Chapter 94 - Farewells And Final Preparations (Patreon)

It only took Oliviala two hours to claim the density in her lungs to mana. During that time, Mayalyn worked diligently on their combined alphabets and Cameron continued to train in his circle of enhanced gravity.

Jiran was blown away by how quickly Mayalyn was learning the Imperial dialect. After only two days of consistent practice, she was asking questions about grammar and syntax. He assumed it was a combination of how the intelligence attribute improved memory and her innate brilliance. After all, this was the same girl that learned how to repair the makerdrives with almost no tutelage.

“Forty-two. Wonder of wonders,” Oliviala shook her head slowly as she perused her status with closed eyes.

“In case either of you aren’t aware, once you hit fifty in a skill you unlock the option to pick a subskill. When you do, the system is going to knock you out for a few hours so make sure you do that somewhere safe.”

“A subskill? What’s that?” She craned her neck to look at him.

“It gives you some bonuses that make the skill better. For molding, I picked one that allowed me to manipulate molding outside my body. I’m not sure you’ll get the same options I did. Make sure you remember them, I’ll want to know what you got when we meet next.”

“Yes, obviously I won’t forget such vital information. When we meet next? Are you going somewhere?” Her voice hitched as she met his eyes.

“Yeah, I have to leave. I’m taking you to The People in a minute, then I’ll be back after a few days. You’re welcome to make your case to them, since you mentioned you could be more helpful than Raihard.” Jiran shrugged, trying to make it seem like his departure wasn’t a big deal.

“Ugh, it’s Reihnhardt! Your attributes are more than high enough to remember. Why… you’re messing with me, aren’t you?” For some reason, Jiran’s joke had the surprising effect of leaving her speechless for several seconds. When she recovered, she coughed into her fist before speaking, “I will certainly do my best to explain to them how seeking refuge in Cruex would be to their greatest benefit. Though, without you to translate, I’m not sure how well that will go. Where are you going? It sounds important, perhaps I can help in some way.”

I probably shouldn’t. They aren’t anywhere near soloing a beast two tiers above them, but if I told them, Cameron might be stupid enough to try. It would suck to come back and the idiot got himself killed. Actually, Olive is probably more likely to try than Cameron. She’s the one who was reckless enough to come all the way out here to find me with no mana.

“No,” Jiran’s head shook sharply, adamant resolution suffused his tone.

Oliviala pursed her lips and broke eye contact as she stood up and dusted her hands and butt. “Very well. I shall plead to the Voice for your safe and speedy return,” Olive wasn’t speaking idly, Jiran could tell she meant every word and would surely be praying for him.

“Thanks,” A little smile sprouted on his face after hearing her honest sincerity.

“Let’s go, Fatass!” Jiran yelled at Cameron who shot a rude gesture and a grin his way.

Mayalyn’s head spun in his direction with a look that promised pain before she realized he was talking to Cameron. She bobbed her head up and down with narrowed eyes in a way that screamed ‘you’re damn right you weren’t talking to me like that,’ before she hopped up and joined them—not bothering to close her notebook.

“We am is ready,” Mayalyn spoke slowly in imperial. Jiran’s breath caught and his heart hammered, her strange accent speaking Imperial was doing things for him that made it truly unfortunate they were not alone.

“I am ready,” Jiran corrected softly with a huge smile and a nod that gushed pride and encouragement.

“That does not help! I hear the words of the People when you open your mouth, not Imperial.”

“Oh yeah, oops. Guess I don’t know how to turn it off,” Jiran rubbed the back of his neck with a chuckle. “Olive, can you repeat what I just said to her, please?”

“I am ready,” Olive supplied as she came to stand next to them after collecting her few supplies into her satchel.

Mayalyn repeated the phrase a few times and then repeated the same words in her tongue, which Olive eagerly attempted to replicate. They shared a happy smile, bouncing in place for a moment before Jiran lifted them all and began the trip to The People’s cavern. His map made it simple to determine the most direct route, and soon they were soaring northwest, high in air.

