"Absorb mana!" Cain exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement, as he grasped Zarek's shoulders.
Zarek's eyes widened in surprise. "You want me to absorb mana? But how?"
Cain's grin grew wider. "You said you can absorb almost anything, right? Then try absorbing mana!"
Zarek's brow furrowed. "But how..."
Cain raised his hands, sensing the mana surrounding them. His eyes closed, and a serene smile spread across his face. "Don't you feel it, Zarek?"
A look of recollection crossed Zarek's face. "Now that you mention it, I did feel it briefly earlier."
"You know, Yuki Mountain used to be the main hotspot for portals," Cain began, his voice filled with nostalgia. "But for years, none have opened here. The residual mana from those portals has saturated the air."
Cain's eyes snapped open, gleaming with purpose. "We'll use this to our advantage. With the mana here, you can strengthen your body."
Zarek's determination ignited. He felt a surge of hope, a chance to prove himself.
"Since you can't draw mana from within," Cain continued, "you'll draw it from this mountain. I intend to make you level up, before we enter the Omega Portal."
Zarek's heart swelled with excitement. "Really? You think I can do it?"
Cain nodded resolutely. "With this training, your survival chances will significantly improve." His voice turned cautious. "However, I make no guarantees about obtaining the S-rank crystal."
Zarek reflected on the hunter ranking system, where stars determined each level. As a one-star D-rank hunter, he was at the lowest rank. Typically, hunters could jump to three-star, the maximum for their rank, before potentially advancing to C-rank.
"But what if I can level up like others?" Zarek thought. "With Cain, a three-star S-rank hunter – a guild leader's level – training me, I must seize this chance to grow."
Determination solidified within him.
Zarek steeled himself, jaw clenched. "I'll do it. I'll become stronger."
.....
Eva's gaze drifted upward, lost in thought, as she soaked in the warm waters of the white ceramic bathtub. Her pale skin glistened with droplets of water, while her long blonde hair cascaded around her like a golden waterfall, framing her heart-shaped face. Her piercing blue eyes, usually bright with determination, now seemed distant.
Her mind wandered to a familiar memory – one she often reflected on. She saw herself as a five-year-old, sitting in a dimly lit cave. Zarek, equally young, stood before her, his face bruised and battered. Her eyes, welling up with tears, locked onto his.
"Let's go," Zarek's gentle voice encouraged, as he extended a hand.
Eva's thoughts lingered on the memory, her fingers instinctively wrapping around the crystal pendant hanging from her neck. The familiar contours brought comfort, reminding her of the memories she share with him.
Eva emerged from the bathroom, water droplets sliding across her skin as she wrapped herself in a plush white robe. She entered her luxurious bedroom, where Maria, her trusted personal assistant and a two-star S-rank hunter, awaited.
"Sorry, Maria. I didn't mean to keep you waiting," Eva said.
Maria's expression remained neutral, her black hair and glasses framing her stoic face. "No apology necessary, Eva-sama. I arrived unannounced."
Eva's gaze met Maria's. "What brings you here?"
"It's time for the Omega Dungeon raid meeting," Maria replied, her voice unwavering. "As leader of the Arrow Guild, your presence is required."
Eva nodded. "I haven't forgotten. Give me a minute to change."
Maria bowed slightly. "Understood. I'll wait outside."
Eva re-emerged, dressed in her battle attire, her confidence radiating.
Maria and Spectre, a one-star A-rank hunter, stood outside, their faces tense.
"Eva-sama, it's a meeting, not a dungeon raid," Maria reminded, her composure unshaken. "You don't need battle gear."
Eva smiled. "I'm more comfortable like this. Besides, I haven't brought my weapons. It'll be fine."
Suddenly, Maria darted back inside, grabbing Eva's hand and pulling her away.
Muffled voices filtered through the door, indistinguishable but urgent.
"Maria, what're you doing?" Eva's voice echoed.
"Forgive my intrusion, Eva-sama," Maria replied, "but I cannot let you attend the meeting dressed like that. The Arrow Guild has its reputation to uphold."
Eva's laughter followed, "Maria, stop. I'll handle it."
The door swung open, and Eva emerged, radiant in a stunning pink dress. Spectre's eyes widened, his face flushing crimson.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Spectre," Eva said, her voice pleased.
Spectre composed himself, "No problem, Eva." His thoughts, however, betrayed his calm demeanor: "If it was for this view, it was absolutely worth it."
Maria's expression remained neutral. "Then let's proceed to the meeting."
*****
Zarek sat shirtless atop a rocky outcropping, meditating under the open sky. His eyes snapped open, frustration etched on his face.
"Captain, this is ridiculous!" he exclaimed, breaking his meditation. "I've been sitting here for hours, and nothing!"
Cain materialized behind him, delivering a swift kick that sent Zarek tumbling to the ground.
"Focus, Zarek!" Cain chastised, holding back his full strength. "I told you, don't lose your concentration."
Zarek scrambled to his feet, dusting himself off. "But captain, I've made no progress. Absorption is a passive skill; it just happens when I receive potions or healing magic. I've never actively used it before."
Cain's expression turned stern. "That's exactly why you must master it, kid. It's your skill; only you can figure it out."
Zarek's determination faltered, but Cain's next words galvanized him.
"You can't return home until you succeed. You must understand your own strength."
With that, Cain leaped into the air, vanishing instantly. The snow around them erupted, scattered by the explosive force of his departure.
Zarek stood alone, the silence a stark reminder of his challenge.
Zarek sat cross-legged, his eyes sealed shut, as the biting wind whipped around him. The icy air numbed his skin, but his mind blazed with determination. He had to crack the code of his Absorption skill.
"What if I've been looking at this wrong?" he thought, his mental gears shifting. "Instead of forcing mana into my core, what if I absorb it into my very being?"
A spark of excitement ignited within him. He focused on the ambient mana, feeling its delicate threads weave through the air. With a newfound sense of purpose, Zarek began to draw the energy into his body.
His cells vibrated, resonating with the influx of mana. A radiant blue aura erupted around him, pulsating with an ethereal glow. The minute mana density surrounding him began to merge with his being, infusing his muscles, bones, and sinews.
As the energy coursed through him, Zarek's senses expanded. He felt the intricate balance of his body, the symphony of life forces humming in harmony. His eyes snapped open, shining with triumph.
"Yes! Hell yeah! I've figured it out!" Zarek leaped to his feet, laughter echoing through the desolate landscape. "With this, I can enhance my abilities through training by absorbing mana into my body!"
His shouts danced on the wind, a joyful declaration of victory. For the first time, he grasped the true potential of his Absorption skill.
Unseen by Zarek, Cain observed from behind a nearby tree, a hint of a smile on his face. "So, you've figured it out. Not bad, kid."