13 Flame Princess

After slaying the hyena, Zeus went on a killing spree in the next few hours. He fought monsters from one after another and his 'Enhance' skill proficiency rapidly reached 99%—one step away from reaching the skill's maximum level.

However, it seemed like fighting weak monsters doesn't work for it anymore as despite taking down monsters and wild beasts around, the skill remained at 99%.

Looking at the pile of corpses under his foot, Zeus fell into a deep contemplation.

'Do I have to kill a 1st Order Monster if I want to level it up?' He thought.

'Master said that this skill won't be possible after I awakened Aether so why does the system want me to upgrade it to the max?'

Zeus couldn't understand.

What's more unbelievable is this skill was so hard to upgrade that body training doesn't even increase its proficiency anymore.

'If a 1st Order Monster is really the requirement, it would be a little tricky.'

Unlike the hyena he killed, which wasn't even strong in the first place, 1st Order Monsters were much more troublesome to deal with.

Their physical attributes are way above from what he have.

He could fight them, yes, but killing them would be a different story. He hadn't even killed one and usually, Sera would immediately stop the fight whenever his stamina ran out.

Killing them with his current strength would be near impossible to do. Zeus wasn't a coward but it's the bitter reality.

No matter how much physical strength he has, without Aether, it would be like a bird with one wing.

Of course, if his fists or staff could deal damage to their steel-like defenses, it would be much easier.

'Fuu—'

Zeus groaned, raised his head, and looked towards the distant land. As his altitude was already below the clouds, the land could already be seen ahead.

The Kingdom his father served already entered his deep grayish eyes. The answers he wanted to find could be there and he's only one step away from it.

'With my descent speed, it would probably take a month to go there. But, if I use Shelly…'

It would most likely take 3 days. The only thing holding him back is his skill. He wanted to upgrade it to max level while he's out here in the wild.

Its been 7 years and his quest remained stucked. He wanted to complete it as soon as possible and receive another one.

Zeus put back his staff behind him and looked far ahead. Just as he was about to leave, his ears perked up.

'Huh?'

He scanned the surroundings but after finding no one, he closed his eyes and listened to the sounds once again.

Clang!

'This sound…'

Woosh!

'Someone's fighting?' Zeus' eyes shifted towards his left side where noises could be heard.

Based on the noises, he could vaguely picture steel colliding with something. Aside from battles, what could it be?

Zeus hurriedly grabbed his staff and started to build up strength in his hand. He looked at Shelly, and pondered for a moment, before deciding to confront what was happening there.

"Shelly, stay on guard." he said, also raising his guard.

Caw!

Shelly followed behind Zeus. Her eyes sharpened in extreme vigilance as she kept her flying altitude a little lower. In case his master got ambushed, she could hurriedly grab him and fly far away.

As Zeus got closer to the location, he could finally see the situation ahead.

A team composed of 7 people circled one another. It appears like they have something going on based on the malicious aura coming off of their bodies.

'Teenagers?' Zeus thought to himself as he watched them from a distance.

He kept his body hidden inside a bush while his eyes peeked through the small gaps, observing everyone's appearance.

To his surprise, they were all humans.

Why wouldn't he be?

The part of the Mountain Peak he was in was too far from the kingdom. Without transportation, reaching here would be too time consuming. He's certain that this group of teenagers wouldn't risk coming here just so they could kill 1st Order Monsters.

"Do you really want to fight us, Flame Princess?" One of the 4 guys solemnly said towards a girl dressed in a blazing red combat dress.

She stood proudly at 6 foot flat and her long fiery red hair was tied in a ponytail. The sun rays draped over her orange eyes that as daunting as a blazing vermillion. Her full body outfit highlighted her curvaceous body and plumped thighs.

And as she slowly walk, the black short cloak around her shoulders trailed with the passing wind.

Zeus was astonished, not by the fact that she's extremely gorgeous but rather, on how could her bangs remain unmoved despite the winds blowing over.

"We agreed that we'll split the spoils 50-50 no matter what spoils we found. You're only giving us your leftovers, don't you think you're being unfair here, Kleo?" The woman called Flame Princess answered coldly as she tightened the gloves on her palms.

"Unfair? The world is always unfair. You don't have the right to say anything here." The man replied as he glared at the other 2 men behind the Flame Princess. "But if you really think that your team of three can beat us, I wouldn't mind sending you to God. You don't have to worry about the fee…it's free."

