While cultivating, John pondered his next move. To acquire more time magic, should he delve into dungeons or roam the wilds? The dungeon, being nearer and less daunting, seemed the logical choice. An idea struck him, but it was one he hesitated to pursue, knowing it could lead to the loss of many lives. Despite being from Earth and unaccustomed to such realities, he understood that for those who ventured into the dungeon daily, death was a familiar concept. After consuming four more beast cores, John planned to repay Alana the following day. With the desire for an upgrade looming, he decided to retire early for the night.
The following morning, John awoke with a palpable sense of increased strength. The remarkable boost in his abilities led him to ponder the possibilities post-breakthrough. As he contemplated, Max's voice interrupted his thoughts, announcing that the dungeon had confirmed the completion of his upgrades for that evening. Eager to refine his skills, John headed to the training grounds with a focus on improving his footwork. There, he encountered Bob and inquired about acquiring additional blocks. Curious, Bob asked for specifics, and John detailed his need for two sets of twelve blocks—one set to be half the size of a foot, and the other to be a quarter of that size. When Bob probed about their intended use, John disclosed they were for his combat training, which he preferred to conduct privately in his courtyard. Bob nodded in understanding, recognizing the desire to keep one's fighting techniques confidential. After all, he shared the same sentiment, training the guards but never revealing his most advanced tactics, believing such skills should be discovered independently.
John returned to his room, which doubled as a courtyard. He gathered the larger blocks and placed them on the ground at shoulder width apart, positioning them to represent each number on a clock's face. He realized that embedding the blocks in the ground wouldn't be practical, so he simply set them atop the soil. However, if he shifted his weight improperly, a block might roll, causing him to fall. He dedicated the entire day to practicing his footwork and noticed improvement. Whenever fatigue set in, he would consume a beast core. Taking a break, John's thoughts wandered back to the concept of time. "Time claims everything in the end. It is merciless to all. When it's your time, it's time," he murmured. He acknowledged the need to harden his heart regarding taking lives. Despite his reluctance, he understood that failing to do so could prematurely end his time here. 'The strong consume the weak,' as the books he once read proclaimed. Previously, as a mere reader, he could get excited during epic battle scenes, for they quickened the pulse. Now, faced with real conflict, John believed in eliminating only those who deserved it, without hesitation, regardless of whether they were evil or good. He vowed never to willingly embrace evil, knowing well how to react if attacked with lethal intent. John was not one to show mercy in such situations.
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John held the conviction that self-cultivation was paramount in life. He was resolute in pursuing his chosen path. Despite the eagerness of others for him to share his knowledge, he opted to teach only the fundamentals to the two elvan women. This choice stemmed not from distrust, but from his belief that they should engage in combat in a way that capitalized on their distinct abilities. Weary from the day's exertions, John intended to assimilate the final update and attain his breakthrough the following day. After a brief period of recuperation, he planned to revisit the dungeon. He had observed that Max had become increasingly quiet lately, a change he attributed to her conversations with the dungeon. He knew that any information gleaned could prove beneficial in times to come.
He drifted off to sleep, and in his dream, he encountered a four-leaf clover radiating a luminous green hue before it split into four separate clovers. One nestled into his left hand, another into his right, while the remaining two settled at his feet. Intuitively, he sensed his magic would now be more manageable, especially in the limbs touched by the clovers. Upon waking early, John felt a profound change within. He engaged in a swift session of tai-chi, tuning into his newfound vigor. An hour later, he consumed enough beast cores to achieve a breakthrough. His blood pulsed powerfully; the thumping of his heart was slow yet thunderous. Initially, John mistook the sensation for the gentle babble of a stream, but it swiftly escalated to the ferocity of a dam bursting, unleashing a torrent that threatened to obliterate everything in its path. The mana-infused blood coursed through his veins, spreading to each organ, acclimating them to the potent flow of mana. With every circuit, he felt a burgeoning strength. It took nearly an entire day for John's blood to reach a state of equilibrium.
Once John felt stable, he began another round of tai chi. With each movement, it seemed as if the air itself was being pushed by his punches. He then arranged the blocks in the time circle with ease, even managing to do so while standing on his hands—a task that was initially challenging but soon became effortless. A few days had passed since John last saw Anya and Alana, who now both had four marks on their left hands. They were astonished at John's transformation; he had been slender before but now appeared robust and vibrant. A palpable energy radiated from him, and every step he took was firm and steady. Unbeknownst to John, his steps had become rhythmic, each one taking precisely one second, establishing a new standard for his stride. He began training with the girls, covering the fundamentals of footwork. Instead of using the clock, he set up the blocks and swung the sandbags to demonstrate how to maintain balance while shifting weight. They took turns practicing on the blocks, while John moved on to the smaller ones, balancing on his toes. The shift in weight was difficult to master, especially using just his big toe for leverage rather than his entire foot. John believed that the finer his control over his body, the more refined his tai chi would become. Now with sparring partners, he could also focus on redirecting the momentum of an attack.