A Novel Concept - A death a day, MC will live anyway!

Chapter 258: The First Labor of Kazuki

Ophis advanced, his expression menacing. "I can feel he has already endured five Tribulations. Depending on its nature, a quadruple Tribulation could destroy this island. There's no way I'm letting that happen."

Priam turned toward the Snahert Chief, feigning ignorance of the implication of his last sentence. "Kazuki will start his Tribulations in another world. We’ll only bring Tribulations back to Elysium if they’re interesting as distractions. Be sure I wouldn’t put Oasis at risk."

"A new world? How can we be sure that—"

"We trust you," Sna interrupted. "The battle is imminent, and we need to absorb the bloodlines from the rewards," she said to her companion.

"... Fine," Ophis muttered before disappearing. The shaman rolled her eyes and then vanished as well. Priam noted the power dynamics between the two Tier 4s. The shaman calls the shots…

"Let's head to Valaryth without delay," Priam said as Eve’s clone confirmed the Tier 4s had already returned to their tribe. The bastards were fast.

The outpost continued its construction despite the impending time rewind. Alain had insisted, arguing that the cataclysm brought by the successive Tribulations of Oasis's inhabitants would be an excellent crash test for improvements. The argument was solid, and Priam agreed to let his father, Bertomne, and Myuri stay to witness the start of the Tribulations.

"Is it time?" Alain asked as Priam, Kazuki, and the hoplite squad appeared. With the final battle so close, they had stopped defending Oasis, preferring to train. The protective barrier could hold for eight hours as long as no Tier 3 showed interest in it.

Gazing at the ocean, Kazuki took a few moments to respond.

"A hoplite's life is a constant tribulation; now or later, what difference does it make? I have been ready since the day I was born."

Coming from anyone else, Priam would have found the statement cringeworthy. Not here. Kazuki wasn’t trying to sound cool; he was simply true to his values, which made all the difference.

"Has it already started?!" Rose exclaimed, crossing the rift, followed by Blueberry, Louis, and Lamnas. She sighed in relief seeing the hoplite Champion still there. "Perfect, I was afraid I’d be late. Good luck, Kazu," she said, awkwardly patting the warrior’s mecha. "I mean, not that you need it, but..."

"I take it in the spirit it was intended, thanks, Rose," Kazuki smiled, seeing the girl blush despite her good intentions.

He then turned to his subordinates and saluted. The hoplites returned a crisp salute. Finally, the colossus looked his wife in the eyes and mouthed silent words. With shining eyes, Hyshana kissed her husband for a few seconds before letting him go.

Without another word, the hoplite hero flew toward the horizon. Priam turned to the assembly. Oasis's inhabitants were gathered in full on the idyllic beach. He hesitated to send Rose away before shaking his head. He was the only one who would benefit from the time rewind. For everyone else, the next few hours would be all too real and the failures all too harsh. Who am I to deny them witnessing this battle?

"Stay close to the rift. Depending on the Tribulations, you might need to quickly seek shelter in Oasis," Priam warned.

His first quadruple Tribulation had partially ruined a city protected by a barrier. Kazuki's would likely be terrifying.

[Tribulation Danger Levels:

• Priam Azura: Tribulations 1, 2, 3, 4. Energy Level (square function): 1, 4, 9, 16.

  Total Level: 30 (low estimate).

  Note: The danger of multiple Tribulations cannot be assessed by simply summing the energy levels of individual Tribulations. Their synergy multiplies the total level by an unknown factor. As such, 30 should be considered a low estimate.

• Kazuki Arashi: Tribulations 6, 7, 8, 9. Energy Level: 36, 49, 64, 81.

  Total Level: 230 (low estimate).

Simulations of destruction created by the Tribulations…

Note: few points of comparison in the database; accuracy of simulations affected.]

Seeing his system’s simulations, Priam grimaced. If the wyvern he had faced during his last Tribulation had a power of sixteen, then the combined power of Kazuki’s Tribulations would be two hundred thirty.

