"And where do you think you're going?" He heard the girl's voice from behind as he attempted to leave. Her voice was cold and detached. Michael turned around to find her sword vibrating in her hands.
"Where do you think?" Michael replied with irritation. He had no idea who she was or why she was acting so hostile. It seemed like a misunderstanding, and he had already started to leave the area after her initial attack.
She didn't respond; instead, she assumed a combat stance. Raising her sword, she swung it through the air, creating a whistling sound as the golden blade surged toward Michael.
"System, grant me a defensive spell!" Michael urgently activated the system and requested the purchase of a defensive spell. He didn't have the luxury of browsing through the system's options at that moment. The sword was just inches away from him, and he couldn't afford to waste time since using the system made him temporarily immobile. If he took too long, the sword could easily penetrate his skull and end his life.
[Does the host wish to buy an upgradable or non-upgradable spell?]
"Are you trying to kill me? Just buy an upgradable one!" He shouted at the system.
[Ding, the host has successfully acquired the Responsive Energy Shield for 1,000 Badass points.]
His heart ached at the cost of the spell, a result of this girl's sudden aggression. His frustration grew as he pondered whether it was her or the system's exorbitant prices that would be the end of him.
[Considering the significant power gap between the host and the enemy, the system recommends the host purchase the Lightning Dash skill for 1,000 Badass points.]
"I don't know which will kill me first—her or your outrageous prices!"
[Does the host wish to buy Lightning Dash?]
"Yes, buy it quickly!"
[Ding, the host has successfully acquired Lightning Dash for 1,000 Badass points.]
He felt a mild pain in his brain as the system imprinted the skill's workings into his mind. At that very moment, the sword was less than an inch away from his forehead. Suddenly, the Responsive Energy Shield activated, forming a mild blue energy sphere around him. He quickly closed the system, just as the sword and his energy shield collided. The impact pushed him back several meters before he managed to steady himself.
"Bitch, bitch, bitch!" Gaya raged in his mind, seething with anger as she observed the girl's actions.
"Do you want to kill me?!" his voice seethed with rage, his life flashing before his eyes, for in his previous existence, he would have met his end already.
"Yes, so what?" the girl retorted, her annoyance and anger fueling her words as her sword returned to her hand.
Though she remained unaware of the nature of the spell that had thwarted her previous attack, it only served to irritate her further.
With a determined focus, she closed her eyes, conjuring an illusory golden sword suspended in the air above her. The sight of it sent a shiver of cold dread coursing through him. The holographic sword, much like a guided missile, possessed the capability to detect signs of life and automatically aimed at living beings.
"Shit, she's using a Morning Star spell."
Gaya let out a string of curses, recognizing the spell as one commonly employed by the inner and core disciples of the Morning Star sect.
"Bzzeeomm." The sword emitted an ominous noise as it closed in on him, drawing nearer with each passing moment.
The energy shield reappeared, and the golden sword collided with it, resulting in a dramatic explosion. However, this time, the shield could only slow down the sword's advance and couldn't entirely halt its progress. The resulting noise was terrifying, akin to the roar of a nearby nuclear detonation. The sword was hurtling directly toward Michael's forehead.
"Please, do something, human," Gaya urged in panic.
The girl's name was Celena Marshall. She was an exceptional disciple within the Morning Star sect, distinguishing herself among her peers. Achieving the body strengthening stage at the tender age of fifteen and progressing to the fourth level within three years further demonstrated her remarkable talent and cultivation prowess. Her powerful spell far exceeded the capabilities of Michael's shield, making it clear that it wouldn't be sufficient to thwart her attack.
The force of the clash between his shield and Celena's sword sent him hurtling into a nearby tree. Celena, manipulating the sword with her Arch energy, made it appear alive as it swerved around and relentlessly pursued him.
In a desperate bid to escape, Michael activated the recently acquired "Lightning Dash" skill. Suddenly, his body transformed into a bolt of lightning, and he streaked away from the pursuing girl.
"You'll pay for this, you witch," his distant voice taunted Celena as he vanished at an astonishing speed.
