Unlike the ordinary people of this world who must rely on arduous training and enlightenment to slowly increase their strength, Natsuki Subaru's path to power was clear and simple.
As long as he completed the System's quests and obtained the corresponding attribute points, he could become stronger!
Slay monsters, gain experience, then level up, increasing all attributes and becoming even stronger!
This was the fundamental reason why Natsuki Subaru, in the short span of two months since arriving in this other world, had transformed from an ordinary high school student with no strength to speak of into a powerhouse capable of influencing the course of events.
The quantum leap in all attributes that came with each level up gave Natsuki Subaru a growth potential and efficiency that completely overturned this world's entire understanding of what it meant to be a genius.
"If they knew I walked a path in two months that takes them decades, or even centuries, I wonder if they'd start questioning their own existence? Better not get too arrogant with thoughts like that..."
Natsuki Subaru thought to himself.
After all, the very existence of the System was an overpowered cheat, and the steady enhancements it provided were even more direct and powerful than the Divine Protections and Authorities of this world.
Of course, the System's power was far greater than just that. It not only provided clear quest objectives and lavish rewards, but also allowed him to level up directly by slaying monsters.
And ever since Natsuki Subaru changed his class to the hidden profession of Shadow Monarch, the System had granted him the special ability to convert the enemies he killed into Shadow Soldiers.
Not only would the number of these Shadow Soldiers increase with his level, but they could also gradually form a powerful, exclusive shadow legion that answered only to his commands.
Shadow Soldiers were, quite simply, the most perfect subordinates.
They didn't need rest, they would never betray him, they followed orders absolutely, and they could be re-summoned even after being destroyed.
In this world, an ability like this was practically a game-breaking bug.
"That said, with my current strength as a Level 64 Shadow Monarch, while I can crush the vast majority of opponents in this world, if I were to go up against that Sword Saint, Reinhard... I probably still wouldn't stand a chance."
Natsuki Subaru mused internally.
After all, the Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea, possessed millions of Divine Protections and had even fought on par with Satella, the Witch of Envy. He was the acknowledged ceiling of power in this world.
Compared to him, I'm probably still a little bit short.
But what about when I reach Level 100?
Or even Level 150, or 200?
Would things be different then?
After all, the power boost from the System seems to have no upper limit. As long as I keep completing quests and killing monsters to gain experience, I can just keep getting stronger.
"And Reinhard's strength... it must have a limit, right? Though, it's definitely too early to be thinking about this..." Natsuki Subaru shook his head, casting the thoughts aside.
"As things stand now, Reinhard and I aren't enemies. You could even say we're friends."
"In a way, Reinhard and I are somewhat similar. We're both existences that defy common sense—one relies on countless innate Divine Protections, the other on a System cheat."
"Maybe one day, when I'm strong enough, I can try to create a world where everyone can be happy."
So Natsuki Subaru thought.
It was a grand dream, perhaps even an arrogant one.
But with the System in his possession, he might truly have a chance to achieve it.
"But before that... I should focus on what's in front of me. Level up one step at a time, get stronger bit by bit. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day, and a powerhouse isn't forged in one either."
Natsuki Subaru thought no more of it. He strolled over to the stone water basin in the courtyard, bent down, and scooped up a handful of clear, cool spring water, washing his face with satisfaction.
The cold droplets slid down his well-defined cheeks and dripped into the basin, creating ripples on the surface.
"Tsk, I feel like... this face has gotten even more handsome?" Natsuki Subaru gazed at the slightly blurry, yet undeniably dashing reflection on the water's surface and subconsciously touched his increasingly sharp jawline.
"My features seem more chiseled, and my skin condition is amazing... Does leveling up come with a beauty treatment effect?"
This was by no means his subjective imagination.
Over the past two months, as his System attribute points continuously increased and his level steadily rose, Natsuki Subaru's body had undergone a transformation so complete it could be described as being reborn.
Not only had he effortlessly developed a set of perfectly defined, sculpted eight-pack abs, with the muscle lines all over his body becoming sleek and full of explosive power, but his height had also quietly grown from just over 175cm to 180cm, giving him a more upright and imposing physique.
