Mav reached into his item box and pulled out a bottle of high-tier mana potion. He uncorked it, bringing it to his nose. The metallic scent of iron, almost like blood, made him hesitate. Still, with his mana nearly depleted—4/120—he pushed past the discomfort and decided to take the potion anyway.
"Here goes nothing," he muttered to himself before downing the entire bottle in one gulp.
Surprisingly, the liquid tasted nothing like its smell. It was just like water, cool and refreshing. Yet, the effect was immediate. A wave of energy surged through his body, as though a cold wind swept through his veins, restoring his strength.
He glanced at his mana display again. 120/120. "Incredible," he whispered, astonished by the potion’s power. "So this is what a high-tier mana potion feels like... no wonder it's so expensive."
He stretched his limbs, loosening his muscles in preparation for the sprint ahead. His gaze shifted toward the direction of the village. After a few hops and stretches to get his blood pumping, he crouched into a running stance. "Dark Yellow Transcendence," he cast, feeling the rush of power as dark yellow flames enveloped his body. "Suppression," he whispered, as a second and third layer of dark green flames cloaked him, surrounding his body like a shell.
With a burst of speed, he sprinted toward the village, manipulating the flames in front of him into a sharp, aerodynamic edge to reduce wind resistance. The flames cut through the air like a blade, making his run smoother and faster than ever. This time, he covered the distance in six seconds, far quicker than before. As he neared the village outskirts, he slowed down, letting the skills dissipate so as not to be seen by anyone.
He checked his mana again: 100/120. "It’d be a waste not to use this before I call it a night," he murmured. Scanning the area, he spotted a secluded spot between two small hills. Perfect for some late-afternoon training.
After his abilities cooled down, Mav began pushing his limits. He activated Dark Yellow Transcendence again, experimenting with how quickly he could move, darting left, right, forward, and back, testing his agility. His speed was astonishing, far exceeding what he had achieved before. Then he switched to Dark Green Invincibility, focusing on expanding and compressing the protective flames around his body, testing the boundaries of control over the skill.
The afternoon passed in cycles of frantic training and brief rests during cooldowns. He only stopped when his mana was dangerously low. The sky had deepened into a dark blue by the time he finally stopped, the last of the sun’s light barely visible over the horizon. It was a peaceful moment, one he rarely took the time to appreciate, yet his mind was far from at ease. The cold night air prickled his skin as he made his way back home.
When he arrived, his parents were engaged in their usual evening activities, unaware of what had transpired in the capital, nor the dangerous task awaiting him the next day. The crackle of the hearth and his mother’s gentle humming should have brought him comfort. Yet, Mav couldn’t shake the gnawing thought: What if I don’t return? He imagined their faces if they realized—how would they cope? He squeezed his fists tightly at his sides, a shiver running down his spine. No, he told himself, trying to laugh it off.
"Well, at least they'll still get the 500 gold coins even if I die," he muttered under his breath. But that weak attempt at humor didn’t stop the tension building in his chest. He couldn’t afford these thoughts now—not with what was ahead. The fight with Maimou would come soon. And he had to be ready.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Dinner was quiet and uneventful, as though it was just another ordinary evening. Afterward, Mav bathed and settled on his bed, checking his mana: 27/120. He had been careful not to deplete it entirely, recalling the time he had collapsed from exhaustion. He cast Dark Yellow Transcendence, the skill sharpenimg his senses, the sounds of crickets and his mother washing dishes drifting in. As to not waste his remaining mana, he also activated Dark Green Invincibility, repeating the expansion and compression exercises until his skills timed out.
"What a day," he muttered, his mind drifting to the events at the capital. He chuckled, thinking about the 500 gold coins again. "I wonder how my parents would react if they knew." He shook his head, dismissing the thought. "I’ll deal with it when the time comes."
But then his thoughts turned to Maimou, the Fighter Gorilla. A shiver ran down his spine, cold fear creeping into his limbs.
"Tomorrow..." he whispered to himself. The weight of the upcoming battle hung heavy on his heart, and as he stared at the dark ceiling, his mind spun with thoughts until, eventually, sleep took over.
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"Mana, 120 out of 120. Skills off cooldown. One high-tier potion, two low-tier potions. All set."
Mav stood at the edge of the dense forest, staring into the thick canopy of trees. His heart pounded with anticipation.
"Alright, let’s do this," he said, slapping his cheeks to hype himself up. With a deep breath, he stepped forward into the forest.
As he ventured deeper, shadows thickened, and anxiety gnawed at him. His heart raced with every step, eyes scanning for danger. The eerie silence of the forest pressed down on him as he approached the site of his previous battle with Maimou. Scarred trees and torn earth were stark reminders of their fierce encounter, yet the monster was absent.
The forest now seemed even more menacing. Every rustle and crack heightened his alertness, his muscles tensed and ready to spring. Adrenaline surged, blurring the line between bravery and recklessness, but at this point, it didn’t matter.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Maimou!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the forest. For a moment, he prayed the creature wouldn’t show. But soon after, the sound of heavy footsteps crunching through the dried leaves reached his ears. His heart clenched in his chest.
Emerging from the shadows was Maimou, the Fighter Gorilla, as menacing as ever. Even from a distance, its hulking frame dominated the landscape, its fur bristling, muscles rippling with raw power, its red eyes gleamed in the shadows.
"So, you can talk after all," Maimou rumbled, its voice deep and rough like the grinding of stones. Its blood-red eyes locked onto Mav, gleaming with malevolent intelligence.
"I thought you were just another weak human, too scared to speak."
Mav stood his ground, his muscles tense, ready for what was to come.
"What’s the matter?" Maimou growled, taking a slow, deliberate step forward, the crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot accentuating his approach.
"You called me, human. So, tell me..." The beast's lips curled into a snarl, revealing sharp, gleaming teeth. "Are you ready to die?"
The threat hung in the air, thick and heavy. Maimou’s muscles bunched as though ready to pounce. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting.
"Well, fine by m—" Maimou began, his growl building in intensity as he readied himself to charge. But before the beast could even advance, Mav sprang into action.
"Dark Yellow Transcendence!" his voice rang out, his body surging forward in a blur of motion, closing the distance before Maimou could even begin his attack.