The Cheerful Ether played along Milly's skin like a lover’s caress. As it interacted with the surrounding foliage, each leaf took on a playful shimmer, each blade of grass swaying to an unheard tune.
Her revolver sat comfortably in her hands, and with each shot, bullets trailed Cheerful Ether in their wake, leaving behind clouds of ever-changing colors hanging in the air. The aroma they carried was reminiscent of the sweetest of drinks, evoking the warmth of a calm gentle evening. However, each shot did little more than scratch the boar and adorn its fur with splashes of color as the Cheerful Ether sought to repaint everything it touched.
"Come on, big guy!" Milly hollered at the beast, its fur bristling much like a hedgehog's as it dislodged itself from the tree with a loud crack, making it collapse in a loud thump. The creaking and the impact harmonized in her ears, morphing into the opening tunes of a playful song, courtesy of the Cheerful Ether dancing in her veins.
The boar's eyes were clouded with Ether, energy visibly gathering around it like a swirling storm of cigar smoke. It entered his body in heavy, dense plumes, only to exit in puffs of metallic mist. As they assessed each other, every fiber of Milly's being seemed alight, every sensation amplified.
Then, with a sudden burst of movement, the boar charged. Leaving deep groves, harmonizing with the music of gunshots.
Each shot filled Milly with a newfound sense of euphoria, seemingly disconnecting her and the weapon from reality. A part of her yearned to abandon the revolver and embrace the charging boar with open arms. To just accept a faceful of its needle-like tufts.
Damn, this is intoxicating, she thought, unleashing six rounds in rapid succession, each one carving a deeper mark than the last, yet the damage seemed trivial as the boar's charge carried on undeterred.
She swiftly leaped to the side, but her body, unprepared for the surge of Cheerful Ether coursing through her, overshot the mark sending her a dozen meters to the side. She skidded on the forest floor, tumbling onto her back with a graceless thud.
Now smarter, the boar swerved quickly, its actions carving deep grooves into the earth, hurling stones and dirt into the air, each landing stone echoing like a piano's tile while the earth screamed in delight at being reunited with its family. The boar muscles bulged, showing themselves against its hard skin like steel cables before glowing with a metallic hue.
Milly's face ached from the relentless smile, one of the effects of the Cheerful Ether. Her labored breaths expelled playful puffs of the same ether as her reserves quickly drained. You could’ve warned me that this costs Ether, she chided the system.
With a swift kick against the ground, this time with less force, she propelled herself out of the boar's charge, narrowly avoiding its assault.
The boar, wasting no time, swerved again. Giving Milly no time to regain her balance, before forcing her to hurl herself to the left. “Give me a second, would you?” She shouted at the boar between ragged breaths as she fought to gather her Ether.
The boar was on her in an instant and this time her dodge was not quick enough; the tusk grazed her side, snagging her clothes.
Oh fuck! The thought screamed in a thousand voices in her mind as the boar dragged her across the rugged terrain, her legs scraping against the rough ground until her room-created shirt gave way with a snap, freeing her from the boar’s tusk.
Her adversary quickly wheeled around, struggling to lift its front legs before attempting to stomp her into the earth. Quickly scrambling to the side, Milly dodged the worse but the hooves grazed her ribs, leaving deep, painful grazes. She was certain her right ribs cracked from the impact. As she found her head near the boar's belly, the pungent odor of the beast assaulted her senses.
Suddenly, a wave of giddiness washed over her, and the Cheerful Ether within her veins bubbled up, seemingly intent on drowning the pain and fear with a surge of euphoria. Her mind fought to stay clear amidst the whimsical torrent but failed.
"Tickle! Tickle!" The words escaped her lips before she could stop them, her hands moving on their own volition to playfully engage with the boar, tickling its furred belly. It was as if the Ether sought to rewrite the narrative of the battle, turning the deadly confrontation into a playful play.
