had physiques exceeding one thousand kilograms and strength far beyond the average. This allowed Ged to handle protestors with ease. Asteroid-level body sorcerers, weighing over a million kilograms, dwarfed mountains with their massive bodies and could drive entire species to extinction. The City Governor was among those who had reached this formidable stage. At Moon Mass, body sorcerers were revered as gods. Their physiques could eclipse the sun, and their wrath could bring apocalyptic devastation. These legendary physiques belonged to the orbiting body sorcerers, like Koh, who had achieved this unparalleled power through luck and relentless effort.

    Using Blue Water, as Ged did, further altered the dynamics of these milestones. The drug fundamentally changed the body''s heat channels, turning them a distinctive blue. At their milestone, users of Blue Water exhibited unmatched heat transfer efficiency, minimizing energy loss while significantly enhancing the conversion of mass into muscle. This also amplified the effectiveness of their muscle-based abilities, giving them a unique advantage.

    Exhaling deeply, Ged let the steam flow steadily through his passageways, the silver blue glow of his core pulsing in a calm rhythm.

    Once the steam had fully soaked into his body and enveloped all the heat passageways, he began his work.

    The light blue heat traveled from his lower abdomen into his calves, carving intricate pathways through the muscle. Manipulating the heat into swirling pools within the fibers, he etched a constellation-like pattern resembling a goat, its stars meticulously arranged to evoke the night sky.

    After thirty minutes of precise carving, Ged retracted the heat back into his core. He allowed the residual warmth of the steam room to circulate through his body, refocusing his energy as he poured another bucket of water into the magma, intensifying the room¡¯s heat for the next phase.

    Opening his eyes from his meditative state, he pulled out the gun artifact tablet that Resh had given him. His expression soured as he scanned its instructions.

    "No, I can¡¯t do it. I won¡¯t sacrifice my bicep training for this miserable workout," Ged muttered, shaking his head. Storing the tablet back in his abs, he retrieved the other three tablets Resh had provided.

    He frowned at two of the tablets as he studied their instructions. "These two work in pairs, but I don¡¯t have two free muscles to train them together right now." With a sigh, he set them aside and focused on the last one.

    "This one, I can manage," Ged said after a moment, scrutinizing the contents. He cast a critical glance at his bulging forearms. "They¡¯re big enough for now. I can afford to neglect them a little."

    The tablet described the ability workout "Stalactite Sword," which harnessed waste dripping from the forearms to form durable, icicle-like rock structures. Up to five stalactites could be stored in each wrist, ready to be used as pointed swords or broken in half as throwing knives.

    "The only issue is how long they take to form. But once I¡¯ve stored a few, I can shift back to strength training and adjust my routine," Ged said, smiling despite himself.

    Channeling the heat swirling through his body, he directed energy to his forearms, stimulating the muscle tissue in irregular patterns. As his body expelled tiny bits of mass, Ged skillfully utilized the waste to begin shaping the stalactites. Faint dripping sounds echoed as small nubs of rock began to emerge from the tops of his forearms.

    Ged smiled at his progress. Satisfied with his effort and unwilling to risk overtraining or injury, he put away his bucket of water and exited the steam room.

    Having spent over an hour in the hot room, he felt his mind clear and his body refreshed. The heavy workout and intense heat had washed away the stress of the day, leaving him with a renewed sense of focus.

    "I should message Trevor and see if he can meet me tomorrow," Ged muttered to himself. "Check if there are any updates with the clients. Something big feels like it¡¯s brewing, and I might need to recruit extra hands to keep things running smoothly."

    A stone transmitter hung on the wall. Ged picked it up and checked for any incoming messages. Finding none, he gripped the device firmly, channeling heat into it with precise, Morse-code-like patterns.

    Pressing the transmitter against the wall, the message transferred into the earth as vibrations, traveling toward Trevor.

    "Knowing him, he¡¯s probably already conked out from rolling on Beehive earlier," Ged muttered, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I doubt I¡¯ll hear back anytime soon."

    After placing the transmitter back in its slot, he ascended the stairs to his small home, navigating the cramped hallways to his tiny room. Collapsing onto his bed, Ged let out a contented sigh, momentarily setting aside the lingering challenges he knew he would inevitably face. For now, he was ready for a long, well-deserved sleep.

    <b>Ged''s Current Workout</b>

    <ul><li>Pectorals (chest) - "Rock Flys": Lowest level strength workout for chest.</li><li>Latissimus Dorsi (mid back) - strength</li><li>Rhomboid (back) - strength</li><li>Trapezius (traps) - "<b>Digging Hands": </b>Allows the user to burrow into the ground and create tunnels for easy traversal.</li><li>Spinal Erector (lower back) - strength</li><li>Biceps - strength</li><li>Triceps (under arm) - strength</li><li>Forearms - <b>"Stalactite Sword": </b>Allows the user to create stone like swords in their forearms storing up to five in each.</li><li>Deltoids (shoulders) - strength</li><li>Abs - "<b>Storage": </b>Stores up to 50 kg of space and upgrades as the individual''s total mass increases.</li><li>hamstrings - strength</li><li>Glutes - strength</li><li>Quads - "Rock Squats": Lowest level strength workout for quads.</li><li>Calves - "<b>Goat Walk": </b>Allows one to traverse difficult terrain as if it were flat land."</li></ul>

 6. The Weight of the World

    Morning arrived swiftly. Ged rose from his bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as sunlight spilled into his home. Glass tubes lined the ceilings, channeling bright morning rays from outside into the dim interior, bathing the shadowy corners in soft, golden light.

    As he wandered through his modest home, his eyes fell on the entrance. The doorway, warped and sagging from the planet¡¯s recent feeding, looked worse than ever. The edges had crumbled further, threatening complete collapse. A faint breeze slipped through the cracks, stirring dust into lazy spirals.

    Ged furrowed his brow, muttering under his breath. ¡°What a nuisance. I left the damn door wide open all night.¡±

    He moved quickly, inspecting his home with sharp, deliberate motions. His first stop was the fridge. Pulling it open, he meticulously counted every piece of mass he had brought home the day before. Only after confirming everything was intact did he let out a relieved sigh.

    ¡°I can¡¯t afford to be this careless,¡± he muttered, shaking his head. His gaze drifted back to the ruined doorway. ¡°As much as I hate it, I¡¯ll have to make a trip to the shops and buy more Eagle Paint to fix this mess.¡±

    Descending to the workout area, Ged checked the stone transmitter for any messages from Trevor. The device remained silent. His frown deepened, frustration simmering just below the surface.

    ¡°Lazy bastard,¡± he muttered. ¡°Trevor still owes me some mass. I was hoping to avoid dipping into my own supply, but¡­¡± He exhaled sharply, his irritation evident. ¡°It is what it is. When he finally decides to stir, he¡¯s going to get an earful.¡±

    Not wanting to waste time, Ged moved to prepare for the day. He changed into a clean set of clothes and returned to the fridge, retrieving fifty kilograms of mass. The smooth, dense rocks felt reassuringly solid in his hands. He packed them carefully into his abdomen, ensuring it was filled to capacity.

    Before leaving, Ged¡¯s gaze lingered on the fishing rod, a trophy from the red-flannelled man. It stood propped neatly in the corner of his room. Deciding it wasn¡¯t worth bringing along, he turned his focus to the day ahead.

    The Elpida Strip awaited him. It was a bustling hub of merchants and shoppers, the same chaotic marketplace he had passed through on his way to the Abyssal Mouth. With his bunker door still in disrepair, Ged propped the warped metal against the entrance. It wasn¡¯t much, but it might dissuade an opportunist from ransacking his home.

    On Planet Blue Eagle, few people owned their homes. Instead, most rented dilapidated spaces, held together by the tenuous bond of Eagle Paint. The planet itself acted like a cruel slumlord, dictating tenancy and rent with impunity. Its inhabitants were trapped in an endless cycle of maintenance and compliance, their lives shaped by the whims of its demands.

    After a brisk ten-kilometer journey, Ged arrived at the Elpida Strip. The cacophony of traders and bustling buyers greeted him. The market was teeming with life as it always was, its chaotic energy a stark contrast to the heavy silence of his bunker.

    Ged scanned the bustling market with sharp attention, his focus unwavering as he searched for deals that might prove useful.

    Mass came in various grades and categories, each suited to specific muscle groups. While any mass could be used to build muscle, specialized stones offered the most efficient conversion. Stones, however, were the lowest quality of mass, and higher-grade materials were often hard to come by.

    Ged was no longer focusing on strengthening his forearms and now had a surplus of forearm stones. He intended to trade them for mass better suited to his priority muscles, particularly his lats and rhomboids.

    As Ged moved through the throng of merchants, his gaze landed on a familiar figure. The man sat cross-legged on a threadbare carpet, surrounded by an assortment of dirty, recently unearthed goods. His once-mighty frame had withered, sagging muscles a testament to years of neglect. Bald, with a long handlebar mustache, his aged features carried the unmistakable look of a body sorcerer long past his prime.

    ¡°Gore?¡± Ged called his voice a mix of surprise and caution.

    The man¡¯s tired eyes lifted, meeting Ged¡¯s. Recognition flickered in his gaze, but it was shadowed by something heavier, a quiet weariness etched into his face.

    They had not seen each other in a year. Once close, their reunion now carried an unspoken tension that lingered in the air.

    Gore had been more than an acquaintance; he was a mentor, the one who had introduced Ged to the underground body sorcery world. In a landscape where most were content with mediocrity, Gore had dared to dream of more. Like Ged, he had never fully joined the Golden Suns, preferring to work on the fringes of the organization, taking odd jobs and charting his own path.

    His ambition had inspired Ged and shaped his journey. But then, without warning, Gore had vanished. His absence left a void that Ged had been forced to fill, stepping into a position of authority at just 17 years old. Rumors about Gore¡¯s fate spread like wildfire. Some claimed he was dead; others whispered of imprisonment in the underground.

    Seeing Gore now, diminished and broken, left Ged grappling with a storm of emotions. Admiration clashed with disappointment, and beneath it all, a faint flicker of pity lingered. Gore was someone Ged had rooted for, a man he had genuinely wanted to succeed. Seeing him reduced to this was like a bucket of cold water.

    ¡°What happened to you?¡± Ged asked quietly. There had been a time when he held great respect for the man in front of him. Gore, once a gargantuan figure with arms like ripe fruit, now looked as if his muscles had dried into shriveled husks after a year of neglect.

    ¡°Nothing much,¡± Gore replied, brushing off the question with feigned confidence. ¡°I decided to stop working for those cowardly Golden Suns. It felt like the right time to try something different with my life.¡±

    He smiled slightly and added, ¡°What about you? You seem to be flourishing in my absence. Shouldn¡¯t you be thanking me for leaving when I did?¡±

    Gore, once a towering mountain in Ged¡¯s life, now seemed like little more than an anthill. Hearing him speak as if nothing had changed, as though their old relationship was untouched, brought a wave of melancholic amusement to Ged. He chuckled dryly.

    ¡°I thought you were dead,¡± Ged said, his tone heavy. ¡°But now you¡¯re telling me you¡¯ve just been hiding away all this time, and you didn¡¯t even reach out? I find that hard to believe.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    Gore smirked. ¡°It¡¯s the truth. Those Equalizer bastards came to my door and forcefully downsized my physique until I barely had any muscle left. I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of starting over. I¡¯m too old to make big breakthroughs anymore. My path as an underground body sorcerer is over. Rather than rebuild myself, I decided to live a new life.¡± His gaze was steady, filled with a quiet but resolute acceptance.

    Ged frowned, his voice heavy with frustration. ¡°The Gore I knew wouldn¡¯t give up so easily. You told me you¡¯d stop at nothing to ascend to the sky as a Celestial. You claimed to be a student of Celestial Plunk, willing to sacrifice anything to reach your goals. And now, you¡¯re telling me you¡¯ve thrown it all away after one minor setback?¡± His words were sharp, biting.

    ¡°Everyone knows rebuilding your physique is easier than starting from scratch. Did you even try?¡± Ged¡¯s voice rose, tinged with anger and disbelief.

    Gore¡¯s expression darkened, his brows drawing together as he crossed his arms. ¡°You don¡¯t understand anything,¡± he said, his voice low but firm. ¡°When Plunk ascended to the stars, he didn¡¯t just leave this planet behind.¡±

    He leaned forward, his voice bursting with fury. ¡°He tore it apart! When he left, he took trillions of kilograms of mass with him, destabilizing the economy and breaking the delicate flow of mass that sustains this world. Prices skyrocketed, famine swept the land, and millions died. Planet Blue Eagle clamped down hard, raising rents and tightening control while the rest of us were left to suffer.¡±

    He paused, his voice trembling with bitterness. ¡°I was na?ve to think Plunk was a beacon of hope. His actions shook the ones pulling the strings, and now they¡¯ve made damn sure no one like him will ever rise again.¡±

    Ged¡¯s frown deepened, but his tone grew cold. ¡°If Plunk¡¯s path is closed, then we carve a new one. Since when did you care about the economy or the suffering of others, Gore?¡±

    Gore¡¯s eyes flashed with anger, his voice rough and strained. ¡°Ged, do you really think the underground is a safe haven? That you can grow your physique unchecked just because you¡¯re not playing by their rules?¡±

    He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. ¡°You¡¯ve lost the plot entirely. They¡¯re already onto you. They control the Blue Crystal Mines, Blue Water, and every gang on this planet. You think you¡¯re beyond their reach? Their grip runs deeper than you could ever imagine.¡±

    Gore¡¯s tone softened, growing pained and weary. ¡°I didn¡¯t give up because I was weak. I gave up because I realized too late that my efforts were meaningless. Everything I believed in was a lie,¡± he said, his eyes gleaming with a cold, distant light. ¡°A cruel illusion of freedom, as if someone like me ever had a chance to ascend.¡±

    He laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and empty. ¡°But enough of that. It¡¯s good to see you again, Ged.¡± His voice wavered, and he shifted his gaze, as if trying to hide the weight of his words.

    Ged¡¯s frown deepened, but he found no words to refute Gore¡¯s claims. He was too young, too new to the weight of the world that had crushed his mentor. Unlike Gore, Ged had only begun to feel its oppressive force. His gaze shimmered with denial, but no argument came to his lips.

    ¡°I¡¯ll find out for myself,¡± he said finally, his voice steady but uncertain. He didn¡¯t want to believe Gore¡¯s words, but he couldn¡¯t shake the sense of truth lurking within them.

    Shifting his focus, Ged¡¯s eyes scanned the scattered items laid out before Gore. ¡°What¡¯s this you¡¯re selling?¡± he asked, picking up a muddy stone and turning it over in his hand.

    ¡°Scraps from an abandoned house I raided nearby,¡± Gore replied. ¡°I¡¯ve been scavenging. After laying low and doing odd jobs, I figured out a method for detecting fading Eagle Paint in collapsed homes. I break in, dredge up whatever hasn¡¯t been absorbed by the earth yet, and sell it off. Not glamorous, but it keeps me afloat.¡±

    He gestured toward the stone in Ged¡¯s hand. ¡°That¡¯s part of a delt stone. You¡¯ve got three there. I¡¯d trade all of them for two stones of mass.¡±

    Ged considered the stone for a moment before looking up. ¡°Would you like some work? I need a trustworthy body sorcerer, and it seems like our interests might align.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going back to the underground,¡± Gore said firmly, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯ve no desire to return to that madness.¡±

    Ged reached into his abdomen and pulled out a clay tablet along with two forearm stones, handing them to Gore.

    Gore pocketed the stones and glanced over the tablet. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked with some skepticism.

    Retrieving the three fractional delt stones, Ged replied, ¡°A workout routine for creating guns in your biceps. No ties to the underground, no Blue Water required. Follow the tablet¡¯s instructions, and you¡¯ll get paid. It¡¯s a personal request coming from me.¡± He offered a faint smile, attempting reassurance.

    Gore¡¯s frown deepened as he read the tablet. ¡°You want me to create guns? Ged¡­¡± His voice lowered, sharp with suspicion. ¡°This reeks of Golden Suns business. Are you messing with me?¡±

    Ged¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°They asked me to do it, but I refused. I have my own plans for my biceps. You said you needed work, and I¡¯m offering you some. I¡¯m not a Golden Suns member, and without the proper body sorcery license, what better options do you have? At least I¡¯m not Resh asking for this favor.¡±

    Gore sighed heavily, the weight of his words settling between them. ¡°I see how it is.¡±

    He glanced around the busy streets, his eyes scanning for eavesdroppers. Satisfied they weren¡¯t being overheard, he leaned in closer. ¡°I¡¯m looking for someone trustworthy too. If I build your guns, you¡¯ll have to promise to help me when I call for you.¡±

    Reaching into his abdomen, Gore retrieved a stone transmitter. With a swift motion, he smashed his fist into the stone ground, breaking off a small rock. He recorded the frequency of his transmitter into the fragment and handed it to Ged.

    ¡°Store this in your personal transmitter,¡± Gore said softly. ¡°When I contact you, I want to limit who can view my message.¡±

    Ged nodded, taking the stone and storing it in his abdomen. In return, he produced five bicep stones and handed them to Gore.

    ¡°This is all I have for now,¡± Ged said. ¡°I¡¯ll get more later. In total, I need ten guns made. As for your request, as long as it¡¯s reasonable, I¡¯ll do my best to help an old friend.¡± His tone was sincere.

    Gore¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°Don¡¯t pull one over on me, Ged. I don¡¯t have ties to the underground anymore, and if things go bad, I won¡¯t hesitate to report you to the Equalizers. Understand?¡±

    Ged shrugged off the warning, satisfied that the exchange had gone well. He bid Gore goodbye and turned to finish his errand.

    Navigating the rest of the bustling market, Ged soon arrived at the Apricot Warehouse, an obsidian spire standing starkly among the surrounding stone structures. Its automatic sliding doors and a flashy sign that read ¡°Apricot Warehouse¡± drew the attention of passersby.

    Inside, the store buzzed with activity. Shoppers browsed the aisles, eager to spend their mass on goods displayed by the Apricot Warehouse¡¯s top body sorcerers. A cool breeze greeted Ged as he stepped inside, the temperature-controlled air brushing against his skin.

    The aisles were filled with appliances, gadgets, snacks, and various higher-quality mass types for trade. Ged ignored the temptations, his purposeful strides taking him straight to the back of the store where Eagle Paint was sold.

    A line of people snaked toward the counter, each waiting to purchase the vital paint. Ged joined the queue, his patience wearing thin as the minutes dragged on. When he finally reached the teller, his frown deepened at the price. A thumbful of Eagle Paint cost a painful 35 kilograms of mass.

    Sighing, Ged reached into his abdomen and handed over the payment. The transaction left his total reserves at just ten kilograms, a dangerously low amount. The teller passed him a pitiful plastic baggie of blue Eagle Paint, its meager contents barely justifying the steep cost. Ged slipped it into his abdomen, his jaw tight with frustration.

    As he exited the store, a prickling sensation ran down his spine. Someone was watching him. A browsing shopper had begun trailing him, their movements too deliberate to be coincidental.

    Ged quickened his pace as he left the Apricot Warehouse and made his way toward home, his thoughts racing. The follower stayed close, matching his stride with unsettling precision.

    When Ged crossed the city¡¯s boundaries, he stopped abruptly. Turning on his heel, he faced the pursuer, his eyes narrowing into a glare. The man didn¡¯t flinch, standing calmly under Ged¡¯s scrutiny, making no effort to hide his intentions.

    The stillness between them was heavy. Ged¡¯s voice cut through it, cold and commanding.

    ¡°Barry. Why are you following me?¡±

 7. Drug Operation

    ¡°Barry, why are you following me?¡± Ged asked coldly.

    Barry stood before Ged, his messy brown hair obscured by a white headband. He looked like he was about to embark on a long jog, but something about his demeanor didn¡¯t sit right with Ged. Barry had been acting strangely lately, and Ged couldn¡¯t shake the suspicion that he might have moved on to a different dealer. Still, their past dealings meant Ged couldn¡¯t dismiss him outright. Even so, the thought of all the mass he¡¯d wasted on errands gnawed at him. He wanted to return to work and had little patience for distractions.

    At Ged¡¯s sharp question, Barry hesitated, his expression briefly sheepish. He glanced to the side, fidgeting with the edge of his headband, before straightening up and forcing a casual tone.

    "I was just out for a jog," Barry said deliberately, as if rehearsed. "Burning off some mass, you know? I saw you headed this way, and I wasn¡¯t trying to be weird or nothing. I just so happened to be following behind you."

    "I see..." Ged tilted his head, his expression unreadable. He wasn¡¯t buying it. The route he¡¯d taken was deliberately out of the way, meant to avoid attention, yet Barry had managed to tail him at every turn. Coincidence didn¡¯t explain it.

    "Is that all?" Ged asked, his voice sharp with impatience. "I¡¯ve got places to be. We can talk later."

    "Actually..." Barry blurted out, his head scanning the area suspiciously. "I was hoping you¡¯d help me out with something."

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed. "In what way?"

    "I¡¯ve got a big party coming up," Barry said, his voice brightening. "And I need to score some party favors to make sure the atmosphere is right for it." He leaned in pretending to nudge. "You know how it is."

    "You want some stuff?" Ged frowned, folding his arms. "Just order it through your transmitter. Why are you telling me this in person?"

    Barry¡¯s face soured. "Actually, a few months ago I had some issues with my orders... After dropping off the mass, I went to pick up my goods, but they weren¡¯t there. I was totally stiffed! That¡¯s why I haven¡¯t been ordering much through you guys lately."

    "I never heard anything about this." Ged raised an eyebrow. "I don¡¯t think I can be of much help here, Barry. Did you report this to your contact?"

    Barry¡¯s tone turned sharp, his forced smile vanishing. ¡°Ged, come on. We both know you¡¯ve got the real pull around here. Those contacts are just useless puppets. Can¡¯t you handle this for me? Just this once?¡± His voice wavered, teetering on the edge of tears.

    Swinging his backpack around, Barry unzipped it to reveal 50 kilograms of assorted stones. He placed it on the ground between them like an offering. His voice softened, almost pleading. ¡°Give me your word you¡¯ll personally oversee my next order. That¡¯s all I need.¡±

    The urgency in Barry¡¯s voice deepened. ¡°This party means everything to me, Ged. If it falls apart... I don¡¯t even want to think about what¡¯ll happen to me.¡±

    Ged showed little sympathy for Barry¡¯s unusual sense of urgency; desperation like this always came from a familiar place. Instead, his attention stayed fixed on the bag of mass Barry had placed before him.

    As his gaze lingered, his mind turned over the risks of accepting the offer. It was tempting, of course, but trust was a luxury he couldn¡¯t afford in this world. Bribes always came with strings attached, and men in dire straits often dragged trouble in their wake. Still, to move ahead in life, one couldn¡¯t always choose the easiest path.

    Ged inspected each stone in the bag, one by one, ensuring nothing was out of place. Satisfied with the offered loot, his grip tightened on the bag¡¯s strap. With a deliberate motion, he zipped it up and slung it over his shoulder.

    ¡°Fair enough,¡± Ged said, his voice low. ¡°Barry, I¡¯ll help you out.¡±

    Not wanting to linger, he turned to leave. "Don''t make me regret this," he added, his tone clipped.

    "Ged, you¡¯re invited too," Barry called after him, his voice louder. "The party. I hope you make time for it."

    Ged raised a hand in acknowledgment but didn¡¯t look back. Barry remained motionless, watching Ged disappear into the distance. Under his breath, he muttered strange words, as if speaking to his own shadow. Once Ged was out of sight, Barry¡¯s gaze flicked to a nearby spire, lingering on the empty space behind it. He shook his head in disappointment before eventually jogging off into the distance.

    Ged arrived at the entrance of his home. The makeshift door he had propped up earlier remained exactly where he had left it, and he gave a subtle nod of approval. Unwrapping a thumb-sized bag of paint, he smeared its contents over the eagle design etched into the doorway. The blue paint spread evenly, filling every groove of the intricate carving.

    The eagle, now vibrant and bright, seemed to come alive. Its wings stretched with graceful precision, and though silent, it radiated an air of majesty. Channeling heat into the drawing, Ged reshaped the doorway. The edges sharpened into crisp lines, and the walls shifted, reforming themselves into sturdy hinges. The metal door clicked securely into place. The faint blue glow that followed signified the house was now locked.

    Turning the knob, the Eagle Tattoo on his neck flared to life. Its energy rippled outward, dispelling the blue hue that kept the doorway rigid, and granting him entry.

    Inside, Ged scanned the room to ensure everything was as he had left it. Satisfied, he stored the mass he¡¯d brought back from the shops in the fridge, alongside the 50kg he¡¯d taken from Barry. He carefully arranged the plants and animal parts from Resh in their designated spots before heading downstairs.

    As he descended to the lower levels, a soft vibration drew his attention. His stone transmitter pulsed with a white light, its faint hum echoing off the walls. A message had come through.

    Narrowing his eyes, Ged muttered, ¡°About damn time.¡±

    He picked up the transmitter, and an image of Trevor formed in his mind. Trevor looked disheveled, his eyelids heavy, his face pale. He winced slightly, clearly nursing the hangover from the previous night.

