The clearing was filled with the sound of blows landing, the impact of fists and feet against stone echoing through the air. Aurel moved like a force of nature, his body a blur of motion, each strike landing with precision, with power. His fists pounded against the shell of the Stone Tortoise, his legs driving forward, his elbows slamming down—all of him focused on a singular goal: breaking through.
The tortoise barely reacted. It was as if Aurel's attacks were nothing more than a nuisance, the creature's thick shell absorbing each impact with ease. It sat there, its head pulled slightly back into the protection of its stone armor, its eyes dull, almost disinterested.
Every now and then, it would retaliate, its massive head emerging to launch a rock at him—a slow, deliberate movement that Aurel easily dodged each time. The stones were large, heavy, but they lacked speed, and Aurel moved around them effortlessly, his Sixth Sense guiding his body, his agility carrying him out of harm's way before the rocks could even get close.
The hours passed, each second dragging into eternity. Aurel's body was a machine, every muscle working in unison, driving each punch, each kick, each knee into the shell with unyielding force. His knuckles were raw, the skin torn, the blood flowing freely. His legs ached, his body strained, his breath coming in heavy gasps. But he didn't stop. He couldn't stop.
The shell of the Stone Tortoise was like a wall—a wall that refused to give, no matter how hard he hit it. But Aurel knew better. Every wall could be broken, and he had the power to break it. He could feel his Adaptability working, his body learning from each impact, adjusting, evolving, finding a way to overcome the unyielding defense in front of him.
The tortoise let out a low, rumbling noise, a guttural sound that seemed almost like a yawn. It shifted slightly, its massive limbs moving as it adjusted its weight, launching another rock in Aurel's direction. He ducked to the side, his eyes locked on the creature, his teeth gritted.
"Come on..." he muttered, his voice barely audible, his fists clenching. He drove forward again, his body coiling, his fist slamming into the shell, the force of the impact sending a shockwave up his arm. He could feel his bones vibrating, his muscles screaming in protest. But he kept going.
He had been at it for hours—three hours of relentless attacks, of pushing his body, of refusing to give in. His energy was draining, his body reaching its limits. But there was something inside of him—something that refused to let go. A spark, a fire that burned hotter with every punch, every kick, every moment of pain.
And then, it happened.
It was a subtle shift, a feeling that started in the pit of his stomach and spread outward—a sense of connection, of something clicking into place. Aurel paused for a moment, his fist still raised, his breath caught in his throat. He could feel it—a change in the way his power moved, the way his body responded.
It was as if he could sense the energy flowing through him, extending beyond his physical form, reaching out, touching the shell of the tortoise. He could feel the toughness of it, the unyielding stone that had resisted him for hours. But he could also feel something beyond it—something softer, more vulnerable. The insides of the creature, the beating heart, the organs protected by the impenetrable shell.
A smile spread across Aurel's face, his eyes narrowing, a fire igniting within them. This was it. The moment he had been waiting for.
He pulled his arm back, his fist clenching, his muscles coiling like springs. He focused his energy, his power, feeling it surge through him, concentrating it into a single point—a single strike. He drove his fist forward, his body moving with all the strength he could muster, the force of the blow passing through the shell, bypassing its defense, penetrating deep into the creature's core.
The Stone Tortoise let out a deep, guttural noise, its eyes widening, its massive body shuddering. Aurel felt the shift—the way the creature's energy faltered, the way its defenses crumbled from the inside out. He had done it. He had broken through.
With one final, powerful blow, Aurel struck again, his fist driving into the tortoise's shell, the energy passing through, the creature's massive form convulsing before it finally fell still. A low, echoing thud filled the clearing as the Stone Tortoise collapsed, its head drooping, its limbs slack.
Aurel stood over it, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his body trembling. He had done it. He had broken through the unbreakable. He had gained the trait he had been striving for.
The watch on his wrist beeped, the screen lighting up, the notification flashing before his eyes.
New Trait Unlocked: Armour Penetration (Rank: Rare)
Description: Grants the user the ability to ignore some of the physical defenses of opponents. Attacks bypass armor and protective traits, causing internal damage directly.
Aurel stared at the screen, his heart pounding in his chest. He had gained it. Armour Penetration. The trait that would make him dangerous, that would give him the ability to strike at the heart of any opponent, no matter how heavily defended they were.
He took a deep breath, his eyes closing, his body relaxing. He could feel the difference already—the way his power had changed, the way his energy moved through him. It was as if a barrier had been lifted, as if he had gained a new understanding of how to use his strength.
Aurel opened his eyes, looking down at the massive form of the tortoise, its shell still intact, its body still. He had done it. He had taken on the impossible and emerged victorious.
He glanced over his shoulder, his gaze shifting to the edge of the clearing where he had fought the three men earlier. He frowned, realizing that he had completely forgotten about them. He had meant to take their supplies, to see if they had anything useful. But when he looked, they were gone—nothing left but the trampled grass where they had fallen.
Aurel sighed, shaking his head. It didn't matter. They hadn't been a threat. They were just an obstacle—a minor distraction on his path to power. What mattered now was what lay ahead.
He knelt beside the tortoise, his hand reaching out, touching the shell, feeling the cool, rough texture beneath his fingers. He pulled a small storage ring from his pocket, slipping it onto his finger, focusing his energy. The massive form of the Stone Tortoise shimmered for a moment before disappearing, drawn into the ring, stored away for later.
Aurel stood, his eyes narrowing, his gaze shifting to the darkened forest around him. He had come here for a reason. He had fought, endured, adapted, and grown stronger. And now, he had the power he needed.
He turned, his steps steady, his body sore but filled with a new energy, a new determination. He moved through the forest, the path back to the city clear in his mind, each step bringing him closer to his goal.