The boar, perplexed, quickly stepped back, assessing her with a wary eye.
Seizing the chance, Milly sprang to her feet. Her vision swirled and her chest throbbed with a novel agony as she soared higher than ever before, jumping twice her height in the air, before gracelessly landing. Her skin blushed a gentle pink as Cheerful Ether frolicked through her veins like playful sprites in a raging river.
The boar retreated a few more steps, unnerved by her growing smile and sudden skin color change. Her vision blurred, transforming the world around her into a canvas of playful colors. Shapes distorted as the wind danced around her, tickling her skin, and the earth beneath seemed to beckon for a playful embrace.
The boar's charge morphed into a playful run in her eyes as she found herself with arms wide open, ready to embrace the beast. She reassessed reality reality a tad too late, the boar was within her kick distance; she knew dodging was not an option now. Positioning herself to avoid the deadly tusks, the boar’s snout impacted hit her like a truck, dragging her along its charge.
Gritting her teeth, Milly fought to stand her ground. The Cheerful Ether surged fervently within her, her arms visibly bulging, veins alight with playful neon hues as she wrestled the boar to a reluctant standstill.
The earth trembled beneath her feet from the struggle, resonating with the playful yet fierce dance of battle.
Come on, keep it together for just a few moments! she screamed to herself as she fought to keep herself grounded before pressing her revolver into the boar's right eye.
Her body swayed from side to side as she firmly gripped the snout with her free hand. Giggles bubbled out of her endlessly, the pain in her ribs becoming a distant memory. “Who’s a good boar?” Milly's voice carried a childlike cadence as she fought to keep the revolver steady, focusing her Ether into her right hand.
The boar's movements grew increasingly erratic under her growing strength and the metal tube firmly pressed against its eye. Her hand shimmered with a spectrum of neon colors, and instead of pain, a wonderful sensation enveloped her, tempting her to immerse her whole body in the colorful dance of Cheerful Ether.
Most of the energy she gathered disappeared in the air, but more than enough entered her revolver, warping its form and color, making it resemble a toy gun more than anything. "Playtime's over, bye-bye!" Her voice chimed with a cheerful beat as she pressed the trigger, her eyes twinkling with the kaleidoscope of neon reflections.
The bullet left her gun with a playful bubble-pop sound, sailing into the boar’s eye, making it into a burst of sparkling water bubbles before penetrating its skull with whimsical finality, sending the boar staggering for a moment before it collapsed onto the forest floor.
"Hahahaha," a burst of laughter left Milly, sending her doubling over near the boar's carcass. "Pop goes the boar. What a bore," she quipped, breath eluding her as her laughter grew louder.
Milly's laughter eventually subsided, replaced by heavy breathing as she sat beside the fallen boar. The vibrant colors around her began to fade, returning the world to its earthly colors, the effects of Cheerful Ether slowly dissipating. She glanced down at her wounds, wincing as the pain returned, the warmth of the Ether leaving her.
"That was... something," she muttered, rubbing her sore ribs. She took a moment to catch her breath, appreciating the stillness of the forest around her.
Between breaths, she pulled all her screens.
Modular System
Name
Emilly Hartfield
Title(s)
Manual
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Bubbly Bullet
Mastery
20%
Realm
Mortal Realm
Step
Body
Progress
50%
Abilities
[Trigger-Happy Transcendence] [Joyous Recoil]
Survivor Points
9
Kill 4 Iron Tufted board
Difficulty
Medium
Time Limit
6 days
Ambient
Red Soiled Forest
Rewards
16 Survivor Points
Her eyes landed on her cultivation progress, which had sat at 47% before engaging with the boar. "3%, is that good?" Milly questioned out loud. It certainly felt quick. She mulled over the progress for a while, waiting for the worst of the pain in her ribs to fade before pulling her abilities.
Trigger-Happy Transcendence
While in combat heightens combat senses and performance with joy-fueled battle focus.
