Chapter 1598: The Old Scar

The earthworm had been moving along the Ice Path for about ten minutes, but the walls around it were still the same color. They were still in the same area, and it would be a long time before they reached the Citadel.

Adam and Alexia still needed some time to adapt, but they no longer had to grit their teeth and hold on to the edges as if their lives depended on it.

"Argh... Who would have thought that such fat worms could be so fast?" Alexia sighed heavily, looking at the ceiling. She lay on the earthworm’s back in a star shape so she would feel as little vibration as possible.

Ramilo stroked the earthworm. His paw was tiny compared to the worm’s huge body, but he knew the worm could feel it.

"Don’t say that. If these worms didn’t have their thick hide and layer of fat, and only dry muscles, the sharp rocks underground would simply tear them to pieces, like blades in a meat grinder. It wouldn’t be a pretty sight, believe me."

Alexia didn’t answer, she just closed her eyes in the hope that it would stop her from feeling nauseous and that they would reach the Citadel safely.

After all, traveling with Ramilo and the earthworm was not only faster, but also safer. They didn’t know what level Ramilo was at, but it was obvious that a weak monster couldn’t be on good terms with Goen.

"Ramilo," Adam said.

"Hmm? Yes?"

"How did you meet Goen? Did he save you as he saved us?"

Ramilo shook his head.

"A long time ago, when I wasn’t as strong as I am now, I attacked Goen. I decided that a Phantom of his level would be a suitable opponent, and that if I defeated him, I would become stronger."

Adam smiled bitterly.

"I understand that at that moment his hair was silver and his eyes were green, right?"

"Hahaha! Yeah! I was sure I had almost won, and then he used his true power against me!"

Ramilo paused for a moment as he turned his back to Adam.

He pointed to his back.

"Here, if you look closely, you’ll see it."

Adam narrowed his eyes and leaned closer.

Amidst the thick blue fur, gray skin, and a huge scar running from Ramilo’s shoulder to the small of his back were visible.

"Shit..." Adam was speechless.

Ramilo nodded.

"It hurt, it hurt like hell. I can’t remember anyone else hurting me that badly, and I’ve been through a lot of fights and defeats in my life!"

Alexia opened her eyes slightly.

"Hmm? Can’t you remove this scar? I’m sure if you focus your energy on this spot, regeneration will do all the work for you."

With a slight smile, Ramilo shook his head.

"It’s not just a scar, kids, it’s a memory, an important one. It’s not just nostalgia. When I thought several times that I couldn’t win or that death was near, I remembered this scar and realized that there was nothing more frightening than it.

He waved his hand, turning back.

"Such thoughts can actually give you strength when you need it."

"Ah?" Alexia was puzzled. "It was so painful, and yet you consider Goen your friend?"

"Of course. Have you never had a situation where a person you considered your enemy eventually became an equal rival who respected you, or even a friend?"

Alexia scratched her cheek. She couldn’t think of many examples, the closest and only one being Adam. She either killed all the others if they were monsters, or never spoke to them again if they were Phantoms.

"I don’t know..." Alexia muttered.

Ramilo nodded understandingly.

"As I said, you are both still too young. Don’t just think about strength, your age is important as well."

"I disagree."

Adam’s sharp voice made Ramilo and Alexia turn to him.

"What do you mean?"

"I’ve experienced everything you’ve talked about."

Adam pulled his knees to his chest as his eyes grew deeper.

"The enemy who became a rival and even a friend. The scars. The important opponents who changed you with their strength and your victories over them."

He stared at the fast-moving tunnel ahead.

"It’s not how old you are that matters, but how many events you’ve been through in your life. Now, I understand that this is especially true. Any powerful monster can just lie in its cave for a hundred years and accumulate energy. During that time, nothing interesting will happen to that monster at all.

"But, for an ordinary human, a hundred years is the upper limit. Only a tiny fraction of people live to that age, and only if they have amazing genetics and money for medicine. At the same time, someone may do only one important thing in a hundred years, while someone else may have hundreds of achievements."

Ramilo blinked several times.

Even though he was much stronger and older than Adam, he had nothing to say here because Adam was absolutely right.

"Huh, it seems that to be wise, you don’t have to live to an old age, right?"

The corners of Adam’s lips turned up.

"I’m not a sage, far from it. I just managed to survive where others died, and that’s it."

Ramilo shrugged as he glanced at Alexia.

"We’ve all been through this, haven’t we?"

She nodded.

"Yes! I’m very wise too! I’m just not as pessimistic as Adam!"

"Arh?" Adam scowled.

"Need I remind you how you looked at the casino after losing ten times in a row?"

"W-What? What does that have to do with anything?! I was just unlucky then!"

"Tsk. Playing when you’re only losing in the hope of getting lucky is far from wise!"

"Shut up! It won’t happen again! I’ll win everything!"

Ramilo didn’t intervene. He was curious to see how far this would go.

"GGGGRRRRHHHH!!!"

Suddenly, the earth worm growled as the giant monster stopped.

Adam and Alexia weren’t ready for this, and they flew forward with momentum.

"Ouch!"

"Damn it!" Adam got up. "What happened?"

Ramilo turned around only to see a huge block of ice blocking the way forward.

He grinned as a predatory gleam flashed in his eyes.

"It looks like it’s time for your guide to get to work. Watch closely!"