‘Ling Er, where the hell is Raine, the frogs are dead already’ grumble Rao La while she was playing with the dagger on her hand. Ling Er who was slicing her dagger cutting through the air took a glance to Rao La.
‘just let him be, Rao La lets go by our own, we know already where does frogs are we don’t really need him. it isnt like he’s training us to begin with, he left us by ourselves fighting these damn monsters’ Ling Er suggest of going head on with the countless frogs in the ladies restroom. For some reason, she and Raine relationship suddenly went downhill, without any known reasons or is it. hmm
Anyway Rao La reply to her;
‘are you sure about this? you know for me handling three at the same time is quite difficult unless you want to cover for me’ Rao La give a side glance at Ling Er hinting her acceptance to her suggestion.
‘come on both of us need to get out of here, the sooner the better lets go we don’t have time to waste’ Linger Er steadfast toward the door with both dagger grasp tightly in her hand.
‘ahhh, I wanted to sleep first you know, sheesh you and your hard training regime.’ Rao La grumble once again as she lazily stands up while her pencil skirt already rip at the side up to her waist showing a great scene of her fair legs and even a glimpse of her light pink undergarment. It seems with all the movement needed while fighting the skirt was either rip or tore by itself. Either way, Rao La care less about it as long as she was able to deliver her strike straight to its enemy.
As both of them were in front of the ladies restroom, a rather restless heart succumb both of them. Their expression shown confidence in them but it was only a façade for the emotion underneath. Ling Er with her face showing determination while at her side Rao La was still half asleep. While their heart were clearly beating fast and they are on alert as they are taking their first step in fighting against this monster nest.
‘lets go!’ Ling Er initiate opening the door with a heavy heart, her hands was trembling as it was an undeniably truth that even she was nervous and afraid of this confrontation. A brave mask cast upon a fear heart. Even so she presses on, braving her heart pushing her courage to leap in this sort of situation. Opening the door, both of them enter with fearful heart.
To their astonishment, the room was fill with frogs monster. at the sink, on the floor, in the cubicle literally everywhere. Slimy hideous frog creatures jumping around in their restroom. But as these two ladies enter the fray the frogs jumps toward the intruder that intrude their now living space. Both of these ladies stand on their ground as they approach the two of them.
Ling Er with her tight black pants moves her frozen legs and released her two daggers and flings the blade to the direction of these monsters who were pouncing on them. Her motion of swinging the dagger, met its match as the countless monsters were indeed too much for her to handle right now. Her deadly strikes that usually are pin point to the frog were outshine by the sheer number of the frogs. Her blade barely scratch the surface of the frogs not dealing much damage.
At the same time, Rao La didn’t stand dazing but instead her drowsy state quickly took an immediate roundabout. Her eyes turn clear and her mind become sharp and aware. It was like a switch, as she know in this new life dangers lurks everywhere. Rao La dodges the monsters attack while at the same time she counter it with a dagger lodge deeply in its head quickly letting it soul fade away.
Her accurate attack and minimal dodge show her ability to quickly adapt in situation. Rao La decision in allocating her points truly shines during this time, by distributing it mostly towards dexterity and agility. She was able to dodge and utilize her pin point accurate attack to the most weakest part of the frogs. Her encounters with these frogs bring her to know their weak spots as she in nature didn’t like the hassle of killing it by stabbing or slashing multiple times but prefer of giving a quick stab and move on to the other.
Compared to Ling Er who enjoys or rather employ multiple attacks to bring her opponent down, the result was Ling Er took a lot longer time of period of dismantling her opponents when compare to Rao La. Rao La herself has a lot more resting period as she herself prefer not to tire herself out. This objective of her play out well but it itself need her to concentrate to it peaks.
Before it can bloom itself like what she perform right now. It was like an innate of hers to succeed in this attempt as she herself possesses this.
‘Dao of Concentration’
Her skill that she obtain since the blow of the horn. This was the basis of her decision to the point distribution. An advantage that she and only she can obtain. By increasing her dexterity it will have a doubling effect in increasing accuracy as well as in critical attack. While as well in agility doubling her chances to dodge those attacks and increasing her speed almost double.
But this will only be achieved if and only if her concentration was at its peak. A feat that was hard to achieve let alone in this situation which was turning into chaos. But Rao La was exceptional, she reach her peak concentration in mere moments and flash her dagger as her counter attacks bring her enemy to the ground lifeless.