In other words, a cataclysm was brewing.

Using [Runic Language] and his aether proficiency, Priam summoned a thousand protective runes, saturating the nearby environment with an invisible mist. If the apocalypse descended upon his loved ones, he would be ready to protect them.

A few dozen kilometers away, high in the sky, Kazuki slowed down. He turned, and the photographic sensors of his mecha allowed him to see the worried faces of his hoplites and friends. Priam hid his concern better than the others, and Hyshana… her confidence in him was unwavering. More than anyone, his wife knew the merit it took for him to stand here. Born not in a grand house like hers, but in poverty, his future had been choked by the dishonor of his parents.

She had chosen him back then, and he had never betrayed her trust or her expectations. I can’t lose if Shana is watching.

With his promise renewed, Kazuki closed his eyes.

[Tribulation]: Tribulations are coming.

Time: 12 hours 28 minutes 23 seconds.

Would you like to trigger your Tribulations?

As always when it came to Tribulations, the blue of the System turned red. Today, Kazuki saw it tinged with blood. The corner of his mouth lifted in a thin smile. He had never let omens and superstitions slow him down.

“Show me your worst.”

Without fanfare or second confirmation, the world trembled.

"The History of the Hoplites is written in blood and sweat." A voice with no source thundered in the sky, shaking heaven and earth.

"Each of its chapters is penned by a Hero." The air tore a hundred meters in front of Kazuki, revealing a true colossus. With a shaved head, chiseled muscles, piercing gaze, and dressed in a white pallium, the hoplite looked as much a warrior as a philosopher. Kazuki’s eyes widened, recognizing a face he had seen on a thousand statues.

"The first was Taishi."

The legendary hoplite turned his gray eyes to Kazuki and inclined his head. Manipulating the wind to float beneath the clouds, Kazuki recalled his mecha and mirrored the gesture. He would not suffer the shame of ignoring the salute of the father of his civilization.

"Hoplites are a proud race...," continued the unseen announcer. "Yet they need a figure to lead them into battle."

A circular, spectral arena appeared around the heroes. Spanning dozens of kilometers in circumference, its titanic proportions did not hide the most important detail: each seat was occupied by the specter or shade of a hoplite. The former represented the living, the latter the dead.

Kazuki felt his heart race as the entirety of the hoplite people since the dawn of time watched him.

"The people will judge: which Hero will lead them?"

Kazuki grimaced, seeing his own people prepare to judge him. Women, children, men, elders, warriors, and crafters—all would judge the upcoming duel. Winning was not enough; his legend had to triumph over the myth of the Father of the Hoplites.

"One way or another, today Kazuki Arashi will immortalize his greatness."

If his civilization deemed him unworthy, if he failed to convince, he would become a martyr.

The wind blew through the ghostly stands. In the silence that followed, Kazuki studied his ancestor before speaking.

"I am Kazuki Arashi."

"Taishi," introduced the one whose name everyone knew. Born a slave, he had no last name. "Arashi... the storm. What have you done to earn this name?"

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

A family name was passed from father to son and from mother to daughter. The only way to change it was to earn a new one through a resounding feat. There were no judges: only popular rumors allowed one to earn it.

"I challenged and defeated the Council of the Grays."

A clamor rose from the stands as the dead learned of his feat and the living roared their approval. Taishi inclined his head again.

"A storm of blades, triumphing one against twelve." The hoplite observed him with clear eyes, and Kazuki remained impassive before a gaze that had made kingdoms tremble. "Forgive me for asking, things may have changed since my death, but I thought only the Gray warriors knew the name of the Wind. Yet it’s with its help you stand before me today."

It was indeed the wind that carried Kazuki, preventing him from falling into the ocean of Valaryth.

"I was born to Gray parents. The only way to wash away that dishonor was to eliminate the very notion of them."

