Chapter 49

The group continued to slowly move through the forest and then Hiro noticed another strong power east of their position. Hiro could feel this enemy’s energy flowing from its body. He could not determine where it was going to but it seemed as if it was just going out into the surrounding area.

“Hey everyone be wary” as they approached this enemy.

The group nodded in agreement as they moved forward. The enemy was now within Hiro’s field of vision. He saw 2 different types of enemies. One wore a long black cloack covering its head and possessed a long wooden staff. The others were monsters whose bodies had been deformed. They appeared to have once been human but now their mouths had changed shape and grown several rows of razor sharp teeth. They had become hunched over and walked on their hands and feet. Their hands and nails changed shape to become more like the claws of a cat. They were definitely undead. Hiro used his analyze ability to learn more about them.

Name: Necromancer

Hp: 4,500/4,500

Resistances: Dark, Posion

Mana: 9,000/9,000

Weaknesses: Holy, Fire, Physical attacks

Necromancer: A master at creating and controlling undead fiends. He summons his minions using his mana to do his bidding and he is also adept at using dark magic.

Name: Ghoul

Hp: 3,500/3,500

Resistances: Dark, Posion

Mana: 0/0

Weaknesses: Holy, Fire, Physical attacks

Ghoul: An undead creature that follows the commands of his master without question. It is unable to speak or communicate in anyway. Its bite is powerful and its body is extremely agile. Take caution when fighting as these enemies will be difficult to strike.

The necromancer noticed the group and ordered the ghouls to attack the party. The necromancer also cast a bind spell on the closest attackers. Hiro, Leo, Caesar and Gori immediately broke the spell with their sheer physical strength but Amaterasu and Learra were not so lucky. They were immediately paralyzed.

“Leo, protect them while we take care of the ghouls.”

“Got it!” replied Leo.

Then Caesar, Gori and Hiro charged the ghouls.The necromancer summoned 15 more ghouls to attack Leo and Amaterasu. As they appeared Leo used his flame thrower on them. It killed most of them instantly but 5 were able to avoid the blast. They quickly sank their teeth into Learra and Amatersu’s flesh causing them to howl in pain. A couple also jumped onto Leo, who smashed himself into tree which killed the 2 that were on his back. They fell off and then he ran to finish off the ones that were attacking Amaterasu and Learra. They were howling in pain and both of their hp was dropping rapidly. Leo jumped in and used his version of ki strike on 2 of them cutting them both in half. Finally he bit the last one with his tremendous jaws crushing it. The two females were safe.

The necromancer began casting another spell that caused a dark lance to fly towards Hiro. He quickly dodged away from the blast and began moving extremely fast. The necromancer fired the same spell 10 more times in rapid succession but none were able to hit their target.

Due to you copy ability you have learned the spell of darkness.

This spell allows you to materialize any form you choose from darkness. Then you can have it attack an enemy at will. As you improve you will be able to make the creations larger and greater in number.

Caesar and Gori were also attack the ghouls in order to cut a path towards the necormancer. They fell one by one to their brute force. They were also supported by holy arrows fired by Scarlet and Foria from their high perches. Then Scarlet used her multi-arrow skill and rained down holy arrows on the ghouls decimating the entire group.

Hiro then activated his dashing slash ability and charged the necromancer. The necromancer countered using his staff to block Hiro’s attack and then summoned 20 more ghouls to attack Hiro from behind. Scarlet and Foria were able to shoot down 6 of the minions each and Leo killed five with his flame thrower but 2 of them managed to get in an attack on Hiro’s back. The teeth sank in and Hiro’s back piercing into his iron like skin. He felt the pressure of their powerful jaws clamping down on him but it was more of a nuisance than damage. Hiro tried to shake them off but he was unable to get free so he jumped back and cast his healing spell. The healing energy caused the ghouls to let go and take some damage.

This is eerily similar to my fight with Korin. That’s it I’ve got to fight this enemy in a less straight forward way.

Hiro told everyone, “Watch my back and keep the ghouls away from me so that can fight the necromancer.”

They agreed. At this point Amaterasu and Learra were both freed from the bind spell that was placed on them. The joined the fray killing the ghouls as they tried to attack Hiro.

