Chương 20: Chapter 20: The First Step
Alex exhaled sharply as the mana coursing through his body concentrated on his right arm. The process began again—building pressure, condensing mana into his bone until it couldn't withstand the strain. A sharp crack echoed in his sub-dimension, and pain exploded through his arm, forcing a hiss through his teeth.
[Two down, 204 to go,] Nova quipped, her tone light despite the obvious agony Alex was enduring.
"Thanks for the reminder," Alex muttered, sweat dripping from his brow as he guided docile mana to the fractured bone. The repair process began, each fiber knitting back together stronger than before, infused with his space-time attribute.
As the pain subsided, Alex glanced at Musashi, who had dozed off in the corner, his katana resting by his side. "Guess he pushed himself too hard," Alex said softly.
[Let him rest. You've got enough work to do, and he'll be back at it soon,] Nova said.
Nodding, Alex left the sub-dimension and began preparing for the day ahead.
As he dressed, Alex turned to Nova. "By the way, other than quests, how else can I earn Desire points?"
[Defeating your enemies,] Nova said matter-of-factly. [That includes wild beasts or people. Each victory nets you points based on your opponent's strength and the situation.]
Alex frowned. "Wild beasts are out for now—it's too hard to leave the city. What about the Obsidian Tower?"
[Now you're thinking, Host. Climbing the tower means you'll not only gain Desire points but also wealth and combat experience. It's a win-win.]
"I'll head there after breakfast," Alex decided.
The dining room was surprisingly quiet when Alex entered. Only James sat at the table, sipping his coffee.
"Morning, Alex," James greeted, gesturing to the seat across from him.
"Morning," Alex replied, sitting down. He glanced around. "Where's Olivia? Did I finally scare her off?"
James chuckled, though there was a faint sadness in his eyes. "She's been busy training. Said she might be missing breakfast for a while."
Alex remembered Olivia's mention of her impending breakthrough. "She must be close to advancing. Typical Olivia—pushing herself to the limit."
James nodded, a small smile on his lips. "She's determined, I'll give her that."
For the next few minutes, the two talked about lighter topics—James shared anecdotes about his youth, and Alex recounted a few humorous incidents that he caused.
Eventually, Alex broached the subject of his plans. "I was thinking of heading to the Obsidian Tower in the next few days. I need the combat experience, and it'll be a good opportunity to earn some money."
James's smile faltered, worry creeping into his expression. "I won't stop you, but be careful. The tower can be dangerous, even for someone of your rank."
"I will be," Alex assured him.
James sighed. "Take any car from the garage to get there. Just… stay safe, Alex. With both you and Olivia out of the estate, it's going to be quieter than I'd like."
Alex hesitated, noting the strain in his father's voice. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll bring back some good news soon."
James gave a small nod, but the worry lingered in his eyes.
The garage was filled with rows of sleek, futuristic vehicles, each powered by mana and gleaming under the bright lights. Alex whistled as he walked through, admiring the craftsmanship.
[Wow, your family might be broke, but they've got taste,] Nova remarked.
Alex rolled his eyes. "Not helping, Nova."
The cars ranged from luxurious sedans to sportier models, their designs blending modern aesthetics with magical runes etched into the exteriors.
In the corner, a lone bike caught Alex's attention. Unlike the polished cars, the bike had a rugged, almost minimalist design, its frame adorned with glowing red and blue mana circuits.
"This one," Alex said, running his hand over the handlebars.
[A bike? Really? You've got a garage full of high-end cars, and you pick this?]
"It's perfect," Alex said with a grin, swinging onto the seat. As he activated it, the bike hummed to life, the mana circuits glowing brighter.
As he approached the Obsidian Tower, Alex had a sudden thought. "Nova, is there anything in the system store to hide my identity?"
[Plenty of options,] Nova said, pulling up a list.
After scrolling through, Alex's eyes landed on a red and white kitsune mask. Its design was sleek, with sharp edges that gave it an air of mystique.
"This one," Alex said.
[Good choice. It's not just for show—it hides your identity from detection and stays secure during fights. That'll be 200 Desire points.]
With a thought, Alex purchased the mask, leaving him with 800 points. He slipped it on, feeling the snug fit.
"Call me Inari," Alex said, admiring his reflection in a nearby window.
[Cringe,] Nova muttered, but Alex ignored her.
The Obsidian Tower loomed above, its dark exterior shimmering faintly under the mana-powered lights of the city. Inside, Alex approached the registration desk.
"I'd like to register as a fighter," Alex said.
The attendant handed him a form. "Fill this out. Do you have a nickname you'd like to use?"
"Inari," Alex said without hesitation.
Once the form was complete, the attendant led him to a room where a glowing crystal ball rested on a pedestal.
"This tests your mana level," she explained. "Place your hand on it."
Alex did as instructed. The crystal glowed briefly before displaying the letter F.
"F rank," the attendant confirmed. "Most fighters at this level compete on floors six through ten. You'll need ten wins to advance to the next floor, with no more than three losses allowed."
"Got it," Alex said. "Schedule my first match—body path only."
The attendant nodded and led him to a waiting room filled with fighters of all shapes and sizes. Some were heavily armored, while others wore simple combat gear. Conversations buzzed around him, some discussing strategies, others boasting about their victories.
