Author's notes:

Sorry guys a lot of people left me messages about a mistake that I made with chapter 23 and 24. There was a section missing a a chapter was mislabeled.

I have fixed it and added this new chapter.

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Chapter 22

Hiro awoke with the sun coming up. He went downstairs from his room and saw Leo sleeping on the first floor. He placed the silver armor on. It still felt heavy. He woke up Leo and went outside to train. He decided to get used to the armor first so he asked Leo to attack him. Leo came at Hiro who tried to dodge the attacks but was unable to so he had to use his ki to block the attack. Leo you have gotten much stronger. They continued this back and forth for about an hour. Slowly Hiro’s speed began to increase even though he was wearing the heavy armor.

Your strength has increased by 5!

Hiro then completed his morning calisthenics which consisted of over 1,000 pushups, sit ups, and squats all while wearing the heavy armor.

Your strength has increased by 8

Hiro then pulled out the hammer and began training with that. He was now able to lift the hammer up using both hands. It still took and incredible amount of effort. He then swung it down striking the ground. The effect was a crater was formed due to the forceful impact of the hammer onto the ground.

Your strength has increased by 1

Hiro decided to learn to use this weapon as maybe it might come in handy later. He opened his weapon skill menu and clicked blunt weapons level 2.

He saw 2 bubbles light up after he learned the hammer technique. One was the skill shockwave and the other was a vitality +25 stat increase. Both were 40 weapon skill points each. So he did not have enough to learn either at this time.

Hiro continued to lift the hammer and strike the ground. He was able to do this over 50 times.

Your strength has increased by 20!

His plan to increase his strength was going well now it was time to meditate. Hiro sat and cleared his mind and began to meditate. His meditation ended after about 1 hour as he stood up he noticed that his ki was surrounding his body with the thinnest shroud he could manage. Hiro decided to leave it like this as long as he could. This would be a good way to practice with his ki.

He asked Leo would he like to have a sparring match with Ora today. Leo roared in agreement. He always liked having a worthy opponent. So they went to the training grounds a met up with Snow. Snow said now it is time for combat practice training. Hiro said that is just what I was thinking. He asked Snow could they spar and could Leo and Ora spar. Snow agreed then he asked Ora she growled in agreement. The spar was on. Snow put on his armor and they went outside of the town. Ora and Leo followed suit. The young soldiers paused their training and followed behind. They did not want to miss the battle. The first battle was between the 2 pets.

Ora and Leo began their battle by circling each other. Leo knew Ora’s hide was very strong and that he could not use his poison fangs or claws in the friendly battle. He decided to use his speed. He took the initiative and set the pace by quickly circling Ora. Ora breathed fire in front of Leo to make him change directions. She charged forward as he had to change directions and struck Leo with a body tackle. Leo was thrown back about 10 meters and received major damage. Leo jumped back up from the attack and was breathing heavily but he immediately countered with his dashing head but attack. It landed. Ora was knocked back onto the ground. She got up and charged at him but Leo’s speed began to bother her. Leo was struggled but he was able to avoid the powerful attacks of Ora until he found an opening to strike. Leo then jumped up. Hiro saw his font left paw glowing as he felt some of his ki leave his body. This looked like his ki strike technique.

What? Leo able to use of his techniques?

The attack missed as Ora jumped back just in time but the seismic wave created from the attack hitting the ground caused Ora to lose her balance. Leo quickly dashed toward her and using his powerful front paws pinned her down on the ground, opening his jaws, and placing the around her neck. Hiro said the battle was over and the winner was Leo. Leo roared with the delight of his victory. Now the second match between Snow and Hiro would begin.

Hiro and Snow both bowed to one another and took their fighting poses. They looked like mirror images of each other. Both held their shields high and their swords were pointing at each other on the side of their shields. Leo could see Snow’s ki all over his body. Hiro decided to increase the amount of ki his was putting into his body. The golden shroud around his body became thicker. He could feel the power swelling up from his belly. They charged at each other. Both of their swords met the other’s shield. In terms of strength now Hiro was superior. Hiro pushed Snow back down almost to his knees. While Snow was on his knees, Hiro kicked him in the chest. Snow fell back onto his back. Hiro tried to finish him but Snow used his shield to block the attack and then he slam into Hiro’s Chest. Hiro was able to deflect some of the damage with his ki but he was thrown back by the force of the blow.

