"CRACK!"
"POP! POP! POP!"
The Forging Altar's barrier shattered, and with it the tearing force disappeared from Jin's body for the final time.
Looking up and seeing the bright blue sky, Jin didn't realise how much he had missed it under the grueling red barrier that had become his sky. Getting up as best he could, the boy began to scan his surroundings.
While he was still extremely beat up, he had already adapted greatly to the tearing forces. He even suspected that if two more days had passed he'd have been able to move normally under the forces but he wasn't exactly willing to test that hypothesis. Because of this despite receiving no aid, and having been under the effects of the Forging Altar non-stop for the past 8 hours, Jin could move with ease.
"Ah, Iris you're here!" Jin exclaimed, giving his greetings to the girl. "Yes, you should sit down and rest, the Forging Altar has taken a toll on your body." Iris replied as she walked up to the boy, basket in hand.
The boy simply nodded before sitting down, Iris then sat next to him and began helping him eat as had become routine over these past 7 days. "My father and brother will be coming soon to check your progress." Iris mentioned as Jin chomped down on the leg of meat.
"Hmm, awrait. How du yoo thunk I'll doo?" Jin asked covering his meat filled mouth with a hand. Seeing this Iris let out a chuckle before replying "You do well, you're already about 50% as strong as my brother which is extremely impressive."
Upon hearing this, rather than being happy or proud with himself, Jin was disappointed. 'Only 50%? I had tried even harder after hearing that 20% remark, but despite all my efforts over 3 days I only managed to bridge the gap by that much.' Jin thought to himself in dismay.
In reality this was already an extremely impressive result, but Jin as the young boy he was, had placed his own abilities on an extremely high pedestal. Additionally he had no idea how strong Little Boar was from a vitality perspective and was attempting to compare to him based purely on vitality.
A few minutes later, after Jin finished his meal, Iris sat behind him and channeled her Emerald Vitality repairing his body and boosting his strength one final time. As the girl transferred her energy her brows raised in shock.
'My estimate was wrong, he should be about 60% of Little Boar, and he hasn't even formed his Vital Core.' She thought amazed by Xuan Jin. Was this boy's talent so great, or was the Forging Altar simply so miraculous?
Once Iris was finished healing Xuan Jin, two figures began to approach the altar. One was the large Little Boar, and the other was the even larger Big Boar. Naturally Jin hadn't met him yet so he simply looked at the man for a moment before putting two and two together.
"Xuan Jin greets, the Chieftain and Little Boar." The boy said giving a light bow. Big Boar was quite amused at the sight, while Little Boar seemed rather guilty.
"Haha, don't worry about formalities boy. You'll find that our Iron Body Tribe isn't as pompous as the outside." Big Boar laughed approaching the young boy. "Iris dear, how's his progress?"
"Why don't you see for yourself, Chief?" Jin replied meeting the burly man's gaze. "Oh, and how do you plan to show me?" Big Boar questioned leaning down to meet the child's gaze.
"Iris told me that your son is 15 years old and the strongest from the younger generation. I think defeating him would be enough to showcase my progress." Xuan Jin declared as he sent a challenging gaze towards Little Boar.
Hearing this Little Boar was confused. He was just feeling guilty about placing the boy in the Forging Altar and now he was asking for a beating. Even Iris couldn't understand what was going through the boy's mind.
"Hmmmm, if Lil Boar is fine with it I have no issue but what happens if you lose?" Big Boar said, looking rather thoughtful. "How about this, if you lose I toss you into the Forging Altar for another week."
Xuan Jin shivered upon hearing this. He had just completed that hellish experience and wasn't willing to suffer under it for some time. Although that more prideful part of him, wanted to fully conquer that altar by moving normally under it, he wasn't yet mentally ready.
"All right but if I win you have to fulfill my request." Jin shot back, which caused Big Boar to laugh madly. "Why would....forget it I'll fulfill a request of yours if you somehow defeat Lil Boar." The Chieftain chuckled.
"So are you two going to fight?" Big Boar asked as he looked towards his son. Seeing this Little Boar was lost for words. Wasn't he meant to have a say in all this? His father just decided to agree to the fight on his behalf.
"Father, I am not in the business of bullying children." Little Boar replied shaking his head. "He's still injured as well, he needs to rest." Iris added, souring Big Boar's expression.
"BOOM!"
Before the Chief could call off the fight, a black aura exploded from Xuan Jin. "I've been more than patient with you people. We agreed to a fight! Stop trying to back out now." Xuan Jin declared as he locked eyes with Little Boar.
'The flame of the outside.' Big Boar thought amazed. On the other hand Little Boar, cracked a smile. He was no coward to begin with, and now Xuan Jin had displayed commendable strength.
"All right then! But don't call me a bully after I beat your ass!" Little Boar roared before lunging at Xuan Jin. Likewise the little boy charged towards the hulking teenager.
"WAIT! I am still standing here!" Big Boar cried out before jumping out of the way.