"What..?" Michael gawked at the sight of his reflection, rubbing the outer corner of his eyes in disbelief. "Is this…really me?"
"A-Are you okay?"
Hearing this, Michael cracked a sarcastic statement. "I feel better than ever."
"Then I apologize for caring, dipshit." Zack retorted, with a middle finger.
But it wasn't entirely wrong, he did feel better—his eyes felt lighter and his vision…clearer? The exact opposite of what he had expected as his eyes were literally smeared with something similar to cyanide. Although just its effects.
He had planned on turning it into powder to throw at enemies because of its main strength; dizziness and confusion. And when taken in large amounts, seizures and cardiac arrest possibly leading to death in just a couple of seconds.
It was an extremely dangerous substance to use in battle with many variables to take in such as wind. But he only planned on using it in emergency situations anyways.
'Is it because it was just the activator that got inside my eye?' Michael thought. He recalled the formula consisting of only three ingredients; the orange leaves, glowing vine, and a specific fruit seed which is conveniently born on the tree he always hangs out on.
Named, Aurantiaco Folia, Vitis Candentis, Fructus Gratia, respectively.
'It must've been because it wasn't complete and the cyanide effects didn't form yet.' Michael deduced, but he still felt nervous. What if it has a delayed reaction and he suddenly losses his vision?
For now, nothing but time can tell…
"Since you aren't panicking it's safe to assume that whatever splashed into your eye is safe?"
"I…think so."
Zack raised his brows and continued, "Knowing you, its probably because of your clumsiness.
"Damn, spot-on." Michael chuckled.
"Well, anyways. We're leaving in a bit. Get your things ready."
"Also, you might want to tell what happened to your eye. You know, in case it's worse than it actually is."
"I doubt they even know what it is, but sure."
Michael stood up and wiped his face dry using his hands. "Go on first, I left something back at my spot." He said but Zack had already left when he turned around.
He looked at the camp, squinting at the sight—he was blinded by the sun rising above the cave.
'What the?' Michael covered his eyes. The usual warm light was now piercing his eyes. It felt as if he had come out midday after pulling an all-nighter.
But Michael didn't bat an eye on the abnormality as it was a normal aftereffect. He dashed his way back towards the forest, changing clothes in the process. He took off his white t-shirt and wore another one along with a brown leather jacket.
Running, Michael subconsciously brought out his dagger—his body was conditioned to be always ready hammered by Celine. But it wasn't all because of the training, it was also because of Michael's cautious nature.
Anything can happen. And with that in mind, his body kept a lookout
Whilst strolling through the now-familiar path, Michael suddenly jolted up. He heard a faint sound to his right. It was small, probably made by a small critter. But better safe than sorry.
He raised his singular dagger and took a stable stance.
Whoosh!
The air blew coldly and the trees rustled. Several seconds passed and there was still nothing. He thought he was just paranoid. But in a world like this, ignoring that feeling can lead to death. And sure enough…
"KEEEE!" A goblin suddenly sprung out of the bush behind him. He didn't know how it got there since the sound came from his left, but he could care less. All that mattered was it dying.
Shluk—Thud!
It dropped down dead with a dagger deep in its head…
"Phew, it didn't ruin my clothes," Michael sighed in relief. "I just changed you bastard." He kicked in on the side and unlodged his dagger.
"Disgusting," He uttered looking at the entrails on the blade. However, his face didn't match his words as he looked at it indifferently.
He too has changed drastically. Ever since the start of the training camp, they were forced to look, smell, and cut open dead bodies. It was a horrifying half-month. But because of it, this was just a common sight now.
Compared to before, he was unfazed—this was just a mere matter of survival of the fittest.
He sliced the air, splattering the gore onto the ground, and continued his way towards the tree.
Once he arrived, he returned the book back to his ring by simply crouching down, making sure it was at least 3 inches away; the maximum length he found out whilst doing tests.
Behind the tree were bundles of herbs which he stored inside his ring also.
Meanwhile, the orange leaves were discarded as Michael already squeezed them dry. But that's when he realized the vial was gone.
