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<div class="chapter-inner chapter-content"> <p class="cnNmMWY5ZWI3YzJiNTQxNzViNzJjMmQ0Mjk3NTk3NmQz"><strong>Chapter 14: A New Day</strong></p> <p class="cnM3OTdmMzIwOWE2NzRjMWE5NzljN2JmMTRmZTViZWM1">The next morning.</p> <p class="cnM0YjhmMzBlODNkYTQyZjI4ZmJjMzM3YzhlM2U0ZWU0">Theo absentmindedly stared up at the ceiling.</p> <p class="cnNkOTk0NTg2OTg3ODQzZGJhMzFkNTI1NmYyYmM2NGIz">“…”</p> <p class="cnNkMDYxODkzMjdmMjQzZDlhOWM0MTdjNGY4NDA0ZTli">He laid there, motionless. A certain feeling of numbness touched his fingers and spread through the rest of his body. He woke up five minutes ago, but the desire to get up and move never once reared its head. It was as if nothing else in the world existed except for the patches of dust that clung to the ceiling fan.</p> <p class="cnM0MDA0OTBiNTg0NzQ5ZmM5NGYyNDc2M2YxZjQyMmQz">In Mistelhan, he was used to sleeping in late and waking up early. Back then, he averaged three hours of sleep a day, with the rest of his time consumed by either training or battle. At some point, the lines between the two concepts blurred, and his life simply spiraled into an endless cycle of chaotic routine.</p> <p class="cnNmMGUzMGRkZGIwZjQ2ZmZiNmFmMjJiMDc5ZDE3OTdj">Truthfully, Theo figured that he would retain a bit of that habit of his. After all, out of the many things that he picked up from that world, a good sleeping habit was one of the few useful ones. To his surprise, the desire to wake up early and be a productive member of society was nowhere to be found. Instead, he felt as if his limbs were encased in a vat of cement. A wave of lethargy washed over him.</p> <p class="cnNlM2Y4ZjZkODBkMjQxOTE4ZGJlZDM2MzJmODQ1MDEw">After thinking about it for a few minutes, he chalked it up to the change in environment. Plume was a considerably peaceful place, especially compared to Mistelhan. Plus, his bed possessed just the right mixture of comfort and nostalgia to keep him shackled like a prisoner in a dungeon.</p> <p class="cnNmYzdjZDg1N2RhZTQzY2M5YWM4MWU2ZThhYzVlZGI4">He was seriously in danger of sleeping in for the whole day.</p> <p class="cnMzZmU1MWZkMGU2NDRiYzdhMDFjMGMxMTg1N2E1ZjRm">Theo wrinkled his nose. Eggs, bacon, and the aromatic scent of coffee. The smell wafted through the room like a slow-acting aphrodisiac. After a few more seconds, he finally pushed himself forward and sat up on the bed.</p> <p class="cnNhZGZmNTk4MGYxZDQzOGM4NzNlNmI4ZTA2NmU1ZjRk">He looked around his surroundings. Sunlight seeped in from the glass window. The room was empty and the spot next to him was vacant. Aunt Lynn was gone.</p> <p class="cnNiMDU2OTZmNTFkZDQyZmY4MTkyNzUxYWU0YzdiY2Jh">“She’s probably the one cooking…” He mumbled to himself, as he stretched out his limbs and yawned. A second later, he grimaced.</p> <p class="cnM2ZmEyOTE5MDk4NjRmMmZhMzIwMzZiOWVhNWVhMDRl">His left arm had gone numb. He remembered that Aunt Lynn slept on his left side, and had used his arm as a makeshift pillow throughout the entirety of the night. Theo sighed. “This body really is way too weak…”</p> <p class="cnNjOTNlYmIwNjhhNDRmN2NiNWQ5MzVlMTAxZjgxYjNh">The desire to grow stronger once again ignited. Like before, he did not expect to return to his peak, but even the slightest improvement was better than his current self. The shortcomings of his body grew more and more apparent the longer he stayed on Plume.</p> <p class="cnMzNGMwN2Y3ODI5MzQ1YzdhZGU1ZmJlMmUxNzI3NTk5">A good example was the fight with those Thugs last night. He had wasted so much time and effort just to deal with a disorganized group of less than ten people. Even though he had technique and experience at his disposal, there was a limit to the things that he could do, given the strength of his body.</p> <p class="cnMzMTNlYTJiNjRlMzQyNWI4MGE0ZTgzYWJkODBmNDcx">He was lucky that the opponents from last night were at a level that he could handle, but what would have happened had they pulled out a gun? What if instead of ten, there had been twenty men there? He could not avoid sniper bullets, nor could his body resist the explosive strength of a rocket launcher. Even just a slightly more trained thug with a bit of martial experience would have put him in a dangerous situation.</p> <p class="cnMxMDJlYjhkMjEwNzQwYjFiZTc0MWFkOWQ1MmZjMmQ1">Of course, a few of these examples were a bit extreme, but the more he thought about it, the more uncertain he became of his future.</p> <p class="cnM3MjM2ZDc3YWVjMDRlYWRhYTFhNjMyZWY1OTBiYTA3">His current body was simply too inconvenient for his liking.</p> <p class="cnM0NzEyMDc4YmE2OTQwNzM4Y2UwYTdmYzJlODk5N2Nl">“As expected, no matter where you go, strength is always important.” He nodded to himself. Whether it was the strength to defend your ideals, strength to protect your loved ones, or simply strength for the sake of strength, strength was the key. “But what’s the best way to get stronger?”</p> <p class="cnM2MjI3MGQ5MjM0MzQ0OWNhNzUyNjlhMjllNGE1ZTRk">As he was contemplating the issue, his door suddenly swung open. To his surprise, Shirley had barged into his room.</p> <p class="cnNhMDQ4N2U4NTIwMTQ5NmRiYTNlMDgyNDIzZTI5NTYw">“Shirley?” Theo looked up at her with wide eyes and a weird expression on his face. Today, she was wearing a pale green sweater over what looked to be a set of pajamas. Her hair was a bit messier than normal, and instead of the rounded spectacles from yesterday, she had on a pair of glasses with a black-rimmed rectangular frame.</p> <p class="cnMyMmY2NWE5MjI1MTQzNDc4YmUwMDllMmYxNTFlYzNm"><em>Why is she here?</em> <em>Don’t tell me she really did sneak into my room last night? </em>He thought about it for a moment, before he immediately shook his head. Last night, he had slept in the same bed as his Aunt Lynn. If Shirley really had sneaked in, then she would have surely seen him under such compromising circumstances. If that were the case, things would have been a whole lot more chaotic this morning.</p> <p class="cnM4MDNhZDhhOTIyNzRkZTFhZjAwZWI0MDdkZjQ0YjNl">“Why are you here?” He straightforwardly asked.</p> <p class="cnNlYzczZWI4ZDMzMTRmZjY5NWNmZjQyMzE0OGI1ZWRj">“I… I told my parents that you came back yesterday, and they pushed me to visit.” She spoke up, her cheeks slightly blushing in the process. “They said that you should visit them sometime soon. They want to see you too.”</p> <p class="cnM5N2FmMDFkYTQ5YjQyZWM5ZWFjZTM4NzNiYTZkMWI0">“Your parents…” Theo vaguely remembered them. In his memories, they did not stand out as much as Shirley or Aunt Lynn, but they were without a doubt, good people. Since Theo was their daughter’s closest friend, they obviously treated him quite well.</p> <p class="cnM3NWM1OGZiYmU2MzQzMjhhMDIxYmYzNTFmYzZkODdk">He bitterly smiled.</p> <p class="cnM0OTUyNzMzZTU5ZjQ1ZDVhZTAwNDM2MzRiNDIwYzUx">He recalled that sometime after Shirley and him entered high-school, the way her parents addressed him had abruptly changed. Instead of the usual kiddo or pal, they often called him ‘son-in-law’. He knew that they were joking around, but the underlying implications still remained. Back then, he could only shake his head. ‘What would they have done if their precious daughter had brought home an actual boyfriend?’ Although he wanted to say something along those lines, the image of Shirley with another man made him uncomfortable, so he remained quiet.</p> <p class="cnM5NjgyYjczMTEzYjRlZmY5ZjU1OGJjN2Q1NzRjMGJj">The most jarring thing about the whole incident was that aside from blushing even more than usual, Shirley made no attempt at stopping them.</p> <p class="cnMyZjdjNDExOWFhOTRiY2ZiNDJhZjRiN2UwZjU2ODdk">Seeing Theo’s thoughts wandering, Shirley hastily changed the subject. “E-enough about that, I came up here to wake you up. Aunt Lynn’s already got breakfast all cooked up.”</p> <p class="cnM2NjVmZDVlOTk0YjQ0ZWY5MzMxMTY2MDBmZTdlODg2">He nodded absentmindedly. “I’ll be down in a bit.”</p> <p class="cnNkNDczNzM3NTRlYzQ5YmRiOWYyMjE0MmFkNmI1ZTNh">Shirley stopped in the middle of the room, and slowly surveyed the surroundings. From the carpeted floor, all the way to the bedroom window, she inspected every nook and cranny like a devoted health inspector at a high-class restaurant.</p> <p class="cnM5NTIzNzRiNzZhODQ3M2I4ZTMyY2U2YmFmYzk5MTMy">Eventually, her eyes stopped on the bed. Shirley furrowed her brows.</p> <p class="cnM2NjQ4MjkzYmQ3NzQ1MzNiNWIzMGZlYjQxN2Q2ZWYz">“Did you let Aunt Lynn sleep in your room last night?” She suddenly asked, her voice just a little bit accusatory.</p> <p class="cnNhNjI3MTUzOWRmMzQxZTg4ZTg1MjRjODdmOThkNTBi">Theo subconsciously tensed his shoulders. Being the target of such a probing glare, he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. In fact, he felt like a husband whose wife had just caught him sleeping with a mistress. For a moment, he thought about lying to her, but he immediately rejected that idea.</p> <p class="cnNhYzg0ODA2NTMzMjQ1M2Q4MjRlNDA4OThhZjkxNGZh">“Yeah, I did.” He spoke after a few seconds of hesitation. “How could you tell?”</p> <p class="cnNkZTUyYWNiYTI3YTRhNzNhOGNkYzQxYzk3MTQxMWQ4">She scoffed and glared at the innocent face Theo was currently making. “The smell, obviously.” She gestured to the room. “The smell’s not too strong, but it’s definitely there. The smell of alcohol.”</p> <p class="cnM0NTQ1ZGFlZWNkYTQxYzBiNDE4MzNhMDNiYjcwNDQ0">“Oh…”</p> <p class="cnMyZWQ5M2MzZWI0NzQzYWJhYzYyMmJjN2NjMmY3Mjk1">Now that he thought about it, the smell of alcohol was kind of a dead giveaway, what with the fact that there was only one alcoholic in the household. Still, for some reason, he did not want to openly admit this fact, at least not so easily.</p> <p class="cnM5ODdiYjc4NjM2MDQzMDNhMTU2ZTYwODU4YzE0ZGFh">“But how do you know that it didn’t smell like this before yesterday?” He argued. “What if Aunt Lynn was here in my room before then?”</p> <p class="cnNhOTU1MTYzNDhiNzRiODM4NjllMGU0OTZmZTI1ZDQz">She stared contemptibly at him. “Who do you think cleaned your room while you were away? The most Aunt Lynn does is prevent herself from making a mess. As for cleaning, you know exactly how bad she is at that.”</p> <p class="cnM0NmFiNTE4MTczOTQ0NWRiMTJmYTMyM2EyMzUzZDNl">Theo smiled awkwardly. <em>In the first place, why are you cleaning my room? </em>He did not have the mind to ask this question out loud, as he worried about the sort of trouble he might stir up. In the end, after giving it some thought, the only thing he could muster out in response was a corny compliment. “You’ll surely make a great wife someday.”</p> <p class="cnNjNTM4YmVjM2Y4ODQ1NzBiNzJjNzdkMDIxZGZiMWQ2">Shirley’s cheeks visibly flushed. Her lips trembled, while an incoherent string of syllables leaked out from her throat. Seeing her distressed expression, the flames of temptation ignited within his heart.</p> <p class="cnMwZmU2ZjQ2NzQ1YTQwYmU5NDBhZjNlNzE5ODYyYzBk">He couldn’t help but add in, “… as long as you learn how to cook that is.”</p> <p class="cnNlNGQyNjY0MjYyMDQ0Yzk4NTM4ZjAzNzI1MzAxZGZk">Her face immediately twitched. He knew of this. Theo had touched upon her reverse scale. If there was one thing in the world that would set Shirley off more than anything, then it would be commenting on her abysmal cooking skills. It’s not that she never tried to learn, but Shirley Polaris physically, mentally, and spiritually cannot cook. It’s reached a point where he actually started to believe that she might be cursed or something.</p> <p class="cnNlMjc3MDk0NTAyMTQxMjRiN2Y1NWNlMjNhYjYwNzc4">Her cheeks bloated up like a puffer fish. She looked angry. No, she definitely was angry. For a moment, she scanned the room for something to punch, hit, throw, really anything that might allow her to vent out her stress. After a few seconds, she saw a pillow a couple of feet away from the bed. She reached for the pillow, before she threw it at him with full force.</p> <p class="cnMyMTcxNzg1NDI4NzRjMmVhNDViNGM5MmNmODVlYTU0">Theo made no attempt at dodging, and the soft pillow hit him square in the face. During the moment of impact, he reflexively flinched. The next time he opened his eyes, Shirley was already making her way out of the bedroom.