The years passed quickly, and Calus grew. Over time, he made both friends and enemies, but strangely, the secret organization seemed to have disappeared from the world. Even when he was strong enough to investigate, nothing surfaced. Yet he never forgot his goal.

As for Fre… he seemed to have vanished, or perhaps he was deliberately hiding his trail from Calus.

At the corner of the Central Continent, a young man sat drowning in beer, watching the chaotic scene of drunken laughter around him. Dancers twirled gracefully while wealthy nobles observed from above, their smiles polite but patronizing.

"Fifty years… sigh. Time creeps slowly," Calus muttered as he surveyed the room. For fighters, the higher their realm, the slower their growth. Even though Calus was fifty years old, he still looked like a man in his twenties.

His dark brown eyes were sharp, framed by precise brows, and long dark hair flowed over his shoulders. His chin was held high, and his handsome features drew the occasional glance from women nearby. His noble robe hinted at his status, he belonged to a powerful organization, even if he was keeping a low profile.

The nobles had tried to court his attention multiple times, but Calus remained indifferent.

"Well, Pa… Ma… I have to greet you," he said with a smile, standing and dropping a few bags of gold coins on the table before walking out.

A swarm of nobles immediately sent men after him, while the women tried to follow discreetly. But all were destined to be disappointed, Calus had vanished.

The innkeeper excitedly opened the gold bags and was stunned. Hundreds of golden coins nearly a year's revenue lay inside. This man was clearly no ordinary traveler.

"I'm sorry, Master, but he got away," an aged man muttered from the upstairs VIP lounge, lowering his eyes. The young man enjoying his meal and company froze in shock.

"Even from you?" he asked. The old man nodded.

The reason for the young man's surprise was clear: the man upstairs was at the peak of the Platinum Realm. If Calus could evade him, then… this man had to be at least at the Diamond Realm.

"It's okay. He's probably just passing through. But I'll inform my father," the young man said, still eating the grapes offered to him.

"Yes, Master," the old man replied, narrowing his eyes.

"That young man… he's terrifying. I fear he's even

above the Diamond Realm," the old man thought.

---

A few days later…

Calus wasn't simply crashing at an inn. Today was one of the rare days he could go out freely.

He had completed the genius-level training, and alongside Mabi, he had faced countless terrifying monsters. He was now the strongest, with Arie following closely behind.

Now that he worked for the royal family, he had come to pay homage to his parents.

"Yes, thank you," Calus said, collecting the flowers with a half-smile as he dropped a gold coin.

His parents had died eight years ago, but they had wished to be buried in their homeland. It was their final request, and Calus had made sure to grant it.

Entering the small town which had since grown into a modest city, Calus smiled. Many memories lingered here, both from this life and his previous one. They were all wonderful, and he was glad to see the people living well.

He watched children playing, adults negotiating the cost of goods, farmers carrying large loads of food and vegetables, and others herding livestock. The scene created a stark contrast to the prosperous Central Continent.

At the last inn he visited, he had sensed someone or some people following him. But now, back in his motherland, he felt safe. He was far from the political games of royalty and the constant competition of geniuses his age. For the first time in a long while, he could simply rest and be himself.

Soon, Calus arrived at his parents' old house. It had been destroyed and replaced with a large cattle farm, which he appreciated. He greeted the guards and finally made his way to the graveyard.

The cemetery was small but meaningful, holding memories far larger than its size. Several graves were present not just his parents, but those of their generation. Now, only his generation and the newer generation remained alive.

It was quiet. No one was there.

Calus walked forward and looked at the four graves before him. No matter how strong he became, he couldn't make non-fighters become fighters so their lives could be prolonged. Even when he offered drugs to prolong their lives, they refused.

They had said they were weak and old and preferred to enjoy life before joining their children in the afterlife.

Yet they had seen Calus grow into a formidable man on his own. That was enough for them.

"Mom, Dad… your son is here. I'm doing fine, and I'll soon get a wife and give you thousands of grandchildren," Calus said, laughing lightly.

After all, the stronger they were, the harder childbirth became but the children would be even stronger.

Sigh. "I've met many people and made enemies. I've certainly destroyed them, but I've always protected the innocent from the aftermath, so rest assured."

"I really missed you guys… and my sisters too. I hope you're all safe together. I love you," he said softly, placing the flowers on their graves as his hand grazed the cold stone slabs on the graves.

A few tears fell, but a smile appeared on his face. He remembered the joyful moments, the playful quarrels between siblings, and the headaches his parents endured because of them.

Sigh. All good things must end, and they never last forever, time was always constantly

moving and with it old things fade and new things are born.

Calus stood, preparing to leave, when a voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Ah… so our dear Calus understands the concept of pain," a mocking voice echoed. Calus slowly turned back, shocked.