Three hours flew by as they happily learned new words in each other’s language. Jiran quickly figured out how to toggle his translation feature off. Hearing Mayalyn’s true voice again reminded him of when they first met. He found himself losing focus from her adorable yips, barks, and growls as the sounds pleasantly dug into his brain. Before they arrived, he topped off Mayalyn’s enhancing with lightning.

Jiran flew over the tunnel entrance, his aura sweeping the area and finding no trace of the Aahmra. They were met by three, tier four hunters who were well-hidden with obfuscations. Jiran picked them out the moment his manabody swept over the holes they had dug into the ground. He dropped the group in the middle of the hunters after making sure his translator was back on.

“I’ve brought allies who can help legitimize the People’s temporary home in this land. Has the Aahmra returned?”

One of the hunters pulled himself out of the ground and disabled his obfuscation. His threatening growl surprised Cameron, causing him to reach for his hammer. Oliviala’s hand on his shoulder paused his movements and they shared a look before he quickly calmed down. She maintained her calm admirably as she stepped in front of Cameron. Her noble demeanor a shining beacon of civility despite the sudden appearance of the large, aggressive tigerman.

“The Aahmra’s whereabouts are not for you to know. None are permitted entrance at this time, leave,” The tigerman’s tone was commanding. His deep growl and the creaking from his clawed fingers tightening on his spear were threatening enough that Mayalyn took two flashing steps forward.

“What is the meaning of this Duraak?!” Mayalyn was having none of his nonsense. She got right in the man's face, her tail waved in jerky motions as her claws began to edge out of her fingers.

“You will not disrespect me, child! The elders have spoken, none are permitted!” He moved to push her away but before his fingers were halfway to her, she vanished and appeared behind him.

Her fist slammed into his lower back and a pained yowl escaped his lips. His body lit up with arcs of current and a mouthful of blood shot across the ground as he fell to one knee. The other two hunters burst from their hiding spots with weapons drawn. Before they could reach her, Mayalyn planted her boot between his shoulder blades and pushed him to the ground. She leaned down, grabbed his ear in her fist, and pulled with a snarl.

“How could I disrespect one so weak? The strong command and you. Will. Obey! If you ever speak to me that way again, you will lose this ear,” The tigerman’s shock could not have been more absolute. His eyes and mouth were both hanging open as blood still dribbled across his lips onto the ground. “Now answer his question, you will not be asked again,” She punctuated her demand with a jolt of electricity that caused his entire body to convulse for a split second.

“Agh! H-he has not returned!” When she had her answer, she roughly shoved his face into the dirt and stood up and bounced back to Jiran’s side.

Wow, May takes no shit. That’s my girl! I’m feeling less concerned already. Did she do this for my benefit as well?

Seeing that she didn’t actually hurt him, the other two hunters backed down. Jiran was grateful, he didn’t relish the idea of slamming them into the ground with his aura—though he certainly would have.

“Aajiran, I will handle things here,” All three hunters sucked air between their teeth after hearing the way Mayalyn addressed him. She continued speaking, ignoring them completely. “Whatever foolishness is going on with these so-called elders, when I show them what we are capable of, they will see their mistakes for what they are. It is time for you to go. Prepare well, take every precaution, and do not underestimate whatever it is you will face. You will return to me, is that understood?”

Jiran’s jaw clenched and powerful emotions constricted his chest. He wrapped Mayalyn in a tight hug that left her wheezing in his ear. He sent a jolt of mana through her to recharge what she had used on the tiger before whispering to her with complete confidence. “I hear you. I will not be reckless, and I will return to you.”

“Good,” She pushed him away and moved to kiss him but just before their lips met, she pulled away and spun from his grasp with a wicked gleam in her eyes. Jiran felt the very essence of his emotions being yanked through his skin to chase her—yearning for that kiss—as his eyes flew open.

