Quad suffused the heat in his mouth, he breathed the steam out like a locomotive from the industrial revolution.
He has broken through to intermediate mastery! If he were to aim at the ground right now, it would create cracks that would even fly like protruding stalagmites for an after-effect. As for doing it on the flesh, the attacks will burrow deeper into the body causing those parts to have internal damage due to an external attack, which is rare for martial arts to have.
This was also a testament to how hard Quad worked on it and how diligent he was in picking the correct martial technique for himself.
Shinji grinned in a satisfied manner, "Alright take off your shirt.", he also took off his own shirt.
His body was full of lean and thick muscles, making his build quite big compared to before. His height was only a bit shorter than Drax, a head shorter than Lin, rivaling Albert. His frame could be considered passably better than every cliché story that makes their main character have solely lean bodies unrealistically to keep up appearances[1].
In terms of height, Sirena and Audelia were the same height and they are both half a head shorter than Shinji and Albert. The latter was a bit shorter than Drax and a head shorter than Lin and Kaitlynn. Adalinda was half a head taller than Lin and Kaitlynn but a whole head shorter than Quad and Dongmei.
Quad's pupils contracted and his eyelid twitched, "Is this somehow to attract more of the beast in the surroundings?"
Shinji froze for a second and turned to Quad with an unchanging expression of grinning, "Uh, how did you know?"
Quad took out his shirt and says, "The soldiers in my family were all muscle-heads. You could say I am very familiar with the nitty gritty of sweat and brawling. Especially the unbearably strong stench, it is a biological weapon."
He stood tall, looking like a hunk as his huge muscle pronounced his wide frame. It made fanfiction-writing newbies vomit from making disgusting descriptions[2].
Shinji whistles and turns to the field in a readied position. He hit his palm and fist together horizontally a few times to pump himself for a battle, "When you're ready, aim at the ground."
Quad cracks his neck by tilting his neck to the side and had a serious expression, "Let's do this."
2-Star [Bronze Monk: Pristine Alloy]
3-Star [MetaStone Fist: RockFeller Fist]
When Quad's fist, having aimed at the floor, reach the earth, The ground broke as large chunks flew out. The portion of the earth that Shinji stood on shifted up and outwards, threatening to shake him off.
1-Star [Earth Tempering: Tough Crust]
1-Star [Steady Pace: Platform Hop]
1-Star [Doubt Movement: Gaslight]
Shinji kicked off the chunk, making the latter spin off in a certain direction. The former lands steadily on the ground.
3-Star [MetaStone Fist: Shatter Fist]
Quad rushes forward dealing the sweet death blow to a [Garnet Diptera] once again. He then turned around having heard some rustling.
[Death Reversal: Einstein]
Intensified 1-Star [Strength Up]
Intensified 1-Star [Speed Up]
Intensified 1-Star [Stamina Up]
1-Star [Steady Pace: Earthen Foot]
1-Star [Spring Step: Centrifugal]
1-Star [Flowing Kick: Swirl]
Shinji's foot burrowed slightly into the soil, and his other foot launched immediately after that instant. It made swishing sounds of both air and water in one fluid motion.
3 monsters appeared one after another, 2 on the ground and 1 swiftly through the air. Shinji hooked his foot and shin around one of the monsters, [Moonstone Leporidae]. The poor animal's bones were broken into pieces
1-Star [Spring Step: Parabolic Flip]
Intensified 1-Star [Defense Down]
Intensified 1-Star [Speed Up]
Intensified 1-Star [Strength Up]
The sapphire-eyed rabbit shot out and crashed into another one of its kind while Shinji flew up a meter just above and in front of a [Garnet Diptera]. The already dead rabbit became a soccerball going for its friend, fatally injuring the latter.
1-Star [Flowing Kick: Stream]
Multiple 1-Star [Strength Up]
Multiple 1-Star [Speed Up]
Shinji did a bicycle kick quickly and caved in the mosquito monster's head, even tearing it off.
Continuing, He axe kicks a third rabbit on the ground. Then beside him landed a chuck on earth, landing directly on a [Jaded Snake].
At that moment, lifted his head high with a provocative smirk while placing his palm over his face like an eighth grader, "Begone, pests".
As he said so, his hand swiped past.
