Chapter 37:SHO
The old man sat back down, his expression softening for a moment. He looked older now, weighed down not just by years but by regrets.
Now in his eyes carried the weight of countless memories and regrets .Regret that he had the option to remove but responsibility binds him.
"I was once a hero," he said quietly . "I fought for theUnnivers. I protected many planets, defended countless people. But when my son died… I laid down my sword. I moved here, far from the wars, far from the blood. I chose to spend my remaining days with my granddaughter, Maya."
His hands trembled slightly as he clasped them together. "And then you arrived."
Ank stayed silent. He could feel the man's pain, the way his words cracked with emotion.
He knew from Arthur's face and voice ,he was regretting his decisions that he made in the past just like me,the only difference was just that he was slowly starting to free himself from his past and my past will hunt me and they will never stop until I die.
The old man's voice grew firm again. "Hear me, Ank. I have four years left to live. No more. My body is failing me, and no miracle will change that."
Ank's eyes widened when he heard his words and made him freeze for a moment and slowly he said "Four years…?",t
"Yes. Four years. That is all. But you… you still have your youth. Your strength. Your destiny."
A sharp pang cut through Ank's chest and second thoughts that he had . "Does Maya know?"
"No," the old man said, shaking his head. "I haven't told her."
"Why? She loves you. She deserves to know."
Ank was totally stunned ,he respected Ank very much and Arthur created an undying spot in Ank world but no one can erase it .
"I was afraid," the old man admitted, his voice low. "Afraid of the pain it would cause her. Afraid of seeing her cry. So I said nothing."
Ank clenched his fists. He had no answer for that. He could only imagine Maya's face if she learned the truth.
The old man exhaled slowly. "So, Ank, I ask you—what are your steps toward the future? Where will you go from here?"
Ank knew Arthur had already accepted his death and he cannot change his opinion.
Ank looked him straight in the eye. "You already know. I'm not from this planet."
The old man nodded. "I suspected as much."
"Yes. Once I finish what I must here, I'll leave this planet."
"So you have no plans to stay here?"
"No. I can't." Ank's voice was calm, but heavy. "My journey doesn't end on this planet. I have to return to space."
The old man's gaze lingered on him, as though trying to read the unspoken weight behind his words. Then, slowly, he said, "Then let me tell you something important about the universe. Something you must never forget."
The air in the room seemed to tighten as his words fell.
"In this universe, there are three most powerful forces. Three powers that shape everything."
He raised one finger. "The Space Police. They rule the stars. They control all of space, ensuring order across countless galaxies. Their warriors are strong enough to destroy planets. At their head stands the God of Space himself."
A second finger rose. "The Time Police. More secretive, more feared. They guard the flow of time itself. They are ruthless against anyone who dares to disturb it. Their leader is the God of Time. Of all the powers in the universe, theirs is the most difficult to join."
Finally, he raised a third finger. "The Superhero Group of Organization—SHO. Unlike the others, this group allows anyone to join, provided they can pass the entrance test. It is vast, filled with beings from across the stars. I myself was once a member."
Ank's eyes narrowed. "You were…?"
Ank was time hearing about these but he was not shocked ,he knew billions of years had passed before his unsealing,so something like these was normal.
"Yes," the old man said, his tone carrying pride mixed with nostalgia. "I once fought under the banner of SHO. But those days are long gone."
His eyes locked onto Ank's. "So now the choice is yours. The next SHO entrance test will be held in four years. That is the time you have—to grow stronger, to sharpen yourself, to prepare."
I want you to join SHO , joining SHO will help you whatever you plan in future.
Ank sat in silence, the weight of those words pressing down on him.
Joining SHO will surely help him ,he understands wandering without any aim was useless.
And he had now a new quest that the system was not given him and to complete this quests he had Four years. Four years to increase his strength. Four years to face the zombie continent. Four years to prepare for whatever future awaited him.
And yet, instead of despair, he felt determination rising within him.
He stood, his voice calm but firm. "I understand. Four years… I'll be ready."
I will join SHO .
The old man's lips curved into the faintest smile. "Good. Then perhaps… my last four years won't be wasted."
And then Ank slowly moved towards the gate so he could leave Arthur's room.He went outside, the night sky stretched endlessly, stars gleaming like eyes watching from the void. Ank stared at them, his fists tightening.
Four years. That's all I have. I won't waste a single moment.