CHAPTER 565: YOUNG FRIEND

Kim’s entire body was covered in dark green armor, yet she slithered across the ground silently. The match began about ten minutes ago, and her dark green shortswords were already dripping with blood.

Unlike on previous days, the people in today’s match were quite cagey. They stayed hidden and tried to ambush unsuspecting fighters. However, since everyone used this tactic, nobody was left to trigger their traps.

It didn’t matter to Kim, though. With Faith’s constant flow of intel, she knew everyone’s exact position, and while they waited to ambush others, Kim hunted them down one-by-one.

Before the first hour passed, there were only a handful of fighters remaining. However, that’s when everything turned for the worse...

She was tracking a minor god of the Chinese Pantheon when Faith’s warning echoed near her ear... "Behind you!"

Without even recognizing the words, Kim’s body sprang away from the ground. Her tail caught the lowest branch, from which she hung and stared at the new assailant.

Below her, a brightly glowing round, disc-like weapon cut the air.

It bounced between a few trees, then landed back in its owner’s hand, a middle-aged man with blue skin and four arms wearing a strange outfit with lots of jewelry. Each step made a clinking noise as the bits of metal on his body hit each other.

The disc-like weapon floated above his hand, while the man’s eyes moved towards Kim’s face. A kind smile stretched his lips as his pleasant gaze met Kim’s narrowed dark green eyes.

"Ah, finally found you, dear friend!" said the man, while continuing to smile.

Kim stared at him in confusion. Even though he attacked her, the man seemed calm and nice. Why would he participate in a deathmatch?

However, Kim saw through that smile and knew exactly who the man standing before her was...

"Friend?" she asked with a small chuckle. "I don’t think so, Vishnu! That kind demeanor won’t fool me! I know exactly what kind of creature you’re!"

"Well, then please enlighten me, young one. I perceive everyone as friends! Just because we’re fighting doesn’t mean we need to be enemies!"

The half-snake woman just chuckled while climbing fully onto the branch. She spun her shortswords in circles as the snakes of her hair gazed at Vishnu.

"I won’t mock your beliefs, no matter how stupid they’re. Sadly, since this is a fight to the death, we’ll never be friends. Both of us know this conversation will end with one of us dead!"

Vishnu spread his four arms, his kind smile widening into a full grin... "That’s not necessarily true. The end isn’t so simple!... For example, do you believe death is the end? Or is there something more? Do you believe in the Afterlife?"

"No, I don’t believe in the Afterlife," Kim said with a snort. "I know it exists. Some of my friends have already seen Limbo and met Death. Belief is something reserved for the fools who can’t take their fate in hand!... Me? I like to make my own luck!"

"That’s honorable indeed," said Vishnu, satisfied with Kim’s answer. "Belief is lost in a world where most truths are already widespread! But I also think you’ve misinterpreted its meaning...

"People who have faith in higher ideals and beings aren’t just simpletons! It takes a special kind of strength to put your life in the hands of someone else, simply because of your undying trust and faith! Did you never rely on someone else’s help? Do you not have blind faith in anyone?"

His questions cut deeper than Kim preferred. It really showcased her lack of trust and insecurity. After she lost her family to Sera, she had nobody to rely on, and even after many gained her trust, she still didn’t have blind faith in them.

She admired Lilith, Adam and Faith. They fully believed in Sera’s ability to overcome any obstacle. Her other friends also trusted their partners without question, yet Kim didn’t even have faith in Sam.

"I see my questions brought dark clouds over your mood. My sincerest apologies!"

His words sounded honest and calm, as if he truly felt bad for ruining Kim’s mood.

"But you see... My questions made you realize your flaws, which’s the first step towards improvement! The road ahead will be hard! Each step taken won’t make much of a difference, yet after a thousand, you’ll see the enormous distance you’ve traveled."

Kim just stayed silent, unsure how to react upon hearing Vishnu’s words.

The blue man walked to a nearby root outcropping and sat upon its rigid surface. He brushed one hand against the wood, a light chuckle escaped his kind lips.

"You know, I’ve met many like you before," he said, while glancing back towards Kim. "I don’t mean spiritually, but people with your power. Petrification, stagnation, preservation, it has many names, yet its meaning stays the same. To keep safe and care!"

"So, I assume you know why I’m here, and what I need from you!" said Kim, her face serious, her eyes narrowed and focused.

"Indeed, my young friend... Indeed..." he said with the same kind smile, whiles stretching his arms and yawning.

"I’ve been alive for a few million years, my dear. Many people tried claiming what I’ve because they fundamentally misunderstand my power... For a long time I’ve been looking for someone who understands it and I can finally bestow it upon... Will you try?"

Kim jumped down from the branch and brandished her shortswords, yet Vishnu simply chuckled.