    ¡°Fuck, sorry, Ged!¡± Trevor began, his voice slurred with exhaustion. ¡°I just woke up. I haven¡¯t had a chance to check the transmitters or do the pick-up with the Golden Suns.¡±The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Ged¡¯s jaw tightened as Trevor continued, ¡°A cave opened up in my home last night, and the noises were unbearable. I couldn¡¯t sleep at all. I messaged Fitch, so he knows. Just go ahead and get the day¡¯s tasks started without me. I¡¯ll be out shortly.¡±

    The transmission cut off abruptly, leaving Ged seething. He placed the transmitter back into the wall, his mind racing. Trevor wasn¡¯t the ideal employee, but he was competent enough to keep things running when he bothered to show up.

    Ged exhaled sharply, his anger subsiding into a familiar feeling of powerlessness. Drug dealing wasn¡¯t exactly a desirable profession, and finding reliable workers was nearly impossible. For now, Trevor was indispensable, no matter how much Ged wished otherwise.

    Grimacing, Ged turned back to the tasks at hand. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with,¡± he muttered, his voice heavy with resignation. Trevor¡¯s mention of the cave stuck with him. ¡®Today¡¯s a good day for spelunking,¡¯ he muttered. ¡®Maybe I¡¯ll find a cave to clear later.¡¯

    He smiled faintly, his thoughts drifting to the caves.

    On Planet Eagle, caves were far more than just tunnels of rock. They were the single greatest lifeline for all living creatures on the planet.

    The planet hosted two kinds of caves: man-made ones constructed with Eagle Paint and natural formations like the Hidden Olympian. These natural caves were unique, drifting through the living planet like subterranean submarines with unpredictable movements.

    For the people of Planet Eagle, survival depended on these caves.

    The planet¡¯s mass was highly toxic and lethal if consumed. However, the mass found in natural caves was different. These caves acted like cancerous tumors within the planet¡¯s body, rebelling against its toxic nature. To protect itself, the planet neutralized the poisonous properties of its mass inside these caves, making the matter safe for consumption.

    Like antibodies, body sorcerers flocked to these cancerous caves, clearing them out to relieve the planet¡¯s ailments while strengthening their physiques and trading the remains to the markets for a decent profit.

    This phenomenon made spelunking more than a pastime. It was essential for survival and, for many, a way of life. After a planetary feeding, natural cave formations became more frequent, driving residents to explore and harvest their resources.

    Snapping out of his daydream about a potential windfall from spelunking, he remembered his chance encounter with Gore at the Elpida Strip. Retrieving the stone transmitter stored in his abs, he carefully entered Gore¡¯s contact details into his home¡¯s direct line, ensuring he could receive his messages later.

    Without lingering, Ged set off in great haste to attend to the daily tasks of his drug operation.

    Passing Mount Dumbell, he reached a distant ring of mountains. Using a stone pyramid as a landmark, he identified an unassuming patch of land and activated his <i>Digging Hands</i> ability, drilling into the stony floor. He unearthed a buried box secured with an eagle tattoo. Placing his own tattoo against the seal, he unlocked it to reveal a stone transmitter.

    Ged checked the device for orders, logged a pickup time and location, and sent a transmission to Fitch, the on-duty pharmacologist, who would prepare the drop-off. Reburying the transmitter, he moved on.

    Ged visited a total of six transmitters, each buried in remote, hidden locations to avoid scavengers and the eyes of the authorities.

    Only one order had been logged making it an unusually quiet morning.

    Reburying the final transmitter, he focused on the subtle vibrations in the ground, searching for a specific pattern that led to his pharmaceutical facility within an abandoned cave system.

    Following the trail for a third of a kilometer, Ged arrived at an unassuming clearing. Drilling downward once more, he descended into a dark and dreary cave.

    The path Ged drilled open sealed itself behind him, leaving him in near-total darkness. In the distance, a single candle-like light flickered faintly, offering the only guidance. Following the cave¡¯s winding pathway, he eventually reached Fitch.

    Fitch, a body sorcerer half Ged¡¯s size but still broad enough to fill out his lab coat and gloves, was busy at a cluttered workbench. The surface was strewn with chemicals, plants, and powdered stone. He worked methodically, though with an air of inexperience, unaware of Ged¡¯s silent presence.

    Ged observed him like a specter, watching closely without a word. Fitch was a new employee, only a few months into the job, and Ged wanted to ensure his techniques were correct. He continued to watch in silence, scrutinizing Fitch¡¯s every move.

    Fitch cut into plants with furry stems, dropping the pieces into a bowl filled with Blue Water. The stems dissolved into a mushy pulp. He transferred the mixture into a second bowl, then boiled it using the heat from his hands. Steam collected in a separating tray as Fitch worked carefully to isolate the drug.

    Once the liquid was ready, he added it to a rolling tray of powdered mass. Using a pestle-like tool, he mixed the liquid with the powder, triggering a small reaction. Plumes of steam rose from the tray, swirling upward as the mixture thickened.

    The sight of the rising steam made Ged click his tongue in dissatisfaction. The sound startled Fitch, who nearly lost the precious powder he had painstakingly prepared.

    "I''m afraid that Bear Weed Powder you made is of too low quality, the efficacy has already gone to shit, look at all that rising steam." Ged spoke shaking his head, "Start over, we will mix what you made with the next batch.

    His voice stern. "I will have to reteach you the extraction method, also your handling of the extraction to the buffer tray needs to be sped up several fold, you still haven''t improved at all since I last saw you." He critiqued.

    "Yeah, I get it," Fitch muttered, his tone laced with frustration. "I¡¯m shit. I¡¯m trying, alright? You don¡¯t have to remind me every single day how much I suck."

    Ged stared at him, his expression utterly devoid of sympathy.

    "What more do you want from me?" Fitch stammered. "I¡¯ll do better. But that was the last Bear Weed stalk, and we¡¯re out. We¡¯ll just have to make do with the batch as it is," he said, his head hanging in a half-hearted apology.

    Ged¡¯s face darkened further. "Out of Bear Weed? When was the last time either of you went to the depots to pick up?" he asked, his tone dripping with derision.

    "Trevor went last week. Did you happen to grab any?" Fitch asked, his voice tinged with hope.

    Ged rummaged through the pouch embedded in his abdomen, pulling out various plants and unique vegetation. None had the furry stems of Bear Weed. His scowl deepened as he realized he didn¡¯t have any on hand. His temper flared.

    "Fucking idiots. Every last one of you is useless," Ged snapped, his voice rising.

    Seeing Ged¡¯s anger boil over, Fitch raised his hands in a calming gesture. "Wait, don¡¯t panic. I¡¯ve got another batch ready. We can mix it with that. It shouldn¡¯t make much of a difference if it¡¯s a little weaker."

    "Shouldn¡¯t make a difference?" Ged¡¯s brow furrowed, his voice sharp and cutting. "How the fuck would you know?"

    "You don¡¯t care about anything," Ged continued, his tone rising with frustration. "So how could you possibly understand this business?"

    Ged stepped forward, forcing Fitch to step aside. "Get out of the way. Stand there and watch. Try to learn even a fraction of what I¡¯m about to do."

    "We¡¯re cutting your batch with something stronger," Ged said coldly, reaching into the pouch embedded in his abdomen. He pulled out a pitch-black flower that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy, its glow casting a ghastly light across the room.

    "Death Lotus," Fitch muttered, instinctively stepping back. His voice trembled as he added, "What are you doing? Are you trying to kill them?"

    Ged didn¡¯t respond. With a calculated precision, he began extracting the Death Lotus. His hands moved like lightning as he cut out a small portion of the plant, working with the ease of years of practice. He processed the material quickly, separating its essence with the deftness of a master craftsman.

    In the final step, Ged collected a single droplet of the dark black liquid and poured it into a tray containing a small amount of stone powder. A faint wisp rose as the powder turned charcoal black.

    Ged sprinkled half of the processed Death Lotus onto the Bear Weed and handed the tray to Fitch. "Go run some orders," he said curtly. "I¡¯ll handle the rest of things here at the lab."

    Fitch took the tray but didn¡¯t move, his eyes fixed on the mixture with a conflicted expression. Death Lotus was infamous, a highly addictive drug capable of leaving lives desolate and ruined. Mixing it into something as common as Bear Weed felt like crossing an unspoken line. Yet, under Ged¡¯s piercing gaze, Fitch found himself unable to protest.

 8. The Killswitch

    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you moved?¡± Ged¡¯s sharp tone cut through the tense silence.

    Fitch stood frozen, staring deeply into the black-tinted powder. Memories of Death Lotus addicts filled his mind: hollow-eyed, staggering zombies haunting the spires of Elpida. Their lives, consumed by the drug, their tormenting image was something he found impossible to forget.

    ¡°Why did you have to use it?¡± Fitch asked, his voice tight with disbelief. ¡°The batch was fine. Why add something so dangerous?¡±

    Without looking up from cleaning the workbench, Ged replied coolly, ¡°Does it matter?¡±

    ¡°It does,¡± Fitch insisted, his voice steadier now. ¡°I¡¯ve seen what Death Lotus does. People lose everything to it. We shouldn¡¯t mix it into orders unless they specifically ask for it.¡±

    Ged finally looked up, his calm expression unyielding. ¡°Fitch, let me explain something. Addicts don¡¯t compromise. Your batch wasn¡¯t good enough to ship out, so I made it better. That¡¯s the reason.¡±

    ¡°But what if this pushes them to Death Lotus addiction?¡± Fitch shot back. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we take responsibility for that?¡±

    Ged¡¯s gaze darkened, his voice hardening. ¡°And who made you the judge of how they live or die?¡±

    He continued to speak, his tone steady but commanding. ¡°Our customers don¡¯t care about the harm they cause themselves. They only care about strength. About what works. If we don¡¯t satisfy their desires, someone else will. And if we fall too short, they might even grow bold enough to expose our business for a tidy profit.¡±

    Fitch shifted uncomfortably but couldn¡¯t find the words to respond. Ged sighed and softened his tone slightly. ¡°It¡¯s just a touch of Death Lotus. This batch isn¡¯t much stronger than regular Bear Weed powder. Stop overthinking it.¡±

    Turning back to the workbench, Ged waved him off dismissively. ¡°And if you don¡¯t want me stepping in again, learn to prepare the batch correctly, or at least keep our materials stocked.¡±

    Still not hearing movement, Ged¡¯s patience snapped. His voice cut through the room like a whip. ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake, Fitch, stop wasting time and do your job.¡±

    Dismissed, Fitch reluctantly packed the batch into a brown paper bag, the phrase ¡°just a touch¡± echoing bitterly in his mind. The bag felt heavier than it should as he carried it toward the drop-off point, guilt pressing down with every step.

    With the lab quiet again, Ged turned his focus to future preparations. Anticipating a transmission from Barry in the next few days, he began assembling materials for his likely request.

    He stepped into the walk-in fridge, the cold air biting at his skin. Pausing for a moment, he reflected on his earlier conversation with Fitch. Grabbing a bundle of tongues, Ged sighed. ¡°Those without addictions cannot understand the feelings of an addict,¡± he muttered under his breath.

    Returning to the workbench, he dropped the tongues into a bowl of Blue Water. The liquid hissed and bubbled, the tongues sizzling as they dissolved, catalyzing the mixture. His hands moved with practiced precision, straining the liquefied tongues and transferring the remnants into a bowl of regular water. Placing his palm underneath the bowl, he generated intense heat, steam rising as he quickly sealed the top with his other hand.

    As he worked, his thoughts turned to Resh. Their last conversation replayed in his mind.

    Resh¡¯s sharp, defiant tone echoed as Ged urged him to cut back on his use of Blue Water. Instead of listening, Resh had scoffed and even hinted at increasing his dose.

    ¡°If I were the one dealing to him,¡± Ged murmured, ¡°and diluted the potency of his vials... could I save him?¡± The thought lingered briefly before a bitter chuckle escaped him. ¡°No. I¡¯d be lucky if he let me keep my corpse intact.¡±

    Exhaling slowly, Ged watched as the liquid boiled off, thickening into its final form. ¡°I¡¯m no different from Fitch,¡± he admitted softly. ¡°The instinct to save someone... it doesn¡¯t die, no matter how much you try to snuff it out. No one likes to watch another person self-destruct.¡±

    With a steady hand, he scooped the thickened residue into his palm. Opening his hand, he examined the red, clay-like ball, its surface smooth and warm. A faint smirk crossed his face. ¡°It''s just not possible. An addict can¡¯t be saved with simple compassion,¡± he muttered, setting the clay ball on the workstation to dry. ¡°Diluting our drugs always carries a hefty price.¡±

    His gaze darkened. ¡°There¡¯s nothing more dangerous in life than a sober addict.¡±

    Turning his focus back to the task at hand, Ged retrieved a stone of mass and began grinding it down with a pestle.

    As the rhythmic scraping of stone against stone filled the air, Ged¡¯s focus was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps.

    Trevor had finally arrived at work.

    He hesitated, his shoulders slumping when he spotted the outline of Ged at the bench instead of Fitch. A quiet prayer escaped his lips before he greeted him. ¡°Hey, boss. I¡¯m here. What tasks are left to do?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare come here late again, Trevor,¡± Ged growled, his tone cutting. ¡°I don¡¯t care if you have to sleep here. Find a way to get here on time.¡±

    Trevor cursed internally but offered a meek apology. ¡°Understood.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky,¡± Ged continued, his voice softening slightly. ¡°We¡¯re slow today. No orders at the moment. I¡¯ve already prepped some materials for someone I¡¯m expecting later.

    "Watch over that Frog Tongue clay," he snapped. "Make sure it dries evenly. In thirty minutes, crush it and add it to the powdered stone. I¡¯m going out for some errands. When Fitch returns, have him back on drug creation, and then go out and recheck the transmitters.¡±

    Relieved at avoiding a harsher scolding, Trevor accepted his orders without fuss. Ged stepped away from the workbench and headed to the fridge, leaving Trevor by himself. A quiet sigh of relief escaped Trevor¡¯s lips. For now, he¡¯d managed to dodge the worst of Ged¡¯s wrath.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Breaking off a piece of planetary rock from the fridge wall, Ged began to record the drugs they were running low on.

    After five minutes, he had compiled a full log of what remained and what was needed. Grabbing the backpack Barry had given him, he left the drug den and set out for the Golden Sun''s sixth district depot to pick up supplies.

    The forty-kilometer journey brought Ged to a desolate, stony field. After locating the depot''s hidden entrance, he drilled through the rocky surface and descended into a vast, circular cave.

    Inside, rows of bookshelves lined the walls, each filled with clay tablets marked in intricate lettering. These tablets cataloged the activities of the underground world, meticulously logged by gang members. The depot operated as a library of secrets. Gang members were required to record their observations at the end of each shift, creating a vast archive of the Golden Suns'' activities. For some, their sole responsibility was to organize and share the most critical information with other sector depots.

    In the space between the library and the main area, several trading posts bustled with activity. Gang members mingled, waiting for their turn to exchange goods.

    But Ged¡¯s gaze was fixed elsewhere.

    Towering above the crowd was a hulking goliath of a man whose sheer size rivaled that of a small building. He bent down, delicately picking up clay tablets between his massive fingers as if handling toy bricks.

    Similar in size to Resh, the man weighed over 10,000 kilograms, his physique equivalent to ten meteoroids. He was seven times as massive as Ged and already one percent of the way to becoming an asteroid.

    Ged recognized him instantly: Gilgamesh, the second sector leader.

    ¡°What¡¯s he doing here in the sixth sector?¡± Ged wondered, his stomach tightening. Then, like a bolt of lightning, the answer struck him. His eyes widened.

    ¡°He must be Resh''s Killswitch,¡± he muttered under his breath.

    As if on cue, Gilgamesh¡¯s ears perked up. He turned, his aloof gaze locking onto Ged with unsettling precision. A wide, toothy grin spread across his face.

    Ged¡¯s pulse quickened. He didn¡¯t want to get caught up in Resh¡¯s trouble. It was clear Gilgamesh was investigating Resh¡¯s deteriorating mental state. Looking away, Ged tried to slip into the line for the trading post.

    But heavy, eager footsteps thundered toward him.

    ¡°I recognize you,¡± Gilgamesh boomed, his grin widening. ¡°You¡¯re Resh¡¯s little stray kitten, Ged.¡± His laughter echoed through the cavern as his strides closed the distance in moments, his body moving bizarrely, his legs seemingly faster than his torso.

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed as he faced the hulking Gilgamesh. ¡°What can I do for you, Gilgamesh?¡± In the presence of the eccentric sector leader, Ged knew he had to choose his words carefully.

    Gilgamesh chuckled, clearly amused by Ged¡¯s measured compliance. ¡°Oh, nothing much. Just a few questions.¡± His voice was light but laced with mockery. ¡°I came across some interesting information that mentions your namesake. I hadn¡¯t planned on finding you, but since fate decided otherwise, I figured I¡¯d get the truth straight from the source.¡±

    Ged¡¯s patience wore thin. ¡°I¡¯m busy. But I¡¯ll answer if it¡¯s just a few questions.¡±

    Gilgamesh ignored the response, his lazy gaze drifting over Ged¡¯s physique. Clicking his tongue, he interrupted, ¡°Naughty boy, you¡¯ve passed one and a half meteoroids. Quite bold! Have you committed to the underground already, or are you just fearless of those pesky equalizers?¡±

    Swallowing his irritation, Ged replied coldly, ¡°Is that your question?¡±

    Gilgamesh¡¯s eyes sharpened, meeting Ged¡¯s glare for the first time. A low, mocking laugh rumbled from his chest. Standing to his full height, his massive frame cast Ged in shadow.

    "Let''s leave for somewhere more private." he snorted, his tone suddenly frigid. "This room has too many prying eyes."

    The last thing he wanted was to be alone with someone as unpredictable and violent as Gilgamesh. Afraid of losing control of the situation he adamantly replied. "I have things I can''t delay, if you want to talk it has to be here."

    "Here?" A frown could be seen on his face as Gilgamesh scanned the room once more. "I guess that can work..."

    His hand morphed into a massive ice-cream scoop, growing to the size of an office room. His spring-like body coiled unnaturally, bending as though he were loading a catapult. With sudden force, his body released, launching the scoop hand at Ged with unfathomable speed.

    Ged was shocked by the blatant attack, especially with others watching. Reacting instinctively, he activated his ¡°goat walk¡± ability, dodging the strike with incredible speed.

    ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± Ged demanded, his voice sharp. But his question was quickly answered as Gilgamesh¡¯s scoop hand tore into the ground, digging out a massive chunk of earth and leaving a gaping hole.

    Without hesitation, Gilgamesh jumped into the hole, his bizarre body moving with unsettling ease. He balanced the chunk of earth he¡¯d dug out, tipping it back over the top of him like a lid. With a lazy grin, he called out to Ged.

    ¡°Come in. I made a hole for us. We can talk here. This should suffice for your busy schedule.¡± His laughter echoed as he signaled Ged to join him inside, his grin widening.

    Ged could only frown and reluctantly step into the hole to join him. As Gilgamesh covered the circular entrance with the scooped stone, the room grew eerily dark. Vibrations rippled through the ground as Gilgamesh ensured their conversation would remain hidden from prying ears.

    ¡°You¡¯ve probably already figured it out, but I¡¯m here to investigate my brother Resh,¡± Gilgamesh said, his voice bored, not bothering to light the pitch-black bunker.

    ¡°I¡¯ve had four requests to kill him in the past twenty-four hours,¡± he continued, his tone turning sharper, ¡°all from his close subordinates.¡±

    Ged felt his stomach sink. He already knew where this was going.

    ¡°Resh has always been a recluse. There aren¡¯t many who¡¯ve spoken to him directly. Your name was one of the few I came across.¡± Gilgamesh leaned forward, his tone eager. ¡°Tell me, Ged. What do you think? Is he completely gone?¡±

    Ged had dreaded this question. Deep down, he knew the answer wasn¡¯t so cut-and-dry, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to admit the truth. ¡°No,¡± he said finally. ¡°I feel like he¡¯s still there. At least, when I spoke to him, it felt like nothing had changed.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Gilgamesh leaned in, surprise lacing his voice. ¡°You¡¯re the first to speak so positively about him.¡± A laugh rumbled from his chest. ¡°The others didn¡¯t exactly have glowing reviews.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re just jealous,¡± Ged muttered dryly.

    Gilgamesh¡¯s laughter stopped abruptly. His voice grew icy. ¡°Ged, I¡¯m going to kill Resh.¡±

    Ged froze, words failing him.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯ve always wanted to kill him,¡± Gilgamesh said playfully. ¡°It¡¯s really too bad we live in a world of boundaries and rules. If I had my way, I¡¯d kill everyone I see, you included.¡±

    Ged narrowed his eyes, "is that a threat?"

    He chuckled evilly. "Don''t worry I am not stupid."

    "Just as I can''t go out and kill a person on the street without facing the retribution of the Equalizers. I can''t kill you when four witnesses saw us both enter this tight space." He chuckled. "So don''t worry! Your astute actions might have saved your poor little life."

    His mocking voice caused Ged to stew in the darkness with rage.

    "But with Resh... I believe I can find enough evidence of his madness, to create a decent report for Boss. With his approval, his death is all but certain by my hands."

    Ged gritted his teeth, questioning, ¡°You¡¯re certain? How can you be so confident?¡±

    Gilgamesh¡¯s tone became serious. ¡°You¡¯re not a Golden Sun, so you may not know what is going on at the moment.¡±

    ¡°Things are hectic right now. War is about to break out, and we¡¯ve just discovered a Cumulus Gang dwelling to start it off. And Boss? He¡¯s preparing to reach Asteroid mass. With everything happening, who¡¯s going to say no to me?¡±

    Ged¡¯s face soured. ¡°Is this why you dragged me here? To gloat about your imaginary victory?¡±

    ¡°No, not at all,¡± Gilgamesh said, backpedaling slightly. ¡°I¡¯m just giving you a reality check. When your beloved Resh is gone, you¡¯ll have no ties left to this underground world. And when that time comes...¡± He grinned, his teeth glinting in the darkness.

    ¡°I just wanted to let you know that I¡¯m a big fan of gifts.¡± His lazy eyes pierced Ged¡¯s bag of 50k stone.

 9. Fractured Loyalties

    Ged¡¯s mind churned with frustration as he weighed Gilgamesh¡¯s threat and veiled bribe.

    It had been a long time since he had felt this helpless.

    The suffocating darkness pressed down on him, amplifying his sense of insignificance. He loathed the feeling, yet no amount of anger or regret could change it. He tried, desperately, to think of a single decision that might have prevented this moment, but deep down, he knew the truth.

    Even a perfect life couldn¡¯t escape the relentless currents of fate. The river of circumstance always dragged you forward, and dodging one despair only led to another. Suffering was unavoidable.

    He had no choice. He had to submit.

    Forcing a breath to steady himself, Ged clenched his fists. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± he said, his voice tight. ¡°If things go as you say, I¡¯ll make sure to prepare a proper gift for you. This bag, however, isn¡¯t good enough, so I won¡¯t part with it.¡±

    Gilgamesh stared at him, silent and imposing in the oppressive gloom.

    ¡°Still hesitating? Can¡¯t commit?¡± Gilgamesh¡¯s laughter sliced through the silence like a whip. ¡°Strays are always like that. Even when you feed and shelter them, they bite the hand that helps them.¡±

    He sighed, shaking his head. ¡°But I suppose it¡¯s in your nature. You can¡¯t help it.¡± His tone shifted, icy and commanding. ¡°For a few scratches, I¡¯ll let it slide. I¡¯m a lenient owner. But make no mistake,¡± his voice dipped into a growl, ¡°if one of my pets scratches hard enough to draw blood, I¡¯ll put them down without hesitation.¡±

    Before Ged could respond, Gilgamesh moved. With a deliberate motion, he uncovered the bunker¡¯s dirt lid, flooding the space with blinding light. Dust swirled as the cover shifted, sending tremors through the ground.

    ¡°Respect this leniency,¡± Gilgamesh said as he stepped out of the hole. His voice carried a chilling authority. ¡°If I want something, and it isn¡¯t given immediately, I expect it to come with interest later.¡±

    "The next time we meet, Ged, you¡¯d better have a proper offering that reflects my sincerity.¡± As Ged scrambled to climb out, Gilgamesh smirked and hurled the dirt covering back into the opening. The heavy soil rained down, threatening to bury Ged alive. Heart pounding, he clawed his way upward, narrowly escaping the crushing weight.

    When Ged finally caught his breath outside the hole, Gilgamesh was already gone, his rippling, muscular back radiating authority as he strode toward the library of clay tablets.

    Ged stared after him, the sight unsettlingly familiar. It reminded him of his so-called ¡°brother¡± Wattkinz, who had walked away with the same untouchable confidence, their every step declaring their mastery over the universe.

    People like them carried a distinct arrogance, acting as if they existed beyond life¡¯s rules and boundaries, expecting others to follow their lead without question, as though any other path was sheer folly.

    Strip them of their authority, and they became as insubstantial as air; their ideas capable of filling a room yet never define it.

    But power was not nothing. It demanded respect, even if the people wielding it weren''t anything special.

    Brushing dirt from his clothes, Ged forced himself to move. He joined the line at the trading post, swallowing his humiliation as the depot returned to normal. The curious glances from others faded quickly, but the sting of their judgment lingered.

    When Ged reached the front, he handed over the recording stone of drugs he needed replenished. The teller, a Golden Suns member, gave him a sharp, judging glance.

    ¡°What?¡± Ged snapped, his patience fraying.

    ¡°Nothing.¡± The teller quickly averted his gaze, taking the stone and scanning its contents. ¡°Fifteen stone,¡± he said, sliding the rock back to Ged.