</p> <p class="cnMyNDMzYTNkM2RhZTQ2M2M5NWJhZWVlMmMyNmMxYjE2">“Get dressed already! Breakfast is almost ready.” She angrily shouted at him, as she closed the door behind her.</p> <p class="cnNiOTliZWJlMTc0MTQzODQ4NmZmOTNlMmQ0ZjhjYTlj">After a few seconds of silence, Theo let out a quiet sigh. “Why bother waking up so early? Isn’t today a Saturday?” Still, no matter how much he complained, it was already impossible to change anything.</p> <p class="cnM1NTFlYjE3NTNmYTRhNWI5NmUwNGI5Y2RhYmVlNTE2">He got up and stretched his body. Theo looked into the closet for something to change into. In the meantime, he also returned back to the topic from before and began brainstorming of ways to improve his current strength.</p> <p class="cnNlMWQzOTcwMWEwODRiMWFhZGMzMzUzZGQ1MWFiNDBk">He recalled the training method that he had utilized back on Mistelhan. It had given him outstanding results, but replicating such a magic based training method would be relatively difficult here on Plume. Primarily, the problem lay in the fact that his current body could not perceive even a strand of energy.</p> <p class="cnNjZTM4ZWI5YmQyYTRmZjRhMTBjYjQxOWRiY2FkYmUw">In that world, training started with rousing a human’s latent potential for growth and evolution. To do that, the residents of Mistelhan had devised of a method to essentially jump-start the body through the introduction of foreign energy. This way, the practitioner not only gets introduced to what malleable energy feels like, but they now also have possession of a drawable source of energy, which they can use for future training.</p> <p class="cnM4ZmI1YzRhMzcwMjRjMmZhMTA5YmNlYTJiMjg2NjFl">To achieve this result, they used something called a mana stone. In Mistelhan, mana was what they called the malleable energy that the planet naturally exuded out. Of course, there were other types of energy, but mana was regarded as the most easily accessible. A mana stone was a crystallized shard of mana. They were quite popular in both military encampments and wizarding academies. In fact, some kingdoms did away with their intermediaries and simply used mana stones as their sole currency.</p> <p class="cnM3NTY2ZGJkMzNiODRhYTRhNTgxYjY3Njg5YmI0YTc1">The reason why it was such a popular ‘starter’ was due to the fact that mana stones not only possessed quite a bit of manipulatable energy, but also because said energy was rather mild and gentle, especially compared to a few other alternatives.</p> <p class="cnNmNDBjOTNlYmMwODQyYjI4ZTY4NTliNTdhMTk3NWZk">If he wanted to train using a similar method from his past, then he needed to get his hands on a mana stone. Unfortunately, in a place like modern Plume, finding such a thing was like searching for gold at the end of a rainbow.</p> <p class="cnNmMTBlYzlkMTNjNTQ0MWZhMjFjMGJkNzBkMTY5ZjBi">He felt a bit troubled by his situation.</p> <p class="cnNkOWE0ZjJlOTFhMTRmYzViNTFjMmZkNjM0MjAxYTNj">Two options lay before him; find a new training method or find a replacement energy source.</p> <p class="cnM0MjViNjQ1YmZlYTRiNzE5MTRiMDAxZmJkMDAxN2Jh">As his mind churned, his eyes wandered. Eventually, he stopped at a wall socket. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind.</p> <p class="cnM4NzZmZmI2OWJjNjQ2NWZhZDMwYjcwZTc5ZWVhMjFi">“Electricity is also energy… although it’s a bit chaotic, as long as I prepare… I can do it… I can definitely do it….” He continually mumbled to himself, as a plan slowly began to form. Of course, it wasn’t really a plan, but more like a rough outline built around one spontaneous idea of his.</p> <p class="cnMyZDIwNzgzOTYyNDQ2YzdhZDc3Y2JiMTExZmI4Mzkx">“First of all, I need to make a runic circle…”</p> <p class="cnNmN2YwNTI1MGRmYjQ3ZDFiMjc0YmJkZjVhMzk5OGU5">Speaking briefly of the magic on Mistelhan, there existed two primary systems of standardized magic. The first system was called Inner Circulation. Inner Circulation was all about self-strengthening and placed its primary focus on the utilization of the essence that one’s own body produced. It was a popular system of magic that was practiced not only by spellcasters, but also by the knights and warriors of Mistelhan.</p> <p class="cnM4YTcwZGU2MzZkNzQwMmRhMzU5YThmNGEyZmZlODc5">If Inner Circulation acted as the primary system for training, then Outer Casting was widely acknowledged as the best auxiliary system in all of Mistelhan. Its practice was not as widely spread as the former, and it was also considerably more difficult to learn, but it had its own inherent strengths.</p> <p class="cnNlNWVkMDE3YjA2YzRlNWE4MGRhMjVmYmUwN2Y2Mjkw">Its greatest strength was the fact that one could practice Outer Casting regardless of a person’s magical power or sensitivity to mana. Outer Casting depended on a person’s mastery of the arts, and not their arbitrary strength or potential. Unironically, this was also the primary reason for the system’s unpopularity.</p> <p class="cnNjNGQxZmJkMTJhYTRjNDRhMGUxZjYxZmI4MjI4ODhj">Inner Circulation strengthened the body, and could even elongate the natural lifespan of a person. In comparison, Outer Casting left its practitioners untouched. </p> <p class="cnNjNDBiMjZhOGIxNDQyMWI5ZmY0OTQzNTQzYTExY2Yw">In essence, Inner Circulation could turn humans into superhumans, while those that practiced Outer Casting remained within the ranks of the ordinary.</p> <p class="cnNiZmQxYTNiMTFlMzQ3NGY4YzhiMTI4NzFkY2UxNDU4">Theo was a rare individual who practiced both disciplines</p> <p class="cnM1YzRlNTM3MzkzNDQ4ZDBiNWQ2OWMzYWIxM2M5MjI3">Given his current situation, Outer Casting was the only option out of the two, as it allowed a completely ordinary person to utilize a few no tier spells. Unfortunately, Outer Casting had too many weaknesses, of which greatly hampered its viability as Theo’s primary mode of combat. There was a reason why the discipline was eventually phased out in favor of its superior counterpart.</p> <p class="cnNlOWE4MmUzYWYyYzQ3YTZiNWFlZWRhNmEwMGU4MzUw">Also, he still did not know whether the magic of Mistelhan worked on Plume. After giving it some thought, he shrugged his shoulders. There was no harm in trying.</p> <p class="cnNiOTk0NDdiMTkxMzQ3MjdhNTRlZTk5NDQwMWQwODA1">“First of all, I need something to act as a medium…” He muttered to himself as he briefly surveyed the room.</p> <p class="cnM4YjU4NWM3MDlmMjRlNzRiMDIxMGFmNzdlMjIyNDAw">Outer casting relied on the power of a mana compatible medium. For Inner Circulation, the medium was the practitioner’s physical body. Outer Casting practitioners did not have this convenience, hence the role of the medium. During most circumstances, this medium would take the form of an artifact or magic item, but temporary consumables would work just as well for his situation.</p> <p class="cnMwODZiMjdkM2JjYjQ1NjFiZWM1ZDg4NmU2ZmY2ZDg2">A high schooler’s bedroom did not really give him a lot of options, but lucky for him, Theo knew of something that was readily accessible even to a poor schmuck like him.</p> <p class="cnMxMDk2MWY2MmRlNjQ5YTlhYTNjZGI4OGQ1MzI2MjE5">He bit down on his thumb until it bled. He looked at the wound with a bitter smile on his face. “The blood of a virgin… good thing gender doesn’t really matter.”</p> <p class="cnNjMjJmYTRmNmFiMjQ0ODZiMjRjMTI0MTNmMTcyZDE5">Once a sufficient amount of red stained the end of his thumb, Theo then drew out an archaic circle on his bare abdomen. After a few seconds, a complicated structure featuring a variety of geometric shapes covered the entirety of his front torso.</p> <p class="cnM5YmU1YThkOTEyOTQwZWJiNGI2ZDQxMDExZjYxYTZi">Theo was satisfied with his work and immediately lowered his shirt, before he walked over to the nearest electrical socket. He squatted down next to it and stared for a long time. Eventually, he took a deep breath and stuck his finger inside. At first, nothing happened.</p> <p class="cnMwMDFjOGZhYTk0YjQwNzE5OTQ5ZmI5ZWNkZTM5YWNh">Theo frowned. He thought for a moment, before he wettened the tip of his finger with saliva, and stuck it back inside the socket. Almost immediately, a sharp jolt washed through his body. The smell of burning flesh filled the room. A short spark knocked Theo off his feet. A crackle of electricity buzzed through his hazing eyes before he abruptly passed out.</p> </div>

**Chapter 14: A New Day** The next morning. Theo absentmindedly stared up at the ceiling. “…” He laid there, motionless. A certain feeling of numbness touched his fingers and spread through the rest of his body. He woke up five minutes ago, but the desire to get up and move never once reared its head. It was as if nothing else in the world existed except for the patches of dust that clung to the ceiling fan. In Mistelhan, he was used to sleeping in late and waking up early. Back then, he averaged three hours of sleep a day, with the rest of his time consumed by either training or battle. At some point, the lines between the two concepts blurred, and his life simply spiraled into an endless cycle of chaotic routine. Truthfully, Theo figured that he would retain a bit of that habit of his. After all, out of the many things that he picked up from that world, a good sleeping habit was one of the few useful ones. To his surprise, the desire to wake up early and be a productive member of society was nowhere to be found. Instead, he felt as if his limbs were encased in a vat of cement. A wave of lethargy washed over him. After thinking about it for a few minutes, he chalked it up to the change in environment. Plume was a considerably peaceful place, especially compared to Mistelhan. Plus, his bed possessed just the right mixture of comfort and nostalgia to keep him shackled like a prisoner in a dungeon. He was seriously in danger of sleeping in for the whole day. Theo wrinkled his nose. Eggs, bacon, and the aromatic scent of coffee. The smell wafted through the room like a slow-acting aphrodisiac. After a few more seconds, he finally pushed himself forward and sat up on the bed. He looked around his surroundings. Sunlight seeped in from the glass window. The room was empty and the spot next to him was vacant. Aunt Lynn was gone. “She’s probably the one cooking…” He mumbled to himself, as he stretched out his limbs and yawned. A second later, he grimaced. His left arm had gone numb. He remembered that Aunt Lynn slept on his left side, and had used his arm as a makeshift pillow throughout the entirety of the night. Theo sighed. “This body really is way too weak…” The desire to grow stronger once again ignited. Like before, he did not expect to return to his peak, but even the slightest improvement was better than his current self. The shortcomings of his body grew more and more apparent the longer he stayed on Plume. A good example was the fight with those Thugs last night. He had wasted so much time and effort just to deal with a disorganized group of less than ten people. Even though he had technique and experience at his disposal, there was a limit to the things that he could do, given the strength of his body. He was lucky that the opponents from last night were at a level that he could handle, but what would have happened had they pulled out a gun? What if instead of ten, there had been twenty men there? He could not avoid sniper bullets, nor could his body resist the explosive strength of a rocket launcher. Even just a slightly more trained thug with a bit of martial experience would have put him in a dangerous situation. Of course, a few of these examples were a bit extreme, but the more he thought about it, the more uncertain he became of his future. His current body was simply too inconvenient for his liking. “As expected, no matter where you go, strength is always important.” He nodded to himself. Whether it was the strength to defend your ideals, strength to protect your loved ones, or simply strength for the sake of strength, strength was the key. “But what’s the best way to get stronger?” As he was contemplating the issue, his door suddenly swung open. To his surprise, Shirley had barged into his room. “Shirley?” Theo looked up at her with wide eyes and a weird expression on his face. Today, she was wearing a pale green sweater over what looked to be a set of pajamas. Her hair was a bit messier than normal, and instead of the rounded spectacles from yesterday, she had on a pair of glasses with a black-rimmed rectangular frame. *Why is she here?