Joyous Recoil
Converts the exhilaration of battle into cultivation progress, accelerating growth with each victory.
"Trigger-Happy Transcendence, say that three times quick," Milly joked to herself before focusing on the text. "'Joy-fueled battle focus,'" she repeated, tasting the words. "If that means the moment I accepted the boar with open arms, it feels dubious if it really helps."
"Manual!" Milly authoritatively said, and with an explosion of laughter, her cultivation manual manifested. "Now tell me, am I going quickly through these cultivation shenanigans?" Her manual vibrated for a moment, before becoming still again.
Is it because I'm not in a safe area?
Grabbing her manual, she stepped away from the body. She saw quite a few animals running around, none bigger than the boar, but that knowledge didn't make her feel safe, she didn't know their habits. The animals could become enraged after seeing her close to the body, going into a frenzy and trampling everything around them, or they could simply stay away from the area. But, given the fact that most of the creatures she saw seemed to be herbivores, it would mean they wouldn't give up if she showed she could put up a fight; they would fight for their lives instead of fighting for the calories.
Carefully navigating the forest, she found her way back to where she had set up her temporary base. The forest was composed of mostly towering trees, interspaced with rather thin underbrush and a few smaller trees filling the gaps between the giants.
Her base was situated where a small clump of trees almost fused their trunks, grown so closely together that they intertwined with each other around one of the giants. The sound of running water was a constant since the trees were situated near a nascent stream, which was one of the many reasons she chose this area to stay at.
This was how she found the boar. It had stopped to drink water, and she had stalked it until it seemed to relax its guard.
Her base consisted of a tarpaulin to give her a somewhat even footing, and one at the top in case it rained, which had not happened in her day in this forest. The leaves rustled as she climbed the trees to her hideout, being greeted by a corner where a few days' worth of food bars lay strewn around. A clean, sturdy blanket sat in the middle of the base, and a few loose sticks and a box of cotton were organized in another corner in case she needed to start a fire. The shops sold fire-starting kits, but they cost 3 points, while the substantial amount of cotton was only a single point, and trusting her ability to start a fire, Milly chose to save her points where she could.
As she settled into her makeshift camp, Milly couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and exhaustion. Wincing, Milly looked for a way to comfortably sit without worsening the aching of her ribs.
"Not tell me, what is the first step?" Her manual, listening to her words, flipped itself open.
"Welcome, welcome!" a high-pitched, cheerful voice announced. The words seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, echoing through the small base. "To the wondrous world of Bubbly Bullet! The first step, known as the Body step of the Mortal Realm, is your grand debut into the fantastical realm of Ether!"
The manual’s pages shimmered and glowed, projecting a whimsical, colorful scene in front of her. Tiny, animated characters danced across the pages. They moved with exaggerated, comical gestures, making the explanation feel more like a cartoon than a serious lesson. The animated characters on the pages acted out, pulling in bright, swirling streams of Ether. They puffed up comically, their bodies becoming stronger, faster, and more durable.
"In this stage, dear cultivator, you will pull in Ether so that your body may adapt to its existence," the manual continued, its tone flighty and enthusiastic. "Your strength will grow, your durability will increase, and your senses will sharpen! For Bubbly Bullet practitioners like yourself, the focus is on agility and reaction time. Think of it as becoming the sprightliest, most nimbliest version of yourself!"
Milly watched, amused and intrigued, as the tiny characters performed acrobatic feats, leaping and dodging with incredible speed. The animation was so immersive she almost felt the rush of wind as they moved.
"How fast is my cultivation progress?" she asked, "Am I going quickly?"
The manual's voice bubbled with pride, "Oh, indeed you are, dear Milly! The first step typically takes a few years for those actively engaging in battle, and up to two decades for the less adventurous. You are bringing pride to the practitioners of the Bubbly Bullet! Which means... well, just you, for now. Oops!"
