I JUST WANT A PEACEFUL LIFE

"Don't you dare touch anything and stay at your spot or I will skin you alive, stupid lizard!!" warned Nabe as she sprayed something on her lab.

"Sure… Sure… Anything for my woman." replied Alder casually.

"Who is your woman, stupid lizard!!" yelled Nabe from inside her lab.

After a while, the two powerful figures sit in another room while watching the hologram video of Angus and Jayna climbing Thousand Hurdles Monument. While watching, Nabe writes something on her notepad in an unknown runic language.

"Interesting… The girl somehow could heal her muscles and body continuously. The monument's pressure is actually her to grow and tap her body potential."

"Still, I couldn't determine where they have all that energy for this rapid growth? It is like her body is brimming with hidden energy that slumbers inside of her." muttered Nabe while keeping an eye on Jayna.

"Hmm… Hidden energy? I never knew those immortal phoenixes had that ability?" commented Alder from the side.

"Phoenix?!! Is that girl a phoenix beast?" asked Nabe in surprise.

"You don't know?? Well, yeah. She is a phoenix. There is no way I will not notice that kind of unique fire in her." said Alder.

"I see… Now, I want to kidnap and research her. " Nabe said with a smirk.

"Don't bother about it." replied Alder with a glare.

"Oh… Why is that?" asked Nabe with a teasing smile.

"I can't say too much. In short, dragons and phoenixes have some kind of pact. Until they become an adult or mature enough, we need to… take care of them." said Alder.

"Hmm… I assume she is not mature enough and you need to babysit her?" inquired Nabe.

"That's the gist of it. So, you better leave her be. I really don't want to fight my woman." Alder.

"Who is.. Tch.. Fine. Besides, I don't want to provoke such a powerful beast. Anyway, you said that phoenix didn't have hidden energy?" asked Nabe.

"For the young Phoenix, most of their power is locked to protect themself. But they could use or access it in an emergency case. Hence, there is no such thing as hidden energy inside their body. Their power is already there but in a sealed or locked state." explained Alder.

"In other words, Phoenix didn't have hidden potential or energy to grow further but only part of their power that they unlocked. Is that right?" asked Nabe.

"More or less like that. But, I think she is not only unlocking her phoenix power. If she is unlocking her power, she should have major improvement not only on her physical body but her mana, grade, mind, and many others." said Alder as his sharp reptile's eyes glanced at Jayna.

"Does it mean she has another thing in her body to accelerate her physical strength growth?" asked Nabe.

"I am not sure either. But it is something that those two kids have and very unnatural. I could sense the world didn't meddle with their current rapid growth." said Alder seriously.

"The world didn't meddle in? Is that even possible?" asked Nabe in surprise.

"No, the world still helps them a little bit with those pressures and stuff but it does nothing besides that. It is like they grow independently without becoming part of the world." explained Alder.

"How is that possible?!! Everything and everyone is part of the world. That's the absolute law." asked Nabe

"I don't know either. But, my instinct tells me it is because of that black-haired girl." said Alder.

"Certainly, that girl is giving an eerie feeling. We even got sober for a moment because of her before. Still, I don't think she is that dangerous." said Nabe.

"Huh?? How could you be certain about that?" asked Alder.

"Just look at her. There is no way such a cute and funny girl is dangerous." replied Nabe as her maternal instinct appeared.

"Urgh… Whatever." replied Alder nonchalantly.

As Angus and Jayna climbed higher, "At this rate, they may reach the top." asked Nabe.

"Nah… they probably stop at the last ten levels." said Alder as he chugged his liquor.

"Hmm… Did you know something about it? All I know is the high area gives unbearable pressure even for a seventh grade." said Nabe.

"Wait for a second… Don't tell me you have never tried climbing that monument before?" asked Alder back.

"Nope. Why should I do such a barbaric, savage, and outdated thing?" replied Nabe back.

"Hahaha… No wonder you weren't surprised about these two kids climbing up to this level. Well, with your current power, you can probably reach somewhere at the high area but not the last ten levels." said Alder.