* *Don’t tell me she really did sneak into my room last night?* He thought about it for a moment, before he immediately shook his head. Last night, he had slept in the same bed as his Aunt Lynn. If Shirley really had sneaked in, then she would have surely seen him under such compromising circumstances. If that were the case, things would have been a whole lot more chaotic this morning. “Why are you here?” He straightforwardly asked. “I… I told my parents that you came back yesterday, and they pushed me to visit.” She spoke up, her cheeks slightly blushing in the process. “They said that you should visit them sometime soon. They want to see you too.” “Your parents…” Theo vaguely remembered them. In his memories, they did not stand out as much as Shirley or Aunt Lynn, but they were without a doubt, good people. Since Theo was their daughter’s closest friend, they obviously treated him quite well. He bitterly smiled. He recalled that sometime after Shirley and him entered high-school, the way her parents addressed him had abruptly changed. Instead of the usual kiddo or pal, they often called him ‘son-in-law’. He knew that they were joking around, but the underlying implications still remained. Back then, he could only shake his head. ‘What would they have done if their precious daughter had brought home an actual boyfriend?’ Although he wanted to say something along those lines, the image of Shirley with another man made him uncomfortable, so he remained quiet. The most jarring thing about the whole incident was that aside from blushing even more than usual, Shirley made no attempt at stopping them. Seeing Theo’s thoughts wandering, Shirley hastily changed the subject. “E-enough about that, I came up here to wake you up. Aunt Lynn’s already got breakfast all cooked up.” He nodded absentmindedly. “I’ll be down in a bit.” Shirley stopped in the middle of the room, and slowly surveyed the surroundings. From the carpeted floor, all the way to the bedroom window, she inspected every nook and cranny like a devoted health inspector at a high-class restaurant. Eventually, her eyes stopped on the bed. Shirley furrowed her brows. “Did you let Aunt Lynn sleep in your room last night?” She suddenly asked, her voice just a little bit accusatory. Theo subconsciously tensed his shoulders. Being the target of such a probing glare, he couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. In fact, he felt like a husband whose wife had just caught him sleeping with a mistress. For a moment, he thought about lying to her, but he immediately rejected that idea. “Yeah, I did.” He spoke after a few seconds of hesitation. “How could you tell?” She scoffed and glared at the innocent face Theo was currently making. “The smell, obviously.” She gestured to the room. “The smell’s not too strong, but it’s definitely there. The smell of alcohol.” “Oh…” Now that he thought about it, the smell of alcohol was kind of a dead giveaway, what with the fact that there was only one alcoholic in the household. Still, for some reason, he did not want to openly admit this fact, at least not so easily. “But how do you know that it didn’t smell like this before yesterday?” He argued. “What if Aunt Lynn was here in my room before then?” She stared contemptibly at him. “Who do you think cleaned your room while you were away? The most Aunt Lynn does is prevent herself from making a mess. As for cleaning, you know exactly how bad she is at that.” Theo smiled awkwardly. *In the first place, why are you cleaning my room?* He did not have the mind to ask this question out loud, as he worried about the sort of trouble he might stir up. In the end, after giving it some thought, the only thing he could muster out in response was a corny compliment. “You’ll surely make a great wife someday.” Shirley’s cheeks visibly flushed. Her lips trembled, while an incoherent string of syllables leaked out from her throat. Seeing her distressed expression, the flames of temptation ignited within his heart. He couldn’t help but add in, “… as long as you learn how to cook that is.” Her face immediately twitched. He knew of this. Theo had touched upon her reverse scale. If there was one thing in the world that would set Shirley off more than anything, then it would be commenting on her abysmal cooking skills. It’s not that she never tried to learn, but Shirley Polaris physically, mentally, and spiritually cannot cook. It’s reached a point where he actually started to believe that she might be cursed or something. Her cheeks bloated up like a puffer fish. She looked angry. No, she definitely was angry. For a moment, she scanned the room for something to punch, hit, throw, really anything that might allow her to vent out her stress. After a few seconds, she saw a pillow a couple of feet away from the bed. She reached for the pillow, before she threw it at him with full force. Theo made no attempt at dodging, and the soft pillow hit him square in the face. During the moment of impact, he reflexively flinched. The next time he opened his eyes, Shirley was already making her way out of the bedroom. “Get dressed already! Breakfast is almost ready.” She angrily shouted at him, as she closed the door behind her. After a few seconds of silence, Theo let out a quiet sigh. “Why bother waking up so early? Isn’t today a Saturday?” Still, no matter how much he complained, it was already impossible to change anything. He got up and stretched his body. Theo looked into the closet for something to change into. In the meantime, he also returned back to the topic from before and began brainstorming of ways to improve his current strength. He recalled the training method that he had utilized back on Mistelhan. It had given him outstanding results, but replicating such a magic based training method would be relatively difficult here on Plume. Primarily, the problem lay in the fact that his current body could not perceive even a strand of energy. In that world, training started with rousing a human’s latent potential for growth and evolution. To do that, the residents of Mistelhan had devised of a method to essentially jump-start the body through the introduction of foreign energy. This way, the practitioner not only gets introduced to what malleable energy feels like, but they now also have possession of a drawable source of energy, which they can use for future training. To achieve this result, they used something called a mana stone. In Mistelhan, mana was what they called the malleable energy that the planet naturally exuded out. Of course, there were other types of energy, but mana was regarded as the most easily accessible. A mana stone was a crystallized shard of mana. They were quite popular in both military encampments and wizarding academies. In fact, some kingdoms did away with their intermediaries and simply used mana stones as their sole currency. The reason why it was such a popular ‘starter’ was due to the fact that mana stones not only possessed quite a bit of manipulatable energy, but also because said energy was rather mild and gentle, especially compared to a few other alternatives. If he wanted to train using a similar method from his past, then he needed to get his hands on a mana stone. Unfortunately, in a place like modern Plume, finding such a thing was like searching for gold at the end of a rainbow. He felt a bit troubled by his situation. Two options lay before him; find a new training method or find a replacement energy source. As his mind churned, his eyes wandered. Eventually, he stopped at a wall socket. Suddenly, an idea flashed through his mind. “Electricity is also energy… although it’s a bit chaotic, as long as I prepare… I can do it… I can definitely do it….” He continually mumbled to himself, as a plan slowly began to form. Of course, it wasn’t really a plan, but more like a rough outline built around one spontaneous idea of his. “First of all, I need to make a runic circle…” Speaking briefly of the magic on Mistelhan, there existed two primary systems of standardized magic. The first system was called Inner Circulation. Inner Circulation was all about self-strengthening and placed its primary focus on the utilization of the essence that one’s own body produced. It was a popular system of magic that was practiced not only by spellcasters, but also by the knights and warriors of Mistelhan. If Inner Circulation acted as the primary system for training, then Outer Casting was widely acknowledged as the best auxiliary system in all of Mistelhan. Its practice was not as widely spread as the former, and it was also considerably more difficult to learn, but it had its own inherent strengths. Its greatest strength was the fact that one could practice Outer Casting regardless of a person’s magical power or sensitivity to mana. Outer Casting depended on a person’s mastery of the arts, and not their arbitrary strength or potential. Unironically, this was also the primary reason for the system’s unpopularity. Inner Circulation strengthened the body, and could even elongate the natural lifespan of a person. In comparison, Outer Casting left its practitioners untouched. In essence, Inner Circulation could turn humans into superhumans, while those that practiced Outer Casting remained within the ranks of the ordinary. Theo was a rare individual who practiced both disciplines Given his current situation, Outer Casting was the only option out of the two, as it allowed a completely ordinary person to utilize a few no tier spells. Unfortunately, Outer Casting had too many weaknesses, of which greatly hampered its viability as Theo’s primary mode of combat. There was a reason why the discipline was eventually phased out in favor of its superior counterpart. Also, he still did not know whether the magic of Mistelhan worked on Plume. After giving it some thought, he shrugged his shoulders. There was no harm in trying. “First of all, I need something to act as a medium…” He muttered to himself as he briefly surveyed the room. Outer casting relied on the power of a mana compatible medium. For Inner Circulation, the medium was the practitioner’s physical body. Outer Casting practitioners did not have this convenience, hence the role of the medium. During most circumstances, this medium would take the form of an artifact or magic item, but temporary consumables would work just as well for his situation. A high schooler’s bedroom did not really give him a lot of options, but lucky for him, Theo knew of something that was readily accessible even to a poor schmuck like him. He bit down on his thumb until it bled. He looked at the wound with a bitter smile on his face. “The blood of a virgin… good thing gender doesn’t really matter.” Once a sufficient amount of red stained the end of his thumb, Theo then drew out an archaic circle on his bare abdomen. After a few seconds, a complicated structure featuring a variety of geometric shapes covered the entirety of his front torso. Theo was satisfied with his work and immediately lowered his shirt, before he walked over to the nearest electrical socket. He squatted down next to it and stared for a long time. Eventually, he took a deep breath and stuck his finger inside. At first, nothing happened. Theo frowned. He thought for a moment, before he wettened the tip of his finger with saliva, and stuck it back inside the socket. Almost immediately, a sharp jolt washed through his body. The smell of burning flesh filled the room. A short spark knocked Theo off his feet. A crackle of electricity buzzed through his hazing eyes before he abruptly passed out.

