It All Started With Lightning Bolt

Old Friends

The sun was already rising high when he awoke. Woke up in perfect condition today. He hadn't felt this rested in a long time. At this moment, he felt like a pure and refined person, free from all emotions.

When he woke up looking at the sun, he calculated the time and after about an hour it was time to meet his old friends. Since he wasn't taking a bath, he pulled a clean set of clothes from his dimensional bag and put it on. He just washed his head in the inn's bathroom. That was enough for him to feel clean and fresh.

There was something in this world that smelled like soap, but because of it, her hair was getting very dry. It was taking away all the natural oil from his hair. So he was taking a break from using it for a few weeks. Looking at himself in the bronze mirror, he noticed that his handsome face was becoming more and more masculine. His mustache and beard had already grown to a visible extent. He took out the fire-bringer and tried to shave himself. After half an hour under his careful efforts, he was satisfied with his work. He didn't take it lightly as a hair or two.

He left the inn with a satisfied smile and, without haste, walked through the streets of the capital towards his destination.

The place he came from was where Thedo gave his speech as he entered the palace. The statue had already been removed. Now they were starting preparations for the new one. He guessed that they would make a statue of Thedo. William had never thought that his grandfather's reputation would rise so high.

The crowded first floor of the restaurant made him open his eyes in amazement. He knew that this place was paid with soul stone because the worst creature meat used was iron grade and not farm animal. They were a hundred percent real, hunted creatures from the black forest. He had not had the opportunity to come before, but even in the academy, he had heard from some students that this place was praised.

A man and a woman were waiting in front of the wide-open door, welcoming customers. Both of them, dressed in excellent quality silk clothes and pretty faces, warned customers that they were entering a very noble place.

When William came to the door, the waiters who greeted him at the entrance looked at his clothes with disgust, but whether it was because of his handsome face, the woman immediately corrected her expression and said, "Welcome."

The other young man just nodded. But what he said next made William frown. “Sir, there are no tables left on the first floor, but I can take you to the second floor if you want.”

William frowned because he could see through the wide, open door that there were empty tables inside. But William was too smart for him. It was his primary aim not to fall into such stereotypes.

He smiled and said, “Okay, the second floor also. It does not matter." Said.

This time the young man made his real move. “But sir, our restaurant is not simple. There is a certain amount you have to pay before you enter the second floor.” The young man had a sad expression on his face. It was as if he wanted to let him in for free, but there was nothing he could do.

William continued the game. "It's okay, how much?"

The young man lowered himself even more. Now he was in an 'oh sir, okay sir' mode.

“Twenty soul stones, sir.” Said. He bowed his head. He had deliberately raised the entry price. Too bad the purpose behind this was just as small as he was. How could this young man eat when he could not even eat the food of the restaurant where he worked?

William did not spoil the mood. He continued to smile. He reached into his dimensional bag and took out thirty soul stones. Thirty soul stones fit perfectly in his large hand. He placed it in the hands of the young girl in front of him.

He then spoke, smiling and looking at the young man. “I leave that in your hands. I don't know how much the entry price is, but whatever it is, the rest is yours." Said. Then he frowned and spoke again. “Only yours.” Said.

Then he straightened his body again and called out to the young girl. “Now show me the way.” Said.

The young girl was frightened by his behavior. After all, he was an ordinary person. He could see the leather armor on William. It was clear that he was a warrior. “Sure sir, please follow.” She then turned around and started walking, but the young man's ideas were different. William's actions had touched his youthful blood. He frowned and was really angry. Right now, he had a face that wouldn't hesitate to make a big deal out of it.

Then he lifted his arm and placed it in front of the door. "Wait! Now that I remember, the boss said he had increased the entrance fee to a hundred soul stones today.” He was determined to push this simple, silly discussion forward.

The young girl wanted to speak immediately and say that there was no such thing, but the young man stopped her. “You didn't hear, I arrived before you this morning. He said it at the time.” He had a mocking expression on his face that looked down on William.

