Chapter 85: The Weight of Growth

  The night air was cool, the distant sounds of the lake gently lapping against the shore providing a peaceful contrast to the turbulence brewing within Marcus and Thalron’s bodies. They sat cross-legged by the dying embers of the campfire, their breathing ragged, muscles tense.

  Then—agony.

  Marcus clenched his fists as a violent surge of energy erupted through him, his veins feeling like they were on fire. Every fiber of his being screamed in protest as his Ki, Mana, and Psycha all violently expanded at once, forcing his body to adapt to a power increase that shouldn’t have been possible.

  Thalron, seated beside him, wasn’t faring much better. The veins along his arms pulsed with unstable mana pressure, his core reshaping itself to accommodate the sheer expansion of his reserves.

  Vira stood nearby, arms crossed, keeping an eye on both of them, while Arixa sat back with a bored expression. “You know, I thought breakthrough rituals were supposed to be all spiritual and enlightening,” she muttered. “This just looks like they’re dying.”

  Marcus let out a strangled grunt, his head throbbing as Psycha drilled into his skull like a hundred unseen knives. Every part of his body felt stretched, broken, and reforged all at once.

  Thalron gasped, his body trembling, but his face was still calm—focused. He gritted his teeth and controlled his breathing, the years of training under rigid magical instruction allowing him to control his surge.

  Marcus, on the other hand, was chaos incarnate. His body wasn’t simply adapting to a new threshold—it was evolving across three different energy systems at once. He clutched his head, waves of pure force rippling off his skin.

  Vira subtly tensed at the sheer violence of Marcus’ breakthrough.

  Arixa frowned. “Should it be hurting him that much?”

  Vira didn’t miss a beat. “He’s just inefficient.” She waved dismissively. “Too much raw power and not enough refinement—his body has to force itself to adjust.”

  Marcus, through the haze of pain, felt a flicker of appreciation for Vira’s quick lie.

  Arixa accepted the explanation easily, her focus drifting elsewhere, but Vira shot Marcus a subtle glance. She knew. She had known for a while now that there was something different about him. Something beyond normal class structures.

  Marcus let out a long exhale as the pain slowly began to subside, his body finally accepting the sheer increase in power.

  Threshold reached. Mana +10, Ki +10, Psycha +10.

  Across from him, Thalron flexed his fingers, adjusting to the increase in his mana capacity. His eyes sharpened, his aura settling into something more potent, more refined. He adjusted his gloves and gave Marcus a sidelong glance.

  “…You good?”

  Marcus smirked, rolling his shoulders. “Yeah. I think I can still walk.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Arixa scoffed. “Shame. I was hoping to carry your ass back to the Guild.”

  Marcus barked out a laugh, but internally, he was troubled. He could still feel the aftereffects of his three-way breakthrough burning through his system.

  For a brief moment, he considered telling them.

  Telling them about Perma.

  About the fact that he wasn’t bound by the world’s limits like they were.

  But before he could speak, Stem cut in.

  "One revelation is enough for today, don’t you think?"

  Marcus exhaled sharply. Another time then. Wouldn’t want them getting complacent. The jest lingered in his mind as he stretched out his limbs.

  Vira, sensing the shift in his expression, smirked. “You look like you’re thinking too hard.”

  “I’m just wondering if we should take another mission.”

  Arixa, uncharacteristically, shook her head. “I need a break.”

  The group turned to her. It wasn’t like Arixa to turn down a fight. But they all knew what was on her mind.

  Her parents.

  No one pushed the issue.

  Thalron was the first to break the tension. “Then let’s set up camp for the night. I’ll handle the food.”

  Arixa exhaled. “I’ll be at the lake. Call me when it’s ready.”

  She wandered off with her new warhammer in tow, fingers flexing against the handle as she tested its weight.

  Marcus watched her go before settling near the fire. He expected Vira to follow Arixa, but instead, she sat next to him.

  And for the first time that day… the world slowed down.

  The fire crackled softly as Marcus and Vira sat in companionable silence.

  After a moment, Vira spoke. “…Can you believe how much we’ve done?”

  Marcus chuckled. “Not really.”

  She leaned back, stretching her legs out. “I mean, we built a damn city. We fought a war. We’ve survived dungeons that should’ve killed us.” She shook her head. “Feels like we’re moving faster than the world.”

  Marcus smirked. “We kinda are.”

  Vira turned, watching him closely. “…Do you ever think about what comes next?”

  Marcus leaned back on his elbows, gazing at the night sky. “I try not to.”

  A beat of silence passed.

  Then—he brought it up.

  “The kiss.”

  Vira’s breath hitched slightly. Her gaze flickered, but she didn’t shy away. “…I thought I lost you.”

  Marcus didn’t speak, letting her continue.

  “When you got better, I thought about losing you again. And then I thought about the one thing I wanted to do before that happened.” She let out a breath, as if admitting it aloud made it more real. “And it just… happened.”

  Marcus met her gaze.

  She didn’t look away.

  Slowly, he leaned in.

  Their faces were inches apart when—

  “Food’s done!” Thalron’s voice called out from across the camp.

  Vira let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head with a small laugh. She playfully pushed Marcus back. “Next time.”

  Marcus chuckled. “Next time.”

  They rejoined the others, the tension from earlier easing into something lighter.

  After the meal, as the fire burned low, Marcus and Stem finally talked.

  Marcus took a deep breath, staring into the flames.

  “Why does dungeon loot seem so specific?”

  Stem hummed. "Dungeons pull from the essence of those who conquer them. The rewards reflect their wielders—whether by need, affinity, or fate."

  Marcus frowned. “So it’s not random.”

  "No. It is merely… guided."

  Marcus let that settle before moving to the next question.

  “Do you think every dungeon I delve will be as dangerous as the ones I’ve faced?”

  "It is highly probable. You attract anomalies. You are an anomaly."

  Marcus sighed. “Great.”

  Stem continued. "However, knowing this, you can prepare. You are not the same man who entered the Boss Rush Dungeon as a lost warrior."

  Marcus smirked. “True.”

  He hesitated before asking his next question.

  “Do you think I’m part of this world’s Restructuring?”

  Stem was silent for a moment. Then, quietly—

  "Yes."

  Marcus' breath caught.

  "You are not just affected by the changes. You are a part of them. Whether you caused them or were placed here because of them… that remains unknown."

  Marcus exhaled slowly. “That’s what I was afraid of.”

  Finally, he asked the question that had been weighing on him since the Seal.

  “Do you think I can stop it?”

  Stem’s response was different this time.

  Not calculated.

  Not distant.

  Just genuine.

  "If anyone can, it is you."

  A soft, knowing chuckle echoed through Marcus’ mind.

  "After all… if the universe is rewriting itself, perhaps it chose the right man to punch it in the face."

  Marcus let out a quiet laugh.

  He didn’t have all the answers.

  But he had purpose.

  And for now—that was enough.