Even his face looked as if it had been finely polished, shedding the youthful immaturity of his pre-transportation high school self, his features now carrying a deeper, more handsome quality.
His eyes, in particular, honed by countless life-and-death battles, had become increasingly sharp and spirited. The occasional glint in them was enough to make others not dare to underestimate him.
"So, this System really is powerful. The more you level up, the stronger you get, and the stronger you get, the more handsome you become!"
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but exclaim.
Of course, what satisfied him most was that this improvement didn't turn him into a clumsy muscle-bound brute, but rather allowed him to gain ultimate power while maintaining a perfect physique.
"If I could go back to the modern world now..." Natsuki Subaru looked at his reflection in the water, which could truly be called handsome, and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Just based on my looks, even if I didn't debut as a top-tier idol, getting scouted by an agent to become a supermodel would be a sure thing. I might actually be able to make a living with my face."
Just then.
A familiar shout, full of youthful energy, came from behind Natsuki Subaru:
"—Boss!"
"Garfiel."
Natsuki Subaru turned at the sound and saw the young man with short blond hair and a prominent white scar on his forehead, Garfiel, running toward him with a wide grin.
It was worth mentioning that after surviving the Great Rabbit disaster in the Sanctuary together, Garfiel, the originally tempestuous but powerful youth, had not only resolved his inner turmoil but had also chosen to join Emilia's camp, genuinely viewing Natsuki Subaru as a boss worth following.
This loyalty stemmed not only from Natsuki Subaru utterly defeating him in a head-on battle, but more so because Subaru had successfully solved the problem that had plagued the Sanctuary for centuries, proving his capability and sense of responsibility through his actions, thereby winning Garfiel's unconditional recognition and trust.
Natsuki Subaru was actually quite pleased about Garfiel joining them.
After all, setting aside their gradually accumulating personal bond, from a purely practical standpoint, Garfiel's strength was absolutely top-tier.
The Divine Protection of the Earth Spirit he possessed allowed him to recover quickly from injuries by touching the ground, giving him the terrifying resilience of an unkillable cockroach.
Furthermore, his Beast Transformation ability, derived from his demi-human bloodline, allowed him to instantly unleash even more astonishing speed and destructive power in battle, giving him an extremely obvious combat advantage.
To be frank, Garfiel's combat prowess placed him firmly in the top echelon of the kingdom's fighters, even above the finest knight, Julius, and the Bowel Hunter, Elsa, putting him on par with the battle-hardened old Sword Demon, Wilhelm.
Therefore, gaining such a powerful and loyal warrior was an invaluable boon for both Natsuki Subaru and the Emilia camp.
"Boss, you do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 10-kilometer run every day, rain or shine..." Garfiel stopped in front of Natsuki Subaru, his gaze curious and somewhat probing as he asked.
Truth be told, Garfiel had been observing Natsuki Subaru's daily training for a few days before he started joining in himself.
Natsuki Subaru didn't hide it, telling Garfiel about this seemingly basic training routine.
Of course, he naturally didn't breathe a word about the core secrets of the System quests and attribute points.
Whenever Garfiel earnestly asked him how to get stronger, he couldn't very well say it was all thanks to the System and that he just had to kill monsters to level up by himself...
He had no choice but to attribute it to his long-term training, plus a little bit of his own unique talent.
This explanation didn't expose the System's existence, fit within the cognitive logic of this world, and could earn the trust of pragmatic types like Garfiel.
"What? Thinking of giving up after just two days of training?" Natsuki Subaru said, deliberately putting on a stern face. "I seem to recall you beating your chest a few days ago, saying you'd train with me even if you were too exhausted to stand."
"I'm not!" Garfiel immediately got flustered and explained, "I'm not giving up! It's just... I just find it a little hard to believe that such simple exercises can build the kind of incredible strength you have, Boss."
"Boss, back when we were fighting those multiplying magic beasts, the Great Rabbit... you charged into the horde all by yourself, fought your way in and out, and wiped them all out."