"After going all through that, bleaching my beautiful blue eyes, I lost it?" Michael clicked his tongue.
He searched all around thinking it rolled down the small hill where the tree was located, but then again, it would have just spilled out anyways.
"Damn it." He cursed.
Swoosh! Thunk!
An arrow passed right by his face, missing by a hair's breadth. Immediately, he hid behind the tree.
"I thought I already cleared out this area?!" Michael muttered, bringing out the second pair of his daggers. He peeked through the bark and assessed his opponents. There were three goblins, two held swords, while the other aimed its bow.
"I don't have time for this!" He yelled, anger swelling up. He not only lost the vial, but he was also going to be punished if he was late for anything!
Like Duke, Celine also enforced punishments, only crueler! It would make Duke's punishments look easy even when doubled!
Remembering what they had to endure, he shuddered. But the effects of the training were evident on his chiseled physique.
Thunk!
Another arrow landed. At that instant, Michael rushed out whilst it was reloading.
He dashed towards the archer first, but the other two knew what he was planning and intercepted him.
Swoosh!
The two swung. One blade towards his neck and the other on his legs.
However, he was able to come up with a plan in that split second. Again, it looked as if time slowed down.
Thud!
He dove and dodged both strikes, going in between the blades.
Pllkkkcchhhh!
Blood suddenly splattered—he stabbed them both simultaneously, slicing them on their chests. Both dropped down shortly. Great! He got both at the same time. Now all that was left was the weak archer…
Fffft!
"Ah..?" Michael looked down…
He was shot in the stomach, bleeding.
"KIKIKI-" The goblin laughed until its head suddenly exploded—an orange tentacle pierced its head.
Michael glared at its corpse with glowing red eyes. He had subconsciously used Thorough Analysis.
Upon opening his game-like eyes, a holographic message appeared in front of him.
[ Activated, ( Rage ) ]
"That damn monkey," He spat at it. Fuming.
But not because of the wound, but because he has to use another healing pill. During the training, he had to use two so that would leave him with one left after this consumption.
Shplort!
"HNG!" Michael groaned as he pulled out the arrow. Simultaneously gulping down the pill.
"MHM!" He held back his moan. Saliva trickled down his mouth.
No matter how much he experienced this, he can't get used to the sweltering pain that comes with healing.
He huffed and puffed before addressing the fidgeting creature coming out of his chest.
"It's you again…"
"Just what the hell are you?" He asked, but the weird tentacle naturally couldn't answer.
Waving his hand with an intention to control, it followed. 'So it isn't sentient then…" He concluded.
"It keeps appearing whenever I'm angry…I'm not going to accidentally kill anyone right?" Michael mumbled to himself.
"No, it's probably because I did intend to kill the goblin that it stabbed it."
Gazing at the tentacle in thought, the orange energy suddenly dissipated after a few seconds.
"Oh yea, it keeps on disappearing after battle. That's why I couldn't experiment with it. Getting angry intentionally doesn't help also…" Michael nodded remembering some of the mental notes he had taken a few days ago.
"I should write this down,"
Slap!
"Did you forget what I told you earlier?" Someone—Zack suddenly uttered, slapping him on the back of the head.
Holding his chest, Michael replied. "Damn, man. You fucking scared me."
"We're leaving!"
"I was already getting ready!" He yelled back.
"Getting ready, huh?" Zack looked at the corpses and the bloody hole on Michael's shirt.
"Hey! I wasn't the one that attacked them!"
Zack chuckled. "I didn't think so anyway."
"Also, here."
Clink!
Zack threw a bag that rang as Michael caught it.
"Money?"
Michael opened it...
"Holy shit! Gold?! There's more here than the budget the king gave us!" Michael exclaimed before looking at Zack worriedly.
"Thank Celine for that. And don't worry, I have one also. So don't look at me like that."
"Besides, if she only gave one to you, it wouldn't even reach you." Zack joked.
"Why did she give us money?"
"Because we're stopping by Mjol Castle. The dwarven state of the Fantasi Kingdom."