They were no longer the same.
After a month of rest in an isolated cave, protected from monsters by a field of traps ingeniously set by Lior, the two brothers finally stood up, fully healed. Thanks to the skill Healer – Level 2, Lior had been able to alleviate their pain and accelerate their recovery, day by day.
But that morning, everything was different.
Their respective systems had just confirmed that their main skills had all reached Level 2. Eager, they decided to test them.
Dean slipped into Lior's shadow, then emerged from a tree trunk ten meters away with a childlike smile.
— "Did you see me?"
— "Did you forget that I sense everything that touches the ground now?" Lior replied with a smile.
He placed his palm on the ground. Immediately, the world vibrated in his head. His Condition Telluric – Level 2 skill had improved immensely. He could feel everything. The insects moving beneath the earth. The beating of a heart, over 80 meters away. Dean's breath.
— "And now, I can manipulate much more earth. Set more traps, make them deadlier."
Dean nodded, impressed. He stepped closer, more serious.
— "You're really going to fight with that?" he said, pointing to the bow and the black threads attached to Lior's belt.
— "Illumination Rank. My system says I'm compatible. Even blind, I can use vibrations and sounds to aim. And the threads… I control them through the touch of the earth. Each thread is an extension of me."
Dean widened his eyes.
— "Okay… I admit, you're scarier than me now."
They burst out laughing for a few seconds. A suspended moment.
Then Dean approached, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.
— "I have 37 points to distribute… but I'm not going to waste them like an idiot. You're right, I need to think. My Twin of Shadow – Level 2 can now form a circle around me, invisible, inaudible, undetectable. I can attack without being seen."
They showed each other their status windows.
---
Status Window – Lior
Name: Lior
Class: Divine Unknown
Element: Earth
Chosen System: RPG
Skills
Telluric Condition – Level 2 (Active)
Healer – Level 2 (Active)
Elemental Mastery – Earth – Level 2 (Passive)
statistics
Force: 29
Agility: 23
Endurance: 39
Mana: 30
Intelligence: 23
Unallocated Points: 37
Elemental Synchronization: Earth – Total
Status: Full Health, Clear Mind, in Harmony with the Earth
Status Window – Dean
Name: Dean
Class: All-Powerful (Divine)
Element: Darkness
Chosen System: Devourer
Skills
Shadow Twin – Level 2 (Active)
Shadow Passage – Level 1 (Active
Elemental Mastery – Darkness – Level 2 (Passive)
statistics
Force: 39
Agility: 35
Endurance: 40
Mana:15
Unallocated Points: 37
Elemental Synchronization: Darkness – Total
Status: Heightened senses / In great shape
Lior slowly rose, the threads vibrating between his fingers. Dean stretched, playing with the shadow of his sword.
— "You know... I still can't believe I have an option named Loki. I have to conquer Asgard. And you, it's Odin?"
Lior nodded.
— "I must defend or destroy the throne. But we have to do it alone, otherwise we won't get any experience, items, or level-up."
Dean turned away.
— "That means we have to part ways."
A heavy silence settled. Then Dean, leaning against a rock, said:
— "I'm hungry."
Lior burst out laughing. "You're really just an empty stomach..."
They sat down to eat one last time together.
Then Dean stood up, picking up his sword.
— "Next time we meet, I'll be ten times stronger. Take care of yourself, Lior."
He waved with a sincere smile. Then, turning to disappear into the shadows:
— "Good luck, bro."
Lior remained alone. The ground beneath his feet echoed with the memory of his brother's steps. He breathed deeply, tightened the threads between his fingers, and murmured:
— "See you soon, Dean."