"Hm??" replied Nabe in confusion.

"When you reach the high area, the pressure changes according to the people. Each person will receive different pressure. No matter how strong your physical body is, you will feel the same heaviness and pressure as everyone else." explained Alder.

"In other words, it is no longer a test of the physical body but also of mind and willpower. A single step in this area is enough to make most of the sixth grade give up." added Alder.

"Then, those kids… Wait, if the pressure is customized, what about that boy carrying that little girl?" asked Nabe.

"I am not sure. But, that boy should bear at least twice his own pressure. Although it is quite a surprise, it is too extraordinary. Any person with enough willpower could also do the same as him. The problem is the last ten level." said Alder.

"What happens when you reach the last ten levels?" asked Nabe as she was interested in this old magical building.

"If the lower and middle area is the test of the physical body, the high area is the test of mind and will, what do you think the next test is?" asked Alder.

"Physical, mind, then it should be… oneself. Wait, if that is the case, we could produce as many seventh-grade combatants as possible." replied Nabe as she realized something.

"You are not wrong but also not right. Reaching seventh grade is heavily related to the person itself. If they don't want to grab that power, they will never be able to reach it even if they force it." explained Alder cryptically.

"As a strong seventh grade, you must know how difficult it is to reach this legendary level." added Alder.

"Of course, I know." replied Nabe shortly.

They stay silent while watching Angus and Jayna climb slowly. None of them want to say something before Nabe decides to break the silence.

"Alder, is the monster overlord truly unable to reach seventh grade?" asked Nabe.

"Hmm… Did seventh-grade people unable to reach eighth or higher grade?" asked Alder back.

"Eighth grade…" scoffed Nabe before shaking her head.

They both know that it is possible to reach higher and beyond theoretically. But, in reality, it is also impossible. It is like moving an ocean with a small baby spoon.

After that small conversation, the two stay silent while watching the hologram video. No one knows what they are thinking, but they know they are no longer in the mood to talk.

After another few hours, "Unbelievable… they truly reach the last ten levels." said Alder.

After hours of tedious climbing, Angus and Jayna finally almost reach the top. They only need to pass the last ten levels before arriving at the top. Unfortunately, the current pressure is too unbearable for Jayna. It forces her to stay still without being able to move at all.

Even her body growth already reached its limit. It is like she is missing something before being able to move again. Unlike her, Angus could still move but with difficulty. Still, he didn't continue climbing anymore as Anna suddenly went down from his shoulder.

"Anna, what's wrong?" asked Angus in worry.

"Anna, can't go further. More than this is too dangerous for Anna." replied Anna.

"Hm… Should I also stop climbing?" asked Angus.

"Hmm?? Why asked Anna? Anna did not tell Angus to poop or eat. So, why asked Anna? Silly Angus." replied Anna while tilting her head and looking at Angus like a stupid person.

"This girl…" said Angus in frustration.

Unfortunately, Angus is too tired to argue with the airhead Anna and decides to ask Jayna instead.

"Don't worry about us. There is Master Mira and Darren nearby. Just go forward." said Jayna.

Hearing his girlfriend's words, Angus decided to move forward. He is also curious about what will happen after this.

'Since Anna didn't forbid me, then it is not dangerous to me but somehow harmful for her. Well, let's think about it later. I still need to walk closer to the next stone slabs. This pressure is really a pain in the ass.' thought Angus.

It takes him another few hours before he gets near the next stone slabs. Fortunately, Darren nearby is ready to support all their needs during their climb.

Angus and Jayna also didn't need to worry about Anna since she was already wandering around with Mira. With their current height, they can no longer see  Redmore, the capital city. Their surroundings are entirely covered with thick white clouds.

Seeing the next stone slabs, Angus feels like he wants to give up. The next stone slab looks like a wall higher than his head. He could still reach the tip stone slabs with her hand, but it still made his climbing many times harder than before.