"There’s no need for us to fight, not physically at least. You’re only a Transcended of our nature, so you never actually tasted the real power of stagnation. Physical weapons can’t kill me, I’ll just preserve my current, healthy state, leaving me undamaged...

"I thought of a different challenge. Something that reveals more about your character. Something that can prove if you’re worthy or not!"

Vishnu motioned for Kim to come closer, but his kind smile and words weren’t enough to convince Kim. The blue man didn’t get offended though. Instead, he just nodded to himself and snapped his fingers.

A light pressure increase went across the forest, and for a single moment, Kim felt immortal. Curiously, she raised her sword and cut a shallow line across her forearm. She didn’t feel any pain, and the wound disappeared the moment she removed her blade.

Kim’s eyes moved back to Vishnu, who sat with his legs crossed and face at peace. He took deep breaths as his voice calm voice reached Kim.

"The test is simple. I’ll ask questions and you’ll answer without thinking! If you fail, your life will reach its end. However, if you win, I’ll give you the Evolution you desire. Regardless of the outcome, we’ll meet in the Afterlife, just as every soul who perished before me!"

A shiver ran down Kim’s spine as she felt the immense power hidden within Vishnu. She could never beat someone like him in combat, which left her with only one option...

"Fine... I’ll play your game!" she declared, causing Vishnu’s eyes to gradually open and a wide smile to spread across his face.

"Good, then take off your helmet. I don’t want the shadows or trees to answer in your sted!"

His words sent a tremble through the forest and its shadows. Kim, on the other hand, just chuckled and dismissed her helmet.

She had already guessed that Vishnu felt both of her friends’ presence, albeit she thought who would get mad. However, it seemed anger isn’t a state that exists in Vishnu’s mind.

For a moment, only silence reigned in the area. Kim’s heart rate quickened as Vishnu’s smile widened. Eventually, the blue, four-armed man began...

"First question! What’s the meaning of life?"

There were many answers to such a basic philosophical question, but Kim had no time to think. Her answer came instantly...

"To love!" she said, causing Vishnu to tilt his head. The answer even surprised Kim, but after recalling the indirect kiss with Sam, and the slight indent on her finger, where her engagement ring would usually rest, she couldn’t help but feel proud of her answer.

Vishnu must’ve liked the answer too, since after a momentary consideration, his next question came...

"Second question! What’s the meaning of death?"

A much stranger question, and an even stranger answer...

"To preserve life!"

This time, Vishnu clearly looked impressed by Kim’s answer, while only confusion filled the snake-woman’s bones. However, he gave her no time to ponder...

"Third question! Why do you want more power?"

"To bring peace to those I love!"

"Fourth question! What does peace entail in your mind?"

"A world without suffering!"

"Fifth question! How much are you willing to sacrifice for this noble goal?"

"Nothing, I don’t believe in sacrifices!"

"Sixth question! Are you willing to compromise?"

"Never!"

"Last question," said Vishnu, while taking a deep breath. His excited smile suggested that Kim’s answers were all acceptable for now. "If life is the beginning and death is the preservation of life, then what’s after death?"

Kim opened her mouth, but no sound left her throat. This time, she took a single moment to think of a plausible answer, but nothing popped into her head, so she decided to be honest...

"I don’t know!"

Vishnu’s smile disappeared, making Kim believe she hadn’t answered correctly. However, a moment later, the man burst into laughter and exclaimed...

"Finally! Someone worthy! This last question always confuses people, but you’re hundred percent correct! Nobody knows, except maybe the Conceptual Gods! It’s part of life to learn and preserve knowledge, but nobody is born with it! We need to grasp it and force it into our minds!"

The blue man took another deep breath, then held out one of his arms. Kim took a few uncertain steps and dismissed one of her swords, then reached out and held Vishnu’s hand.

His smile widened as his body gradually turned transparent...

"Thank you, Kim, for freeing me of this burden! Use my power well and achieve your goals! Preserve everyone you love and stay true to your path!"

His body disappeared entirely, leaving only a few parting words echoing through the breezy air...

"The road might be hard, and you might fail along the way! You might lose everyone you care for in this life, but rest assured! We’ll wait for you in the Afterlife... I hope to see you again... my young friend..."

As Vishnu disappeared, Kim found herself holding one of his golden bracelets, the last remnant of the wise man. She didn’t understand why, but a few drops of tears ran down her face as she answered the long awaited question in her mind.

’Do you wish to evolve?’

"Yes..." she whispered, her voice choking as tears continued streaming down her face. Somehow, this moment didn’t feel right. Her chest tightened as her heart ached...

When Kim passed out, a single thought coursed through her mind... ’We’ll meet again, my friend... I promise!’