Hiro and the necromancer squared off and Hiro began his attack. He began by activating all of his abilities, Hero’s charge, ki body strengthening, weapon strengthening, evil glare, and his warrior’s eye. The necromancer stepped back as the evil glare activated. Hiro charged forward the necromancer used his dark magic again this time the spear came up from the ground at Hiro. Due to his prediction ability coupled with his warrior’s eye Hiro could see that the necromancer had placed his mana into the ground. Hiro knew an attack was coming so he launched himself into the air to avoid it. While in mid-air he launched his lightning spell at his enemy. The necromancer could not avoid it but tried to block the attack with his staff. He was able to defend against the attack but took some damage. Once he landed on the ground Hiro looked at his enemy who was beginning to faulter.

Hiro pressed his advantage by launching one of his ki blasts before the necromancer could recover. The blast flew through the air towards its target. The necromancer summoned his ghouls to take the attack for him but the blast cut right through them. Hiro continued to follow behind the blast moving ever closer. The necromancer had no choice but to try to avoid the attack. Hiro shifted even more of his ki to his eyes to get a clearer picture of what the necromancer would do next. His eye became blood shot red. A trickle of blood fell from both eyes. The pain was extreme but his vision became even clear from the extreme amount of ki that had been infused.

Due to your improved sight, prediction skill, and use of warrior’s eye, you have unlocked the hidden ability Sharingan.

This ocular ability is capable of not only predicting the enemies attack but also predicting their future movements giving you a tremendous advantage in battle. In addition you are now able to gain several rare ocular abilities now that you have opened this path.

Hiro blinked his eyes as he was closing in on the necromancer.

With these eyes I can see it. I can see the predicted attacks like before but now I can also see the path that the necromancer will use to avoid my ki blast technique.

He changed to this path at top speed and as the necromancer avoided the blast. As he moved a top speed Hiro cast his gravity magic on the sword raising its weight to 5,000 lbs. When the necromancer arrived to its destination, Hiro was waiting and slashed him with his blade. The slash severed the left arm of the necromancer who fell to his knees. The necromancer tried to raise his staff to block the attack but Hiro’s slash was so powerful and heavy that his blade cut through the staff and nearly cleaved the necromancer in two killing it instantly. Everyone cheered.

Leo gained a level

You gained a level

Learra gained 5 levels

you gained 35 towards your weapon skill

Sharingan Level increase to intermediate level 1

Learra began to glow a white much like Leo did when he evolved. The same box shaped icon with the arrow pointing up appeared as well.

Learra has now met the requirements to evolve into the Sabre Shadow Liger!

By evolving her strength, speed, and vitality will increase as well growing into a larger, more powerful body that is imbued with the dark element which will make her immune to dark magic attacks. In addition she will gain the ability to make herself invisibile for a short period of time.

Evolve

Yes

No

“What would you like to do Learra?”

She nodded her head so Hiro clicked yes.

Hiro stood back as her body was covered in a dark cloud. The cloud pulsed for a moment and then began to dissipate from the ground moving up. First he saw paws that were jet black and much larger than before. The paws were almost the size of Leo’s. The claws that extended were dark and looked razor sharp. As the cloud continued to rise powerful legs were revealed and a chest that had a large white patch. Her tail was the same shape but had become longer. It was now over 1.5 meters long. The cloud continued to dissipate until finally her head was revealed. The head was the same shape but much larger. She now had two fangs protruding from her mouth which made her look almost like a sabertooth tiger. Her eyes remained the same icy blue but the rest of her aside from the white patch was jet black. She now looked more like a lion than a tiger as her stripes had disappeared. She was as beautiful as she was fearsome.

Hiro began healing everyone with his group heal ability. The wounds began to fade as well as their fatigue. He continued to cast the spell.

It is healing more and more of my health each time I cast this spell. It is also taking less and less of my mana than when I first began to use it. I must be leveling up this spell. I wonder why I’m not hearing the ‘Dings’ anymore?

Hiro sat down to rest so that he could recover his mana while, Taka, Leo, and Amaterasu, Learra and Gori devoured their fallen foes. They ate all of the ghouls but nothing much happened.

Apparently the ghouls were not powerful enough to really teach them anything or strengthen them. Next they tore apart the necromancer. Leo and Learra took his lower half while Taka ate the severed arm and then tore off the other arm and flew to a perch to finish his meal. Then Gori and Amaterasi commenced to eating the torso and head of the necromancer.

Hiro learned to use the spell summon undead.

