The Supreme God

As the days passed and as Austin and his companions pushed forward up the divine mountain, they continued to encounter more of the puppets, always a hundred-strong in number each time.

Fortunately, Austin's array skills were powerful enough to trap all the puppets every time, so there was never any need to fight.

By this time, they had already encountered more than three hundred puppets in total.

It began to dawn on the group that this meant there were more than three hundred gods of chaos guarding the divine mountain.

A sense of trepidation began to take hold of the group.

Finally, they arrived at the top of the mountain.

They gazed up at a magnificent palace, towering higher and higher above them.

It seemed the palace pierced right through the skies.

Austin and his friends felt infinitesimally small in the face of such grandeur.

"From what I know, the fruits of supreme enlightenment are in this palace.

It is said that there is a terrifying creature guarding it.

But no one knows what it is,"

Anakin said to Austin in a small voice.

Austin gave it some thought before nodding.

"I'll go on ahead first and take a look around, then."

He had already gotten this far. He couldn't back down now.

"All of you can wait for me here. There's no need for us to risk danger together,"

Austin said to his companions.

They all voiced their protests at once. "Out of the question! We made a promise! In exchange for saving Braden, we three brothers would help you get the fruits of supreme enlightenment.

And so we shall. We always keep our word,"

Anakin declared stubbornly.

"Yes. No matter how dangerous it is inside, the three of us will accompany you,"

Braden and Cayden chimed in, firm in their position.

"Austin, it will be better if we go inside together. The more people there are, the more powerful we will be,"

the old monk put forward sagely.

Austin nodded and smiled, finally coming around to his friends' point of view.

"You're right. Let's go, then."

He took the lead and walked toward the gates of the palace.

of light suddenly burst out of the

reached Austin, the light took the shape of

somewhat sinister, his red pupils stark against his fair, white

man met Austin's gaze

array skills are impressive, young

he drawled.

and cautious. The man

sir," Austin responded carefully, remaining

probably the

master was still alive, he was most appreciative of young people as exceptional

you, no doubt he would have taken you on

went on, looking Austin up and down

taken aback at

"Your master?"

the master of this

legendary guard of this palace had already

my master. This is my master's final resting

I do wonder what brings you

the man replied curtly.

I come here for the fruits of supreme

wondering if they're even

help

The man nodded.

"I see.

Yes, they're here.

were planted by my master

my master has died, the tree that grows the

the man's face. It seemed to happen every

felt relief wash

followed by a

way to

confirmation

of supreme enlightenment, sir.

bowing respectfully to the middle-aged

was planted by my master

its fruits,

told Austin after a

"Ask your master?

just say that your

Austin asked, confused.

But he left

may converse with him

said the middle-aged man.

"I see.

sir, please take me to

Austin answered reverentially.

willing to face any challenge to get

The man nodded.

only you

this palace is hallowed ground. Not