Taishi’s eyes sparkled, understanding that the man before him respected the hoplite code enough to kill his own parents. In doing so, he had also changed hoplite civilization.

"A true Hero then," said Taishi, grasping the air. A spear appeared between his fingers. "You know it, but it is the duty of the dead to judge the actions of the living. Allow me to be your judge."

"... And I yours," replied Kazuki, summoning his new spear, Taifu.

He had exchanged it a few hours earlier, spending nearly all his Sun Points at the Auction. The weapon was as deadly as it was long and could be wielded by his mecha. Thanks to this, it had replaced Dory and was considered his bound weapon.

"The dead receive praise more easily than the living because no one envies them... yet, you will find my legend is not without foundation," announced Taishi before pointing his spear at the sky.

The clouds rolled back to let sunlight pierce through. The rays, diffused by water droplets, gathered to give birth to a golden fur. The next moment, Kazuki saw the Golden Lion appear, one of the mythical creatures from the tales of his childhood.

"I see you recognize my companion," Taishi smiled, stroking the immense beast. "I am often credited with the feat of having defeated an invulnerable lion during the first of my ten labors... It’s true. Today, it’s your turn to face him to prove your worth in the eyes of the dead."

The lion’s roar contrasted with the silence that gripped the stands. Kazuki readied himself. "Thank you for this opportunity."

All the mythical beasts had been defeated long before his birth. The surest way to achieve heroic status had thus disappeared, much to the chagrin of modern heroes who had to redouble their courage to convince the crowds.

What better way to confirm his title than to slay the most famous lion in hoplite mythology?

Enhanced by his high perception, Priam's eyes tracked the battle, dissecting the Tribulation. When Kazuki's mythical spear failed to pierce the king of beasts' hide, he swore under his breath.

"Kazuki's a prodigy with that spear, but when his favorite weapon fails him, his lack of versatility shows," Louis said, approaching slowly. "That's the weakness this Tribulation is targeting."

"We knew it was his most glaring weakness, and so did he," Priam replied, clenching his fists. "So can you explain why he's not suffocating that lion with his Wind Concept?!"

A golden aura enveloped the spear, and Priam saw his rival's muscles contract as he delivered a titanic blow to the lion's chest. The impact unleashed a shockwave that swept everything in its path for hundreds of meters, pushing clouds in all directions and raising a tsunami.

The lion roared in pain but immediately charged again.

"Knowing your weakness doesn't mean accepting it," Louis sighed. "It's obvious he doesn't respect his Wind Concept... or the Name of the Wind as they call it. Kazuki has many qualities, but he's stubborn."

"My husband isn’t so obstinate that he becomes foolish," Hyshana corrected, approaching. "The Name of the Wind was the weapon of the Gray. Using it would tarnish the Hoplite honor. It’s hard enough in normal times, but in front of our Father and our people? He’ll struggle to justify his heroic title if he resorts to a taboo."

Priam looked anxiously at the spectral stands filled with hoplites. The seventh Tribulation was more brutal than the sixth because Kazuki was being judged by his civilization. If he wasn't seen as superior to the Father of the nation, he would die. For someone who had dedicated his life to Hoplite honor, it was the worst possible humiliation.

Powerless, Priam watched his friend battle against a formidable synergy.

Kazuki struck, feeling his body tremble from the backlash. The lion's pained roar told him the exchange had been worth it. He began preparing for his next attack.

Micro acted as a spiritual bridge between mind and body. There was something cathartic about using his Supremacy to channel the immense power hidden within his System-enhanced muscles to strike a monster capable of enduring his blows.

Arcing his body, Kazuki concentrated the energy in his legs and, with a twist of his torso, gathered it to direct towards his shoulders. Like a spring uncoiling, he struck. Tendons, muscles, and bones in his arms nearly buckled as they guided the immense force into his spear.

“HAAAAH!” he roared, accompanied by billions of ghostly voices.