With this spell you can summon 3 undead monsters at a time. With practice you can summon different types of undead monsters and increase the amount of them that you summon. Any experience gained by the summoned monsters will be given to you.

So this is like my shadow clone ability except for now they are undead instead of different versions of me. This could be useful.

His body flowed with a renewed feeling of power. He stood up and grabbed the staff the necromancer was carrying.

Once I repair it this might fetch a good price in the market once we get to Atraps.

He stuffed it into his magic bag and they moved towards the edge of the forest so that they could camp. It was getting dark and they already had several tough battles today. The group exited the forest and placed their equipment down so that they could rest for the day. Everyone felt stronger and with Learra’s evolution they were definitely and even more powerful force to be recokoned with.

The sun began to rise and Hiro was up and ready to go. He decided to train on his own today as he had not done so in a while. First he began by turning his gravity equipment on 80 times gravity. The massive weight on his body returned.

With this heavy weight maybe I should focus on agility and using my new Sharingan.

He used his summon undead ability and 3 ghouls appeared. He dropped his sword and used his body strengthening technique and his Sharingan. His body began to feel lighter with the strength of his ki. He then ordered the ghouls to attack him. They began to run towards him but he was able to predict their attacks and the path they would take to attack him.

It is crazy how much I can see before each attack.

Hiro began trying to move to avoid each attack. He avoided several attacks by moving subtlely side to side or shuffling his feet. The ghouls began to attack even more savagely. Their attacks came from all different sides. It became more and more difficult to avoid their attacks with small movements. Hiro began to roll under attacks, jump back, and even block attacks.

This is great practice! I think it is time to begin the second stage of my training program.

Hiro closed his eyes a held his sword in his hands. The sword immediately began glowing. It split into two pieces that covered his arms from his hands to his elbow. The sword had become a pair of guantlets.

This is great! Now I can fight bare handed with the same attack power of my sword and I can feel the weight of the sword still in my hands.

He began to fight back. He avoided the attacks and struck the ghouls with his hands. The damage was large but not enough to kill them in one blow. He would strike them and they would fall to the ground shake themselves and continue to attack. He used all sorts of strikes to combat the ghouls, knees, elbows, punches, and a variety of kicks. He felt like his body was beginning to get used to the weight so he raised it to 85 times gravity then he rleased his ki. The anklets and bracelts glowed and their combined weight increased by 1000 lbs. He slowed down quite a bit and his ability to fight against them descreased as well.

The ghouls were now able to slash him with their claws. His tough body and his ki defense kept him from being harmed but his energy dropped each time he took an attack. Hiro began to block and attack. His attacks were slow but because of the weight behind them they did sufficient damage. Slowly but surely he killed the ghouls one by one until only one remained. Hiro was panting as the strain of his Sharingan and the massive weight of the bracelets were extremely taxing on his body. The last of the 3 ghouls began to charge Hiro. Hiro prepared himself as he knew what the attack would be and where it would be launched from. Instead of moving he decided to meet the ghoul right in the path of its attack. He threw a high roundhouse kick that caught the ghoul in the middle of its attack knocking it across the grassy field. The ghoul could no longer move and it quickly passed away. Hiro was exhausted and fell to his knees releasing his sharingan and body strengthening techniques.

Your passive skill, martial arts have to advanced level 1.

You now do 25% more damage using unarmed attacks. As a bonus you also take 15% less damage from an enemy attack when you defend using your body.

Through your training your stats have increased. Strength +30, Speed +30, Vitality +15.

You gained 3 points to your martial arts skill.

Hiro cast his healing spell on himself. His wounds from the ghouls healed instantly. He then began his meditation. After Hiro was meditating for a while a question popped into his head.

How could Scarlet fire so many magical arrows without running out of mana? There must be some kind of secret. I will have to ask her once everyone woke up.

Soon he sensed that the others began to wake up, so he ended his meditation.

Through repeated meditation periods you have gained the passive ability mana regeneration.

You now regenerate mana at a faster rate in and out of meditation.

Yeeeessss! That is exactly what I needed. Now I should be able to recover my energy faster so that means I can fight longer.

Hiro went a said good morning to everyone. They all greeted him with the same.

Hiro then said, “Scarlet how are you able to keep your mana from running out even when you use so much on all the arrows that you fire?”