    ¡°Fifteen?¡± Ged¡¯s voice rose, a mix of disbelief and fury. ¡°Are you mad? Has your loyalty to the sector leader sunk so low that you¡¯re willing to rob us openly at his own trading post?¡±

    The teller sighed, reaching into his abdomen to retrieve another stone. ¡°These prices come straight from Resh himself.¡±

    Ged frowned, taking the rock. Activating it, he watched as Resh¡¯s image appeared in his mind.

    ¡°Orders to the depot: anyone who hasn¡¯t fulfilled their war contributions will face a 50% surcharge. Keep track of their names,¡± Resh¡¯s voice said commandingly, the message ending abruptly.

    Ged¡¯s grip tightened on the rock. ¡°Resh, why are you doing this? Cutting profits will only isolate you further. Without the sixth sector¡¯s dealers, who will be willing to stand by you?¡±

    The teller¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts. ¡°Ged, you have twenty guns to prepare for us, until then the price stands.¡±

    Ged sighed, pulling out 15 kilograms of stone and placing it on the counter. ¡°I lost my copy of the gun workout routine. Could you get me another?¡±

    The teller said nothing, taking the payment before disappearing into a walk-in fridge embedded in the wall. After a few moments, he returned with bundles of animal parts and plants, placing them on the counter.

    Ged stored the materials in his abs. ¡°And my gun workout?¡± he asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, and grab me the latest cave leads while you¡¯re at it.¡± He slid an additional five stones across the counter.

    The teller snorted but complied. ¡°These leads are experimental. Our old source stopped responding, so we¡¯re trying a new one,¡± he muttered. He retrieved three clay tablets from the wall and handed them to Ged.

    "What is this?" He saw that the first two contained the gun workout and the cave leads, but the third one gave him pause.

    ¡°Conscription notice,¡± the teller said flatly. His eyes narrowed as he slid the tablet across the counter. ¡°You don¡¯t have to respond immediately, but it would be wise to prepare a good reason if you plan to ignore it altogether.¡±

    Ged frowned but wasn¡¯t surprised. He had known something like this was coming. Nodding sharply, he decided to look over the conscription later and tucked the three tablets into his abs. Without another word, he turned and left the depot, hoping to leave behind the weight of his uncertain future.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    As he drilled through the earth toward the surface, his gaze flicked back toward the library. Gilgamesh loomed silently amidst the endless rows of clay tablets, never once looking up from his work. It was as if their encounter had already faded into insignificance.

    Ged clicked his tongue, his jaw tightening as he glared at the towering figure. "Your day will come," he thought bitterly. "I will make sure of it." Shaking off the resentment bubbling within, he refocused on the task at hand, carving a path through the stone walls on his way to the surface.

    When Ged emerged from the depot, the oppressive weight of his thoughts began to lift, and his composure gradually returned. Moving quickly across the stone fields, his steps grew purposeful as he headed back to Fitch and Trevor at the drug den.

    At the cave entrance, he paused. Trevor and Fitch sat slumped on the drug bench, visibly bored. With no work to occupy them, they had resorted to idle chatter. The moment they spotted Ged, they bolted upright, panic flashing across their faces.

    ¡°Ged!¡± Trevor blurted, his voice high-pitched with nerves. ¡°We were just taking a short break! I swear I was about to check the transmitters again.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not our fault,¡± Fitch added defensively. ¡°The day¡¯s been slow. Most of our customers are probably laying low after yesterday¡¯s protest.¡±

    Ged tried to glare at them but gave up with a sigh. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he said evenly. ¡°Just make sure to check the transmitters again in thirty minutes.¡±

    He turned to the fridge, opening it to sort the stored drugs, carefully organizing the space as his thoughts wandered.

    Trevor shifted uneasily in his seat. ¡°Need help with anything, boss?¡± he asked tentatively.

    ¡°Not from you, no,¡± Ged replied curtly, without looking up. The sharpness of his tone made Trevor shrink back into his chair.

    Closing the fridge, Ged turned his attention to Fitch. ¡°You¡¯re still practicing body sorcery, right?¡±

    Fitch raised an eyebrow and nodded.

    Ged pulled a clay tablet from his abs and handed it over. ¡°Train with this instead of your usual bicep routine. Resh wants us to make twenty.¡±

    Fitch scanned the manual, his expression twisting into a grimace. ¡°Boss, I can¡¯t. My coach banned artifact exercises. This workout will interfere too much with my training plan. I need to stay in peak condition to get a scholarship.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re aiming for a body sorcery academy spot?¡± Ged asked, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I thought you wanted a position in the underground. What changed?¡±

    Fitch hesitated, avoiding Ged¡¯s gaze. ¡°I still want to work in the underground, but I need options. Even if I make it to the academy, I¡¯d still want to do underground work on the side.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± Ged murmured, stroking his chin. The idea of the academy lingered in his thoughts.

    Noticing Ged¡¯s momentary distraction, Fitch¡¯s face brightened. ¡°Are you thinking about joining the circuit too?¡± Fitch asked. ¡°I forgot we¡¯re close in age. You always seem older. When¡¯s your eighteenth? I bet you¡¯d crush it if you competed.¡±

    Fitch was right. His eighteenth birthday was just a week away, but the academy wasn¡¯t on Ged¡¯s radar. Since he was fifteen, he had devoted everything to carving out a life in the underground. The circuit and the academy had never seemed like viable paths.

    ¡°My birthday¡¯s next week,¡± Ged said simply. ¡°But I¡¯ve got no plans for academy. I¡¯m stretched too thin. I¡¯ll help you with this workout, though. You handle half, and I¡¯ll take care of the rest. That way, you can focus on your training for your shows next year.¡±

    ¡°Just ten...¡± Fitch muttered, scanning the tablet again. ¡°If you¡¯re doing it too, I guess I can manage.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± Ged said, offering a quick thanks. Guilt tugged at him as he returned to the fridge. He had already outsourced his half of the workload to Gore, leaving Fitch to shoulder the bulk of the responsibility.

    As Ged worked, the thought of the academy lingered. Fitch¡¯s ambitions were admirable, but for Ged, the academy was not a realistic path. Its strict regulations on physique size and the prohibition of Blue Water made it incompatible with the life he had built. Still, with Resh¡¯s fate uncertain, the academy might serve as a fallback if the underground spiraled into chaos. It wasn¡¯t a perfect solution, but it was an option he couldn¡¯t entirely dismiss.

    Only three orders came through for the rest of the day, leaving Ged and his employees with four long hours of boredom. Even Barry didn¡¯t bother to order, forcing Ged to split the day¡¯s losses with Fitch and Trevor.

    Thanks to Barry¡¯s earlier spoils, the day wasn¡¯t a complete disaster. Ged managed to bag 25 kilograms of mass, but the haul left him with a sour expression as he tucked it away.

    After the others took their share of 10 kilograms each, Trevor, still unusually energetic, turned to them. ¡°What plans do you have tonight?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Library, then working out,¡± Fitch replied flatly, already halfway out the door.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to check for caves,¡± Ged said as he locked the fridge with an Eagle Paint seal.

    Trevor¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Boss, if you¡¯re clearing caves, could you help me out? Remember the cave I told you about that opened in my house? The noises are driving me crazy, and I can¡¯t handle it alone.¡± He hesitated before adding, ¡°I¡¯ll even let you take 80 percent of the spoils if you clear it for me.¡±

    Ged narrowed his eyes, skeptical. Pulling out his clay tablet, he checked the leads in Trevor¡¯s area. Nothing had been logged. Either the cave was newly formed, or whoever mapped the leads had overlooked it.

    Brand-new caves were unpredictable. Some took years to mature as the planet¡¯s poison retreated, while others were ready for immediate harvest. Trevor¡¯s eagerness hinted at disappointment, but Ged figured he could at least investigate. He might even collect a partial stone from a few Eagle Spawn for his troubles.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take a look,¡± Ged finally said.

    Trevor grinned and eagerly wrapped up the day¡¯s closing tasks.

    The journey to Trevor¡¯s home wasn¡¯t far. The structure resembled Ged¡¯s, with a similar surface entrance. As they stepped inside, the sounds of loud and incessant scratching greeted Ged¡¯s ears.

    ¡°It¡¯s just downstairs,¡± Trevor said, leading the way. In his room, Ged was met with a chaotic sight: half the space had been consumed by the jagged maw of a natural cave. Trevor¡¯s bed leaned awkwardly against the incline. Near the opening, Eagle Spawn clawed furiously at the shimmering blue barrier that protected the house from collapse.

    ¡°See?¡± Trevor said, gesturing at the creatures with exaggerated righteousness. ¡°Now do you understand why I was late this morning for work?¡±

    Ged ignored his tone, his focus locked on the cave. ¡°Trevor, get me a light,¡± he ordered.

    Grumbling under his breath, Trevor left and returned moments later with a flashlight artifact.

    Activating it with his core, Ged shone the beam into the cave. The light revealed faint blue glimmers scattered deeper within, sparkling like distant stars.

    ¡°Blue Crystals,¡± Ged muttered, his voice low.

    Trevor¡¯s eyes widened in awe before narrowing in disbelief. ¡°Wait, seriously? Blue Crystals? Here? That¡¯s insane! Isn¡¯t that supposed to be really good?¡±

    Ged let out a long sigh, dragging a hand down his face in frustration.

    ¡°Trevor,¡± he said, his tone sharp, ¡°did you seriously not bother to check what kind of cave opened up in your own house before asking me to clear it?¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t have time!¡± Trevor flinched under Ged¡¯s scowl. ¡°I got home late and¡­ might¡¯ve been a little high, okay? The noises were awful... I just wanted to sleep!¡±

    Ged dismissed Trevor¡¯s excuses, his mind racing. Blue Crystal Mines were a rare and valuable discovery, but they came with immense challenges. Extracting Blue Water required a notoriously grueling full-body workout routine, so cruel and dangerous that it was often used as a form of punishment for gang members and rivals. Despite its brutality, the workout was widely practiced and remained a closely guarded secret among powerful organizations.

    Ged had never held a high enough position to access this technique. Fully exploiting the mine¡¯s potential would require involving others, a perilous move given his tenuous standing in the underground. If he entrusted Resh with the task and Resh fell, who would step in to seize control? With Gilgamesh expecting his allegiance and the fractures within the Golden Suns deepening, the danger of losing everything this boon could offer loomed larger than ever, leaving his head pounding.

    After a long silence, Ged exhaled sharply, his frustration giving way to cold clarity. With a powerful strike, his fist crashed into the wall, sending shards of stone tumbling to the floor.

    Trevor flinched, his heart pounding as the sudden violence left him unsure of Ged¡¯s intent.

    Stooping down, Ged picked up two jagged stones of similar size from the rubble and thrust them into Trevor¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Plug your ears while you sleep,¡± Ged said curtly. ¡°The Spawn stay for now. The cave hasn¡¯t matured yet.¡±

    Trevor stared at the makeshift earplugs, dread pooling in his gut. ¡°You¡¯re not clearing it?¡±

    ¡°This cave,¡± Ged said softly, his voice resolute, ¡°will either kill us or make us unimaginably rich.¡±

 10. Cave Spelunking

    Trevor didn''t know anything about the intricacies of cave maturation, and only had a smattering of knowledge of the ins and outs of body sorcery. Lofty ambitions and strict routines weren¡¯t his style. His workouts were limited to lazy cardio sessions, and most of his stones came from half-hearted jobs in the underground. He wasn¡¯t a body sorcerer, so a windfall of mass wouldn¡¯t go toward sculpting his physique.

    He had other ideas for how to use it.

    Trevor only wanted one thing: a life of leisure. A world where every need was met without him lifting a finger. With enough mass, that dream could become a reality. The thought of death was scary, sure, but life in the underground was already a gamble, uncertain at best. When the risk of death came with the promise of great fortune, there was only one question he needed to ask.

    ¡°How rich are we talking here?¡± Trevor¡¯s eyes lit up, sparkling with hope.

    ¡°Rich enough to make it worth your effort to help me claim this cave as our own,¡± Ged said bluntly. ¡°If you¡¯re willing to assist me and keep this a secret between us, I¡¯ll bump your share up by 10%.¡±

    ¡°Thirty percent for me?¡± Trevor couldn¡¯t believe Ged¡¯s generosity. In cave discovery and spelunking, the usual split was 20-80%.

    "Absolutely, I wouldn''t dare tell a soul." Trevor swore over his heart. "But be specific... tell me just how much we are looking to bag? I need to know."

    ¡°1,000 kilos on the low end, maybe 1,500 if we are lucky,¡± Ged said, holding his chin in thought as he gazed into the mouth of the cave.

    Trevor¡¯s excitement dimmed, his shoulders slumping in disappointment. A thousand kilos was far from the wealth he¡¯d dreamed of. Still, it was enough to keep him afloat for months. He shouldn¡¯t be ungrateful, but the promise of unimaginable riches was hard to let go of.

    ¡°Only so much?¡± Trevor muttered, his voice barely audible.

    Ged snapped a sharp, cold gaze at Trevor, freezing him in place.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s good! I¡¯m not backing out!¡± Trevor stammered, his words tumbling over each other as if trying to outrun Ged¡¯s unspoken warning to rein in his greed.

    Turning his attention back to the cave, Ged crouched and picked up a stone. He began making a list of items he would need to accelerate the cave¡¯s maturation. Placing his finger on the top of the stone, a thin, shimmering string extended from his joint, moving fluidly under Ged¡¯s control as it traced a precise line between the top and bottom of the cave.

    This invisible line was known as a Soul Sprout.

    To control larger amounts of mass, a body sorcerer requires an equally sized soul. However, the soul is confined to the body¡¯s shape and cannot grow beyond it through normal means. Growing the body first and then the soul is a slow and dangerous process. Prolonged misalignment can lead to a painful and potentially fatal condition called Body Rot.

    This challenge gave rise to the ingenuity of Soul Sprouting. By exploiting the growth plates in an adolescent body and following a precise stretching routine, an up-and-coming body sorcerer can push their soul out through one or more joints. The soul then sprouts outside the body in strand-like forms, resembling insect antennae. This method allows the soul to outpace the body¡¯s growth, removing the risk of Body Rot.

    At this moment, Ged was using his Soul Sprout as a ruler to measure the length of the cave.

    Walking deeper into the cave, he picked up a few of the Eagle Spawn and began to study their features.

    The Eagle Spawn clung to his legs, their twisted bodies like broken toys. Missing limbs, malformed mouths, and useless appendages made them both grotesque and pitiable.

    Like humans, the hundred years of Blue Rain had left them unable to form functional bodies, cursing them with their broken forms. To properly mature this cave, Ged needed to rear them carefully, ensuring they could grow and survive.

    One day he would need them to become a threat large enough that the planet is forced to retract its poison in fear of it causing more damage to it.

    After measuring more of the cave¡¯s interior, Ged stepped outside, kicking away the clinging Eagle Spawn as he went.

    Having finished his list, he turned to Trevor and asked curtly, ¡°Do you have any Eagle Paint by chance?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Trevor said, shaking his head. ¡°But my home¡¯s Paint should hold out for another week before I need to replace it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t mean for home maintenance,¡± Ged replied, glancing thoughtfully at the cave entrance. ¡°Your room¡¯s a little stuffy. I think we should expand it.¡±

    Trevor stared at the Eagle Spawn with a solemn look. ¡°You can¡¯t expect me to live with those creepy things.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ged said with a grin. ¡°You won¡¯t be living alone. I¡¯ll stay here too. I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t lose too much sleep.¡±

    Trevor opened his mouth to protest but Ged cut him off before he could speak.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. This cave is too important. When it comes to riches, sacrifices must be made,¡± Ged said, his tone firm. He pulled 25 kg from his abs and handed it to Trevor. ¡°Go pick up a thumb of Paint from the Elpida Strip,¡± Ged commanded. ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can find to speed up the cave¡¯s maturation.¡±

    Trevor groaned as he accepted the 25 kg, his hidden tears threatening to surface. He wasn¡¯t sure what kind of sacrifices Ged had in mind, but he already regretted agreeing to this. Sharing a roof with his boss? Living alongside those creepy things? The thought made him shiver at the unpaid labor he was certain lay ahead.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    Praying for mercy, Trevor trailed behind Ged as they approached the home¡¯s entrance.

    They paused briefly to authenticate Ged¡¯s tattoo, granting him access to the house, before parting ways. Trevor headed toward the Elpida Strip, while Ged focused on the stone map, scanning the cave leads he¡¯d received from the depot.

    The map contained a list of resonant coordinates and the last known directions they had shifted.

    By syncing the resonance of their own cores with the rhythmic pulse of the planet¡¯s core, body sorcerers could pinpoint specific underground locations. This system allowed them to navigate the ever-changing natural cave networks, where tunnels constantly formed and collapsed in unpredictable ways. Mapping them precisely was nearly impossible, and the list Ged carried represented only a fraction of the caves scattered across Elpida. Even so, not all of them would yield results.

    But Ged didn¡¯t need groundbreaking discoveries. A single cave that hadn¡¯t been completely cleared would make the trip worthwhile.

    Activating his muscle ability, ¡°Goat Walk,¡± Ged launched into motion. His legs moved with precision and power, propelling him toward the nearest coordinate, 50 kilometers away. Periodically, he sent pulses of resonance into the ground, fine-tuning his path as he pushed forward with blistering speed.

    Using his muscle ability, ¡°Digging Hands,¡± Ged made his first attempt to locate where the cave system had shifted. He dug a hole spanning the size of a football field, only to come up empty-handed.

    Frowning, he dug his way back to the surface. Trying again in other potential spots and still finding nothing he could only sigh.

    It seemed the cave he was searching for had either been cleared and reabsorbed by the planet or lost entirely.

    Crossing it off his list, Ged moved on to the next lead. This one, only 25 kilometers away, yielded better results. After drilling down twenty or so meters, he arrived in a dark, cramped space.

    Channeling body heat into the flashlight Trevor had given him, Ged lit up the cavern. Mossy walls glistened in the dim light, damp Eagle Spawn clinging to the surfaces and feeding hungrily on the growth.

    Examining the moss, Ged muttered to himself, ¡°This might work¡­¡±

    For cave maturation, one factor outweighed all others: fiercely reared Eagle Spawn. The hungrier and more agitated they were, the faster the planet would detect the cave as a threat¡ªand the quicker it would retract its poison.

    Ged needed the Eagle Spawn at Trevor¡¯s home to raise hell against the planet while ensuring they didn¡¯t die off prematurely. It was a delicate balance, requiring adjustments to the Eagle Spawn themselves or the environment they inhabited.

    The moss in this cave was itchy to the touch, irritating the skin on contact. Many rows had already been stripped from the walls, making the cave seem like a dud to most. But for those rearing Eagle Spawn, it was a decent find.

    Ged stored the moss in his abs, recorded the cave¡¯s location in the leads, and moved on to check the next few caves. After encountering a couple of duds, he finally arrived at another promising site.

    As soon as he drilled down, he fell into a large cavern. A heavy hand slammed into his body, catching Ged off guard and knocking him backward.

    ¡°Damn,¡± he muttered, scrambling to grab his flashlight. He channeled heat into it, illuminating the creature that had struck him.

    A towering, faceless mushroom loomed in front of him, its body shredded where spelunkers had carved out chunks of unpoisoned mass. Its four legs and long arms moved purposefully, tracing Ged¡¯s movements through resonance, sensing where he stood from vibrations in the ground.

    <i>Bang!</i>

    The mushroom swung again, missing by inches as its massive hand displaced stones in its wake.

    Ged dodged with Goat Walk, his movements sharp and precise. He massaged his numb arm with heated fingers, surveying the creature. How had something this violent not already been cleared? Creatures like this were usually among the first to be harvested as the planet purged its poison.

    But considering the state of its body and the cave¡¯s size, Ged was quick to piece things together.

    ¡°It seems that you¡¯re a useless dud. Unlucky me,¡± he sneered, brandishing the sharp nub of rock from his ¡°stalactite sword¡± muscle ability. This creature had been reared years ago, but it had never become a true threat to the planet. Instead, it harbored a deep hatred for body sorcerers, its body saturated with planetary poison.

    Ged moved closer, taking the offensive. His sword slashed in sharp, clawing motions, severing one of the mushroom¡¯s legs. The creature roared, swinging wildly, but Ged hopped back, letting the blow hit nothing but air.

    ¡°Bastard,¡± he muttered, his tone dripping with derision.

    Silver core energy leaked from its wound, and the mushroom grew more furious. It leveraged its long arms and nimble legs to keep its distance, landing heavy blows when Ged approached. His short blade made striking difficult, forcing him to miss several swings. Ged frowned.

    No choice, he thought. Gritting his teeth, he closed the distance, taking the mushroom¡¯s blows head-on. With each strike he endured, he swung back with precision, chopping off both its arms.

    The mushroom backpedaled, dread seeming to shadow its massive body. But it couldn¡¯t move far enough.

    With a final sweep of his stalactite sword, Ged severed the creature¡¯s remaining three legs. They fell to the cavern floor with a heavy thud.

    ¡°It didn¡¯t have to be this way,¡± Ged muttered, massaging the bruises covering his body.

    ¡°If you had focused your aggression on the planet, you might have served a purpose. How pitiable.¡± Ged picked up a pair of mushroom legs and stored them in his abs.

    Sighing, he added, ¡°Die suffering.¡± The mushroom¡¯s body writhed on the ground, its movements jerky and pained, as Ged collected and stored the rest of its limbs.

    He stood over the creature for a moment, his expression solemn. With a final slice, he ended its suffering, granting it a semblance of peace.

    Kneeling by the corpse, Ged examined its remains, searching for unpoisoned flesh. After careful cuts, he retrieved 1.5 kilograms of usable material. Though a far cry from its hulking 40-kilogram mass, it was better than nothing.

    Ged continued spelunking until the last light disappeared beyond the horizon.

    In four hours, he had visited 15 locations, but only four yielded anything worthwhile. As night fell, Ged decided to head back after digging up his final dud cave.

    His abs packed with goods, he began the 80-kilometer journey home under the stars.

    When he finally arrived at his doorstep, the flashing red glow of a handprint spotlight greeted him, casting an eerie hue across the rocky surface.

    ¡°Equalizers...¡± Ged frowned. ¡°What could they possibly want now?¡±

    Approaching cautiously, he retrieved the Equalizers¡¯ messaging rock and activated it.

    The image of his estranged brother, Wattkinz, materialized in his mind, his massive frame and menacing, gravelly voice filling Ged¡¯s thoughts.

    ¡°Hello, brother,¡± Wattkinz sneered. ¡°It was nice talking to you yesterday. I had hoped to catch you in person, but it seems you had other plans.¡±

    His voice turned colder. ¡°As I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware, your birthday is just around the corner. I thought it fitting to celebrate this occasion by seeing just how much you¡¯ve grown over these eighteen years.¡±

    Wattkinz chuckled as his image faded, replaced by bold red text that seemed to sear itself onto Ged¡¯s body like a tattoo: <i>Mandatory physique inspection and on-sight arrest for suspected underground body sorcerer Ged, ordered directly by the Equalizers¡¯ head office.</i>

    Ged¡¯s veins bulged as he crushed the handprint rock in his grip, his jaw tight with frustration.

    ¡°Another problem to deal with,¡± he muttered, his mind racing. With his physique far exceeding the kilogram limit for regular civilians, he would need a plan to avoid the Equalizers¡¯ watchful eyes.

 11. Building Mass Amidst Looming Danger

    Ged inspected his newfound tattoo: a blood-red handprint glowing menacingly on his neck. Though its appearance was temporary, it would linger for days, marking him as a wanted criminal and ensuring instant recognition by Equalizers who crossed his path.

    But things could be much worse.

    Had he been home when the Equalizers arrived to leave their message, he might have faced imprisonment. Even worse, he could have his physique brutally downsized right at his doorstep. Staying at Trevor¡¯s had been an unexpected blessing, a small reprieve amid the mounting pressure.

    Still, the tattoo¡¯s oppressive presence made every move he took feel more restricted, every plan tangled with variables he now had to consider.

    ¡°Damn it,¡± he growled, slamming his fist against the wall. The force reverberated through the cave-like home. ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. I¡¯ll have to delay a few things and lay low while this Arrest Tattoo fades.¡±

    His fist throbbed from the blow. If only he hadn¡¯t checked the Equalizers message, then he wouldn¡¯t be dealing with this.

    ¡°No,¡± he muttered, exhaling sharply as he fought the doubt creeping in. ¡°This is for the best. At least now I know they¡¯re after me.¡±

    But the timing gnawed at him.

    ¡°Why now?¡± His eyes narrowed. ¡°Why didn¡¯t that bastard give me the Arrest Tattoo when I saw him the other day? What changed?¡±

    Massaging his temples, Ged tried to piece together the fragments of suspicion swirling in his mind. The tattoo¡¯s faint glow reflected in the room¡¯s dim light, a reminder of Wattkinz¡¯s schemes. Slowly, his gaze sharpened, clarity cutting through his thoughts.

    ¡°Whatever Wattkinz is planning...¡± His voice dropped into a growl. ¡°I¡¯ll get ahead of him. I¡¯ll make damn sure he doesn¡¯t get his way.¡±

    He moved to the fridge, packing its small contents into an empty bag before heading to the workout room. On the wall, his transmitter glowed softly, signaling a new message.

    Ged picked up the transmitter stone and played the recording in his mind. The image of his old mentor, Gore, flickered to life.

    ¡°I¡¯ve finished the preparations,¡± Gore said bluntly. ¡°It¡¯s time for us to meet again.¡±

    The message ended abruptly, leaving Ged staring at the stone with a frown. "Bad timing," he muttered. Quickly, he responded, explaining his situation with the Arrest Tattoo. Turning to the stone workout pod in the room, he shrank it to the size of his palm, tucked it into his bag, and headed to the sauna room to collect a bucket of molten lava.

