I still can't tell whether this place is a monster dungeon or some castle ruins. There were areas which looked like parts from a castle but there were also areas which looked completely like a monster dungeon. Perhaps it was some city build like a dungeon underground?

There were also quite a lot of variations of floras. Each one seems to have its own exceptional features. Especially the cyan vines that glow which is also the light source that dispel the darkness of this dungeon. They can be seen almost everywhere in the dungeon. I had also occasionally encountered some strange bugs and insects but none of them were threatening, yet. There were also fireflies or at least they looked like one. The light emitting from one of it was as bright as a torch. For some reason, they disperse when I approach them.

Breaks my heart.

Besides the plants and bugs, this place is also rich with ores. No matter where I looked, I could always see ore veins, whether its on the ceiling, ground, or wall.

After coming out from a narrow passage, I entered into a large space. This space was blossom with glowing flowers everywhere. There were crystals of human-sized protruding from the ground, acting like monument among the field of flowers. Crystal Pillars, I guess I could call them. The Crystal Pillars are made up of crystals clumped together. Like the plants here, they were also glowing radiantly. They were of cyan and purple color. The sight of this place from I stood, looks like something from a finest painting.

I approached one of the Crystal Pillars that has a height a little bit taller than me. I touched it. The crystals responded to my touch. It shone a bright radiance. The light left the crystal and flowed gracefully into my hand. Yes, into my hand. I felt power surging into me. Out of reflex, I retracted my hand immediately from the crystals. I stared intensely at my hand which had just absorbed the crystals' light. The light had flow into my blood veins, making it glow. The glow lasted only a few seconds before it slowly died down. The sight reminded me of the time when I saw the purplish black veins crawling from my heart to my neck.

I was scare but intrigued at the same time. I headed to another Crystal Pillar which was at least two heads taller than me. I slightly poke my finger at it. The moment it begin to shine brightly and the light seems to also begin to flow out, I retracted my finger. The intensity died down in an instance. Is it reacting exclusively to me or anyone who touches it? Since I don't have anyone with me, I can't test that theory.

Sighing to resolve myself, I placed my hand on the Crystal Pillar. It once again shined brightly like the previous one. Also like the previous one, the light left the crystal and flowed like a river into my hand. The energy this time felt greater than the previous one. That must be a given since this Crystal Pillar is bigger. I'm guessing I'm absorbing the energy from the crystals.

The act of consuming the crystal light, invoked the child in me. I went skipping around and absorbed the lights from the Crystal Pillars like nobody's business. I was simply dazzled by the phenomenon of me able to absorb the Crystal Pillars' light. With each absorb, I felt something inside me was accumulating, welling up.

After a few rounds, I decided to check my status card. Everything remained the same except a certain part.

HP: 140/140

MP: 220/220

It appears that my total Mana pool has increased. Is the light from the Crystal Pillars Mana Energy? The light is cyan though. Maybe is just because of my hours of gameplay with RPG games that always represent Mana with blue color. I suppose cyan is a blue of sorts.

My foot then hit something. I looked down and saw a miniature version of the Crystal Pillars. It is not even a foot tall. At most, it's merely five centimeters of height. It is still a Crystal Pillar despite its small size. The color is a little bit different though. It is of a clam but sharp blue light emitting from the Crystal Pillar.

I touched it.

......

......

Nothing happened. I didn't absorb its light like the others. Perhaps this crystal is different? Although I didn't manage to absorb the light, just from touching it, I can tell there is a huge deposit of energy in it. So, I was adamant in absorbing the light. I grasped the tiny Crystal Pillar which was barely able to fit in my hand and begin focusing. I imagine myself absorbing the light but nothing happened. I then imagine all sorts of thing related to extracting the light from it. Still, nothing happened.

I got agitated and started pouring my Mana instead of extracting it. I didn't know I could or able to pour Mana. I merely done it on a whim. Then, the Crystal Pillar begin to shine brightly. It emitted a burst of blue radiance which I can feel some force and energy in it.

"Oops?" I muttered when I realized I fucked up.

If I was a toddler, I would have being blown away by the force emitted. I withstood the push and continue grabbing on to the Crystal Pillar.

The energy emitting from the Crystal Pillar continues to push me away but I didn't let it. I just kept holding on to it. After a while, the light died down and I no longer felt the push from the Crystal Pillar.

Is it over? I asked in my mind.

Just when it died down, the Crystal Pillar shine brightly again but this time it shone so bright the lights were leaving the crystal. Lights of sharp but calm blue. Instead of a graceful flow, it felt like multiple needles rushed and inserted themselves into my hand.