<div class="chapter-inner chapter-content"> <p class="cnM2NDU4NDA0ODVlNzQ4MjI5YjliOGJiNGE1ZjI4NDli">Once I had heard about the issue that Fyor was expected to have in the future, I was noticeably less excited about it. I mean, there were plenty of ways for the girls to counteract the increasing gravity problem, even if it was just to create a training regiment that involved teaching people either the monk class or something else that provided stamina boosts. Hell, I’d say it would even be a good idea for people to have that kind of training anyways, given that the upper floors become significantly more dangerous as well.</p> <p class="cnM2NzU3MzUyMGQ3NTQwOGU5YTUwYjU3MzkzZjU4ODJh">Either way, I decided to simply fast forward Earth by another ten years. I had already given the instruction to Aurivy to move the Fairy Gate once the elves had the land set up. This way it would give some time for the diplomatic relations to settle after the change, as I was quite sure that things would get hectic for a little while.</p> <p class="cnNjMGNkMzQ5ZTBmZDQ5MTg5YjUyNjdiMjgyMTgxYjQ1">&nbsp;</p> <hr> <p class="cnNkNGZjYzBjZGQ4OTQ4MGJiNWJkNzVhNTg1MDA1YzFk">Within the kingdom of Salor, a group of nobles were sitting around a large table, laughing merrily as they sipped their wines. They were the ones who had chosen to leave when the threat of having the gate taken was issued, intending to reclaim whatever land it had arrived on. And yet, four days after the deadline had passed, they returned only to find that their worries were in vain. The gate remained where it had always been.</p> <p class="cnNmYTE0ZDIzODkwNzQzMjJhNjgwZTc2NDQwMDQ4ZDBl">They weren’t sure if the Keeper had really been bluffing and couldn’t move the gate, or if the king had managed to fool him into thinking that his demands had been met. Either way, their land was secure.</p> <p class="cnMzNDBmZmM5MjZmZTQzMGZiNTVjYzQyZGJlYjNiZDUx"><strong><br><br></strong></p> <p class="cnNkMzJjZDEyZjExZTRlOGNhMTliMTY2NjRkYjAxZmUx">However, just as they were celebrating, a young kitsune man rushed into the room, throwing open the door. There was a look of sheer panic on his face, but in the drunken minds of the nobles, that meant little. “What are you doing here, boy?!” One of the nobles, a kitsune woman with raven black hair, asked in a slurred tone while she shakily rose to her feet.</p> <p class="cnM2NDU4ZGVhYTBiNzQ5MGI4YjRlMzdiMWQ4ZTE1Y2Qx">“I-i-it’s gone!” He stammered out in a panic, afraid that he would get more than a simple punishment if he did not speak immediately. “The gate vanished!”</p> <p class="cnM4ZDI2YzQyYWE5MDQxNzM5MzIwNzdhN2FkOWVmZWM5">“What’sh thish boy talkin’ bout now?” Another noble asked, his red skin seeming a bit darker than normal. “The gate canna’ be moved.”</p> <p class="cnMyOTQyNjhhMjA4YTQyODg5MzVmMjA5MGY5NTQ5NDE5">“It’s gone!” He shouted out again. “It just vanished!” Rather than staying around to wait for the nobles to collect their wits, the boy ran out of the room in order to inform other influential people about this matter. Maybe there would be some who weren’t elbow deep in their drink by the time he found them…</p> <p class="cnNlN2I2NDE2MzM3NzQzODc5MjE5Zjk4Y2Y3NDQ2YmU1">Following this event, the kingdom of Salor suffered a cataclysmic change. The people, who had found out about the king going against the Keeper’s wishes and costing them all the gate, went into a rage. Families had been separated, no longer able to contact their loved ones.</p> <p class="cnMzNmIwMTg2Y2EwMjQyNTk5ZjMwMWQzZTVkOWVkNzVl">From the king to the nobles, all were forced to take the blame. Even those who had pleaded to give in to what the Keeper wanted could not protect themselves. The public raged, and they suffered for it. When the ruling faction fell, the kingdom had been destroyed.</p> <p class="cnMzZGRiMmI0YjZkMDQzOWViOWZjMmE5NjM0MGQ4YzUy">Over the following months, three nations were born in the land that had once been Salor. Each was small, barely having the ability to protect themselves from the local monsters.</p> <p class="cnM5NmI0MTVlMDYxZjRjNmViZjUzZDdmNTQ4MjgxNWU2">To the north was the Jahud, a nation formed from those who believed they saw reason after their bloodlust had passed. In reality, they were just looking for someone else to blame. Now, they blamed the Keeper for taking the gate away from them.</p> <p class="cnM2NWIwMGU4YmMyZTRkZGM4OTAxYjdkNWE4N2EwZjZm">To the south lived the Sunari, a nation that simply wanted to pick up the pieces of what was left behind. They did not want to cast blame or throw stones anymore, and only desired to live with what little they had left.</p> <p class="cnMzMGZhNWJkZWQ5YjRlZjJiM2YwNTI1ODNiMDk1MDI4">Finally, centered around the portal leading to the elven lands, there was the city-state of Lor. They were the ones who had been closest to the shore when the violence broke out, and furthest away from those that they could blame.</p> <p class="cnMwZTQ0NGVmM2IzZTRiN2ViOTYyZTFiZDE2YzZlMGI4">When news reached them that Salor was falling, they thought that some terrifying monster had emerged. Thus, the lord of Lor had passed through the gate to the elven lands, and requested aid from the locals to fortify his lands. The request was granted, with a hundred strong masters being sent to help with the defense.</p> <p class="cnM1YTIwODEyMGI2MzQ3NzA4ZDlkNmFkNzc5NTA2NTg0">Yet days passed, and there was no attack. Rather, the real cause of the disturbance reached their ears. As they had elven soldiers guarding their walls, it was only natural that they learned where the gate had gone. In his panic, the lord ordered a seal on this information, afraid that the splintered remnants of Salor would join forces and attack his land in order to storm the territory of the elves.</p> <p class="cnMzYWNjNjZjODdlMjQyYmI5NTNiNmUzZDE4MjA2MTVm">Unfortunately for him, the world had grown too much. Information could no longer be contained so easily once it reached the public’s ears. He had bought some time, allowing the other two nations to be born, but the news soon got out. While Sunari showed little movement, the same could not be said of Jahud.</p> <p class="cnMzNjg0MGIyMzc4MTRlY2FiNWM5YjFhNWNlZWY5ZTY3">The armies of Jahud flew upon the night, wishing to go forth and crush the elves like they had done the king of Salor. Their victory over the nobility made them confident in their strength, and they thought themselves invincible. They had no idea that their actions had awoken something slumbering within the ground.</p> <p class="cnM0ODBlZjNjYTZlNDQ4ZmI5NDBiZTVhYTcwZTljNjUz">A monster of lowly birth, too strong for its own good. Its skin stronger than enchanted steel, its teeth sharper than spears. When it found that it did not have a proper source of food, it was forced to hibernate, conserving as much of its energy as it could to prepare for a day when a better meal appeared before it.</p> <p class="cnM1Zjk0MWE2MDAzZTQ4YmJiZjg1ZjFjMjk2YWY0MDEy">And when blood spilled and filled the soil, dripping into the chasms where it had put itself to rest, its nose twitched. Slowly, its eyes opened. The beast was by no means massive, a mere six feet tall and ten long. On the surface it looked like a pitch black wolf, but its fur seemed to shimmer as it moved.</p> <p class="cnM5ZGZlY2ZjNTMzYTQ1ZGJiMDQ4ZmZlMGRmMjU4N2Nm">Within the blood, it smelled food. A food that it could feast upon, food that could sate its endless hunger. And so, the wolf lifted its head and howled. And with that howl, the world around it shook. Rocks fell from the ceiling of the chasm, crashing down around it. Some landed directly on the wolf, shattering on contact.</p> <p class="cnM1MGQ5YTUyMGRkOTRkY2RiNDkwZGRkNGIwNWU3OWQz">Soon, a hole appeared, letting the beast see the sky for the first time. This was the birth of destruction, for a calamity walked the lands. It took a step forward, vanishing from its position and appearing on the surface above. The food around it had grown stale, the battle here fought many days ago.</p> <p class="cnM0NDA4ZThjMzA1ZDQ1N2I4MTFjNTYzNDdjM2EwZDU0">But that would not deter the beast, its eyes looking north. It could smell food. So much food to eat. And the food was moving.</p> <p class="cnNjOWRiZTAzYjY1NTRiMWI5NTU1YzhkNDYyYTY2YjI3">Another step brought the wolf out of the clearing where it had appeared, and landed it several kilometers away, where it could see the food flying in the air. The food was attached to such frail red birds, but that didn’t matter. It would eat it all the same.</p> <p class="cnMxYTJkMmUyMWM4MzQ2ZmFhYTM2MTE5MDA2ZDE1YTQz">Once more, it let out a howl, shaking the ground and the trees. Nearby, the army of demons flew with spears in hand, ready to fight to quell the rage in their hearts. But when that sound hit them, they halted. Many were pushed back purely by the force of the howl, others finding themselves bleeding from the ears, but that was not the worst of it.</p> <p class="cnM2MDM1ZjI1NWNjNjQ5NjZhNjAzNDZhMTAyZjQ5Yzcz">The minds of the demons began to grow clouded, their memories becoming hazy. All of their levels were being stripped away by some unseen power, and with them the experiences accumulated. One among them turned, and saw the pitch black wolf standing atop a hill in the distance. “It’s that thing!” He shouted out, recalling the howl that had shook their very being.</p> <p class="cnNiYWE4ZjZmM2VmYzQ2YmZiYjIxN2U1MjA5NTc2Y2Q4">The army of demons turned on this new target, the mages casting magical lightning down on it. However, the wolf simply stood there, unphased. Next came the warriors, charging down with their spears. They stabbed at the wolf’s small frame as soon as they approached, only to have their spears break upon contact with its hide.</p> <p class="cnM3NTlhMTEzYjhjNjQ0NjVhN2FjZWVkZWQ4NGQyMzM3">Their shock did not last long. No, they were currently in the way of its food. Such tasty food, it made the beast feel stronger, faster. It raised one of its paws and lightly swatted at the demon in front of it. The demon’s body burst as if a balloon popping, blood and gore splashing everywhere while bone shrapnel flew out.</p> <p class="cnM3YzhlMDZkZWI4MzRmYWJhYzhkNzhiODc2MzIzOGJj">Ahh, there was the food. The tasty food, yummy food. Good food. Opening its maw, the wolf did not let out another howl. Rather, it breathed in. A vortex of wind began to pull in the demons, a black sphere forming in the mouth of the beast. One by one they fell into the sphere, their bodies crushed by the pressure long before they had the ability to resist.</p> <p class="cnNiYTE3YWZmM2QzMTQyZDE5OGQzYThjOWZlMzEwOWI0">Soon, the last of the food was gone, and the wolf turned to look north again. It could smell more food. So much more. Finally, it would not feel hunger. Finally, it could <em>feast.</em></p> <p class="cnNmNTFjMTRmMzI1ODRkNGQ5Mjc1NjkzMzNlMDI4YWI5">This was the day that Jahud fell. A disaster fell upon their lands that none could withstand. This sated the wolf briefly, before it looked south. And on the next day… Sunari fell. Lor, blissfully unaware that death was approaching, still prepared for the approach of the Jahud armies. As it meant protecting their home as well, the master from the elven lands did not return home and chose to aid in the defense.</p> <p class="cnMwNDk5Y2M2NjJjNjQwYzY4MmIxYmZjYjY2MzU0YzAw">At least, until they felt <em>it </em>approaching. A strength beyond that of any mortal. In their hearts, they prayed. Prayed for the protection that only the gods could provide. Some even urgently sent messages to the only mortal they knew of who could stand against it.