A few days have gone by since James' training started. The Monkey King's expectations were high, and he pushed James to his limits.
The daily routine was relentless. Every morning began at dawn with a long run, often through treacherous terrain. James's legs burned from the constant strain of navigating rocky paths and steep inclines, but the Monkey King expected nothing less than speed and precision. After the run came a barrage of strength exercises–push-ups, sit-ups, squats–all designed to toughen his body to the breaking point.
Then there were the foundational martial arts drills. James had never trained in hand-to-hand combat before, and every block, strike, and parry felt awkward at first. But the Monkey King was patient, even as he was demanding. His teachings were swift and precise, his movements fluid like water, yet powerful like a storm. James mimicked each technique over and over, even when his muscles screamed for rest.
Despite being semi-immortal and having a much better physique than an ordinary person, he passed out after each training session. The worst part is the difficulty increment after each session.
[Is that the best you've got, kid?] Wukong's voice held a tone of reproach as he addressed.
"No, I can do this all day," James grunted through the pain and his lips formed a small smile. The satisfaction of quoting his favorite fictional hero made him feel better.
These days have been filled with condition training as stamina was the most important foundation.
James thought it may have been too excessive, but he kept reminding himself of the third-stage dangers. If he did not want to get bitch slapped by Cthulu then he better use all the time he got to train himself and maybe find a way to ascend.
A few days ago he could have never imagined that he would become a semi-immortal with the potential to ascend and transform into a being similar to Sun Wukong. If someone had suggested this before Doomsday, he would have likely dismissed them as crazy and walked away.
But here he was. Jumping around while carrying a huge rock on his back that probably weighed 10 tons.
He dodged the occasional assassination attempt of random goblin creatures whom Wukong identified as Koropokkuru during training. The campsite was not ambushed or had any problems due to the combined residual scent left by the Banshee and the Minotaur. James had plundered the other tents for food, clothing, and equipment.
A few campers had brought a satellite phone and James attempted to use them but got no signal. Being out of touch with the rest of the world worried James, but he couldn't get out of this mountain range without becoming at least as strong as the Phoenix. In a sense, curiosity about what happened to the rest of the world motivated him to do better.
The Great Sage explained that the condensed energy of the universe descended together with the monsters, creating new biospheres that were likely disrupting the connection to satellites.
Mana, Chi, Qi, Chakra, or simply Energy. The first stage brought the source of power along with monsters. Wukong referred to it as Qi, but he did not care what James thought of it as long as he grasped the essence behind his teachings.
But for now, he had to endure hellish physical training, reforming his body to become optimal for Qi manipulation.
His semi-immortal physique already broke some human limitations and was continuously being nourished by the dense Qi of the Kunlun Mountains. This was great for personal development but also meant that stronger monsters would be forming in this region. The appearance of the Colossal Phoenix and the Chimera confirmed it.
For now, back to his training. As he soared above the mountainous region, the breathtaking scenery unfolded beneath him. Towering snowy peaks, forests, and crystal-clear streams stretched as far as the eye could see. The majesty of the Kunlun Mountains unveiled itself in all its glory.
Despite the immense weight he bore, James couldn't help but relish the beauty that surrounded him. It distracted him from the strenuous exercise he undertook every day.
James embraced the serenity of the mountainous region during the winter season. This continued for the next few days before the Sage deemed him ready.
***
[Oi, kid. Ready for your first practical lesson?]
"I'm all ears."
[Ever heard of Stymphalian Birds?]
"Oh, you mean those from Hercules labors?" James asked. He threw the 10-ton rock over a nearby cliff and began to stretch himself in preparation for the task. There were some distant cries of pain after the rock fell, but he just smirked after hearing them.
One of the things he discovered during training was that he gains strength each time he kills a monster or faces a strong enemy, a unique ability that came with the Blessing. The secret ingredient that made Wukong so formidable. He became stronger after each battle and so will James as his heir. The potential to grow transcendental was real, he just had to grind for it.
