Reignited Friendship, Differing Paths

Without warning, Liam took the lead, and the two of them began exchanging blows, their fists connecting with each other's faces. Bruises started to form on their faces, but neither of them showed any sign of backing down.

This was particularly challenging for Cyril, who had lacked athleticism in the past due to his fragile body. His punches were clumsy and lacked coordination, resulting in many of them missing their target. Additionally, his height disadvantage made it difficult for him to match Liam's skill in fist fighting. However, he relied on his slightly higher physical strength to compensate for the difference.

Cyril had used his [Material Conversion] talent and his unique ability, [Devouring Vortex], to develop his body, focusing on nurturing his weakened muscles and internal organs to gradually improve their health. Despite absorbing numerous Chaotic Wolf corpses into his body, his physical strength hadn't increased significantly. In other words, his body had not fully healed to the healthy state of a typical teenager his age.

However, thanks to his usually strong bones, Cyril was able to summon raw physical strength to keep up with Liam's momentum and attacks. With time, he adjusted to the rhythm of Liam's assaults. While he possessed the ability to use body fortification, which would greatly enhance his combat strength, he never considered utilizing it during this brawl, as it was merely a fight and not a life-or-death situation.

Liam's face contorted in anger when he realized that Cyril could withstand his punches, even matching his rhythm. Determined to escalate the fight, his gaze became sharp. He skillfully dodged Cyril's clumsy and inexperienced strikes, launching a surprise attack with precise punches aimed at Cyril's face. Cyril could only defend himself by blocking with his hands and occasionally landing a punch of his own.

Frustration and grief consumed them, transforming their sorrow into a wave of anger directed at each other. Therefore, they didn't stop hurting each other. They continued to exchange blows, further bruising each other's faces in their rage fueled by grief.

Their brutal fight persisted until exhaustion took over. After a short while, both Cyril and Liam collapsed onto the patches of grass, their bodies battered and bruised. Exhaustion consumed them, leaving only heavy panting to fill the air.

Cyril and Liam lay side by side on the grass, their gazes fixed upon the dark and gloomy sky. They stared at it for a long while, enveloped in silence. As they gazed at the sky, they began to reflect on their actions, realizing that they were frustrated at themselves and that their altercation held no meaning, as it wouldn't change their current reality.

At some point, Liam broke the silence, his voice hoarse with remorse.

"I didn't mean those things, Cyril. I was just hurting... and I took it out on you."

Liam struggled to say these words as he turned his head to face Cyril, regret and sadness evident in his eyes. Even though he was usually level-headed, he couldn't believe he had lost control like that, speaking and acting so harshly toward his best friend.

"I know, Liam."

Cyril also turned his head to meet Liam's regretful gaze and replied: "I said things I didn't mean too. We're both just trying to make sense of it all. But Silvia is really gone, leaving us behind in this place."

At this point, both of their faces were swollen and covered in bruises from their fight.

Moments later, a heavy sigh escaped Liam's lips. He said in reflection: "Silvia wouldn't want us to fight like this."

"You're right."

Cyril agreed and said: "Silvia wouldn't want us to be like this. She would want us to support each other, not wallow in bitterness over her death. Blaming each other won't bring her back, after all."

"...I'm sorry, Cyril. Truly, I am."

Liam suddenly said after a few moments of silence.

Upon hearing Liam's sincere apology, Cyril also offered a sincere reply: "And I'm sorry too, Liam. Let's honor Silvia's memory by being there for each other. Someday, when we die, we can share our experiences with her."

They reached out, their fists bumping into each other's, finding solace in their shared act of reconciliation. As they lay side by side, their hearts were still heavy with grief, but they found consolation in patching up their relationship and reigniting their unstable friendship.

Afterward, Cyril and Liam turned their gaze toward the setting sun, which marked the beginning of a gloomy night. The following day, around the same time on this day, would signify the dawn of a new chapter for both of them.

For a while, they didn't exchange any words. Instead, they peacefully gazed at the night sky, which was slowly filling with stars.

At some point, Liam broke the silence once again and asked: "Cyril... What do you plan to do now?"

Cyril responded with doubt: "What do you mean?"

Hearing his doubtful question, Liam clarified: "I mean, with Silvia gone, there's no reason for us to pursue our goals anymore. I have decided to stay in South Stronghold. With my talent, I should be able to attend the academy in the main city. So, what about you? Do you also plan to stay in South Stronghold?"

"I..."

Cyril began to speak, but as he pondered Liam's words, he realized that he, too, had lost his sense of purpose. Initially, he had resigned himself to staying in South Stronghold and becoming a librarian or pursuing a similar path. However, after awakening his talent, he had become hopeful for a bright future with the three of them— Liam, Silvia, and himself— embarking on an adventure together.

They would travel to various continents around the world, eventually reaching Central Stronghold, the most powerful stronghold of humanity, home to numerous institutions and powerhouses. However, before Cyril could grasp such a potentially bright future, he lost the main reason why he had yearned for it in the first place.

Consequently, he no longer felt any motivation for the future. Instead, he would rather stay in South Stronghold with Liam. With that decision, he opened his mouth to reply to Liam's question.

"I will also— Ugh!"

Before Cyril could finish his words, a sharp pang of pain shot through his heart, leaving him unsettled and uncomfortable. The next moment, he began to have second thoughts.

"What's wrong with you? Did I punch you too hard earlier?"

Liam noticed Cyril grimacing in pain and couldn't help but express concern. He then added apologetically: "I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that."

"No, that's not it."

Cyril waved his hand dismissively and spoke uncertainly: "It's probably the aftereffects of my ability."

"Your ability?"

Liam raised his eyebrows and tentatively asked: "You mean your talent's ability?"

"Yeah."

Cyril didn't want to go into details, as he himself didn't fully understand why he felt the throbbing sensation in his heart. Instead, he changed the subject and said: "Anyway, I want to explore the world and visit all the historical places. Silvia wanted us to travel together, but now that she is gone and you... In place of you and her, I decided to travel the world. When I return from my journey someday, I will tell you about my discoveries in front of Silvia's grave. Also..."

After saying this, Cyril's expression was suddenly filled with immense anger and hostility.

He then continued: "I want to seek revenge for Silvia. I want to kill as many of those monsters as I can along the way. Eventually, I will reach Central Stronghold and find ways to eliminate the spatial portals and chaotic monsters. If that's not possible, then I will personally eradicate them from the face of the earth, even if it's the last thing I do. After all, I don't want anyone to experience what we have gone through."

Tragedies related to spatial portals were not uncommon. Cyril had often read about them in books, like heroic fairy tales predating the era of chaotic monsters and spatial portals, but he had never taken them seriously and considered them merely fictional literature due to the exaggerated portrayal of heroes. However, with Silvia's death, the reality of the dangers and terrors of spatial portals and the chaotic monsters that invaded their world through them finally hit him.

Listening to Cyril's resolute words filled with unwavering determination, Liam raised his eyebrows, his eyes widened in surprise. It was the first time he had heard Cyril speak with such conviction. Most of the time, Cyril would be in the corner reading books and rarely engaged in other activities. If it weren't for his and Silvia's invitation, he would bury himself in books. But now, that same Cyril was willing to abandon his old hobby and aspire for something even greater.

For a brief moment, Liam fell silent as he looked at Cyril, and then he smiled and said: "I see. Good luck."

After uttering these words, the two boys didn't exchange any further words, as they tacitly understood each other's intentions beyond what was said. They simply turned their attention back to stargazing, even forgetting that they hadn't eaten anything all day. At some point, they returned to the orphanage.