After leaving the graveyard, we went to the middle area of the Mystic Forest to hunt some strong wild beasts and monsters. Today I was planning on training my weapons mastery, using the weapons that I collected from the graveyard. There are still more dead bodies that's need to be found in the forest, so I marked them all in my 3D map. According to Senoki, there are about 184 bodies left, somewhere in the forest. It's not just that's belongs to the adventurers, but other people who came here or got lost in the forest.
This reminds me when I played Genshin, where I mark every treasure chests in the world map, so that I can get them every time I past near one of them. 'Man, how I miss playing that game.'
Half an hour later, I found my first target. Me and Rutelae watched it laying its back onto a big rock while sleeping.
[Is that an Ape?] Rutelae asked.
[It is.]
A giant white fur Ape, or maybe I should say a giant white gorilla, because it has two large arms. And it looks like it's about 18 ft. in height.
It took me 5 minutes to read its information and understand about its behavior.
[Yosh! Now I'm ready.] I jump down from the tree and landed softly.
*Thub*
[Good luck!] Rutelae cheered me from above.
I saw him taking something that is covered in papers from his Dimensional pocket, which I can guess it must be the cheeseburger that I made.
Huh.... As always, he will keep eating anything I have saved for lunch when I am not with him. I'm gonna need to finish this quickly before he takes another one.
I took out two daggers from my ring which I collected from the graveyard.
'Activate magic enhancement: sharpen, durability. Activate wind magic: wind enhancement, wind manipulations, wind resistance.'
After enhancing my weapons with wind element, I began walking towards the beast without hiding my presence.
[…!!...Grrrrrrrrr!] it woke up after sensing my presence and began screaming at me.
*Dash-!*
I dashed forward, running straight towards it. The giant ape raised it's right arm to throw a punch. Quickly, I used mind acceleration to slow down my perspective.
'Right side.'
Waiting for the perfect timing, I jumped as soon as I saw its fist nearing to hit the ground.
*Leap-!*
*BANG!*
I successfully avoided its attack and landed on it's right arm. Quickly, I enhanced my feet with mana and ran straight to its face.
[!!]
*Slice!* X12
[GRAAAAAAAAA!!]
After landing multiple slashes on its face, I jump back and move far away using wind magic.
[Hah! That was scary.] I murmured to myself.
Right now, I am fighting against a B rank wild beast without the help of Senoki. Not to mention I am also using a dagger against a big beast in a close combat, which make this battle extremely hard and difficult. One wrong move and I might end up breaking some bones. I'm not saying it's hard for me to take it down. I already have many hidden powerful cards that I can use to end it quickly, but I don't want to do that, because I need more battle experience.
'If only this world has a Virtual Capsule like the one in the novels and manhwa.'
[GRAAAAA!]
The giant ape charged at me straight. So I used wind magic and space magic to teleport behind it.
*Swift!*
*BANG!*
I enhanced the daggers with more wind magic to create two long wind blades and sliced the beast's legs off.
*Swoosh!!*
The beast's legs were cut clean, resulting in making it fall down on its face.
*BAAM!*
I then jumped on it's back and went straight for the head. By enhancing the daggers with wind magic again and penetration magic, I stabbed them into its skull.
*Spurt!!*
[Hah...hah...] I was breathing heavily from exhaustion.
The last two attack that I used, along with the short teleportation spell, has consumed half of my MP. This wasn't a part of my plan. Tch, I'm still lacking alot of experience in calculating the amount of mana I should use during battle. If I had used Senoki, then the amount of mana would have been less wasted.
After cutting the beast's body into multiple parts and storing them inside my dimensional ring, I went to where Rutelae was. He was still eating the cheeseburger. I looked at him for a moment before asking.
[...How many cheeseburger did you eat?]
[*munch-munch* gulp! Three.] He answered.
[....]
I asked Senoki to make sure.
How can he eat so fast? I just finished subjugating the beast in two minute, and he finished eating three burgers that quick?
