Chereads / The Regressor That Won't Relinquish / Chapter 3 - Where It Ends

Chapter 3 - Where It Ends

Haruto was preparing the horned rabbit. 

With a lack of tools, it came with much difficulty.

However, the cooking skill he had gained from an ability filled his head with the necessary knowledge to prepare it.

Sitting at the entrance to the cave the three observed Haruto from afar. 

Striking a conversation to pass the time, Haziki questioned Kenji about his current abilities.

"How does magic work?" Hazuki inquired

Due to Kenji's Master Of magic ability, his intelligence had increased and information had been put into his mind as if it was common knowledge. 

Attentive to where they originated, he sought to explain fully his knowledge to Hazuki.

"From what I know this World uses Mana to grow. Every Living being in this world has mana. Considering your experience other-worlders like us are an exception. You should have heard about it in games and fantasy novels." Kenji stated

"Yeah, I know most of the gist. Now that I have a stat in mana I want to know how to use it." Hazuki Responded

 

"OK then. From what I know there are 3 ways to use mana. First, Physical. Like swordsman making their strikes stronger or animals moving faster. Second, External. Mages use mana from the environment stored in their bodies to make miracles." As Kenji said this last line he demonstrated by igniting a fireball in his hand.

"Lastly, Mechanical. Magic engineering, Using mana stored in the cores of animals and monsters for physical applications. I'm unfamiliar with it but I think they're using monster cores as batteries." Kenji said finishing his sentence. 

"That's good and all but how would I use magic?" Hazuki asked

"Well, I know how to do some basic spells. Just like in games you have to have a magic circle" He reached over to the side and picked up a twig resting aside a jagged rock. He thought for a moment before drawing a circle in the dirt below him. "Using mana you draw a circle then fill it with something." He drew a star within touching the edges of the circle. Then proceed to draw a strange symbol inside the star. "This is the spell for fire." He said pointing to his crude dirt drawing. 

Isamu and Hazuki both curious stared at it.

"What am I supposed to do with that?" Hazuki asked

"Use your mana to draw that in the air," Kenji replied

"How do I use mana?" Hazuki asked once more.

"What... Have you read a fantasy maga before? It's simple just....." Kenji hesitated for a moment realizing he was just doing it off instinct.

Hazuki was making use of his high intellect to scan through his memories. 

'Mana is stored in the heart. I just need to bring it out.' He thought to himself

"Crap I got no idea. You've got to figure that out for yourself" Kenji said rubbing his brow under his glasses.

Hazuki closed his eyes and contemplated.

'Mana....Mana.... I need to see mana' 

^Activating skill^

Mana Sight Lv1

Tiny Light blue orbs appeared all around him.

Even though his eyes were closed he could see everything In his surroundings. To his surprise, there was a large of blue directly to his left. 

He could now see Kenji's mana. 

Looking down he saw a small blue dot of his own positioned in his chest.

Still thinking about the answer Kenji was surprised when Hazuki said quietly "I can see mana."

"You can see mana?" Kenji asked

Hazuki still trapped within his thoughts was so absorbed he didn't realize his accidental speaking.

Eyelids still closed he looked toward Kenji and hastily responded "Uh yeah. It's a lot of blue"

"Try to move it in this pattern," Kenji said pointing to the spell on the ground with the stick still within his grasp. 

Hazuki nodded his head and reached out in front of him to grab the floating blue dots. 

His hand passed right through them.

Hazuki focused on the dots and thought about condensing them.

Reacting to his will they moved and gathered to the shape Previously drawn by Kenji then under his breath he whispered "Fire"

*Fwoosh* A ball of flame appeared in front of Hazuki encouraging him to open his eyes.

^Canceling Skill^

Mana Sight Lv1

Proficiency increased by : (74.0%)

^New skill^

Mana Control Lv1

Proficiency increased by : (13.5%)

"How did you make it float? How did you get the mana to leave your body?" Kenji asked frantically 

Shocked by the sudden outburst of Kenji He hastily responded "I moved the surrounding mana to make the thing you showed me."

"Surrounding mana. Mages use the mana inside their heart to move and make spells. External mana has to be converted first. Even with my skills, I can't do what you just did." Kenji said in awe

"Is it that big of a deal?" Hazuki asked

"Considering the limited amount of knowledge you have about mana, I'd say so," Kenji responded regaining composure 

Isamu listening in couldn't contain himself and asked "Can I do that too?" 

Kenji looked at Isamu with a solemn expression and responded "Unless you want to endure the same pain getting mana as Hazuki did. I don't think so."