"But me... I gave it my all and could only barely eliminate a small fraction of them, and I got myself covered in wounds... If you hadn't arrived in time... I'd probably have been completely devoured by that horde."
As he spoke, Garfiel's tone became noticeably dejected. He looked down at his fists, his eyes full of unwillingness.
"I know my strength isn't enough right now. I can't protect everyone like you do, Boss, and I can't be a proper Shield of the Sanctuary... That's why I want to get stronger fast, but I just feel like this basic training alone is still a long way from getting strong."
Seeing the disappointment in Garfiel's eyes, Natsuki Subaru dropped his teasing expression, and his tone grew serious.
"Garfiel, what do you think it means to be strong? Is it being like the Sword Saint, Reinhard, who can cut through anything with a swing of his sword? Or being like old man Wilhelm, who has dominated battlefields with a single sword for decades?"
"Well..." Garfiel paused, thought for a moment, and then replied, "I... I think it's being able to protect the people you want to protect. No matter what enemy you face, you can stand in front and keep the people around you from getting hurt."
"Just like what you did in the Sanctuary, Boss. Even though you were in danger yourself, you still gave everything to resolve the crisis and even helped me resolve my inner conflict."
"The fact that you think that way already makes you stronger than most..."
Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but pat Garfiel's shoulder, the force just right, carrying a sense of encouragement.
"But you have to remember, no one's strength is achieved overnight. The strength I have now didn't come from some shortcut, but from long-term persistence. Just like that training plan I told you about. It sounds simple, but to actually do it every day and keep it up for years is not so easy."
"Huh, is that how it is...?" Garfiel was a bit confused.
"Wanting to get stronger is actually very simple..." Natsuki Subaru placed his hands on his hips, adopting the posture of a senior, and said to Garfiel with a confident tone.
"First, be persistent! Second, still be persistent! And third, remember, still be persistent!"
"Huh? Boss, don't those all mean the same thing?"
Garfiel was stunned, scratching his short blond hair, his face a mask of utter confusion.
"They're not the same!" Natsuki Subaru shook his head, his expression becoming slightly more serious as he began to instill his philosophy of strength.
"'Persistence' is the only path to strength. Look, the first 'be persistent' is to tell you that you must have the resolve to start and to continue."
"The second 'be persistent' emphasizes that when you encounter difficulties and feel exhausted, you have to endure it and not give up."
"The third 'be persistent' means that when you feel you're at your limit, when you even want to start cursing, you still have to grit your teeth and push through for me."
"Only through persistence can you build a foundation. Only through persistence can you break through your own limits."
"Only through persistence can you grasp that sliver of hope in a desperate situation!"
"Talent alone is far from enough. Without the persistence of day after day, year after year, all talent is just empty talk!"
"Boss... I... I think I kind of get it!" Garfiel tried to digest these words. Although it felt a bit convoluted, the conviction in Natsuki Subaru's voice and the powerful example he set made Garfiel's gaze become even more determined.
"You mean, no matter what, I just can't stop training, right?"
"Exactly. You catch on quick," Natsuki Subaru said, nodding in approval. "To put it simply, don't overthink it. Just train."
"I see, I get it now."
Garfiel nodded in sudden realization.
"Keep it up, Garfiel."
Natsuki Subaru patted Garfiel's shoulder forcefully, offering sincere encouragement.
Speaking of which, Natsuki Subaru could understand Garfiel's intense desire to become stronger.
After all, when Garfiel participated in the trial of the Witch of Greed's tomb as a child, he witnessed his mother die tragically while protecting him, an experience that caused him profound psychological trauma.
After failing the trial, he overcame his inner fear and darkness through daily, almost self-torturous, hard training. He resolved to become the strongest Shield of the Sanctuary to prove his worth and protect those he wanted to protect.
With Natsuki Subaru's encouragement, Garfiel felt as if he'd been given a shot of adrenaline. He instantly became fired up, clenching his fists, his whole body brimming with fighting spirit.
"O-Oh! I will, Boss!"
"I'll definitely see it through to the end! Just like you said!"
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