The molten rock exploded around me as I took out another of the level 6 monsters. It had been four days of non-stop fighting. A beam cut through the area and I twisted out of the way landing on a slightly cooled piece of rock. I pushed out energy from my feet so they didn’t burn.

I was slowly recovering energy and healing, but it was a struggle with the level 7 monster constantly trying to vaporize me. I had picked up my speed killing the level 6 monsters and now I had finally managed to kill them before they could respawn.

I was panting heavily as the Flame Scorcher of Fire and Destruction moved around me, building up for another attack. I had tried to take it out before, but the heat and the attacks it had when I got close made it impossible to strike at its core. But I had a plan.

I had been fighting non-stop for days. I was exhausted and tired, but I was going to defeat this monster and live. “Come on! I don’t have all day,” I said while remaining in my stance, form perfect even if my body was failing me.

“Die!” The word echoed through my brain. My defenses were slipping, but I had to remain focused no matter what. I didn’t wince or let myself get distracted. I had worked non-stop for this moment. A beam of energy lanced out. I leapt into the air and kicked off my barrier towards the monster. My hands lashed out as I pushed my body to the limit.

Ten strikes in a single second! Void energy scattered its defenses. I struck out with Dragon’s Talon combined with Imbue Force. The core of the monster cracked a bit and but didn’t break. An inferno exploded outwards pushing me away. I was forced to shield myself and my energy dropped. If it was a battle of attrition, then I would win.

The level 7 boss monster began varying its attacks, but still focused on beam attacks mostly. It was just a lot more cautious. That was fine. I built up my energy and attacked again. The core cracked some more. I took over four hours and twenty attacks on its core to finally shatter it.

After the last attack I landed on a chunk of solid rock in the raging inferno around me breathing heavily.

A point crystal had appeared and dropped into the molten landscape but I couldn’t care about it in the slightest. I scanned my surroundings. I had won. I let out a sigh of relief. I normally wouldn’t do so, but this battle had been hard fought and pushed my Kung-fu to the limits.

“Burn!”

Another level 7 was approaching. I could see it in the distance. I waited as it approached. I could kill it. That was when I saw all the level 6 monsters it was bringing as well. The glowing rock provided more than enough illumination to see by, so I hadn’t been paying attention to the sky.

I wanted to kill it, but discretion and knowing when to back down was also important, no matter how much I hated it. I quickly retreated to the South. To the crack of void that went through this zone. Force Barrier. I used the skill a couple of times to cross the large gap to the other side.

Coming to a stop at the stone wall, I quickly tried to tunnel in. Danger! “Burn!” I dodged to the side. The level 7 boss had shot a beam attack across the void. It then suddenly burst into a massive explosion of flames and disappeared. I sensed a surge of energy in the moltenlands from this side of the crack while the level 6 Flame Scorchers made their way around.

The pillar or sphere that was the boss Flame Scorcher of Fire and Destruction emerged from the moltenlands. It had some kind of blink ability. Well that was fine. I would kill it regardless. But my body was almost at is limits. My throat was dry, my body ached, and my energy was unstable.

“I am Divine Empress Hei Long, I killed one Flame Scorcher of Fire and Destruction, so I shall kill two and get a set!” The scream of rage found no purchase in my mind. I would have to draw on every bit of Kung-fu and scrap of knowledge I had to win this fight. My beloved child was waiting for me. I would survive no matter what!

Smaller beams shot out from the monster. While they didn’t have the distance like the super beams, they were used much more rapidly. Each dodge, came closer and closer to death. But I endured. I got close to the monster and struck out rapidly.

I did not imbue my fists, but the air and the monster itself. Forcing the energy to obey my will. The flames were forced to recede and the core tried to retreat backwards. It began emitting blades of fire that swung around, across its core to force me back.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I twisted and spun in the air. My hands lashing out with my skill Void Imbue. Over and over I used the skill. A flame scorched my flesh across my arm. I hesitated for a fraction of a second too long with my strike. The three-dimensional battle continued.

The monster had retracted itself and its power for more control. I used the small chunks of solid rock both floating in the ground and exploded into the air from the terrain to leap about. The level 6 monsters arrived and began to coordinate with the boss monster. Their flames focused, I couldn’t defend an attack, I had to dodge the whirl wind of fire blades unleashed upon me.