Of course, I immediately screamed at the sudden pain. I flinched away from the Crystal Pillar which had lost its light. I clutched my hand which had the light forcibly seeping into my hands. It doesn't seem too bad from the sides but the reality of it feels like needles forcing their way into my skin. The pain was just as bad as having the pale monsters taking a chunk out of me. I can do nothing but seethe with anger and agony while hoping and praying for it to stop. I prayed for forgiveness. Somehow, I think I have anger the spirits of this place by simply absorbing energy from the crystals and I'm now being punished for it.

Finally, the lights had completely seeped into me. My right hand was numb. Apparently the sensation of needles plunging into my skin weren't a complete imagination. There are red marks on my hand. My blood veins are swollen. I was actually physically hurt from absorbing the light from the miniature Crystal Pillar. I was breathing heavily due to my exhaustion and the pain that slowly came creeping in again. Quite contrary to my ragged appearance and my throbbing hand, excitement boiled within me.

After the initial pain, I felt power. Immense power but not too immense in the sense of becoming almighty. No pain, no gain, is what I'm reminded of.

With my left hand, I looked at my status card.

HP: 150/150

MP: 320/320

Huh. My MP has increased dramatically from that. In a way, the pain was worth it? Of course, I vowed to be cautious in the future. I might not be this fortunate the next time. I laughed dryly at my own failure/success. Life does have an odd sense of humor.

I was lying on the floor staring at the ceiling. Exactly like when I had kill the monster. It wasn't that long since then but it already feels nostalgic from just thinking about it.

Ouch.

I tried moving and incurred the pain that is still lingering in my right arm. The price is heavy after all. It would be absurd if the toll wasn't this much. I laughed dryly at my situation.

[Conditions Cleared]

Hmm? What cleared?

[Mana Overseer Lv.1 (Unique) - Unlocked]

Oh ho?

[Mana Overseer: Mana Transmission - Acquired]

Oh? What?

[Mana Overseer: Lv.1 increased to Lv. 2]

That was quick.

[Mana Overseer: Mana Perception - Acquired]

Can things get any better? But what do those ability do though? Oh right, I can do that.

[Mana Overseer: Mana Transmission]

Grants the user the ability to give or absorb Mana from a source. Rate and efficiency of transmission increases with level. Does not require permission from the source to transmit.

Wow. That's sounds a little bit too overpowered and slightly smell of crime.

[Mana Overseer: Mana Perception]

Grants the user the ability to perceive Mana flow as far as the eyes could see.

So with this ability, it is something like a thermal vision but instead of picking up heat, it's Mana.

This only came to me after for a long while. I should inspect my other abilities too. I know they are called Arcane Arts but that's too mouthful. Abilities will do. Who created the name Arcane Arts in the first place?

Abyss Magic

A variant of dark magic. A lesser variant of Void Magic.

Oh wow. Although I didn't feel such immense power from [Abyssal Edge], I do feel the immense vibe from reading the texts projected. Somehow, the word Void emphasize the power the magic holds. I wonder why? I inspected [Abyssal Edge] too but it didn't give any info of what I had not know.

Spatial Magic

The ability to manipulate space itself.

Hmm.....

.......

.......

I don't think I need to comment on this at all. If I have to, I'll say only one thing. This ability right here is the cheat of cheats.

[Spatial Magic: Presence Detachment]

The ability to detach the user's presence from the current plane of reality. Sight, smell, noise, heat, taste, magic energy emitted from the user are imperceptible through various and normal means.

I see. So even the sight of me is included in the package. That's good. The things I can do with this. Don't get wrong ideas here, cause I didn't.

[Spatial Magic: Plane Displacement]

Creates a tangible part of space itself, acting as an intercepting barrier.

Nothing new from this. I still want to find out whether I could use this as a foot hold while in air.

With some mystery solved, I think, my attention shifted back to the miniature Crystal Pillar. This tiny thing must be one hell of an artifact. To think I obtain so much just from this. Alright, I'll use [Mana Perception] on you, little one.

Hmm.... Nothing. There was no Mana in the crystal. I guess that would be the case considering I might have drained all of it. When I looked up from the crystal, I was attack by immense light of bluish hue. Since the floras in this area are rich in Mana, I almost went blind from using [Mana Perception]. Thank god that thought didn't came true.

As overpowered as it sounds, [Mana Perception] has a huge flaw. When I used it, everything turned black in my sight. I can see only Mana flows, dazzling like sole light sources in the dark. Therefore, I can't see anything that doesn't possess Mana while I'm using [Mana Perception]. Well, that's a let down.

Not a complete let down though. Through this unique sight, I have come to learn that there are different types of Mana. Or at least, Mana from different source have different colors. The Mana that flows in my body is light bluish. The ones in the trees and vines are cyan. The Crystal Pillars are purplish blue. The ore veins are dark blue. Surprisingly, the flowers and grasses all have a slight differences of blue than each other, unlike the trees which have the same color no matter its kind. I find this odd and interesting. Perhaps it has something to do with the properties of the flowers and grasses?

