Alex followed the wall of the cave around in a circle. He had one hand on the wall for stability while he focused on his search. The sparks did not illuminate much around him, so it took some time to go around the entire cavern. Especially with his injury. The numbing at least made it bearable.
After thirty minutes of circling the cave, he found it. The cave moss grew like weeds along the portion of the wall. Water had dripped down the side of the cave as it made its way to the pools of water. As a result, the moss was flourishing. Alex greedily tore it from the wall and shoved it into his mouth.
So far in the cave, he had been running largely on adrenaline and mana to fuel his continued existence. To finally have something edible after several hours of moving and slowly healing wounds was divine. The taste wasn’t great, but Alex didn’t care. The earthy, bitter, and dirt tastes were washed away as he cupped his hands and poured handfuls of water down his throat. The moss normally meant for grinding and applying as a paste over top wounds was devoured for the next several minutes. Every piece he could reach up and grab he ate.
Alex rested next to where the moss had been perched. His stomach felt bloated and full. The constant use of his magic to numb his body and look around had drained him more than he would have liked. His body slid until he was lying on his side next to the wall. It only took a few minutes to fall asleep.
“What. Where am I?” Pain lanced through himself as he remembered the dark cave that had become his ongoing resting spot.
He had tried to stand back up but quickly availed himself of that notion. Alex used his magic to numb the spike of pain while he assessed the current situation of his wounds. The bruises and swelling had reduced. It still hurt to take deep breaths, but he could now walk around without needing the numbing as a crutch. His fingers and hand still had the worst of it. Alex couldn’t move them at all without a burst of pain emanating from them.
“There is nothing left for me here. I need to search the tunnel that connects to this place. Maybe find some new medicine as well. Otherwise, my hands will take forever to heal, and I need them in case of a fight,” Alex thought.
Alex set out to explore the cave further. He used his magic to create intermittent sparks of lightning that briefly illuminated his surroundings, casting eerie shadows on the cave walls. The adrenaline and mana that had carried him thus far were slowly being depleted, and he knew he had to find a more efficient way to navigate the darkness. The thought of his dwindling energy gnawed at him, as he knew he couldn't afford to lose any more strength in this treacherous environment.
As he walked, Alex pondered how he could better utilize his magical abilities. Realizing that he could alter his perception using his magic made him think more about how his lightning magic could be used beyond simply damage.
He stumbled over a protruding rock, and his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden jolt of pain shooting through his body. He cursed quietly and pushed himself back up. The fall reminded him that he needed a better way to see in the dark, one that was less taxing on his dwindling reserves of energy. Alex realized that he had to be smarter and more resourceful, adapting his magic to the situation at hand. He was constantly draining his magic as he went lighting up the tunnel to see. If I did it too much then he felt nausea. If he did it too little then he wouldn’t be able to see. Something that could be made even worse if monsters came.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to recall everything he had learned about magical techniques, searching his memory for anything that could be useful in his current predicament. He considered his options and weighed the pros and cons of each, trying to find the perfect balance between efficiency and effectiveness. Finally, an idea began to form in his mind.
“The small sparks of lightning have been able to effectively manipulate my nervous system. If I could somehow send out a continuous stream of smaller sparks, I could potentially create a sort of echolocation system. It would require more focus and control, but it might be less draining on my mana. I’ve already had a lot of practice manipulating singular sparks because that is all I can produce. Now I just need to create them even smaller and in larger quantities. At least in theory and it should work.”
He began by summoning a tiny spark, concentrating on making it as small and precise as possible. With each attempt, he paid close attention to the amount of mana used, the speed at which the spark traveled, and how the spark behaved when it collided with the cave wall. He sent the spark out towards the cave wall, and to his delight, the spark bounced back. By starting at the wall next to him Alex was able to time the distance and began to extrapolate further distances from there. It was a crude form of echolocation, but it worked. Encouraged, Alex continued practicing, honing his technique with each new attempt. He gradually adjusted the size and intensity of the sparks, experimenting with various combinations until he found better balances. He felt a surge of pride as he realized that he was making progress, slowly but surely mastering this new skill.
Gradually, he found that the sparks became smaller and more refined, allowing him to see the cave walls with greater clarity. He could now navigate the darkness with much more confidence, and the increased focus demanded by this new method seemed to have an invigorating effect on him. Alex found himself feeling more alert and aware, even as his mana consumption decreased. As he continued to practice, he became more in tune with the cave, sensing its contours and dimensions with increasing accuracy. He marveled at how his magic, once a crude tool for illumination, had evolved into something more sophisticated and versatile.
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As he ventured deeper into the cave, Alex encountered numerous obstacles, from tight passages to treacherous drops. But with his newfound echolocation ability, he was able to navigate these challenges with relative ease. The path ahead was still uncertain, but he felt a sense of hope and determination growing within him.