Hiro felt the pain in his chest. Snow’s attack must have been similar to the troll’s attack as it caused him some internal damage. Snow was definitely a tough enemy but he was not fighting just on equal footing with him if not pushing Snow. Hiro resumed his attack. Snow defended with his shield. Hiro used his shield bash ability and it knocked Snow’s shield away injuring Snow’s arm and shoulder. Hiro then swung his sword but Snow ducked under the attack. Snow was in bad shape. He was panting heavily and his left arm and shoulder were injured.

“Do you give up!” asked Hiro.

“Not a chance!” replied Snow.

The wind blew and the two warriors stood and face each other. Snow charged Hiro but his movements had dulled and slowed due to his damage. Hiro was easily able to avoid the slashes by Snow’s blade. Then Snow thrust the blade at Hiro’s chest. Instead of blocking the attack Hiro decided to parry the attack with his shield. The shock from the impact with Hiro’s shield caused Snow to drop his weapon Hiro then quickly thrust his blade at Snow’s chest stopping it just before the blade pierced Snow. The battle was won and Hiro was the victor. Korin came in and cast a healing spell on Snow’s arm.

You have now copied the skill healing spell. This spell allows the caster to heal the wounds of himself or an ally.

Snow’s arm was completely healed after Korin finished. “I’m sorry Snow. I guess I got a little carried away”

“No problem. It was a glorious battle”, replied Snow.

He cast the healing spell on himself. His body was bathed in the familiar glow and his internal wounds began to heal and his pain dissipated. Hiro was excited about his victory and learning Korin’s spell he decided to celebrate by going out alone and hunting some new prey. He left the training area and mounted Leo. They ran off towards the north.

While riding, Hiro asked Leo,”are you able to use my skills and techniques?”

“Oh you noticed that? Yes ever since we became partners I was able to use ki. I don’t understand completely but I feel it.”

“You are amazing Leo”

“No, we are amazing Hiro” They continued to run north. Then suddenly Leo stopped.

“What’s wrong?” asked Hiro.

“I sense danger here”

“I can’t detect anything but maybe whatever it is it can mask itself from my detection. Let’s be careful. Leo nodded and Hiro dismounted and equipped his sword and shield. Leo began to sniff the air.

“Maybe I can smell them even if I can’t see them”, Leo said. Hiro nodded and agreed. “Nothing! I can’t pick up a scent. How can they even mask their scent?”

“I don’t know but I think we should get out of here if it is making you this uneasy”, Hiro said.

He then mounted up and they ran off. Something was really creepy about that place. They ran to the southeast this time. This area appeared to be almost like a desert. Hiro could sense some enemies nearby so he dismounted and prepared for battle. Suddenly, a group of 3 large scorpions sprang out of the ground. Their armor looked extremely thick and their claws were razor sharp. The thing that truly worried Hiro was that long barbed tail. The poison was not an issue but the size of a wound that it would inflict would most likely be fatal. Hiro decided to inspect the enemies to see if he could find out anything.

Due to your constant studying of enemies your inspect skill has evolved to analyze. This now will give you detailed information about any enemy you encounter including their hp, weak point (if armored) and elemental resistances or weaknesses.

Name: Sand ScorpionHp:3,000/3,000Mana:0/0Resistances: Slashing weapons, Blunt weapons, fire, lightning, and earthWeaknesses: Piercing weapons, Water and darknessSand Scorpion: A large armored scorpion that has powerful pincers and a venomous barbed tail. The armor is thick on the top of the scorpion but its legs and underbody are soft and vulnerable.

Hiro asked, “did you see the information on the scorpions?”

Leo replied “no but I suddenly know a lot more about the scorpions. It happens every time we fight. Is that your doing?”

“Yes it’s a skill called analyze.”

“Well you know where to attack now so let’s take these things out.”

Hiro readied his sword and charged at the scorpion closest to him. He saw 3 prediction lines which he assumed were the pincers and tail. He activated his ki to strengthen his blade shield and body. Hiro glanced over and saw Leo bathed in the same golden glow. Hiro jumped over the 2 pincers attacks and sliced off the barbed pincer. Leo had used his sharp claws to tear off the scorpions legs on its right side. The body fell down. Leo’s poison went into effect and Hiro could see the scorpion’s hp rapidly falling from 2 status ailments bleeding and poison. Hiro decided to let this one die as it could no longer move. He quickly moved to the next one.

Leo had beaten him to it. With his powerful legs he had jump up, sank his large fangs into the tail of the second scorpion, and bit the barber stinger off. Again the poison status ailment came up. Hiro blocked the strike from the pincers and drove his blade into the eyes of the scorpion. The scorpion immediately fell dead.

“Look out!”, Leo said.