Each movement had to be precise. I had pushed myself and my Kung-fu against countless monsters, honing it, improving it. Everything came down to this moment. The slightest mistake meant death. It wasn’t enough to be perfect, I had to read the flow of the battle and not allow myself to get hemmed in by these monsters in their maelstrom of attacks.

I landed blow after blow as my mind went to nothing but fighting and dodging. I recalled the words of my grandfather.

“The highest point of a martial artist is true zen. Harmony of mind, body, and soul. Many seek this through meditation. Where there is nothing else but you and your Kung-fu.”

“But grandfather, how will I know when I have reached this state?”

“Insolent child! Questions and worries are distractions. Just crush your enemies. Focus on your Kung-fu. Now punch the board. Again! AGAIN!”

I was going to be the best. Nothing would stand in my way. I punched the wooden board. My hands bled and ached. But that didn’t matter. Only Kung-fu mattered. Clear my mind and strike. Everything else was just a distraction.

I danced between the blades and fiery death as the shrieks of the boss monster echoed in my mind. I landed on a core of a level 6 monster, damaging it. Jumping and twisting out of the way, I struck two more level 6 cores with my hands, destroying them at the same time. I was improving. As long as the strikes happened at the same, Imbue Void and Imbue Force would act on all strikes.

“Grandfather, what more can I learn?”

“Foolish child. There is always more to learn. Your Kung-fu is excellent, but your mind is untampered. Like all youth you are easily distracted. That is why I have arranged for you to go to school.”

“But there must be something more I can do? I still can’t beat you.”

“And how can you beat me, when I taught you everything I know. That is why you need to grow on your own. So, you can surpass me foolish child. Now eat your rice.”

Four more level 6 cores were destroyed, but I did not allow myself to celebrate. One did not stop fighting until the fight was over. The Flame Scorchers movements while chaotic were predictable to some extent. They were still bound by the rules of force and momentum.

The screams of the level 7 monster continued, but I landed the occasional blow onto it when there was an opening. They couldn’t beat my Kung-fu. I am sorry grandfather for ever questioning you. Now I have come this far and had truly surpassed him. I landed on a piece of rock and the monsters had packed off for a moment. The level 7 monster was clearly hesitating or thinking. It mattered not.

“Come. This Divine Empress Hei Long is ready for you,” I calmly replied as I stood there with both hands behind my back, looking down on this level 7 monster. It was strong, deadly, faster, cunning, but it was not me.

“Death!”

The taunts were weak. I advanced on the monsters. The level 6 monsters of them began massive amounts of energy while the other engaged me in combat. Die you dog! I side stepped and twisted around the level 6 core in front of me aiming for the level 7 monster.

A web of fire energy burst forth from its core. Null Barrier x10. Over half the barriers were shredded and broke and dropped the remaining ones and moved in. The monster tried to get distance, but I didn’t let up. The lesser ones rushed in, but they provided good foot holds for me to destroy them and advance.

I saw the opening. I moved and struck the core of the level 7 monster one blow after another. It died and I easily finished off the last of the level 6 monsters. I stood there calm and relaxed as the point crystals hit the ground. A golden cube suddenly materialized spinning in front of me. The golden washing over the shattered mountain landscape.

The Heavens showed me their favor once more. The golden cube came to a stop in front of me and I touched it.

Ask For Three Things, Choose One

I knew in my heart what I wanted to ask for. My grandfather teleported here to a safe location.

1. Extra Life: Hei Long

I frowned. It wasn’t possible to bring back someone that had already died? Or the fact he had died before I had been taken to this place. I am sorry grandfather, I tried. I asked for the second thing nearest to my heart. Where is the Astrologer?

2. Unique Skill: Divine Location

I considered the skill for a bit. I could always find him myself. There were only so many places he could hide or run. It would be better to increase my strength, so he had no way to escape. My master over myself had allowed me triumph in this last fight. Now it was truly time to impose my will upon this world.

3. Innate Knowledge: External Energy Manipulation

I selected the third option and information flooded into me. It was the knowledge that I had been missing to truly harmonize myself and my Kung-fu.

“Burn!” The level 7 monster was back. Time to get some distance before killing it again. I would eventually escape this zone no matter how long it took. Then I noticed a second level 7 monster next to it. There were two. How was that even allowed?

One, two, four, eight, a hundred. It made no difference. If they wished to fight, then I would educate them. Only the forge of combat would truly temper me.