Skysher stood on the ground, his body trembling. He had survived the Kong's attack by using a skill he had obtained. A skill that allowed him to go at light speed for just 2 seconds. But that was all Skysher needed to land a death blow at the Frost Kong.
[Ding]
>New Skill Obtained
[Skill info]
>{Name}; Instant.
>{Rank}; E-Rank.
>{Potential Rank}; SSS-Rank.
>{Effect}; Host can process and move at HYPER SPEED.
>{Effect Period}; 2 seconds.
>{Boosted Stats}; Speed.
Skysher blinked; he actually had a Skill. This was very surprising to him. Based on what he could tell, he must've obtained it from eating all those zephyroots.
'Maybe getting electrocuted was worth it!' A smile came on Skysher's face as he looked at his hands, lightning crackling between them.
[System Reminder]
>Don't get cocky! You're still a Martial Apprentice(Weak as hell)
Skysher's face turned pale, the happiness fading to the System's Reminder. In every way, the system was right. Skysher might have obtained an unparalleled skill, but it would be of no use if he weren't able to unleash its full potential.
Suddenly, Skysher remembered something. Turning carefully, he glanced at the beast fallen behind him, a satisfied grin coming on his face. He had an idea!
If the Frost Kong was truly dead, he would be able to get its core, absorb it, and easily ascend to the next rank, no problem. Making his way to the heart of the Frost Kong, Skysher pierced through the tough skin.
His eyes landed on the beast's huge heart, but that wasn't what he was searching for. It was the Martial Core. Skysher squinted his eyes, looking for any traces of energy, overlooking the fact that the beast's fingers were moving.
It was alive!
As Skysher launched his hand into his chest, the beast fully regained consciousness. Before, it was just knocked out! Suddenly, a painful cry came out of the beast, as ice started forming on its wound.
Skysher froze, his senses completely lost. His eyes shrank as he heard the wail of the beast he was on top of. He was sure his previous slash had killed it, but how was it screaming in pain?
Skysher's body started shaking, his bones trembling. Both from the increased low temperature and the fear he had inside. Skysher glanced at the creatures, coming eye to eye with the beast.
It's struggle turning to its ultimate downfall, the Frost Kong's eyes turned colorless. It's final tears turning to ice crystals, engraved on its face. It had finally passed on.
Skysher stood frozen, not the slightest hint of celebration. If anything, he felt nothing. No sadness or regret for the life he just took, nothing. Was it because it had chased him for hours and almost killed him that he had no sympathy for it?
No, that was not it. Skysher's gaze hardened as he understood the truth behind it all. This time, he was a predator. A ruthless and cold-blooded killer that would kill all that stood in its way.
He hadn't felt guilt from killing the fierce beast that he trespassed on because he didn't need to.
The first rule of the Martial world had yet remained, Survival of the strongest. It was a race for power, a race he couldn't afford to lose. And if that meant he had to kill all that stood against his plans. He was glad to oblige.
With a lightning snap, Skysher pulled out his hand. Breaking the layer of ice formed on top of it. His hand was carrying the heavy and huge, blue glowing core of the Frost Kong.
With how huge it was, Skysher was sure to make good enough progress to the next level.
With one leap, he leapt across the dead body of the Kong, landing on the ground. The core, still in his hands. Instantly, an energy vortex formed around the core, enveloping Skysher in its glory.
Glowing dust-like particles swirled around Skysher, his mind taken elsewhere.
[Ding]
[System Reminder]
>Are you going to keep staring at it, or are you going to absorb it?
Skysher smirked. Looking back at the core in hand, his eyes lit up with excitement. Suddenly, the core started to flow out of his hands, rising up to the air with a stream of invisible energy bearing it.
Out of nowhere, a mark appeared on Skysher's forehead. Glowing with a blue aura, the symbol was in sync with the big core in front of him. The core was calling out to him.
Taking advantage of the situation, Skysher swiftly took to sitting down. His legs crossed and his eyes closed, he entered the state of concentration. As if on cue, the energy swirling around Skysher, getting sucked into his body.
In a blink, the air around immediately got colder, its gentle breeze instantly freezing the smallest particle it could find, even atoms were not safe. All of it concentrated on Skysher's body!
Skysher tightened his jaw, closing his eyes even more. His body was lashed by the cold air, instantly freezing his skin as it came in contact with him.
His dark hair turned frozen, like a glass hat, and his face turned pale. Even the breath Skysher threw out wasn't safe as it would turn to ice in a matter of seconds.
Yet Skysher remained super concentrated, still turned to absorb the core of the beast.
He knew that if he gave up, this would be the end of him. He knew that if he showed even a small falter, the tables would turn. Instead of him consuming the core, the core would consume him.
He couldn't give up, not when he came this far.
No matter what, he was going to pass the core's trial.
As the seconds went by, Skysher's whole surroundings turned lifeless. All covered in thick and sub-zero cold ice. Before he knew it, he was sitting on a huge mountain of ice. Him, being enclosed in a white sphere like structure.
Inside, Skysher suffered. His bones shivering while his outside body stood completely frozen. Everything else except his face was left for Skysher, a small layer covering his face.
He was getting Frozen!
«24 hours later»
Skysher remained like this for the followed 24 hours, A whole day passing by in the blink of the eye. By this time, Skysher's body had undergone a huge transformation. He was no longer feeling cold or the need to give up.
No, he was feeling the power.
Skysher sat inside the sphere-like structure. His bones and his body as a whole felt numb from the constant cold.
Instead of fighting his enemy, Skysher joined it. Once the huge core that lay before Skysher was now smaller than a pebble.
His eyes still closed, his breathing calm and calculated, and his concentration on the roof, Skysher was finally ready.
Suddenly, Skysher opened his eyes, his pupils instantly turning from white to their glowing purple.
Suddenly, the sphere-like structure Skysher was in exploded. It's frozen parts flying everywhere, as a storm of icy mist spread everywhere. Out from the void, there he was!
Skysher stood tall, still holding his life and powerful than ever.
A small smile came on his face as he looked at his hand. Lightning crackling around them and his full body, breaking off the ice as it dissolved. The surrounding area turned back to its before glory, a lush green domain.
[Ding]
>Congrats on levelling up!
Skysher smirked as he looked at the panel. Proud of his own achievement, he was feeling full of himself. Suddenly, something caught his eye.
[System Alert]
>Now that you have gained good enough results. Would you like to retake the assessment?
Skysher's eyes lit up, a devious smirk over his face. Suddenly, a shockwave broke through the silence. Skysher's right hand lashed forward, crackling with lightning. He summoned his sword.
"Bring it on!"