</p> <p class="cnNkNzNkMWEzMWY3YzQ2ODg4ZTVkMWMzYjliNmE5NWIz">Ever faithful to her duties, Tsubaki appeared just as the wolf was approaching. However, even she felt terror deep in her soul when she sensed the strength of the monster. The beast before her, just barely visible on the horizon, easily qualified as a fully matured disaster. But, there was more to it than that. A strength she didn’t even feel from the Ten Disasters.</p> <p class="cnNjMjBiZjlkNmU5OTQ4M2E4NzcxZTAxNjdkODEzYzk1">“Well, this turned into a real mess, hasn’t it?” A voice spoke up from next to her, catching Tsubaki by surprise. Turning, she saw a familiar lycan woman with black hair, clad in leather armor. In her hand was a shining golden bow.</p> <p class="cnNiY2M0YzNhYWMwYjRmMWRhNjYxYWNiNzkzY2JjMDgy">“You… Lady Accalia?” Tsubaki asked politely, knowing the goddess on site. She was beastkin by birth, so the appearances of the four Sister Goddesses had been engrained into her since she was a baby, let alone the fact that she had personally met this goddess on multiple occasions.</p> <p class="cnMwMzA5YmQyMmRjMzQ5N2JiZDI4YTM3ZmQxMzQ4MmYw">“That’s right. Don’t worry, I’m only here for a moment. You can’t take that thing on by yourself, can you?” Accalia asked as she turned to face Tsubaki, her eyes seeming to pierce deep within the kitsune’s heart.</p> <p class="cnM4Y2E1MjYzZjkwODQxZWNiYTMzZDhjM2QzM2M4NmJl">“I… No, it is unlikely. This creature is far stronger than any disaster I know. I plead with the Goddess for aid.” Tsubaki bowed her head low as she asked Accalia for assistance. She had faced Disasters before, though they were not mature. Even then, she knew that only her strongest weapon could deal any damage to them. If this thing was even stronger than those… it was unlikely that she would be able to harm it.</p> <p class="cnNjMDVlZjI2MjY2MDRkZDQ5NWZjODE3MzIwYTg2YWIx">“That’s what I’m here for.” Accalia lifted her hand, offering her bow to Tsubaki. “You have the qualifications to wield my bow in this battle. I trust your Archer levels are not just for show?”</p> <p class="cnMwMmJmM2Q3NDFjNTRmMTM5MjVmNGZmZGQzM2VlMTlm">Tsubaki blinked in surprise, before remembering that she was in the presence of a Goddess. “No, my Goddess.” She humbly accepted the bow, feeling the great weight of it in her hands.</p> <p class="cnM3YzEyNTZhYjA3ZjRiNWQ5YjgwNzdlMzA5MjUwNWY5">“This is the Bow of the Wild Hunt.” Accalia explained, and only now did Tsubaki notice that the wolf had stopped in the distance, held down by some unseen force. “It does not take arrows, only the energy of its wielder. Mana, Ki, even your spirit can be used. The more energy you put in, the stronger the result. Now, it’s time for me to go. I think you can handle it from here.”</p> <p class="cnMwMTNlMmFlNGE0MzQxMzRhYTMzMTdkMzFjZTg5YjIy">As soon as her words faded away, so too did she. And so did the restrictive binding placed on the wolf in the distance. It stood up, and there was a fury within its eyes. It had been held back from eating, and it felt the hunger approaching again.</p> <p class="cnNmMTkzNzgyNmNmMzRiNThhNzg4ZWY1NzdkZDVhZDZl">Tsubaki looked down to examine the bow, and noticed a series of engravings on it. Birds, wolves, all manner of beasts were carved into the golden weapon. When she looked up and saw that the wolf was approaching again, she jumped up onto the wall. “Everyone, back through the portal!” She commanded with her loudest voice.</p> <p class="cnNhZDg3NDNiNjM1NjRmOTJiNzM1N2QyMTViMzg1N2Nl">If she could kill this creature, everything would be fine. But if not… she could at least destroy the portal, and prevent it from reaching the elven mainland. Seeing that even Tsubaki was uncertain about victory, people began to panic. They rushed towards the portal in a frenzy, not even hesitating to trample over their kin if it meant getting out.</p> <p class="cnNmNmRkOTcxYjI0OTQzMTNhN2MzNjlkMmJkMDMxNzk2">Tsubaki simply sighed as she saw this, and then saw that the wolf was opening its mouth. Without hesitation, she plucked at the string of the bow, finding that it took quite a bit of strength to draw it back. But she did still draw it, and fed some of her energy into the bow.</p> <p class="cnMwYmNkMTI4NDQzNzQ4MDliZGNiYjM5OThjNzc1OThm">The ki she fed into the bow created an arrow with a bird’s beak as its head. When she released the arrow, it shattered, turning into a golden bird that flew towards the wolf. The wolf was just about to let out its howl when the golden bird smashed into the side of its head, making it flinch slightly.</p> <p class="cnMxZGU4MjBlYzQ1ZTRiOGI5MGNhZjkzNWFlNWQ1ZjU5">That small flinch was enough to let Tsubaki know that this battle was possible. “Goddess of Death, I offer to you a sacrifice.” She whispered a prayer to Irena as she pulled the bow. “My lord, by your command, I become your blade.” Then came her oath to her Keeper.</p> <p class="cnM0NjUwNjQ0NjlkMjQxYzlhOTY2ZGU2ZWJlMzJjZDdl">Her energy soared, forming a tangible aura around her while the wolf growled in frustration. The earlier attack was the closest thing that it had felt to pain. While it did not truly hurt, it was enough to give this beast, which had never before felt pain, pause. Somewhere deep in its mind, it recognized a sense of danger.</p> <p class="cnNiMzcxOWNkMTgyMjQ3MWQ4MGFlNzA2NTQ4OWI3YTIz">But at the same time… the food standing before it was the tastiest food it had ever seen. And never underestimate the hunger of a wolf. It took a step forward to charge again, Tsubaki’s eyes barely able to track its movements.</p> <p class="cnNiNDI1NGI5ZWQyOTQ4YjBhZjMzMWUxNGUyNDQyZjJk">Five arrows formed along the string of the bow, attached to the string without her even needing to hold them in place. One blue, one an earthen yellow, one silver, one green, and one pure shining gold. With the five arrows, the true power of the bow released itself. Dense fog rolled up from the ground, and the sky overhead darkened. A howl emerged, but not that of the Disaster.</p> <p class="cnM4MGZmNTdjZGE2ZTQxYmM5MmYwYjc5ZWM0NWM5N2Mw">A voice spoke up, seeming to radiate from the bow itself. “Begin the hunt.” Tsubaki took that as the command to release the bowstring, all five arrows launching out at different angles.</p> <p class="cnNkYmY3ZjMyNDg2NjQwNzRiMDU5YmMxN2M2ODNiZGYx">The ki arrow shattered again, this time turning into over a dozen birds, dozens more forming from the mist. The mana arrow likewise shattered, creating six glowing blue wolves, six more joining from the mist.</p> <p class="cnNlN2E2NWVmYjFhZTRmZDFiOTM2ZWY4MjRmMTZmOWIy">Next came the arrow of nature, which took the form of three flaming horses, and the arrow of Tsubaki’s spirit which granted them ghostly riders. Similarly, more horsemen emerged, summoned from the mist.</p> <p class="cnMwODY1MDNmMDMwODQ5NWE4MTRiNmM2Y2Q1OGVjM2Vh">Finally, the arrow of Tsubaki’s divine spark. Her strongest weapon. The divine arrow did not change into a beast, nor a spectral warrior. Instead, it became a man. His body was clad in leather furs, and two axes with bone blades rested in his hands, but she knew his figure. The man she knew as her lord led the Wild Hunt.</p> <p class="cnNjOTBmNDE2YTA1ZjRlOTU4ZjNlMmYyZGI4ODY2MTky">When he lifted his axe, and pointed it towards the wolf, the birds let out a caw that filled the air, diving down and pecking at its flesh. Tsubaki had placed all of her energy in the attack, to the point where her body was beginning to shrink once again. However, there was an obvious result. The hairs of the wolf, which had not been phased by the stabs of spears, broke, the skin that could resist falling boulders was pierced.</p> <p class="cnM4NDg5NzgzZjU4NDRiOTQ5ODY2NzYxNDlkNDhkMzcz">The wolf felt pain for the first time, letting out a cry as one of the birds pecked out its eye. Its cry caused the air to visibly shake, the birds around it shattering. But after the birds came the wolves. Twelve wolves made of mana charging forward, running as a pack. They were considerably smaller than their target, but they still lunged at it.</p> <p class="cnM5MmM1NTcwMWRiNzRkMDk5M2NiZmZmNzBjNzIyNGUw">The Disaster raised its paw to crush one of the wolves, biting at the head of another, but there were still so many more. They clawed and bit at its flesh, showing a power that could only be displayed by a godly weapon. Yet even still, this only caused small changes in the health bar above the wolf.</p> <p class="cnMxMzNlYjA3MTI5ZjQzMDY5ZjEzMWY4NDViNTZlZTQ1">Tsubaki began to grow nervous as the last wolf perished, and the six horsemen charged in. By now, the monster was scared, but it was also angry. It opened its mouth, once again summoning the vortex that had claimed so many lives.</p> <p class="cnNlZDgwMmUwNGYzMTQwMjJiZmIzYzNjMTc5NTUxNDcx">The walls of Lor shook under the pressure of the wind, the wards activating to hold it strong. Even Tsubaki had to hold on in order to be sucked in, now that she had lost so much of her strength, let alone the horsemen. They and their horses collapsed, turning into mists that flew into the mouth of the wolf.</p> <p class="cnMzMWEyZjg4ZTAxODQwZTY5MTFhNzI3ZjRhNzllMjc4">Finally, the Huntsman stepped forward, seeming unaffected by the wind. While the wolf watched him approach, it felt a stabbing pain in its mind. The spirits it had consumed rampaged within it, tearing it apart at its weakest point. Now, the health bar began to decline sharply, whimpers emerging from the wolf’s mouth.</p> <p class="cnM2ODg4NjU2YmI0ODQxOTA4YmZlYWQ0YjViODZlMTdh">When the Huntsman arrived in front of the wolf, he struck down with one of his bone axes, cleaving off the head off the weakened disaster. Tsubaki let out a sigh of relief when she saw that the health bar disappeared, the vortex of wind no longer pulling on her body. Tsubaki felt a small pain in her head, as if something had gone missing, but knew that she could ask the Goddess about it when she saw her again.</p> <p class="cnNkYzMxZDU2YjcyNTQyNDQ4ZTZjNzk2NTQ5MWI2NGIz">Just as Tsubaki prepared to go and greet the Huntsman, she saw him shatter into golden light, a small smile forming on her face. Belatedly, she realized that he was only an entity summoned by the bow, rather than the true Keeper. As that thought occurred to her, she noticed that her hand was now empty. The Bow of the Wild Hunt had vanished! Instead, she saw a message appearing in front of her.</p> <div dir="ltr"> <div style="max-width: 100%; overflow:auto"><table><colgroup><col width="*"></colgroup> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p class="cnNhMDM5ZmE5YjU1NjQ0ZTg4ZWE5NzAyN2VmNzZmYzk2" style="text-align: center">You have successfully raided the World Wolf, a being beyond the limits of power!</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> <div style="text-align: center">&nbsp;</div> <div dir="ltr"> <div style="max-width: 100%; overflow:auto"><table><colgroup><col width="*"></colgroup> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p class="cnMzZDYyYWQ4MWVhYjRkMDRhMzA4MmQ3ZmY1OWM2NTQ1" style="text-align: center">Congratulations! You have earned an achievement!</p> <p class="cnM1ZjQ2MWYyZGI2ZjQ4YjNiMmJmMzM4NzhjNWE5Njlm" style="text-align: center"><br>For killing a being that had broken past the limit of power, you have earned the Limit Breaker achievement. All Class Affinities +5%</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div> </div>

