Chapter 214: A Special Place

Howard couldn't help but smile when he awoke.

Over a week passed in his sleep after the battle with Armecolith. Though him using his domain wasn't tiring normally, when he activated the heart of his domain, it felt like he was pulling out every single fiber of his being to do so.

It was much different than using Fire King's Last Stand, but still nonetheless dangerous for him to utilize. 

His body was not in the SS rank yet, and using a domain was already strenuous on his Ki Hearts, so when he activated the full power of his domain, one that could even eclipse Armecolith's that burden on his body amplified a thousand fold. Though he recovered, and no part of him took damage like when he used Fire King's Last Stand, it still made his body fall into a deep slumber.

It was like he was a battery that used every last bit of his energy, and in order to recharge his Ki Cells needed 6 days without him moving. Once again, he had a skill that he could only use every once in a while! He should've been upset about it, but he couldn't help smiling!

In 1000 Monster Valley, on the 20th Mountain Peak, there was a small mansion built of Earth Ki by one of Waxel's sons.

Inside of it right now, Howard was getting to meet all his relatives! Finding out he was the uncle of 100 year olds, he couldn't help but laugh! Sure, Waxel was his grandfather, but saying he was an uncle to some of these men after hundreds of years was ridiculous! Yet, he really liked being called Uncle! For the first time in ages he felt like he had a family that cared about him, and he couldn't help but celebrate every drink they took together.

"Howard," Waxel said, sitting on a large chair, he'd also fully recovered after 10 days. "This is a small, but necessary celebration. After today, you're going to have to make a choice. You're going to either have to go back to Horned Nation, or immediately go to the Jarkalon Abyss! Not only that, but you can't bring a single person with you!"

"Why?" Howard said, smiling. He picked up a piece of food from his plate, and gnawed on it. "I-I just defeated Armecolith, and I shouldn't be in danger anytime soon. Plus, I'm even training in my sleep. Why would anyone dare bother me?"

"You're being hunted," Granlon said, crossing his arms. "Haven't you noticed something weird Howard. All of us, including Waxel, are at most in the middle stages of the SS rank. Do you want to know why? Why everyone choses to immediately jump from the mid stages of the SS rank to the SSS rank. Do you know why we don't develop as fast as you?"

"Why?" Howard waddled his brows. "And I'm in the S rank. I'm not even as close to as strong sa you guys. Hehe, why would I have to worry about that?"

"There are two ways strengths are measured," Waxel said, pushing aside his plate. They were in a dining room inside of the mansion with Granlon's many sons running around. "One way, the first way, is by how strong you are in terms of rank, but the second way, unfortunately, is by your accomplishments."

"Armecolith, since you killed him so easily, will let everyone that's strong in the Furnace know you're in the S rank, but have the power to rival someone at the peak of the SS rank! Those in the SSS rank can only fight those that are close to the SSS rank. You, right now, Howard are a danger to everyone you're around! That's why you must either find a powerful backer to protect you, or go to the Jarkanlon Abyss!"

"In the Jarkanlon Abyss, there are hundreds of warriors from different Nations in the SSS rank, and thousands in the SS rank. There, you will just be one of many! It will take used to living there, the purity of the energy is astounding, but if you don't go, people like Yesran will hunt you indiscriminately!"

"How do you even know about him?" Howard said, looking at Waxel in disbelief. "Also, what about the Horned? Armecolith left behind an army of millions of Archelon Zombies. I saw it when he opened the doorways of his domain. Won't the Night Lords attack Horned Nation now that I killed him?"

"I think you're forgetting that Horned Nation survived hundreds of years without you, but probably won't survive one year with you staying here," Waxel walked over to Howard and patted him on the back. "Son, there are people that Horned Nation have that still eclipse your strength. Founder Arista, and Founder Carter are both in the SS rank regardless of what they told you. However, both of them are also smarter than you. They never performed any meritorious deeds that would allow Yesran to hunt them."

"However, if you stay, you might even be an excuse for Yesran and those like him to try and kill you. Listen, How about this? I go with you to see Harkel, and you talk about this with him. I'm sure he's of the same mindset as me."

Howard sighed and grinded his fist into a ball.

He was tired of always having to run away from those he loved to protect them! He just wanted to spend a few months with Monica and Reece. In two years, he'd finally be eighteen and all the doors in the world were supposed to open up, but right now, again, he was being asked to give it all up because of some enemy?

He finally learned how to make good tactical decisions, and how to be less naive, but now what? He had to learn that he was dangerous? This isn't what he wanted!

"I'll go see Harkel with you, but I'm not leaving immediately. Have you heard of Gravanal?" Howard said, sighing as he put down his fork. "He-he's in the SSS rank right? Well, he's helping me right now, and he doesn't think I have to go."

"Gravanal is a traitor to his own race. I can't believe you're even talking to that bastard," Waxel slammed his hand down into the table. "Did you know that his own wife betrayed him because he wanted to use the Varlent o take over the Furance. That man! That's a man you want to listen to and not your own grandfather!"

"I-I was just saying," Howard said, "That I can't be afraid of people stronger than me forever." Howard sighed and got up from the table. "I'm sorry, grandfather. You have such an amazing family. Your sons, my nephews I guess I'd call them, haha, are so powerful and so handsome, but… if I flee to the Jarkalon Abyss, I'll have no way of guaranteeing that Monica and everyone I love stays safe. I-I'd much rather stay here and train with Gravanal. You may think he's a traitor, but I've seen his eyes! He's honest, yet I'm not getting that feeling from you right now! I care about you grandfather, you saved me from dying, but I can't just abandon everyone!"

"You won't be," Granlon said, shaking his head and petting his wife on the back. She was a pretty red haired woman named Cay. She had the prettiest red hair and blue eyes. "My father and your grandfather is right. Howard, you're young. Younger than some of my kids, however, you have so much strength. You must learn to realize that at this point, to all the nations in the Furnace, you're like a weapon. Don't you want to become the strongest weapon possible? Regardless of what my father is saying, you'll grow more powerful in the Jarkalon Abyss, and in the future be able to protect the Horned even better than you can now."

"However, he never said we'd leave Monica and your girlfriends unprotected! I personally already promised father I'd protect them with my three brothers! Haha, if that's your only concern, then don't worry! I bet if you fought us five brothers, even if your domain, we'd still kick your ass!"

"I-I don't understand. Why are you being so nice to me?" Howard started to tear up. "You-you first saved me, and now-now you're all risking your lives? Why? Why do you all want me to go strong so badly? Why did you protect me Waxel! You could've just let me die!"

"Because Family's protect their kin," Waxel got up and grabbed Howard's hand. "Now come on. Let me show you one more special place in 1000 Monster Valley before Harkel arrives. He should be here in the next hour with a very special visitor I bet you can't wait to see."