JR.GOD

Shan was practically sprinting toward the riverside, his excitement bubbling over. As he passed the marketplace, the shopkeeper called out, "Yo, Shan! How's it going?"

Shan flashed a quick grin. "Going great! I'll see you after I complete Stage 2!" Without waiting for a reply, he dashed off, leaving the bustling market behind.

When he reached the riverside, his master was already waiting. "Shan," his master said, "Stage 2 is far more complicated than Stage 1. Are you sure you're ready?"

"That's why I'm here!" Shan replied confidently, his fists clenched with determination.

"Good," his master nodded. "Now, it's time to learn what your power is truly capable of."

Shan tilted his head, curious. "How am I supposed to figure that out?"

"By training," his master said simply.

"With whom?" Shan asked.

The master turned and called out, "Rosy, come here!"

A girl stepped forward, her presence radiating confidence. She was dressed in an elegant, royal outfit that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

"Yes, Master?" she said, her tone poised and calm.

The master gestured to Shan. "Rosy is a god, and her power is healing. She'll be your training partner."

Shan looked at her, blinking. "Wait, what's your age?"

Rosy raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "None of your business." Before Shan could reply, she stepped forward and punched him square in the nose.

"Ahh, it hurts!" Shan yelped, clutching his bleeding nose. "Oh my god, it's bleeding! You little—"

Before he could finish, Rosy dodged his clumsy attempt to retaliate and punched his nose again, sending him tumbling to the ground.

"Is she really a healer?" Shan groaned from the dirt. "Feels like I'll need healing just to survive her punches."

Rosy smirked, crossing her arms. "It's not talking time, junior. Land a punch if you can."

Fueled by determination, Shan got back on his feet and lunged at her, but Rosy gracefully dodged every attempt. She countered with another swift punch to his nose, and Shan crumpled to the ground again.

"Rosy, heal him," the master instructed.

Rosy knelt down, placing her glowing hands over Shan's injuries. A warm light surrounded him, and he groaned as the pain faded away.

As Shan sat up, his master shook his head. "Rosy is one year younger than you, Shan. Yet here you are, lying in the dirt. Weak."

Rosy burst into laughter. "Wait, you're my senior? I thought you were my junior! How embarrassing."

Shan glared at her, his face red. "Age doesn't matter, little girl. Skill does!"

Rosy raised her hand playfully as if to hit him again. Shan flinched, covering his face in panic. She laughed harder. "You're really funny, junior."

"Don't call me that!" Shan snapped.

"Then beat me," Rosy said, smirking. "If you can, I'll stop calling you junior."

Shan glared but quickly laid down on the ground, pretending to yawn. "Fine. But this is rest time. I'll deal with you later."

Rosy rolled her eyes but grinned. "Coward."

The master chuckled. "Let him rest for now, Rosy."

"Alright, Master," Rosy replied, still smiling as she walked away, leaving Shan to sulk on the ground.

As Shan rested under the shade of a tree, Rosy turned to the master, her expression curious. "Master, did you hear the news from yesterday?"

The master nodded solemnly. "Yes, Rosy. I heard it. I feel bad for our warrior gods who were killed."

Rosy tilted her head. "Who do you think is behind it, Master?"

The master's face darkened. "I have no doubt it's Lucifer."

"Lucifer?" Rosy asked, puzzled. "Who is he?"

The master sighed. "He became a god four years ago. His power is darkness. In our town, everyone believes dark power is cursed, so they shunned him. Even his squad leader, Toron, abandoned him. That might've pushed him to join the devils."

Rosy's eyes widened. "Is he powerful?"

The master smirked. "He was my student."

Rosy chuckled. "Then there's no doubt he's strong."

The master laughed lightly. Shan, overhearing the conversation, chimed in. "I'll defeat him!"

Rosy scoffed, crossing her arms. "First, try defeating me, kid. Then you can talk about defeating that man."

Shan scowled. "Didn't your parents teach you how to speak to your elders?"

Rosy smirked. "That only applies to actual elders."

"You little—" Shan muttered as the two locked eyes, and before long, they were at it again, sparring fiercely.

By evening, Shan collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily. "I'm exhausted," he groaned.

The master looked down at him and shook his head. "Heal him, Rosy."

"Okay, Master," Rosy said, kneeling down and channeling her healing powers. A warm light surrounded Shan, and his energy gradually returned.

"Much better," Shan muttered as he sat up.

The master crossed his arms. "You're still dead slow, Shan. Remember, you need to discover what your powers are truly capable of."

"Got it," Shan replied, still catching his breath.

He stood up and began walking home, the evening sun casting a golden glow over the riverside as Rosy watched him go, smirking to herself.

As Shan disappeared into the distance, Rosy turned to the master, her expression thoughtful. "Master, do you think Shan will ever become a god?"

The master exhaled deeply, his gaze fixed on the river. "He's sealed by a powerful curse—one that restricts him from fully using his powers."

Rosy's brows furrowed. "Then why not unseal it, Master?"

The master shook his head. "This seal is unlike anything I've ever encountered. Its power is beyond me."

Rosy looked down, her tone softening. "I feel bad for him. He works so hard."

The master smiled faintly. "Every seal has its limit. Shan has already broken one of them on his own. I believe in him, Rosy. He'll break the remaining two in time—perhaps sooner than we think."

Rosy nodded, her confidence in Shan growing. "I hope you're right, Master. But for now, I need to report to my captain tonight. I'll be back tomorrow."

The master gave her a reassuring nod. "Alright, Rosy. Take care."

"Thank you, Master," Rosy said, giving him a small bow before leaving the riverside.

As the sun set and silence enveloped the area, the master sat cross-legged by the river, his mind deep in thought. He closed his eyes and began meditating, the soft sounds of the flowing water accompanying his quiet resolve.