But it was too late the third scorpion had come up behind Hiro and impaled him with its barbed tail. Hiro was able to dodge slightly so the barbed did not pierce his lung or heart but the wound was extremely painful and he could not get free. Leo jumped and used his version of Hiro’s ki strike on the scorpion’s tail. The tail fell off and Hiro fell to the ground hard.

Hiro did not feel any effects of poison but he saw his hp declining due to the fact that he was bleeding. Leo bit down on the tail and pulled it out of Hiro’s back. Just has he got it out, the 3rd scorpion attacked. Its pincers lopped off Leo’s two hind legs. This situation was dire. Hiro stood up and dropped his shield.

Leo’s wounds are not fatal and his regenerate ability will allow him to grow his limbs back in time.

He activated his ki and cast his heal spell on himself. The wound did not close up completely but the bleeding stopped and the pain reduced dramatically. He then shifted his ki to his blade coating it in a white glow. This time the amount ki he placed in his blade was so great that he could no longer shroud his entire body with his ki strengthening skill. If I put enough ki into my sword, I will be able to cut through the thick armor of the scorpion.

This was going to be an all or nothing attack. If he was hit by the scorpion’s pincers without his ki strengthening technique it would be all over. He ran at the scorpion dodging the pincer attacks. He then struck one of the pincers at the joint where it attached to the body. Hiro’s blade cut right through the thick armor as it was nothing lopping the pincer off. He then rolled under the next pincer attack. After rolling underneath the attack Hiro was in perfect position to detach the other pincer making the scorpion defenseless. He switched his grip on the blade so that the hilt was pointing up and the blade was pointing down. He swung his blade in a rising arc and it cut the other pincer off causing it to fall to the ground.

The Scorpion reared up on its leg and it’s underbody was exposed. Hiro realized this and took his blade with as much ki as he could muster and slashed right down the center of the scorpion severing it into to 2 pieces. Hiro fell to his knees completely exhausted. He used the last of his remaining strength to cast a healing spell on Leo. The spell stopped Leo’s bleeding and his legs started to regenerate. Hiro told Leo to try to eat the scorpions as their bodies might help him regain his strength and regenerate. Then he passed out.

Leo used his forelegs and dragged himself over to the now three dead scorpions. The 1st one must have finally died from the bleeding and the poison. Leo began eating the pincers of scorpions. His strong jaws took a while to break through the scorpion’s armor but eventually he was able to devour the pincers. Leo felt his strength returning and but his legs had not yet regenerated. Leo then moved onto the body of the scorpion that Hiro cut in half. He bit right through the under body of the scorpion. He finished body and left the hard scales on the top. Then he ate all of the legs. Leo continued to feel stronger and he noticed his legs were beginning to grow. He quickly pulled himself to the next scorpion. He rolled it over and ate it from the underbody. He ripped through the soft underbody and gorged himself on the meat contained within and the legs that were attached. He legs grew more.

Finally he moved to the last scorpion and repeated the same thing. His legs had completely regenerated. He stood himself up on his legs and used his powerful paws to crush the hard armor into smaller pieces. Among the smaller pieces he saw 3 spheres they were glowing red. He pushed them toward Hiro and then returned to his meal. He then bit down on them and they began to crack. Leo used this method to finish off the scorpions. When he finished nothing remained of the beasts. Once finished he lay down and covered his partner. Hours later Hiro awoke to find that Leo had regenerated his legs and that they were safe. As he stood up to get his shield he noticed that there were 3 red jewels on the ground.

“Leo where did these come from?”

“When I ate the Scorpions it fell out. I thought you might know what they were so I left them to you” replied Leo.

Hiro used his analyze skill.

[table]Name: Fire JewelFire Jewel: This is a small gem containing the essence of fire. The intensity of its color and size tell the quality of the gem. This item can be used to add fire qualities to a weapon or armor.Then Hiro recognized that he had learned several new skills.

You and Leo have learned the passive skill armored skin. This makes your skin tough like steel reducing the damage you from physical attacks.

From eating the hard scorpion armor Leo’s biting ability has evolved into crush. His jaws are now able to bite even the toughest monster hide. With continued improvement he will be even able to bite through metal.

[window[You and Leo have gained the passive skill fire resistance. You are now able to resistant fire without taking much damage. As this skill improves you may be able to make yourself immune to fire.[/window]

You and Leo have gained the passive skill earth resistance. You are now able to resistant earth magic without taking much damage. As this skill improves you may be able to make yourself immune to earth magic.