I walked to a yellow flower with seven petals, dragging my right hand along which was still twisted with agony. I decided to not give attention to it as I believe the pain will eventually subside. This seven petals flower has the fewest in numbers comparing to the other flowers. This seven petals flower also has the brightest shine to its blue light despite being a yellow flower.

My hands stopped before I touch the flower.

I hesitated to pluck it. I wasn't sure if the Mana within would remain if I pluck it. After some deep thought, I decided to just say, fuck it. I pluck the flower.

Good. The light which represents the Mana remains. I don't know what it does but my instinct is telling me that I should just hoard it for future uses. Of course, I didn't pluck all of it. If these flowers here are the last remaining of its kind, I will feel bad if I become responsible for its extinction.

I then also pluck some green flowers with at least dozens of leaves on its stem. Contrast to its green, the flower emits a light reddish aura. It appears there's a lot of flowers emit aura that is contrary to their color. I chose those green flowers because I could sense vitality radiating from it. If I were to describe the feeling, I felt healthier and more energetic when I touched it. Of course those feelings were just in my head.

Feeling a little bit creative and innovative and also curios, I crushed the yellow flower and the green flower along with its stem. I then mashed the two together. For some reasons, the aura emitting from the mashed up flowers became an intense red. The color of the crushed flowers have also gained a slight red. I raised an eyebrow on the discovery. I pinched a bit from the mash and put it into my mouth.

Although it was subtle, I feel a little bit of function returning to my right hand.

Oh? Could it be....?

I crushed more of the two flowers together. I mashed them together until it became red. I then ingested the lump of mashed flowers.

It is what I think it is.

The red marks on my right hand were gone and the pain could no longer be consider agony but there is still pain, only a little however.

My initial guess was right. I have discovered and created a healing reagents. Maybe the flowers here have medicinal properties.

Before I get right to my experiment, I ingested more of the healing reagents to rid the pain completely away.

I ended up discovering various reagents. The reason I'm not calling them potion is because they weren't in liquid form. They were just crushed flowers and leaves, a mash. I'm not sure they're qualify to be call a potion yet. Or at least my nerd brain wouldn't allow me to as it would betray my expectations. Really, brain?

The yellow flower with the blue aura is apparently a catalyst. Unless its combined with the yellow flower, any other flower alone would not produce any effects.

So far, I have created reagents that recovers health and Mana and also reagents that boost one's efficiency in Mana expenditure. There were two other reagents that I have created but I didn't feel anything change nor any effects. I don't believe they did nothing so I held on to those for now. I wrapped those reagents in different leaves for each type. The leaves was something I found from a nearby bush. Since I didn't pick up any sign of Mana when I use [Mana Perception], I guess they are just ordinary bushes.

Just when things were looking up, life handed me lemons. Extremely sour, spoiled, and rotten lemons. I didn't see it. Nor do I need to. I can feel it approaching just from the hostile aura it emits. Among the dense vegetation, it emerges.

A demon ape?

About six and a half feet tall. An ape-like monster came out from the bushes, fully armored. It even walks like a gorilla. I called it a demon ape because that was my first impression. It looks like an ape and to me, who sees this whole place as hell, I see these monsters as demons. Therefore, I call it a demon ape. I found out later it is called a Goliath but we will get to that in the future.

I don't know if it's hungry or just angry because I trespassed into its territory. There's a high chance that it might be a bit of both or both completely. It charged at me the moment it knew it was noticed. The demon ape sent a straight fist at me. I put up [Plane Displacement] but it shattered it into millions of tiny pieces, like my hope. Despair engulfed me as the fist approached me. I had already resigned myself to death at that point. When it broke through the barrier made of space magic, I felt its tremendous strength. I will not survive that. Maybe this won't kill me if I had armor on.

As that thought crossed my mind, I feel something cladding me. Something like a layer of mucous.

Its fist connected, sending me flying until I hit the ground and went skidding. I think I skidded for about fifty feet before I finally stop.

[Mana Overseer: Mana Skin - Acquired]

Ah, I see. I've been save by Deus Ex Machina once again. The mucous feeling is the [Mana Skin] ability, I see. It didn't exactly negate the damage but it prevented the punch from killing me. In a way, it was a very bad thing. Out of optimism, I perceive this as a way to prolong my suffering. Since I'm not dead, I am assaulted with torrents of pain. I let out wordless screams.

Also on a side note, there goes all the reagents that I have created after all the trials and errors. The reagents were scattered all over the floor as I was hit.

The demon growled, reminding me it is still there.

Well fuck you, you stupid monkey.

It charged at me again.

Over the course of last few hours, pain has become something of a relative. I was able to endure it to some extent but not to the point where it wouldn't affect my performance.

