Status
Name: Caution Hunt (Level 3)
Titles: Ultimate Challenger
Class: The Champ
Health points (HP): 15
Mana consumption (MC): 0/20
Stats
Strength: 22 (+1) Agility: 32 (+1)
Stamina: 43 (+1) Vitality: 3 (+1)
Perception: 5 Magic: 10 (+1)
Healing: 1 Free points: 0
Special items: Crimson energy store. (Creator gift)
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Later in the evening, while market stalls began to close and the sun began to set, Caution finished his cardio routine. For the onlookers, it was quite a peculiar sight to see. Shopkeepers and wandering adventurers raised their eyebrows as they noticed the brawny teenager propel his body up and down the cobblestone street.
Every day was leg day and Caution never skipped leg day. He focused on strengthening his knees, hoping to boost his acceleration and explosive power. He wasn't sure if it would be effective in improving his Strength or Agility stat but it was still helpful regardless, not just for punching power but for engaging quickly with the enemy.
Whenever he worked out, it was hard not to miss boxing gyms. He missed lifting weights and running on treadmills. He missed throwing complex combinations on the heavy bag or the padded mitts held by Azuku.The gym had always been the perfect place to refine skills and get his body in perfect shape before a fight. All the equipment needed to train efficiently and get stronger was there.
"Are you done yet?" Astel stood to one side near the city's cathedral, arms folded.
Ignoring the question, Caution abruptly stopped at one end of the street and burst into a dash for the fifteenth time. He repeated the action five more times and then began punching the air in various ways, exhaling with every punch. It wasn't long before he entered the flow state, a skill which had been developed during his professional boxing career. The trick to entering it was detachment. Temporarily, the self-critique in him shut off and he let go of all thoughts. The only thing that mattered was the flawless execution of techniques.
Once Caution finished, he noticed Astel staring in awe, jaw hanging open. "It’s called shadow boxing. Helps with practising techniques and visualising opponents."
"Very cool," Astel said. "Can you teach me that? Actually, can you teach me all the moves you just did? I feel like if I could do what you just did there I'd be unstoppable."
Caution stared blankly in response and blinked twice. He completely forgot about teaching Astel. "You don't need boxing, come on. We have close combat training tomorrow, and I'm sure you've acquired a skill for stabbing people or something."
"I do but what if I'm disarmed? Fists are more reliable because you can't lose your hands." Astel paused momentarily. "Well, technically you can lose your hands if someone cut them off but... you get what I mean."
"I certainly get what you mean. Okay. Lesson one will be... um... the uppercut. Firstly, lean your upper body further forward and keep both knees bent. Then pull your fists to your sides and make sure your knuckles are facing up."
Astel followed the instructions. Caution nodded. "Yeah, that's the pose. Now extend your bent knees at full force and use the momentum and your body to thrust your fist upward. It should look something like this."
Caution performed a quick uppercut.
"Ooohh," Astel said.
"Your turn. Give it a shot. Try and hit me."
"Okay... Knees bent. Fists to sides... and then..."
Caution winced as Astel missed completely, almost falling over from lack of balance. "Almost there," he lied. "Your toes, knees and arms need to be in perfect alignment. That's the ideal form. Uppercuts are power punches. They'll be your best chance of knocking out your opponent, but you need to train your lower body before you can execute the punch destructively."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
"How do I do that?"
"Squats. Alright, lesson over. Now it's your turn to help me."
"Sure. What do you need?"
Caution hastily opened up the dashboard and took two books out of his inventory. He smiled slightly, eyes twinkling with glee. "I need you to help me study, Astel."
"What?"
"You heard me."
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They studied all night.
Caution read two chapters from one book and took notes before dozing off. Astel read 25 chapters from another book and took notes. Eventually, they discussed their findings. The process was monotonous and a pain in the ass but when they both left the Magic Library, they pretty much knew everything they needed to know about dark energy and the crimson cube.
"I can't believe it," Caution mumbled as they returned to the student house. "This thing is useless."
"I was waiting for you to say that," Astel said. "No, it's not. It's just not what you expected."
