Difficulty — a plant which grew on the roads in the era of the old. Its branches and leaves are said to be made of stones, with thorns growing all around. And most essentially, each Difficulty didn’t appear alone. These plants appeared in droves, growing next to each other as they formed obstructions in the path. To get ahead, one needed to walk through the Difficulties, or take another path altogether.

Arkhan gritted his teeth, hesitating on whether to proceed forwards. He couldn’t help but think about wanting to go back.

However, the desire to reunite with his brother was just as intense, if not more. Thus, the boy gritted his teeth, embarking on his journey to come.

He moved forward with clenched fists, reaching forward to pass through the Difficulties head on. His foot landed on rocky thorns on the ground, drawing out blood. The thorns still attached to the Difficulties struck against his hands and feet, tearing his clothes, forming gashes on his skin.

Stopping immediately, he took in a deep breath to stop himself from shouting in pain. Moments later, he opened his eyes, which contained a stillness born of calmness. However, underneath the stillness, one could make out deep anxiety.

Gritting his teeth, Arkhan put another foot forward while doing all he could to stop himself from screaming.

Looking around while gasping for air, he noticed the thorns scratching against the Difficulty next to him falling off after scratching his skin. Seeing this, his curiosity got the better of him as he took a third step forward while ignoring the pain, reaching the next set of Difficulties.

To his astonishment, as soon as the last spike tore off from Difficulty he passed through moments earlier, the stony plant’s leaves shrivelled as it crumbled to dust.

Arkhan blinked in confusion.

At this time, Cognition explained, “Human, you overcame that Difficulty, so it is no more now. Now that it is gone, the path behind you is clear once more.”

Exaltation filled Arkhan’s heart as, without caring for his injuries, he ran forward, hoping to clear more of the path while also letting out his excitement.

If I go forward for a while, then leave to rest and come back, I’ll be able to clear this place and leave! Arkhan’s eyes shone as he patted himself inwardly for his idea.

As such, he ran till he could no longer continue, which, to his astonishment, was not more than a few more steps. While feeling dizzy from the pain and loss of blood, he shakily looked back, his gaze filled with a desire to return home.

However, in the next moment, his eyes widened, and a sudden urge to cough out blood out of sheer rage overtook him.

In front of his eyes, the sand on the ground near the beginning of the path moved together as what looked like a geyser of rocks shot up from the ground, reaching more than twice his height. Next, the rocks piled atop one another, and while scattering dust clouds in their wake while producing loud noises as they took the shape of a Difficulty, albeit one smaller than before.

Arkhan was livid as he cursed Cognition: “You jerk! You scammed me! You lied to me! Look what you have done! What you made me do! How am I supposed to return back now?”

Cognition coughed dryly before replying in a matter-of-factly voice, “Human, look. I didn’t lie to you. You were the one who baselessly assumed the path to the back would stay clear and no Difficulties would rise up again. But if you carefully think about it, the path to the back, no matter how short, is like any other path, which means Difficulties can grow there as well.”

Leaving the boy tongue-tied, Cognition continued, “I am Cognition and not wisdom. And right now, the only thing that will happen is when you go back, the Difficulties would’ve grown bigger, making it even harder to cross through than it is right now.”

“Wait…. What?! These things grow?” Arkhan couldn’t help but exclaim.

Cognition sighed as it said, “These things are plants. So, of course, they would grow. And if you didn't know, they can grow even bigger than this as well.”

“Then this…”

“Your brother and the grand master he mentioned must’ve taken this route as well. So while travelling, they also would’ve cleared Difficulties along the way.”

“….” Arkhan was at a loss for words as he thought about the words his brother left behind.

Did my brother also walk through something like this as well? No, it would be even more terrifying. But I can’t even—?!

Hope, sitting on his head till now, took to flight before circling around Arkhan while speaking, “Human, the path to get out of your comfort zone is a path that is arduous and full of Difficulties, both big and small.”

But worry not, your brother will be fine. Facing Difficulties alone and facing them together with people are two different things. When someone else is there to help you push through the Difficulties, even someone as weak as your brother can go through this road. And the one together with him is a supposed grandmaster. He will be alright.”

Still, getting hurt is inevitable. To gain something, you lose something as well. And the loss can come in many forms, both big or small, be it injuries, pain, misfortune, or even Difficulties like these. All you can do is choose to take the loss for the gain or to stay standing where you are.”

And as for yourself… whether taking it as either a tempering or a punishment, you want to keep moving ahead. After all, you too feel going back now would be a waste of effort, right?”

The tone near the end was playful, making Arkhan break out into a laugh.

“You’re right. If I stop here, there’s no point in all this. I will meet my brother again and then we will see the big world outside of this small forest together.” Arkhan said, pointing to the injuries on his skin. “And if someone as weak as my brother did this, then it is a shame on me if I can not.”

Saying so, Arkhan turned back to face the road ahead. Whether out of reckless confidence or his pride at being the elder one, he didn’t know but his foot moved forward as he sucked in an icy breath. Pausing for his chest to stop moving erratically, he moved forward while bracing for the pain to come.

The sun sank to night as the six moons shone in their individual lights, all while Arkhan continued threading his way forward through the sea of difficulties. Ignoring the parched stings in his throat and paying no need to his rumbling stomach, he took one step after another in hopes of reaching the end, having long lost count of the steps he took.

While pushing through, Arkhan stumbled many times, with more than one fall, yet he got up with the desires he held acting like a string pulling him forward.

Arkhan looked up again to see the sun flying downwards through the seven skies while the six moons were nowhere to be seen.

While looking upwards, Arkhan took another step while bracing for the pain to come.

However, the pain he anticipated never came. His head lowered, his eyes focusing ahead, as he took another step forward.