According to the skill description, the full potential of║Hydraulic Leap║allowed him to jump up to 90 meters, about 50 times his height. However, caution led him to start with a more controlled attempt.
Mentally activating the skill, he decided to use only a little over a quarter of its full power. Dropping into a slight crouch, he felt the blood in his legs surge with tremendous force.
In an instant, his legs straightened with a force that defied natural limits. The world around him blurred as he shot upwards, propelled 25 meters into the air—nearly 10 meters above the treetops.
The speed of the jump was so fast that his mind struggled to process it in real-time. He barely registered the shift from solid ground to open sky, with the forest canopy shrinking below him.
For a brief, exhilarating moment, he hung suspended in the air, weightless, with the expansive view of treetops stretching out in all directions. But gravity quickly took over, pulling him downward. As he hurtled toward the ground, instinct kicked in, and he reached out to grab a sturdy branch 15 meters above the ground.
The first branch cracked under his grip, as did the next two, splintering as they failed to hold his weight. Finally, he managed to latch onto a fourth branch, clinging to it in a hanging position as he regained his composure.
Once he pulled himself onto the branch, he took a moment to catch his breath and process what had just happened. The realization that he had leaped 25 meters in a single bound, with such speed and force, left him awestruck.
The potential of the skill became immediately clear—it offered unmatched mobility, perfect for sudden maneuvers, rapid escapes, or even quick high-ground positioning in a fight.
His excitement grew as he visualized the possibilities, but he also recognized the need for control. The raw power was impressive, but mastering the skill would require careful practice.
Determined to refine his technique, he resolved to train until he could fully control the leap's direction, speed, and force. Only then could he truly unlock the full versatility of║Hydraulic Leap║, transforming it into a precise and reliable tool for any situation.
Jay spent the next half hour leaping from tree to tree, his body lurching with each attempt. The first few jumps were disastrous—barely controlled bursts of motion that sent him crashing through clusters of branches or slamming into unyielding trunks.
Every collision rattled him, but he pressed on, determined to master the technique. The initial act of launching himself with║Hydraulic Leap║wasn't difficult; his enhanced leg strength provided the power needed. But in the air, controlling the trajectory felt like trying to steer a runaway horse.
With each botched landing, frustration gnawed at him. He often misjudged distances or failed to adjust his posture in time, resulting in graceless landings where he either slipped off branches or staggered upon impact.
The forest floor beneath, littered with leaves and debris, witnessed his falls far too many times. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he racked his brain for a solution. Then, realisation struck—he had been focusing solely on the leap itself, neglecting the stability he needed when landing.
Why rely on raw balance alone when the║Adhesive Boots║ could offer a strategic edge? His missteps stemmed not just from missed landings but from struggling to hold his footing once there.
By engaging the adhesive function just before touching down, he reasoned, he could lock himself in place, ensuring a firm hold even if his jump wasn't perfect.
With renewed determination, he tested the idea. The next jump sent him hurtling toward a broad tree trunk, and just before contact, he triggered the adhesive mechanism.
Instead of bouncing off or sliding down, he stuck firmly to the bark, stabilizing himself instantly. It worked. The boots clung like a second skin, anchoring him in place and allowing him to transition smoothly into his next move.
This breakthrough unlocked new ways of moving. No longer restricted to aiming for branches alone, he began using entire tree trunks as launch points. He dove between narrow gaps, twisted mid-air to alter angles, and even rebounded off trunks with precision that had previously eluded him.
His field of movement expanded as he started stringing together complex sequences—one moment propelling himself from a thick branch, the next bounding off a slender sapling before spinning mid-flight to grip onto another trunk.
Minutes turned into another half hour of intense practice. The repeated effort yielded tangible results. Each leap felt smoother, each twist more controlled. Gradually, his chaotic flailing morphed into a fluid, calculated dance among the trees.
Muscle memory kicked in, translating trial and error into instinctual movements. With each successful maneuver, his Agility Attribute inched upward in Safety mode.
His enhanced agility didn't merely make him faster; it refined his sense of timing. He began anticipating the subtle shifts needed to correct his trajectory mid-flight, tightening his turns and reducing the need for last-second adjustments. Reflexes sharpened, allowing him to react instantly, even when a branch snapped underfoot or a tree swayed in the wind.
Before long, what had once felt like a frantic scramble transformed into something more deliberate, almost graceful. He now navigated the canopy with the fluidity of a monkey at play, weaving through the dense foliage like it was second nature.
The combination of adhesive stability and newfound agility turned the wild forest into his personal playground, where each jump became a perfectly timed piece of an intricate puzzle.
By the end, his movements carried an undeniable rhythm—a blend of strength, finesse, and precise control that elevated him from a struggling beginner into someone who could traverse the treetops with ease.
The downside of relying on║Hydraulic Leap║ was the constant drain on his Stamina. Each leap consumed points based on distance—10 meters cost 1 Stamina point, 20 meters took 2, and so on.
While the skill granted crucial speed and maneuverability, the rapid Stamina depletion made prolonged use risky.
Thankfully, his recent acquisition of the Uncommon Grade Skill║Passive Stamina Regeneration - I║, earned after reaching 20 Stats in Endurance, provided a solution.
The skill allowed his Stamina to regenerate even as it was being consumed, softening the impact. Still, it wasn't enough during extended sessions.
To fully restore his reserves, he had to consume two║Lesser Stamina Fruits║, their sharp taste lingering on his tongue as a reminder to carefully manage his Stamina while using║Hydraulic Leap║.