Just so you know, I made six big size cheeseburgers. The same one you eat in McDonalds or Burger King. But this guy, he finished eating three burger in two minute despite having a small mouth. Huuuuh, I have already found out from Senoki that spirits do not get fat because they are able to turn what they eat into an nutrients or energy. So basically, they don't need to use a bathroom.
'Tsk! Lucky for them'
[Rutelae, you do realise that if you keep eating them now, there won't be much left for our lunch break.]
[...Oh...right. I totally forgot about that, hehe.]
He then placed the cheeseburger back in his Dimensional pocket.
I sighed before opening the 3D map to find the next target.
...
My second prey was a giant bird called Dios Eagle. Its size was about the same as the average elephant, and what makes it stand out the most is its large wings. Although it's not as big as the Phoenix lady Anka, but it still classified as a rank B beast.
I took out a bow and some arrows from the storage ring. The bow is from the dead adventure that I collected, while the arrows are mine that I craft it. There were 30 normal arrows and 12 special arrows.
The special arrows were infused with some magic and magic runes, which added some special effects to the arrows. At first, it was impossible to write some magic runes on an arrow because of its size, but in the end, I was able to find a trick with Senoki's help. Simply put, I wrote some magic runes on a piece of paper, then stored it inside the arrow using Space manipulation magic. I made 4 different effects, and each of them has there own color feather. Purple, Green, Red, and Blue feathers. As for their effects, hehe... why don't we find out now.
'This is the perfect time to test their effects.'
I nocked a normal arrow on the bow and aimed it at the eagle. The distance was about 80 meters away, and without Senoki's guidance, it became very hard for me to aim. Although I already created a perfect plan in my mind on how to take it down, but right now, I need to practice my aiming first.
[Having a hard time?] Rutelae was looking at me from the side while smiling.
[I am. So please keep quiet.]
I took some deep breath before shooting the first arrow. I already can tell that my first shot is going to miss, but it will still attract its attention.
*Tuk!*
*Hoooos!*
[!!!]
It dodges the arrow, but it was enough to get its attention.
[Creeeeee-!]
I quickly nocked another arrow and shot it.
*Swish!*
Again, it was able to dodge the second one, but then, another arrow came after and pierced it's right wing.
[Creeeeeeee!]
It didn't make alot of damage, just a small wound. I then took three arrows and nocked them on the bow. Oh yeah, I'm now able to do something like that. Though, I am only able to shoot them at 25 meters away. So I waited for the Dios eagle to reach 30 meters before firing them.
*Tuk!!!*
After firing the arrows, I quickly jumped to another tree to avoid its charge.
*CRASH!*
The giant bird crashed into the tree that I was standing on a moment ago, and I saw that two of the arrows that I shot penetrated its chest while the third one was stuck in its left wing.
[Creeee!]
I nocked a special arrow with a purple feather, and quickly shot it. Since the distance was close, it was a clear hit.
*Tuk!*
*Puff!*
The moment the arrow hit the eagle, it exploded and created a purple smoke that was toxic. The eagle was able to sense that the smoke was danger, so it tried to fly up to avoid it. But before it can do that, I shot another special arrow with a blue feather that pierced it's left wing.
*KRSIZZZ!*
The arrow exploded into a crystal ice when it hit its wing, freezing its entire left wing, and making it unable to fly, resulting in falling down to the ground.
*BANG!*
I then nocked another special arrow that is green, and began enhancing it with mana.
*Vooom!*
The arrow glowed brightly, and I activated Mind Acceleration magic to slow down my view. As I watch the beast shaking on the ground, trying to stand up in a slow motion, I aimed at its head and released the arrow by relaxing my fingers that was holding it.
*HOOSH!*
*SHRRP!*
The arrow was shot at a very high speed that it penetrated the Eagle's head through, and pierced the ground behind it, creating a crack.