Once I had heard about the issue that Fyor was expected to have in the future, I was noticeably less excited about it. I mean, there were plenty of ways for the girls to counteract the increasing gravity problem, even if it was just to create a training regiment that involved teaching people either the monk class or something else that provided stamina boosts. Hell, I’d say it would even be a good idea for people to have that kind of training anyways, given that the upper floors become significantly more dangerous as well. Either way, I decided to simply fast forward Earth by another ten years. I had already given the instruction to Aurivy to move the Fairy Gate once the elves had the land set up. This way it would give some time for the diplomatic relations to settle after the change, as I was quite sure that things would get hectic for a little while.   --- Within the kingdom of Salor, a group of nobles were sitting around a large table, laughing merrily as they sipped their wines. They were the ones who had chosen to leave when the threat of having the gate taken was issued, intending to reclaim whatever land it had arrived on. And yet, four days after the deadline had passed, they returned only to find that their worries were in vain. The gate remained where it had always been. They weren’t sure if the Keeper had really been bluffing and couldn’t move the gate, or if the king had managed to fool him into thinking that his demands had been met. Either way, their land was secure. However, just as they were celebrating, a young kitsune man rushed into the room, throwing open the door. There was a look of sheer panic on his face, but in the drunken minds of the nobles, that meant little. “What are you doing here, boy?!” One of the nobles, a kitsune woman with raven black hair, asked in a slurred tone while she shakily rose to her feet. “I-i-it’s gone!” He stammered out in a panic, afraid that he would get more than a simple punishment if he did not speak immediately. “The gate vanished!” “What’sh thish boy talkin’ bout now?” Another noble asked, his red skin seeming a bit darker than normal. “The gate canna’ be moved.” “It’s gone!” He shouted out again. “It just vanished!” Rather than staying around to wait for the nobles to collect their wits, the boy ran out of the room in order to inform other influential people about this matter. Maybe there would be some who weren’t elbow deep in their drink by the time he found them… Following this event, the kingdom of Salor suffered a cataclysmic change. The people, who had found out about the king going against the Keeper’s wishes and costing them all the gate, went into a rage. Families had been separated, no longer able to contact their loved ones. From the king to the nobles, all were forced to take the blame. Even those who had pleaded to give in to what the Keeper wanted could not protect themselves. The public raged, and they suffered for it. When the ruling faction fell, the kingdom had been destroyed. Over the following months, three nations were born in the land that had once been Salor. Each was small, barely having the ability to protect themselves from the local monsters. To the north was the Jahud, a nation formed from those who believed they saw reason after their bloodlust had passed. In reality, they were just looking for someone else to blame. Now, they blamed the Keeper for taking the gate away from them. To the south lived the Sunari, a nation that simply wanted to pick up the pieces of what was left behind. They did not want to cast blame or throw stones anymore, and only desired to live with what little they had left. Finally, centered around the portal leading to the elven lands, there was the city-state of Lor. They were the ones who had been closest to the shore when the violence broke out, and furthest away from those that they could blame. When news reached them that Salor was falling, they thought that some terrifying monster had emerged. Thus, the lord of Lor had passed through the gate to the elven lands, and requested aid from the locals to fortify his lands. The request was granted, with a hundred strong masters being sent to help with the defense. Yet days passed, and there was no attack. Rather, the real cause of the disturbance reached their ears. As they had elven soldiers guarding their walls, it was only natural that they learned where the gate had gone. In his panic, the lord ordered a seal on this information, afraid that the splintered remnants of Salor would join forces and attack his land in order to storm the territory of the elves. Unfortunately for him, the world had grown too much. Information could no longer be contained so easily once it reached the public’s ears. He had bought some time, allowing the other two nations to be born, but the news soon got out. While Sunari showed little movement, the same could not be said of Jahud. The armies of Jahud flew upon the night, wishing to go forth and crush the elves like they had done the king of Salor. Their victory over the nobility made them confident in their strength, and they thought themselves invincible. They had no idea that their actions had awoken something slumbering within the ground. A monster of lowly birth, too strong for its own good. Its skin stronger than enchanted steel, its teeth sharper than spears. When it found that it did not have a proper source of food, it was forced to hibernate, conserving as much of its energy as it could to prepare for a day when a better meal appeared before it. And when blood spilled and filled the soil, dripping into the chasms where it had put itself to rest, its nose twitched. Slowly, its eyes opened. The beast was by no means massive, a mere six feet tall and ten long. On the surface it looked like a pitch black wolf, but its fur seemed to shimmer as it moved. Within the blood, it smelled food. A food that it could feast upon, food that could sate its endless hunger. And so, the wolf lifted its head and howled. And with that howl, the world around it shook. Rocks fell from the ceiling of the chasm, crashing down around it. Some landed directly on the wolf, shattering on contact. Soon, a hole appeared, letting the beast see the sky for the first time. This was the birth of destruction, for a calamity walked the lands. It took a step forward, vanishing from its position and appearing on the surface above. The food around it had grown stale, the battle here fought many days ago. But that would not deter the beast, its eyes looking north. It could smell food. So much food to eat. And the food was moving. Another step brought the wolf out of the clearing where it had appeared, and landed it several kilometers away, where it could see the food flying in the air. The food was attached to such frail red birds, but that didn’t matter. It would eat it all the same. Once more, it let out a howl, shaking the ground and the trees. Nearby, the army of demons flew with spears in hand, ready to fight to quell the rage in their hearts. But when that sound hit them, they halted. Many were pushed back purely by the force of the howl, others finding themselves bleeding from the ears, but that was not the worst of it. The minds of the demons began to grow clouded, their memories becoming hazy. All of their levels were being stripped away by some unseen power, and with them the experiences accumulated. One among them turned, and saw the pitch black wolf standing atop a hill in the distance. “It’s that thing!” He shouted out, recalling the howl that had shook their very being. The army of demons turned on this new target, the mages casting magical lightning down on it. However, the wolf simply stood there, unphased. Next came the warriors, charging down with their spears. They stabbed at the wolf’s small frame as soon as they approached, only to have their spears break upon contact with its hide. Their shock did not last long. No, they were currently in the way of its food. Such tasty food, it made the beast feel stronger, faster. It raised one of its paws and lightly swatted at the demon in front of it. The demon’s body burst as if a balloon popping, blood and gore splashing everywhere while bone shrapnel flew out. Ahh, there was the food. The tasty food, yummy food. Good food. Opening its maw, the wolf did not let out another howl. Rather, it breathed in. A vortex of wind began to pull in the demons, a black sphere forming in the mouth of the beast. One by one they fell into the sphere, their bodies crushed by the pressure long before they had the ability to resist. Soon, the last of the food was gone, and the wolf turned to look north again. It could smell more food. So much more. Finally, it would not feel hunger. Finally, it could *feast.* This was the day that Jahud fell. A disaster fell upon their lands that none could withstand. This sated the wolf briefly, before it looked south. And on the next day… Sunari fell. Lor, blissfully unaware that death was approaching, still prepared for the approach of the Jahud armies. As it meant protecting their home as well, the master from the elven lands did not return home and chose to aid in the defense. At least, until they felt *it* approaching. A strength beyond that of any mortal. In their hearts, they prayed. Prayed for the protection that only the gods could provide. Some even urgently sent messages to the only mortal they knew of who could stand against it. Ever faithful to her duties, Tsubaki appeared just as the wolf was approaching. However, even she felt terror deep in her soul when she sensed the strength of the monster. The beast before her, just barely visible on the horizon, easily qualified as a fully matured disaster. But, there was more to it than that. A strength she didn’t even feel from the Ten Disasters. “Well, this turned into a real mess, hasn’t it?” A voice spoke up from next to her, catching Tsubaki by surprise. Turning, she saw a familiar lycan woman with black hair, clad in leather armor. In her hand was a shining golden bow. “You… Lady Accalia?” Tsubaki asked politely, knowing the goddess on site. She was beastkin by birth, so the appearances of the four Sister Goddesses had been engrained into her since she was a baby, let alone the fact that she had personally met this goddess on multiple occasions. “That’s right. Don’t worry, I’m only here for a moment. You can’t take that thing on by yourself, can you?” Accalia asked as she turned to face Tsubaki, her eyes seeming to pierce deep within the kitsune’s heart. “I… No, it is unlikely. This creature is far stronger than any disaster I know. I plead with the Goddess for aid.” Tsubaki bowed her head low as she asked Accalia for assistance. She had faced Disasters before, though they were not mature. Even then, she knew that only her strongest weapon could deal any damage to them. If this thing was even stronger than those… it was unlikely that she would be able to harm it. “That’s what I’m here for.” Accalia lifted her hand, offering her bow to Tsubaki. “You have the qualifications to wield my bow in this battle. I trust your Archer levels are not just for show?” Tsubaki blinked in surprise, before remembering that she was in the presence of a Goddess. “No, my Goddess.” She humbly accepted the bow, feeling the great weight of it in her hands. “This is the Bow of the Wild Hunt.” Accalia explained, and only now did Tsubaki notice that the wolf had stopped in the distance, held down by some unseen force. “It does not take arrows, only the energy of its wielder. Mana, Ki, even your spirit can be used. The more energy you put in, the stronger the result. Now, it’s time for me to go. I think you can handle it from here.” As soon as her words faded away, so too did she. And so did the restrictive binding placed on the wolf in the distance. It stood up, and there was a fury within its eyes. It had been held back from eating, and it felt the hunger approaching again. Tsubaki