Efy was sent flying like a torpedo and crashed into the sturdy trunk of a nearby tree. Crap! This is terrible! Efy’s heart palpitated immensely with every thunderous explosion the phanxor emitted with its hastened footsteps. Can I outrun it? No, it’s far too quick. Can I climb the tree? No stupid! Efy was on the verge of death, his mind was racing and panic was setting in. He needed a plan, and he needed it now!

My swords! They’re in the Xor Orb! But there’s no way I’d be able to take them out in time. The phanxor ran as fast as a bullet train and Efy would be the creature’s dinner in precisely two seconds if he did not think fast. “Think, Efy!”

Just then, Efy leapt and rolled, narrowly dodging imminent death, causing the phanxor to bash its teeth against the tree. The mighty monster turned and found Efy within half a second, but Efy seized this opportunity and predicted such animalistic instincts. Efy briefly made eye contact with the phanxor and raised his index and middle fingers. Fwoosh! Two blades of grass stabbed the phanxor’s eyes with amazing force and precision. The nightmare born creature let out a horrific cry. Efy took out his two short swords, both supporting his attack prowess, waiting next to each of his shoulders for an ample opportunity. The swords looked very basic, both made of tungsten with a solid metallic colour.

A deep, guttural screech tore from its throat, a blend of rage and agony that echoed like nails dragging across metal. Efy flicked his wrist forward and the twin swords accelerated, a newfound confidence welled inside of him. But Efy’s conviction had only lasted a moment as the phanxor generated a copper, bronze aura that spiralled around his maniacal jaws. This aura was much bigger than Efy had ever attempted, or had ever seen. The swords soon met their end, as they were engulfed in the sun that pierced through the frigid air. Efy was also in this direction of attack, but it was so fast and unexpected that he was caught off-guard, thus he would meet his finish line right here. Is this it? I really tried. Am I that useless? Efy let all his devastating thoughts suppress his will.

In an instant, a blinding flash of light beamed through the raging flames, striking the phanxor, dispelling the fireball and splitting the previously unstoppable creature into tiny cubes. Efy stood frozen in utter disbelief as the cubes transformed into crystals of void-black shards and faded away.

From the remnants of the chaos, a figure emerged—a person with hair like silken rose petals, contrasting deeply with his ocean-filled eyes, supporting his smooth, cream-coloured skin. Clad in armour that rivalled the might of valkyries, he wielded a long-sword with ancient runes covering the blade..

“You fight well,” he declared, his voice steady and domineering.

In a flash as brilliant as his arrival, he transformed into a piercing beam of light, vanishing from the scene as swiftly as he had come. The entire encounter—from the birth of the phanxor to the man's departure—unfolded in a mere 12 seconds, leaving Efy reeling in the aftermath of the extraordinary.

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As completely amazed as Efy was, he was also disappointed. He declared that he would not fall into total fear, as people’s nightmares become reality, birthing the species known as phanxors. As long as Efy had some hint of courage, a phanxor could never be born. He looked over to the aftermath of this encounter as he saw his swords shattered and burnt. He sighed and made an immediate dash towards Port Of BlackFountain.

…

“Swords for sale! Buy one and get a free basic skill book!”

“Selling bows for half off, just one silver each! Buy a set of bow and arrows for 3 silver!”

“Elemental staffs! Come and get a Elemental staff to boost your Xor completion rate!”

Port Of Black Fountain was a far cry from the tranquillity of the dojo nestled in the forest. Here, underneath the warm glow of golden lights, hundreds of salespeople gathered in the streets, their stalls overflowing with wares and equipment. Numerous shops lined every corner, each one sought to invite the many people bursting through the town in carriages and on foot. The town’s roads spread out like a labyrinth into various areas, this place was home to approximately 100,000 people. From a single glance, Efy was already excited to increase his strength and reside here, but he was looking for one specific building.

Efy felt a surge of excitement as he navigated through the venues, eager to harness his strength in this dynamic environment. But amidst the chaos, he had one destination in mind. There it was, perched atop a hill beyond the major thoroughfare—Port of BlackFountain Academy. It loomed larger than life, a magnificent structure that dwarfed everything around it. Its sheer size rivalled two football fields, and it towered like a sentinel at four stories high, beckoning Efy closer with the promise of knowledge and adventure.

In that fleeting moment, a wave of comfort washed over him, enveloping his body and mind in a warm embrace. Efy felt a profound sense of belonging, as if he had finally found the place where his heart could rest. It was a feeling so deep and pure; it brought tears to his eyes. “I’m almost there, Sensei Boha.” he muttered under his breath.

…

…

…

“Get out! There’s no room left!” a tall man screamed. For about an hour since Efy’s arrival, he had been looking for an inn to rest overnight, but even when there looked to be enough space available, the innkeepers repeatedly insulted him and declined entry. Efy became hopeless, a chilling sensation gripped his passionate heart, but every time he fantasised about the academy, motivation struck his body like a thunderbolt and sprouted pure determination inside.

Efy analysed his surroundings and found an almost empty alleyway. The golden lights dared not stare at it, as darkness permeated the alleyway along with the four trash bins that sat inside. He took out his dinosaur-spotted blanket from the orb and unravelled it atop two of the large rectangular bins that were stacked side by side. Even amidst the bustling city noises, Efy drifted away in his dreams.