You and Leo have evolved the passive skill lightning resistance to lightning immunity. You are now able to resist lightning based spells without taking any damage. If you continue to improve this skill you will evolve it to absorbing lightning which will allow you to gain power from being attacked by lightning based attacks.

The two decided to return to the town to rest themselves so Hiro mounted up onto Leo’s back and Leo swiftly took the home. Hiro was also very hungry his stomach began growling. His shoulder remained in some pain even though the wound had healed completely on the outside. His regenerative ability was definitely impressive. He attributed to the fact that the barbed tail probably damaged his internal organs.

A short time passed and the sun began to set as they arrived back in the town. They went home and Hiro removed his armor and weapons placing them on the rack. Leo decided to rest as the journey back took a lot of his energy. Hiro patted him on the head and thanked him for keeping him alive earlier. Leo purred as Hiro stroked him behind his ears. Then Hiro left to go out to get something to eat.

He couldn’t believe his eyes the town seemed like it had grown even more in the day he was gone. There was now a smithy shop and a restaurant. The training grounds had been improved with wooden dummies for the soldiers to practice on. Hiro was impressed. He went to the restaurant and sat down. The waitress came up and showed him the menu. She then said anything you want is on the house Hiro. Thank you for rescuing our town. Hiro smiled and order some steak with a side of soup. The waitress took his order and return shortly. The meal looked delicious. He thanked the waitress and dug in. In no time Hiro had devoured all of the food. He felt stuffed. It had been a long time since he ate like this. After he finished eat his shoulder pain was gone. I guess it works for me too. When I eat my health and strength returns. Hiro then left and went outside to visit the dwarves at the smithy.

He opened the door and noticed that the shop was bare on the inside. It was to be expected the shop had just been built today. He called out for the dwarves. They came out and greeted him with large smiles. Their short stout bodies were covered in sweat. They must have been working hard. Hiro opened his bag and took out the large wind gem and the small fire stones. The dwarves’ eyes got very large. Then he asked, “When you make my armor and weapon can you use these?”

The dwarves said, “Of course what would you like your armor to be?”

“I’m not sure.”

The dwarves explained the enchanting process. The said that fire properties increase strength attack power, earth properties raise defense, water properties raise vitality and thus your life, lightning increases your speed and thus your ability to dodge attacks, wind increases you wisdom, and thus improving your ability to use magic. Hiro was impressed with the knowledge possessed by the dwarves. He decided to have his blade made with fire gems, his boots from lightning, his gauntlets from wind, his breastplate from with water gems, and his shield with earth gems.

The dwarves smiled and said young Hiro what you are looking for is elemental armor. It is extremely rare due to the components needed to make it. First you will have to gather an adequate amount of spirit gems. Then you will have to find metals suitable for embedding these types of gems into, we suggest titanium or mithril. Those materials are difficult to mine as they are only found in the deepest parts of a dungeon where the most dangerous monsters live.

Hiro thought for a moment and said if I get them can you make my armor and weapon. The dwarves huddled for a moment and returned saying they would make him the finest armor and weapon in the land if he got the materials that had asked for.

“Ding!” New quest available: Find the materials for the elemental armor. Do you accept:yes/no. Yes Reward: ???

“Until then young warrior, please bring us your current equipment so that we can repair it.“ Hiro agreed and went home to get his weapon and armor. Upon inspection the dwarves were right the armor was nicked up and sword had chips in the blade. He grabbed the equipment and returned the smithy. The dwarves took his equipment into the back and Hiro waited. A few hours later, the dwarves returned. The armor looked different. It seemed to be a bit smaller. The dwarves told him that they resized the armor to fit his body rather than the body of the Kobold.

Then they explained, “It should afford you the same protection with less restriction in your movement. Your sword was in bad shape so we re-forged it with the fire gems you left here. The result was better than we had hoped. We know you have the ability to use fire magic so we know you have an affinity for fire. This weapon that we forged will react to your fire affinity. Your armor will do so as well.” Hiro donned his armor, shield and sword. The dwarves were right. The armor felt much better. He did not feel restricted at all. His arms felt loose and his legs felt free. He then put on his sword and shield. The dwarves felt the power of Hiro’s aura. They told him, “Feel the fire that was flowing through him.”

Hiro closed his eyes and focused. Suddenly his armor, shield, and sword started to heat up. Then they burst into flames. The dwarves backed away in awe of Hiro. Hiro said I will call this the Armor of Wild fire. The dwarves told him to relax or he would burn down their new shop. Laughingly he took a deep breath as he did the flames subsided and the armor cooled off. The armor was amazing.