Laughing Scarlet replied, “Mana is the energy of life and life is all around you. I learned from when I was a child to take in energy from the world around me so that I did not need to use up my limited amount of internal mana.”

“Can you teach me?” asked Hiro.

“Sure why not. I taught it to Foria while we were in the woods training so it shouldn’t be difficult to teach you. Come and sit down.”

Hiro sat down and said, “You already taught this skill to Foria?”

“Yes how do you think she has been firing all of this mana arrows this whole time?”

“You are so dense sometimes Hiro”, said Foria

Hiro laughed and scratched his head, “I guess I should have noticed a while ago.”

Scarlet asked, “Can you see the energy flowing through the trees grass and those around him?”

Hiro nodded.

She smiled and then told him, “Can you see your own mana?”

“Yes” replied Hiro as he had learned to do this when he unlocked his warrior’s eye.

“Look at your own mana how was it flowing.”

He explained, “It was simply swirling around inside my belly and when I need it I move it through my body to wherever it is necessary.”

She said, “Look at me and tell me how my mana appears to be moving.”

“It is completely moving around your body and flowing in and out all around you. How can that be?” Said Hiro.

She smiled and said, “This is because I use natural energy. Your mana has been trapped inside of your body. You have not unlocked the gates within your body to allow more to flow into you”

“How do I unlock them?”

“You are going to have to forcibly open up your ki. There are safeguards inside of our bodies to keep energy within as too much natural energy can be very harm to us. However, if you break them and you learn to control how you bring in the natural energy it will freely flow into your body giving you an almost limitless supply of mana.”

“So I have to break them? How?”

“To do this you will have to keep your ki strengthening technique on at all times.”

He agreed and activated his technique the pale blue glow of his ki surpised Scarlet. Hiro could feel his ki moving throughout his body.

“Now feel the energy inside of you. If you pay attention there are areas of your body that the energy stops and can no longer flow. These are the things you must break.”

“Ok” replied Hiro.

He took a deep breath and began concentrating and trying to move his ki around his body. As the ki moved he could feel it move through his chest and lungs. Then it move out through his arms and legs. He kept concentrating on the tiniest details.

There that’s it. I found one of them. It is in my throat.

Hiro began pushing mana forcibly to this area. The mana inside of him crashed into the barrier little by little.

I need more force it’s not breaking.

He pushed more mana towards this point. Pain began to afflict his throat. His body began to stiffen but he did not stop. He continued on and then he felt it. The blockage began to crack. He poured more and more ki into the area and then suddenly CRASH! The blockage broke and the man was free to move past. Hiro let out a loud cough and some blood came from his mouth.

“Hiro! Are you ok?”, said Foria.

“Yes I’m fine. The blockage was in my throat. It is now clear.”

I can feel the energy from all over the place, the trees, plants, even the air has energy flowing through it.

“Good you have cleared one. Most people have 8 gates in their body in various places. Each person is different. I have opened 6 gates in my 300 plus years so don’t be in a rush. The pain will get worse for each gate that you open.”

“The pain will be worse!?”

“Yes, when I opened the 6th gate I nearly died.”

“Wow, this sounds like it will be a tough task.”

“Alright now to the next step. Since your blockage was in your throat, start by trying to bring it in that way. Try breathing in the energy.”

He took a deep breath as he inhaled the natural energy from the world began to flow into him. It was so powerful and so much he began to choke.

“You must not take in so much at one time. Since you gather the energy by breathing, try to take a more shallow breath” she said as she patted him on the back.

Hiro composed himself and tried again. This time he breathed normally. The energy began to flow into his body and mix with his own ki.

I can feel it. My strength is increasing even more.

His pale blue glow was slowly replaced by a white aura. This aura was softer and thinner but it felt many times more powerful. He continued to breathe and the natural ki continued to flow into his body.

You have developed the subskill natural ki gathering.

Your ability to gather and manipulate ki has expanded to the natural energy around you.This allows you to gather the ki from the world around you not just the ki that is within your body.

At this time you are only able to gather a small amount and you must remain still to gather it. With practice you will improve and be able to gather larger amounts and gather it while moving.

Scarlet smiled. She was pleased that Hiro was able to learn so quickly.