    As he prepared to leave, the transmitter hummed again, signaling a quick reply from Gore.

    Ged raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s the rush now?¡± he muttered, playing the message.

    ¡°You¡¯re a wanted felon? I don¡¯t care. This is important, Ged. Don¡¯t back out on me," Gore¡¯s voice echoed dismissively. ¡°Let''s meet tomorrow outside of town, that way we can avoid the Equalizers. There¡¯s someone I want you to meet. He is a tailor, and will take your body measurements. I''ll fill you in on the rest of the details later.¡± A series of resonant coordinates etched themselves into Ged¡¯s mind.

    ¡°A tailor?¡± Ged frowned, unease flickering across his face. What task could be so urgent that Gore was willing to risk meeting him, despite the danger of his Arrest Tattoo? The thought left Ged suspicious, but he couldn¡¯t imagine Gore collaborating with the Equalizers.

    After a brief hesitation, he sent a reply to finalize the meeting.

    With his bag slung over his shoulder, he locked the door and set off for Trevor¡¯s.

    As he stepped inside, a faint current of narcotic fumes wafted into his nostrils, causing him to frown.

    He was well aware of Trevor¡¯s habits.

    Trevor liked to unwind at the end of a workday. His drug use was common knowledge, and in the underground, it was almost expected.

    But with everything going on right now, Ged didn¡¯t like it. He saw people who were so eager to reduce themselves to such a state as weak.

    Trevor sat slumped in a lounge chair, his eyes glowing with a mystical purple hue as he stared blankly into space, a clear pipe dangling loosely from his fingers.

    ¡°Trevor, I¡¯m back.¡± Ged¡¯s voice cut through the haze as he stepped into the room, narrowing his eyes at the pipe. ¡°Is now really the best time for this?¡±

    Trevor looked up, his expression unfocused, but he met Ged¡¯s glare head-on. For once, he didn¡¯t waver under Ged¡¯s stern gaze, responding with an unusual sense of detachment.

    Ged sighed, rubbing his temple. ¡°In the future, don¡¯t smoke inside. It¡¯s bad for the Eagle Spawn,¡± he said, his tone firm.

    Trevor shrugged and lazily put the pipe away. ¡°Sure. Whatever.¡± His eyes eventually settled on Ged¡¯s neck, narrowing as he noticed the tattoo.

    ¡°What¡¯s that? A new tattoo?¡± Trevor asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and mild concern.

    ¡°Just a superficial threat from my brother,¡± Ged replied curtly. He grabbed a small thumb-sized bag of Eagle Paint from the lounge table. Saying good night to Trevor, he headed toward the main wall where the structural Eagle engraving was displayed.

    Squeezing the bag, Ged applied the Eagle Paint to the wall. His arm glowed faintly blue as he channeled core energy into the paint. The wall¡¯s Eagle engraving expanded, casting its protective glow over the natural cave beneath the house. Ged reinforced the cave¡¯s entrance with a sturdy doorway, then expanded the structure further, creating a sauna and a workout chamber.

    For most, capturing a young cave with Eagle Paint was an impossible task. Natural caves were prone to shifting, making them nearly impossible to secure. However, with the cave still immature and growing within Trevor¡¯s home, this was a rare and achievable opportunity.

    Stepping into the newly integrated cave, Ged reached into his abdomen and began arranging the various Eagle Spawn he had collected during his spelunking trips.

    He spread itchy Eagle Spawn moss across the ground, its irritant properties heightening the tension in the cave¡¯s atmosphere. Next, he placed several volcano-shaped Eagle Spawn creatures throughout the space. These peculiar entities emitted a sulfurous stench, filling the cave with a putrid odor.

    Afterward, Ged emptied the remainder of his cave spelunking findings onto the floor, consisting of an assortment of body parts from various creatures. He then picked up the malformed Eagle Spawn one by one and began grafting the limbs and appendages onto their twisted bodies. With precise, deliberate movements, he sliced and heated the flesh, working methodically like a mad scientist to create a trio of bizarre and grotesque creatures.

    One Spawn was grafted with oversized limbs from the mushroom creature Ged had fought earlier, making it comically and absurdly disproportionate. Another had the body of a rabbit fused with insect legs; it tried to hop but couldn''t and kept falling over. The last was missing half its limbs and helplessly ran in endless circles.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Ged sighed as he surveyed his handiwork. ¡°Maybe I should¡¯ve used the mushroom¡¯s torso. Who cares if it rebelled? At least it might have been more functional than these three.¡±

    Despite their ugly appearances, the trio, combined with the environmental Eagle Spawn, seemed to influence the cave¡¯s maturation. The poisonous red hue of the cave walls began to fade slightly, while the Eagle Spawn inside grew visibly more aggressive, their movements increasingly frenzied and chaotic.

    ¡°At least something I¡¯m doing is working,¡± Ged muttered, attempting to lift his spirits. Although he had observed many professional rearing facilities, his own hands-on experience was minimal. With only limited knowledge to guide him, he knew he was relying on guesswork and taking risks with his experiments.

    Satisfied for now, Ged turned his attention to setting up his workout room. For feeding the Eagle Spawn, he had heard that post workout mass waste was the best thing.

    Placing the workout pod in the chamber, Ged stared intently at the stone pod before him.

    He had to get stronger. The threat he felt from Gilgamesh unsettled him. He needed to commit to gaining mass and fast or he could risk losing control of his life.

    Resh looming over him as his boss was already unbearable, but the thought of submitting to Gilgamesh¡¯s tyranny was something he refused to accept. Under his rule, Ged would never be allowed to build a physique large enough to reach the stars.

    The Arrest Tattoo and the Equalizers'' threats gnawed at him, but standing still would mean surrendering his life.

    Ged pulled ten kilograms of stone from his abs. He stared at the weight in his hands, his expression grim.

    "It¡¯s not enough," he murmured darkly.

    He didn¡¯t have many stones left, and with business slowing to a crawl, he had no idea how he would replenish his supply.

    His seven-day Rock workout capped his mass gains at an agonizingly slow rate. He needed faster progress if he was going to survive, but life wasn¡¯t offering him a way forward.

    With a sharp exhale, Ged popped three of the stones into his mouth, grinding them between his teeth. The sound of crushed rock echoed through the chamber.

    "I can only do my best with what I have... and hope to find a path forward," he muttered, sneering at his own weakness.

    Reaching into his abs, Ged retrieved fifteen stacks of vials. "I must not hesitate. I have to make use of everything at my disposal," he said, injecting Blue Water into his bicep.

    A surge of vibrant blue light flared in his eyes as the drug coursed through him. Almost instantly, hallucinations of Blue Rain flooded his senses. A raging storm materialized within the workout room, its intensity far beyond his ability to control.

    Ged¡¯s mind¡¯s shadow moved too slowly to contain the torrent.

    A single droplet escaped.

    Drip.

    The world blurred in less than a fraction of a second.

    In that instant, Ged floated down a silver river, drawn inexorably toward a colossal blue sphere suspended in an endless void. It was so vast, so unfathomable, that his mind twisted in on itself, struggling to understand what it had just seen. His soul trembled, instinctively recoiling from its overwhelming presence, as if even acknowledging its existence would shatter him.

    Reality snapped back into place as his mind¡¯s shadow barely managed to seal the storm, preserving his sanity.

    A single bead of sweat rolled down Ged¡¯s brow as he stared at the swirling droplets contained above him. His breathing came in shallow, uneven gasps.

    "The pinnacle of mass..." he murmured. "I actually saw it."

    Stories of the massive blue sphere surged through his mind. Other Blue Water users had spoken of it, calling it the Absolute¡ªthe force said to be the very fabric that connected all existence.

    Ged had dismissed their claims as the delusions of addicts, the unreliable whispers of madness.

    But now, the vision left him shaken.

    For the first time, he understood what Blue Water Madness truly was.

    The Absolute was something no person was ever meant to fully comprehend. Even recalling the faintest fragment of its image sent a deep, splintering ache through his mind, as if his brain was being torn in two.

    Forcing the memory into the furthest recesses of his mind, Ged barely maintained his composure.

    He exhaled sharply, refocusing himself.

    White steam began to rise from his skin, signaling that his body was ready.

    Swallowing the last of the stone, Ged stepped into the workout pod and began his routine. He performed bent-over rock rows and rock curls, each set pushing him to failure after two rounds of twelve.

    When he stepped out of the pod, his arms looked visibly larger, having gained nearly nine kilograms of mass. Only faint wisps of steam remained as the workout¡¯s effects began to fade.

    Instead of heading to the steam room, Ged walked into the main natural cave chamber. He let the Eagle Spawn feed on the residual mass waste still clinging to his body. The creatures¡¯ agitation seemed to lessen as they absorbed the leftover energy, their movements momentarily soothed. But as soon as the final wisps of steam vanished, their frenzied shaking resumed with renewed vigor.

    "Good," Ged muttered, nodding at the response. Returning to the sauna, he retrieved the bucket of lava and poured it into a small hole. Though the heat remained hot right now, after the session it would soon turn cold. Without connecting the cave to the planet¡¯s geothermal pipeline, he would need to make frequent trips to his home for refills. However, given the scrutiny surrounding his current living situation, he had no choice but to make do with what he had.

    As the room filled with steam, Ged began the muscle ability routine for "Digging Hands," refueling the heat in his core. Reflecting briefly on his earlier fight with the mushroom creature, he decided to also work on the routine for "Stalactite Sword," focusing on increasing the blade¡¯s length and sharpening its stone-like edges.

    Pain surged through his forearm muscles. His flesh turned crimson, streaked with blood from the grueling procedure, but Ged pressed on. Training the same muscle group two days in a row was a major injury risk and could easily render the muscles unusable for a lengthy recovery. The demands of the ability, which required mass waste to generate the stalactites, placed an even greater burden on his already stressed forearms.

    Still, Ged was under too much pressure to stop. He needed to be combat-ready if he was going to survive his current predicament.

    After painstaking effort, two knife-sized stalactites formed beneath the skin of his forearms, signifying a small success from the workout as he carved the final lines into his aching muscles.

    Both forearms were now in shambles, the flesh swollen and raw. Ged grimaced, knowing he would need at least two days to recover from this reckless workout.

    Even with his stalactite knives, Ged couldn¡¯t shake the dread of his situation.

    Seeking clarity and answers, he pulled out the clay tablet bearing the conscription notice and began to read.

    Scheduled for his birthday, the tablet outlined the first of many planned raids by the Golden Suns against the Cumulus Gang. It detailed possible cave fortresses and the rewards for participating in the large-scale conflict.

    The rewards were enticing: highly coveted celestial rocks, mythical celestial treasures, rare upgrades to his strength routines, high-grade workout pods, and even the promise of mentorship under the Boss himself.

    Ged studied the list, feeling a flicker of excitement despite himself. The potential prizes were tempting, and all he needed to do was bring back the heads of Cumulus Gang members to claim them.

    But with tensions looming and his place within the Golden Suns uncertain, he set the conscription notice aside for now.

    Next, Ged pulled out the two tablets Resh had given him during their last meeting. After postponing the workouts the previous day, he finally resolved to prioritize his strength, realizing he could no longer afford to delay. Fearing he might not have another day to prepare, he committed to getting stronger immediately.

    The workouts, called "Peg" and "Grapple," were designed to work in tandem. Activating "Peg" allowed the user to place a marker in space using their Soul Sprout. By following with "Grapple," they could propel themselves to the marker with great speed. Reactivating "Peg" would move it to a new location, but only one peg could exist at a time.

    Pouring another bucket of water into the sauna to create steam, Ged began carving the "Peg" pattern into his glute muscles. With the remaining steam, he worked on "Grapple," etching its constellation-like design into his lower back muscles.

    Satisfied with his progress, Ged cleared the steam from the room. Pulling out a small bit of bedding, he settled in for the night. Despite the uncomfortable surroundings, the long day had exhausted him enough to ensure a deep, untroubled sleep.

    Ged''s Current Workout

    <ul><li>Pectorals (chest) - "Rock Flys": Lowest level strength workout for chest.</li><li>Latissimus Dorsi (mid back) - strength</li><li>Rhomboid (back) - "Bent Over Rock Rows": Lowest level strength workout for back.</li><li>Trapezius (traps) - "Digging Hands": Allows the user to burrow into the ground and create tunnels for easy underground traversal.</li><li>Spinal Erector (lower back) - "Grapple": Allows the user to pull themselves to the peg with quick speeds.</li><li>Biceps - "Rock Curls": Lowest level strength workout for biceps.</li><li>Triceps (under arm) - strength</li><li>Forearms - "Stalactite Sword": Allows the user to create stone like swords in their forearms storing up to five in each.</li><li>Deltoids (shoulders) - strength</li><li>Abs - "Storage": Stores up to 50 kg of space and upgrades as the individual''s total mass increases.</li><li>hamstrings - strength</li><li>Glutes - "Peg": Allows the user to set up a singular "peg" using their soul strand so that they may grapple to it later.</li><li>Quads - "Rock Squats": Lowest level strength workout for quads.</li><li>Calves - "Goat Walk": Allows one to traverse difficult terrain as if it were flat land."</li></ul>

 12. The Cumulus Gang Strikes

    Ged awoke at dawn feeling refreshed in his makeshift bed.

    Stretching his stiff limbs, he began the morning by checking on the status of his Eagle Spawn.

    As soon as he opened the cave door, the scratching noises and putrid stench of the volcano Eagle Spawn assaulted his senses, forcing him to squint.

    Most of the Eagle Spawn hadn¡¯t slept. Those with eyes stared out with bloodshot, frenzied gazes.

    Two of his three creations had adapted somewhat to their grotesque forms. They thrashed wildly against the walls, bashing their heads and limbs until chunks of stone broke free. The creatures devoured the debris with manic urgency, carving the cave further and further outward.

    Ged smiled faintly. His creations seemed to be rebelling against the planet¡¯s constraints just as he had hoped.

    But his satisfaction faded when he turned to the third creature. It remained stuck in endless circles, its movements clumsy and aimless.

    Ged frowned. Picking up a few insect limbs left over from the previous night¡¯s spelunking, he methodically grafted them onto the creature. Despite its new appendages, the spinning continued.

    The relentless circling of the night before seemed to have ruined its sense of direction.

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Maybe you just need time to adjust..."

    He sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll give you a few days, but if you don¡¯t start pulling your weight, don¡¯t expect any mercy.¡±

    The creature, of course, couldn¡¯t understand. Oblivious, it continued its endless rotation, defying Ged¡¯s words without meaning to.

    With a dismissive shake of his head, Ged turned and exited the cave, making his way to Trevor''s bedroom.

    He narrowed his eyes at the sight before him.

    The bed was empty. Trevor was slumped in the lounge chair in the living room, dark circles framing his eyes and stone earplugs protruding from his ears. He hadn¡¯t moved from the spot Ged had last seen him, his exhaustion unmistakable.

    ¡°Boss... I can¡¯t do it,¡± Trevor muttered wearily. ¡°I need more sleep. I know you told me not to come in late again, but you have to understand.¡±

    Ged massaged his temple. Though reluctant, he knew he shared some blame for Trevor¡¯s sleepless state. While Ged had no trouble sleeping through the constant movements of the Eagle Spawn, Trevor seemed to be far more affected.

    Remembering the slow pace of the previous day as well his own limitations of his Arrest Tattoo, he decided Trevor¡¯s absence could be tolerated.

    ¡°Alright, I get it,¡± Ged replied finally. ¡°Go get some sleep. Fitch and I can cover for you today.¡±

    Trevor blinked in disbelief. ¡°Boss, you¡¯re a lifesaver. If you asked me to, I¡¯d throw myself off a cliff for you.¡±

    Ged sneered faintly. ¡°I¡¯ll take you at your word.¡±

    With that, Ged left Trevor¡¯s home and headed to work. If he needed Trevor, he could always wake him later.

    Not wanting to risk being spotted by Equalizers on the surface, Ged traveled through underground tunnels carved with ¡°Digging Hands.¡± Optimizing the heat in his core, he alternated between surfacing for a few hundred meters and retreating back underground.

    When Ged arrived at the drug den, he found it empty. Fitch was either still asleep or on his way.

    Setting up for the day, Ged glanced around the cave room, his eyes lingering on the walk-in fridge as he double-checked the lock.

    ¡°Something feels off,¡± he muttered.

    Everything appeared to be in place, but Ged couldn¡¯t shake his sense of unease. As he stared at the workplace objects, it felt as though the faintest current of air had passed through the room, tilting items ever so slightly but leaving them undisturbed.

    Opening the walk-in fridge, Ged meticulously counted every ingredient stored inside.

    Only then did his tension ease. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m overthinking things,¡± he muttered as he set up the workbench, methodically cleaning the bowls and vials with a thin cloth.

    Fitch arrived soon after, and the morning continued as usual. Ged went to check the transmitters while Fitch manned the workbench. Like the day before, things were slow, and Trevor''s absence didn¡¯t pose much difficulty.

    As the day wore on, Ged¡¯s unease began to fade. With only one order during the first half of the morning, he decided to send Fitch home early, unwilling to pay for unnecessary labor.

    It was nearing his scheduled meeting with Gore when, on his fifth round of checking the transmitters, Ged received a curious request.

    Barry had finally placed his order.

    "I want ten kilograms of Frog Tongue Powder." An image of Barry appeared on the screen, his sheepish expression causing Ged to frown.

    "So much,¡± Ged muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief. That was nearly his entire supply.

    The batch he had prepared was nowhere close to the amount Barry was asking for.

    After replying with a resonant coordinate and a pickup time, Ged hurried back to the drug den to prepare the order. Without Fitch to assist, the tedious task fell entirely on him. Completing the batch and making it to Gore¡¯s meeting on time would be a tight fit.

    At the drop-off point, Ged crouched between two jagged rocks, his eyes fixed on Barry¡¯s approach. Barry hurried toward the hidden suitcase, glancing over his shoulder constantly as though expecting someone to appear behind him.

    ¡°This day has been too strange,¡± Ged muttered, a sense of unease creeping over him. It clung to him like the sensation of bugs skittering across his skin, a sensation impossible to ignore.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Barry grabbed the suitcase, left the payment behind, and disappeared with a sheepish smile. ¡°Don''t forget to come to the party!¡± he called out, giving Ged a playful wink.

    Ged remained motionless, his body tense, refusing to respond. The world around him felt unnervingly still.

    ¡°Nothing?¡± he muttered, letting his muscles relax ever so slightly.

    Suddenly, the ground beneath Ged¡¯s feet trembled. A bird-like beak erupted from the earth, snapping its jaws in a vicious attempt to crush him.

    Sensing the danger, Ged activated ¡°Grapple,¡± pulling himself to safety just as the beak slammed shut with ferocious intent, narrowly missing him. He landed a few meters away, narrowing his eyes as a bald figure emerged from the ground. The man¡¯s cloud-shaped tattoos glistened in the light, his face twisted with hatred.

    ¡°Cumulus Gang,¡± Ged muttered, his voice low and sharp.

    Without hesitation, Ged sprang into action. A stalactite knife extended from his forearm as he lunged forward, aiming to strike before the man could fully recover. But the enemy was ready. Pulling a glaive from his traps, the man swung wildly, forcing Ged to adjust mid-attack.

    Pivoting with ¡°Goat Walk,¡± Ged sidestepped the glaive with precision, positioning himself for a direct strike at the man¡¯s forehead. Just as he moved in for the kill, he noticed movement from the corner of his eye. A second Cumulus Gang member emerged from the ground, forcing Ged to abandon his attack. Activating ¡°Grapple¡± again, he launched himself back to his originally set Peg, avoiding the ambush.

    ¡°So Barry was working with these scumbags,¡± Ged sneered. ¡°That bastard has a lot of explaining to do.¡±

    The odds weren¡¯t in his favor. Ged took a solemn moment to assess his situation but didn¡¯t hesitate.

    He struck first.

    Resetting his Peg, Ged launched himself at the second gang member, his stalactite knife aimed for a decisive strike. The first Cumulus Gang member swung his glaive in defense, while the second¡¯s legs transformed into a wave of water, flowing out of Ged¡¯s reach.

    <i>Clank.</i>

    Ged barely managed to parry the glaive¡¯s blow with his second knife from his other forearm. His attack thwarted, he quickly adjusted his stance, only to see the wave-legged gang member¡¯s body twist open. A bird-like beak erupted from the chest cavity, lunging toward Ged with deadly precision.

    Ged grappled back to his Peg with a frustrated frown. ¡°My lack of range is putting me at a disadvantage. I need to change my approach.¡±

    After several Grapples, the Cumulus Gang members were beginning to understand the mechanics of Peg and Grapple. As Ged retreated, the two men quickly pursued, intent on ending the fight decisively.

    For the first time, Ged found himself on the defensive.

    The glaive and bird-like beak of the two men closed in with ferocious intent. His Peg was set in an awkward position, and he didn¡¯t have time to set another. Outranged by both their attacks, momentum alone couldn¡¯t save him from his disastrous position.

    With no other options, Ged gritted his teeth and swiftly severed his arm with a dagger. Blood poured from his shoulder as he hurled the dagger with deadly precision at the glaive-wielding gangster, forcing him to deflect the attack. Ged then grabbed his disembodied arm that was still clutching the second dagger and brandished it like a sword. Now outranging the wave-legged gangster, he swung the arm down with a violent crash.

    The man staggered back, a sharp rocky knife sticking out of his head, before collapsing to the ground dead.

    The glaive-wielding gang member frowned at the sight of his fallen ally. With a hateful glare, he yanked the stalactite knife from his shoulder and turned his attention back to Ged.

    Determined not to be pushed onto the defensive again, Ged moved quickly to the fallen gang member and retrieved his weapon. Using Peg and Grapple for a burst of speed, he overwhelmed the remaining gang member with a relentless barrage of furious strikes.

    Constantly forced onto the back foot and feeling the pressure of Ged¡¯s assault, the man pulled a golden coin from his abs and threw it to the ground.

    Upon contact, the coin expanded into a golden rubber ball. The sudden burst of kinetic energy knocked both Ged and the gang member backward, creating a sizable gap between them.

    Seizing the opportunity, the gang member fled with incredible speed.

    Ged gave chase momentarily, but with his core energy running low and the risk of encountering more threats due to his active Arrest Tattoo, he was forced to stop. He watched the gangster¡¯s retreat with a ghastly expression.

    ¡°Coward!¡± he shouted after him.

    But his yell did nothing to slow the man¡¯s escape. After a brief moment, Ged turned his attention back to retrieve his severed arm.

    Using a heated massage, he reattached it to his shoulder. While it would take a couple of days before it was fully functional, the immediate danger had passed.

    After retrieving his second knife and storing it away, Ged turned his attention to looting the body of the gang member he had killed.

    Unfortunately, due to the presence of the Eagle Tattoo, the body sorcerer¡¯s mass was unusable to Ged. His flesh and blood was as toxic as the Planet itself.

    However, the same wasn¡¯t true for the items stored in his abs.

    Using his knife, Ged cut open the gangster¡¯s abdomen, carefully inspecting the spoils of the conflict.

    Inside, he found two gold coins, identical to the one used by the other body sorcerer for escape, 5 kilograms of stone, a few stacks of Blue Water, and a strange red napkin.

    Ged held the red napkin in his hands, uncertain of its origin. He tried channeling his core heat into it, but nothing happened.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Ged muttered, furrowing his brow. Unable to determine its purpose, he stored it away, resolving to find the answer from someone else.

    After collecting the rest of the haul, Ged left the gang member¡¯s body behind, knowing it would eventually be reabsorbed into the Planet.

    He was already long past the time he was supposed to meet with Gore. But with a nonfunctional hand and his core energy depleted, the idea didn¡¯t exactly appeal to him.

    Deciding to clean up a few things first, he resolved to delay their meeting a little longer.

    Returning to the drug den, his strides were labored, the taxing battle having taken a toll on his body.

    However, when he drilled into the den below, he was met with a sight that made his blood run cold.

    The den was completely ransacked. The workbench was split in half, and the bowls and vials lay shattered into shards. Ged¡¯s anger boiled to a crescendo as his gaze fell on what had become of the walk-in fridge.

    A massive hole had been dug into the wall. Unable to unlock it, whoever had been here had taken the entire fridge.

    Ged¡¯s rage simmered as his sharp eyes scanned the room. ¡°So it¡¯s all gone?¡± he muttered coldly.

    A dry chuckle escaped his lips.

    ¡°Trying to kill me is one thing,¡± Ged said, slamming his fist against the wall. ¡°But destroying my livelihood? You bastards have gone too far!¡±

    Swallowing his seething hatred, he knew he couldn¡¯t retaliate against the Cumulus Gang immediately.

    With the hideout completely destroyed, Ged salvaged what little he could and left soon after.

    Remembering the resonant coordinates Gore had given him, Ged set off, leaving the desolation of his ruined business behind. His strides were long but labored, conserving what little core energy he had left after the taxing battle.

    The journey stretched across 25 kilometers, his thoughts heavy with the loss of his livelihood. Finally, he arrived at the gaping maw of an open cave, its darkness yawning like a silent threat.

    Stepping inside, Ged followed the winding passages, the air damp and heavy. At the tunnel¡¯s end, a faint light could be seen, leading him to Gore.

    Seated on the floor, Gore looked worse than before. His frame had withered further, his gaunt, sleepless eyes hollowed by exhaustion.