“You can have it when I see you next,” Then, with a wink, she walked toward Olive. The royal went from barely restrained laughter at their shenanigans to letting out an undignified squawk as she was dragged by the scruff of her armor toward the tunnel entrance. She managed a quick wave before vanishing below-ground. Cameron lifted his chin in a casual farewell before following them.

Jiran returned the wave and nod, then watched them go until they vanished from the range of his aura. The tigerman stood up and shook himself off before spitting on the ground in Jiran’s direction. His eyes were full of indignant rage as he bared his sharp teeth. Jiran rolled his eyes at the childish display, then hopped into the air and rocketed away at full speed, leaving behind a trail of blazing fire and smoke. He was back at the Outlands in less than an hour. He flew over their camp without stopping, heading deeper into the cracked, dry lands in search of his first kill for the day.

What’s going to be the best use of my time before the arena? Obviously killing the last nine beasts comes first. That should get me another two points of concentration which I’ll need time to adjust to.

As far as my techniques go, I can work on a few of my lower manipulation skills like acid or metal but I doubt I’ll get any more levels, as my understanding of those concepts is pretty weak. I’ll need to make sure my mental imaging is adjusted as well. I’ve gotten so used to holding back to not hurt myself or the people around me but that probably won’t be an option in the arena.

I shouldn’t go in there with the expectation of holding anything back. Whatever it throws at me, I’m going to use my full power. Besides, the better the mental image, the less mana the technique uses and I might not be able to eat any of the beasts, like last time. I’ll need to conserve every possible scrap of mana I can.

With his plan set, Jiran sped across the Outlands searching for tier six beasts. As usual, he killed each with a single attack. He was impressed to see his damage nearly double from the combination of no longer holding back and the addition of his seventh point in concentration.

When the eighth point came after his fifth kill. He took six hours to accustom himself to the massive boost in power before killing the sixth beast for the day.

I still feel fine emotionally. Entering a state of oneness when absorbing the challenger density works much better than I ever hoped. The density isn’t even beginning to scratch at my mind. Jiran’s body on the other hand was itching and burning from the overabundance of energy being packed into it. He felt like he was soaking in an acid bath while holding a lightning rod in a thunderstorm. With only fifteen percent growth remaining until reaching two-hundred percent, he was barely able to calm his mind.

The rest of his day was spent meditating on techniques while he prepared the last steps for his trump-card, which he hoped wouldn’t be necessary. He forced himself to sleep six hours even though his body was aching to move after only two. He woke long before First Father blessed the skies. A full tier four breakfast filled his belly. He spend several hours practicing his skills and techniques while dancing within Cameron’s circle of increased gravity. Unsurprisingly, he failed to gain any additional levels though he did feel fairly comfortable with his current strength.

After lunch, he was once more out scouring the flatlands. After he claimed the red density from his fifth and final kill, his body swelled with power as the ninth point of concentration appeared on his status. He grit his teeth from the overwhelming pleasure of strength flooding his body even as every centimeter of his existence burned from the pressure.

He felt so full from all the challenger density that he was worried a single poke might pop him like a balloon. Yet, his skin was more resilient than ever before. A small part of him felt invincible, unstoppable, but he squashed the feelings with a vengeance, refusing to ignore Mayalyn’s warning. The reminder of her had him glancing at her name—and full HP indicator—in his party screen, which had been a consistent comfort over the last day.

I will not underestimate the challenges or overestimate my strength. I will be prepared. My strongest attack is finally finished, if it's not enough, then I don't know what would be.

A fleeting memory of a screen hanging above the previous arena came to mind. It had held a long list of names of all those who had tried and died in the past. It was a sobering reminder that he refused to forget.

Within minutes, the expected came as a perfectly straight red and purple line split the air before him. It widened to show a familiar red sea that churned with an ominous intensity. He took a deep breath, grabbed the tier five corpse beside him, and dragged it into the portal behind him.