looked down to examine the bow, and noticed a series of engravings on it. Birds, wolves, all manner of beasts were carved into the golden weapon. When she looked up and saw that the wolf was approaching again, she jumped up onto the wall. “Everyone, back through the portal!” She commanded with her loudest voice. If she could kill this creature, everything would be fine. But if not… she could at least destroy the portal, and prevent it from reaching the elven mainland. Seeing that even Tsubaki was uncertain about victory, people began to panic. They rushed towards the portal in a frenzy, not even hesitating to trample over their kin if it meant getting out. Tsubaki simply sighed as she saw this, and then saw that the wolf was opening its mouth. Without hesitation, she plucked at the string of the bow, finding that it took quite a bit of strength to draw it back. But she did still draw it, and fed some of her energy into the bow. The ki she fed into the bow created an arrow with a bird’s beak as its head. When she released the arrow, it shattered, turning into a golden bird that flew towards the wolf. The wolf was just about to let out its howl when the golden bird smashed into the side of its head, making it flinch slightly. That small flinch was enough to let Tsubaki know that this battle was possible. “Goddess of Death, I offer to you a sacrifice.” She whispered a prayer to Irena as she pulled the bow. “My lord, by your command, I become your blade.” Then came her oath to her Keeper. Her energy soared, forming a tangible aura around her while the wolf growled in frustration. The earlier attack was the closest thing that it had felt to pain. While it did not truly hurt, it was enough to give this beast, which had never before felt pain, pause. Somewhere deep in its mind, it recognized a sense of danger. But at the same time… the food standing before it was the tastiest food it had ever seen. And never underestimate the hunger of a wolf. It took a step forward to charge again, Tsubaki’s eyes barely able to track its movements. Five arrows formed along the string of the bow, attached to the string without her even needing to hold them in place. One blue, one an earthen yellow, one silver, one green, and one pure shining gold. With the five arrows, the true power of the bow released itself. Dense fog rolled up from the ground, and the sky overhead darkened. A howl emerged, but not that of the Disaster. A voice spoke up, seeming to radiate from the bow itself. “Begin the hunt.” Tsubaki took that as the command to release the bowstring, all five arrows launching out at different angles. The ki arrow shattered again, this time turning into over a dozen birds, dozens more forming from the mist. The mana arrow likewise shattered, creating six glowing blue wolves, six more joining from the mist. Next came the arrow of nature, which took the form of three flaming horses, and the arrow of Tsubaki’s spirit which granted them ghostly riders. Similarly, more horsemen emerged, summoned from the mist. Finally, the arrow of Tsubaki’s divine spark. Her strongest weapon. The divine arrow did not change into a beast, nor a spectral warrior. Instead, it became a man. His body was clad in leather furs, and two axes with bone blades rested in his hands, but she knew his figure. The man she knew as her lord led the Wild Hunt. When he lifted his axe, and pointed it towards the wolf, the birds let out a caw that filled the air, diving down and pecking at its flesh. Tsubaki had placed all of her energy in the attack, to the point where her body was beginning to shrink once again. However, there was an obvious result. The hairs of the wolf, which had not been phased by the stabs of spears, broke, the skin that could resist falling boulders was pierced. The wolf felt pain for the first time, letting out a cry as one of the birds pecked out its eye. Its cry caused the air to visibly shake, the birds around it shattering. But after the birds came the wolves. Twelve wolves made of mana charging forward, running as a pack. They were considerably smaller than their target, but they still lunged at it. The Disaster raised its paw to crush one of the wolves, biting at the head of another, but there were still so many more. They clawed and bit at its flesh, showing a power that could only be displayed by a godly weapon. Yet even still, this only caused small changes in the health bar above the wolf. Tsubaki began to grow nervous as the last wolf perished, and the six horsemen charged in. By now, the monster was scared, but it was also angry. It opened its mouth, once again summoning the vortex that had claimed so many lives. The walls of Lor shook under the pressure of the wind, the wards activating to hold it strong. Even Tsubaki had to hold on in order to be sucked in, now that she had lost so much of her strength, let alone the horsemen. They and their horses collapsed, turning into mists that flew into the mouth of the wolf. Finally, the Huntsman stepped forward, seeming unaffected by the wind. While the wolf watched him approach, it felt a stabbing pain in its mind. The spirits it had consumed rampaged within it, tearing it apart at its weakest point. Now, the health bar began to decline sharply, whimpers emerging from the wolf’s mouth. When the Huntsman arrived in front of the wolf, he struck down with one of his bone axes, cleaving off the head off the weakened disaster. Tsubaki let out a sigh of relief when she saw that the health bar disappeared, the vortex of wind no longer pulling on her body. Tsubaki felt a small pain in her head, as if something had gone missing, but knew that she could ask the Goddess about it when she saw her again. Just as Tsubaki prepared to go and greet the Huntsman, she saw him shatter into golden light, a small smile forming on her face. Belatedly, she realized that he was only an entity summoned by the bow, rather than the true Keeper. As that thought occurred to her, she noticed that her hand was now empty. The Bow of the Wild Hunt had vanished! Instead, she saw a message appearing in front of her. | You have successfully raided the World Wolf, a being beyond the limits of power! | | --- |   | Congratulations! You have earned an achievement! For killing a being that had broken past the limit of power, you have earned the Limit Breaker achievement. All Class Affinities +5% | | --- |

<div class="chapter-inner chapter-content"> <p class="cnM1NzhhMGI2NDllODRhN2ViNTc1YjJiNjAxMDUzZDJh">Breath filled his lungs as the smell of morning dew rushed into his nose. His eyes were opened allowing light to fill his vision, a blue sky covered the air above him with several white clouds. He pushed his body up and looked around at the green trees that surrounded him. He was in a forest.</p> <p class="cnMxMzVkODRhOTBhYjQxMDBiYTE1N2U2NGQzMWM4YzIz">Where am I?</p> <p class="cnNhZGUyMzMxZGFkNTQ1NDViMzQ1ZGNjZmRjYTMxZjUx">I guess that won't be solved by sitting here. He stood up and walked in a random direction. There were sounds of birds all around him, filling the forest with life, each step brought him deeper into the forest.</p> <p class="cnMyZjI1MTBlYzY5ZTQ2MmI4MjJkMWM1NTYwNTdmMGM5">Sounds of fighting began to echo out, you could hear the people yelling. He turned his head in the direction of the noise, he did not know whether to go to it or not. In the end he decided to run in the direction since it would not hurt to see new people, this would allow him to learn about where he is.</p> <p class="cnNlNTI2YTkyNjk1MjQ3ZTk5Y2EzMzNlNjlhMTM1MDVl">The sound led him to a clearing where a group of 4 where fighting what appeared to be a wolf with black fur although the wolf was far bigger than any wolf that was on earth. They were clearly losing, the wolf was agile and able to move around each human, they were not even able to touch it. The wolf was letting out swipes and bites towards each member. One was hit by a swipe and knocked back 10 meters with blood gushing out of his chest. His chest had caved in with white bones being seen through the claw marks.</p> <p class="cnM4MmNjMjNmZGQ5YjRjNTdiYjNjMjhmYjBiOGFkYzNi">"Damnit, we have to kill this motherfucker" Said one, he will be called Pawn A</p> <p class="cnM2OGYwNGM3OTZjNzQ3YmE4MTVjMDQ5M2QwNzBiNTUw">"Kill it? Are you kidding me? We can't even touch the bloody thing and you want to kill it?" another that will be called Pawn B cried out.</p> <p class="cnMwNDc4ZmYxYzcwYTQyYjNiZTlkYmJiYjUxZjZiMjNk">"Focus! We will really die here!" Said the 3rd, Pawn C</p> <p class="cnNiZWVkMWU1Yzg3ZDQ0YTI5MWU1OWFmMWM4OWIzNTNj">Pawn A and B charged at the wolf from both sides holding their weapons slightly above their heads. They charged and swung, one at the head and the other towards the back. The wolf was not simply going to let them hit it.</p> <p class="cnNjZjk1NzVkMzA3ZTRjZTQ4ZmJjZWQ4ZTU5MDE2ODkz">It dodged to one side swiping at Pawn A in front. Pawn A panicked and swung at the paw knocking himself back 3 meters. His hands were ringing and he almost dropped his two handed sword.</p> <p class="cnMwNGE3NDM3ZmFjYTRmMGU4NTAzNjQ1YTc3MDY2M2Uz">The wolf was far too fast for them as they could not keep up with it at all. They were going to die fighting the wolf.</p> <p class="cnNhM2FiYjFlNGY0NjQ4ODc4ZDIxYWQ2ZmUwYjJiZWY0">Might as well keep them alive, they can't tell me anything if they are dead. He walked to the one who was hit on the chest, the dying pawn. He picked up the longsword that sat near his body, feeling the weight in his hand.</p> <p class="cnNjZmU1ZDI0ZmM2ZDRmMTQ4NzFhZDVhMDZmNTc0YWI3">The men only noticed him at this moment, they saw a person with pure white hair and his looks grabbed their sight and did not let them go.</p> <p class="cnM0ZjFkZjkwYjQyYzQ1MWI5NjM1OTJhMzA3YTg5NDZl">"HEY! You white hair help us kill this thing and we will pay you!"(Pawn A)</p> <p class="cnNlYTZkNzJiM2YwNjRlZjBhY2JkZWI1MGMxZTI1Njg3">"How much."</p> <p class="cnM4MGE2M2Q3ODAyMTRjOGRhNjc4MjM2N2E2YTNlMzdj">"Huh?"(Pawn A)</p> <p class="cnNjZmNhOGE3OWNjZTQ2NzI5NTZlYjEyNDhkODk3MjAy">"How much are your lives worth?"</p> <p class="cnMxNzhjNWE1ODQ3ZTRlNmRhOGUwMTVmNjdlMjFlMWYy">Pawn B moved out of the way of another bite the wolf made.</p> <p class="cnM0ZjNmY2E1NzI1NzRhMzY5NzYxMDhmZTVlNzA0NzMz">"JUST PAY HIM! We are going to die!"(Pawn B)</p> <p class="cnNiOTU1MDhjM2Y3MDQ1MDRhOWE4ZjVjMjdkYmJjNjM4">Pawn A grit his teeth: "I have 43 silvers on me, help us kill it and you can have it!"</p> <p class="cnM0ZGZkOGFiYWM2MjRmNTI5MmIwMTY3MGQwNTQ1NzJl">"Okay I will save you."</p> <p class="cnMxZmJjYjhlMTkxMTQ2YzlhY2I4ZDQzYzZhMzg3Nzcx">He ran to the wolf who was looking at Thug B and swung at it, hitting the fur. The sword did not go in and only bounced off, like metal on metal.</p> <p class="cnM5ZGQzMzg0MWFhZTRjMjE5YmIxYmQwNzdlMDhhZTMz">...</p> <p class="cnMzN2ExMjM1MmQwZjQ0YjA5OGQzMTY4N2RhZTVmMGU4">Both pawns gaped at him</p> <p class="cnNmNGViNWY1ZTM4YzQyMWY4Y2U2ZTc4NjZjYzJmNGRl">"What the hell do you mean save us, you are weaker than the both of us combined!"(Thug A)</p> <p class="cnNmNTBlZDQxYjQxMTQ2NmY5MzIyZGJiNDllOTM3YTJj">His face turned red as he was embarrassed, this body held almost 0 strength and could hardly swing the sword correctly.</p> <p class="cnM0MjIxNjIyZGFkNTQ4N2NiMTNmMWFjZDA0Zjk0NjMz">"Tch"</p> <p class="cnM1N2ExOGE5YWNlMTRkNzNiZTFkY2EyYTMxNDQ4ZWFh">He turned and walked away, his body entering the forest.</p> <p class="cnMwNGZiOGQ4ZjM3ODQ0NWVhN2NjYTQ5ZjA3ZDEwNjBi">"Hey you can't just walk away! Get back here! You can atleast be a diversion while we get away!"