Stupefied, Celena scanned her surroundings, only to find her sword lying on the ground, visibly damaged. Michael had made his escape with incredible haste.
"The spell he used... what kind of spell was that?" Celena whispered to herself, her curiosity piqued.
****************************
"What the fuck did you do to that girl? Why was she attacking us?" Gaya's voice echoed in Michael's mind as he continued to move at lightning speed.
"I don't know, Gaya. I think she was cultivating there and mistook me for an intruder or something," Michael replied.
"You think? She clearly considered you a pervert who trespassed into her territory!"
"Trespassed? Does that waterfall belong to her? And if so, why didn't you tell me?" Michael was growing increasingly annoyed by the situation.
"Of course not. It doesn't belong to that girl. But that's how this world works, human. The strong can claim any place they like as their own. If I were at my peak, I would have torn her to pieces and fed her to the fishes in that water," Gaya hissed in frustration.
As the outer walls of Rivertown came into view, Michael slowed down, his muscles aching, and his breath heavy.
"By the way, do you know her?" he asked Gaya.
"Why would I? She must be one of the Morning Star sect's elite disciples. After witnessing what she's capable of, I strongly advise you to stay far away from her."
"No can do. We're going back to town, taking as many quests that involve killing as possible, and then we'll find her and kick her ass," Michael declared.
Hearing his determination, Gaya leaped out of his body, taking her human form, and looked furious.
"Are you upset? I know you're concerned about the methods I'm using to level up, but believe me, there are no shortcuts in cultivation. If you continue down this path, you could end up dead or worse," Gaya scolded, her hands on her hips and her face flushed with anger, resembling an angry wife scolding her husband.
"What are you talking about? I'm not using any questionable techniques; I'm just naturally talented," he retorted with a grin.
"Goddammit, human, I'm being serious!" Gaya replied, her concern evident in her voice. She couldn't afford to lose him, especially after sensing her broken meridians getting repaired thanks to the pills he had given her.
"I assure you, there's nothing to worry about. I'm not using any nefarious methods. In reality, I'm a prodigy with a unique body type known as the War God body," he explained confidently, trying to dispel her suspicions. He had concocted the concept of the War God body based on his knowledge of cultivation novels from Earth.
"The War God body?" Gaya tilted her head, racking her brain to recall any information about special body types. While she wasn't familiar with the War God body specifically, she knew that the world of cultivation held many mysterious body types. She couldn't help but wonder how he had managed to advance so rapidly without the use of pills or potions.
"I shared a secret with you, so don't tell anyone, okay?" he whispered, his expression earnest as he leaned in.
Seeing his sincerity, she couldn't help but grin. "Alright, since you've been honest with this princess and helped me, your secret is safe with me."
He believed she might think he was starting to trust her, possibly to use his secret to gain more pills. However, everything he had just revealed to her was a fabrication.
"Come on, give Daddy a hug," he said playfully, raising his arms as though expecting a hug, and winked at her. She rolled her eyes in response.
"Gross, human. I hope she kicks your ass again just for that mouth of yours," Gaya retorted, disappearing and reappearing as a tattoo on his arm.
"Be careful in town, human. You've already angered one major adversary and might have crossed paths with another group by accepting their quest. Moving forward, avoid the Morning Star sect disciples until you've reached at least Body Refining stage level 6 or 7."
"Good grief, do you hear yourself? F**k this f**k that. You're a princess, for god sake. Try to act like one."
"I apologize, big brother. I'll strive to be more refined and ladylike from now on. I understand that I haven't always been polite and respectful toward a senior like you. Please forgive me," she replied, her tone transformed into a softer and more feminine one, a stark contrast to her previous attitude.
"Will you forgive me, big brother?" She inquired with an air of innocence.
He was aware that she was putting on an act, but there was something strangely pleasant about hearing her voice in this sweet, gentle manner.
"Yes?" he responded cautiously.
Her response, however, took an unexpected turn. "Well, you can take your forgiveness, shove it far up your ass, then take it out of your fking mouth, and shove it up your ass again. Repeat this process until you fking die."
"Now she's back," Michael quipped.