    ¡°You¡¯re late,¡± Gore said, his tone icy. ¡°You look terrible,¡± he added, glancing over Ged¡¯s battered, dilapidated body.

    ¡°Some bastard ransacked my business,¡± Ged shot back curtly. ¡°Couldn¡¯t be helped.¡±

    ¡°I see...¡± Gore muttered, stepping aside and gesturing to his right. His voice sharpened. ¡°Let¡¯s get started, then.¡±

    Beside him stood a tall body sorcerer with a fierce handlebar mustache, his impeccable posture exuding an air of precision. Next to the man was a caged gremlin, its long arms rattling the bars frantically in a desperate bid to escape.

    ¡°You must be Ged. Stand here next to me,¡± the mustached body sorcerer instructed in a clipped, unfriendly tone. ¡°I¡¯ll be the one to take your measurements.¡±

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed. Gore was being far too insincere, introducing this tailor-like figure without explanation and keeping his plans shrouded in secrecy.

    ¡°What is this, Gore? Stop keeping me in the dark,¡± Ged demanded, unwilling to let himself be manipulated by Gore¡¯s strange schemes.

 13. Rearing Eagle Spawn

    The room grew silent, except for the rattling of the gremlin¡¯s cage.

    The mustached body sorcerer turned to Gore, his mustache twitching with irritation. ¡°Mr. Gore, I¡¯m on a tight schedule. This Ged person clearly doesn¡¯t follow instructions. Let¡¯s move on and find someone else.¡±

    Gore¡¯s voice remained cold. ¡°How many years has your organization been at this, Vernom? How many failures have you had trying to get inside that place?¡±

    Vernom¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Your point?¡±

    ¡°My point,¡± Gore continued firmly, ¡°is that when it comes to Blue Water tolerance, Ged is unmatched. Replacing him would be a grave mistake.¡±

    Vernom¡¯s lips curled in distaste as he glanced at Ged. ¡°If you¡¯re so certain,¡± he said, his tone dripping with skepticism, ¡°I¡¯ll defer... for now.¡±

    Turning to Ged, Vernom added, ¡°Do you want to stay in the dark? Fine. Shall I explain the role we¡¯re offering you?¡±

    Ged¡¯s eyes hardened as he looked past Gore, seeing only a shadow of the man he once admired. ¡°And if I refuse?¡±

    Vernom¡¯s scowl deepened. ¡°Refuse?¡± His voice dropped to a venomous growl. ¡°Do you even understand who you¡¯re dealing with? The Blue Company doesn¡¯t tolerate disobedience. Don¡¯t think you¡¯ll ever work again in this world if you go against us.¡±

    The name alone sent a faint chill through Ged. The Blue Company was a name whispered with equal parts awe and fear. That Gore was tied to them surprised him, but considering Ged had never relied on jobs outside the underground, Vernom¡¯s threats barely fazed him.

    Without a word, Ged turned to leave.

    Vernom harrumphed loudly. ¡°Useless bastard. Go on, then. We don¡¯t need you.¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Gore¡¯s voice cracked, uncharacteristically urgent. ¡°Trust me, Ged. I¡¯ll make it worth your time.¡±

    Ged kept walking, his muscular back radiating silent rejection. Vernom sighed audibly, smoothing his mustache with a sharp flick. ¡°You¡¯re desperate, Gore. This guy¡¯s no good. Perhaps I overestimated you as an ally.¡±

    Ignoring the jab, Gore raised his voice again, a hint of desperation breaking through his composed demeanor. ¡°Vernom here is the Head Design Lead for the Blue Company. He¡¯s willing to offer you 300 stacks of Blue Water.¡±

    Ged paused mid-step, raising an eyebrow. He didn¡¯t trust Gore or Vernom, but the offer piqued his curiosity. If the price was good enough, it might be worth considering. Slowly, he turned his head. ¡°What kind of job?¡± His voice was sharp as his glare locked onto Vernom.

    Gore, noticing Ged¡¯s renewed interest, settled down and began to explain the job in full.

    ¡°During the Blue Rain that surged over one hundred years ago, there was a cosmic river of Blue Water that flowed unstoppably through the void of the universe,¡± Gore began.

    ¡°Even the Olympians, whose mass spans 99% of the universe, were unable to stop such a destructive force. The stream consumed entire galaxies and solar systems. Its might seemed destined to be a permanent fixture in the cosmos.¡±

    ¡°But one day, it disappeared,¡± Vernom interjected, taking over seamlessly. ¡°For nearly two centuries, we¡¯ve been searching for the reason it vanished. And on this backwater planet, we believe we might have found a clue.¡±

    Ged¡¯s gaze narrowed, skepticism flickering across his face.

    Gore continued, his tone measured. ¡°Ged, remember when I told you I started scavenging for collapsed houses after leaving the underground? That wasn¡¯t a lie. It was during one of those trips that I found something unusual. It looked like a standard Eagle Paint bunker home, but curiously, it had no entrance. Digging deeper into the planet, I discovered a sphere of flowing Blue Water.¡±

    ¡°Thinking I had stumbled upon a fortuitous Blue Water mine, I contacted Vernom, who allowed me to understand the full story,¡± Gore explained, a hint of excitement breaking through his otherwise steady demeanor. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly what¡¯s inside, but whatever it is, it¡¯s believed to be unfathomable.¡±

    Ged raised an eyebrow, skepticism giving way to cautious curiosity. ¡°And you think I can crack it?¡±

    Gore¡¯s expression softened. ¡°How many stacks of Blue Water did you crush last night?¡±

    Ged¡¯s response was blunt. ¡°Fifteen.¡±

    Vernom¡¯s expression shifted at the number. Fifteen? That was unheard of, even for the largest underground body sorcerers. Consuming such an amount would surely drive anyone mad. Yet Ged appeared composed, his calm demeanor forcing Vernom to reevaluate him, thinking slightly more highly of the young man.

    ¡°Interesting¡­¡± Vernom muttered. ¡°I¡¯ll have to see if you¡¯re true to your word. But it sounds like you at least know how to manage yourself.¡±

    Ged shook his head. ¡°Three hundred stacks aren¡¯t enough. This job sounds risky. And while I did take fifteen yesterday, it took a toll on me. I¡¯m not invincible to Blue Water.¡±

    Vernom frowned. ¡°Are you serious? Three hundred stacks is a gargantuan amount for anyone. Most people wouldn¡¯t see that much in their entire lifetime.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not asking for more Blue Water,¡± Ged replied calmly. ¡°I need a copy of a Blue Water Mining workout routine.¡±

    ¡°Bullshit!¡± Vernom scoffed, his voice burning with anger. ¡°Like I¡¯d hand over company secrets to some kid off the street. You¡¯re far too out of line.¡±

    Gore stepped forward. ¡°Vernom! Calm down. He didn¡¯t ask for the company¡¯s workout. He asked for <i>any</i> copy. The standard Mining workout routine only runs at about 200 kilograms. We can afford to give him that.¡±

    Vernom compressed his rage, exhaling his distaste in a sharp harrumph. ¡°Fair enough,¡± he said curtly. ¡°You¡¯ll get your workout. Now, come here and let me take your measurements. I¡¯ve had enough delays.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Pulling out 150 stacks of Blue Water from his suitcase, he handed them over to Ged as a down payment. Then, unfurling his Soul Sprout, he began measuring Ged like a tailor fitting a suit.

    ¡°What are these measurements for?¡± Ged asked quizzically, raising his arm in compliance.

    ¡°They¡¯re for a suit,¡± Vernom replied, gesturing toward the gremlin that was frantically shaking its cage. ¡°For the operation, you¡¯ll be wearing that guy.¡±

    Ged narrowed his eyes at the rattling cage. He had never seen anything like the gremlin before, and the idea of ¡®wearing¡¯ it made little sense to him.

    Vernom continued, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll ensure this gremlin Eagle Spawn is properly reared to fit your bodily dimensions. Its skin is extraordinarily resilient to Blue Water and will be invaluable in breaking through the surface of the blue sphere.¡±

    Ged could only nod. Since he had already accepted the 150 stacks of Blue Water, he had little choice but to go along with the process.

    Vernom measured every inch of Ged¡¯s body with precision before finally retracting his Soul Sprout, allowing Ged to move freely once more.

    Next, Vernom retrieved a metal coffin covered in hundreds of adjustable dials. Methodically, he began rotating the dials to adjust the internal mold to Ged¡¯s exact specifications. Once satisfied, he opened the gremlin¡¯s cage, grabbed the creature, and ruthlessly tossed it into the coffin.

    Channeling his core energy, the coffin began to glow with intricate patterns. A blood-curdling scream erupted from within, growing louder as Vernom increased the heat. He stared at the process with cold detachment, showing no reaction to the creature¡¯s agony.

    Gore turned to Ged with an apologetic look. ¡°Ged, we¡¯ll handle the rest from here. Expect my contact within the next few days.¡± He pulled a gun from his abs and handed it to Ged. ¡°Here¡¯s one of the gun¡¯s I promised you. No need to pay me further. I¡¯ll make sure to deliver the rest.¡±

    Ged accepted the gun with a nod, storing it in his abs. Without another word, he turned and left the scene, heading back home.

    It was still quite early in the day.

    Traveling along the jagged, stony path, Ged went over the deal with Gore and Vernom several times in his mind. He felt a measure of satisfaction at securing the Blue Water Mining workout, and with it, he felt more optimistic about his situation should his original plan of mining through Resh fall through.

    ¡°I should go and see what that crazy bastard is up to,¡± he muttered.

    But as he held his unhealed arm and glanced at the faint glow of the Arrest Tattoo still marring his face, he realized it might be wiser to take things slower. ¡°But first, I need to get some rest.¡±

    When Ged arrived at his doorway, he noticed a plain message rock sitting suspiciously on the doorstep.

    He examined it warily, but when he saw who had sent it, a frown creased his face.

    It was from the agency that employed Stu and Celia, his former foster parents.

    Ged played the message, and a kind-looking man in a blazer appeared before him, speaking softly.

    ¡°Happy early birthday, dearest Ged,¡± the man began. His voice was old but gentle. ¡°Unfortunately, once you turn 18, we will no longer be able to continue providing our services without proper payment.¡±

    Ged¡¯s expression hardened at the thought.

    The man continued, ¡°For this upcoming birthday, it¡¯s up to you to decide whether to have one final send-off with your parents or celebrate it on your own.

    ¡°I speak on behalf of every parent involved in your childhood when I say it was an absolute blessing to have you as our son. I hope you have a great 18th birthday. We will respect whatever choice you make for the future.¡±

    Ged¡¯s hand tightened around the stone, cracks forming as his grip grew stronger. But suddenly, his fingers loosened.

    ¡°This fabricated family¡­¡± Ged muttered bitterly. ¡°Why can¡¯t I put them behind me?¡±

    Something lingered, holding him back, something he couldn¡¯t define. A longing that couldn¡¯t be satiated, nor could it be erased.

    Shaking his head, Ged entered his home and placed the stone message on the island table, resolving to forget about it.

    He headed downstairs to the sauna, retrieved another bucket of lava, and sent a quick message to Fitch to inform him of the drug den¡¯s collapse.

    Without lingering, he left his home and returned to Trevor¡¯s.

    Trevor was still passed out on the lounge seat when Ged arrived. Stirring from his stupor, Trevor¡¯s eyes widened as he noticed Ged¡¯s beaten and bruised condition.

    ¡°Boss! What happened to you? Don¡¯t tell me Fitch got one over on you!¡± Trevor exclaimed, disbelief written across his face.

    Ged sneered at the comment. ¡°The drug den was busted. We¡¯re out of work,¡± he said bluntly.

    ¡°Out of work?¡± Trevor¡¯s tone turned fearful. ¡°Ged, what am I supposed to do about my expenses?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s only temporary,¡± Ged replied firmly. ¡°Once this war blows over, we can rebuild operations in a different part of the sector. Why don¡¯t you find a part-time job in the meantime?¡±

    Trevor visibly recoiled at the idea of working a demanding job. Glancing toward the natural cave, still alive with chittering noises, he stammered, ¡°I-Is our great fortune mature yet?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Ged replied curtly, already turning to leave the hysterical Trevor behind.

    Tears welled in Trevor¡¯s eyes as he pleaded, ¡°Ged, please, let me borrow some stones! You¡¯ve got to help me out here. I don¡¯t want to work a real job.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m focusing on healing. Figure it out yourself,¡± Ged said dismissively with a wave, leaving Trevor to wallow in his misery.

    Taking the next two days off to heal, Ged focused entirely on maturing his Blue Crystal Mine.

    With no weightlifting or work to occupy him, he spent nearly all his free time spelunking caves, completing the entire list of leads in the process. Incorporating bits and pieces from his discoveries, he worked tirelessly to create an absolutely hellish environment for the poor Eagle Spawn he was rearing.

    By the morning of the third day, Ged awoke feeling refreshed, the Arrest Tattoo having finally faded from his neck.

    Stretching as he got out of bed, he made his way to inspect the Eagle Spawn of the Blue Crystal Mine.

    The room was a chaotic spectacle. Shaking Maraca Vine Eagle Spawn dangled from the ceiling, producing an incessant rattling sound. Sticky Bubble Eagle Spawn filled the air with moisture, creating a clammy atmosphere that obscured the Blue Crystals lining the cave walls. The Eagle Spawn that Ged was rearing were trapped in a state of constant, sleepless frenzy. They clawed at the walls, relentlessly destroying their surroundings as they desperately searched for any possible means of escape.

    The red hue of the Planetary poison had diminished significantly, a clear indication of progress.

    Satisfied with the scene, Ged carefully navigated the many obstacles that now littered the ground, shooing away frenzied Eagle Spawn as he made his way to the door of Trevor¡¯s room.

    Trevor was fast asleep in his bed, having picked up a part-time job as a sign holder for a merchant. The long days allowed him to sleep much better, even with the increase in noise.

    Ged didn¡¯t bother waking him. Tiptoeing around the bed, he opened the door and breathed in the crisp outdoor air.

    Flexing his previously out-of-commission arm and feeling its strength return in earnest, he smiled.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to have some of my freedom back,¡± he muttered, his strides carrying him across the stony earth.

    On his way to the Hidden Olympian, Ged decided it was the perfect time to catch up with Resh.

    Having contacted the depot the day before for the Hidden Olympian¡¯s resonant coordinates, he began searching for traces of the rogue cave.

    Digging into the ground, he found himself in a familiar crystalline cavern.

    But as he approached the nightclub entrance, he noticed there were no bouncers stationed at the door.

    ¡°That¡¯s strange,¡± Ged said warily. The usual droning electronic music was still playing, but aside from the absence of people, there were no signs of a struggle.

    Having been ambushed by the Cumulus Gang before, Ged entered cautiously.

    His gaze swept across the room, and his eyes narrowed in disbelief at the sights before him.

    Crab was slumped on the floor, his two protruding crab eyes darting around as if they had minds of their own.

    Chim¡¯s torso had been replaced with that of a silverback gorilla, and his body lay convulsing on the ground.

    Caroline and the other dancers hadn¡¯t been spared either. Deer antlers, hooves, duck bills, and many other kinds of animal parts disfigured their bodies.

    ¡°This place has turned into a damn zoo!¡± Ged exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. Every Golden Suns gang member under Resh¡¯s command had undergone a horrific transformation.

    As his gaze turned toward Resh¡¯s private room, a deep sense of unease gripped him.

    ¡°Resh...¡± he muttered, a solemn look crossing his face. He dreaded discovering what had happened to his longtime boss and friend.

 14. Ramblings About the Absolute

    Ged slowly walked through the Hidden Olympian, passing the groaning bodies of the zooified members of the Golden Suns. His face was solemn, his gaze fixed ahead as he approached Resh''s private room.

    Chim was the first to stir, his ape-like breastplate shuddering uncontrollably as he noticed Ged''s approaching figure.

    "Ged... are you here to see Resh?" Chim called out, his voice strained. "You shouldn''t go. Trust me, he is nothing like you saw him last."

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed as he took in Chim¡¯s dilapidated state. Chim had always been a bouncer loyal to a fault, and to see him reduced to this filled Ged with a dark unease.

    "How could this happen?" Ged questioned, his voice low but heavy with concern. The situation gnawed at him. If Resh was truly beyond saving, what would become of his already-destroyed business? Ged needed Resh to be stable now more than ever, but it seemed that hope was slipping further away.

    From among the dancers, Caroline stirred and softly answered Ged''s question. "It''s Gilgamesh," she whispered, her deer antlers trembling slightly. "Ever since he appeared in the sixth sector, Resh has been pushing his drug usage far beyond what he¡¯s capable of. His strange behaviors have grown even more extreme..." Her voice lowered further, as though speaking the truth aloud might invite wrath. "And we¡¯re not even the worst of his creations."

    Crab suddenly jolted awake from his stupor, his movements frantic and panicked. "It¡¯s over. It¡¯s all over," he wailed, his crab-like appendages twitching. "Resh is coming for me next. He said it himself. I¡¯m still not finished!" His cries echoed through the room, though no tears could fall from his crab eyes.

    Ged felt a pang of pity for the Hidden Olympian members, his expression hardening with conflicting emotions.

    Chim stood up, lowering his head warily. "Ged," he said, his voice heavy with resignation, "I think it¡¯s time to let Resh go. He can¡¯t be saved anymore. We should let Gilgamesh take control of the sixth sector. I¡¯ve already lost hope that Resh can remain our leader. If Gilgamesh came for his head, none of us would stop him." Chim¡¯s shoulders sagged as he finished, his gaze fixed on the floor.

    Ged frowned at the words. He didn¡¯t have the tools to handle the looming threat of Gilgamesh, and he wasn¡¯t keen on pledging his loyalty to someone who didn¡¯t respect his freedom. Even though Resh had gone too far and his madness seemed beyond redemption, Ged knew he had to try to save him.

    "I¡¯ll see it through myself," Ged finally said, his tone resolute. Without another glance, he purposefully strode toward Resh¡¯s private room.

    The doorway seemed ordinary, its usual VIP cloth still intact. Ged hesitated briefly before parting the fabric.

    Stepping inside, his narrowed gaze scanned the room.

    What he saw made his stomach churn.

    The space was a cave of horrors. Detached limbs hung from the walls and ceiling like grotesque art pieces, each spiraled with tattoos. Limbless torsos of Golden Suns members were embedded into the walls, their terrified eyes fixed on the hulking figure of their torturer.

    Resh stood in the center of the room, his broad back illuminated by the bright blue glow of veins coursing through his body. With an inking pen in hand, he methodically tattooed spirals onto disfigured limbs, treating them as his grisly canvas.

    Even Ged, hardened by years in the underground, faltered. For a moment, he hesitated. But he forced himself to speak.

    "You¡¯ve grown in size," he said, his voice steady despite the revulsion knotting his stomach. "It seems the Blue Water you¡¯re taking is doing its job."

    Startled, Resh spun around, the inking pen clattering to the floor. His eyes were black holes of bottomless blue, glowing so intensely that Ged instinctively stepped back, activating his muscle ability, Peg, without realizing it.

    Resh smiled, his gums glowing a vibrant blue. "Ged," he rasped, his voice dry and sleepless. "Good, you¡¯re here. I¡¯ve been expecting you. We have so much to discuss... but first."

    He moved closer, his towering physique dwarfing Ged.

    "Empty it," Resh said, extending a massive hand toward Ged.

    Ged frowned. "Empty what?"

    "Your abs, of course," Resh scoffed. "You¡¯re here to kill me, aren¡¯t you? Show me the weapon you¡¯ve brought."

    His eyes burned with intensity as he continued. "I have done it. I have transcended this boring reality. My connection to the Absolute has finally been established. It¡¯s just a fledgling strand, but even so, it grants me knowledge beyond understanding. My conquest is complete. The world is finally beneath my feet! Even you, without realizing it, have bowed before me."

    A slow grin stretched across his face, dark and knowing.

    "I saw a premonition of my own death. And it was your hands that wrung the final breaths from my throat."

    He leaned in slightly, his voice dripping with killing intent. "Tell me, little Ged, how do you plan to explain yourself?"

    His expression darkened as he stepped closer, his hand still outstretched.

    Fearing Resh might attack, Ged readied his Grapple ability, preparing for a swift retreat. But Resh continued, his tone detached, almost curious.

    "Don¡¯t worry. I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re trying to kill me," he said grimly. "Death isn¡¯t an end for me anymore. I just want to see what you will use to do it."

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed, frustration boiling within him. Resh was no longer capable of coherent thought, yet Ged still needed him alive a little longer. He wasn¡¯t a fan of mind games, but at this point, he had no choice but to play along.

    Reluctantly, he reached into his abs, pulled out a variety of items, and placed them into Resh¡¯s outstretched hand.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Resh¡¯s glowing eyes scanned the objects, meticulously sorting them into what seemed like chaotic piles in his palm.

    "I understand now," he muttered, holding up the red napkin. "I see... You were sent here by the Equalizers. Your motivations are starting to make sense..."

    He held the napkin aloft, his glowing eyes shining through the thin fabric.

    "That¡¯s not mine," Ged said flatly. "Why the hell would I ever want to work with the Equalizers?"

    "Liar," Resh growled. "This is a snitch cipher used to decode signals. Either you''re working with the Equalizers, or you have ties to another shady organization."

    Ged bristled at the accusation. "It came from a Cumulus Gang bastard that was trying to kill me. I just got an Arrest Tattoo. That should tell you that I¡¯m no damn snitch."

    Resh¡¯s gaze shifted to Ged¡¯s face, spotting the fading Arrest Tattoo.

    "Ha! A misdemeanor tattoo? How cute." He chuckled, flexing his neck. The flesh rearranged, revealing a menacing Arrest Tattoo that radiated with a black, devilish outline.

    "Come back when you have a ¡®wanted¡¯ tattoo. Maybe then I¡¯ll believe your innocent act."

    Ged grimaced, his frustration mounting.

    Resh continued rifling through Ged¡¯s belongings, his frown deepening. ¡°It¡¯s not here,¡± he muttered, his tone laced with confusion. ¡°Your weapon... I wonder why.¡± He handed the items back to Ged and held his face in thought.

    ¡°Resh, I ran into Gilgamesh,¡± Ged said, breaking through Resh¡¯s distraction. ¡°He told me he¡¯s going to kill you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re hiding it,¡± Resh snapped, ignoring Ged¡¯s warning. ¡°It must be here somewhere.¡± His tone sharpened as he nodded to himself. ¡°Your weapon to kill me¡­ it must still be hidden.¡±

    ¡°I spoke to your men,¡± Ged said seriously, his frustration simmering. ¡°They won¡¯t protect you when he comes for your head. Why haven¡¯t you moved to the safehouse yet?¡±

    ¡°The safehouse?¡± Resh pondered aloud, his tone dismissive. ¡°Why should I hide? I don¡¯t fear this so-called death you speak of.¡± Waving Ged off, he turned back to his grotesque tattooing. ¡°If that¡¯s all you have to say, don¡¯t bother me any longer.¡±

    Ged stared at Resh¡¯s retreating back, feeling as though the world was crumbling around him. The weight of his circumstances and the uncertainty of his future loomed like an avalanche, threatening to bury him.

    ¡°Resh, my business is gone. Those Cumulus gang bastards destroyed it,¡± Ged yelled, his voice uncharacteristically urgent. ¡°I¡¯m about to lose everything in the underground. You said it yourself: if you go down, I go down with you. I need you to snap out of this madness for a moment and think about the bigger picture.¡±

    Resh¡¯s head perked up slightly. ¡°The bigger picture?¡± he repeated, his voice tinged with amusement. ¡°The absolute¡¯s gaze spans the entirety of existence. The only thing it doesn¡¯t see is itself, and now I¡¯m connected to it. How could I possibly see a bigger picture?¡±

    Ged stared at him, incredulous. There wasn¡¯t a shred of sanity left. Every word out of Resh¡¯s mouth was pure nonsense.

    ¡°What would it take to get you to move to the safehouse?¡± Ged asked through gritted teeth. ¡°I¡¯ll get you whatever you want, as long as it¡¯s within reason.¡±

    Resh chuckled wickedly, his expression twisting into a menacing grin. ¡°Anything?¡± he repeated, his tone dripping with mockery. ¡°Ged, I always knew I could count on you. Every single follower of mine has been a disappointment.¡±

    Pausing, Resh leaned closer. ¡°But you, Ged... you¡¯re different. You have something I need.¡± His smile widened, predatory and menacing. ¡°I want what you¡¯re hiding.¡±

    Ged¡¯s expression hardened. Reluctantly, he reached into his abs and retrieved 25 stacks of Blue Water.

    A look of pure delight spread across Resh¡¯s face. ¡°I knew it! You have no idea how long I¡¯ve needed another hit,¡± he exclaimed, lunging at Ged with alarming speed.

    Instinctively, Ged activated Grapple, propelling himself backward just in time to avoid Resh¡¯s grasp.

    ¡°First, we go to the safehouse,¡± Ged said firmly, tucking the Blue Water back into his abs. Resh frowned, but after a moment of tense silence, he nodded.

    ¡°Fine. I got what I wanted. We can go,¡± Resh spoke reluctantly.

    With the tension easing, the two stepped through the VIP cloth. Resh led the way into the main area of the nightclub.

    His glowing body illuminated the dark, seedy atmosphere of the room. Employees scattered to the corners of the room like frightened mice, avoiding his imposing presence.

    Resh''s blue eyes roamed the space like prison searchlights, scanning every corner and ensuring no shadow was left uncovered.

