THE KEEPER OF LIGHT(2)- PART 2

[Host has been given the next mission]

Upon arriving the first thing I saw was the notification message of a new mission, hopefully an easier one. However, knowing Alex I doubt that.

"For fxcks sake, you're not even gonna allow me rest are you?"

[Fortunately, yes]

"Fortunately? You're working me to the bone here; I'd love to get stronger sooner rather than later, but rest is essential." I explained.

[You have already exceeded you're rest period of 24hrs. That is more than enough for your body]

[Opening Character Profile]

[Name: Zephyr Everwood

Age: 16

Level: 21

Exp: 582,428,255.515/1,969,336,636.40.

Rank: SS-class

Stats: 

Strength-45

Speed-45

Health-40

Dexterity-40

Intelligence-46

SP: 0

QI: 4600

HP: 100%

Forms: Nirvana 1st stage (5000Qi per 300seconds)

Skills: Bloodlust(0), Regeneration(2.5), Danger Sense(0), Hand of God(10), The Fist of God(25), Void Blast(50), Rot(50), Stealth(125), Detoxify(5), Eyes of Truth(0), Fission(500), Soul Tether(700), King of Kings(1000)

Techniques: Separating Heaven and Earth, Rising Tide Sword Arts Technique, Consecutive Dragon Fist Technique, Multi-strike Weapon arts 

Inventory/Items: Spawn Repulsion Heart, World Splitter (absent), Box of Calamity, Bracelet of Transfiguration

Mission: Complete the trial of the throne and prove oneself worthy of being God

Rewards- 1,500,000,000exp

Punishment for failure- A complete system shutdown for 2months and paralysis

Time limit- None

Realms: Divine Training Room

Soldiers: 100,001]

"At least there isn't a time limit this time." Zephyr said relieved.

Looking away from the screen there seemed to be nothing around, literally. This place looked more akin to the endless void I was in previously. Then a voice echoed in the dimension.

"Are you ready to face the challenge?" Asked a seemingly omnipresent voice.

 I hesitated for a moment, before saying the needful.

"Yes." I responded.

"Your first trial will be that which focuses on strength and Qi mastery." It said.

Then a white finish line manifested itself a few hundred feet away.

"Your task is to reach the finish line in single, short steps only. For every step you take the gravity inflicted upon your body will increase by 10,000G."

I pondered for a moment, waiting for the part about Qi control, but it never came.

"There is no time limit, and you may begin."

[I suggest that I give you the exact distance you'll need to cross]

"Normally I'd disagree and say that I'm strong enough, but this time I'd like to be prepared."

[159 feet is the distance. Doing basic mathematics, you will be facing 1,590,001G by the end of this]

(A/N): I'm gonna retcon my original statement of each point in dexterity being 10,000N of defense in a linear pattern. If that was the case he'd only have 400,000N of defense which would leave him defenseless against the gravity. Instead every point will multiply his defense by 2N.

[There is another thing I'd like to note]

"What?"

[There appears to be no Qi present in this realm]

This came as a shock, if there was no Qi then any lost energy couldn't be regained. Then the realization came.

"Ah, so this must be the test of Qi control." I presumed.

[Most likely, but I also believe there must be some form of energy powering the activities in this dimension]

"Hmm, let's try something out." I said.

"VOID BLAST!" 

Zephyr commanded, and as the purple energy sphere manifested it vanished immediately, leaving nothing behind.

"Dammit, so that's how it works."

[It would appear that the realm fueled itself by absorbing the excess energy released by those undergoing the trial]

"So I can't use any energy consuming skills, figures."

[Not exactly. You have a major lacking in your control of Qi leakage during battle. When using most of your attacks there is a massive waste of energy that comes in form of an aura or residue]

"But the entire Void blast was absorbed? The only reason would be if the entire technique of a waste of energy." Zephyr said, coming to a conclusion.

