[ POWER ON ]
Luke's resonant voice surged as he adeptly harnessed his skill, sparking the activation of his heightened senses.
[ POWER ON ]
This time, he applied his skill to fuel the release of his adrenaline, triggering a controlled surge of energy within him.
He executed the process multiple times to set in motion a sequence of activations, bringing to life an array of resources that he envisioned would bolster his combat prowess.
His presence exuded a frightening aura, a palpable manifestation of his unwavering intent, as he locked his gaze onto Kai.
"Naughty kids must be taught a lesson."
His words were directed squarely at Kai, who ceaselessly unleashed a barrage of unrelenting assaults.
The meticulously orchestrated sequence of strikes, driven by primal instinct, posed a formidable challenge for the untrained eye. Yet, this time, Luke saw through the complexity.
He unraveled the intricate dance of each of Kai's movements, effortlessly tracing the trajectory of every attack. This prowess went beyond mere observation, reaching a level of insight that defied the norm.
He initially perceived Kai as moving at a slower pace, but in reality, it was his heightened senses that enabled him to discern Kai's every move with precision.
At last, he seized Kai's right hand. Despite the restraint, Kai pressed on with his assault, employing his other limbs to slash at Luke. However, Luke adeptly sidestepped each strike with ease.
Ultimately, Luke executed a maneuver that tripped Kai's feet, toppling him to the ground. Kai's form crashed onto the earth, his body positioned face-down.
As Luke crouched, an air of anticipation hung in the atmosphere, foreshadowing an unprecedented turn of events.
With a swift yet forceful motion, his open palm surged forward, finding its mark on Kai's butt.
"Gwhaaa!!!" Kai's cry pierced the air, a testament to the impact of Luke's palm.
A heavy sigh escaped Luke. "I wish it didn't have to come to this, but the swifter the lesson, the sooner you will know what's good."
In tandem with his words, Luke's palm descended once again upon Kai's butt, the repeated contact emphasizing the gravity of the lesson being imparted.
"I'd rather not resort to this, Kai. Keep in mind, it's my way of expressing brotherly care. Be a good boy from now on, okay?"
And so, Luke's palm made contact with Kai's backside once again, the gravity of his intention underscoring each firm press, now intensified by a haunting aura emanating from his hands.
"Gwahhh!!!" Kai's wail resonated, an echo of his previous state of frenzy, every slap of Luke's palm a stark reminder of his transgressions.
His attempts to rise were thwarted at every turn, each effort met with the unyielding sting of Luke's palm.
As the unrelenting slaps continued, tears finally broke free from Kai's crimson eyes.
This marked an unprecedented occurrence – the first instance where the influence of the berserk state had been overshadowed by raw emotion, compelling tears to flow. It was a testament to the profound impact of Luke's intervention, shattering the grip of aggression and unveiling the vulnerability within.
For a span of several minutes, the forest reverberated with a chorus of fierce growls and chilling howls, the primal sounds seemingly attuned to the gravity of the unfolding scene.
Amid this auditory backdrop, Kai's suffering was prolonged, his attempts to rise met with the merciless amplification of pain.
Meanwhile, Ophelia stood on the sidelines, her countenance a canvas of bewilderment. Unconsciously, her hand found its way to her own rear, a reflexive response ignited by the spectacle of Luke's actions upon Kai.
A shiver cascaded down her spine, a visceral testament to the disconcerting sight before her. As she grappled with the sensations invoked by the scene, her resolution solidified once more – a renewed oath to tread carefully and avoid any course of action that might incite the firm hand of Luke's discipline.
At last, Kai succumbed to unconsciousness, the remnants of tears still glistening upon his now serene gaze.
It was at this juncture that Luke ceased the relentless slaps, the weight of his actions now yielding to a quiet stillness.
[ Quest Completed ]
[ Reward : +15% Upgrade Progress]
[ Current Progress towards Rank 3 Upgrade : 17% ]
Soon after, the unmistakable chime of the system's notification echoed, indicating the successful culmination of his quest. A surge of contentment enveloped Luke as he witnessed the tangible increase in his upgrade progress.
Recently, he had find out a crucial detail: a mere 10 hours of computer usage resulted in a meager 1% uptick in his upgrade advancement. Yet, the course of events had taken a favorable turn the previous day. Thanks to Lunaria and the King's engagement, an impressive 2% boost had been added to his progress.
This knowledge illuminated the significance of customers towards the journey of increasing the upgrade progress.