I sighed while leaning my back on the tree. My brain was giving me a headache because of the full concentration. I took a refreshing potion from my ring to clear my mind and drunk it.
[Are you okay?] Rutelae came to me and saw me touching my forehead.
[I'm fine now.]
The last arrow that I shot had a wind magic rune in it, and also a magic impact. I added the effect of increasing the wind manipulation on the arrow by the amount of mana that would pour. Basically, I made it so that the more mana I put in the arrow, the faster it gets.
I jumped down from the tree and then went to store the beast's body inside the dimensional ring.
*Vooom!*
I looked at the time to see it was 5:27 am in the morning. There is still six hours left.
[On to the next target.]
...
Before going for the next target, we stop midway for a quick lunch break. It only took us five minutes before continuing our journey.
[Hmmmm.....]
[What's wrong Xora?]
[I'm trying to decide on which I should use next.] I was looking at what was in front of me with a thoughtful expression
There were a three... no, four weapons floating in front of me. A katana, a spear, a large axe, and a shield. I don't know what's the next prey is, because I didn't ask Senoki. The only thing I know is its location and the rank level, which is a high B rank wild beast.
[Ah!... Scruw it.]
I pointed my finger on the left weapon which was the katana, and then decided to pick randomly.
[Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Catch a tiger by the toe.... Don't know what's next... Eeny, meeny, miny, Moe!]
In the end, my finger landed on the spear.
I grabbed the spear in my hand and then dashed to where the target was. Meanwhile, Rutelae was still standing there in the same spot with a confused expression.
[....what was that?] He murmured to himself.
...
Arriving at the place, I was able to see my target. It was a large red snake with some yellow lines on its skin. It is called a Red Swifter. 70 meters in length.
It's extremely fast, and it can release a poisoning venoms from its eight fangs. A good material for my tools I would say.
Taking the spear out from my storage, I began enhancing it with multiple spells.
'Activate magic enhancement: Sharpen, durability. Enhance magnetic magic, magnetic manipulation, magnetic control, gravity manipulation.'
After that, I ran towards the snake.
[HHISSSSSSS-!]
It released a large pressure of bloodlust when it saw me, and then dashed towards me at incredible speed.
*HOSSSSSSS-!*
[Crab-!]
My reaction was slow, and I tried dodging to the side while using the spear to block its tough skin that was passing through.
*TTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSIII-!*
[Urgh!]
The contact between the spear and its tough skin created multiple sparks. I could feel my hands starting to get numb, but then, I sensed something fast was coming towards me from the side.
'Not Good!'
It was the snake's tail. I raised my spear to block it, and instantly used mana shield to cover my body.
*BAANG!*
*CRASH!!!*
The impact threw me far away, crashing me into the trees.
[Gah!... ok... that hurts alot.] I groaned in pain.
"Are you okay Xora?" I heard Rutelae's voice through telepathy.
"I'm okay. Just a little scratches, nothing danger."
"Okay. Just tell me if you need my assistant."
"I well."
Before closing the call, I was able to hear him munching on something.
[Is he eating?]
'.... That little brat!'
I stood up from the ground while holding my back. I saw the beast snake heading towards me, so I used my skill 'Presence Changer' to change my presence into a wind, and then used a spell to make my self invisible. The snake stopped after it reached 20 meters away. It moved its head around, trying to look for me. In the meantime, I was healing my injuries and my back using healing magic. Still standing at the same place, not moving.
'This little piece of lizard worm's poop, I'm going to pay it back in the same way it did.'
I miscalculate in my plan because I underestimate its speed. I was planning on giving it multiple injuries by slashing and stabbing, before I end it with a final big move. But it turns out, that will be hard for me to do that without Senoki's help. I can actually do it if I used some of the magic tools that I have inside my ring to weaken it, but I want to improve my weapon mastery in using the spear, so I decided against it. My plan was only to use the spear with some magic enhancements, and no magic attacks. But...