Isamu looked defeated 

Hazuki checked his stats whilst they conversed 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name : Hazuki

Race : Human

Age : 18

Gender : M

Job : /Nul/

Level : 2

XP to next Lvl : 274

Stats:

HP : 300 [+]

MP : 1 [+]

Mana Regen Speed : 0 [+]

Agility : 5 [+]

Defense : 4 [+]

Magic Defense : 1 [+]

Intellect : 6 (+20) = 26 [+]

Strength : 4 [+]

Luck : 7 [+]

Resistance : 1 [+]

Stat Points : 9

Ability(s) :

Poor : N/a

Normal : N/a

Rare : N/a

Epic : Eyes of Truth: Lvl 0 (0.01%)

Legendary : N/a

*%!&@#)!%: !%@!%!@%: Lvl 1 (Max)

Skill(s) :

Deep Analyze Lv1 (0.42%)

Night vision Lv1 (11.16%)

Lie Detector Lv1 (0.00%)

True Sight Lv1 (0.00%)

Mana sight Lv1 (74.00%)

Corrosive Eye Lv1 (0.00%)

Curse Eye Lv1 (0.00%)

Evil Eye Lv1 (40.00%)

Healing Eye Lv1 (0.00%)

Mana Control Lv1 (13.5%) *New*

Stat Bonus:

Sight +200%

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His skills had improved and he had a new skill to boot.

Noticing the strange symbols in his ability section he brought the question to the chatting Kenji

But before he could bring Kenji to his attention he had a bad feeling.

*Ahhhh*

Haruto shouted in pain. 

Immediately reacting the three turned their heads toward the shout.

Haruto was crouching down on the ground holding his bleeding ankle whilst a dead snake lay beside him.

Hastily proping themselves off the ground the three ran over to the In pain Haruto. 

Kenji upon seeing blood immediately cast a healing spell and put his hand over Haruto. 

Isamu immediately asked, "What happened?" 

"A dam snake bit me" Haruto responded in a weak voice 

Hazuki had already seen the gist of the incident and turned his eyes toward the dead snake 

^Activiating Skill^

Deep Analyze

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Race : Red Pit Viper

Age : 1

Gender : m

Level : 6

XP to next Lvl : 2551

HP : 120

MP: 2

Mana : 3

Agility : 4

Defense : 1

Magic Defense : 4

Intellect : 1

Strength : 4

Stealth : 6

Skill(s) :

Bite Lv5 (53.52%)

Stealth Lv2 (30.0%)

Poison Lv6 (4.53%)

Status:

Dead

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Seeing the poison skill he Immediately changed the target of his skill to Haruto

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name : Haruto

Race : Human

Age : 18

Gender : M

Job : Assassin

Level : 3

XP to next Lvl : 503

Stats:

HP : 100

MP: 0

Mana Regen Speed :

Mana : 0

Agility : 2 (+5) = 7

Defense : 3

Magic Defense : 0

Intellect : 5

Strength : 4 (+2)

Luck : 1

Stealth : 6

Resistance : 1

Stat Points : 15

Ability(s) :

Poor : Cooking Lvl5 (Max) , Calculate Lv5 (Max)

Normal : Assassination Lvl 0 (0.00%) , Workshop Lvl 0 (0.00%)

Rare : N/a

Epic : N/a

Legendary : N/a

Skill(s) :

Cook Lv5 (Max)

Clean Lv5 (Max)

Butcher Lv5 (Max)

Slice Lv5 (Max)

Portable Kitchen Lv5 (Max)

Enhanced Calculation Lv5 (Max)

Poison Lv1 (0.00%)

Backstab Lv1 (0.00%)

Acting Lv1 (0.00%)

Night Vision Lv1 (0.00%)

Smith Lv1 (0.00%)

Repair Lv1 (0.00%)

Craft Lv1 (0.00%)

Analyze Lv1 (0.00%)

Stat Bonus:

Gain Stealth Stat

Status: 

Poisoned (Extreme)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haruto passed out falling into Kenji crouched healing him.

"What's Wrong! My Healing isn't working!" Kenji asked in a raised voice

"He's poisoned!" Retorted Hazuki

"How do we cure poison?" Isamu added in

Kenji was panicking but cleared his head due to his high intelligence stat.

"Herbs! Something like a natural remedy to poison." Kenji spitballed

"Where are these herbs?" Isamu asked frantically

"I don't know! I don't even know if something like that exists!" He retorted

"I have an analysis skill. I'll go look" Hazuki promptly responded before turning and sprinting into the forest.

"Do it quick. I don't know how long my mana will last!" Kenji shouted at the fleeting Hazuki

Dodging trees bushes and rocks he sprinted through the forest constantly activating his skill

^Actavating skill^

Deep Analyze Lv1

^Actavating skill^

Deep Analyze Lv1

Nothing Just common grasses and plants. What was he expecting whilst sprinting through a forest? 

Reluctantly he steeled himself and used his status points.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agility : 5 [+]

Luck : 7 [+]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Without a second thought, he distributed all 9 remaining stat points

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agility : 8 *New*

Luck : 12 *New*

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As if his legs were born anew his speed exponentially increased.

^Actavating skill^

Deep Analyze Lv1

^Please select a target^

Hitchcock's sedge

Bottlebrush grass

^Please select a target^

Earlyleaf brome

Nodding fescue

Atropa Carcass - A Type of nightshade with antivenom properties

'That's what I need!' He thought to himself whilst snatching a branch of the bush maintaining a constant speed

Changing directions he barreled back toward the cave.

As he approached with a fistful of leaves and berries a wafting scent of blood assaulted his nose.

He was once more having a terrible gut feeling. But his friend was in danger.

Ignoring the signs of danger he rushed back to the cave.

As the cave came into his line of sight something was astray.

There was blood dispersed along the ground and the fire was destroyed igniting a bordering tree. 

Hazuki stopped in his tracks and tried to piece together the situation. Barely in his view, a large black beast was unobserving and carelessly eating something. 

Upon inspection Hazuki's worst fears were brought to reality. 

The beast tearing and shredding its meal dropped something out of its mouth.

To Hazuki's Dismay, it was a dismembered arm of Kenji 

All of his senses screamed to run. Every fiber of his being shouted in fear. 

In stupidity, he activated three skills. 

^Actavaing Skill^

Deep Analyze Lv1

Evil Eye Lv1

Curse Eye Lv1

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Race : Three Headed Hound

Age : 153

Gender : M

Level : 231

XP to next Lvl : 612,396,631

HP : 231000000

MP: 53000

Mana : 530

Agility : 110

Defense : 604

Magic Defense : 3006

Intellect : 92

Strength : 1502

Ability(s):

Poor : N/a

Normal : N/a

Rare : Destruction Lvl5 (15.52%)

Epic : N/a

Legendary : N/a

Skill(s) :

Hellfire Lv 12 (53.51%)

Bite Lv26 (95.61%)

Dash Lv 18 (23.03%)

Fear Lv3 (8.09%)

Detect Lv8 (45.52%)

Devour Lv2 (13.18%)

Regenerator Lv 3 (50.00%)

Poison Resistance Lv19 (1.09%)

Status: 

Cursed (Minor)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

'How can a monster Have an Ability!' He thought to himself in fear

'OH SHIT' 

Hazuki just realized. The detection skill. And with his enabling cursed eye and evil eye he had interrupted the beast from its meal.

Hazuki's legs studdered as he failed to gain traction to run away.

The Hellhound felt a wince of pain and activated its detection skill.

Hazuki cowering and stumbling away from the beast was within its range.

As Hazuki looked away from the Hellhound his skills deactivated. Now in full sprint with a face as white as paper, he panicked. 

The beast seeing its new food source leaving stopped its stack and gave chase.

It took two seconds. Two seconds for the best to catch up to Hazuki.

His heart sank. He felt death. He heard the thudding footsteps rapidly approaching and then he fell face-first into the dirt.

Sobbing Hazuki didn't want to die again. He finally got something new. Another chance. But it was all over now. The giant mouth of the hellhound opened over the collapsed hazuki covering him like an overbearing shade. 

*Crunch*

^Actavaing Skill^

////////*%!&@#)!%: !%@!%!@%: Lvl 1 (Max)////////

////////Ret#)! F:!% Hel% Lvl 1 (Max)////////

////////Return From Hell Lv 1 (Max)////////

////////&&&&___ Returning to the Beginning ___&&&&////////

*Ceakkk

*Ceeeaaakkk

The rippling sound of cicadas announced the arrival of summer.

The early morning sun gave light to the soon bustling streets.

Soon enough, as the sun's rays become a golden yellow movement overtakes the city.

 "What are everyone's plans for summer?" asked Kenji

'Huh? What happened?' Hazuki walked slowly behind the group of friends stopped in place.

 "My family is going back to Biratori for the summer" Haruto responded

'A dream? No, it was too real'

"Dam, the whole summer?" Isamu chimed in

'What the hell. Didn't they already have this conversation?'

 "Yep" responded Haruto

 "I've got no plans. Do you wanna hang out?" Isamu asked Kenji

 "Sure," Kenji said excitedly

'Is this Déjà vu'

"Hazuki!" Kenji shouted

"Are you good man? You gotta keep walking or we'll be late" Kenji questioned

"Late? Do you not remember anything!" Hazuki shouted grabbing his head.

"What the hell? Are you ok?" Isamu responded turning around to face Hazuki

"We all died twice!" Hazuki shouted

"Dude, what are you talking about? Seriously what is going on?" Haruto asked concerned

A familiar shouting sounds in the distance 

"Were doomed," Hazuki said collapsing to the ground in tears his eyes turning his head to see a familiar truck incoming

The familiar screening of Palestinians.

The familiar smell of burning tires.

It was all the same.

The only difference was him.

Why was he sentenced to such a fate? 

.....Because there's no end without tribulations.....