As the days turned into weeks, Shinji and Gorthok fell into a rhythm. Their daily training sessions became more intense, with Gorthok—who also went by the name Takeshi—pushing Shinji to explore the full extent of his powers while also honing his physical strength and endurance.

The wilderness around them became their playground and their battlefield, a place where Shinji could test his abilities without the fear of harming anyone.Shinji's powers, however, remained unpredictable. Some days, he could summon vines with ease, weaving them into intricate patterns or using them to snare small animals. Other days, the power eluded him completely, leaving him frustrated and exhausted. Yet, through it all, Gorthok remained patient, always there with a word of encouragement or a joke to lighten the mood.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor, Gorthok sat beside the fire, deep in thought. He broke the silence with a reassuring grin. "Shinji, I promise to help you find Lyra and Kaito. To reach them, we'll need to do a few things. First, we need to gather resources like food, water, and money. Next, we need to find out where they are and what's going on. Then, we need to find people who can help us on our journey. Finally, we need to be brave and strong enough to cross the difficult lands and get to the faraway place where they are. But don't worry," he added with a hearty laugh, "I'll be with you every step of the way, and together, we can do it! Hahaha!"

The firelight reflected in Gorthok's eyes, which sparkled with excitement. "I've got it, Shinji! We can join the tournaments! The rich folks love watching fighters battle it out, and the prize money is huge!"

Shinji's eyes widened, a mixture of excitement and apprehension crossing his features.

"Tournaments? You mean, like fighting matches?"Gorthok nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly! We can use our skills to win matches and earn a small fortune. It's the perfect way to get the money we need to buy maps, supplies, and cross the island continent!"Shinji hesitated, unsure if he was ready for such a challenge.

The idea of fighting in a tournament was daunting, but Gorthok's confidence was infectious. He could feel a spark of determination rising within him."Okay, let's do it!" Shinji agreed, his resolve hardening. "We'll fight our way to the top and earn the money we need!"Gorthok grinned, clapping Shinji on the back with a friendly thump."That's the spirit! With my combat skills and your... unique abilities, we're unstoppable! Let's sign up for the next tournament and show them what we're made of!"

They set off the next morning, traveling for several kilometers until they reached a bustling town, its streets alive with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares and townsfolk going about their daily lives. The air was thick with the aroma of spices, roasted meats, and fresh bread, creating an intoxicating mix that made their stomachs growl in hunger.

As they navigated through the lively market, Gorthok pointed out various shops and stalls. "We'll need to gear up and stock up on supplies. Let's check out that blacksmith over there and see if they have any decent weapons."

Shinji nodded, his eyes scanning the various shops around them. "I saw a mapmaker's shop earlier. We should check that out too. We'll need detailed maps for the journey."

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But Gorthok had other priorities in mind. "First things first, my friend! We need to sign up for the tournament. I heard the registration office is near the town square."

They made their way to the town square, where a large stone building loomed, its sign reading "Tournament Registration" in bold, intimidating letters. The building buzzed with activity, as fighters of all shapes and sizes moved in and out, some eager, some anxious.

"Time to put our names in the hat and get ready to rumble!" Gorthok said with a grin, his excitement palpable.

Shinji couldn't help but smile as they entered the building. Little did they know, this tournament would be the beginning of an adventure that would test their limits in ways they never imagined.

Inside the registration office, they approached the tournament organizer, a burly man with a thick beard and a no-nonsense demeanor.

"Alright," the organizer grunted, looking them over. "You two want to enter the tournament? You're in luck. We've got both 2v2 and 1v1 matches available. Any weapon is allowed, but remember—no killing. You've got to wear your opponent down or disable them to win."

Gorthok's grin widened. "Sounds like a blast! We'll take both, 2v2 and 1v1. What's the prize money looking like?"

The organizer's eyes gleamed as he rubbed his hands together. "Ah, you're in for a treat! The 2v2 winners take home 10,000 units, and the 1v1 champion gets 20,000 units! But don't get too cocky; we've got some tough competition this year."

Shinji's eyes narrowed with determination. "We're not here to mess around. We need that money to find our friends."

Gorthok clapped Shinji on the back, his energy infectious. "That's the spirit! Let's show them what we're made of!"

The organizer chuckled, impressed by their confidence. "Alright, you're in. Report to the arena for your first match. And remember, no killing… but everything else is fair game!"

The next day, the arena was packed with spectators eager for blood—figuratively, at least. The host, a flamboyant man with a booming voice, stepped into the center of the arena.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the first match of the tournament! We have an… interesting situation on our hands. The opposing team, 'The Bruisers,' has only one member present. Where is your partner, sir?"

The lone opponent, a hulking giant of a man with a menacing scowl, shrugged dismissively. "He's not showing up. Let's just get this over with."

The host raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Very well, in that case… (glancing at Gorthok and Shinji) you two are up against 'The Bruisers'… or rather, their lone representative. Let's begin! Remember, no killing, but everything else is fair game!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as the match began, with Gorthok and Shinji squaring off against the massive opponent.

Gorthok cracked his knuckles, his grin returning. "Time to show him what we're made of, Shinji!"

Their opponent wasted no time, charging forward with a massive battle-axe that looked capable of cleaving through solid stone. Gorthok met the charge head-on, his sword clashing against the battle-axe with a resounding clang. The sheer force of the impact sent Gorthok stumbling back, but he quickly recovered, his eyes burning with determination.

Shinji, meanwhile, was frozen in place for a moment, still uncertain of his abilities. But seeing Gorthok in danger, something inside him snapped. He raised his hands, and—much to his own surprise—a thick vine erupted from the ground, snaking its way toward their opponent.

The vine wrapped around the opponent's axe, pulling it from his grip and disarming him in a single, fluid motion. The crowd gasped in shock, and the host's voice echoed through the arena. "What sorcery is this? How did the young man conjure such a plant?"

Shinji stared in disbelief at what he had just done, his heart pounding in his chest. The realization of his power hit him like a tidal wave. He had done it. He had summoned the plant, and it had worked.

Their opponent, momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events, stumbled backward, now defenseless. Gorthok seized the opportunity, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he struck, forcing the giant of a man further back.

As the crowd roared in approval, the opponent's shock turned to fury. With a snarl, he attempted a desperate counterattack, but Gorthok was ready. He parried the blow effortlessly and followed up with a swift, precise strike that left the opponent reeling.

The match was all but over, and the crowd could feel it. Victory was within reach for the unlikely duo. The host's voice rang out, "And the winners of this match are… "

But before he could finish, their opponent, bloodied and battered but not yet defeated, spat out a challenge. "Hmph, not bad for a couple of wild brats. But if you think that's enough to take me down… let's get real then."

His tone was filled with menace, and Shinji felt a chill run down his spine. The match wasn't over yet—not by a long shot.