Alex leaned against the wall, observing. [Quite the crowd,] Nova remarked.
"Let's see what they've got," Alex muttered.
When his number was called, Alex followed the attendant to the stage. As he stepped onto the platform, the roar of the crowd hit him like a physical force. The arena was circular, the ground a polished stone marked with faint scratches and dents—a testament to the countless battles fought there.
Across the stage, his opponent waited. He was a tall, muscular man wielding a greatsword nearly as long as Alex was tall. The blade's edge gleamed under the bright arena lights, and the man's plain but sturdy armor covered his chest and shoulders, leaving his arms free for better mobility. His confident smirk was one of a fighter who had seen his share of victories.
"Real weapons, huh?" Alex muttered under his breath, adjusting his katana's sheath at his side.
[What were you expecting, practice swords? This is a real fight, Host. Better not let that oversized blade turn you into minced meat.]
"Helpful as always," Alex replied sarcastically.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the sixth floor! In this corner, we have Inari, the masked newcomer with everything to prove! And in the other corner, the Iron Crusher, a veteran with a blade as heavy as his reputation!"
The crowd cheered as the rules were recited:
No killing allowed.
The first to submit loses.
Any attempt to maim or intentionally kill results in immediate disqualification and a lifetime ban.
Alex's fingers tightened on his katana's hilt. Despite the rules, he couldn't shake the tension coiled in his chest. One wrong move, and even a non-lethal blow from that greatsword could end this fight.
The announcer stepped back, raising his arm. "Let the match begin!"
The Iron Crusher wasted no time, surging forward with surprising speed for someone his size. His greatsword whistled through the air, descending in a brutal vertical slash aimed to cleave Alex in two.
Alex sidestepped just in time, the blade slamming into the stone floor with a deafening crash, sending chips of stone flying. The shockwave from the impact threw Alex slightly off balance, forcing him to backpedal.
"Not bad for a rookie," the Iron Crusher said, his smirk widening as he wrenched the blade free with a grunt.
Alex steadied himself, drawing his katana in a smooth motion. "Let's see if you're more than just brute strength."
The Iron Crusher lunged again, this time swinging horizontally. Alex ducked, feeling the rush of air as the massive blade passed inches above his head. He retaliated with a quick upward slash aimed at the man's unarmored forearm, but the Crusher twisted away at the last second, his armor scraping against the edge of Alex's blade.
The fight settled into a rhythm. The Iron Crusher's heavy strikes forced Alex to stay on the defensive, dodging and parrying while looking for openings. Each swing of the greatsword was calculated to either crush Alex outright or force him into a vulnerable position.
[You're on the backfoot, Host,] Nova pointed out, her tone tinged with frustration. [If you keep letting him dictate the pace, you're toast.]
"I'm open to suggestions," Alex muttered, ducking under another wide swing.
[Use your speed. He's slow between strikes—punish him when he overcommits.]
As if on cue, the Iron Crusher launched another powerful overhead slash. This time, Alex sidestepped and darted in, his katana slicing toward the man's exposed side. The Crusher twisted at the last second, the blade glancing off his armor and leaving a shallow groove in the metal.
"Getting bold, huh?" the Crusher growled, his grin turning feral.
Alex focused, his grip tightening on his katana. He adjusted his stance, remembering Alfred's teachings. He let the Crusher come to him, waiting for the inevitable overextension.
The moment came when the Crusher attempted another sweeping horizontal strike. Alex ducked low and lunged forward, closing the gap before the greatsword could recover. His katana flashed, slicing across the Crusher's thigh where the armor was thinner.
The man grunted in pain, staggering back a step. Blood seeped through the tear in his pants, but the wound wasn't deep.
The crowd roared, sensing the shift in momentum.
"Not bad," the Crusher admitted, his tone begrudgingly respectful. "But let's see how you handle this!"
He switched his grip, using the greatsword's hilt as a bludgeon and thrusting it toward Alex. The sudden change in tactics caught Alex off guard, the hilt slamming into his shoulder and sending him stumbling back.
"Damn it," Alex hissed, pain radiating through his arm.
[Focus! He's desperate—that's why he's getting sloppy.]
The Iron Crusher, emboldened by the successful strike, charged again, his movements slightly slower due to the wound on his leg. Alex steadied himself, watching closely.
As the greatsword descended once more, Alex sidestepped, letting the blade crash into the ground. Before the Crusher could recover, Alex darted in and delivered a precise strike to the man's wrist, forcing him to drop the weapon with a loud clang.
Alex pressed the tip of his katana against the Crusher's neck. "Yield," he said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him.
The Iron Crusher met his gaze, his smirk fading into a resigned smile. "Fine. You've got me."
He raised his hands in surrender, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
As Alex left the stage, his muscles ached from the exertion, but there was a sense of satisfaction in his chest.
[Barely scraped by,] Nova said, her tone dry. [You struggled against someone at your rank. How do you plan to handle real talents—people who can fight across stages?]
Alex smirked under his mask. "One fight at a time, Nova. One fight at a time."
— Chương tiếp theo sắp ra mắt — Viết đánh giá
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực