The days following Hoh's funeral were heavy with grief, but I couldn't afford to dwell on it. I had a mission: to prepare for the 2nd Floor Guardian's test. While others busied themselves with their training, I focused intently on honing my skills as a Wave fisher. I knew that the upcoming test would push us to our limits, and I needed to be ready.
I began my training sessions in the quiet solitude of the training area, far from the bustle of the other Regulars. My first step was always to connect with the Shinsu around me. I took a deep breath, letting the energy of the Tower fill my senses. With each inhalation, I concentrated on gathering Shinsu into my palms, feeling it swirl and pulse as I focused. It was a familiar sensation, one I relished. The air shimmered with potential, a sign of the power I could harness.
With my wings spread wide, I channeled the Shinsu through them. Each flap became a controlled movement, slicing through the air, and I imagined the currents of Shinsu forming a dance around me. My goal was to amplify my newly named Echo Weave ability.
At it's core it allows me to mimic any power or skill I encounter, but I've only just begun to scratch the surface. So far, I've only reached the Third Witness stage on one skill, where I can copy a technique at about half their original proficiency . It feels like I'm grasping at straws, trying to catch something that slips away just as I think I understand it.
The first time I saw a shinsu baang unleashed, I barely managed to replicate a flickering shinsu that barely floated. With each subsequent encounter, the skill became clearer, but the full power of Echo Weave remains elusive. There's a thrill in watching others wield their abilities, knowing I could potentially harness them too. Yet, there's this nagging uncertainty—am I truly mastering these skills, or merely echoing them? I can feel that I'm on the cusp of something greater, but without understanding the remaining stages, I'm left in a limbo of half-realized potential.
My goal is not just to replicate others' techniques but to enhance them to fit me. I visualized intricate patterns, layers of energy weaving together as I practiced, the Shinsu shimmering like a tapestry of colors before me.
Hours passed in a blur of concentration. I would focus on a particular technique I had seen in action, one that resonated with my own fighting style. I closed my eyes, recalling the movements, the essence of what I was trying to replicate. With every thread I wove, I felt the energy of the Tower responding to my will, and for a moment, I could almost taste the power at my fingertips.
"Come on, Kael, focus!" I muttered to myself, shaking off any distractions. I couldn't let doubt creep in. I needed to believe in my abilities, to trust in the Echo Weave that had become a part of me.
As I continued to train, I noticed the subtle changes in my control over Shinsu. I began to experiment with different techniques, pushing myself to the limits of what I could achieve. I envisioned the Shinsu spiraling outwards, forming a barrier that shielded me from imagined attacks, and then, with a swift movement, I redirected it, sending a concentrated burst of energy towards a nearby target.concentrating for this technique I stood alone in the training grounds, the air thick with anticipation. Focused, I summoned my Shinsu, feeling it surge through me as I visualized my afterimages flickering around. With each breath, I concentrated harder, creating a dozen spectral forms that danced around me. I thrust my hand forward, the afterimages lunging at the imaginary target, confusing it with their swift movements. Sweat dripped down my brow as I perfected the timing, my heart racing.
My heartbeat reverberated through me, a reminder of how far I had come. I couldn't help but smile, even amidst the sorrow. Each successful attempt fueled my determination, and I knew that I was becoming stronger, more capable.
Meanwhile, the camaraderie among the Regulars was palpable, even if I wasn't directly involved. I could hear the laughter from Rak and Aleksai's spear-throwing competition, the intense sparring sessions between Bam and Endorsi, and the chatter as friends reminisced about their journeys. Part of me wished to join them, but I also knew this was my time to forge my own path.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the training grounds, I took a moment to breathe in the serenity around me. I could feel the weight of the upcoming test, but I was determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead. With the flickering energy of Shinsu dancing in my hands, I knew I was ready to prove myself.
——
The Submerged Fish Hunt was shaping up to be the most complex test yet. I stood on the shoreline, scanning the wine-glass-shaped lake as the details sank in. Bam and Rachel floated deep within it, their bubble nestled among the fish. They would only survive if the Net Dolphins could pull them up with the rest of the catch and deliver them safely to the Queen. But that was just the beginning of our troubles.
Yu Hansung had outlined the threats: Barnacle Goblins with their monstrous Giant Marsh Worms, Striped Ground Pigs that preyed on the Net Dolphins, and worst of all, a creature called the Bull. Just the mention of it sent a chill down my spine. It wasn't supposed to be here, on this level, and yet… there it was, lurking somewhere in the depths of the arena.
I felt a mixture of anxiety and excitement as I glanced over to the others. Shibisu, always skeptical, muttered to himself, "I can't believe this is our final exam. What kind of test is this?" He was watching over a herd of small creatures on the shore, odd things that resembled a mix between seals and dolphins. His exasperation was written all over his face.
