Now, strikes followed.
The intensity didn't drop when compared to the kicks.
In fact, it increased.
Since Kyle's legs were now that much stronger, he could put more power into his fists.
His arms didn't just break.
They turned into slush.
From time to time, the top Core Disciple arrived to take a look at Meteor Hammer.
Watching Kyle had become difficult for him.
In the beginning, he had been confident.
When he had seen the initial intensity of Kyle's training, he had believed that Kyle had been desperate.
Yet, when the intensity didn't decrease at all, he became a bit nervous.
Could he actually achieve what he had claimed?
He still had been able to cope when Kyle had unlocked his first Cluster.
Yet, when he unlocked his second Cluster even faster than his first, he became desperate.
He had to increase his power in some way!
But how?!
He had already consumed all the treasures for the ninth Cluster.
While he was probably 70% of his way to unlocking it, he needed to get more treasures first.
Comprehending Laws also wouldn't make a difference since he would need to condense a new Complex Law to increase his Battle-Strength first.
There was no one with a comparable power to him, which meant he couldn't increase his Momentum, and any Wild Planet with beasts on it would be too dangerous. After all, what if a powerful Crusher Beast appeared?
He couldn't grow stronger in a short time.
Everything needed either resources or time.
He knew that he would lose against Meteor Hammer, but would he actually lose so convincingly that it wouldn't even count as a True Battle?
He just hoped that Kyle wouldn't unlock any more Clusters.
After all, unlocking the Clusters in one's arms was a bit harder than unlocking the Clusters in one's legs.
From time to time, he watched Kyle out of morbid curiosity.
He was confronted with his inability to grow as he watched Kyle's power soar.
Kyle was already as powerful as him, and yet, his growth didn't slow down.
BOOOOM!
After 60 years total, the cube shook even more.
When the top Disciple saw that, all his hope vanished.
Kyle had unlocked another Cluster.
Three Clusters in 60 years.
It was over.
The top Disciple lost all hope.
"Three!" he heard Kyle shout, which was quickly followed by the violent sounds of a fist hitting something very hard.
Kyle kept striking without end.
He just kept going.
The top Disciple only sighed.
There was no more hope. As Kyle kept striking, the Disciple came and went.
He had never felt this helpless before.
Power was right there! Anyone could train and become stronger!
And yet…
Why couldn't he just take it?!
He could see someone attaining more and more power, while he couldn't!
It was so frustrating!
In the end, the top Disciple gritted his teeth and left.
He would go to a Wild Planet!
So what if he had to take a risk?!
If he didn't do anything, nothing would change!
Meanwhile, Kyle just kept striking.
More years passed.
70…
71…
72…
He was still striking.
Finally, after 75 years…
BOOOOM!
The cube almost fell to its other side as Kyle unleashed a powerful strike.
Kyle turned to the currently watching Disciples.
He was looking for his future opponent, but he couldn't find him.
Nevertheless…
"Four!" he shouted.
75 years for four Clusters.
This was unheard of.
The Disciples remained silent, expecting Kyle to return to hitting the cube.
Yet, Kyle just smiled. "Anyway, that's all I need. My power won't really increase for the next five years. I'll just do random stuff until then."
"See ya!"
Then, Kyle charged into the distance, his speed much faster than before.
The Disciples looked at the distant Kyle for a moment before looking at the cube.
It felt… empty.
They were so used to Kyle's constant and brutal strikes that the absence of them felt strange.
It felt like something was missing.
A while later, a discussion broke out between different Disciples.
By now, everyone had heard of the wager.
There was no doubt that Kyle would win, but how easy would his victory be?
Also, where was their top Disciple?
They hadn't seen him in almost 15 years.
Did he run away?
Meanwhile, Kyle went to an isolated part of the fleshy planet.
He looked for a tunnel that led deeper inside and found one.
After going deep into the tunnel, he looked around.
'I don't think anyone's here.'
Finally, he took a deep breath and sat down before closing his eyes.
He seemed like he was resting, but that wasn't the case.
While he had been trying to unlock the Cluster in his right arm, he had felt something peculiar.
Something he hadn't felt in a thousand years.
Kyle's perception extended deep into his body.
He reached deep.
As far as he could.
Just a bit more.
And then, he finally touched it.
The next moment, a foreign perception stretched over his body and mind.
In his mind, Kyle could see the appearance of a big monster carrying four different swords.
The Lord from Orchis.
When Kyle was busy unlocking his Clusters, the Lord's Blessing had vibrated.
This was the sign that Kyle should find a moment to check in.
One of the reasons why Kyle chose his job as Exchange Seeker was to find an opportunity to talk with the Lord.
Inside the Array of Stars' buildings, Kyle would never attempt to contact the Lord.
The Chief Overseer was in the Tenth Realm, and he would most likely feel the subtle fluctuations.
"Report," the Lord spoke in Kyle's mind.
"Everything went as planned," Kyle spoke inside his mind. "I have condensed a Level 3.5 Complex Law. Your old Blessing was destroyed. I am now working as an Exchange Seeker."
"Tell me in detail about the Star Seeking and your time in the Array of Stars," the Lord said.
Kyle nodded and told the Lord everything he had experienced ever since he had left Orchis.
Naturally, while Kyle had seen a lot, nothing he told the Lord was relevant. As a mere Primal, he couldn't possibly come into contact with information that could move the Cult, but that also wasn't his job for now.
"You can increase your Karmic Luck more, if you desire," the Lord said, "but you have to know that contacting you in the Hero Dimension will be more difficult and riskier. The Hero Dimension and Immortal Dimension are very isolated. If you attain the ability to enter the Hero Dimension, only contact me when you're not in it."
"Otherwise, you have done a good job. The resources we have given you were not wasted."
"Keep growing stronger. The stronger you get, the more we benefit."
"I want you to contact me when you are a True Crusher. You can contact me whenever there is an opportunity, but I want our next conversation to happen within the next 5,000 years."
"I will remind you if you miss your deadline."
"That is all. Return to your training."
"Yes, Lord," Kyle answered.
Then, the Lord's perception left him.
A moment later, Kyle sighed.
'I'm still a fart rat.'
'But, oh well, whatcha gonna do?'
A moment later, he left the fleshy cave and returned to the Farmountain Guild.
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