If I can learn to use this more freely I will be able to keep my ki skills at a much more powerful level for much longer so then I can fight with only my ki and magic. If I get strong enough I may be able to fight with nothing but my own ki and natural abilities.Next I need to use my elemental magic and mix it with my ki so that I can allow my physical attacks to be imbued with the strength of this natural energy and the elemental magic. I can train both of these together with my ghouls each day as we get closer to exploring the whole forest.

“I have one more favor to ask of you Scarlet and you too Foria.”

“What is it?” they replied in unison

“This sword has the ability to increase its own strength by absorbing materials.I was thinking that maybe if it could absorb some of your arrows then maybe it could absorb the holy attribute that you guys possess.”

“Sounds like a good theory but are you sure it will work?” asked Scarlet.

“Just don’t make a bet against him.” Foria said with a smile.

Hiro laughed loudly and then put his sword in front of him. The two ladies grabbed their bows and began shooting arrows. With his Sharingan active he could see the path of the arrows and he deflected or at least that was what he was trying to do. What actually happened was that as the arrows touched the tip of his blade they were … well… swallowed. It was if the sword was eating the arrows.

Suddenly Hiro heard a voice, “Give me more so that I can grow stronger.”

“What was that?”

“It is me I am the sword that you possess. I have accepted you as my master after seeing your skills. You fight much like Matsuro so I know you are capable. That is why I have chosen to allow you to hear my voice.”

“I am honored. What is your name?”

“Young warrior you will have to do more to earn my trust before I reveal that information. For now though, please feed me more of those holy arrows.”

Hiro did as he was asked. Then Scarlet fired her multi-arrow skill. Hiro’s eyes grew large and he began to help his sword absorb as many of the arrows as possible. The sword began to glow.

The lightning soul blade has absorbed enough to gain a new skill, holy slash.

Holy Slash: This attack allows the user to create an arc of holy energy and shoot it at an enemy.

This is awesome!

“I take it that was enough.” Said Foria

“Yes thank you ladies.”

“As you know, Hiro you may change my shape and attributes at any time you want as well”, said the sword

“Yes I do know that. Is there anything else you can tell mea bout yourself?!”

“Yes there are many things but I will need to gain more strength before I am able but right now I sense another weapon in your possession”, said the sword.“Take out your other sword. It is a fine sword but it is not as powerful as I am. I can absorb that and gain even more strength with its power”

“You mean my Wildfire Sword?”

“Yes, it is fire based right?”

“Yes. It has taken me through many battles but I will trust you as you are the gift my master left for me.”

“Good. You will not regret this decision.”

Hiro took the wildfire sword from his inventory and moved it near the soul blade. Immediately the two began glowing and came together.

The soul blade has absorbed the Wildfire Sword

The soul sword now possesses the abilities of the wildfire sword. The soul blade makes all fire based attacks 50% more powerful and when it slashes it adds fire damage to all attacks.

Your volcanic slash has been increased to intermediate level 5.

“Wow you are amazing! I don’t know what to call you but thank you.”

“You can thank me by continuing to grow and feeding me more materials so that I can return to my previous form. I must rest now as my power is still recovering.”

“Ok. Rest and I will talk to you when you have recovered.”

There was no response. Hiro looked at his sword and it had actually went through some changes of its own. Instead of being jet black, the blade was now crimson with a black handle. It was also hot to the touch. If not for Hiro’s huge resistance to fire he would probably be harmed.

The group got all of their things together to move out as it was time to explore the northwestern section of the forest.

The northwestern section was home to mostly zombies that the group was able to dispatch very quickly using Hiro’s group heal, Scarlet and Foria’s holy attribute arrows, and Leo and Learra’s flame thrower. During the afternoon they eliminated five groups of 10 to 15 zombies. During this time Hiro and Leo both gained levels and Leara gained 5 levels. It was a good day.

You gained 48 points towards weapon skills

Hiro was not able to ascertain Taka and Scarlet’s exact levels or growth but he could see with each battle they were able to do more and more damage. The group continued to travel in the northwestern section of the forest and suddenly Hiro felt the presence of a very large power. It was straight ahead of them about 250 meters. It was larger than the necromancer and anything else he had felt other than the 2 hooded figures he was unable to face before. A cold chill went down his spine.

This battle would be extremely difficult and they may not come out of this in one piece. He sat down and began gathering as much natural energy as he could.

He then activated all of his ki based skills, Sharringan, body, and weapon strengthening. He warned the group of the dangerous foe ahead. Then the steeled themselves and moved forward.