As I was wondering what to do next and getting back up on my feet, a wild thought hit me.

Hmm..... I can try that. Does it works like that? I wonder.

I came up with the theory that [Mana Perception] is a magic that is cast on the eyes but can I apply the magic only to one eye?

Answer?

It can. I successfully applied [Mana Perception] only on my right eye. Since I had been fucking around with my magic before I left that cell room, I kinda have a grasp on using magic now. Kinda.

There was a sudden influx of Mana in the demon ape's right hand. This tells me the demon ape intends to use its right arm to attack. Because I knew about this beforehand, I was able to dodge its attack.

Suddenly, things were looking back up. With the help of [Mana Perception], I was able to swiftly dodge its attacks because I had known it was coming. I prepare for a counterattack. I conjured up [Abyssal Edge] in my right hand. I slashed at its left arm right after it swung. I let out a grin when it connected. Perhaps I grinned too early. The blade hit but it didn't cut.

Fuck.

Was all I could say as another punch sent me flying until I hit a wall, or more accurately, the other end of this long and vast hallway. I managed to cast [Plane Displacement] in a hurry but it broke through it like last time. Just like the space magic barrier, my [Mana Skin] worn off. Must have reached its limit of absorbing damage. Wishful thinking that it might had help a bit. There's an exit in the form of a large hole but this wasn't easy mode. The corridor which was the exit had collapse, filled with rocks and boulders in the way.

I sighed. Why fate? Why?

As I was brooding over my accursed fate and ignoring the accumulating pain, I find the demon ape in the air, above me. Apparently, it had jump thirty feet into the air and it is now diving right at me. I leaped out of the way but the shockwave blasted me away as it landed. The force carried me until I hit the side of the hallway. The walls are not flat. Which makes hitting them with one's back all the more painful. Not even [Plane Displacement] can block the shockwave.

Being thrown around like that, I think my body is going numb against pain. I don't know if that's a good thing or not. While I was pondering such things, the demon ape was not going to let me have a breather. It started off with a sprint and then it leaped, towards me. Its fist crashed into the wall of ores. It missed because I dodged to the left. It pulled its hand out of the wall in a single breath and gaze intensely at me.

What did I ever do to you?

The demon ape slammed its fist onto the ground. I avoided it but the shockwave got me. I was again flung into the air and went tumbling on the ground.

I think I might be hitting my max capacity of endurance soon. Before that happened, if I want to live, I have to think of something. Anything would do.

The demon ape went on the offensive but thanks to [Mana Perception], I could see and avoid its deadly swinging fists. When it swung too hard and ended planting its fist into the wall, I saw my opportunity. I use [Abyssal Edge] and swung with two hands, at its unarmored head.

Huh? Ha.

The head might be naked and bared but it is by no means unarmored. The skin of its head was surprisingly as tough as the armor on its body. Why though? Little did I realize that my magic blade on its head is precisely why.

This time, it didn't hit me with its fist. The demon ape instead got me in a choke-hold. It brought me close to its face, appraising me or something. Then it proceed to slam me on the ground like a certain undertaker in a certain entertainment industry. Just from the first slam, it knocked all the air out of my lungs. My screams turned soundless at that.

That's it. I'm fucked. I had hit my threshold for pain tolerance. In fact, it was already way past the threshold. Just as I had expected back then, I have became numb to the pain assaulting my body. I can tell you, it feels way too uneasy on so many levels. Feeling pain is a good thing.

Devoid of any pain, my mind started to drift off from reality. I feel like my soul has left my body. Ah~~~ I feel light. My body and my head. It feels light. It strange to feel no pain when I hit the ground hard. Strange.

Just then, the demon ape stopped slamming me on the ground. Was I grateful that it stopped? Or was I not? Neither. I'm in a state where I have stop giving my two cents and damn about the whole ordeal. I literally can't feel anything at this point.

Of course, I did wonder why it stopped. Was it because of my lifeless eyes? Did it think that I was dead? I then find out those weren't the case. Instead, it was because it had company.

Three pale monsters, the same kind as the monster back then who tried to eat me, three of them are crawling on the wall near me and the demon ape. Three more emerged from the shadows. They were also crawling, on the ground, towards us.

The demon ape slowly back away, avoiding from getting cornered. It dragged me along by my right leg. It was trying to protect its food, not my well-being. That won't happen. Not in a million years.

Slowly but eventually, the pale monsters had surrounded the demon ape. I felt its grip tightened on my leg as it realized it was cornered.

Even when I'm down, life still intends to kick me, right?

Hey, loli voice. I can use some advice right now.

I waited for a response that never came.

Well, fuck you too then.

Now, how will the demon ape fare against six of the pale monsters.

6 against 1

Let the games begin.