4. Father and Son

Two years later, deep in a forest glowing with strange colors, a shadow of a young man that seems to be of height around 1.65 meters is standing tall atop a tree, looking down towards a Hell-sting Scorpion, a Soul-Formation Stage beast known for its noxious, as well as vicious poison known to melt even peak tier 6 materials.

"Hehe, this little scorpion had been bullying me when I was weaker, clearly it think that I am going to continue being weaker than it, now open your eyes and see what happens to someone bullying enemies instead of directly killing them" the young man said as he jumped from the trees, landing directly atop the scorpion as he plunged a worn-down sword in its carapace.

Splash….

Blood splashed as the scorpion tries to remove the young man atop it, frantically flailing around its body as an attempt to throw the young man away.

"HAHAHA what the fuck is this, I thought you were a vicious hunter but who could've guessed that when fighting someone of similar strength, you are only an entertainment similar to a bull what shitty Hell-sting Scorpion, you should've been called Bull shit Scorpion instead, HAHAHA" the young man exclaimed in laughter as he rides the flailing scorpion, clearly enjoying what is happening.

The scorpion then raises its stinger, prepared to use its poison towards the offender, when it was suddenly cut by a bone dagger that suddenly appeared on the young man's hands.

"We can't let that stinger of yours spread some mess here, hence I'm taking it away bullshit scorpion" the young man said with a clear expression of mocking in his face.

Slash!

Another large wound was dealt towards the scorpion as the young man cut its left pincer completely, spurting around a repulsive smelling blue liquid that is the beast's blood.

Few minutes later, the scorpion finally stopped moving and breathes its last breath, and the young man proceeded to clean up the scorpion and loot all the important parts, clearly experienced in doing this kind of things.

The young man then proceeds deeper into the forest, carrying the loots he gained towards an inconspicuous tree.

From the tree, one can see a middle-aged man of similar appearance to the young man, grinning from ear to ear as he saw the young man carrying a trophy that is clearly on a complete cultivation stage above him. The middle-aged man then sat up from his position, stand in front of the young man and then spoke.

"Grey, my son, you have completed the training three years earlier than I intended, I suppose it's about time we get out of here and enjoy some fresh air of civilization" the middle-aged man, Arthur told the young man.

"Crazy old man, throwing your son into a pit of hell then calling it training? I'd prefer you call it torture" Grey said clearly not from the heart, as one can see that he is also grinning from ear to ear. "Although I'm not gonna lie, this kind of thing sure cause some massive improvement."

"Sure it is, this kind of thing is something you will only encounter once in a blue moon, I'll have you know, this great Arthur Dragonbane, the greatest, most handsome man in all of earth, is not something like the old coots in the management that makes all the young people they fancy into their student, so you should've been grateful for my tutelage brat" Arthur said with a mocking expression on his face, all while swinging his hands towards an approaching Stellar System Stage beast, completely turning it into a mist of blood.

"Narcissistic old man!! If you're the most handsome on earth, then my face is unrivaled in the universe" Grey seemed to not even recognize the monstrosity his father just killed, as he fiercely retorted and competed in terms of bragging with his father.

"Fine, so what if you're handsome, in the end, you barely take your revenge from the Hell-sting scorpion, something that this old man of yours can kill with just a glance, how about I bash your face so you can no longer compare with me?" Arthur retorted all while shadowboxing in front of Grey, almost as if showing what he's going to do to him should he retorted some more.

"Damn, old man, that was a strong beast, you should've left it for me to form a contract with, so that I am no longer a lonely man with no companions in sight" Grey said with a self-deprecating smile, all while also turning a beast into a blood mist, only, it is at Soul Source Stage this time.

"Hah! This kind of things need one's own strength and luck to do, as this is something that is a proof of your own capabilities, not anyone else's, as in the end, even if there is someone holding up the sky for you ─in other words, this old man─, there comes a time where you will spread your own wings and maybe even fly higher than this old man could, when that time comes, who will hold the sky for you? Don't be like those self-proclaimed geniuses from other family that only rely on their elder to enter contract with a stronger beast" Arthur replied as he gaze with extreme expectation for his son, all while clearly exhibiting a hint of disdain towards those so-called self-proclaimed geniuses.

This time, seemingly moved by what his father said, Grey stood there silently for a while before replying with a determined glint in his eyes "I understand old man, I will rely on myself to find a beast worthy of entering a contract with."

Arthur was surprised as he looked towards his son, the serious expression, especially the eyes filled with burning determination, making him crack a smile and laugh, "HAHAHA, as expected of my son, a true man indeed!" he said as he circled his arm around Grey, whose breath is clearly receding due to how strong Arthur's grip is.

As the two continues their travel across the core zone of the Azure Breeze Forest, the despairing howl of beasts can be heard, as they try their best to avoid a walking calamity in a form a father and son.

Azure Breeze City.

At the Dragonbane's home, two men were competing at a console game, with the younger one clearly possessing advantage over the older one.

"Oi brat, stop doing that, that's cheating you know!" the older one, Arthur exclaimed, trying to get out of a situation that is not different from well…. a hadouken spam.

"Heh, Old man, this is called strategy, defeating the enemy before the fight even starts, AHAHAHAH" the younger one, clearly Grey, is enjoying spamming the ability so that Arthur won't stand a chance in the game. "HAHAHAH OLD MAN, THIS IS REVENGE!!!" he then said, all while recalling everything he have gone through inside the Azure Storm Core, as the HP bar gradually fades from Arthur's character.

"Damnit, this stupid controller, one more, this time this old man will win" Arthur complained as he threw his current controller and switched for another one, clearly insistent on blaming his defeat towards a controller.

"Heh, shameless old man, it seems that you will always blame some insignificant thing for your defeat, then fine! This young master will show you how it's done" Grey replied as the father and son duo once again embroiled in a bloody fight, of course, in the game.

But this harmonious atmosphere quickly collapsed as fast as it is formed. Due to the continuous defeat Arthur suffers from Grey, the father can no longer control his rage, visible from the vein bulge gradually forming on his temple, coupled with the son's obnoxious thrash talking laugh, the father shouted loudly.

"Grey you fucking brat, I'll show you how it feels like to get hadouken spammed in real life!!!" he said as he throws his son up.

"FUCK!!! Old man stop!!! I'm just kidding, please let me goooooo…"

That night, a panda that looks like Grey slept in his bed.