Chapter 45 – Farewell to the Bandits

"What do you mean with you lost? You haven't even used your, so-called, Will-Aura. I've fought with my full strength, yet you didn't. It was obviously my loss," Jeros announced loudly.

The bandits were shocked, but soon they realized that Jeros was right. They had felt Gravis' Will-Aura before, and they knew how oppressive it felt. One didn't have to have extensive fighting experience to know how strongly it would suppress them. In the end, the bandits agreed with Jeros. The fight would have gone completely different if Gravis released his Will-Aura. Like this, their astonishment for Gravis only increased.

Gravis smiled bitterly. "This was a spar, not a fight. If you fought for your life, you would have also fought differently. We can't determine a winner through a simple spar."

"You're wrong," Jeros sighed. "Not everyone is as used to life and death battles as you. I can say with certainty that I have used my full strength. Spars and true fights are the same thing for me," Jeros looked bitterly at the sky. "Maybe that's the difference between you and me. I've lived in peace for too long and have forgotten how it feels to be close to dying."

Gravis was astonished. It was hard to accept that someone else was stronger. Gravis was really impressed by Jeros' strength of will. Jeros had lots of fighting experience and didn't shy away from acknowledging his own weak points. All in all, he was an impressive fighter.

Gravis sighed too. He saw himself in Jeros. If Gravis ever lost his drive, would this be what he would become? A person with a lot of fighting experience, yet crippled of the drive to move forward? Someone who lived comfortably and was okay with where he currently was?

However, Gravis also saw longing and regret in Jeros. Jeros obviously wanted to become stronger, yet he lost the drive to risk his life. Gravis felt the regret in Jeros and wished to never arrive at Jeros' position.

'I must not become complacent!' Gravis shouted to himself in his mind. There was no easy way of gaining strength. If Gravis weren't prepared to risk his life, he would be fine for a while, but eventually, he would find himself in a weaker position than people who lived on the edge of death. He would lose his advantage, and it would be incredibly difficult to regain it.

Gravis' goal was the peak. He might live longer if he didn't risk his life, but he would never reach the peak like that. "It's all or nothing! Either I die, or I reach the peak!" Gravis swore to himself.

"By the way, you should look into Martial Arts when you reach Body City. Having your own fighting style is important and impressive, but don't neglect your ancestor's teachings. They have lived for much longer than you and have accumulated more fighting experience. You should buy some," Jeros advised Gravis.

Gravis nodded. He knew that many people would have created fighting techniques that he couldn't create himself. It would help him immensely in furthering his own fighting style.

Jeros sheathed his sword again and walked to Gravis. "If you ever need a place to return to, you can always come to our Bandit Guild," he said with a smile.

"You have a guild?" Gravis asked in astonishment.

Jeros raised an eyebrow. "You didn't know? Of course, we have a guild! How else would we be able to enforce all the rules that a bandit should follow?" Jeros laughed lightly. "You're a strange one." With that, Jeros extended his hand to Gravis in friendship.

Gravis nearly accepted the hand out of instinct, but he stopped himself. He felt like he saw the shadow of Heaven behind Jeros. If Gravis accepted his invitation, he would either have to stop moving forward, or Jeros, and maybe even the whole Bandit Guild, would die. Gravis clenched his teeth and his fists in frustration.

"I'm sorry. I can't," he said through gritted teeth.

Jeros furrowed his brows. What's the issue with accepting a friend?

"I'm really sorry," Gravis said again.

Jeros only sighed. "You probably have your reasons," Jeros took his hand back. "I see genuine regret in your eyes. I might not understand, but I believe that you have a good reason," he said with a bitter smile.

Tears nearly came down Gravis' face. "Thank you," he said sincerely. Gravis couldn't look Jeros in the eyes, and he felt ashamed. Rejecting heartfelt feelings was difficult, and Gravis wished he could accept. With the return of his loneliness, his hatred for Heaven also returned. 'Heaven will pay!'

"What are you all still doing here? Get back to your posts! The merchants won't extort themselves!" shouted Jeros suddenly to the bandits. They quickly perked up and started running away in different directions. All of them sent one last glance at Gravis and left. Jeros only winked at Gravis.

Gravis felt grateful because he realized that Jeros had helped him out of his current bitter and embarrassing predicament. "Thank you," Gravis said again.

"Don't mention it," Jeros smirked. "I'm looking forward to how far you can go." And with that, Jeros also ran down the road.

Gravis' eyes followed Jeros' back, and he saw Jeros waving at him as he ran down the street. Even though it hurt, Gravis was still happy that he met him. Gravis felt a bit regretful as he remembered all the bandits he had run over while he stayed in Wilderness Town. They always jumped out of bushes and started posturing, but he just ran them over. Today, he had learned that not all bandits were cruel murderers.

Gravis quickly shook his head, and with renewed motivation, he continued to Body City. He still had a lot of time until the entrance exams started. In that time, he could research different kinds of martial arts and include them in his fighting style.

Gravis grew excited as he came closer to Body City. Only a couple more kilometers, then he would be able to explore a whole new city. He was sure that the city also offered Bone Tempering Pills. The Martial Arts were surely also extensive.

Gravis couldn't wait.