Lightning Is the Only Way

"You need to become a level four Star God again first," Orthar answered directly. "I've already prepared your opponent, and you can't win as long as you are not a level four Star God."

"Additionally, don't jump into a fight while feeling this confident. Confidence is good, but you can't commit any mistakes against your next opponent. If you do, you will die, and your suffering will have been for naught."

Mortis only looked at Orthar with fiery eyes, but Orthar's gaze didn't waver.

"He's right, Mortis," Gravis said from the side. "Calm down first. Orthar knows our power perfectly, and he will give us an opponent that will push us to our absolute limits. One wrong move, and we will die."

"After all, if we can't even prepare ourselves adequately for a fight, how will we ever reach the power of father?"

Mortis' gaze went from Orthar to Gravis.

"I won't make a mistake," Mortis said.

Gravis frowned.

"However, I trust in your judgment," Mortis said after he relaxed. "You might see things in me that I can't see."

Gravis' smile returned. "Thanks," he said.

The two of them looked at Orthar again and nodded.

Orthar nodded back.

Then, Orthar vanished.

After that, Mortis and Gravis sat down.

Gravis asked his father for another delivery of coffee, and his father delivered.

"I'm proud of you, Mortis," the Opposer said to Mortis.

When Mortis heard these words, something inside him shook.

"Thanks," was all Mortis said.

His thanks only sounded polite, but all of Mortis' feelings had been summarized in it.

Mortis had felt the deep feeling of pride his father held for him, and his father heard the appreciation in Mortis' voice.

Gravis gave Mortis some of the coffee, and the two of them started talking again.

about the Sin Monster, and the incredible amount of suffering it brought

many Sin Monsters on his body near the end, but Mortis managed to survive against so

Mortis said the

had it harder than him. Back then, Gravis had been subject to an ever-increasing load of suffering. This meant that Gravis had also known that it would become harder and harder the longer it dragged on, which added a feeling of approaching dread. Additionally, Gravis hadn't been entirely sure for how

vent to," Gravis answered. "I could always shout at you, and you always supported me during these trying times. Meanwhile, you have been alone the entire time. I couldn't help

both of them

quantify Suffering to

that they had gone through similar levels of it, and they

and Mortis had

and he seemingly hadn't

was also something

was a certain maturity and confidence inside Mortis, which

was like Mortis truly was Mortis at this moment. It was difficult to put this feeling into

until they both reached the fourth level of the Star God Realm

two of them stood up and looked at each

them nodded

would be for both of them, and they had to work

Mortis left the

walked to the next trial

their minds entered a battle-ready

they arrived at the

and Mortis each put their hands on

two of them walked into their new trial, their eyes fixated

floor in this vast nothingness. The gate they walked through just hovered in the emptiness,

simply standing

black. It was like they were in space, among the stars. However,

was just endless

as the two of them entered, they saw two

and the other one could

their opponent, their

what they had

dissolved as

you to your limits," Orthar said

several Laws

created this trial to push you towards true power, and this trial will give you valuable experiences for when

still need to fight some

why you will

their minds tried to process that they