Checkmate!

Finished filling their stomachs, the two of them resumed their previous discussion which had been cut short.

It didn't take long for Hao Ren to understand the concept of the rules of how to play chess because basically it was a simple and easy thing to understand.

Grandpa Ven then took him to a match to test how well the understanding he managed to absorb in one explanation earlier.

Not too bad, Grandpa Ven thought as he saw Hao Ren able to last a few steps against a veteran who was once a strategist like himself in just one try.

He also felt amazed because he thought Hao Ren was a very intelligent and responsive child and had a strong intuition in understanding things. This can be seen in one match. According to his estimate maybe Hao Ren could defeated him in just a matter of days.

On the other hand, Hao Ren felt that his mission this time would be very troublesome. He didn't know how long it would take to complete the mission this time. Whereas if possible he wanted to complete the mission this time as quickly as possible.

The problem is that his opponent this time is not to be taken lightly. The difference between him and Grandpa Ven right now was like that of an amateur who had just entered the battlefield trying to fight a veteran who had experienced dozens of battles.

It seemed that he would not be able to complete this mission in a matter of a day or two. Even so, Hao Ren would do his best to complete the mission this time as fast as he could.

In one day he still couldn't beat Grandpa Ven. But he gains new insights and experiences that are useful for defeating Grandpa Ven in the future.

In one day he spent his time in that place by continuing to compete chess, the rest he spent with activities as usual.

Unlike Grandpa Ven who couldn't feel sleepiness, hunger or thirst, Hao Ren could feel it. Therefore, when he feels hungry after a match, he will eat, as well as when he is sleepy or feels the urge to defecate.

Hao Ren set up a tent outside as a place to stay for him because he didn't want to live in that small place. While Grandpa Ven stayed in that place while watching him through the window.

Grandpa Ven who had seen Hao Ren's actions from time to time couldn't be surprised anymore, even when Hao Ren took out something large in a small capsule. He couldn't help but stare at her.

The effect of space and time distortion magic made the place never experience night. Every now and then Hao Ren came out to refresh his brain by looking at the natural beauty of the place which was so amazing. Every now and then he also took the time to practice to strengthen his fragile organs by inviting Grandpa Ven to sparring.

Even though his attitude towards Grandpa Ven was a little cold and impolite, Grandpa Ven could see that Hao Ren was actually a good person. It was just that he didn't know the reason why Hao Ren was acting like that.

His demeanor seemed to remind him of his own son. What he's doing right now is as if he's realizing his unfinished wish in in his previous life, which was that he wanted to train his son so that he could become a great person like himself.

Under certain circumstances, Grandpa Ven had time to retell Hao Ren the story before he ended up here. Although at first Hao Ren wasn't too interested, when Grandpa Ven told his story in certain parts that he found interesting to hear, he became a little enthusiastic to hear it.

Grandpa Ven tells that before he died, he was faced with a difficult choice, namely between choosing to help his wife and children and playing the role of a father, or sticking to his position by carrying out his duties as a commander when his kingdom was attacked.

And the choice that Grandpa Ven chose at that time was to help his family, leaving his duties as a commander without caring about the duties he was supposed to carry out.

The end of his decision made half of his kingdom destroyed, the number of victims who fell so many, even took the crown prince of the kingdom and the nobles.

Everything that happened at that time was delegated because of his fault. He who was originally considered a role model by many ended up being branded

as a traitor and hated by many.

The ending of his decision was very tragic, he ended up being sentenced to death. Meanwhile, his son and wife were expelled from the kingdom and were not allowed to set their feet in that place again.

Two days passed but Hao Ren still couldn't beat Grandpa Ven, but that didn't mean there wasn't any progress in those two days. In two days, he was able to put a bit of resistance back.

The development that Hao Ren showed Grandpa Ven had predicted beforehand. He thought it might be a day or two until Hao Ren could finally beat him.

