Martial Arts Worlds - Chapter 200

Chapter 200: Sabbath the Traveler

“You can do it, Kiernan!”

“Lift it, the young hero of Irio!”

The crowd shouted.

A few among them pulled out their phones and started recording the lifting attempt.

‘I knew that Kiernan was famous around these parts, but this still feels strange.’

Julian thought with a wry smile.

“Whoo…”

With a deep breath, Kiernan wrapped his hands around the chains, then put all the pressure on his struggling muscles and slowly began to attempt to lift up the pillar.

As if made out of air, the pillar easily lifted up from the ground. It seemed so light that Kiernan was easily able to carry it in his arms.

‘Ah? Why is this so easy?’

Voices of excitement slowly died off. It turned silent.

The crowd was utterly stunlocked. They didn’t really believe that he would be able to lift up the pillar. But this looked so easy for him!

‘Huh?’

Julian raised an eyebrow. He knew that Kiernan was strong, but he shouldn’t be this strong. Their physical strengths should be around the same level.

Yet he was able to carry the pillar with so much ease that it seemed effortless.

“Hahahaha!”

The serious-looking man broke into a smile and laughed heartily.

“Finally someone was able to lift it, and with such ease. You’re definitely a special person, young one. To think I’ve found someone like you in this small country!”

“So, I am eligible for the prize?”

Kiernan put the pillar back down to the ground. The ground slightly cracked after he lowered it down to the ground, meaning that the pillar was actually really heavy.

When he saw those slight cracks on the pavement, he looked genuinely shocked. He didn’t think that he would be able to lift up such a heavy item with his bare hands.

“Yes, you shall receive the prize!”

The serious-looking man said with a smile.

Hearing that, the crowd looked genuinely curious about what the prize was. It was something that the serious-looking man had kept a secret. However, he said that it was a very rich reward.

“The prize is…”

The serious-looking man patted Kiernan on both of his shoulders. The pats were heavy and powerful.

“Becoming my disciple!”

When those words left his mouth, a silence fell over the square.

“Huh?”

Kiernan coldly stared at him.

“What the hell is that?!”

“I knew this was a scam!”

“How dare you come here and try to deceive us with your lies! You think we’re this gullible just because we’re a small nation?!”

“Get the fuck out of here!”

The crowd turned enraged. This prize, to them, was an absolute joke.

Even Julian thought it seemed like quite a meh reward. They clearly thought it was something related to material wealth.

“My name is Sabbath, a traveler who has sought a disciple worthy of continuing my legacy. I’ve traveled long distances, going over mountains and crossing oceans, and faced death in the eye on more than one occasion.

“I’ve searched through the depths of every city and town but still have not found someone who possesses the qualities I seek. Until now!

“This pillar of mine is special, and only a special person can lift it. To others, it is as heavy as a thousand mountains combined, but to special people, it is as light as a feather!”

Sabbath excitedly patted Kiernan on his shoulders.

“So, what do you say? Shall we begin training right away?”

“Let’s go, Julian.”

Kiernan turned around on his heels and started heading back home with Julian.

“Wait a moment!”

Sabbath stopped him in his tracks.

“This is a rare opportunity. You will remember this day with happiness in the years to come. It is a day when you started your journey to become the strongest with my help!”

“I am sorry. It is not that I don’t trust you, but… well, I don’t.”

Kiernan said with honesty. He didn’t really think he needed a master. He believed in his own abilities to become the strongest.

“Hehe, is that so? Well, can I prove it to you?”

Sabbath asked with a smile.

“Prove? How?”

Kiernan asked with a furrowed brow.

“Watch and learn!”

Sabbath rubbed Kiernan’s shoulders. He then moved to his arms, squeezing his muscles and the tips of his fingers. Then, he moved to his legs.

“Alright, stop right there.”

Kiernan stepped back to avoid Sabbath’s groping hands.

“What in the hell are you doing?”

Hearing his annoyed voice and seeing the disgusted looks of the crowd, Sabbath just laughed.

“I had to examine your body. I now know what you desperately need~”

“And what is that?”

“Your body has suffered plenty of injuries. Not from opponents, but you’ve done that to yourself. It seems like your techniques are self-destructing your own body!”

When Sabbath said all that, Kiernan looked genuinely impressed for a moment. It seemed like he wasn’t a complete hoax after all.

“That’s not all. I know what you want to improve—it is your body conditioning, isn’t it? You want a stronger, sturdier body to be able to withstand the burden of your techniques!”

“…I admit, you seem to know what you’re talking about.”

Kiernan said, and then frowned.

‘Hmm, should I try his training? It’s not like I have much to lose.’

“You’re in luck. I am a master of body condition. The skin of my body is as strong as steel!”

Sabbath flexed his muscles, and as his biceps bulged, they looked like they were on the brink of explosion. The muscles quivered and rippled beneath his skin.

“Alright, I’ll give your training a go. In one condition.”

“What’s that?”

Kiernan touched Julian’s shoulder.

“Allow my friend over here to join our training.”

“Hmm…”

Sabbath crossed his arms, bit his lip, and looked like he was in discomfort. It was just his thinking face, which to others looked like he was having a stomachache.

“…Fine!”

He eventually agreed.

“Are you sure about this? This guy seems like a crackhead.”

Julian whispered to his friend. He wasn’t as convinced as Kiernan was.

“Let’s just give it a shot. It won’t hurt… I think.”

“Really reassuring.”