Halfway through the Seventh Cave, the pressure Arya felt became almost unbearable. Every step forward drained him, and he had already burned through most of his elemental energy just trying to push ahead. Yet, despite his efforts, the path only seemed to grow more difficult.

  He came to a halt, his legs trembling as he struggled to keep himself standing. With a sigh, he dropped onto the barren ground, exhausted. Even with the little beast assisting him, the sheer force pressing down on him made it impossible to set up camp or prepare food. Just lifting a hand felt like a battle. Anything that required additional effort would only waste what little strength he had left.

  For tonight, he had no choice but to sit where he was, regaining his energy while relying on dried meat to satisfy his hunger.

  The beast on his shoulder let out a hum. "Well, it's normal... considering where we're headed. What you're feeling now is just the beginning. The real pressure will start once you reach the Seventh Cave's gate. From that point on, with your current strength, even breathing will become impossible without my help."

  Arya's expression darkened. "Even the elite cultivators who can use dual elements… they wouldn't stand a chance either?"

  "Stand a chance?" The beast let out a mocking chuckle. "They wouldn't even be able to take a single step inside the Eighth Cave without me assisting them. The only ones who could force their way in are those cultivators you call Rankers."

  Arya clenched his fists. "Is it really that hard to enter the Eighth Cave? What makes it so special? Is it because of the thing we're after?"

  The beast remained silent for a moment before replying. "Yes… that's…"

  It hesitated, then glanced at Arya's face, its glowing eyes flickering as if recalling something from long ago. "I think it's time I tell you. We're almost at our destination, and while I'm not the best storyteller, I'll keep it short. Try to understand what I'm saying."

  "This story begins with two best friends. They were known for their unbreakable bond and great strength, and as their reputation grew, so did the admiration of those around them. But with admiration also came envy.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Their leader, the one who stood at the top, began to see them as a threat. He feared that if they continued growing at this rate, his position would no longer be secure. And so, jealousy turned into paranoia. He convinced himself that to ensure his rule remained unchallenged, he had to act before it was too late.

  But breaking their bond wouldn't be easy. These two friends were not only strong but also loyal. A direct confrontation would never work—if they stood together, they could overpower him and his supporters with ease.

  So he waited.

  And when the opportunity arose—when the two were separated—he struck.

  One of the friends was surrounded and killed. And to prevent any future retaliation, the leader turned his sights on the surviving one.

  But that survivor… was me.

  I managed to uncover their plot just in time and escaped unharmed. But in the end, it didn't matter. That leader had already won. And in this world, the winner is always right. I had no choice but to flee."

  Arya listened, his thoughts tangled with emotions. He hadn't expected this little beast, who always seemed so carefree, to have endured something so painful.

  "So that's why you were wandering around the outskirts of Dreadfall Forest when we first met?" he finally asked.

  The beast nodded. "Yes. When I first saw you, I was going to ignore you… but then I noticed something interesting—your two elements. That gave me a bit of hope."

  Arya frowned. "So… our bond wasn't accidental, was it?"

  "No," the beast admitted. "But not in the way you think. Originally, my plan was to help you grow stronger so that one day, you could help me. After all, you humans increase your strength quickly, much faster than us. But your lifespan is also short… so I figured it was a fair trade."

  It let out a small sigh. "But then… that accident happened, and now we're bound in this state."

  Arya narrowed his eyes. "And the thing inside the Eighth Cave… it's connected to this story, isn't it?"

  The beast's glowing eyes flickered. "Yes. What I want from you in the future… and the thing inside that cave… they're linked."

  Then, instead of explaining further, it smirked.

  "But rather than tell you now, I'll let you witness it yourself. We're only a few steps away. I wouldn't want to ruin your curiosity by spoiling the surprise."

  Arya groaned in frustration. "Not again! You always do this—always stopping just when I'm about to get the real answer!"

  The beast chuckled, amused by his reaction.

  Still, Arya couldn't stop thinking about what he had learned. He glanced at the beast on his shoulder. "From your story, I can tell that you and your friend were incredibly strong. You were also well-known among your people. That means… the leader you mentioned must have been even stronger. So tell me, just how powerful is he now?"

  The beast's smirk faded. "All I can say is… I still wouldn't be able to defeat him in a one-on-one fight."

  Arya fell into deep thought.

  His goals were already massive—helping his clan reclaim its position, settling debts with those who had forced them into decline, and surviving in this dangerous world.

  But now, another responsibility had been added to his path—helping this beast reclaim what was stolen from it.

  He took a deep breath, pushing those thoughts aside for now. Right now, there was only one thing he needed to focus on—getting stronger. Because in the end, no matter how many enemies stood in his way, no matter how impossible the path ahead seemed, strength was the only answer.

  With that determination burning in his chest, he closed his eyes, allowing exhaustion to take over as he prepared himself for what lay beyond the Seventh Cave.