The air exploded, and the spectators cheered for their champion.

The destructive blow didn’t pierce the golden lion’s fur but hurled it backward with incredible force. From its howl, the creature was beginning to suffer internal bleeding.

Kazuki took a moment to catch his breath, ignoring the fiery atmosphere that had gripped the Hoplite people. He wasn’t stupid; he understood the sixth Tribulation targeted his most glaring weakness: his spear reliance. Yet, under the watchful eyes of the living and the dead, he hesitated to use the Wind Concept to win. He was the Hoplite Spear, and he wanted to win on those terms. The System thought it had created a hopeless situation, but Kazuki’s talent and resolve were not so easily broken.

That was also why he hadn't summoned his mecha. He would give the ancient Hoplites no excuse to belittle his accomplishment. After all, the real battle lies elsewhere, he thought, glancing at his next adversary.

The fight resumed, the lion riding the light, absorbing each attack while the Champion burned his endurance in a desperate attempt to defeat his foe.

Another blow shook the world, and as the two adversaries separated, Kazuki masked a grimace. The lion’s defense was formidable—certainly enough to challenge a Tier 3—but he shouldn’t have spent this long fighting it. In the background, he could see Taishi watching, unimpressed.

Kazuki almost furrowed his brow but caught himself. He needed no one's approval, not even the Father of the Hoplites. Elders deserved honor, but a nation only grew when each generation surpassed the previous one.

The exchanges continued, and gradually, Kazuki's confidence grew. Fatigue set in slower than his progress. Though the lion was impervious to piercing and slashing attacks, the blunt damage was accumulating.

Facing an opponent capable of tanking his blows was beneficial, allowing him to explore the limits of Micro and his body. Spear Mastery II also progressed as he could finally test his most destructive combos on a resilient foe.

When the clouds in the sky completely vanished, annihilated by shockwaves, the lion's roar turned into a whimper. Nearly fifteen minutes into the fight, the creature's organs were no more than mush. Exhausted, the animal opened its mouth, its tongue lolling.

Now!

In an instant, Kazuki merged with his spear... then hurled it skyward. Letting out a roar the lion would have envied, he ordered the wind to catapult him toward the gaping maw.

Reaching close quarters, he grabbed the creature’s fur and climbed onto its neck. Before the fired-up spectators, Kazuki wrapped his arms around the beast's throat and began to squeeze. His overclocked muscles, as thick as thighs, started to strangle his opponent. Gritting his teeth, the Champion poured every ounce of his strength into the fight.

In the sky, two bodies plummeted. While the legendary lion thrashed, a titan with bulging veins crushed its trachea and carotid arteries. The metallic blood coursing through his veins was as fiery as his determination. He was the Champion of his civilization, the youngest Titan instructor, and the conqueror of the Impossible Tutorial.

His honor forbade him from losing before his people and Hyshana.

After a thousand meters fall, the lion lost consciousness. With a grunt, Kazuki loosened his grip and grabbed its jaw. He pried it open wide and aimed it at the sky just as a blood-red meteor streaked down. Like divine judgment, the weapon plunged into the weak point and exploded the beast's insides. The spear the spearmaster had thrown moments before had returned, sealing his victory.

Letting the carcass drop into the ocean, Kazuki raised his weapon to the heavens amid the deafening cheers of his people. Rarely did he smile, but now he did, haloed by his glory.

No matter what the future held, the Hoplite Spear would forever be recognized as a Hero.

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 755

Constitution 1 199

Agility 897

Vitality 1 147

Perception 814

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 599

Dexterity 673

Memory 875

Willpower 1 168

Charisma 697

META:

Meta-affinity 898

Meta-focus 423

Meta-endurance 719

Meta-perception (A) 433

Meta-chance 274

Meta-authority 234

Potential: 12 469

Tier 0

Sun points: 1 488 111

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 152 days 13 hours 51 minutes 15 seconds.

Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 6 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200

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