Her eyes was exuding a deadly cold stare that was different to the burning bright eyes of Ling Er. Ling er on the other hand was having her hands full just dodging herself while barely being able to attack but as time ticks her enemy meet it match as countless scratch turn to a wound and as the count increase the wound itself turn into a big gush of blood spurting out. Bleeding her enemies to death.
Even so her stamina cant last long,
“damn it, they are too many and my body is getting tired” the situation was not to the likeness of hers. But that didn’t halt her movement even for a second. As the numerous frogs surrounded her, the tongues that stretch out grazing her body bit by bit shaves of her health point.
Ling Er didn’t give up, her determination outwit her fragile body as she push herself to the limit. She knows this was her decision, her decision to jump herself in this battlefield that was already known to her how dangerous it was. But at the same time she felt a bit regret as she throw her friend in this chaos.
But still she didn’t have the time to glance toward her friend. Surrounded by the frogs, she was fatigue and barely able to hold on to her dagger. A tongue blew out straight into her but she barely guard it. her arm moves upward revealing an open space for an opportunity to be attack. her face expression was in dire, as another tongue went lashing toward her in this moment.
Then a flash pass through her. a blade slice through the tongue parting it into two halves. In front Ling Er was Rao La as she put forward her dagger to the frog. Her cold eye stare with a coldness that can cause shiver in their bones and souls. Rao La didn’t stop as she continue to dive forward putting her dagger right at the middle of the frog’s head. turning back to Ling Er, she said;
‘hey im sleepy lets go back early’
Ling Er could only watch her as the deep eyes of her were invigorating to the core of her heart. Ling Er cannot help but to nod involuntarily. Then both of them went straight to door behind their back while fending off from those slimy frogs tongue.
With the door shut close behind them, rumbling sound of the door being pound from the other side vibrates. Both of them lean on the door not wanting it to be open to prevent those monsters from lurking around the corridor.
‘Ling er go get the bench, we need to barricade it back’
Ling Er nod and carry the bench blocking the door entrance of the ladies restroom. Heaving a sigh of relief out of the recklessness of their action, for once that 15 minutes or so that they spend there was dangerous but as they say where there is danger there is treasure.
Looking up on their mirror, Rao La was satisfied.
‘I broke to level 6, what about you?’
‘not yet but just a bit more’ Ling er cant hide the face of discontent as she was a bit late in reaching as same as Rao La.
Both of them return to their own classroom. With their appearance looking rather unkempt, Mui cant help but to ask about their condition. Its been awhile since she last saw them.
‘Ling Er, Rao La how about it? you guys okay?’ ask Mui
‘okay okay, just reach level 6. Tired already. Need to sleep waaaaa’ Rao La reply with her face already looking drowsy, she quickly fall down on the floor and laid to sleep. Mui seeing how she was felt a bit worried but at the same time excited, it seems Raine training are working. Even the others start believing after seeing how Ling Er and Rao La come back stronger.
‘Ling Er, you okay?’ Mui cant help but to press on to Ling Er.
‘im fine, just need to rest’ Ling Er was reluctant to speak as she was rather disappointed on her performance. She was confident that she can handle it but she was bested by her own friend unknowingly. Her build concentrate on agility and strength while putting the majority of it to agility. But going up against a crowd in a small space isnt going to her advantage. She didn’t realized this as she was oblivious to the concept of fighting. While Rao La was at her advantage concentrating on counter attacking a big difference between one another.
On her mind she was still occupied on thinking what went wrong, to her she was not on the wrong side. Even so she rested her body as her body condition isnt right to went out and fight at those kind of environment.
---
At the library, four people were trying their best to kill these slimes as fast as possible but compare to the two from before. Their speed in killing was lacking somewhat. Lina who was the most determined already loss her breath as she was panting while still piercing the slime body. her determination was the highest but sadly her body isnt willing to be on par with it.
Jalani on the other hand didn’t rush on killing as he prefer to watch this slime movement and how it react to him. he was a logical person who side with facts rather than fiction and to him killing was a necessity but also gaining information about the enemy. even the slime cubes that he gain took his time almost an hour. He racks his brain trying to figure out what purpose does the slime cube withhold. He even though of ingesting it but an alarming intuition prevent him from doing so.