[Your usage of it is a waste of energy. Even with the guidance of the most advance Qi circulation technique you still cannot effectively execute your energy, most of the attack was just a visual spectacle]

"So then, what do you expect me to do?" Zephyr questioned.

"I can feel the energy running through my veins, but I don't know exactly what it is. Even if the Separating Heaven and Earth technique allows me to more efficiently guide my energy into certain fighting styles, there was never any truly perfect execution."

While Zephyr was skilled in all regards, he still had trouble with wasted movements. These would let Qi sip out of him subtly, but in the long run it would lead to undue exhaustion.

[I will assist you in this endeavor. Firstly sit down and stay perfectly still, taking in deep breaths at a slow pace.]

I did as I was told, and soon enough I could feel my flesh and muscles being supplied with blood. Beyond that however there were slight discrepancies present all through my body.

'Hmm so this was Qi, I never actually felt it as a part of me, more or less it was a tool. All this time I never had any real control over it, the system was just acting out my will, intent and level of focus'

[Qi is not just energy, it is life itself. At this very moment the mortal Qi within you is dispersed across your body and within your cells, given them the power to live while also keeping your soul attached to your body]

Feeling every inch of mortal Qi within my cells I was able to differentiate it from the divine and demon Qi within my core. It would appear that my core was divided into two sections, one half filled with a righteous energy, and another filled with something more maleficent in nature.

[Due to the impressionable nature of mortal Qi, your other energies are kept in the core and when certain abilities are needed they spread throughout your dantians. This gives all the energy within the cells whatever spin they require to act]

"So whenever I absorb divine or demonic energy it all goes to my core?"

[Yes, now expel divine energy from your core into your right arm]

I felt the divine energy flowing through me at will for the first time without the direct help of Alex. All this time it was through her that I could control my Qi, but that was about to change.

The divine energy caused a chain reaction as all the energy within my arm gained a clockwise spin.

[Now release it from your arm in a perfect sphere, with no flashy display]

The energy left my arm, fully under my control and it manifested itself as a purely golden orb. There was no raging flame or excessive shockwave; it was just there at ease.

[You still have a long way to go before complete proficiency, but this is a good start]

The Qi blast then dissipated.

"Hmm, right but I have to face the task ahead for now." I said while getting up on my feet.

With a single step I moved forward, and the pressure exerted on my body increased massively. I faltered in my steps for a bit, but managed to regain my balance, and with haste I kept moving forward. Step by step the strain on my flesh increased as the intensity kept on increasing in a linear pattern. Whilst it was not enough to incur any physical harm it still was not a pleasant experience. Not to mention the fact that I had to conserve as much energy as possible, so my defense wasn't even at its' fullest.

Half an hour later I was now at my hundredth step, my body while still unharmed was exhausted. Streams of sweat rolled down my arms and legs, dampening the clothes I had woken up in, my breaths were deep and tireless as the force of a million G rested upon me. This force is comparable to the attacks given by an S-class opponent, and was nothing to scoff about.

*Huff*

*Huff*

"Why does this feel so difficult? This is nothing compared to Deaths attacks."

[Do I need to remind you that every time he attacked you there were several broken bones and destroyed organs. Comparing the two is like trying to compare lifting a fridge to being run over by truck-kun. One takes a lot of effort while the other is death]

He had no response, everything she said was true, and so on he continued for hours on end until he was at the last of the steps.

"I'll definitely need a shower after this."

Finally he reached the last step with 1,590,001G acting upon his body amounting to nearly fifteen million Newton being applied. And with one final groan he placed his foot forward, crossing the white line, it vanished. His body was relieved from the intense pressure collapsed on the floor, he groaned in relief as he was practically steaming.

"You have successfully passed the first trial. You will begin the next course immediately." The voice said.

"Oh you gotta be kidding me."

"The next trial will occur in form of a simulation." The voice announced.

Then the previously black void swerved like an uncontrollable typhoon as the entire dimension was reshaped. In the blink of an eye a completely new landscape had emerged totally unrecognizable from its previous state.

