Preparations

Preparations - 05 [+]

>Objective : Train while you can. Press the [+] symbol above when you have spare time.

>Time remaining : 711:11:11

>Difficulty : Fated

>Mission Difficulty : None

>Mission Failure Penalty : None.

>Managing to reach level 10 before the time runs out will grant a system upgrade : Space Ring Feature.

It has been a couple hours. Once the live timer goes to eleven almost everywhere, I'm satisfied and press the symbol.

Since then, I've managed to defeat the third rate shadow. Now, I would guess a second rate to come.

[Training Puppet Lv.4]

Age : 0

Mortal Cultivation : Martial Rookie (Second Rate)

Mortal Title : Second Rate Martial Artist

HP | ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿ | (0.35 / 0.35)

DT | ⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿⦿ | (0.35 / 0.35)

STR : ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ F-

SPD : ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ F-

END : ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ F-

SEN : ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ F-

SOUL : ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ N

WISD : ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ F-

LUCK : ▰▰▰▰▰▰▰ N

Skill : Magnitude Blast - Lv.5

Holy... This one definitely isn't going to be easier. Is it me, or did the stats skyrocket a little?

Putting a guard up, the shadow doesn't mind, loosely making its way forward.

As it enters my range, a flurry of left jabs come its way. The shadow sways and dodges everything with ease before attempting a right punch at my chest. It only takes a small back step to evade it, sending a right kick over its head. Its ducking makes way for a burst of speed.

Back into range, the shadow flickers both arms as my leg fully retreats. Still with my forearms in the way, both of its arms punch ahead, going for my flanks. I don't panic and spread my guard, trying to block them.

Only to realize it to have been a feint from the very beginning. Its arms don't even come halfway before being pulled back. Made aware of it, I tighten back my guard. Just as it is about to close, I feel a pressure collapse my stomach. "Urh!" Groaning at the bout of pain, I gaze down and find a shadowy leg kicking my belly. "Bitch!" Clinging to it, my guard becomes a vice, gripping its shin. Twisting my body, the leg goes along, forcing the shadow's balance to crumble like a sandcastle. It catches itself with its right arm, its remaining right leg bent, the foot keeping steady on the ground.

With the advantage, I feel heat gathering near my stomach. The blow must have been pretty heavy, despite not feeling much of it. But a couple popped blood vessels aren't gonna stop me.

Letting the guard loose, I push away its previously caught leg, ready to pounce on the prey. "Hmm?" Frowning, my instincts scream at me while the leg doesn't budge even after putting my weight behind it.

I look down and realize the heat to have come from its foot instead. "Oh shit." Oh shit indeed, its left leg extending a little more, the only amount needed, to collide with my stomach once more. It doesn't take me long to sense a massive shockwave rupture my flesh, breaking bones in the way. Hurling my insides, the kick doesn't send me flying, instead it impales me fully. My tears roll down as I'm left dangling from its raised leg like a rag, my lucidity soon fading out.

"..." Not surprised, I sigh under the bridge.

Truly a precise training. Their stats aren't much, but the skill they use can overturn the tide ten times over with a single mistake on my part. I'm basically feeding them the win, and it's frustrating.

Patting myself, some dust flies off. This place is pretty stale.

A few moments later, amidst my grumbling annoyance, I find myself back. The shadow forms and charges at me in a heartbeat. This time I'll win.

Jabs left and right, kicks hovering above and below, a potent shockwave visibly spreading near my head. I look top left, where the shadow's right fist freezes. The blast, even though half a meter away, blows wind against my face until my eyes squint. Some longer strands of my blonde hair get caught into my eyelids, forcing the squint to worsen.

Unable to see with a shut down vision, I retreat hastily. My guard is up, but cannot deflect a sudden impact upon my raised forearms. "Hrrmmh!" They screech in agony, nerves firing up signals to my brain. Opening my eyes despite the pain and blurriness, I see red around my upper limbs. "Fucking..." Cut short, I lose patience and wipe my face, removing the strands. Gazing back down, my bloodied forearms aren't the main focus.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Instead, it's the damn shadowy fist an inch away from my head. It's almost all I can see, only the rough edges of my field of view freed. Unable to voice a complaint more, darkness overcomes me.

"How?!" My shout echoes past the bridge, dispersing amongst the impaled, moist winds.

How could I lose like this?! Because of my hair?!! Excuse me!?

Pulling a few strands down, I'm left speechless. Seriously... because of that?? This is retarded!

Yet my complaints cannot hide the facts. Today, I learned that even the smallest of details can kill you in battle. This is so dumb... Despite my gritted teeth, I remain hungry for more.

Fuck this shit, I'm killing your ass! Without hesitation, whiteness blinds me again.

Landing, the shadowy figure resurges. "You're done for this time!" Clenching my fists, I relax one and pull my hair back. As I do so, the figure rushes at me. "Let- Give me a break..!" My hair now cleared away, I take a few steps back, evading a horizontal kick swinging from side to side. Its motion causes wind to blow my body a few meters away. With crossed arms, I'm dumbfounded. Obvious from my flabbergasted expression. "What... the-" Mid sentence, the shadow's eyes glow red.

"...fu-" Before the word can come out of my mouth, a blast obliterates my field of view. Thankfully, I was far enough, bending backward. "Holy!" This move doesn't help much, since I'm not some crazy martial artist like this guy. So I lose balance and fall on my butt.

In a moment, I put my feet closer and kick the ground, gaining a meter or so. All the while, I use the gained momentum to slowly get up whilst retreating.

Back on my feet, I raise my brows, something obstructing my vision. Meanwhile, the figure already caught up. A violent right fist following behind its foremost head. "Fucking hair!" I shout, the punch arriving.

