After the battle, the divine energy inside Arthur was boiling and constantly growing. It felt like his body was preparing for something.
Lamia was still walking alongside Arthur toward the inn.
(System, what's happening to me?)
[You are about to become a Gold-ranked warrior. I'd like to recommend you find a secluded place in the forest and expel and draw in energy through your body while in the lotus position.]
(What kind of shitty cultivation is this, system?)
[The host's method of growing stronger differs from other god-blooded beings. This is the foundation of your power.]
Lamia looked at Arthur with a strange expression, as if something was about to happen:
"Arthur, are you okay? You look like you're about to collapse."
Arthur gave her a faint smile:
"Get me out of Athens quickly."
Arthur trusted Lamia because she was a demigod-level warrior.
He leaned against her, barely able to move. Lamia brought him to the place he asked for.
Arthur took a deep breath and sat down in the lotus position, looking at Lamia:
"Don't get too close. Watch my surroundings."
Lamia nodded. She didn't argue because Arthur looked terrible, and she couldn't bear seeing him like that. To Lamia, Arthur was her savior.
Arthur followed the system's instructions. Though he didn't notice, a vortex of dark clouds was forming above his head, spinning faster and faster.
His body was in immense pain—his bones broke and were replaced by stronger ones, his frame grew to support divine energy.
He was getting taller, black dirt peeling off his skin. When the transformation finished, the energy inside him stilled—it no longer boiled.
He had officially stepped into the Gold Rank.
But then, suddenly, a crimson lightning bolt struck him. It felt like getting hit by a truck.
Arthur clenched his teeth.
(What the hell is this?)
But the lightning made his body more compatible with his crimson lightning powers.
This process happened three times and then stopped.
Arthur finally stood up. He now looked like a fully grown adult—185 cm tall, with silver hair down to his neck, eyes bluer than the sky, and red rings crackling with lightning inside his irises.
His appearance was now divine-level handsome, almost as if the power of love divinity had done its job.
His robe had repaired itself, and the lightning had evaporated all the filth from his body.
When Lamia saw him, it was as if something inside her cracked.
Who changed her sweet little Arthur? Give him back!
Arthur stood up, but the moment he started walking, deep craters formed under his feet.
(Hmm… So this is the power of Gold Rank.)
Arthur spent ten minutes adapting. He could now control it—just barely.
Then they heard footsteps, and Arthur and Lamia quickly escaped.
Evening in Athens
Arthur and Lamia returned to the inn. People were discussing the unusual phenomenon that had occurred.
As soon as they entered their room, Lamia closed the door behind them and pulled off Arthur's robe. Her eyes looked like they were about to cry:
"Give me back my cute Arthur! Just yesterday, you were a kid. You shouldn't grow up this fast—ahhh!"
Lamia had snapped. Watching her, Arthur smiled awkwardly:
"Come on, Lamia. This isn't a bad thing. I got stronger."
Lamia sighed and lay down on the bed. Arthur lay down beside her and started checking the notifications he had ignored.
[Congratulations, you have reached Gold (Low)]
[Your lifespan has increased to 5000 years]
[Your body has fully adapted to the transformation]
[Divine energy control has improved]
[Reward: Divine Arts and Theology for Idiots]
This system is messing with me.
(System, can I check my status?)
[Name: Dionysos]
[Remaining Lifespan: 5000 years]
[Bloodline Purity: 50% Pure]
[Divine Domains: War, Storm, Love, Wine]
[Rank: Gold (Low)]
[Abilities: Celestial Flame (SS+), Calm Mind (A+), Sixth Sense (S+)]
Okay, this is simple enough. I can't be bothered to open my inventory. I only have the Aetherion sword and some items I picked up before arriving in Thebes. I don't want to draw Aetherion now—it's too dangerous.
Besides, we're leaving for Minos from the Athens port tomorrow, so there's no problem. I sigh and glance at Lamia, then drift off to sleep.
LAMIA POV
I've suffered for years. There was a time I wondered if this curse would ever end.
I hate Hera. Because of her, I ended up like this. Because of Hera's curse, I killed my children.
Every time I think about it, I lose my sanity.
After I transformed from the curse, I couldn't control myself—until one day, I saw a silver-haired boy standing in front of me.
He looked ridiculous. If I wanted, I could've killed him right there.
But he stood in my way and said he wanted to save me.
No one had ever said that before. Not even I could forgive myself.
Even my father, Poseidon, abandoned me. If he cared, I wouldn't be like this.
That's why I wanted to trust this boy—and it turned out to be the best decision of my life. Maybe the only right one I ever made.
This boy saved me. He tried to protect me from villagers who wanted me dead.
He looked ridiculous—like a kid trying to protect his mother.
So I made my decision: he gave me life. I'll follow him to the end.
He said he wanted to go to Minos, so I followed him.
Then, in Athens, he joined a tournament. As he got hurt during the battles, my blood boiled. I wanted to kill those who harmed him, but I held myself back.
He absorbed my curse to save me. I still remember the look on his face while doing it.
I wanted to hug him, comfort him… but we're not that close yet. Not yet.
In his last fight, he nearly died to that girl named Selene.
He was pushing his limits, like someone was chasing him from behind.
But Arthur broke through his limit anyway.
And then, in the forest, he changed.
How could I treat him like a child again after that?
He's more handsome than any man I've ever seen.
That hurts me. I can't pinch his cheeks anymore or put my hand on his head.
Arthur is always melancholic. I don't know what he's been through…
But he's gone through something.
Sometimes, he just stares blankly into the air—has he gone mad?
But I've made my decision. Arthur is Arthur.
No matter how much he changes, I'll follow him and help him however I can.
Without realizing it, I hugged him and fell asleep.
{This is the first time I've written from someone else's point of view. I hope you liked it! Don't forget to comment—otherwise Lamia will eat you!}