Jake managed to complete the training regime within 8 hours and was awarded the rewards.
"Jake Grant
Level-2
Strength 21,
Endurance 19,
Agility 18,
Mana 3."
"The host has acquired a new movement skill." "Movement skill: Crane's step is granted.
The origin of the first martial arts was believed to be inspired by the animals present within nature. It was a given that there was an inspiration in every domain.
Crane steps are one of the basic movement methods that could help increase the user's steps, flexibility, and reaction time, along with increasing his leg strength and footwork."
Once Jake received this new art, another set of missions popped up.
These were missions from either mana training, physical refining, or movement training.
Jake ignored them for the time being and decided to have his breakfast. He was feeling hungry once again.
Once he was near the noodle stand, he found that the fight last night had left a lot of blood patches in its aftermath. The cleanup was done and an officer was asking some questions to the vendors.
Fortunately, the noodle shop owner didn't brat out Jake and reported the scene to be a blur in the night.
Jake went up to him, occupied a seat, and ordered the noodles.
The vendor acted as if he had seen nothing and proceeded to prepare and present Jake with his order.
"Thank you for today. I appreciate you not earring me out." Jake said.
"What are you talking about?" The old man asked.
"I'm talking about me beating the shit out of those people," Jake said.
"All I saw was a young man who was trying to defend against the onslaught of 11 individuals and managed to turn the tide of battle." The old man laughed.
Jake smiled too and gulped down the noodle bowl.
"You have extraordinary strength which means you must be naturally gifted with skill. Why don't you try out the mass recruiting event that is being held with the city? It is a great event to try showcasing your abilities as a fighter. If it is good enough, you will get recruited by a large guild and they will help you go through the awakening process." The old man said.
"Why haven't I heard of this before?" Jake asked the old man.
"It is because this was organized as a result of a recent decision made by the council of hunters to find more talents and recruit more hunters to battle with the monsters." The old man said as he used the remote to switch on the TV.
The news about this event was all over the place. Large amounts of people were rushing into the city to attend this event as this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become a hunter and gain a profession everyone could only dream of.
Jake looked at the details of the venue and it was the collegium in the middle of the city. That is where this massive brawl is going to take place.
Jake felt that this was the perfect opportunity for him to grow and reach the position he had been dreaming of for a very long time.
"I will take part in this competition," Jake said to himself.
The event is set to happen in 2 weeks. He decided that he was going to train ceaselessly for the next two weeks and prepare himself for the battle.
Jake went back and looked into the mission he got for today.
"Mana Training Mission: Basic Mana training
The host is required to use the basic breathing method to absorb and improve your mana capacity.
Objective-: Increase your mana stats by 1
Reward: Additional Mana stats."
"Body Refining Method: Basic body Refining
The host is required to perform three cycles of the Taoist's 104 steps. If you stop in the middle, you will have to start from the very beginning.
Objective: Complete three circulation of Taoist's 104 steps(0/3)
Rewards: Endurance +1"
"Agility Improvement Mission: Basic movement practice
The host needs to perform the movement art three times following all the instructions.
Objective: Complete 3 circulations( 0/3)
Rewards: Agility +1."
Jake didn't care and began his practice. He decided that he will complete all three missions before sleeping today. He even separated a portion of the money to eat as fast as he could and go to sleep after the training is over.
Jake felt that these missions were easier to perform than the initial missions, but he understood the problem while he was performing them.
While the mana training mission required intense physical training for breathing, it was relatively slow to absorb mana and increase the stats. On the other hand, the physical training was extremely difficult because he had to start every time he stopped in the middle.
It was tiresome and frustrating, but Jake had set the aim to grow all his abilities by the time of the competition.
He fought exhaustion and drowsiness to tirelessly perform the steps mentioned in the arts. Jake was forced to take some breaks in the middle, but he was quick to return.
That night-
The mission was a success, but Jake couldn't move his body. Even after the stats were being granted, Jake still couldn't gather the strength to move. He decided to lie down and have a short nap.
The success message popped up and Jake's stats improved once again.
"Jake Grant
Level-2
Strength 21,
Endurance 20,
Agility 19,
Mana 5"
Jake slept for an hour and by the time his eyes opened up, it was late at night. Jake rushed into the town, hoping to catch up with the noodle vendor, just to find that it was the only shop that was still open.
"I was waiting for you to come." The old man said with a smile.
Jake gulped in the bowl after bowl of noodles until the nutrients mission was finished. He played the old man with the money he had received from the goons, but his inventory was getting empty.
"Would you like to earn some money?" The old man asked.
"Do you have a way?" Jake was intrigued.
"Well, you could help in the shop during the day to receive some money from me." The old man said.
"That would interfere with my training time. I need to train for the upcoming test."
"How about another source where you can earn money and improve your skills at the same time?" The old man asked.
"Do you have a source like that?" Jake asked with enthusiasm.
"Well. since there was a massive surge of people for the competition, many underground fighting rings have been set up throughout the city. You can go there and fight. If you win, you get money, but the best way to earn it is by betting." The old man said.
Jake took the address from the old man and decided to proceed there the next day.