Chapter 20 Part 2

Leylin emerged from the cave, the bright sunlight blinding him for a moment. He took a deep breath of fresh air. He made his way back to his camp, where he had set up a small laboratory to analyse the samples of the vegetation and fungi he had discovered in the spiritual tomb.

He spent the next two days carefully analysing the starmetal and the other samples he had collected. He also studied the radiation levels, comparing them to other forms of radiation and looking for any potential uses.

As he worked, The A.I chip had a breakthrough. He realised that he could use the ambient radiation in the cave to improve the efficiency of his Knight technique by refining the AI chip to absorb and filter the radiation. He spent the next few days collating information, studying the cave's layout, and preparing for the next expedition.

Leylin returned to the spiritual tomb, this time with the necessary equipment to mine the starmetal. He began mining the valuable ore. He spent his days working hard, extracting the starmetal and hauling it back to his camp.

As he worked, Leylin took every opportunity to meditate on his Knight technique. He focused on using the ambient radiation in the cave to improve his technique. He spent hours each day practising and refining his skills.

As the moons passed, Leylin could feel himself becoming stronger. He could feel his life enegy becoming more powerful. He knew that he was close to breaking through to the next rank.

One day, while working in the cave, Leylin felt a sudden surge of power. He closed his eyes and focused. He felt himself breaking through to the next level. He opened his eyes and let out a cry of triumph. He had broken into middle-rank Grand Knight.

Leylin doubled his efforts and decided to push his limits further. He spent the next few moons focusing on his training and meditation. He spent long hours in the cave, absorbing the radiation and honing his Knight technique.

Finally, after several moons of intense training, Leylin felt a familiar surge of power. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was a late rank, Grand Knight. He had achieved something that many knights only dream of. He had reached the pinnacle of the continent. He could feel the subtle changes in his body since breaking through into grand knight. His growth spurt made him look 16 rather than 13.

"A.I chip scan," Leylin commanded.

[Beep! scan complete]

[Name: Leylin Farlier Gender: Male Strength: 9.5 Agility: 8.5 Vitality: 7.1]

[Status: Healthy… Life energy is contaminated by unknown radiation…. No hostile effect detected… insufficient data]

Leylin sighed in frustration, "What the hell is this energy neither that even the A.I chip can't make sense of?"

He was paying the price for underestimating his enemies, for his arrogance. Now he was stuck in a quagmire with no way out. Will the energy harm him or help him?

Leylin packed up his camp and loaded the starmetal onto his horse. He took one last look at the cave, knowing that he would return one day and continue where he had left off.