"Checkmate…this way I've won 20 times against you, Hahaha!" Grandpa Ven laughed mockingly.

"Once again." Hao Ren snorted in annoyance as he rearranged the scattered chess pieces.

"That's good… that's what youth spirit is all about." The game continues, time goes on. Hao Ren didn't want to give up so easily. He will keep fighting until he can win.

On the third day the position was reversed from what was originally Grandpa Ven, who dominated the match, was now forced back into a defensive position.

Even so, with all his efforts, Grandpa Ven was still able to win the match again.

In the thirty-fifth match, it got even hotter because the two dominated each other. Hao Ren who was originally just a rabbit in front of Grandpa Ven now turned into a tiger ready to pounce on his opponent.

'What a terrible development,' Grandpa Ven thought in his heart.

Now Grandpa Ven believed Hao Ren's words which previously stated that even a talented person in his world couldn't possibly imitate the actions he displayed at this time.

'Looks like this match will be my last. I didn't think he would defeated me this fast. What a wonderful child indeed.'

The look on Grandpa Ven's face was hard to decipher. Whether it's because both amazed and happy with Hao Ren's development, didn't expect with everything that had happened to him right now or was it because he felt sad that he would finally part with Hao Ren after going through three short but very long days.

"Yosh… now I'm going to be more serious."

Grandpa Ven shook off all those feelings and focused back on the chessboard in front of him.

"Huh? So you haven't been serious all this time?"

"Hahaha, you can see it later."

The match resumed. As Grandpa Ven had predicted, this match would be the last match and the end of the story before he would part ways with Hao Ren.

Grandpa Ven could see his current position was very disadvantageous. Only a few more steps until he finally lost.

When examining the position of the chess pieces further, Grandpa Ven smiled in concern. The thing that made him smile like that was because his current chess position was very similar to the storyline before he ended up here.

Seen in the corner there was a minister who was supposed to protect his queen who had been surrounded and couldn't go anywhere but instead separated himself with two meaningless pawns.

"Little Ren, what do you think? Was what I did right then?" Grandpa Ven asked in between his last steps. His voice sounded a little sad.

Hao Ren sighed before replying, "Didn't you do all of that based on your heart? If you think everything you did was wrong by saying that you have betrayed because you left the obligation that you should have done, doesn't that mean you have also betrayed your heart. yourself? By not believing in the choice you have chosen. Not believing in

what your heart wants to say… My grandfather once said, believe in your heart, because your heart will never lie to you…" Hao Ren's words to Grandpa Ven were like a boomerang to him, because they also applied to him.

Because he is too fanatical about an anatomical thought that says if someone does good then the kindness will be rewarded with the same thing without ever discussing it with his heart, making himself consumed by the belief itself until he ends up being betrayed by his environment.

How ironic isn't it?

Hearing Hao Ren's statement, made Grandpa Ven's mind instantly brighten, the burden that had been weighing on his shoulders was finally lifted.

Grandpa Ven closed his eyes followed by a long sigh before saying, "I never thought that the person who would enlighten my heart would be a person like you, but…" Grandpa Ven then got up from his chair then bowed his body and continued, "Little Ren. Thanks for the enlightenment. Thanks to you I can now see my family in peace."

Hao Ren was silent for a while looking at Grandpa Ven who seemed to be filled with a twinkle of happiness. He then replied "Yes. You're welcome... Sit down let's continue back this match to the end."

Grandpa Ven looked at Hao Ren with a smile for a moment then nodded and sat down.

His gaze returned to the chessboard in front of him which was only a few steps away. He could only surrender because there was no way for him to win.

A few steps later, Hao Ren raised his pawn towards the beleaguered queen, "This is how it ends," He then put the pawn down to determine his victory, "Checkmate…"

The next moment a panel appeared indicating Hao Ren had completed his mission on this ninth floor.

{The old man in front of you has been defeated. Congratulations this ninth floor mission has been completed.}

"Finally you managed to defeated me."