    In the far corner of the room, Crab cowered in terror. When Resh''s gaze landed on him, Crab¡¯s body jerked involuntarily, trembling with fear.

    "Hold up just one moment, Ged..." Resh said, frowning as he locked eyes with Crab. "I forgot to finish something." Rolling up his sleeves, he started toward Crab, his glowing eyes lighting the way like headlights bearing down on a trapped animal.

    "Stop! Please, spare me, boss!" Crab wailed, his voice cracking with desperation. "I don¡¯t want to be finished!"

    Ged sighed and, after a moment of pity, extended an arm to block Resh¡¯s advance. "I think he¡¯s had enough. Let¡¯s not delay any longer."

    Resh glared at Ged, his expression filled with childlike hatred, as though someone had threatened to take away his favorite toy. Brushing Ged¡¯s hand aside, he continued toward the trembling Crab.

    Ged quickly retrieved a stack of Blue Water from his abs and held it up. "Come on, Resh. Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll throw in a few extra stacks if you start being reasonable."

    Resh''s eyes softened at the sight of the Blue Water. After a moment of hesitation, he turned away from Crab, reluctantly agreeing to spare him. Together, Ged and Resh made their way to the exit of the Hidden Olympian, though Resh couldn¡¯t resist stealing a few final glances at Crab as they left.

    At the entrance, Resh took the lead. He pulled out an obsidian tablet and scanned its contents, nodding to himself. Reaching into his abs, he retrieved a drilling artifact and began boring into the walls, creating a pathway for the two of them to continue forward.

    Tunneling as swiftly as walking on land, the two moved leisurely, following the directions laid out by Resh''s obsidian tablet.

    After several hours of drilling, they arrived at a locked natural cave system. Resh activated his Eagle Tattoo, and the massive metal cave door opened with a thunderous crash, shaking the earth with its immense weight.

    "Alright, I¡¯m here now. You wanted me to live longer, so be it. I¡¯ll live a little longer," Resh muttered impassively.

    Ged handed him twenty-seven stacks of vials. "Thank you, Resh. Do try to take care of yourself."

    "Take care of myself? I¡¯m holing up in this bunker because of you. You¡¯ll be the one looking after me. I¡¯ll probably burn through these stacks pretty quick," Resh replied, his tone dismissive. He then handed Ged a collection of items.

    "I won¡¯t need this worldly trash anymore. Use it however you see fit." He waved off the items as though they were of no consequence.

    Ged¡¯s eyes widened as he examined the items. They were treasures!

    In addition to the obsidian tablet and the drilling artifact he was already familiar with, there were two other items: a chunk of celestial iron and a rare purple workout tablet. Ged held the tablet in disbelief, struggling to understand why Resh would so easily part with such a prized possession.

    Workout tablets were categorized into tiers, with all of Ged''s routines falling under the lowest tier, stone, followed by the uncommon green. Now, however, he held a rare purple workout tablet in his hands. He had never seen one before, let alone had the chance to hold one. His gaze lingered on the tablet, his fascination evident.

    "Thank me later," Resh said with a faint smile. "Alright, I must go. The absolute is calling me."

    With that, Resh shut the massive door to the safehouse, leaving Ged alone.

    Ged tucked away his treasures, then stared at the entrance of the safehouse for a lingering moment. Activating his new drilling artifact, he tunneled away from the bunker.

    Buried deep below the surface, farther than Ged had ever gone before, he finally emerged just as the sun was setting over the horizon.

    Taking a moment to get his bearings, he made his way back home, arriving just as the last rays of sunlight disappeared.

    Ged exhaled, the weight of the long day settling on his shoulders. With no messages waiting at his doorstep, he stepped inside to retrieve a bucket of lava.

    While passing through his workout room, Ged¡¯s attention was drawn to the pulsating light of a message on his transmitter.

    Curious, he picked it up. An image of Gore flickered to life in his mind.

    ¡°Your suit is ready,¡± Gore announced. ¡°We head out tomorrow.¡±

    The message faded.

    Ged narrowed his eyes. He had only one night.

    One chance to master the rare workout routine before stepping into whatever mess awaited him next.

 15. Training Against The Expansion Of The Universe

    Putting down the stone transmission, he pondered how he should prepare for the day ahead.

    Something about the whole situation with Gore felt off, though he couldn¡¯t quite put his finger on it.

    Still, resources were resources. If he wanted a real shot at becoming a celestial body sorcerer and exploring the universe beyond, he would have to take risks and leverage odds that often seemed impossibly stacked against him.

    Another 150 stacks of Blue Water, combined with the potential for even greater profits from his Blue Water Mining operation, made the tinges of doubt feel worthwhile.

    Steeling himself, he put the transmitter away, walked to the sauna, and retrieved the bucket of lava.

    Night had fallen by the time Ged returned to Trevor¡¯s home. As he approached, the sound of soft weeping reached his ears.

    Inside, Trevor sat slumped on his lounge chair, his eyes clouded in a purple haze, with tears streaming down his cheeks.

    Ged raised an eyebrow at the pitiful sight.

    "I''m back," Ged said flatly, making no effort to acknowledge Trevor¡¯s obvious distress.

    "Oh, boss, it¡¯s terrible," Trevor wailed, refusing to let his tears go unnoticed. "My life is just one endless spiral of misery and suffering."

    Ged had no interest in getting involved. He exhaled heavily, brushing off Trevor¡¯s melodramatics with a pointed lack of sympathy.

    "I had just a tiny amount of stone left after paying rent," Trevor continued, his voice cracking. "I had to choose between eating it or using it to buy drugs. I-I couldn¡¯t resist. I¡¯m only human. I just wanted to get high!" His voice rose into a plaintive wail.

    "But it wasn¡¯t enough," he added, sniffling as he wiped at his eyes. "Even after I used all my stones, my entire supply¡­ I¡¯m still sober."

    "Is that really such a terrible thing?" Ged muttered, taking a step toward the Blue Crystal Mine and doing his best to ignore Trevor¡¯s dramatics.

    "Boss, don¡¯t be so heartless!" Trevor pleaded, falling to his knees, his hands clasped in a trembling gesture of supplication. "You¡¯re staying at my house. Lend me some stones! I just want to eat a meal tonight. Please!"

    Ged frowned, his patience wearing thin. Reaching into his abs, he pulled out three and a half stones. "This is all I¡¯ve got left," he said gruffly. "I¡¯m broke too. Eat these and replenish yourself. And don¡¯t you dare use those for anything else." He thrust the stones into Trevor¡¯s hands with reluctant force.

    Trevor cradled the stones like sacred offerings, his tear-filled eyes lifting to Ged¡¯s face with reverence. "Boss, you are the greatest person ever to walk this earth," he muttered, his voice trembling with gratitude. "To serve you is the highest honor of my miserable life."

    Trevor bowed repeatedly as he shuffled back to his lounge chair, the stones clutched tightly in his hands. But Ged¡¯s sharp gaze didn¡¯t miss a thing.

    "You said you were going to eat them. Weren''t you hungry? What are you waiting for? Or do you want me to shove them down your throat myself?" Ged demanded, his voice devoid of politeness.

    Trevor jumped, startled, and quickly popped the stones into his mouth, chewing them exaggeratedly. "Silly me," he mumbled through a full mouth. "I was so hungry I forgot."

    Ged wasn¡¯t convinced. His narrowed eyes stayed fixed on Trevor, waiting as finished chewing. Trevor¡¯s forehead glistened with sweat, his movements growing more frantic as he obscured his mouth with one hand.

    "All done," Trevor finally croaked, forcing a pained stuffed grin.

    Ged¡¯s expression darkened further.

    Without warning, Ged activated a Peg he had prepared earlier and Grappled forward with blinding speed. Trevor barely managed a shocked gasp before Ged was upon him, the sudden movement causing the unchewed stones to lodge in his throat and make him choke.

    Ged wasted no time. Without a trace of guilt, he delivered a well-placed sucker punch directly into Trevor''s sternum, functioning as a one-armed Heimlich maneuver. The forceful strike dislodged the stones from Trevor¡¯s throat, sending them flying out of his mouth and clattering to the floor at blistering speed.

    Trevor doubled over, clutching his stomach and gasping for breath.

    Ged bent down, scooped up the stones, and crushed them in his hand, grinding them into a fine powder. Then, prying open Trevor¡¯s mouth, he poured the powder in.

    "Swallow it," Ged commanded coldly.

    Trevor obeyed, gulping down the powder with difficulty. Coughing uncontrollably, he collapsed onto the floor, white steam rising from his body as he began digesting the stones.

    "Idiot," Ged muttered, his tone a mixture of annoyance and disappointment.

    Without another word, he turned his back on Trevor, leaving him on the floor to recover as the steam continued to billow from his body.

    The Blue Crystal cave and the Eagle Spawn within were as active as usual, but compared to how Ged had left it in the morning, the scene before him left much to be desired.

    A small portion of the Eagle Spawn had started to develop a tolerance to their hellish environment. Some were asleep or lazily sprawled amidst the chaos, while the rest continued tearing relentlessly at the walls of the Planet.

    "It seems some of the Eagle Spawn have started to acclimate to their surroundings," Ged said thoughtfully. "But every inch of this wall is already covered in discomforting elements. How can I possibly make this place any more unbearable?"

    His thoughts wandered to Vernom from the Blue Company and the strange, cruel methods he had used to torment the gremlin Eagle Spawn.

    "It seems I¡¯m still too green when it comes to the art of cave maturation and Eagle Spawn rearing," he muttered to himself. "I wonder if there are any resources at the public library I could study."

    Letting out a sigh, Ged decided the issue would have to wait until tomorrow, after his meeting with Gore.

    The Eagle Spawn, visibly hungry, began to crowd around him, drawn by his lingering presence and searching for food.

    As he observed the scene, his thoughts shifted to Trevor, who was still outside, exhaling waste steam. An idea sparked in his mind.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Without hesitation, he headed back out to retrieve the suffering Trevor.

    "What are you doing?" Trevor croaked, his voice barely a whisper from the strain and pain.

    "Making you useful," Ged said curtly. Without ceremony, he grabbed Trevor and, with an impolite toss, threw him into the cave. The Eagle Spawn immediately began to swarm over him. Trevor, his throat too sore to scream, froze in terror as the chaotic, hellish room closed in around him. The Eagle Spawn eagerly consumed the white steam that continued to emit from his body.

    "Stay here until you¡¯ve finished digesting your stones," Ged commanded bluntly.

    "Wait, no! I¡¯ve learned my lesson! Please, Boss, don¡¯t leave me in here!" Trevor pleaded, his voice reduced to raspy grumbles.

    Ged ignored his pleas, shutting the cave door behind him and blocking it completely with his broad frame.

    The sound of Trevor¡¯s desperate thuds and scratches reverberated through the stone. Inside, the Spawn¡¯s guttural screeches grew louder, mingling with Trevor¡¯s faint, choked gasps as the unwilling feeder fulfilled his role.

    Ged ignored it all. Reaching into his abs, he pulled out the red napkin he had taken from the Cumulus Gang member¡¯s corpse.

    ¡°A snitch from the Equalizers¡­¡± he muttered. He recalled Resh describing the napkin as a cipher translator, but at the time, he had been too immersed in Resh¡¯s bizarre world to fully consider the significance of those words.

    ¡°What was a snitch from the Cumulus Gang doing attacking me like that?¡± he wondered aloud, his brow furrowing as he tried to piece together the motivations behind the assault. ¡°And how do the Equalizers fit into all of this?¡± His mind churned as he attempted to connect the dots, but the pieces didn¡¯t align.

    He had initially planned to blacklist Barry from the Golden Suns¡¯ no-sell list, but now he wasn¡¯t so sure. ¡°I need to find out for myself who that bastard is really working for.¡±

    Resolving to dig deeper, he made a mental note of Barry¡¯s upcoming birthday party. He would be there and would get answers.

    Tucking the red napkin away, Ged retrieved the purple workout tablet.

    ¡°Resistance Against The Universe''s Expansion¡­¡± he read the title aloud in a hushed whisper.

    Cradling the tablet as though it were a precious artifact, he eagerly began studying its contents, determined to understand the rare routine.

    ¡°Incredible,¡± Ged breathed, his eyes darting across the pages, a mixture of shock and delight flashing in his gaze. The workout described intricate poses, specific body positions, and the exact environmental conditions required to perform it effectively.

    ¡°Up to 250 kilograms of possible gains per workout!¡± Ged exclaimed, astonished. Most stone workout routines allowed for only 10 kilograms of mass gain per muscle group. Throughout his life, he had never seen anything more substantial. He had heard of rarer green routines that offered up to 50 kilograms of gains per session, but even if he¡¯d acquired one, he had never been wealthy enough to maximize its potential.

    Yet here was a workout 25 times more effective than his current routines. Even more remarkable, it was a full-body workout. Performing it twice a week would be enough to reap its immense benefits.

    "With this, I might finally have the path I need to escape Gilgamesh''s control," he muttered excitedly.

    But as he read further, his enthusiasm dimmed. A frown creased his face.

    The extraordinary mass-building potential came with steep requirements.

    ¡°This workout can only be done using celestial mass,¡± he said, his voice tinged with disappointment. Reaching into his abs, he pulled out the piece of celestial iron and weighed it in his hand.

    ¡°Mad Resh really does spoil me,¡± Ged muttered with a faint smile. He examined the celestial iron carefully, noting its impressive weight of nearly 200 kilograms.

    ¡°It seems that tonight, something that would have taken me close to a year will now only take a single night,¡± he chuckled to himself, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes.

    Getting up from the doorway, the door slipped open, releasing an exasperated Trevor. Shaking off Eagle Spawn clinging to his body, he appeared utterly traumatized by the ordeal he had endured.

    Ged scanned Trevor with a sharp gaze. ¡°Good, you¡¯ve finished digesting. Thanks for helping me out with that one,¡± he sneered.

    Trevor shut the door behind him, heaving with frightened gasps. His fear was not directed at the cave or the Eagle Spawn but at his boss, who had so cruelly thrown him inside.

    Terrified that worse might be in store if he didn¡¯t comply fully, Trevor stammered, ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve seen the light. I¡¯ll never do drugs again. Your teachings have been engraved into my memory.¡± He trembled as he spoke. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Ged chuckled coldly. ¡°I¡¯m heading out tonight. I¡¯m not sure when I¡¯ll return. Do try and get some sleep.¡±

    A chill rolled down Trevor¡¯s spine. The memory of his experience in the cave left him certain he wouldn¡¯t be able to sleep a wink that night.

    Ged left Trevor alone once more, darting out the door, determined not to waste any time.

    ¡°Find the spot where the surface of the planet meets the center of the universe,¡± he muttered, recalling the instructions from the workout routine.

    He knew where the center of the universe was; it appeared every night in the night sky like a bright star, casting a vast amount of starlight on the surface of the Planet.

    ¡°A place where the starlight is strongest¡­¡±

    Scanning the rocky landscape, his eyes locked onto Mount Dumbell in the distance. Its rocky surface shimmered with light, sparkling like a white diamond under the starlight.

    ¡°Perfect.¡±

    Ged dashed toward the mountain utilizing his greatest speed. He couldn¡¯t afford to waste the abundance of starlight cascading over the mountain¡¯s surface.

    When he reached the peak of Mount Dumbell, the radiant starlight bathed him in an otherworldly glow. Taking out the purple workout tablet, he recounted the poses and movements one final time. Steeling himself, he retrieved 14 stacks of Blue Water.

    ¡°I must go all out,¡± he murmured with a confident smile, injecting the 14 stacks into his body.

    As the Blue Water coursed through him, his eyes glowed a deep shade of blue. The imagery of falling rain materialized around him, but unlike his prior use of 15 stacks, there was no vision of the Absolute. His mind¡¯s shadow remained resolute, absorbing the droplets of Blue Rain not letting a drop hit the ground.

    Ged then began consuming the 200 kilograms of celestial mass. Each bite required immense effort, and his jaw ached from the strain. Celestial iron demanded far more exertion to digest than ordinary stones.

    A torrent of purple steam rose from his body as the celestial rock was absorbed into his system. He took a deep breath and began the strange movements described in Resistance Against The Universe.

    ¡°Hup!¡±

    His body transitioned seamlessly through the motions of a squat, deadlift, and bench press. The forms merged into a single, fluid movement. Around him, the starlight reacted, trembling with energy. Swirling vortexes of light danced in the air, converging into thick, rope-like purple vines that stretched high into the heavens.

    ¡°Dark energy ropes¡­¡± Ged muttered, a smirk forming on his face.

    The ropes hung impossibly in the sky, connecting all the way to the bright center of the universe. He approached one of the ropes and gripped it tightly, summoning every ounce of strength in his body to pull against the force contained within.

    ¡°Pull against the expansion of the universe to work out the body,¡± Ged said with a mad laugh. Veins bulged along his muscles as his entire body trembled under the immense strain. His frame tore apart and rebuilt itself repeatedly, the fractures glowing with vibrant blue energy radiating from his core, reshaping his entire physique.

    After minutes of struggle, the rope lost its form and dissolved into the air. Ged collapsed onto the rocky surface, clutching his chest and gasping for air.

    The results were undeniable. Even after just one pull, Ged¡¯s body appeared larger and more muscular than before.

    However, purple steam still rose from his skin, signaling that more gains were possible. He couldn¡¯t stop now.

    Fixing his gaze on the next rope, Ged steeled himself and repeated the process. Each pull felt like his body was being torn apart and meticulously reassembled, but he persevered, his determination unwavering.

    By the time he completed his third rope, Ged¡¯s body finally gave out. He collapsed onto the mountain, utterly drained and unable to summon the strength to stand.

    Purple steam continued to rise from his body as he lay on the ground, staring at the sky with defiance in his eyes.

    ¡°No!¡± he cried. ¡°Damn it, I wasted it. I was too na?ve. This workout is far too difficult. In the end, I could only add 100 kilograms of mass to my physique.¡± His voice trembled with a mix of frustration and regret.

    Above him, the ropes suspended in the sky began to unravel and fade as his strength ebbed away. Despite his disappointment, the progress was undeniable. He had grown significantly from the experience. His height had increased by nearly a quarter meter, and his muscular frame was visibly fuller and more defined.

    But it still wasn¡¯t enough.

    ¡°Finally, a windfall, and I let half of it slip away,¡± Ged muttered bitterly. ¡°How could I have been so reckless? I should have experimented with smaller increments instead of pushing for the full 200 kilograms.¡±

    His body, weighed down by fatigue and exhaustion, refused to move. The vast sky above seemed to taunt him, forcing him to remain flat on the ground.

    ¡°Wasting so many kilograms is unacceptable,¡± he growled, trying to will himself to move. ¡°Move, damn it! Move! I have to continue.¡±

    But his body refused to respond. His eyes grew heavy as exhaustion overwhelmed him. Despite his best efforts, sleep finally claimed him.

    As Ged lay atop the peak of Mount Dumbell, his first attempt at the rare Resistance Against The Universe''s Expansion workout ended as a partial success.

 16. Scouted For A Prestigious Academy

    The sun rose over the horizon, its golden light spilling over the summit of Mount Dumbbell. A goliath-like figure lay slumbering atop the peak, his colossal form vast enough to fill an entire residential pool.

    As the first rays of light touched his face, his eyes shot open. Deep cracks lined his forehead, his expression twisting into a frown across his frying pan-sized face.

    Ged had awoken at dawn, his bones cracking in a chorus as he pushed himself upright.

    "I fell asleep¡­" he muttered, his voice tinged with mild surprise.

    Examining his scarred body, he traced the newly formed flesh. Along his skin, he found cracks of raw, healing tissue that resembled grisly wounds.

    Dismissing it as the price of growth, he braced himself to stand. However, the moment he tried to steady his footing, a sudden wave of vertigo overtook him, sending him crashing back onto the rocky ground.

    "What is this¡­?" A wave of unease settled over him. His limbs felt foreign, his motor functions sluggish and uncooperative. He had heard of something like this before.

    "Soul Misalignment¡­" he whispered solemnly.

    Raising his hand, he attempted to summon his Soul Sprout, but nothing happened.

    "Not good." He clenched his jaw.

    His relentless pursuit of strength had come at a price. His body''s rapid growth had outpaced his soul. Now, his soul rattled restlessly within his newly enormous frame, each movement causing internal strain and wreaking havoc unseen within him.

    He flexed his fingers, wincing as sharp headaches pulsed through his skull.

    For soul growth, only proper soul stretching could realign it. But Soul Misalignment was a tricky thing, and even the best techniques would make for an uphill battle.

    The only true solution was the Soul Stone, a rare and precious artifact. Without it, his soul would remain permanently stunted. Worse, forcing movement in this state could lead to Body Rot, a fate far worse than death.

    "So be it¡­" His voice was grim but steady. "I¡¯ll have to risk it. Once I survive this week, I can purchase a Soul Stone with the profits from the Blue Crystal Mine."

    Even with the pain clawing at him, Ged refused to remain idle.

    "I still have a few hours before my meeting with Gore. I should get going."

    Dizzy and laboring for breath, he forced himself to stand, even as his body screamed in protest. Getting used to his movements, he activated Goat Walk. His calves flickered with blue light like malfunctioning bulbs, but his footing remained unsteady. Struggling to adjust, he lost balance and tumbled down the mountainside, colliding violently against jagged rock.

    Catching himself on a ridge, he steadied his breathing, spat out a mouthful of blood, and continued his descent without hesitation.

    Despite the turmoil in his body, he pushed forward, finally reaching the mountain¡¯s base. Trevor¡¯s bunker wasn¡¯t far now.

    He could only use sixty percent of his total strength, but each step forced him to adapt to his misaligned body and soul.

    Arriving at the familiar bunker, Ged exhaled in relief. The door thudded open as he slumped inside.

    Trevor lay awake in bed, his eyes hollow from a sleepless night.

    ¡°Boss¡­ is that you?¡± he asked hesitantly.

    Ged didn¡¯t respond. His movements were unnatural and grotesque, like a creature stitched together from broken parts. Pain clouded his mind, making speech impossible as he trudged forward, his large, scarred frame filling the dimly lit room. The flickering light cast long, distorted shadows against the walls.

    Trevor¡¯s breath hitched.

    ¡°M-m-monster.¡± His voice cracked.

    He yanked the covers over his face, peeking out in sheer terror as Ged dragged himself toward the entrance of the Blue Crystal Mine. Trevor¡¯s instincts screamed at him to hide from the unnatural creature invading his home.

    "How¡­ how did that thing get inside?" His mind raced. "Did Boss leave the door open when he left last night?"

    Then, his blood ran cold.

    Ged was heading straight for the mine.

    "Our fortune¡­ he¡¯s after our precious cave!" Panic overtook him.

    "What am I supposed to do? That thing¡­ it could kill me with a single swing of its arm!"

    But then, an even greater fear settled in.

    If Ged found out he had allowed this thing inside, Trevor couldn¡¯t even imagine the punishment he¡¯d suffer.

    His stomach twisted. "It would be best to stop it now. At least then, I might only receive a quick death."

    Swallowing his terror, he forced himself out of bed.

    ¡°H-Hey! What are you doing? Get away from my precious cave, you horrible monster!¡±

    Ged halted, releasing his grip on the doorway. Through great effort, he turned. The immense pain surging through his body twisted his glare into something fierce, his eyes burning with unrestrained anger.

    Trevor instinctively stepped back, regret hitting him instantly.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Ged¡¯s voice dripped with contempt.

    Trevor¡¯s legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto the floor.

    ¡°G-Ged¡­ I didn''t know¡­¡± he whispered weakly before passing out.

    Ged grimaced but said nothing. Without another glance at Trevor¡¯s unconscious form, he stepped into the cave, his thoughts fixed on the Eagle Spawn.

    ¡°What the hell¡­¡±

    Ged stood frozen at the entrance of the Eagle Spawn cave, his eyes widening in horror.

    All the Eagle Spawn were calmly mingling. No more frenzied attacks, no more chaos.

    The first two of the three original creations frolicked, playing tag with grotesquely cheerful faces.

    The third, who had once spent all his time running in circles, was leading the rest of the Eagle Spawn, preaching philosophy like a chimeric Socrates.

    Its prattling voice echoed off the cave walls, somehow cutting through the already obnoxious and chaotic noise.

    Ged¡¯s stomach churned.

    "Why aren¡¯t they struggling?" His frustration mounted. <i>"</i>What am I doing wrong?"

    The cave and its fortune were his only hope of curing his Soul Misalignment. Yet, as he stared down the possibility of Body Rot, the abnormal scene before him muddled his already strained mind.

    "Answers." Ged rubbed his temple, his thoughts racing.

    "I must find answers. I must check the library. If they rebel for too long, they may choose to be reabsorbed by the Planet. I can¡¯t let that happen."

    Without another moment¡¯s hesitation, he stepped over Trevor¡¯s unconscious body and bolted for the door.

    Without a second thought about his grotesque appearance, Ged hurried toward Elpida and the Elpida Library.

    The morning was still young, and merchants were just beginning to set up their stalls for the day. However, as soon as people caught sight of the hulking, disfigured figure barreling through the streets, fear spread like wildfire.

    ¡°Wildlands body sorcerer!¡± a woman stammered, dropping the wooden sign she had been adjusting.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    ¡°Heavens! Someone call the Equalizers! He looks dangerous!¡± a man shouted, ducking behind his makeshift storefront.

    Wherever Ged moved, the crowd instinctively parted like the sea, their wary eyes filled with terror. In the distance, red spotlights flared against the sky, emblazoned with the Equalizers'' crimson hand insignia. The authorities had taken notice of the public outcry and were closing in.