Wildfire helmet

Defense: 28 Fire resitance: 20% +2 strength

Wildfire Breastplate:

Defense 50 Fire resitance 20% +2 strength

Wildfire Gloves

Defense 17 Fire resistance 20% +2 strength

Wildfire Shield

Defense: 45 Fire resistance 20% +2 strength

Wildfire greaves

Defense 25 Fire resistance 20% +2 strength

Set bonus fire absorption allowing you to gain health and mana equal to 50% of the damage inflicted by a fire based attack.

Wildfire Sword

Attack: 65 10% fire damage to enemies +20 strength

You have learned technique armor of wildfire. By releasing your ki into your armor imbued with fire gems you can ignite the armor. The flames will damage an enemy who attacks you.

By equipping the Wildfire Sword, you have learned volcanic strike. By strengthening your fire sword the flame it produces flames that rival the heat of volcanic magma. It will burn enemies who survive causing them to receive extended damage over time.

Hiro thanked the dwarves. He then pulled out one of his whetstones and sharpened the blade.

Due to your sharpening the weapon now has a +5 to its attack damage.

The dwarves were astounded and asked,

“Are you a blacksmith”

“Yes but I’m just learning.”

“Well we’ll teach you whatever you would like to know.”

“OK. Can you teach me how to smelt ore?”

“Of course”

They asked him to come into the back of the store. There he saw a forge. They asked him to take out the raw ore that he found. He took out the copper, tin, and finally the large iron ore from his bag. The dwarves’ eyes lit up. “Let’s start with the copper as it is the most common of the ores. One of the dwarves placed in the forge. The heat began to melt away the impurities and all that was left was the pure copper in a liquid form. The dwarve then poured the liquid copper into a mold. Once the mold was closed it was allowed to cool. A little while later the mold was opened and there was a shiny copper bar. The dwarf gave it to him and then said,

“Your turn”. The dwarf talked Hiro through the process and he made all of his copper into copper bars. Then he did the same for tin. He felt that this was easy. Maybe it was because his blacksmithing skill was intermediate after Leo at the kobolds. Now it was time to work with the iron ore.

The dwarves told him first he should cut it into some smaller pieces to fit inside the forge. He took out his wildfire sword and imbued it with his ki. He slashed at the large ore and cut it into 12 pieces that were similar in size and shape to the other ores. Then he tried to smelt the iron. He began the process the same way but he failed on his first try. The dwarf told them that iron was a little more sensitive so he would have to heat it on a lower temperature so that the iron did not completely melt away. He then tried again and this time the impurities left and he was left with a spongy substance. The dwarves took some large tongs and grab the pieces. They beat it with a hammer until it to the shape of a bar. Once it cooled It was a perfectly shaped iron bar.

He tried 8 more times but he was on successful 6 out of the 8. He needed to continue to improve his blacksmiting skill. When he picked up the last 2 pieces of or he noticed that there were jewels inside the ore. He showed it to the dwarves and they said he was lucky there were 6 small fire gems inside the pieces of ore. The dwarves told him by removing them he would no longer be able to use the ore for smelting. He agreed and they showed Hiro how to remove the gems.

He then He asked them a favor. “Could you teach me to make some armor for Leo?

The Dwarves asked who Leo was. Hiro nodded and smiled he is my liger. You saw him in the dungeon. Making armor for your pet will take some time and materials. If you gather material we can make him armor like your elemental armor affording him the same protection, attack, and attribute buffs as you.”

New quest available: Find materials for dwarves to make Leo’s elemental armor. Do you accept: yes or no. Yes. Reward:???

They continued saying that, “If you want something now we can teach you to make body armor and helmet out of any of the metals you smelted so far using your current skill.”

Hiro agreed. The dwarves asked Hiro to go and get Leo so that they could examine his size and shape. Hiro left and quickly returned with Leo. The dwarves came outside and saw Leo. They were in awe of the fierce beast but even more admiring of Hiro as he had tamed this monstrous beast. They took in his dimensions and made a pattern for Hiro. They gave him the pattern for bronze greaves, iron body armor, and a bronze helmet. Leo thanked them and left

Hiro was excited about his new armor he left the wind gem with the dwarves for safe keeping. He then returned home and told Leo the news about his new armor and the dwarves’ proposition to make them new armor. He told Leo that they were going to become the strongest team the world had ever seen. Leo roared showing his approval. Then Hiro went upstairs to his bed and they both fell asleep.

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Author's Notes:

I hope this chapter fills in any spaces that might have been missed previously. Sorry guys for the mistake.