This was his given skill,
‘6th Sense’
Like the name said, it was a sense different from hearing, tasting, smelling, touching and seeing. Even the description of his skill was vague that made him to ponder. The only thing that he know off was when the time needed or when the situation was turning dire, he get the feeling of something going to happen in a bad way.
He had notice since a while back, like the hyena incident that Holmes let loose, and the Doberman incident that bite through Han. Before all of that happen, he had felt uneasiness that ringing through his mind, but he ignores it but now he realized this must be what his skill was. For now when he tries to put the cube into his mouth those ringing becoming louder in his head annoying him to the core.
Every now and then he disturbs Doen and Suba while they start doing their training. They were a bit awkward at first, screeching with their high pitch voice but after a while they get the hang of it. But after a while, they start complaining with their whole body feeling tired and muscle ache spreading through their whole body.
‘Jalaniii, im tired already can’t we rest for a while’ Doen complain while Suba who was at his side was already pouting while still trying to stab those slimes.
‘no can do, think about the others after this they also need to train so it would better if you hurry’ explain Jalani while both of them were still displeased.
---
In a dark room, a man woke up with his body full of sweat. His awakening was early compare to usual. The period that usually took one night was cut short to only 4 hours or so. Raine woke up with his thought still in a daze.
“what happen? Shit I ate the core gem, hmmmm but why is it im not feeling anything?” Raine was confused he though something would happen if he ate it but he didn’t realize the mana within his body.
‘argh shit, im wearing my brief now it soak, damn it!’ while he was searching for the mirror, Raine realized he was wearing his tight brief that was already soak. He forget to remove it while he blatantly ingest the gem core.
‘cant do anything about it then’ he remove it casually and try to dry it by placing it infront of a speedy fan.
After that he look at his status and to his shock, his face turn to a surprised look;
‘OMOOOO’
‘I got mana point, I freaking have mana!’
Without him realizing it he was shouting with happiness and excitement as this result was better than expected. He inspect the new mana point that he has and on the screen;
‘hmm only 50 points? Then I got only two time being able to cast that spell, pretty low, I guess that’s how it is when it start pretty late’ Raine shrug it off seeing how the point for mana was a bit lower than he expected. Even so he was happy as long as he can use his spell.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
‘lets try!’
Raine didn’t wait long, as his excitement outshine his logic. Within a split second he cast his spell;
‘Runic Iron Hide!’
Shouting his skill name, he didn’t really know of how to use any skill but this was the best that he could think off, then a dim blue light surround his whole body then in just a second his whole body rise up symbolic runic marking that glow in fade blue. Since he was naked he could clearly see how his whole body was partially cover by those runes. The majority was at his arms and his back.
‘this… is magic!’
Raine was astound by the event that was happening. Who would have thought that he will be able to incite a magic in this real life world that was devoid of such occurrence. The feeling and experience that he was under going was a revelation to him as well as eye opening.
After a while, Raine was ready to embark another venture to the ground floor. he knows more lurk there as they are more place that he hasn’t reach. With this new found magic that he discover he had confidence that he can withstand against anything for those that was the same level. Before he go, he distribute his point as from the previous bout his level reach 18. 10 points to strength while 5 points evenly to agility and vitality.
His excitement even led his mind to forgotten the two ladies who were supposed to follow him for training purpose. With his arrival on the ground floor he was welcome by with a few Doberman and two targoz boar. To Raine right now these monsters were just hindrance to him, as his confidence sky rocketed after gaining the mythical mana.
With his defense double he didn’t hesitate to received most of the attacks from the Doberman as it only felt like an itch. But the targoz boar was another matter, even if he felt confident he didn’t regard the power that these big beasts hold. With a few swing of his blunt weapon, they all fell on to the ground lifeless. As Raine right now hold power that was mightier from these beasts, looting whatever he can he went inside the first hall.
‘Blue Lecture theatre, let see what you have in store for me’ raine put a devilish smile on his face as his mind right now was too preoccupied with the word strong. Entering the lecture theatre, it was massive that can hold more than 200 people at the same time and to his excitement monster litters all of the space in this theatre. With the angle of the theatre that he came in from on top. He dash forward starting from the top row.
‘bring it on you apes!!’ he face against a horde of monkey monsters. It resemble closely to the chimpanzee of this world even the size was the same but contrary to that it tail were made that resemble a big hand. Some has bladed like end tail while blunted end. They were a different variety of tail end monkeys that give them the name, Variety tail monkey.