Trying my luck, I ignore the shadow's glowing eyes, sending my left arm to receive the blast.

An oppressive heat crashes into my palm a fraction of a second later, my bent elbow soon closing fully. Startled, I'm left paralyzed from seeing its fist so close, almost touching my left pectoral. Before a familiar vibration spreads throughout my body.

From my teeth to my skin, everything shakes and ripples.

"God..! Fucking..!"

Hurling some blood and bile... "Dammit!!" ...I scream before utter darkness.

"..."

I sit there, motionless.

"....."

Prior to opening the tab.

"Again!"

.

.

.

How long has it been? I'm starving, parched, dead tired. My back presses against the concrete behind. I sometimes feel a faint rumble, probably trucks passing by above my head.

The sun has long since risen from the dead, blessing the lands along its eternal warmth.

Hours have passed, yet I still lay there, stuck.

Maybe I should opt to find sustenance first? That would certainly help more than it could harm. Right? As long as I don't go scavenging into the dumpsters, I should be fine...

Walking almost aimlessly, I'm gazing around this unknown city. I've never really left my hometown's surrounding area. It was small and shabby, but very close to a slightly bigger city. Honestly, I can vividly remember the contrast between sheds and skyscrapers. It was a shock the first time, leaving behind the farms and fields, to arrive into modernization. From my hometown, we could see that city in the horizon, it was this close. And even more surprising to me now, is that it was so full of everything, yet so small. I can't understand how such a small place got such a makeover. Guess it was a popular area... with deserted streets...

In any case, I don't feel at home here. It's cold and ruthless. No real place to stop and rest without paying for it. I don't have an ounce of money on me. I thought about selling the boss monster's loot, but that would be difficulty, since I don't have anything like that in the first place. It's like some kind of fantasy cultivation system decided to delete it or something. Couldn't it be granted as a starter pack or gift?

Walking aimlessly, I soon find myself surrounded by short, clean buildings, a paved grey street with a plaza and fountain right in the middle. Judging by the sheer amount of stores, its sizable clientele wandering all around isn't undeserved.

Thinking about it...

Free? I mean, it's water anyway so... Scratching my face, I awkwardly look around before getting closer to the fountain. Kids are playing around, while some are seated next to it. I pass by them and start cupping my hands in the water. Cold.

Taking in a few gulps, I already feel refreshed. Holy is this water tasty. Hopefully it's because I'm parched, not because there's bird shit in it.

After getting my fill, I sit on a bench next to it along the others, confused about why I did that. Yet, water can only do so much, so I'm wondering whether to beg for food or not... Just as I'm fixated on this matter, a gentle tap reaches my shoulder. Turning around, I'm met with a stern gaze.

"Young man, care to help us out a little?" At the words I stand up and take a cautionary step back, careful to not trip on said bench.

Looking at them now, they are wearing navy blue with a cap. There are two of them, the one who just addressed me with a thick black moustache. He's the older of the two, the one behind quite young.

"Me? What can I help you with officer?" Unless things changed since yesterday, they are with the police.

"Well, you can, yes." Pointing behind me, he then resumes. "That fountain over there, you drank from it, didn't you?" With a nod from me, he part his lips. "I'm sorry to inform you that drinking from this fountain is against the law." I close my eyes to process the information before opening them again. "Excuse me? The water... from over there... in the middle of the plaza... isn't..?"

"Isn't for drinking, that's correct. So you'll have to come with us sir. Don't worry, the post is right over there." He points to another direction, unbothered by the stupidity of it all. "Hum... officer... did I miss a sign or..."

"Nah. There isn't a sign about it." His pull of the belt seems too old fashioned, even for me. "So... if it's in the public... and doesn't have a warning about it... why would it be lawful to punish me? I just drank water, isn't tap water free in bars and stuff?" As I say that, his change of tone I missed earlier smacks me in the face.

"Where have you been all these years kid? Listen, if I say this isn't lawful, then it ain't! Capisce?"

"........."

"Why the long face? Huh? Come on kid, put your hands where I can see them!" He makes his way and I snap, easily pushing his hands away. "Oh~ Tough one are ya? Want me to pull out my gun? If you don't then-"

"Do it." Why do I care if he has a gun? It doesn't look extraordinary, especially after checking his and his most likely subordinate's statuses. I can eat bullets for breakfast if I really wish to. They might sting a little, especially in some areas, but otherwise I'll be just fine.

"Oh~! I see! I see!" Taking it out of the holster, the middle aged man aims at me after asking everyone behind and around to take cover. "Get on your knees! Hands up!" Flustered by the turn of events, the young man behind takes out a taser and does the same.

"I said get on your knees! Hands in the air! Do I have to repeat myself?!" With a heavy sigh, I step closer and he fires. "On your knees!" He notices the bullet ricochet from my skin, widening his eyes. But his expression doesn't match what I was expecting. "Oh I get it now! No wonder you were so cocky. Ya really think resisting arrest will benefit you? I was just bout' to give ya a little fine, but not anymore." It's a clear threat, but it's too late. This so called law is bullshit and I know it. No way someone can reserve a public fountain for themselves like this. Even if they did, how could they complain that people drink from it a little when it's, like previously mentioned, in the public domain?

"You think you're tough little shit? Yeah... yeah you do."

"I never said-" "You do! Let me call for backup real quick, will ya?" I kind of want to smash his face into the pavement, but killing a regular human, being a law enforcement officer on top of that, doesn't seem like a very good idea...

"They'll be here soon."

I'm perplexed on whether to run or not. Maybe I let my temper get the better of me?