"Stop complaining and focus, Shibisu," I said sharply. "The Net Dolphins are starting to move."
He grumbled but nodded, knowing full well what was at stake. The dolphins glided gracefully through the lake, their sleek bodies cutting through the water as they began gathering fish in their shinsu nets. Bam and Rachel waited patiently in their bubble, completely unaware of the chaos soon to unfold above them.
I couldn't let them down. My job, along with Hatz, was to keep the Barnacle Goblins and their Giant Marsh Worms at bay. The Marsh Worms were huge, slithering creatures with mouths large enough to swallow a person whole. I could feel Echo Weave stirring within me, the familiar hum of power as I prepared for battle. I hadn't fully unlocked the ability's potential, but at the Third Witness level, I could copy abilities at half their original strength. It wasn't perfect, but it would have to do.
"Kael, the Goblins are moving!" Hatz's voice rang out.
I snapped my head toward the Goblins, who had started creeping out of the shadows. Their squat bodies were covered in barnacle-like growths, and their Marsh Worms slithered alongside them, their grotesque mouths opening wide. I swallowed hard, preparing myself for the fight.
"Take the left side!" Hatz shouted, already charging toward the right with his sword drawn.
I nodded and unfurled my wings, the grayish-blue feathers catching the light as I propelled myself forward. Shinsu reinforced my movements, giving me the speed and strength I needed to confront the approaching Goblins. A Marsh Worm lunged at me, its massive jaws snapping shut just as I dodged out of the way.
I retaliated with a blast of shinsu, aiming for its face. The force of the attack hit, stunning the creature for a moment, but it wasn't enough to bring it down. These things were resilient.
"Come on," I muttered, frustrated. I needed to finish this fast.
I dove toward the Goblins, channeling Echo Weave to mirror Hatz's sword technique. The wind around me stirred violently, and I willed my feathers to solidify into long, sharp blades of feathers. With a thought, I launched them like boomerangs, each one slicing through the air with lethal precision. One feather carved through a Goblin's defenses, its shriek cutting the air as it crumpled. In one smooth motion, the feathers curved back toward me, reforming into needle-like blades in my hands. Without hesitation, I struck again, the wind singing with each slash.
Just as I turned to deal with the Marsh Worm, the ground trembled beneath me. My heart sank.
The Bull had arrived.
A massive shadow loomed over the battlefield as the creature made its appearance. It barreled through the cavern, its hulking body smashing through rocks like they were nothing. The air around it seemed to warp with the sheer force of its presence. This thing… it was far too powerful.
"The bull is here, fall back!" I yelled, but the Bull was already charging.
In the distance, I could see Bam and Rachel still floating in their bubble, oblivious to the danger unfolding above them. We had to stop the Bull—no matter what.
Hatz and Shibisu regrouped beside me, both panting from their encounters with the Goblins.
"What the hell do we do about that?" Shibisu asked, his voice trembling as he pointed toward the charging Bull.
"We fight," I said, though my own voice lacked conviction. "We have to hold it off. Bam's depending on us."
Before we could move, a blur of motion streaked past us. Endorsi and Anaak had arrived. The two Jahad Princesses moved with such speed and grace, it was almost mesmerizing.
"About time," Shibisu muttered.
The two princesses, however, were more interested in turning this into a competition.
"I'll take it down first," Endorsi declared, eyeing Anaak with a smirk. "When I win, the Black March will be mine."
Anaak sneered, gripping her weapon tightly. "In your dreams. You'll be my slave for life once I take that Bull down."
Their banter continued, even as the Bull roared, closing in on us. Shibisu, meanwhile, ran around frantically, trying to avoid being trampled by the massive creature.
Endorsi with annak following behind her wasted no time, launching herself toward the Bull with incredible speed. The impact of her strike sent shockwaves through the arena, but the Bull wasn't so easily defeated. It roared in defiance, swinging its massive head to swat her away.
While they kept the Bull busy, Hatz and I focused on finishing off the remaining Goblins. With the Marsh Worms dealt with, the only threat left was the Bull. I watched in awe as Endorsi traded blows with the creature, each strike reverberating through the cavern.
Shibisu watched in awe as Endorsi easily overpowered the Bull, managing to pin the massive creature down within her five-minute window. I could hear the excitement in his voice as he relayed everything to Khun. But just as Endorsi was about to deal the finishing blow, Anaak interfered, knocking Endorsi off-balance, causing her to lose control. Endorsi's five minutes ran out, and the Bull, somehow still standing, took the chance to escape.
Anaak chased after it immediately, eager to begin her round, while Endorsi followed, furious that her victory was stolen from her. The chaos left Shibisu alone, staring after them, unable to keep up.