[You got that right, and I want you to kill them without using any ranged tools.]
"How do I get them then? Hercules shot them from the sky despite being immensely strong and you want me to catch them bare-handed?" James was doubting the feasibility of the task.
[That sounds like a skill issue. Just look for birds with metallic feathers, you can't miss them~]
***
A few hours have passed by since James took on his first practical exercise. He was excited at the prospect of fighting again. But he had yet to find those mystical birds.
James passed by another group of Koropokkuru. The little beasts shrieked at the unknown man, but he just ignored them. He had to preserve his strength for the task.
Even now, he was not sure how to do it. How James was supposed to catch a flying metallic animal from the sky if not using a tool like a bow–he did not know, but he would not give up.
As the sun cast long shadows over the rugged terrain, he heard the distinctive sound of flapping wings above. Further enhancing his senses by activating his fiery gaze, James recognized the shrill cries and the metallic feathers rustling–the unmistakable presence of Stymphalian Birds.
James sprang into action. He defied gravity, leaping nimbly from rock to rock, closing in on the source of the sounds. The shrieks grew louder as he approached, echoing through the mountain's crevices.
Finally, he reached the nesting site, concealed among the craggy outcroppings. There was a pair of Stymphalian Birds, their plumage dark and their eyes sharp, perched upon the precipice. They peered down into the abyss below, undoubtedly guarding their precious eggs.
James crouched low, muscles tense as he studied the pair of Stymphalian Birds. Seeing them up close made him realize just how formidable they were. Their talons gleamed like sharpened steel, and their beaks were deadly hooks designed for tearing through flesh and armor alike. He couldn't afford a mistake. If he struck too soon, both would turn on him, and the odds were against him.
'Focus, James. One at a time.' He whispered to himself, willing his racing heart to steady.
His fiery gaze enhanced the details in the fading light, helping him detect every minute movement of the birds. They were restless, shifting their weight, their sharp eyes scanning the area. But they had not seen him. Not yet.
A few minutes later, one of the birds spread its wings and took off into the air, its talons leaving deep gouges in the rock. It circled above the nest, keeping watch for any threat, while the other remained behind, huddling close to their eggs. This was the moment James had been waiting for.
He crept forward, his movements precise, careful not to disturb even the smallest pebble. He needed to get close enough for a decisive strike. His only advantage lay in surprise.
The remaining bird shifted slightly, unaware of the danger lurking behind it. It let out a low, menacing growl, almost as if sensing something was wrong. James froze, holding his breath.
And then it happened. The bird began to shift its attention away from the eggs, distracted by something in the distance.
That was his opening.
Without a second thought, James lunged forward, his hand gripping a sharp, jagged rock. He sprang at the creature, striking hard and fast, aiming for the base of its wing where the feathers met flesh. The bird screeched in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake him off, but James held on.
With a quick twist, he drove the rock deeper, incapacitating the wing while ignoring all the minor cuts its metallic feathers had given him. The bird flailed, disoriented and in agony. James had no time to feel pity; he needed to finish the job before the other one returned.
With a swift and powerful motion, he tore the bird down from the ledge, sending it plummeting into the abyss below. He heard its fading cries as it disappeared into the void, but there was no time to celebrate. The other bird, alerted by the sounds of the struggle, was descending rapidly.
James turned, his gaze locking onto the second bird as it dove towards him, its razor-sharp talons gleaming in the light. He had no bow, no long-range weapon to bring it down from the sky. But that didn't matter anymore.
Adrenaline coursing through his veins, he leaped toward the edge of the cliff, dodging the incoming assault. The bird screeched, banking sharply to avoid smashing into the rocks, but James wasn't retreating. He was moving towards the fight, ready for what came next.
The bird circled back, its red eyes filled with rage. Its beak snapped open, and it let out a deafening screech as it swooped in for another attack. James knew this next strike would be deadly if he didn't act fast.
Just as the Stymphalian Bird lunged at him, he hurled himself to the side, barely avoiding its vicious talons. He rolled across the rocky ground.