The Flame Princess' eyes narrowed. If eyes could kill, she already butchered the four men in front of her. However, she didn't let rage take over her mind.

"If you kill us here, are you prepared for the consequences? My father won't let you go, Kleo."

At her reply, Kleo burst into loud giggles. Behind him, his four lackeys glanced at each other and also laughed.

Kleo placed his hand on his blade's handle. He mused, "Hehe, so you're also one of those people who rely on their background huh? Come to think of it, the title of a Princess suits you cause you're probably nothing but a spoiled girl. But…"

Kleo slowly unsheathed his sword and aimed it toward the Flame Princess. He continued, "...mere threats are of no use to me, Flame Princess. If I want to kill you here, no one can stop me."

"You've gone insane."

"Oh, I'm perfectly sane. You, on the other hand, are the one disturbing our fun hunting with your senseless complaints."

At that moment, a huge burst of flame energy erupted from the Flame Princess's body. The heatwaves spread throughout the surroundings and they even reached Zeus' current position.

"Kleo…"

The tension between the two groups intensified. Everyone readied their weapons and conjured magic circles from their palms.

Time seems to have stopped.

However, as soon as Kleo coated his sword in aether, the Flame Princess cast her spell.

"Flame Burst!"

Her spell was then followed by spells of her subordinates.

"Wind Blade!"

"Amplifying Winds!"

A strong burst of winds followed behind the flame spell.

The combination of two wind spells increased the flames' speed and widened its attack range. However, as soon as it reached Kleo's attack range, he unleashed a powerful sword energy.

"Sword Skill: Divide!"

Slash!

The sword energy split the spell into two causing a massive explosion towards their sides. The sword energy didn't stop but instead blasted towards the Flame Princess.

Fortunately, she already prepared a defensive spell on time.

"The rumors aren't exaggerated. As expected from you."

"You're not bad either." The Flame Princess said as she and the two sorcerers behind her widened the distance towards Kleo's team.

Sorcerers are well versed in long-range combat while knights excelled in close range.

One of the rules when fighting a knight is to always maintain a considerable distance. Otherwise, losing would be just around the corner.

However, there is one golden rule all people must accept.

Knights are always better in the early stages as they all possess speed, power, and endurance, and they could also cast magic spells. Sorcerers only shine at late stages as their aether was much more versatile when compared to a knight.

"It seems like to defeat you, I would need to go all out." Kleo said, gripping his sword tightly. He looked behind the Flame Princess and a nefarious grin formed on his lips.

"You three, kill the two sorcerers behind. As for the Flame Princess, don't worry about her. Leave her to me." Kleo turned his eyes behind and ordered.

"As you wish, Lord Kleo." The three said in unison.

At that moment, the group fought once again.

Meanwhile, Zeus watched the spectacle happening in front of his eyes. His body throbbed in ecstasy. It's not the first time he had seen spells and skills. Sera and the others used it when mining and other mundane things.

However, this is his first time seeing attack spells and skills clashing with one another!

Although he knows that it's dangerous, his curiosity kept him still. His body refused to move from his position.

'So this is magic!' Zeus stared at the spells flying around everywhere.

Flames blazed through the trees and sharp sword energies slashed through boulders like butter. The temperature began to increase and after a full minute, the two sides evenly split again.

However, it's evident that one of the two sides already won.

"Kleo, stop it!!!" The Flame Princess upon seeing the state of her two companions, shouted in a hurry.

"Oh, Flame Princess, I told you that I will kill you here. Do you think I was joking?" Kleo replied as he tightened his arms around a woman's neck. The other women were also in the hands of his lackeys.

"Stop!!! Stop it!!!" The Flame Princess pleaded.

"Hahahaha, now you're begging."

"Please, don't kill them. It's my fault."

"Flame Princess, you came here and allied with us but you turned your backs and demanded something absurd. Now, you want me to spare your subordinates' lives? Do you treat me as a fool!?"

Hearing Kleo's response, the Flame Princess gritted her teeth. Her eyes fumed in rage and regret.

Kleo waited in amusement, wondering what she was going to do.

Will she succumb to him? Or even give her life?

Meanwhile, Zeus watched quietly. It was like a scene from a movie and now he's also waiting for the woman's next move.

But to his surprise, the rage from her eyes vanished. Instead, a flabbergasted expression formed on her face as she gazed at his position.

Zeus almost jumped out of surprise.

'Fuck.'

Time stood still as their eyes met.