"Dark energy only affects monsters, not humans!" Caution yelled. He snatched the crimson cube from the air and squeezed it as hard as he could. "I have an energy store filled with a powerful substance that I can't even use! I completed 99 rounds of that stupid mini-game for garbage! I can't fight anyone with this!"
"Okay, so it's not a powerful magical weapon, but you're tackling this from the wrong angle. It could be a supportive item and a very useful one at that."
"What do you mean?"
Astel looked at the crimson cube. "You said there was 1.2 million dark energy in that thing? I think you might have the most useful item in the game. Listen closely."
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Caution heard the lecturer talk about the importance of the healer class but he wasn’t listening.
Instead, he stared at the crimson cube between his hands while focusing on Astel's words lingering at the forefront of his mind. Even his borderline severe case of eczema which had recently flared up couldn't shatter his concentration.
The most useful item, you say? Interesting.
After listening to a convincing five minute speech from Astel, Caution's view of the crimson cube changed dramatically. What's more, he was convinced that Astel had died as an adult in his previous life. He had seen a few signs before but now he was certain. The boy explained his points in such a detailed and eloquent way that took many years of practice. Maybe he had some kind of leadership position in his previous life?
His convincing monologue could be summarized into three main points...
Firstly, the crimson cube could assist him in levelling up quicker by feeding monsters dark energy before destroying them. Secondly, it could allow him to control hordes of monsters by luring them away with the dark energy. Lastly, the crimson cube could allow him to form symbiotic relationships with the more intelligent monsters who would eat the dark energy periodically and fight for him in return. Caution was a bit sceptical of this last idea but it was certainly the most exciting.
While scratching his forehead, Caution fiddled with the cube, rotating it and tapping it as if it were a puzzle. Before he could use the energy store, he needed to merge a small part of his soul with the item. According to Pendulum Grave's A wizard's guide to energy stores, this process was called soul bonding and essentially allowed him to connect with the item irreversibly. All he needed to do was channel mana into the object while thinking of core aspects of his identity.
It seemed simple enough.
Caution glanced up at the rows of students in front of him before closing his eyes. He took a deep breath and as he exhaled, a surge of mana from the nearby atmosphere flooded into his skin. Absorbing mana felt like downing a gallon of water on a sweltering summer's day— extremely refreshing. The magical substance altered hundreds of chemical pathways in each red blood cell, energising them in a way that surpassed respiration.
Caution exhaled three more times. On the fourth time, he winced. It became difficult to breathe and his lips turned blue. He slowly counted down.
Five… four… three…. two… one… Ahhhh…
Mana seeped out of both his hands and into the cube. Immediately, the object vibrated in response. Closing his eyes tighter, Caution concentrated and attempted to channel his identity into the cube. His mind wandered to various topics ranging from beliefs to morals to things of value. One topic, in particular, kept resurfacing...
Fighting.
It wasn't just the competitive sport of boxing but also mixed martial arts and kickboxing. It was also violence and conflict as well as pain and perseverance. In retrospect, Caution was almost shocked at how fighting was such a big part of his life.
"What on earth are you doing?" asked a stern voice.
Caution jolted and opened his eyes. The lecturer stood right next to him and every student in the lecture hall stared at him. He squinted at the crimson cube which shined so bright that the whole room was illuminated in red.
"That's a good question. Well... basically— "
The crimson cube rocketed into Caution's face with such force that he flew out of the chair. Before he could even stand up, the cube repeatedly zoomed into his back and then his legs.
"Ow, fuck! Ow, ow! Shit!"
Everyone in the room watched with shocked expressions. Laughter erupted.
"Ow, fuck, shit, get off! Chill! Chill!"
The cube beat his ass for a brief six seconds until Caution stood up and began ducking the attacks. He lunged for the cube. It flew out of reach just in time and slammed into his stomach.
"Stop!" Caution bellowed.
The cube spun twice. It didn't attack.
Caution let out a deep breathe. "I get it little guy. You're expressing my intense love of fighting aren't you? I appreciate the enthusiasm but now is not the time."
The cube flew into his right hand. Sorry, Master...