The bird turned, its metal feathers clinking as it prepared for another pass. James braced himself. His fiery gaze locked on the creature's path, his mind racing for a strategy. He needed to think fast, but thinking alone wasn't going to win this fight. He would have to rely on instinct.
As the bird swooped down again, James swung the branch with all his might. The impact struck the bird's side, causing it to falter. It let out a guttural cry but quickly recovered, circling above him once more.
James could feel exhaustion creeping in. Even though he was semi-immortal, that didn't mean he had infinite stamina. But just as he was contemplating on what to do next, the bird screeched again but this time it was different.
He barely had a moment to react. The piercing screech cut through the air, and he saw the shimmer of countless metallic feathers dislodging from the Stymphalian Bird's wings, spinning toward him like a deadly storm of blades.
Instinct kicked in. He dove behind a nearby boulder, the sharp clang of feathers striking the rock echoing around him. Sparks flew where metal met stone, and James gritted his teeth, feeling the impact vibrate through the ground. A few feathers grazed his arms, leaving thin, stinging cuts.
Panting, he pressed his back against the boulder, feeling his pulse quicken. He peeked around the rock, eyes scanning the bird, which stood defiant.
His mind raced as he searched for a plan. The bird was too fast, too agile, and its feathered barrage left him little room to get close.
He glanced up at the narrow outcropping above him. If he could draw the bird into the air, he might have a chance to turn the terrain against it.
Gathering his strength, James shot out from behind the boulder, leaping across the rugged landscape with precision. The bird screeched again, sensing its moment, and released another barrage of feathers in his direction. He zigzagged through the rocks.
The bird took flight, giving chase, its wings stirring the air violently. James bounded toward the narrow outcropping he'd seen earlier, a ledge jutting out from the side of the mountain. Just a little further, he thought.
With a final burst of speed, he reached the ledge and skidded to a halt. The bird hovered above, watching him with sharp, calculating eyes. For a moment, the air was thick with tension. Then, with a loud screech, the bird swooped down, its talons outstretched, aiming to tear him apart.
This was the moment James had been waiting for.
As the bird descended, James timed his move perfectly. At the last second, he leaped to the side, grabbing onto the jagged edge of the cliff and swinging himself out of harm's way. The bird, committed to its attack, crashed into the narrow ledge. The ground beneath its talons crumbled, and the bird let out a startled cry as it lost its footing.
The weight of its metallic body, combined with the unstable terrain, caused the ledge to give way completely. The Stymphalian Bird plummeted downward, screeching as it disappeared into the abyss below.
James pulled himself back up onto solid ground, breathing heavily. His body screamed in protest, muscles aching, blood seeping from his cuts. But as he stared into the distance, he felt a sense of grim satisfaction. The bird's screeches faded, swallowed by the depths of the mountain as he felt his strength increase again.
Victory was his.
[Not bad for your first real fight. Messy, but alright.]
James smiled, wiping away the sweat that had accumulated on his brow. He surveyed the gruesome scene before him.
A fleeting thought crossed his mind, one that made him pause momentarily. 'Am I masochistic to think it was fun?' he mused, staring at the chaos he had wrought. But the question didn't linger for long; he dismissed it as quickly as it had surfaced. There were more important things to focus on now.
His gaze shifted from the destruction to the bodies of the fallen creatures. The Stymphalian Birds lay lifeless at his in the valley and Koropokkurus have already gathered around the corpses like vultures. The Stymphalians were no ordinary birds–they were infused with power, their bodies enhanced by whatever mysterious force had brought them into existence. Surely, consuming their meat would have a positive effect on him, perhaps strengthening him further.
With his food supplies at the camp nearly depleted, this was also an opportunity to replenish his stock. There were also these metallic feathers that were everywhere, he tested them and found them to be quite durable. James figured that those could be made into a dagger or a spear later on.
But for now, he needed to get that bird meat away from those pesky little buggers.