(Pawn A)</p> <p class="cnNiOWYyZDFiNmI0OTQ4ZTliOTBmZDVmYzBmMDJlZjIx">He continued walking into the forest. There was no point in staying there as he could not even harm the wolf if he hit it.</p> <p class="cnM1YzE4Y2NmN2U2YjQxYjQ4OTY5MjliNGFiOGE3ZDk2">I need to get stronger, this body is pathetic rang out in his mind. He stopped walking around the forest after an hour as he was starting to get drained and needed food. He decided to kill a rabbit.</p> <p class="cnNiZjlkODNlOTI4MTQ0YmQ4OTZhODExMDJlODhjMDM3">It was a brown rabbit that was innocently hopping around the place. A sound was made as the sword cut into the rabbit's head.</p> <div style="max-width: 100%; overflow:auto"><table> <tbody> <tr> <td>You have gained 10 exp, as per skill Champion of Umbra your exp has turned into 1 Strength</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> <p class="cnNiNmYxZTc3MWFmZTQ2ZjRiMDM0NzVkMmUxNTVlYzVj">Huh?</p> <p class="cnM0YzBjYTc0ZDM3NjQyODFiODMxNWExOWM4MTY3OGNj">The sword became lighter and easier to lift and each leg held a bit more strength in them. He decided to think about it later, food comes first. He started a fire using two stones and some dry moss that he found on trees.</p> <p class="cnM1MzVlNjYzNTdiMDRkYjM4ZjMxZmE1YjRmM2ZlZjI2">After 30 minutes he was enjoying the flesh of a rabbit, with each bite into the tender skin filling him with stamina. He finished the rabbit put out the fire and continued wandering in the forest.</p> <p class="cnM5ZWIyMTljZjQ1MDRmNjVhYzQyNTc4ZGI3MjI2NGI3">He found a stone path that split the forest in two one side going off as far as the eye can see, the other held a small carriage with two scrawny horses dragging it. He jogged up to the carriage hoping to meet someone who can give him information.</p> <p class="cnNmNTI5ZTk3ZWU5MDQ0NzU4MDUzNmZhY2VlYzVlZTI2">At the driver seat there was a middle aged man with tanned skin, he held a sword at his waist with a leather strap wrapping around, holding it there.</p> <p class="cnMyNTExMjVhYmJkNjQ5ZDE5YzNjYzJlZjY1MGRiNjMx">"Hello Oji-san do you know where we are?"</p> <p class="cnNkNWM2ZjFiMWVhNjRiODVhNzYyZDBhMmM2YWRiZWZj">The oji san looked down at him and his eyes opened wide.</p> <p class="cnM1Mzk5NWZmZjRmOTRhOTM5M2ZmYTJlYWNmYzU1YTYx">"Oji-san? Are you okay?"</p> <p class="cnM2MmNmY2I2NWFmYjQ5MTU4YWU5MmY1MjNiNWI2OTc3">"Oh, my bad I was surprised at your appearance. We are in the Lapis Forest."(Oji-san)</p> <p class="cnMwZDRjZTI3N2NhMjRkNmJiYTEwNDgzZmVmMmNiZmJi">"Thank you."</p> <p class="cnM4MGZkZmE2OTJhMjQ2ZjU5ZTkzYmE2Y2M0ZjkyNmMw">He began to walk past the carriage when the oji-san called out to him.</p> <p class="cnMxYzJmODVhODE2ZDQ5MGZhM2IzZDE4ZWYzODM2OGZk">"Hey, are you going to walk all the way to town!"(Oji-san)</p> <p class="cnNkMDFhNWQ4ZjYyZDQ1ZTJiZDZmNGJhNjFjNTFkMzhm">"Yeah?"</p> <p class="cnMyYWM4Yjk1OTNjNjQzZDY4MTQ4ZWU2M2VlODNiOTkz">"Get on the back, I will give you a lift there."(Oji-san)</p> <p class="cnM0ZDE5MGIyNTIyMDRlNTdiNmQzMjBhMDc3NGRmMTUz">"Okay, thank you."</p> <p class="cnM4YzVkMDI1MjViNzQ0MzY5Y2U0NjY4MmM4ZWM3ZDRh">He hopped onto the back of the carriage opening the drapes to reveal a single girl around 10 years of age.</p> <p class="cnM1NzVhODFmYTUxYzQ0YWVhYWUwZDQ1MWU2MzVlNDBm">"Hello"</p> <p class="cnNjMGE2MWM2YzI3OTRmYjNiOTUyNzhjZWM4MDUyZDdi">"Hi there"(Girl)</p> <p class="cnNlNTU0MTAyMTgxZTQxZDU4YjhiMzMyZDc2ZTUxMWE2">He said nothing else and simply sat down laying his sword down beside him as the carriage started moving again.</p> <p class="cnM0MWE2OTg0ZmEzOTQ1YjNhZDk1ZDg5MTMxOGMyZjM1">After 2 hours of complete silence other than the sound of the carriage hitting rocks. He decided to ask a question.</p> <p class="cnMxMjMwNzFmNDViMDQ5MGU4YWM5NjQyOGQ5ZDliMjQ0">"Hey what is that blue screen that pops up when you kill something?"</p> <p class="cnMwMzA2ZjZhMTBlZDRjZWU5NTBjNTZmZWNmMTg2NmUz">The girl was startled and did not respond at first. She had been sneaking glances at him constantly over the 2 hours but he had been completely silent up until this point.</p> <p class="cnMzNTQwMDBhY2Y5ZDQ3MTNiYmNjZDk3ZjRiYTA3ZWUx">"What, you mean the status screen?"(Girl)</p> <p class="cnMzMzNkNWRlOTc4ODRjYjE4ZDhjOWE4M2I2ZGIyODM1">"Oh! How do I make it pop up."</p> <p class="cnM1MGMxMGQ3Yzk3MjQzMDQ5MmYxMDQxYWQyZTljMmM3">"Just say Status"(Girl)</p> <p class="cnMzZTZiNzVmY2MzNjRmMjFhZWU1MTEwNzEyMzQxM2Jh">"Status"</p> <div style="max-width: 100%; overflow:auto"><table cellspacing="10"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Level</td> <td>1</td> <td style="text-align: center" colspan="2">Stats</td> <td>Titles</td> <td>Skills</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Experience</td> <td>0</td> <td>Strength: 2</td> <td>Intelligence: 1</td> <td>Champion of Umbra</td> <td>Champion of Umbra</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Name</td> <td>Niveus</td> <td>Agility: 1</td> <td>Wisdom: 1</td> <td>Friend of Umbra</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Gender</td> <td>Male</td> <td>Vitality: 1</td> <td>Luck: 1</td> <td>The One Who Tried</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Class</td> <td>Champion of Umbra</td> <td style="text-align: center">&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>HP</td> <td>100/100</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>MP</td> <td>20/20</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table></div> </div>

Breath filled his lungs as the smell of morning dew rushed into his nose. His eyes were opened allowing light to fill his vision, a blue sky covered the air above him with several white clouds. He pushed his body up and looked around at the green trees that surrounded him. He was in a forest. Where am I? I guess that won't be solved by sitting here. He stood up and walked in a random direction. There were sounds of birds all around him, filling the forest with life, each step brought him deeper into the forest. Sounds of fighting began to echo out, you could hear the people yelling. He turned his head in the direction of the noise, he did not know whether to go to it or not. In the end he decided to run in the direction since it would not hurt to see new people, this would allow him to learn about where he is. The sound led him to a clearing where a group of 4 where fighting what appeared to be a wolf with black fur although the wolf was far bigger than any wolf that was on earth. They were clearly losing, the wolf was agile and able to move around each human, they were not even able to touch it. The wolf was letting out swipes and bites towards each member. One was hit by a swipe and knocked back 10 meters with blood gushing out of his chest. His chest had caved in with white bones being seen through the claw marks. "Damnit, we have to kill this motherfucker" Said one, he will be called Pawn A "Kill it? Are you kidding me? We can't even touch the bloody thing and you want to kill it?" another that will be called Pawn B cried out. "Focus! We will really die here!" Said the 3rd, Pawn C Pawn A and B charged at the wolf from both sides holding their weapons slightly above their heads. They charged and swung, one at the head and the other towards the back. The wolf was not simply going to let them hit it. It dodged to one side swiping at Pawn A in front. Pawn A panicked and swung at the paw knocking himself back 3 meters. His hands were ringing and he almost dropped his two handed sword. The wolf was far too fast for them as they could not keep up with it at all. They were going to die fighting the wolf. Might as well keep them alive, they can't tell me anything if they are dead. He walked to the one who was hit on the chest, the dying pawn. He picked up the longsword that sat near his body, feeling the weight in his hand. The men only noticed him at this moment, they saw a person with pure white hair and his looks grabbed their sight and did not let them go. "HEY! You white hair help us kill this thing and we will pay you!"(Pawn A) "How much." "Huh?"(Pawn A) "How much are your lives worth?" Pawn B moved out of the way of another bite the wolf made. "JUST PAY HIM! We are going to die!"(Pawn B) Pawn A grit his teeth: "I have 43 silvers on me, help us kill it and you can have it!" "Okay I will save you." He ran to the wolf who was looking at Thug B and swung at it, hitting the fur. The sword did not go in and only bounced off, like metal on metal. ... Both pawns gaped at him "What the hell do you mean save us, you are weaker than the both of us combined!"(Thug A) His face turned red as he was embarrassed, this body held almost 0 strength and could hardly swing the sword correctly. "Tch" He turned and walked away, his body entering the forest. "Hey you can't just walk away! Get back here! You can atleast be a diversion while we get away!"(Pawn A) He continued walking into the forest. There was no point in staying there as he could not even harm the wolf if he hit it. I need to get stronger, this body is pathetic rang out in his mind. He stopped walking around the forest after an hour as he was starting to get drained and needed food. He decided to kill a rabbit. It was a brown rabbit that was innocently hopping around the place. A sound was made as the sword cut into the rabbit's head. | You have gained 10 exp, as per skill Champion of Umbra your exp has turned into 1 Strength | | --- | Huh? The sword became lighter and easier to lift and each leg held a bit more strength in them. He decided to think about it later, food comes first. He started a fire using two stones and some dry moss that he found on trees. After 30 minutes he was enjoying the flesh of a rabbit, with each bite into the tender skin filling him with stamina. He finished the rabbit put out the fire and continued wandering in the forest. He found a stone path that split the forest in two one side going off as far as the eye can see, the other held a small carriage with two scrawny horses dragging it. He jogged up to the carriage hoping to meet someone who can give him information. At the driver seat there was a middle aged man with tanned skin, he held a sword at his waist with a leather strap wrapping around, holding it there. "Hello Oji-san do you know where we are?" The oji san looked down at him and his eyes opened wide. "Oji-san? Are you okay?" "Oh, my bad I was surprised at your appearance. We are in the Lapis Forest."(Oji-san) "Thank you." He began to walk past the carriage when the oji-san called out to him. "Hey, are you going to walk all the way to town!"(Oji-san) "Yeah?" "Get on the back, I will give you a lift there."(Oji-san) "Okay, thank you." He hopped onto the back of the carriage opening the drapes to reveal a single girl around 10 years of age. "Hello" "Hi there"(Girl) He said nothing else and simply sat down laying his sword down beside him as the carriage started moving again. After 2 hours of complete silence other than the sound of the carriage hitting rocks. He decided to ask a question. "Hey what is that blue screen that pops up when you kill something?" The girl was startled and did not respond at first. She had been sneaking glances at him constantly over the 2 hours but he had been completely silent up until this point. "What, you mean the status screen?"(Girl) "Oh! How do I make it pop up." "Just say Status"(Girl) "Status" | Level | 1 | Stats | | Titles | Skills | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Experience | 0 | Strength: 2 | Intelligence: 1 | Champion of Umbra | Champion of Umbra | | Name | Niveus | Agility: 1 | Wisdom: 1 | Friend of Umbra | | | Gender | Male | Vitality: 1 | Luck: 1 | The One Who Tried | | | Class | Champion of Umbra | | | | | | HP | 100/100 | | | | | | MP | 20/20 | | | | |