    Ged gritted his teeth, quickening his pace. "Just my damn luck." He muttered

    As Ged moved through the streets, a colossal lizard-like beast loomed in the sky like a specter, slithering between the towering spires of Elpida. Its enormous frame cast a long shadow over the city.

    On the creature¡¯s side, a massive car door was grotesquely stitched into its flesh, serving as an entryway to its interior.

    Inside the lizard, reclining with casual grace, was a woman whose frame rivaled that of an apartment building. She wore a sleeveless dress that did little to conceal the rippling mass of her muscles. Beside her, a male body sorcerer sat with a scholarly air, his sharp gaze focused.

    The lizard¡¯s eyes acted as windows, allowing those inside to observe the world below.

    ¡°Dill, what do you think of that man?¡± the body sorceress asked, peering through the beast¡¯s enormous eye.

    Only she had the vantage point to see what was unfolding. Lifting Dill with one massive hand, she carefully positioned him so he, too, could observe the scene.

    The assistant adjusted his glasses, scanning Ged with a critical eye.

    ¡°Hmm. Well-developed traps. Good muscle bellies on his arms. Nice v-taper.¡± Dill nodded to himself. ¡°Not bad. He might just be good enough to make the cut for our great academy."

    Dill paused in thought before raising a brow. "Beatrix, don''t tell me... have you taken an interest in him?¡±

    The colossal woman shrugged.

    ¡°I have,¡± Beatrix admitted. ¡°I think he¡¯d do well in a show." She paused, watching as the Equalizers closed in on Ged from all sides. "Too bad¡­ it seems he already has many admirers."

    Without another word, she reached into her abs and retrieved several items, handing them to Dill.

    Dill took them with a knowing smile, understanding her intent. The stitched car door swung open, and he leaped to the ground. Landing smoothly, he straightened his glasses before swaggering toward the encircled Ged.

    ¡°Disruptor of the peace and bully of the weak, stop right there!¡± the chief Equalizer bellowed, his voice echoing through the streets.

    Another officer, twirling a wicked-looking baton, sneered. ¡°Come with us cooperatively, and you might just avoid a harsher downsizing.¡± His lips curled into a sadistic grin.

    Ged frowned, his eyes darting around at the circle of armored figures boxing him in. This is bad. He clenched his fists, bracing himself for the inevitable beating.

    Then, a loud, commanding voice rang out.

    ¡°What are you idiots doing to our student prospect?¡±

    Dill pushed past the hulking Equalizers, his face a mask of controlled outrage.

    ¡°Have you all nothing better to do than harass a young, budding body sorcerer who¡¯s merely preparing for his show?¡± He stepped in front of Ged, shielding him from the policing behemoths.

    The chief Equalizer scoffed.

    ¡°This one¡¯s been terrorizing the weak,¡± he said, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°How do you plan to explain away his lawbreaking?¡±

    ¡°With this.¡±

    Dill pulled out a shining brown tablet, which emitted a glowing holographic insignia of a mountain with its peak missing.

    The Equalizers visibly recoiled, several taking a step back in shock.

    ¡°The Peakless Mountain insignia¡­¡± one officer murmured.

    ¡°He¡¯s a representative of the School of Mount Existence,¡± another muttered, eyes widening.

    The chief Equalizer hesitated, gripping his baton tighter. The last thing he wanted was trouble with Mount Existence. Even the most ruthless Equalizers knew better than to cross the School¡¯s representatives.

    But when it came to fighting against mass inequality, the chief was resolute in his beliefs. His own physique had been sanctioned through the proper channels¡ªa tool of protection, not selfish indulgence. But the man before him? He built his body for himself, a lawbreaker who wielded power without restraint, treating the rules as nothing more than ink on paper.

    His expression darkened into a scowl as he made his decision.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care if you represent that prestigious institution. That doesn¡¯t overrule our authority. We, the Equalizers, have a duty to protect the weak who cannot protect themselves, and your so-called prospect student is above the civilian mass limit. He¡¯s been terrorizing businesses with his predatory frame. Your connections won¡¯t exempt him from justice.¡±

    The surrounding officers nodded in agreement, their sharp gazes locking onto Ged.

    Dill remained unfazed.

    ¡°Have you already forgotten?¡± He folded his arms. ¡°Students are allowed to bulk up twice the civilian limit in preparation for competitions, as long as they have a judge¡¯s approval.¡±

    He pulled out another document. The chief Equalizer¡¯s expression finally faltered.

    The officer snatched the paper, his frown deepening as he read it over.

    ¡°It seems to be legitimate,¡± he admitted. ¡°But it¡¯s not signed, so I can¡¯t accept it as is.¡±

    Dill¡¯s gaze hardened.

    ¡°But you agree that if this boy signs it now, you will not pursue this matter further?¡±

    The chief Equalizer hesitated.

    ¡°Well¡­ I suppose that¡¯s correct,¡± he muttered.

    Dill turned to Ged and lowered his voice.

    ¡°We haven¡¯t met before, but my name is Dill. I¡¯m the assistant to Headmaster Beatrix, the drug and potions queen.¡± He held out the document. ¡°Sign this, and it will officially enter you into the upcoming body sorcery competition, where she will be serving as a judge.¡±

    Ged scanned the document, his expression unreadable.

    ¡°Do I have to show up for the competition for this to protect me?¡±

    Dill stiffened. Was this guy serious? Through gritted teeth, he responded, ¡°No, but¡ª¡±

    Before he could finish, Ged scribbled his name across the document and shoved it into the air for the Equalizers to see.

    ¡°As you can see,¡± Ged said loudly, ¡°I¡¯m preparing for my next body sorcery competition. I need my muscles, so scram.¡±

    The Equalizers gritted their teeth, clearly displeased, but had no choice but to stand down.

    The chief Equalizer sneered.

    ¡°Lucky brat.¡±

    With that, he and his men turned and left, vanishing into the streets of Elpida.

    Ged exhaled deeply, slipping the document into his abs. He had barely survived the pressing situation.

    Dill stood beside Ged, his eyes bloodshot with frustration. He couldn¡¯t believe what he had just witnessed.

    How could someone be so ungrateful?

    He had saved this man from certain disaster, yet Ged had offered not even a single word of thanks.

    "What''s your name?" Dill asked, frowning.

    Ged hesitated. His head throbbed from everything that had just happened. "Ged," he finally muttered through a pained expression.

    Dill¡¯s eyes narrowed as realization set in.

    "Soul Misalignment."

    Re-centering himself as he pushed away the anger he had felt toward Ged earlier. Dill was a man of gentle patience, and he understood that some people were harder to convince of good intentions than others.

    Reaching into his abs, he pulled out a handful of red powder and held it out.

    "Ged, you pushed yourself too hard in training, and now you''re on a difficult path," Dill said, his voice measured and scholarly. "Body Rot is no joke."

    He held the powder up for Ged to see.

    "But hope isn¡¯t lost. Soul Misalignment has been studied for generations. Recovery takes time, but through proper education, you may just make it through."

    He extended the powder toward Ged. "Take this Soul Expansion Powder. It won¡¯t heal your soul completely, but¡ª"

    Before he could even finish, Ged snatched the powder and swallowed it whole.

    Dill stiffened.

    His eye twitched as rage surged through him.

    For the second time, Ged had completely ignored his words, taking the offered help without so much as an acknowledgment. Dill had never expected gratitude, but being outright dismissed? That stung.

    For Ged, however, the effects were instantaneous. His soul realigned itself instantly, his entire body feeling as if he had just woken from a deep, rejuvenating sleep. The cracks in his skin had noticeably healed back to its usual color.

    He stretched his limbs, rolling his shoulders with satisfaction.

    Meanwhile Dill¡¯s anger boiled.

    "He won¡¯t listen to a damn thing." He thought.

    "How barbaric..." he muttered under his breath, already backtracking his goodwill toward the man.

    With a sigh, he took a step back. "Well, I really must be going..." He turned, ready to leave.

    "Wait," Ged called out.

    Dill paused. He narrowed his gaze, his patience hanging by a thread.

    "For what reason," Ged asked, his tone suddenly serious, "have you gone so far to help me?"

    Dill softened slightly at the question. "It seems that he still does not believe my good intentions, quite yet."

    "The School of Mount Existence sees potential in your feats of body sorcery," he explained. "We provide the best education in the land, but only the elite¡ª"

    "Got it," Ged cut him off.

    Dill¡¯s eyebrow twitched in irritation.

    Ged folded his arms. "Do you know much about Eagle Spawn rearing?"

    Dill scoffed, his irritation returning full force. "Eagle Spawn rearing? Of course I know about it!" He straightened his glasses. "Our school has entire curriculums dedicated to the study of it. Hell Lady Beatrix invented the world-renowned Agitation Powder¡ªa formula that cave farmers have been using for generations."

    Ged raised an eyebrow. "Never heard of it. How effective is it?"

    Dill pulled out a crystalline bottle filled with azure powder.

    "Incredibly potent," he said confidently. "Even this small bottle would be enough to send an entire cave of Eagle Spawn into a continuous frenzy."

    Ged shook his head, unimpressed. "I don¡¯t believe you."

    Dill clicked his tongue. "Of course, you don¡¯t. You¡¯re still young. That¡¯s the beauty of education¡ªyou may be ignorant today, but through proper practice, you can learn all kinds of things."

    Ged¡¯s expression remained unreadable, but his next words carried weight.

    "I want to see the results for myself," he said firmly. "I have a cave I¡¯m trying to mature, but I¡¯m running into issues."

    Dill¡¯s frustration cooled, replaced by interest.

    "Ah, the youth," he mused, shaking his head. "So headstrong." He paused, then gave Ged a knowing look.

    "You strike me as someone who learns best through experience rather than through a teacher¡¯s words alone. I think I¡¯m finally beginning to understand you."

    Dill smirked. "How about this, young Ged?"

    He extended the bottle of Agitation Powder, allowing Ged to examine it closely. "If you promise to show up for the body sorcery competition next week, I¡¯ll give you this bottle as a token of our acquaintance."

    Ged reached for the bottle without hesitation, his expression shifting.

    "Really?" he asked, intrigued.

    "Really," Dill reassured.

    Ged took the bottle, his lips curving into an actual smile.

    "Thank you, Dill."

    Dill froze.

    For all of Ged¡¯s rudeness, for all of his dismissiveness, those simple words nearly caught him off guard.

    Despite everything, Dill found himself forgiving him.

    "We are all growing," Dill thought to himself. "How can I judge a sprout when I¡¯m already a full-grown tree? It seems I am the one who still has some learning to do."

    With a final smile, Dill turned and strode back toward the lizard, where Beatrix waited.

    Beatrix had observed the entire encounter with keen precision, her gaze lingering on the departing Ged. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

    ¡°Interesting¡­ this one doesn¡¯t like to play by the rules,¡± she mused.

    As Dill approached, she shifted her attention back to him.

    ¡°What did you think?¡± she asked, her tone laced with intrigue.

    Dill adjusted his glasses, his expression softening. His eyes misted slightly, betraying an unexpected depth of emotion.

    ¡°I¡­ I almost misjudged him,¡± he admitted. ¡°He¡¯s a good kid.¡±

    Meanwhile, Ged tucked the crystalline container into his abs, his expression curling into a hidden sneer.

    "Useful fool," he muttered as he made his way home. Although he was grateful for Dill¡¯s help, he had more pressing matters to attend to than worrying about whether he would bother showing up to the upcoming body sorcery competition.

 17. What Exists Behind

    His body moved like a well-oiled machine as he made his way back to Trevor''s home.

    Thanks to the temporary effects of the Soul Expansion Powder and the realignment of his soul, he moved at a blistering pace, far outpacing the time it would have taken him before his breakthrough in mass.

    Arriving at Trevor''s, he rushed down the steps, stepping over the still-unconscious Trevor, and went straight to check on his Eagle Spawn.

    The cave remained peaceful. The Eagle Spawn had not ended their rebellion. They all sat in a circle, holding hands and singing strange, incomprehensible songs like a bizarre Kumbaya.

    Ged pulled out the Agitation Powder he had received from Dill. Keeping its contents hidden from the Eagle Spawn, he poured a small pile onto the ground near the entrance.

    The azure powder seeped into the cave floor, triggering a cascading sonic boom that shook the entire cavern. The once-relaxed Eagle Spawn froze, their eyes wide with fear. Some bolted toward the cave walls, scrambling to escape the thick, coalescing smoke.

    The smoke twisted and thickened, taking shape as a Holy Cloud Demon. Its glowing azure eyes bore down on the fleeing Eagle Spawn, cold and detached, exuding an aura of cruelty.

    Acting as the cave¡¯s torturer, the demon''s eyes charged with energy before unleashing laser beams of pure agitation, striking the Eagle Spawn with pinpoint precision.

    Chaos erupted. The Eagle Spawn ran aimlessly, as if caught in an apocalyptic catastrophe. Helpless to evade the Holy Cloud Demon''s relentless assault, their screams echoed through the cavern. With each strike, their movements grew more erratic, spiraling further into hysteria.

    Desperate to distract themselves from the torment, they began slamming their heads against the walls once more, seeking any sensation that might dull the excruciating pain of the eye beams.

    Ged observed as the cave resumed its rapid maturation. Letting out a heavy sigh of relief, he muttered, "It really does what he said... and it seems to be quite potent."

    His gaze shifted to the bottle of Agitation Powder. Its contents had noticeably diminished from just a single use.

    "But I need to see how long this lasts... Hopefully, it stretches beyond a week," he murmured.

    Satisfied with the chaos unfolding, he turned and left the cave behind.

    It was still early, but with nothing else to do, he decided to scope out the meeting point with Gore.

    Recalling the resonant coordinates, Ged raised an eyebrow.

    "Gooey Slice¡­"

    He had checked the distance before, but now that he examined its exact location, he gained a deeper understanding of where it was in relation to his position.

    Planet Blue Eagle was divided into 12 pentagonal and 20 hexagonal slices, its surface patterned like a soccer ball.

    Elpida was located within the pentagonal Rocky Slice, bordered by five other slices. One of them was the Gooey Slice.

    The coordinates Gore had sent led directly to the border between Rocky Plaza, a fortress-like cluster of mountains, and the Black Tar Sea.

    To prevent rogue body sorcerers from tunneling beneath the border, a blue underground barrier had been erected, ensuring that invaders from neighboring nations could not bypass it without traveling above ground.

    The journey was long and arduous. Although Elpida was the closest town to the Black Tar border, reaching the exact meeting point still required a considerable trek.

    As he approached Rocky Plaza, the terrain grew steeper with each step, the towering mountain peaks casting massive shadows over the land.

    Ged pulled out the drill artifact Resh had given him.

    Since he had no intention of crossing the border, he drilled through the mountains, traveling at high speed while steadily burning through his core energy.

    With ample time before midday, he surfaced atop a mountain peak.

    "I¡¯ve never seen the sea before," Ged muttered, his gaze sweeping over the eerily still, bubbling tar.

    But something else caught his attention.

    At the center of the sea, a massive parting revealed the bony spine of a long-dead, unfathomable creature, stretching across the entire expanse and vanishing into the distant horizon.

    He appeared to be the first to arrive at the meeting point. As he snooped around, he searched for any trace of the Blue Water Sphere Gore had described.

    Suddenly, the ground rumbled behind him.

    Gore had arrived.

    "You''re early," Gore said, slightly surprised to see him. Smirking, he added, "Were you too excited to sleep last night?"

    "I had extra time," Ged answered bluntly. Turning away, he returned his gaze to the Black Tar Sea.

    Gore frowned but didn¡¯t press further. Stepping beside Ged at the mountain¡¯s edge, he stared into the endless black abyss.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    "You know why I chose this place?" Gore asked, his voice softer now. He continued without waiting for an answer.

    "There¡¯s a story that Plunk once came to this border to settle a dispute with the Black Tar King, who owed him mass.

    The Black Tar King played dumb, denying everything. After a long back-and-forth, Plunk simply declared, ¡®Then I¡¯ll kill you, and take it from you myself.¡¯"

    Gore chuckled, though there was no real humor in it.

    "But that foolish king tried to run. He dove deep into the Black Tar Sea, thinking he could escape Plunk¡¯s tyrannical grasp."

    Gore glanced at Ged.

    "You know what Plunk did?"

    Ged remained silent.

    "He split the sea to find him," Gore said, his voice almost admiring. "It was impossible for a non-Goo Body to travel through the tar¡¯s surface. So he performed a variation of split squats so powerful that he parted the sea itself. Just to kill a wretched creature who owed him mass, he left an imprint that would last for eternity."

    He glanced out to the parted sea and the creatures spine that lay beneath and his expression darkened.

    "I once stood on this peak, obsessed with understanding the scars he left behind. Back then, I was consumed by the need to know how he did it."

    He exhaled, his shoulders slumping slightly.

    "But those days are behind me," he muttered. "I no longer feel the same thrill when I look at this pitiful black sea and its parted waters to the Black Tar King''s spine." His voice dropped lower. "Seeing the man''s footprints now only leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."

    A cold wind stirred between them.

    Ged finally spoke.

    "What changed?"

    Gore¡¯s eyes narrowed as he stared into the horizon.

    "I met him myself," he said, shaking his head. "And I saw what exists behind him."

    His fists clenched at his sides.

    "This life¡­ all these grand sights before us¡­ they are not as beautiful as you think," he said bitterly.

    Ged''s brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

    Gore exhaled, his tone unreadable. "The world we perceive is hidden behind a curtain."

    "I once believed I was trapped in a cave, forced to watch shadows on a wall, controlled by rulers who kept me ignorant."

    "Every fiber of my being ached to escape, to step outside, see the light, and uncover the world¡¯s true nature, free from deception."

    His voice grew quieter as Ged¡¯s confusion deepened.

    "But the world I found outside was not what I expected. The sun I longed for did not reveal the truth. Instead, it blinded me, its rays searching only to illuminate itself."

    His hands clenched into fists before slowly relaxing.

    "Ged... do not make the same mistake I did."

    He exhaled sharply, as if struggling to contain something.

    "The rules of this world are not meant to enslave us. In fact, it¡¯s the opposite. They exist only to protect us."

    His breathing grew uneven. A haunted look flickered in his eyes.

    "I can see that you¡¯ve increased your size since we last met." His voice darkened. "Do not pull back that curtain any further than you already have. Do not build your strength so recklessly without understanding its consequences."

    His voice trembled, and for the first time, his mask cracked.

    "I spent my life desperate to escape my captivity," he whispered.

    "But now... I would give anything to return to it."

    Ged''s mind swirled with thoughts. Gore was being cryptic, but the raw legitimacy of his emotions was undeniable.

    Something had shaken Gore to his core. He was no longer the same person Ged had once known.

    Ged pressed further. "What did you see that terrified you so much? No one saw you for an entire year. Where did you go?"

    Gore¡¯s gaze remained distant. "I''m not sure," he said slowly. "These days, I don¡¯t even trust my own thoughts."

    Ged frowned. "Did he undergo Blue Water Madness?" he wondered. He had spent too much time around those who had lost their minds. It was the only logical explanation.

    Yet... Gore showed no symptoms.

    Despite the madness in his words, he still seemed like himself.

    Gore waved off Ged''s grim expression. "It doesn¡¯t matter. Forget I ever spoke about this." He turned his attention to the Black Tar Sea.

    "It seems Vernom has just arrived."

    The black sea bubbled violently, waves of swirling ink rising like living shadows.

    Then, from within the murky depths, a geyser erupted, revealing a giant human hand. Its palm was so large it could crush houses beneath it as if they were mere insects.

    One by one, more geysers burst forth, unveiling an entire disembodied corpse rising to the sea''s surface.

    Ged narrowed his eyes. "What is that?"

    Gore''s expression remained neutral. "The Elpida City Governor."

    "These are the final modifications the city ordered the Blue Company to make to his body," Gore continued, turning his back to Ged.

    Shock rippled through Ged.

    He had never realized the City Governor was just a puppet made of body parts.

    All this time, he had believed the governor was a real person, an elected authority hidden deep underground who surfaced only to settle conflicts.

    Gore¡¯s words shattered everything he thought he knew about Elpida¡¯s governance.

    Before he could fully process it, Gore kept speaking.

    "Surprised?" Gore smirked. "These kinds of caravans usually travel underground. You¡¯d never see them like this unless they crossed the slice border. And if they caught you sneaking a look?" His eyes darkened. "You wouldn¡¯t make it out alive."

    Without warning, he suddenly rushed forward at great speed, heading straight for the caravanning body parts.

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched him go.

    "But we have clearance for this, so we don¡¯t have to worry," Gore called over his shoulder. "Come on, let¡¯s meet Vernom. This is only the first stop. After this, we¡¯re heading for the Blue Water Sphere."

    With no other choice, Ged followed closely behind.

    They arrived at the valley of a mountain and waited patiently for the limbs to be carried ashore.

    One of the City Governor''s hands reached the shore, slithering onto the land as a green slug-like creature beneath it dragged it toward Gore and Ged.

    Once it stopped in front of them, its fist opened, and out jumped the mustached body sorcerer, Vernom.

    Vernom¡¯s cold gaze settled on Ged.

    "Good," he muttered. "It seems you¡¯ve learned to be more considerate of others'' time."

    Ged met his stare with a sharp glare of his own. "My payment." He stretched out his hand.

    Vernom clicked his tongue. "Impatient bastard. You get paid after the job is done. I don¡¯t trust you not to run if I give it to you now."

    Ged narrowed his eyes, considering walking away on the spot.

    Before he could move, Gore intervened.

    "Vernom, just give him his things. He won¡¯t run. I put my word on it." Gore locked eyes with Ged and gave a firm nod.

    Vernom snorted, then reached into his abs and pulled out stacks of vials along with a clay tablet detailing the Blue Crystal Mine workout. He handed them to Ged.

    "Be on your best behavior," he warned, his voice dripping with contempt. "Otherwise, I¡¯ll kill you myself."

    Ged nodded, barely acknowledging the threat. His reward was in hand. That was all that mattered.

    The rest of the limbs finished surfacing, and as soon as they landed, the green slugs transporting them expanded, enveloping the body parts in their gelatinous mass.

    From their fronts, massive white teeth emerged, spinning like excavation drills.

    One by one, they burrowed into the earth, their destination unknown.

    The only limb that remained was the massive arm Vernom had stepped out of.

    "Let''s move quickly. I can only borrow this arm for a short time before someone important notices it''s missing," Vernom said, his tone sharp.

    Gore nodded in agreement and led the way, with Ged, Vernom, and the City Governor''s arm in tow.

    After traveling several kilometers, they arrived at an inconspicuous quarry, where Gore finally came to a halt.

    "We''re here," Gore said.

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? Where is it?"

    Gore looked at Vernom, and Vernom looked back at him. Without a word, they exchanged a knowing nod.

    Ged frowned. Something wasn''t right.

    His grip tightened as he prepared a Peg, ready to Grapple away at a moment¡¯s notice. His mind swirled with the possibility that he had just walked into a trap.

 18. Inside The Blue Sphere

    Vernom''s hand moved swiftly as he pulled a decorative knife from his forearm and flung it at a nearby jutting rock. A black, rune-inscribed pillar erupted from the ground, shaking loose debris as it ascended.

    The space around it warped and bent upon its arrival. The ground beneath Ged darkened into an inky void, his footing slipping away.

    He didn¡¯t hesitate. Grappling onto his Peg, he propelled himself a great distance and didn¡¯t stop.

    They didn¡¯t trust him enough to explain anything.

    They ignored his questions, continuing to leave him in the dark.

    So why bother? He had his spoils. He was going to run.

    Vernom had just reached for another decorative knife when he caught sight of Ged¡¯s sudden escape.

    A vein pulsed on his forehead.

    With an annoyed click of his tongue, several Soul Sprouts erupted from his body, surging into the City Governor¡¯s dismembered arm. The massive limb came to life, hovering in midair, its incredible shadow looming overhead. With a flicker of movement, it intercepted Ged¡¯s escape and clamped down, its football-field-sized grip crushing him in an instant.

    The force sent shockwaves of pain through Ged''s body. He let out a strangled yell.

    Vernom sneered.

    "Bastard¡­ This is why I didn¡¯t want to give you your rewards so soon. Have you no shame? Running away before we even start?"

    The hand tightened its grip. Ged gritted his teeth, barely holding back a scream.

    Gore¡¯s face darkened. He had hoped giving Ged his rewards earlier would foster some trust. But the boy still had too many misgivings.

    ¡°Vernom, stop!¡± Gore ran forward, trying to defuse his partner¡¯s fury. ¡°Don¡¯t go too far. We can still get him to cooperate.¡±

    Vernom shot him a scornful glare. ¡°I warned him several times. My patience is not to be tested. Even you seem to have forgotten how delicate this operation is. Every wasted second increases our risk of failure and certain demise. He isn¡¯t taking this seriously, so I just taught him a small lesson."

    Controlling his Soul Sprouts like marionette strings, he loosened the grip on the Governor¡¯s arm.

    Ged''s body slumped onto the ground, broken and battered. His limbs jutted out at unnatural angles, fractures and bruises marking his form.

    Time was slipping away, and Gore knew it. He jumped onto the Governor¡¯s massive hand, kneeling beside Ged with a solemn expression.

    He sighed.

    "Why did things have to come to this?" Gore shook his head in disappointment.

    Ged glared at Vernom, hatred burning in his eyes. His breath was ragged, but his resolve had never been stronger. Vernom would pay. He would make sure of it.