I stood there mesmerized by the new world that was made in an instant. Finding myself at the top of a hill I looked over a thriving forest in the midst of rolling hills. A quaint medieval village waited, its thatched cottages nestled among vibrant meadows. Winding cobblestone paths lead to a central square adorned with a bustling market. Timber-framed houses, adorned with colorful flowers were filled with vitality, while the children play games beneath the watchful gaze of a star.

The aroma of freshly baked bread mingles with the scent of woodsmoke from chimneys. Livestock graze in nearby pastures, and a simple wooden bridge spans a babbling brook, connecting the two halves of the village. At the village's end stands a sturdy stone castle with towering banners fluttering in the gentle breeze. The air resonates with the sounds of blacksmiths at work, laughter from the local tavern, and the distant melody of a minstrel's lute.

Soon enough though the bustling day had to settle down, as the twilight had arrived with the setting of the sun. As day turns to night, the village transforms, with lanterns casting a warm glow over the scene. I begin my descent towards the village through the trees, and under the illuminating gaze of the moon I found myself a set path towards the village.

Eventually I reached the guarded entrance to the town, but to my surprise there were no guards. Instead I saw two corpses drenched in pools of blood hidden behind a boulder nearby.

"This probably has something to do with the trial."

[Most likely, you should find the perpetrator and deal with them accordingly]

"Agreed." I voiced out.

Heading into the village I decided to use a skill that would be perfect for sneaking around. 

[Stealth Active]

Without a word my body faded into an eerie mist, warping the very space around me. My bodies movements; breathe and even its very energy were all instantly hidden within reality itself, making me once again undetectable. Swiftly I moved through the village, checking every nook and cranny for any traces of movement. Then I decided to head towards the other side of the village, running towards the bridge that connected the two halves it was there that I found the culprit.

A hooded figure was crossing the bridge, wearing generic brown clothing and having basic weaponry.

"Hmm, how should I stop him? I could try out soul tether and hold him in place, but that would do nothing to stop him from screaming. Ah fxck it."

[Hand of God Active]

[Hand of God Deactivated]

"Huh, the hell was that?"

[I am not sure, please try again]

I outstretched my arm and commanded in my mind 'Activate the hand of god'.

[Hand of God Active]

[Hand of God Deactivated]

"Is something wrong?"

[It would appear that this task doesn't allow one to use divine abilities]

"But I just used stealth, why are demonic skills still working?"

[Well this dimension is originally meant to be used by one who wants to become God; it would be odd if a demon was included]

"Then what of before, even my demon Qi was still absorbed."

[You have to remember that this realm is not truly alive, nor is it an A.I like myself. It could simply be called a logical program, one which works on a set of predetermined rules]

[Scenario 1- (All forms of energy are to be absorbed), (Gravity increases by 10,000N a step)

Scenario 2- (No divine skills allowed), (unknown)

Scenario 3- (Unknown)

This is what we know so far] 

Meanwhile the killer had kept going towards the castle, prompting me to go for a chase. 

"I'll have to worry about that later, I just need to stop him right here."

As the wind blew in my face a smile could be seen as I enjoyed the game of cat and mouse. But I needed to get this done and dusted, so I stopped, raising my left arm and snapped my fingers. Dark, long chains emerged from the fabric of reality wriggling with life as they attempted to bind the individual. But nothing happens, all they do is undo the effects of stealth and reveal my existence.

"Dammit, I never considered the possibility that they didn't have souls."

He turned around instantly and held his dagger tightly as he faced me.

"Hmm, I guess you have to die to." He said in an unhinged manner.

Without warning he rushed forward at impressive speeds for a humanoid, and within a few seconds he was before me. His dagger came awfully close to my throat before I gave him a slight chop at the back of the neck, knocking him out instantly.

"I doubt killing him is the task one who wants to be God completes."

[It does seem unlikely]

"Then come morning I'll ask him a few questions, but first I'm starting to get peckish." He said as his stomach began to grumble.