With his training done for the moment, he returned to his hidden tree shelter high above the forest floor. Settling onto a thick branch, he let his muscles relax against the rough bark, welcoming the cool breeze that rustled through the canopy. The brief rest gave him a chance to reassess his gear.
He reached into his pack and pulled out the║Rusted Short Sword║. The blade, once reliable, was marred with nicks and cracks from heavy use. As he turned it over in his hands, the interface in his vision showed its durability nearing critical levels.
﴾ Durability: 35/100 ➟ 14/100 ﴿
The sword was on its last legs, barely holding together—a weapon ready to break at any moment. He knew he couldn't depend on it for much longer, but for now, it was still the only weapon he had.
The rusted state of the sword caused its Durability to dwindle each time he channeled║Sword Aura║ against the Poisonous Spiders. Though aware that he lacked any means to restore the durability of a Spirit Item, he couldn't afford to stop using it if he wanted to improve his Weapon Mastery.
Accepting the inevitable wear, he turned his focus to refining his understanding of Lv.11║Sword Aura║ through dedicated practice, merging it with the Lv.11 Sword Training Methods while coating the blade with the aura.
His previous battles against the spiders had already heightened his control over║Sword Aura║, making progress smoother. Before long, a breakthrough occurred.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Congratulations! Your understanding of Sword Aura has advanced your Minor Sword Mastery ﴿
﴾ Lv.12║Minor Sword Mastery║﴿
Lv.12 Minor Sword Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery and enabling more effective combat maneuvers.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
Acknowledging the advancement, he deactivated║Sword Aura║ and transitioned seamlessly into practicing the Lv.12 Minor Sword Training Methods. His high Stamina Attribute, paired with║Passive Stamina Regeneration - I║, enabled him to sustain the intense practice without needing to pause for recovery.
Time passed as his movements grew more fluid and precise, each swing bringing him closer to mastery. Eventually, a notification blinked into view, marking another step forward in his journey.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Congratulations! You have advanced to Lv.12║Sword Aura║by comprehending Lv.12 ║Minor Sword Mastery║﴿
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
He continued honing his skills, channeling the Lv.12║Sword Aura║through the weathered blade with unwavering focus. Each swing carried the weight of relentless practice and a deepening connection to the aura. Gradually, the repetitions began to bear fruit as his mastery evolved, his movements becoming sharper and more fluid.
As the training intensified, so did his understanding of the techniques. Every adjustment, every nuance, further refined his control, pushing him beyond his previous limits. Before long, he sensed a significant shift—his comprehension of║Sword Aura║and the corresponding sword techniques advanced to a new level.
Without pausing, he adapted to the next stage of training, seamlessly integrating the newly acquired methods into his practice.
The increased difficulty demanded more precise execution, each movement testing his stamina and focus. With each breakthrough, the strain on his body grew, but so did the power coursing through the sword.
The climb to Lv.14 was no easy feat; it required not only persistence but also a deep synchronization between his body, mind, and the weapon.
The rigorous effort eventually culminated in a new peak, where his mastery reached a point that unlocked further sword techniques, elevating both his offensive capabilities and the efficiency of║Sword Aura║.
Yet, as each level required greater dedication, he noticed the time investment expanding with each advancement. The road to mastery had become steeper, demanding longer periods of concentrated practice, but the results were undeniable—greater strength, more refined techniques, and a more potent║Sword Aura║that surged with every swing.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Congratulations! Your understanding of Sword Aura has advanced your Minor Sword Mastery ﴿
﴾ Lv.14║Minor Sword Mastery║﴿
Lv.14 Minor Sword Training methods are being transferred into your mind. These advanced techniques will enhance your precision, control, and power, deepening your mastery over sword type items and enabling more effective combat maneuvers.Cost: Consumes 40 Spirit Energy per minute to maintain this enhanced state, requiring careful management of resources during prolonged battles.
╰── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╯
As his ║Sword Aura║ advanced in level, the cyan glow surrounding the blade became more intense, pulsing brighter with each movement.
Though he wasn't completely drained from the rigorous training, the persistent thirst reminded him of an issue he could no longer ignore—his water supply had run dry. After draining the last three sips from his bottle, he decided it was time to find a water source.
Preparing for the search, he tucked a║Lesser Stamina Fruit║into his track pant pocket and swapped out his sweat-stained white T-shirt for the snug, black compression shirt he had worn earlier.
The shirt's right sleeve was torn from the encounter with the Poisonous Spiders, the ragged edge a reminder of how close the battle had been. Despite the tear, it provided the flexibility he needed while being less visible in the dark. The tight fit clung to his form, offering both comfort and ease of movement.
He glanced at the time in the small notification constantly hovering at the corner of his vision.
﴾ ALPHA Program | Day - 1 | Time - 23:28:52 ﴿
It hadn't even been a full day—just over 23 hours—but the relentless pace of survival made it feel like he had been trapped in the Trial zone for an entire week. Every moment was stretched by the constant pressure of training, fighting, and staying alert, warping his sense of time.
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Author Note:
I'm thrilled to share that I'm taking a big leap forward! Alongside Earth's Alpha Prime, I've launched the first sub-book for EAP.
ALTER REALITY: Online (Full-Dive VR LITRPG)
The book is now published on Royal Road with just the first chapter available, and I'll be releasing new chapters at a rate of 3 per week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday). Do check it out!
Chapter Release Rate: 3 Chs/Week.
<<<< Tue, Thu, Sun >>>>
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