They were the same as level as those targoz boar but clearly lack in strength when compare to it sizes but that didn’t matter as its agility and mobility was far better and top notch. In this theatre itself, there were a presence of 300 or so monkeys running around barging to the intruder who step into their sanctuary.
‘KIKIKIIIIII’
‘KIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!’
The variety tail monkeys fling their tails using it to slam, slice, plummet and hurting Raine. but Raine didn’t faze one bit and received it head on.
‘come on, you got to be better than that!’ the damages he received were minimal, with excitement his face he plow his way through these monkey with random mad swing of his metal pipe. This monkeys were indeed faster than he expected but that didn’t matter as long as he swing, one of this monsters will get hit as they crowded to one point which were Raine.
Raine didn’t linger on to one space and he move while hitting them all plummeting them one by one to the floor cracking their skull killing them. Their defense was terrible, the only thing they have advantage of raine was their speed but that was useless against the hording of those monsters to Raine. a brainless beast who didn’t know to used their advantage to its own use.
“I got 20 minutes, lets make it worthwhile!” raine who only got 2 worth of magic that he can use make use of it to the fullest. With the delusion of him being strong, that itself raise his self awareness and fighting abilities to the maximum,letting him outmaneuver these monkeys to their death. For a single person to going against such horde was suicidal even with the higher level but Raine was an exception, the belief he held and the goal that he had broke through all of those insignificant things and let him explode to his current self.
Like a craze fighter trampling on his enemies, the monkeys one by one fall down to its demise. Without no hope of going against this anomaly called Raine. 10 minutes pass and corpses of monkeys pile up one after another, but the craze didn’t stop as both parties was still ongoing.
‘Runic Iron Hide!!’
Once again Raine body glows in blue hue. He dive again on to those monkeys who didn’t know fear. The head of his metal pipe bludgeon those that came in contact bruising it and crushing them in pieces. Raine didn’t hold back and let out all that he has. Monkeys were all over him one at the top one pouncing him in the middle and one trying to get his leg. Raine make short of them as he take a wide vertical swing making contact from top to bottom crushing those three in one go.
A spectacle that was marvelous but sadly none was there only him and the horde of the monkeys. With the numbers dwindling half of its amount. A loud rumble was heard at the bottom level.
‘GROWLLL!!’
Two redback gorilla, emerge and rush itself to Raine’s location. Their body were larger comparable to the targoz boar and the aura that they exude was those of higher power looking down on the weak. The crisis befallen on the monkeys were now burden to these two huge gorillas. Raine who notice a bit too late, didn’t manage to avoid to a surprising arm swing that was like a warhammer pummeling him to the ground.
Raine guard it with the steel pipe withstanding it with all his might. But the heaviness and power it likely stronger than the boar. Mouth seeps out at the corner of his mouth. Raine grit his teeth.
‘good power you hunk gorilla, then taste mine next!’ but Raine didn’t back down but counter it back with a hit of his. He misdirects the arm swing and charge forward hitting the gorilla with multiple swings. To his amazement this gorilla has skins that even rival the boar. The gorilla didn’t let Raine to run wild and flurry out arm swing that can kill in one swipe. The monkeys who were near felt the deathly swing of its might as Raine avoid as much as he can.
But to Raine dismay, this gorilla was not alone as another block him from the back. Raine spun and use the momentum releasing a swing straight to the head of the gorilla. But an arm swing of that gorilla block it and counter to Raine back.
“these freaking gorillas are strong!!” he received the swing head on and Raine was flung to the wall with a THUMP.
The horde of monkeys and the two gorillas didn’t stop as it continue to rush to Raine with the intention of killing him.
‘HAHAHAHA, now its getting interesting!!’ raine mind turns battle crazy. On his left hand, a dagger was held. Raine was getting serious!
Both of the sides clash, Raine pummel those monkeys while trying his best to dodge those mighty arm swing. Moreover coming from two gorillas towering above him. he dodge while hitting the monkeys to oblivion. Running around the gorillas, he confused them through his confusing run, going in between the monkeys. The gorillas growl out of annoyance irritated by Raine cowardly tactics. It rumble by hitting its massive chest releasing reverbing sounds that vibrate the whole theater.
