Siraye released her arrows, and with the spinning wind rotating it, shot towards the red-thick fur of the kalabear. Aidan was sure the arrow couldn't hurt this bear who had a hippo-like stomach. Though with Sofiel's support the damage might increase.
The monster roared, revealing its shark-like serrated teeth. It stared at Siraye and charged at her.
"Gomon!" Siraye called as she leaped back to retreat.
"Got it! Iron ape one, go!"
The steel ape charged from the side and crashed into the kalabear, stumbling and rolling with it on the ground.
The bear roared, released four sharp claws from its paw, and slapped the golem.
Scrak!
The golem's head was torn apart, but then it held the kalabear's four limbs.
The kalabear used its enormous mouth to bite the golem's hand, crushing it.
"Attack!" Aidan shouted, rushing towards the bear. He attacked with [Knockout Punch]
The bear released its bite and bit at Aidan.
Aidan stepped back and kicked the bear's head with [powered kick]
"My turn!" Gomon cried out.
An electric chain shot out from the side, entangled the bear, and electrocuted it.
The bear roared and trembled.
Kalukaga leaped towards the kalabear, wind enveloping his body, and whipped his axe-hammer towards it.
The bear raised its paw and block the strike, blood flowing from its paw.
"Don't forget about me!" Sofiel cried out from the back
Wind surged and spun around the kalabear before it formed into a tornado and swept the monster towards the sky.
The bear clawed out of the tornado, spinning and stumbling as it got higher before the tornado dispersed and the kalabear fell with the golem on top of it.
<
<
Lv.1 -> lv.2
[Powered Kick (Lv.2)]
Surging and condensing your fate energy within your leg will strengthen it. Deals 140% damage, and increase the chance of inflicting internal injury to target by 5%
His ability had increased from 120% to 140% damage! If his ability continued to rise, his damage output would increase more and more.
Sofiel walked to the kalabear and tap it with her book. "Is it death?"
The steel ape on top of the kalabear rolled to the side, got up, and stood beside Gomon. For a big chunk of iron, this steep ape was quite nimble. Gomon must have had increased its agility because of the fight against Siraye. A wise choice in Aidan's opinion.
"Should we continue heading north?" Aidan asked. They had decided to go north because that was where they were thrown away from. At least that was what they thought from observing the crash site.
Now they had walked for about four hours and met the kalabear of which they had defeated. They also learn that Sofiel was an external technique user. Specifically, she could control the wind. Though she said that her main ability was focused on support, her ability could still deal significant damage in direct conflict.
"Let's do so," Siraye said.
"Well, let's continue our journey, then," Aidan said.
Gomon sighed. "If I could bring the kalabear's corpse back, I would dissect its body parts and make a golem out of it."
Aidan patted him on the shoulder. "You'll get your chance in the future. Come on."
Aidan, Siraye, Kalukaga, Gomon, and Sofiel trod the forest. Kalukaga and Aidan walked behind the steel ape golem, while the rest followed from behind. They were 'squishy' after all, so Aidan made them stay at the back. And naturally, the golem was at the front, in case another giant snake lunged at them.
Aidan took out his water bag, opened it, and tilt it to his mouth. A drop. That was all he got.
"Anyone got any water?"
They took out their water pouch and tilt its opening to the ground. Not even a fly came out of them.
"I think we need to find a river. My throat is running dry," Gomon said.
"Same," Kalukaga said. He was never one that complain, heck he almost never talked.
"Sorry, everyone," Sofiel said. "If only I learn a water technique."
"What about you, Siraye? Can you make some ice cubes for us?" Aidan asked.
"I can. But my fate energy is about to dry. If I make some ice cubes, you guys would have to fight without my arrows."
That was right. Her arrows could freeze a giant snake in a single shot. If they lose her firepower, then a battle against a powerful monster would be dangerous.
"Can't you breathe in to absorb fate energy while we walk?"
"No one can replenish their fate energy while moving."
What?
Aidan breathed in the air, and the almost transparent like-fate energy seeped into his nose. Was he the only one who could do it? The others didn't seem to realize he was absorbing energy. Was the energy he absorb different? He needed to find out about this later.
"Forget it, then."
They were thirsty and needed some water to drink. But they were currently in a forest. Sooner or later, they would find a water source or fruits.
Looking around, tall trees waved their giant leaves as the wind blew them. Their fruits, like a blue apple, fell and smashed to the ground. Their juice spilled on the ground. Aidan recalled how he came to this world when he saw their blue vines dangling and swaying.
"How does their fruit taste like?" Aidan said.
"Fruits?" Gomon said. "You mean those brimple. They're poisonous."
"Oh..."
One of the blue fruit fell again. Kalukaga caught it and bit down.
Aidan stared at Gomon.
