First Adventuring II
Sarah glanced back at Leon and asked, "How did you know?"
"I heard their unique cries," Leon replied, his expression serious. These nasty creatures had a hideous cry, one that sounded disturbingly like a sadistic laugh.
The others nodded in understanding, while Jim commented, "Your sense of hearing is really impressive."
As they were talking, a soft whisper of wind swept past them, heading toward the hyena-like monsters. The creatures, catching the scent of their group, immediately stopped their infighting and turned their attention towards them.
"Fuck," Jim cursed under his breath as he and Sarah stepped out of their hiding spots, ready to confront the beasts. Together, they activated their gear. Unlike Leon and Michael's simple-looking battle suits, Jim and Sarah's gear was flashy, a striking combination of red and violet that gave them an imposing and empowered appearance.
Before Jim and Sarah could showcase the power of their flashy battle gear, something sped past them so swiftly that, in an instant, all the hyenas dropped lifelessly to the ground.
"What just happened?" Sarah exclaimed, her previously overconfident demeanor now replaced with fear.
"Relax, that was just Selia," Leon said calmly. He pointed ahead, and they saw a small purple-scaled king cobra leisurely making its way towards them.
Selia approached Leon, hissed softly, and he chuckled. With a nod, she transformed into a light and disappeared into Leon.
"What did she say?" Michael asked, still in awe.
"She said, 'I've done the fighting; now I'm going to sleep,'" Leon replied with a laugh, relaying her exact words.
Michael and Jimmy chuckled, while Sarah remained silent, her gaze fixed on Leon.
"By the way, what level are you now?" Jim asked.
"I'm at the fourth level of the Specialist Stage," Leon replied, causing Sarah's expression to turn grim.
As they harvested the spoils, Michael glanced at Leon and said, "Don't interfere next time."
Leon nodded in agreement, and they continued on.
Their next encounter was with a small group of Aqua Bulls, twelve of them gathered together.
They are two Specialist stage among them and rest are Private stage but they are very troublesome as they have very strong hide.
"I will fight the two big ones, you two take the rest of them" Sarah said as she sprinted ahead, while Leon jumped on the tree and watched from there.
Michael and Leon also moved behind her.
Leon observed from above as Sarah and Jim engaged in battle, noting, "Sarah's instincts are sharp, and Jim's holding his own." He added, "Michael's quick learning is helping him adapt rapidly."
The Aqua Bulls, known for their thick hides and elemental abilities, launched a variety of water-based attacks, including water bullets and jets, making the fight even more challenging for the group. Leon continued to watch, analyzing their tactics and progress.
While watching them suddenly Leon looked at Michael "oh!, he is forming his first seal" Leon mumbled as he saw him.
Soon with his new strength, Leon quickly began to defeat his share of bulls.
After some more time the battle ended.
''Good kill Michael" Jim said excitedly, Sarah also has given nod, Michael gave them smile without saying anything.
and then they each went to take spoils, they harvested the good parts of Aqua bulls.
"You are practicing Supreme Combat Exercise right?" Sarah suddenly came to Michael and asked.
Jim, who was busy harvesting, perked up as he overheard the conversation. Michael reluctantly answered Sarah's question, feeling compelled by the favors Jim had done for him and the fact that her monster had saved his life earlier. Normally, Michael wouldn't have given her the time of day, given the cold treatment she often gave him and Leon.
"I'm at the ninth circulation of the second set," Michael finally replied.
Jim's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, that's impressive! Even Sarah hasn't reached that level, and she uses a machine." He quickly stopped speaking when he noticed Sarah glaring at him.
"I tried too," Jim continued, "but I could only reach the seventh circulation of the first cycle. It's incredibly painful, even with the machine. Michael, you have to give me some tips!"
"Enough talking!" Sarah snapped. "We've wasted enough time here. Let's move." She started walking, and the others followed behind her.
As they walked, Jim turned to Leon and asked, "By the way, what set are you at?"
Leon glanced at him, then at Michael, before answering, "I've formed my first Amethyst Seal."
Sarah abruptly stopped and turned to Leon, her face contorted with anger. "Impossible!" she exclaimed.
In response, Leon calmly displayed the single Amethyst Seal on his temple. Sarah fell silent, gritting her teeth in frustration. She looked at Jim and said, "We're going home," as she began to call their driver on her holowatch.
She is already working hard trying to comprehend,
Jim, still in awe, leaned toward Leon and whispered, "You have to give me some tips. You saw her fighting earlier, right? She always beats me. Please, help me out."
Leon paused, then placed a hand on Jim's shoulder. "Start circulating the exercise," he instructed.
"What?" Jim asked, confused.
"You want help, right? I'll help you this time. Start circulating the exercise," Leon repeated. Jim nodded and began the circulation, bracing himself for the expected pain—but it never came.
"This...," Jim started to say.
"Shh, just keep circulating," Leon advised.
Jim continued, and soon the first seal formed, then the second, then the third. He eventually stopped as his body ran out of mana to form another seal.
"There, now you can beat her," Leon said, patting Jim's shoulder.
"What? How... What did you do to me?" Jim asked, bewildered.
"I temporarily shut down your pain receptors and continuously healed your body," Leon replied, causing Jim's jaw to drop.
Jim then turned to Michael and asked, "Did he do that for you too?"
Michael sighed and shook his head. "No. He told me he wouldn't spoon-feed me. I have to first break my limits if I want to receive anything from him. It's like a test, but if I pass, he'll give me generous rewards."
Michael's current limit was the Peak of the Specialist Realm, largely due to his partner, Ashlyn, who was a Strain 2 bird with a natural limit at the Specialist stage. But Michael knew that one could surpass their natural limit, even though it was incredibly challenging.