William was really angry. His head was lowered a little, and his smile disappeared instantly. The expression of a predator ready to bite its prey appeared on his face. His anger was too much to take any longer. Damn, he's been messing around with this i***t at the door for almost ten minutes. 'I gave you the money! What more are you pushing! Why would a person want to get himself killed?' Such were his thoughts.

An oppressive aura began to appear around William. The young man was already within arm's reach. He grabbed him by the throat with one hand and lifted him. He leaned him against the wall of the restaurant right next to it. He was really choking him! There was only killing intent in his eyes. Even the customers inside the restaurant were worried. Everyone below the bronze level felt the killing intent. Many thought they would die in a few seconds. Those at the bronze level frowned and tried to suppress the churning pools of qi.

The young man could be considered both unlucky and lucky. He was unlucky because it wasn't just William's aura that choked him, it was his hand as well. He was lucky because William's friends were already in front of the restaurant.

Godo had already started running as soon as he saw him from afar. George was likewise running across the square with his gigantic body making loud noises. The same was true for the others.

Godo was the fastest. He caught up with William in an instant and forced him to let go of his arm, but no matter how hard he tried, William's arm kept squeezing harder than the spear in his back. The young man seemed to be about to say his last words in a moment. "Can't breathe—" It was just a small mutter. His throat was almost smashed.

Seeing that William would not let go, Godo decided to shout. He tucked his mouth into his ear and shouted. “WILLIAM! LET IT GO!"

“—HIIIIIIIIIIII” The young man took a deep breath as William let go and fell unconscious. William had indeed woken up, thanks to Godo. He couldn't thank him enough. He had just entered a different situation indeed. He had only thought of killing the young man in front of him as slowly and painfully as possible. He quickly gathered himself and looked at Godo. His face was smiling.

"Ah! You are here! Let's go." Said. He placed the image of someone extremely happy and funny on his face. Then he turned to the young girl who was kneeling on the floor, trembling and slightly smeared and smiled. "Take us to our table." Said.

No matter how shocked she was after what had just happened, she learned a lesson not to bother this young man. She stood up quickly, her make-up a little runny from her tears, quickly wiping it off and walking ahead.

Meanwhile, George and the others had arrived. All faces on the first floor turned to them as they all entered. All of them could understand that the young man was the monster that had just emitted the aura. They knew from the people in the silver armor next to him that he was someone important in the new kingdom. They all made a note in their heads, 'Don't mess with this kid!'

William, on the other hand, felt that this look was not because of himself, but towards the friends who came with him. He had given these armors to Theo himself. Looking back now, he felt that he had made the right decision to give these armors to his father. The companions who wore them looked like prestigious, noble knights of antiquity. They followed the young girl with heavy steps and went up to the second floor.

When they got to the second floor, they were greeted with various looks. Almost everyone here had sent the message to William that they were bronze rank in some way. He even suspected that a few old men sitting in the corner were silver rank, but they did not release any qi. William had no way of detecting those higher in rank than himself. He could only guess.

He got to know one of the people here in particular. For a moment their eyes met. William smiled, shaking his head slightly. The man he was looking at responded in the same way and continued his speech. It was as if he didn't know William at all. This man was the dark elf Elgaar, the ruler of the elves' earth outpost in the barony of Aureus, whom William and his father also knew.

William guessed that the man had not improved since then. The feeling of his strength was still the same. He didn't feel like he was even as strong as Baldur.

Thinking that the man didn't know him, he quickly decided to forget about him. Meanwhile, the young girl brought them to a large table. The view was beautiful. You could see the whole square.

After sitting down, William spoke with a smile. “Bring your best wine, your best food! Fill the table!” said. The faces of the entire group gleamed with joy. They all turned to the children who had seen the candy.

However, they did not forget the events that took place below. Godo asked, “What happened there? Why did you want to kill him?"

William frowned in response. He had put that man out of his mind, why did he sting it again? “He forced me to come here even though there was space on the first floor. I guess he thought I couldn't pay the entrance fee for this place. Later, when I paid, he said, 'Oh, I forgot, the boss increased the entrance fee to a hundred soul stones.' said. If you hadn't come, I would have definitely killed him." Said. William told it as it happened. He didn't need to hide anything.