Milly laughed at the manual's playful tone, but before she could ask more, the impersonation began to flicker and wane.
"As you progress to higher realms, the manual's form and utility will increase," the voice explained, a bit more seriously. "The higher the realm, the longer it can maintain its form and even assist you in battle."
The manifestation of the manual began to take on a more solid form, resembling a small, ethereal creature with large, expressive eyes and a body made of shimmering, translucent pages.
"Do all practitioners get this?" Milly asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
The creature shook its head, tiny sparkles falling from its form. "Only the most dedicated and hardest-working practitioners earn a manual capable of such impersonation. It is a mark of your commitment and potential."
Milly smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She reached out, and the creature landed gently on her hand, its light weight barely noticeable.
"Thank you," Milly said softly, grateful for the guidance and support. The creature nodded, its form beginning to fade as the lesson concluded. "Wait," Milly said, a question forming in her mind. "What does Mastery mean?"
The ethereal creature perked up, its large eyes twinkling. "Ah, Mastery! A crucial aspect of your journey. It represents your understanding and connection to the manual. The higher your Mastery, the faster your cultivation speed, the more powerful and refined your abilities become, and the stronger the manifestation of the manual itself."
As the creature spoke, its form began to glitch and flicker. Faulty images appeared, sometimes breaking apart mid-explanation. Despite this, the whimsical tone remained as it continued to elaborate.
"You see," it said, its voice crackling slightly, "Mastery allows you to unlock the true potential of your cultivation manual. With each increase, you gain a deeper understanding, enhancing your abilities and making them more efficient. It's like turning the pages of a book and discovering new secrets with each chapter."
The images it projected became more fragmented, showing tiny characters trying to climb higher on a ladder that kept breaking apart. Some reached new heights with ease, while others struggled and fell back down, only to try again with renewed determination.
"Mastery not only speeds up your cultivation but also directly powers up the manual's manifestation," the creature continued, its voice wavering. "Instead of merely gaining more versatility from getting stronger, you gain straight power-ups. Your understanding enhances the manual's abilities, making it a more formidable ally in your journey."
The creature's form flickered one last time, and it seemed to sigh softly. "Remember, Milly, each step you take brings you closer to mastering the Bubbly Bullet. Embrace the journey, and let your joy guide you."
With that, the creature dissolved into a shower of tiny sparkles, leaving Milly alone with her thoughts and the manual resting quietly beside her. She felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination as she settled down to rest, her mind buzzing with the possibilities that lay ahead in her cultivation journey.
As the forest around her grew quieter, Milly reflected on the lesson. "So, it's not just about spending days taking in Ether," she mused aloud, running her fingers over the cover of the Bubbly Bullet manual. "I need to actually think about what I'm doing, understand it, embrace it."
She chuckled to herself, thinking back to the colorful display the manual had used to explain the first step. "It’s like a big, cosmic game. The more I understand, the more fun I can have. Joy-fueled battle focus, huh? That means I have to stay positive and keep finding the joy in this journey."
Her fingers traced the whimsical illustrations on the manual's pages. "Mastery isn't just a level-up, it's a mindset," she continued, her voice thoughtful. "Every bit of understanding I gain speeds up my cultivation makes my abilities stronger, and even powers up the manifestation of the manual itself."
Milly's mind buzzed with the concept. "So, it's not just about brute strength or endless practice. It’s about grasping the essence of what this manual is teaching me. Embracing the whimsical, the joyful, the playful."
She settled back on her sturdy blanket, a contented sigh escaping her lips. "Each step I take brings me closer to mastering the Bubbly Bullet. It’s about understanding, connecting with the manual, and letting that guide my progress."
As the Cheerful Ether hummed softly within her, Milly felt a deep connection to the Bubbly Bullet manual. She understood that her progress was not just about physical strength but also about understanding and embracing the joyful, playful essence of her cultivation path.
"Let joy guide you," she whispered to herself, her eyes growing heavy.