"Hagur can neutralize most natural poison with their body. If you don't believe me, you can try to eat them and see what will happen."
Aidan nodded. That explained it. He also recalled that the hagur race had their young ones explore the world and could only return when they reach adulthood. That must have been hard. Looking at Kalukaga biting the brimple, Aidan felt sorry for him. Imagine going out into the wild without the protection of your parents at the age of twelve.
Aidan put a hand over Kalukaga's shoulder. "I'm not amount much right now. But if you need to help with anything in the future, let me know okay."
Kalukaga bit the brimple. "Okay."
Aidan smiled and glanced beyond the golem ahead. "Look, a valley. And most importantly, a river!"
Aidan and the rest of the team ran to the river. They scoop the water with their hands and drank.
"Ahh. Water from nature is the best," Aidan said.
Gomon put his mouth underwater and gulped a mouthful. He licked his lip and wipe it with his forearm. "every water is essentially from nature. But drinking from the source sure is refreshing."
Kalukaga nodded as he plunged a straw into the water and absorbed the water through it. Siraye and Sofiel took their water bag and filled it before drinking it.
Seeing everyone happily drinking the water to quench their thirst, Aidan smiled.
He took a deep breath. Wind whistling along the slopes, bringing in the smell of crisp air and clean cold water to his nose. While the Birds called and hoot, flying above a deer with crown-shaped antlers growing from behind its ears. The deer walked to the river and licked the water.
Aidan lay down on the grass. What a peaceful sight. Tree lines demarcating the edge of the forest, green hills, mossy stone along the river, and low-hanging yellow-purple clouds. Rocks and pebbles. People with a red symbol of an eye on their face and spears in their hands staring at him from above the hill.
Aidan stood up. People with spears?
"Guys. I think we got company."
Kalukaga and the others rose and looked up towards the hill.
"Should we ask for direction?" Sofiel said. "Maybe we can talk to them and trade some cookies."
"No," Gomon said. "They're one of the Ibilis Sektasi."
"Ibilis Sektasi?" Aidan asked.
"Weird men," Kalukaga replied.
"They're not dangerous. But we don't want any dealings with them," Siraye said.
"Why?" Sofiel asked.
Siraye shook her head. "Best not to say it."
The people on the hill hit the ground with the butt of their spear and went down the hill, out of sight.
Aidan let out a breath. It was good that they left. He didn't want to fight anyone, especially in the wild.
He looked at the sky. Silver eels squirmed and entangled with each other, giving off yellow lights to the world. In here, they were the sun.
"Why don't we set up camp here?" Aidan said.
Gomon looked up. "Good idea."
He went to his golem, touched a few spots, and it morphed into an igloo in the shape of a small circular house with a small entrance.
"That's convenient." Aidan walked to the iron igloo and entered through the small opening. That Gomon flexed his small stature by making the entrance smaller than necessary.
The rest entered the igloo one by one. Despite the small opening, the space inside the steel igloo was enough for them to stand or sleep on the ground.
Kalukaga took out a small twig from his bag. He put it in the center of the igloo before taking out a triangle-shaped stone. He released his claw and scratched the stone. Like flint and steel, the stone produce a spark that fell on the small twig and set off a fire. It was weird to see a small twig could produce a fire big enough to light up the igloo.
The fire swayed, creating shadows on the cold steel walls. Yet it brought warmth to everyone as the day darkened. The entrance closed itself, only leaving some tiny holes on the wall for circulation.
Aidan felt his stomach growled, so he opened his bag only to see a single piece of bread. He didn't prepare for long-term consumption because he thought he could return anytime. Now that he only had this bread left, he could only hold his hunger and eat a little of it.
He looked at everyone else. They took out a variety of food from their bag. Siraye took out a rice ball wrapped in leaves. She undid the wrap and bit down, revealing a yellow-crushed nut inside.
Aidan gulped. To the side, Kalukaga took a piece of pink meat, stab it with a stick, and put it over the fire. Sofiel chomped on her round-sugar-covered bun. She had her hand on her cheeks as she enjoyed it.
Aidan looked at his bread and bit. Bland. After seeing the food the others took out, his bread became even more tasteless, and he forced himself to eat.
Sofiel slid towards him and offered one of her sugar buns. "Do you want some?"
Seeing her smiling face behind the bun she offered, Aidan almost wanted to cry. He took the bun from her. "Thank you."
Siraye approached him and shoved a bunch of rice balls into his arms.
"Thank y-"
Kalukaga cut his meat in half and wrapped it in a leaf before giving it to Aidan.
Gomon took out something of an aluminum bag and gave it to him. "It's a ready-to-eat meal. Just opened it and see."
Aidan felt warmth in his heart. Looking at all the food in his arms, Aidan couldn't hold it back and shed a tear of happiness. "Thank you. From today, I'm Aidan will be the best of a friend."