'Aaaagh! Just like I thought. Using a spear against it is not a perfect match for me.'
I scratch my hair in frustration. Looks like I'm gonna need to change my plan.
After finishing healing myself, I stretched my back and made a cracking noise.
*Crack!*
[Hisss!!*]
The snake's head turn towards me when it heard the sound, and my face froze in place
[.....]
My eyes moved up to look at the snake. Few seconds later, it turn it's head around and began to move away. I forgot to add a silent spell around me to block the sound, but that was not the main reason why I froze.
*Crack!*
I moved my back a little and another cracking sound came out.
[....Did something happen to my back?]
My eyes widened when Senoki informed me that some parts of my thoracic vertebrae in my spine were actually broken. I gritted my teeth and looked at the red snake beast with a Dead eyes.
[You. Piece of %#^% @&#*^ #$%@. I'm done holding back.]
I took out a crimson colored potion from my storage ring, and drank it in one gulp. It was an elixir potion that I created using the Everlasting Flower. After feeling my back completely healed, I grabbed the spear that was on the ground, and enhanced it again with the same spells, before throwing it towards the beast with more force.
*TOOOOSH-!*
*Spurt!*
The spear pierced deep into its skin, making it scream.
[HHAAAAAAIISSSSSS!]
I enhanced my body with wind and lighting magic, and began jumping between the trees that's around us.
*PSEW!-PSEW-PSEW-PSEW-!*
The snake tried to attack me, but I was dodging it with incredible speed, while jumping between the trees that's around us. Using magnetic magic to get back my spear that was stuck in its skin, I extended my right hand while still jumping between trees.
*Hoosh-!*
After retrieving the weapon, I enhanced it again with mana and threw it into its skin, creating another hole in its body.
*Spurt!*
I repeated the same move again and again. Throwing, jumping, retrieving, jumping, throwing, jumping... Until I made 17 holes in its body.
[SSSIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!]
The beast's movement began to slow down because of the losses of blood. After deciding to finally end it, I poured more mana into the spear, then enhanced my right arm with magic boost, strength, durability.
*THUD!*
As I landed to the ground, I used magnetic magic that's on the spear to spin it at incredible speed, while protecting my palm with mana shield, so that my palm doesn't get torn off. The spear span like a drill, making my hand feel hot, but I ignored it.
*WWHIRRRRRRRRR-!*
Aiming at the beast's neck, I threw the spear with every force that I have.
*SWOOOOSH!*
*BANG!*
A large hole appeared on its neck that took 5/6 of its flesh. The body of the Red Swifter fell dead to the ground, creating aloud Thud.
(Image)
[Huuuuuuuh~]
*Thud*
I exhaled and fell down on the ground. My rage made me consume alot of mana and stamina. Although I wasn't Really angry, just kinda upset because I received a big hit. I wanted to win by not getting alot of hits or damage. But in the end, I failed.
It seems like my old habit of always wanting to get the perfect win in games manifested in real life. I remember in my previous life getting angry when I play video games that are hard to get a perfect win. One of those were DMCs, and Dark Souls.
[I think I'm gonna need to train my new habit.] I murmured to myself.
*******
(Information)
- Dimensional pocket is a small subspace dimension that can be used to store things inside using space magic. Rutelae is able to use it because every spirits in his home town learns it early. One of the reasons why Xora thought Rutelae was stupid when they first met is because he didn't stored any magic stone inside his pocket as a backup mana. Instead, he only stored foods and snacks.
- Virtual Capsule is a machine that can be found in a fantasy and science-fiction stories. It's a high tech machine that allows the person to dive into a virtual world VR and gain more experience in there without the needs to go out.
- Xora's old habits when he was playing video games is to always Try to get a perfect score in some hard core games. That doesn't mean he always want to get 100 out of 100. Sometimes he is okay if he scored 97 or 94, or get S rank instead of SSS rank. What he likes is to end the battle with less injuries, and with a cool finishing.