1-Star [Steady Pace: Earthen Foot]
1-Star [Shock Point: Flash Point]
1-Star [Swiss Palm: Knife Palm]
He killed off another [Moonstone Leporidae] before making a full turn toward a [Jaded Snake], who he labeled dead.
As for Quad, he looked like a professional boxer. Due to the monsters' attraction to Quad was higher than to Shinji, they started piling in numbers.
Quad weaved around and blocked fatal blows with either punches or large parts of his fortified body.
He dodged fatal blows from [Jaded Snakes] and concentrated on them. He fearlessly punched at [Garnet Dipteras] and gave killing blows. He blocked hard blows from [Moonstone Leporidaes], tempering his [Bronze Monk Technique].
3-Star [MetaStone Fist: Trembling Fist]
Quad swept his fist, punching through the air. The shock wave injured multiple monsters near him. Those who were actually punched had their bones break and flesh tear, making a gruesome and bloody scene happen.
3-Star [MetaStone Fist: RockFeller Fist]
Quad punched the ground in front of himself, and the earth not only shatter but flew outwards hitting and crushing the knocked monsters. He then completed the combo by rushing forward and punching out with [MetaStone Fist: Shatter Fist] on those left alive.
The [Jaded Snakes] were tricky monsters but Quad eventually got a grasp of...grasping them, literally. With the cost of lessening the effects of his fist techniques, he could grapple the monsters while still delivering effective blows and crushing them underneath his clenched palms.
Shinji was quite the opposite, he would directly execute [Jaded Snakes] and dodge [Garnet Dipteras]. He would face [Moonstone Leporidaes] and temporarily increase his strength with magic, attacking them head-on and hopefully using them to hit other monsters.
Sometimes if Quad couldn't handle the number of monsters, Shinji would pull aggro by running past and using his skill in agility to maneuver around them while Quad prepares a strong attack to take out many at once.
If Shinji felt like running out of mana or qi, he would use Quad as a shield by staying in his vicinity, his tactics would change from dealing with the monsters to dealing with any danger that may injure Quad.
They complemented each other in the battle greatly.
------------------------------------------------------
Drax can be seen standing underneath a huge branch, hanging above both Audelia and Sirena. He went around gathering the corpses while the girls rest their exhausted bodies. In the process, he learned a few tricks he should have learned earlier.
'Why does this always happen. I can only think of something good after the matter is already done...', Drax made could make climbing equipment out of metals to better maneuver the forest.
And just when he thought he lost the metal knives Shinji made for him, 'I also should have used these knives for tracking...', he originally thought that when Shinji taught him the [Metal Sense] spell, he would use this spell to find some special metal hidden underground but he merely though it in the wrong way, 'It's true potential is marking and tracking. As long as I place [Metal Sense] on the knives. Residual mana that transformed into metal could be detected next time. The weapon is big enough that the mana wouldn't disperse that easily but its small enough to be disregarded or picked up by people.'
Consolidating the ways he can use this magic spell, he concluded, 'Metal is materialistic magic but its true potential can be found in its flexibility and uses when paired together with auxiliary type spells.'
Drax curls up his lips and jumps, flipping twice before landing before Audelia and Sirena, "Alright, let's head out. I haven't gotten a shower in days so its quite nice that Shinji discovered a lake around here."
Sirena nods, she hadn't have to worry about that because of her powers. Shinji already made corresponding preperation for hygeine. Dongmei's ice is capable of killing all the germs and blowing away all the dust. Quad was used to this already and took a bath by the box, with a few essentials he brought, he was in a decent state. Lin's poison and water were the same state that deterred germs, he only had to wipe out all the dust using cloth and bring a deodorant under Dongmei's advice.
Albert was required to bring the important essentials while Adalinda thought of it as a matter of a fact. Audelia could already kill those germs using magic, she similarly used cloth to wipe out the dust and her natural smell somehow prevailed. Kaitlynn brought essentails out of responsiblity while Drax was the only one careless enough to not have a countermeasure, only having a cloth to help himself with.
He did have other things but he needed a reliable water source like what Quad found.
Audelia blinks, "A lake?", she found it interesting as she wanted to take a relaxing dip for a while.
Sirena looks up in thought and says, "We should be able to encounter Senior Dongmei and the others if we stay there for an hour or two."