Returning to the present, a sense of relief washed over him, accompanied by a deep satisfaction in the successful completion of the quest. The assurance that Kai was now in a positive condition brought him a profound sense of calm and ease.
Moreover, a wave of contentment surged within him as he reflected on the disaster he had effectively averted. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on him, and his actions had ensured averted disaster.
This sense of accomplishment radiated from him as he contemplated the outcome, leaving him with a profound and well-earned sense of satisfaction.
With a cautious step, Ophelia approached them, her movements betraying a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
"It's alright now. Kai will exhibit improved behavior moving forward. You'll find my disciplinary measures to be remarkably effective," Luke conveyed to Ophelia, his expression radiating confidence.
In truth, his words were not without merit. Drawing from past experiences, he recollected how he dealt with his younger siblings during their time at the orphanage.
His approach, which he humorously referred to as "showing love," involved a combination of reprimand and affection. The outcome was undeniable – even the most mischievous among them had eventually transformed into well-behaved individuals.
The concept of "Luke's love" had become a defining force in his interactions, and he believed it could wield a transformative effect once more.
Ophelia's response to Luke's words was subtle, her demeanor betraying a momentary shiver that she adeptly concealed. Masking her emotions with a smile, she gracefully replied, "That's reassuring, Boss. We have averted a potential disaster. I am deeply grateful!"
Engaged in conversation, they passed the time while awaiting Kai's return to consciousness.
The option of simply carrying Kai back to the internet cafe was also viable, yet the prospect of Mira witnessing her brother in his current condition was disheartening.
As they deliberated, they reached a consensus to keep the events of this encounter shrouded in secrecy. Their decision was rooted in a shared understanding that unnecessary worries would be an unwelcome burden.
It was an unspoken pact to shield others from the turmoil that had transpired, preserving a sense of normalcy despite the extraordinary circumstances.
•••
Without Luke's awareness, the recent occurrence cast a shadow of unease over the capital city.
The resounding echo of Kai's anguished shriek reached far and wide, triggering rampant conjecture that a formidable and unfamiliar entity had claimed territory within the Southern Forest.
In response to this unsettling development, the city's governing bodies acted swiftly, commissioning the services of seasoned mercenaries. Their mission: to thoroughly investigate the forest and maintain vigilant surveillance, delving into the heart of the mystery that had stirred the previously tranquil landscape.
Upon arrival, the mercenaries were greeted by a disconcerting sight – a section of the forest had been systematically leveled. The wreckage of once-majestic trees and obliterated vegetation formed a chilling tableau, extending over a twenty-meter radius that sent shivers down their spines.
By this point, Luke and his companions had concluded their encounter, rendering them absent from the scene. As a result, no one was on hand to provide an explanation for the devastation that lay before the mercenaries.
And even if the truth were to be uncovered, Luke and his group were resolved to keep the events cloaked in secrecy. The weight of this revelation, if brought to light, held the potential to usher in needless worries, further motivating them to shield their actions from the prying eyes of the world.
What truly seized the mercenaries' focus were the discernible footprints scattered amidst the scene. A narrative was etched into the earth – footprints of a human male, a female, and an intriguing non-human imprint.
Analyzing the tracks, they deduced that the woman was likely a mage, judging by the greater distance between her footprints compared to those of the male and the unidentified creature.
Their speculation extended to the man, thinking that he might have been a warrior, one who took the frontline to confront the enigmatic beast.
Given the absence of the purported monster and the confined scope of destruction, the mercenaries arrived at a logical deduction – that the creature had been vanquished.
The fact that the devastation fell within a 20-meter radius coupled with the beast's conspicuous absence led them to conclude that the threat had been neutralized, sparking the inception of a narrative that would ultimately fuel an urban legend.
The tale began to circulate, whispered through the winds of the southern forest. A narrative emerged, weaving a tapestry of mystery and awe – that within the depths of the woods, a fearsome and formidable monster had emerged, its presence shrouding the area in trepidation.
Yet, in the midst of this shadowed narrative, another facet emerged. Word spread of two enigmatic heroes, their identities shrouded in secrecy, who had emerged as saviors.
Their motives were pure, driven neither by the desire for fame nor the allure of riches. These unnamed heroes had confronted the beast, their resolve unwavering, and against all odds, had emerged victorious. The tale further intensified as it was whispered that not even a trace of blood remained, their battle more akin to a mythic tale than a mere clash of reality.
Thus, an urban legend was born, one that resonated with a sense of the extraordinary and spoke of a profound battle fought in the heart of the Southern Forest – a story of valor, concealed identities, and a victory that defied explanation.