    Gore reached into his abs and pulled out a net filled with nodes, each connected to tendrils that swayed like jellyfish tentacles. He carefully laid it across Ged¡¯s broken body.

    The nodes latched onto Ged¡¯s skin like suction cups. Then, channeling his core heat into the device, Gore activated a series of electrical pulses.

    Agony ripped through Ged''s body. He let out a guttural groan as his muscles convulsed under the shocks. Each jolt sent fresh waves of pain searing through his already broken limbs.

    But the therapy worked wonders.

    Within minutes, his grotesquely misshapen form was restored. The fractures reconnected, the bruises faded, and his strength gradually returned.

    Gore spoke seriously, outlining the situation, "We are in a dangerous position here, Ged. You need to understand all our lives are currently on the line. What we¡¯re doing is highly illegal, and we cannot slip up an inch."

    His expression hardened.

    ¡°This gulf of the Black Tar Sea is disputed territory,¡± he said, gesturing toward the vast stretch of black waters in front of them. ¡°Even being on the outskirts is dangerous for us.¡±

    ¡°Beneath its waters is the Blue Water Sphere. The target of our mission.¡±

    ¡°The tensions between the two Slices over the rightful ownership of this land are not to be dismissed. The Black Tar King claims the entire Black Tar Sea as his domain, while the Rock Emperor insists that since the gulf lies within the planetary boundaries of the Rocky Slice, it belongs to him as well. In response to each other¡¯s claims, both sides sent settlers and body sorcerers to defend their territories. The result? Skirmishes. Then, eventually, all-out war.¡±

    Ged tested his newly repaired limbs, not sparing Gore a glance

    Gore barely acknowledged Ged¡¯s disinterest and pressed on. ¡°That was all in the past, however.¡±

    ¡°An uneasy truce was formed. Both sides withdrew their claims, and now no one technically owns this land. But patrols from the Rocky and Gooey Slices still roam the outskirts, ensuring the other side keeps its promise. If either party catches us here, we won¡¯t leave with our heads attached.¡±

    Gore sighed. ¡°This is why Vernom is being so difficult with you.¡±

    ¡°We have timed the Rocky and Gooey Slice patrols down to the second. Our window is small, and every delay increases our chances of getting caught.¡±

    He fixed Ged with a sharp look. ¡°Trust us and do as we say. Now, come. We don¡¯t have more time to waste.¡±

    But Ged barely listened. His mind was elsewhere.

    Vernom had crossed a line. And he needed to pay the price.

    Ged¡¯s gaze locked onto the smug-looking Vernom as he declared, ¡°No. I''m not moving. Not an inch.¡±

    Vernom scoffed. "Yes, yes. I know. Always the same¡­ petty, stubborn, predictable." He pulled out 50 stacks of Blue Water and flicked them toward Ged with an impatient sneer. "Take your settlement and move. Gore''s right, we don¡¯t have time for this."

    But Ged¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t waver. He silently stored the 50 stacks of Blue Water in his abs. ¡°Apologize, and I will move.¡±

    Vernom smirked. ¡°A liability like you doesn¡¯t deserve an apology. You got your remittance, you don¡¯t need anything more.¡±

    Ged''s expression only darkened.

    Gore became frantic.

    "Vernom, stop this. Just apologize," he tried to mediate.

    Yet Vernom wouldn''t back down.

    "Ged, please. Just this once, look the other way."

    Ged didn''t glance in his direction.

    Gore exhaled sharply, realizing they had reached a dangerous impasse.

    Time was slipping away.

    With clear reluctance, he reached into his abs and withdrew a Celestial Rock, holding it out to Ged.

    "Ged. Let it go. Take this as an apology on behalf of Vernom. We don¡¯t have time for this," Gore begged.

    Ged''s eyes narrowed, but the Celestial Rock was something of great value to him. This wasn¡¯t an apology. But for now, he¡¯d take what he could get. He stored away the Celestial Rock and nodded in cooperationIf you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Seeing Ged¡¯s compliance, Gore sighed in relief before announcing to Vernom.

    ¡°Ascend the pillars. We will continue the mission with greater haste.¡±

    Vernom narrowed his eyes, his mouth in a deep frown, but said nothing more. Moving quickly, he pulled out more decorative knives.

    One by one, he threw them at strategic points in the rocky terrain. The moment the knives struck, the ground hummed violently.

    Three massive pillars erupted from the earth.

    The rocky landscape began to shift.

    Slowly, it transformed into a bubbling, murky swamp.

    Vernom pulled out one final knife. As it struck stone, the sixth and final pillar emerged.

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed at the mesmerizing scene before him. The land seemed to shift and ripple, as if something hidden beneath the murky waters was finally being revealed.

    Vernom wasted no time. With no more pillars left to summon, he reached into his abs, pulled out two steel coffins, and dropped them to the ground with a heavy clunk.

    ¡°Put on the gremlin suits,¡± Vernom commanded, his voice sharp and urgent.

    Gore reacted first, unlatching the hooks on the coffin marked with his name. With precise movements, he opened the container, revealing a humanoid gremlin suit designed to fit him perfectly. It twitched slightly as if adjusting to his presence. Without hesitation, he stepped inside securing the suit around himself like a second skin.

    Ged hesitated. The idea of wearing something living unsettled him, but he had already agreed to cooperate. Gritting his teeth, he retrieved his own gremlin suit from the other coffin.

    Up close, the creature was revolting. A damp, fishy odor wafted from its surface, making Ged¡¯s stomach churn. But as Gore fastened his own suit with practiced efficiency, barely reacting, Ged forced himself to endure.

    Slipping into the suit was strange at first. The gremlin adjusted around him, conforming to his shape, its presence still lingering even after it settled.

    Now, he and Gore stood transformed, their reflections like grotesque aliens.

    Vernom observed them with cold indifference. "These gremlins are Eagle Spawn, born in the Black Tar Sea," he explained. "They¡¯re considered taboo to own, so once this is over, dispose of them properly and never speak of their existence again."

    Ged flexed the gremlin¡¯s hands, testing the suit¡¯s responsiveness. "And where¡¯s your suit?" he asked.

    Vernom smirked. "My job is simply to create an opening for you two to enter the sphere. But I am a busy man. Once that¡¯s done, I¡¯ll need to complete my shipment of the Governor."

    Without further elaboration, Vernom pulled out a hula hoop-sized ring and walked over to Gore, lowering his voice.

    "I¡¯m confident this improved tunnel will hold for as long as you need to search," he murmured, his tone dropping to an icy whisper. "Have the boy man the inside. If he sees anything he¡¯s not supposed to... handle it appropriately."

    Beneath the shadowy confines of his gremlin suit, Gore¡¯s expression grew solemn with understanding. A faint light flickered inside the creature¡¯s mouth, blinking on and off like a dying bulb.

    "I¡¯ll follow through as promised," he replied softly.

    Ged narrowed his eyes at the exchange. They were hiding something. But they were adamant about leaving him in the dark, forcing him to follow behind and do his best to keep up.

    After briefly discussing Ged¡¯s role in the mission, Vernom cut the chatter short.

    "Let''s go. The time is right."

    Vernom went first, stepping into the Governor¡¯s palm and commanding its fingers to clench around him. The slime beneath the arm slithered forward, dragging him and the colossal limb into the depths of the Black Tar Sea.

    Gore followed next, slipping below the surface.

    Ged hesitated for a moment before finally descending after them.

    The Black Tar Sea was nothing like Ged had expected.

    Though it bubbled viciously on the surface, the depths were eerily silent and ice-cold. The gremlin suit insulated him, shielding his core energy from depletion. Without it, he would be dead within minutes.

    Swimming through the tar was an immense strain, like pushing against solid quicksand. Every movement required tremendous effort, a continuous full-body workout. If this place had more heat, it would be the perfect sanctuary for building muscle.

    Shaking off the thought, he pushed forward.

    The gremlin¡¯s eerie, inhuman eyes allowed him to see through the Black Tar Sea, giving him just enough visibility to keep track of Gore and the distant Governor¡¯s hand.

    Then, through the murky depths, their target appeared.

    A massive blue sphere, rotating with spiraling streams of Blue Water, emerged.

    The Blue Water Sphere.

    Gore and the Governor¡¯s hand halted before it, moving with surgical precision, as if following a carefully rehearsed sequence.

    The hand opened, spreading three fingers as if preparing to grip a pitcher¡¯s knuckleball. Then, slowly, it punctured the outer layer of the sphere with its index finger.

    The moment it breached the surface, the Black Tar Sea quaked violently.

    A deep rumble rippled through the sea, shaking Ged¡¯s insides.

    More violent than an earthquake, it felt as if reality itself was splitting in two.

    Gore moved instantly, pouring core energy into the hoop. It warped into a cone as he wedged it into the tiny opening left by the Governor¡¯s finger.

    The hand retracted, and Blue Water flowed back into place, brushing against the hoop.

    Then, suddenly, the shaking stopped.

    The hoop stabilized the disturbance while leaving an entrance just large enough for Gore to fit through.

    With a quick signal, he beckoned Ged over.

    As Ged swam closer to the Blue Water Sphere, hallucinations of raindrops began forming in his vision.

    His mind''s shadow reacted instinctively, snatching each droplet before they could land.

    He recognized that the intensity of the hallucinations was close to the effect of eight stacks of Blue Water.

    Ged''s eyes narrowed as he observed the whirling energy of the Blue Water Sphere and how Gore stood so close, seemingly unaffected by its maddening effects.

    "Why is Gore unaffected?" Ged pondered.

    By the time he reached the hoop, the hallucinations had intensified to twelve stacks of Blue Water. As he took over, he focused his core energy to keep the hoop stable.

    Gore signaled Vernom to leave. The Governor¡¯s hand withdrew, clenching shut, leaving Ged and Gore alone.

    The tunnel spun violently, its impossible speed a death trap for anyone unfortunate enough to get caught in its gale. Gore secured a rope to the hoop, then fastened the other end to himself.

    With a sharp inhale, Gore activated a muscle ability in his chest. His entire body compressed inward like a coiled spring, storing kinetic energy. Then, with a precise release, he shot forward, hurtling into the sphere.

    Ged, gripping the hoop, cautiously peered inside, searching for Gore.

    The sphere¡¯s interior was nothing like its chaotic, swirling exterior.

    An infinite expanse of white marble stretched beneath Gore, tiled in an eerily perfect grid.

    Ged watched as Gore moved efficiently, securing a tethering device to the marble surface. Once the rope was taut, he turned back, signaling for Ged to follow.

    Ged hesitated, eyeing the spinning tunnel warily. But after a steadying breath, he gripped the rope tightly and followed behind.

    As he inched his way across, nearing the event horizon of the Blue Sphere, the hallucinations of Blue Rain grew fiercer. Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen stacks of Blue Water. By the time he reached the center of the tunnel, his mind¡¯s shadow could no longer catch every drop, and flashes of the Absolute began piercing through.

    Visions of himself drifting along the silver river, drawn toward the unfathomable Blue Sphere, flooded his mind. His grip on the rope weakened.

    Biting his tongue, he jolted himself back to reality, barely regaining control. Forcing his body steady, he pushed forward, traversing the remaining length of the rope.

    Finally, he tumbled onto the floor, panting, his eyes glowing a bright shade of blue.

    Gasping for breath, he glanced around the room, taking in the endless horizons of white stretching out in all directions.

    The only disruptions to the pristine expanse were Gore¡¯s patient form and the floating tunnel, an otherworldly portal back to the Black Tar Sea.

    Gore¡¯s face lit up with anticipation when he saw Ged was still conscious.

    "I can''t tell you how much your help means to me," he said in an almost reverent tone. "You have no idea how many people failed to even get within a meter of the sphere. I''ve been at my wits'' end trying to search this place, but I could only do so much alone."

    Ged finally caught his breath. He eyed Gore with growing uncertainty, wondering what his old mentor had been up to since he had vanished from the underground.

    "How come the Blue Water doesn¡¯t seem to affect you?" he asked.

    Gore only shrugged, his expression unreadable.

    "You''re not the only one with a high tolerance. It seems I still have you beat in some areas," he said playfully.

    But his words didn¡¯t quell Ged''s doubts. If anything, they only confirmed his suspicion that Gore was hiding something from him.

    "You will man the exit while I explore, just as we discussed."

    Ged stared at him in silence but didn¡¯t move immediately.

    "Listen to me, Ged," Gore¡¯s voice sharpened, unwavering. "Do not look around too much in here. This is for your own safety. There are things in this place that could kill you if you see them too closely."

    Ged¡¯s eyes narrowed, but ultimately, he nodded. Pushing himself off the ground, he took over for Gore, channeling his core energy into the hoop to keep the tunnel open.

    Taking off his black tar-drenched gremlin suit, Ged decided it would be best to follow Gore''s advice.

    Gore was hiding something. That much was clear. But he hadn¡¯t been openly hostile. Ged could only assume his warnings held some truth.

    Keeping his gaze fixed on either his feet or the doorway, he waited for Gore¡¯s return.

    In the blink of an eye, several hours passed.

    Ged stood in front of the spinning tunnel, mesmerized by its motion. But after a while, dizziness crept in, forcing him to shift his focus back to his feet.

    The job was simple.

    But frustration and boredom were beginning to mount.

    Letting out a deep sigh, Ged muttered, ¡°Where the hell is he?¡±

    A faint buzzing flitted past his ear, like the wings of an insect.

    He had heard this sound before. But this time, it was close. Too close. It hovered near him, unnervingly persistent.

    Then, suddenly, it landed on his neck.

    Without hesitation, Ged slapped at it, his reflexes sharp and ruthless. Lifting his palm, he checked to see what he had just killed.

    But his palm was empty.

    "Strange," he muttered, shaking off the unease.

    He was about to brush it aside when, in the silence, the sound of footsteps echoed from behind him.

    Gore.

    Relief flooded through Ged as he exhaled, his shoulders relaxing.

    "Gore¡­ finally, you''re back. Can we leave now? Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked, his voice laced with exhaustion. ¡°I followed your instructions. I haven¡¯t looked up once¡ª¡±

    Pain shot through his chest.

    Ged¡¯s breath caught as he looked down to see three rib bones jutted into his torso.

    Confusion paralyzed him.

    Then, a sharp click.

    The sound of a switch flipping on and off.

    The floor beneath him pulsed with a devilish red glow, illuminating the stark white room before fading back to its normal color.

    Heart pounding, Ged turned to face whatever had just struck him.

    And what he saw shook him to his core.

    "Who are you?"

 19. The Path To The Peak

    What Ged saw was bizarre.

    In front of him, an array of body parts hovered in the air.

    They all belonged to a single person, connected by a single soul sprout thread that ran through the center of each piece, holding them together like a marionette under an unseen controller.

    Even the three ribs protruding from his chest were bound to this thread.

    With a sharp tug, the ribs tore free from Ged¡¯s body.

    As he staggered, the floating body parts loomed and began to merge, coalescing into a single coherent shape.

    He keeled over, pressing against the wound in a desperate attempt to stem the bleeding, yet his gaze never wavered from the grotesque sight before him.

    Once the pieces fully assembled, the horrifying truth became clear¡ªthis grotesque form belonged to Gore.

    "Gore¡­ what the hell am I looking at?" Ged muttered, eyes narrowing in disbelief.

    "I didn''t want it to be this way," Gore replied. "If only you hadn''t seen what you saw, you could have lived another day."

    Ged¡¯s expression darkened.

    <i>What has Gore become?</i> How could he still be considered alive when he can pull his body apart like that? Uncertainty washed over him as he wracked his brain for a way to deal with the nightmarish figure before him.

    Attempting to set up a Peg with his soul sprout, he looked for an opportunity to turn the tide, but Gore was already ahead of him.

    Gore''s soul sprout erupted from his body like a cannon, twisting into the form of a knife. In a single swift motion, he slashed through Ged''s extended soul sprout, severing it completely. Against the unfathomable being before him, his fate was all but sealed.

    Ged gritted his teeth, trying to hold himself together, his mind and body in unbearable pain. The effects of soul misalignment surged through him, causing him to falter.

    He struggled to stand.

    He could no longer fight. His only option was to reason with him.

    "Gore, I am not lying to you," Ged said, his voice strained with exasperation. "I didn¡¯t look up from the exit, I didn''t see anything I wasn''t supposed to. I have no interest in whatever is inside here, nor whatever secret you are hiding from me about your identity."

    "This isn¡¯t necessary, Gore. You don¡¯t have to go so far and kill me. We''ve known each other for years, you know I wouldn''t tell a soul about any of this."

    Gore remained silent, his expression unreadable.

    Then, his body tore itself apart, his soul thread unraveling his flesh into a swirling mass. The chaotic motion coalesced, reshaping itself into an enormous, Gore-sized fist that hovered in the air like a specter.

    Two bulging eyes surfaced on the hand¡¯s exterior.

    "Ged, you can¡¯t hide it from me. I see it in your eyes. You¡¯ve made a connection with the Peak." Gore¡¯s voice was deep and sinister.

    Ged frowned, unable to respond.

    "It¡¯s a shame, Ged. I really was hoping to spare you. But now¡­ I have no choice," Gore sighed, his tone turned demonic. "I must devour your eyes and scatter your soul across space-time."

    Ged''s eyes widened.

    The Gore-hand lunged forward.

    Ged tried to dodge, but Gore was too fast.

    The monstrous fist clamped around him, squeezing until he could no longer move.

    His body screamed with pain. Desperate, he scanned the room, his mind racing. <i>What was Gore talking about? What is the Peak? What had I seen?</i>

    From within the massive hand, an amalgamation of flesh and bones emerged, forming a pair of chattering mouths with the writhing bodies of fleshy eels. Each eel twisted and snapped hungrily, ready to devour his eyes.

    Methodically, they slithered across the Gore-hand, inching closer to his face.

    Then it hit him.

    The insect!

    His mind flashed back to the strange, buzzing insect he had killed without a second thought. It was the only thing he could think of. The only thing Gore might not have wanted him to see.

    The chattering eels were just inches away from his face.

    Ged scrambled through his memories, recalling the moment he had glanced at his palm.

    But back then¡­ he had seen nothing.

    <i>What was I not supposed to see?</i>

    Frantic, he replayed the image in his mind.

    The eels loomed in front of him, their mouths opening wide.

    A speck of green.

    There was a single, distant speck of green in the center of his palm.

    The image lingered in his mind. He focused every ounce of his being on it. In front of him, the speck of green sharpened, as if reality itself was drawing him toward it.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    Like a moth to a flame, he was pulled in.

    The world around him blurred.

    His consciousness was ripped from his body, drawn at unimaginable speeds toward the distant green speck.

    His awareness faded to black as he was flung into a distant realm beyond space and time.

    As his mind drifted through the void, elsewhere, an event was just beginning to unfold...

    ***

    In a realm far removed from reality, on the white deserts of pure nothingness,

    a strange, shape-shifting entity walked.

    With each step, his form shifted through a variety of animals. One moment he was a bear, the next a warthog, until, on the eleventh step, he assumed his true form.

    He was humanoid in shape, but something was profoundly wrong. The top half of his head was missing, replaced by a dazzling, hovering orange sun that crowned him in a blinding glow.

    He halted, arms raised high into the air.

    In response, the sky twisted and contorted. Strange purple thunderclouds gathered, releasing ominous streaks of black lightning.

    At the heart of the storm, looming above, was the bottom of an impossibly vast green sphere.

    "I am known as Guul," he thundered toward the sphere.

    "I have mastered the shapes of eleven animals and perfected the forms of three hundred plants. My name is feared across the land. Among my peers, I stand unmatched. In my home region, I am unrivaled.

    "But still, I am lost."

    "These days, I cannot find a path forward."

    "I seek answers."

    "Guide me."

    "Point me in the right direction."

    "How do I reach the Peak?"

    A single bolt of black lightning struck, crashing into Guul with the force of total annihilation.

    He did not flinch in the face of the destruction. Instead, the lifeless body of a bear collapsed at his feet, shed like old skin from his bizarre figure.

    Above, the green sphere seemed to step ever so slightly closer, yet it remained impossibly distant.

    Guul laughed maniacally.

    "More!" The sun atop his head burned a deep, furious red. "Show me more! I must know what I am lacking!"

    The thunder in the sky grew fierce.

    Obliging the man''s request, the sky unleashed a barrage of ten black streaks of lightning upon him.

    With each strike, an animal corpse fell out of his body.

    For the first time, Guul staggered. But his expression remained firm, his eyes locked defiantly on the storming heavens.

    "I must improve!" He roared.

    "I do not fear death!"

    "I only fear stagnation."

    "Kill me if you must. But before I go, please just tell me..."

    "What is the path one has to take to reach the Peak?" His voice fell to a whisper.

    The sky seethed and swirled with hatred over the question.

    The clouds tore apart, revealing a colossal purple spear.

    It descended with terrifying speed.

    Time slowed.

    The spear hovered inches from Guul¡¯s face.

    His expression remained neutral.

    The green sphere lurched forward revealing more of its incredible form.

    In that moment, before death could claim him, his wish was granted.

    And in that instant, he saw it¡ªthe path to the Peak

    A beam of light cascaded down from the green sphere, stretching across the sky in an unfathomable arc.

    Within that beam, drifting unaware, was the consciousness of Ged, who was being transported toward the distant green sphere.

    Guul, his voice hoarse, stared at Ged¡¯s form with reverence and understanding.

    "So that is the way to reach the Peak¡­ I am so jealous..."

    These were the last words he spoke.

    The purple spear completed its descent, annihilating him, body and soul.

    On the white sand, not even a corpse remained.

    Guul was no more.

    ***

    A gentle breeze stirred, awakening Ged¡¯s awareness to the world around him. The touch of soft grass enveloped his ethereal body, flooding him with an indescribable sense of comfort.

    The sounds of nature resonated in a soothing rhythm as he rose from the ground.

    The world around him was unimaginably lush.

    "What is this place?" he murmured, speechless at the sight before him. "Did I die? Is this the afterlife?"

    A limitless expanse of nature stretched in every direction.

    Plants grew ceaselessly around him. Some grew across the ground, weaving intricate patterns, while others stretched only skywards.

    Despite the dense greenery, nothing obstructed his steps. The plants seemed aware of him, parting naturally to make way, as if acknowledging his presence and yielding to his movement.

    Suddenly, an inexplicable urge surged within him.

    Stopping in place, he went to confirm something.

    Opening his mouth wide, he felt the surrounding foliage stream effortlessly into him, flowing down his throat and fusing into his body.

    It was an incredible sensation.

    Ged felt his consciousness expand outward without limit. All he had to do was open his mouth, and his body would grow.

    His form swelled, expanding at unfathomable speeds. The towering trees that once shaded him now seemed like mere blades of grass beneath his toes.

    He looked over his new body with growing curiosity.

    He was perfect.

    Powerful physique. Flawless musculature. He had it all.

    "The perfect body," Ged whispered, gazing at his ethereal arms, his biceps sculpted to pristine precision. "Have I actually achieved it?"

    But as he opened and closed his massive hand, reality crept in.

    "No... none of this is real." Disappointment tinged his voice. "I still have no idea where I am."

    Despite his immense size, many of the plants still towered far above him.

    With nothing better to do, he chose to keep growing.

    Sitting cross-legged, he opened his mouth once more. Nature poured into him, his form radiating an even deeper shade of green with every passing second. His hair, his eyes, his very skin pulsed with an unearthly vitality.

    His growth continued without stopping.

    Within his body, a grassy hill began to take shape. At first, it was merely a patch of earth, but it soon expanded into a full-blown hill spanning several kilometers.

    Time flowed like a river.

    Ged continued to grow, his consciousness now entirely green, his essence fully entwined with nature. His mind hummed with the whispers of the wind, his breath carried the gentle song of the earth.

    When he finally opened his eyes, his form had transformed. Tiny vines intertwined like veins across his skin, giving him the appearance of a hermit god.

    Yet, something was wrong.

    His growth had stagnated.

    He had outgrown even the tallest trees, consuming all the nature within reach. There was no longer enough to sustain his incredible pace of expansion.

    But with his increased height, a different world unfolded before him.

    The horizon stretched endlessly.

    Surrounding him were colossal structures of various shapes. Some were abstract, while others resembled enlarged versions of everyday objects. If one could imagine it, it existed in some form within this strange world.

    He no longer felt as awe inspiring as he once did.

    Then, something caught his attention.

    A towering red mountain.

    It surged toward the sky at an impossible rate, its peak vanishing the moment his eyes tried to track it.

    The sight unsettled him.

    Despite an incredible amount of growth, he now felt small in comparison to the towering structures around him. Imperfections in his muscles, once invisible, became glaringly clear.

    His physique was not as perfect as he thought.

    The closer he came to true perfection, the more unattainable it seemed.

    "I still have a long way to go," he muttered, his head hanging low.

    But then he looked toward the red mountain. "Is that it? Is that what I am looking for?"

    Something about the mountain''s relentless growth intrigued him.

    Wanting to understand its secret, he strode toward its base.

    Beside the mountain stood a fractal tree, its branches splitting into infinite pathways. Its imposing figure dwarfed Ged, towering hundreds of times his size.

    As he passed beneath its limbs, a rustling stirred.

    Ged halted, his gaze narrowing as a shadow moved within the depths of the tree.

    Silence followed.

    Raising an eyebrow, he shook it off and continued towards the mountain.

    Then, it leapt.

    With a thunderous crash, a golden, scimitar-wielding beaver landed before him, the earth trembling beneath its weight. Its menacing glare locked onto Ged, its blade gleamed as it stood defiantly in his path, daring him to take another step.