Drax looks at her seemingly in thought, 'How does she know...probably something that Shinji knows then... seriously now that I think about it. It really is traumatizing to let this teenager bear the heavy load of suffering death and emotional stress that exceed...I don't know...the human limits? Maybe I shouldn't think of the worst case scenario...but... I got no clue on how times Shinji lived these days nor can I understand.', He felt troubled and glanced at Sirena who looked back at him.
Drax looked away and said to Audelia, "We could spend some time there. I heard you can make [Holy Water] using Holy Magic. And unlike other spells, they last for a long time."
Audelia thoughtfully nods, "The Holy and Curse elements have long lasting effects when it comes to people or objects. The spells may be instantaneous but the items bestowed with the purification or corruption might be able to do certain things."
Drax eyes lit up, "What does [Holy Water] taste like? Would it heal my enemy if I lace my weapons with [Holy Water]?"
Audelia answered with a slightly muffled laugh, "They don't taste any different from water, but they do have some psychological effect that make you think it tastes better. It also quenches your thirst quicker.
Hmmm, if your enemy isn't corrupted or related to death then they would normally heal. I heard that some creatures who become heavily related to the darkness element also get affected like [Shadow Puppet]."
Sirena didn't mind about Drax's thought, 'With my Shinji blatantly exposing these secrets. Everyone would start suspecting some stuff about him. Though it really does feel surprising that there is a type kuudere... that is what Drax called Kaitlynn, right? I wonder what kind of category I'm in?'
"Does that mean that [Holy Water] will also be effective in healing those related to Holy, Life, and Light?", Sirena asked for confirmation.
"Hmm, surprisingly, it will be more effective when it comes to Life and Light but will become less potent when its used to someone related to the Holy element.", Audelia answered with puzzlement.
Drax thought more and says, "The Curse element, does it work the same way?", he find its amusing if curse magic works the opposite when it comes to those greatly related to the Curse element.
Audelia shakes her head, "All elements are unique, Curse and Holy may conflict but pretty much ends about there. They all have their own properties.
I heard that Curse Mages use Curse Magic on themselves to fight against elements, a curse to make one resistant. I haven't delved deep into that topic..."
Sirena thought, 'Shinji has aptitude to the Curse element...'
------------------------------------------------------
Shinji turns to Quad and points to a certain direction, "It's been 2 hours, we're heavily exhausted. Run over there while you're still drenched in blood. You can rest under Kaitlynn's protection, she should have familiarized herself well with her powers.
I'll be doing something extreme in the meantime"
Quad looks at Shinji dazed, 'You're much more of a training freak than Princess Dongmei. If I haven't seen your battle spirit then I would have thought you are a genuine battle junkie.'
He not only had a good eye at finding good friends. He also had a good eye when it comes to their personalities but only in a long period of interaction. This trait is pronounced when he observed their fighting styles and battle spirit.
'Huge bloodlust and spite. Both a contradictory mechanical and inspired battle spirit. I really can't say that scares me though. He is friend to me. Someone who hides something dark but bears it responsibly anyway should have a friend around to help.', Quad couldn't describe Shinji too well in a good light.
He could feel that Shinji could possibly do something bad to him. He was after all the one who has fought with Shinji the longest. Shinji's intent always fluctuated like a madman, stale and cold or guilty and melancholic to insane and mad or manic or vain.
But Quad found it perplexing, to befriend everyone and help them went against what Shinji should have normally done with such a personality. He knew there must be a reason and since Shinji always did things with a good purpose, Quad deemed it important to help this troubled and unfortunate person. It looked like he would break.
"Alright. Shinji, whatever you're trying to accomplish. Surely, you'll persist. I'll do that same even if I don't seem to walking the same path as you.", Quad says in a moment of inspiration, 'To someone who keeps secrets and bears suffering, they always walk a different path that no one can sympathize with. At least in their perspective. Supporting them is the best I can do.'
Shinji smiles and says, "I'll do my best. Thanks for the short pep talk.", to Quad, his actions were mechanical as ever but his emotions never lost their humanity.
'That same things. The same intentions. The effect doesn't change. I'd have tried attacking you at this moment to see if you can still say the same if it weren't that I'm going to end this now.', Shinji thought with a bit of melancholy, gratefulness, and mockery.