Godo shook his head. "Understood. Just a fool who doesn't know his place. But they are everywhere. You shouldn't care too much." Said.

William sighed helplessly. “You think I'm not trying? I'm trying, but they insist on finding me." Then a smile appeared on William's face, similar to that of the sneaky bastard.

“Tell me, George, how is your girlfriend?” he asked.

“ Ahahaha !” The whole group laughed. Except for George. He had a troubled expression on his face. Didn't make any comments.

But Mura, who was generally quiet, spoke with all her teeth showing. “William, you should see that girl. She has bronze-level strength and…and…most importantly, they are exactly the same as George! Just like a twin. The only difference is, her hair is long!” Then he kept laughing, holding his stomach.

William was surprised. He wanted to make sure he understood correctly. “So, you mean… Same as body?”

Mura stopped laughing and replied with a serious face. "Yup!"

William's expression changed from shape to shape. “Wow, just incredible. I haven't seen it, but I can understand. I'm happy for you bro." Said. The entire group burst into laughter. They then talked about everyday things, what they did after William was gone.

At this time, the wines arrived, and they all began to drink cold and unforgettable-tasting wines from the bottle, without waiting for the meal. Since they were off today and William would pay, they started drinking to their heart's content.

Then the meals arrived, and they had the opportunity to eat the flesh of creatures they had never had the opportunity to see before. After a while, slightly drunk, George spoke at an unexpected time.

His deep voice was thinned by the wine. His gaze was a little blank, a little distracted. “Actually, I like her. Maybe even love.” Said.

Everyone opened their eyes and looked at him. Just as Mura was about to say something, William stopped him. “If you like it, we don't have to say anything, George. It's your life. I hope you will be happy.” Said. Then he frowned at Mura, who was still trying to speak.

Mura lowered his head and remained silent.

"Yeah, we're both going to get married after all. Not others. Who cares what other people say!” He yelled softly and he lifted the wine bottle to his head. He finished off the huge bottle that was half full in one go.

"Exactly!"

"That's it!"

“My lion!”

All his friends at the table supported him, including William.

By evening, everyone was almost fainting. It was not known how many plates of food and wine came to the table.

Despite strong resistance, William drank bottle after bottle, eventually getting drunk. Even the soberest person in the group was getting ready to step into drunkenness. At that time, the young girl came and said that the restaurant would be closed.

He told them the bill. 350 soul stones in full! Mura instantly awoke from the effects of the wine and his eyes widened. He knew what 350 soul stones were. He wondered what they had eaten so much, but he couldn't ask.

At that moment, Godo spoke completely drunk. "I will pay!" He tried to put his hand in his pocket.

William did not hold back. As soon as he heard Godo he shouted and squeezed his outstretched arm all the way. Despite his pain, Godo did not notice because of his drunkenness. “Fine, pay then.” Said.

Leaning against him, William said, “Hehe, I'll pay.” He said again and began to pull soul stones from his dimensional bag on the table. He put them all on the table one by one. And he seriously counted one by one.

“One…two…five…six…eleven…thirty-three…fifty-five…hundred and thirty-eight…three hundred…three hundred fifty…four hundred.” William counted one by one, but at some point forgot that he owed three hundred and fifty soul stones and counted to four hundred. Then he realized he had overpaid but was too drunk to take it back and count.

Later, as the group parted, they all took each other's arms and left holding hands like children. When William came near the young girl, he said, "Make the rest pocket money," and took a pair of a pinch from her face(cheek). (1)

The young girl instantly blushed. "Yes sir." she bowed down. It was the first time he had seen such a young, generous, handsome and strong person. Every teenage girl dreams of someone she falls in love with, and today William has become that girl's dream person.

I wonder what this young girl and the young man who came back from the dead would think when she saw that the young man she fell in love with was called a prince in a portrait that will be published a few months later.

(1) I didn't know how to write this. These are the closest to the English equivalent: tweak a cheek, pinch a cheek,

Note: Don't forget to write a review and add it to the library! This is just the beginning!