Alex's thoughts turned to the potential benefits of this new technique. Not only was it a more efficient way to see in the dark, but it might also have applications in other areas as well. He could use it to detect hidden enemies or to track down resources he needed for survival.
He occasionally had to stop to recharge his mana, but this new method allowed him to go at a faster pace through the tunnels. Alex felt his wounds recovering as he walked. The moss is now being fully digested by his system. He let his echolocation search for anything of interest to him, but he found nothing but rock. He kept one hand on the wall to steady himself but was in need of it less and less over time.
Alex eventually came across diverging paths. One led up while the other led downward. “I’ve been traveling for so long that I don’t know what direction I’ve been going. But as Rich has said going downward leads deeper into the mountain and further into the territory of strong monsters and rare resources. The question is whether I want to risk searching the lower levels for more healing materials but risk encountering monsters. I’m getting better by the hour and the monsters can’t be at a higher level than me. As long as I am not swarmed then I can fight off anything.”
Alex chose to take the descending path. It called to him, and he knew he had to take the risk.
As Alex ventured deeper into the mysterious underground, an ethereal light began to suffuse the air, gradually revealing a sprawling, magically illuminated cavern. The sight that greeted him was breathtaking – an enchanting display of colors and shadows dancing off the walls. But he soon realized that this mesmerizing environment was far from empty. Groups of slimes pulsed and quivered throughout the vast space, their gelatinous forms glistening eerily in the captivating light. For a full minute, he observed their movements, studying the creatures and formulating a plan of attack.
The cavern was not only home to the slimes but also featured magical sprouts flourishing across the ground and climbing up the walls. These plants appeared to serve as the slimes' primary source of nutrients. Alex knew that if he could harness the power of these magical sprouts, he might be able to heal the remainder of his wounds. His Tower-enhanced physique had the potential to repair nearly any injury, provided it received the necessary nourishment.
Feeling the adrenaline course through his veins, Alex's pulse pounded in his ears. "I must be strategic," he thought to himself, flexing his fingers around the hilt of his weapon. "Divide and conquer; engage the slimes in small groups and remain vigilant at all times." Though his injuries throbbed with each movement, the prospect of defeating the slimes and overcoming this challenge fueled his determination.
Utilizing his practiced agility and stealth, Alex managed to lure a couple of slimes away from the main horde without drawing the attention of the others. It took him longer than he would have liked, but he reminded himself that patience was key to achieving victory in this situation. As the two slimes oozed toward him, their forms undulating with sinister intent, he knew the moment had come.
"Now!" Alex shouted, initiating his attack. His weapon cleaved through the air, slicing into the first slime with brutal force. Its gooey mass splattered in all directions, but he didn't allow himself a moment's hesitation. Spinning around with remarkable speed, Alex fixed his focus on the second slime, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
As his weapon connected with the second target, a surge of satisfaction washed over him. "Two down," he thought, wiping the sweat from his brow. "But there's no time to rest." He knew that the cavern was teeming with more slimes, and his ultimate success hinged on maintaining his momentum and pressing forward.
Proceeding with caution, Alex continued to pick off the slimes in small clusters. His muscles ached, and sweat stung his eyes, but he gritted his teeth and persevered. Each successful strike served to bolster his confidence, and he felt an increasing mastery over the pain that wracked his body. In time, Alex improved his concentration to the point where he could effectively numb his pain through the use of magic, even while exerting himself athletically.
Throughout the extended conflict, Alex learned more about the slimes' movements and attack patterns. He anticipated their lunges, sidestepping at the last possible moment and countering with deadly precision. The cavern echoed with the sounds of his triumphs, each resounding clash a testament to his fierce determination and unyielding resolve.
Finally, as the last slime met its demise at the hands of the weary warrior, Alex surveyed the battlefield. The once-vibrant cavern now lay in disarray, the remnants of his vanquished foes scattered across the floor, glistening in the fading light. Despite the bone-deep exhaustion that threatened to pull him down, he experienced an exhilarating sense of accomplishment. He would be able to rest again for a time.
With the cavern now silent and devoid of enemies, Alex turned his attention to the magical sprouts that had caught his eye earlier. Weary but steadfast, he approached the plants, carefully examining them for any potential dangers. When he was confident that they were safe to use, he began to harvest them, knowing their nourishing properties would help him recover from his injuries.
As he treated his wounds with the harvested sprouts, he felt the warmth of their magic coursing through him. The pain that had plagued him throughout the battle began to subside, and his body's natural healing processes accelerated under the influence of the magical plants. Soon, even his most grievous injuries were mending at an astonishing rate, and Alex marveled at the power of the magical sprouts. His fingers, which were weak and had held his daggers awkwardly were almost back to normal. He still had yet to wash himself off some of the dirt and blood on his body. Alex inspected the continuing corridor quickly before returning to the site of the slimes. He needed some more time for the healing to set in further before continuing so he rested.