A skill own by the gorillas for the intention of disorienting their enemies but Raine didn’t falter, the 1% status resist works it magic and lady luck was smiling upon him. as he leaps above the gorilla, he hit it with all his might using the opportunity given. Like any business man would say do not miss an opportunity!
The hit connects and a cracking sound was heard stopping the gorilla to continue its chest busting skill. but it didn’t drop to the floor as it was still alive and more enrage but Raine attack didn’t stop there, as he fall down, he follow up with a stab right to its eyes piercing it straight to its brain. Now its dead!
The huge body drop to the floor and loud booming sound vibrates and the floor shooks. The other gorilla was baffle and enrage by its partner death, it rush forward and swing it arm randomly with the intention of none other than killing Raine.
“one more big oaf!” as soon as the gorilla die so does his magic disperse into thin air but Raine didn’t notice it as he was too submerge in this adrenaline rush.
Raine rush forward as he evade those arm swing and barely being scratch. He slide down to its leg pummeling its ankle joint and rush up its back hitting the head a few time before landing to the floor. the gorilla lock its target on Raine and flurry out his arms. Raine ran around the theatre making use of it enrage state to befall those monkeys around him, either killing them or heavily injuring them.
After a full circle, Raine stumble upon the dead gorilla and took back the dagger that was lodge in its eye socket.
‘now its time to die!’ Raine rush forward not wasting anymore time as he go all out.
Raine dodge the arm swing by going around it using the monkeys as a deterrence. Raine plunge his dagger to the side of the gorilla giving it multiple stab wounds. The gorilla wail in pain but its enrage was still ongoing as its target was still Raine.
Raine jump to its back and thoroughly swing his steel pipe to its head. but the head didn’t budge, only a full swing could cause a crack but that wasn’t the intention of Raine. at this exact moment a full throttle arm swing went forward Raine, the swing was intended for Raine who was at the back of its head.
“stupid”
Raine leaps, and the arm swing hit on to its head. the gorilla itself didn’t manage to withheld its swing as the enraged state of it was clearly clouded its instinct. The swing cause its brain to rattle, leading it to a frozen state. Unmoving, Raine step forward one step at a time, as he flung off the monkeys at the side with a swing of his pipe.
‘what a sorry state’ Raine leap and lodge the dagger straight into its eye socket from below piercing it straight to its brain. A feat that was the only way to defeat it for the moment, as his strength was insufficient as well as his weapon that wasn’t strong enough.
With the gorilla turn lifeless, Raine watches the whole number of monkeys that were now fear stricken. Like their instinct were telling them that this human was something that was impossible for them to kill. A circle instantly made around Raine as it was getting wider and wider.
Raine notice this occurrence,
‘hey hey the fun isnt over yet’ just like that Raine continue his monkey massacre.
After half an hour, the theatre fell into silence. All of the monkeys were dead, with a lone man standing on top of those corpses.
‘fuh~~ that’s a good workout its been while since I got so work up’ Raine continue to collect the loot that was drop on the floor littering the whole theatre. Most of its were cubes, while some consist of red and green tubes. But too bad for him, the skill book that he desire once more didn’t came. But out of pity, lady luck bestow him something that would carve a smile on his face.
‘woo just my luck, a pair of tight short yup just what I needed hahahaha’ Raine spoke sarcastically, as the equipment that he gain was a pair of tight leather short up to the knee with a gorilla image on the back. not the number one pick for an equipment but it will make do.
‘huh ~ better than anything’ he pick up the shorts while suddenly he felt a sudden surge of energy that undulates through the whole building. He felt a peculiar sense, as it mimics something that he just newly discover.
‘this… mana?’
His eye went toward the direction of the seminar room that houses his classmates.
---
In the seminar room, Mui and the rest of them felt something was happening. As Biella who was constantly reciting her words of her religion had stop, her whole body was surrounded by a bright yellow light. She was calm and her eyes was closed her hair was flowing through the air as though a wind was blowing from below. As the energy inside the room was the most highest concentration, all of them were experiencing the presence of mana.
They all took their distance away from Biella afraid of the unknown. Afraid of something that they haven’t experience. Mui herself was a bit apprehensive to the current Biella. But she wills her nerve as she approach her while reaching her hands out.
As she took her step one by one, as she approach her Mui’s hand felt warmness.
‘Biella…you’
Then her eyes open.