Quad was helpful to uplift his mood, but that was it, he couldn't dwell on it as if he found gold. Time was of the essence, even if he looks like he was acting casual at times.
After Quad went away a distance, Shinji smiled crazily, 'But that doesn't mean I can't use it. Every word I hear from everyone, their concern, their pain, their hopes. People who are in despair would have already killed their self just so they could accomplish the happy endings of others but I am different. I've always been thinking for myself.'
'And this selfish self won't satisfy himself till all of you live to see me in my glory.', He lampooned[3] inwardly
1-Star [Strength Up]
1-Star [Strength Down]
1-Star [Speed Up]
1-Star [Speed Down]
1-Star [Defense Up]
1-Star [Defense Down]
1-Star [Stamina Up]
1-Star [Stamina Down]
1-Star [Heal Up]
1-Star [Heal Down]
1-Star [Fester Down]
1-Star [Fester Up]
Shinji once again pierced his tounge with the space ring. He began chewing on mana-rich fruits.
Shinji took the opportunity while the place was full of smelly corpses and blood. He ran around and gathered the bodies with the restrictions in his body.
'Worthless Regression[4]...haha', Shinji laughed inwardly.
Using curses on himself, Shinji would be enduring not only lost strength but also the psychologic effect of weakening. He also applied body magic to strain his physical body even more. Unfortunately, his body before wouldn't handle such hard conditions.
But now Shinji had continuously refined his body in a sense using training, magic, and techniques. He could now add on to his hellish training.
The natural qi in the air churned to break apart in body. Shinji drove some mana to fill in the gaps of tears in the meantime. This method was a primitive strategy of mana strengthening done by mages who aren't adept at any Spell Method.
Once the tissues heal back, the mana would be squeezed out naturally. This does not mean that it could replace cells entirely, they aren't like muscles tissues that can be moved, they only go with the flow of the body so their only purpose was to keep the body's frame together.
Water flowed down Shinji's mouth and with his thirst quenched, he thought, 'I can do this for an hour or two due to the environment repelling monsters from coming near. Heh, its actually funny that the monsters here are more cowardly than their instincts. When they smell blood, rather than running to me they stay away as they deem me dangerous...
Well they're right about that. HAHAHAH!', He smirked as he enjoyed the feeling of being superior for a second but threw it away after a moment, 'How should I torture myself more...'
------------------------------------------------------
After a while Quad met up with Kaitlynn who sat on a stone. Everywhere around her were shadows that formed, swung strangely, and reformed.
Occasionally, when a monster would nearly hit Kaitlynn, a tiny needle would penetrate to their brain and they would suddenly stop and convulse.
Quad sighs, 'She is also remorseful. It's as if she's scarred and maybe that is why she seems to be cold and emotionless. Its of a different air from Princess Dongmei who does this stuff. They both aren't the type to talk to people but they do it for different reasons
Hmmm, Kaitlynn seems alright with Shinji and Drax and Princess Dongmei also seems to have opened up a bit from this morning. As a knight of this empire, I feel happy that these people are lightening up.
If this goes on they might really be great pillars that stand as to inspire the people. I need to get stronger, only a suitable knight can support these friends of special circumstances.'
[1]: [Don't you just hate those stories where their mc(male) somehow stays so fricking pretty boy even though they trained their muscles so much? Where does all the increases muscle go? Oh! The excuse is compress muscles? Nah, the author ain't going on a rant. Any author can write whatever they want. Not his place to be nit picky so he ended the message here.]
[2]: [Lets just say that fanfictions are...descriptive...to the point that you can reasonably die due to the cringe-worthy content. The author's story might be too HAHAHA-*Cough* don't tell him I said that.]
[3]: [Lord of the Mysteries. The Dao of Lampoon. HAHAHAHAHAH. Seriously, give it a read. Better than the author's messed up story.]
[4]: [Worthless Regression has a point in its story where curses were used as a training mechanism to boost training speed. As long as one can endure the curses then they could receive the blessings of improvement.]
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Author's Note:
See that I made a new story? Well don't bother about it cuz maintaining 2 stories is sh*t for a lack of a better term. I have too much in my hand to be doing this.
As you know, I'm reading a lot right now. Exams finished actually but then valentine's...hehehe. Things to do. Things to do.
Aight, sorry once again for the late upload. Was actually finished yesterday but I unfortunately left it till today.