The Forge of Progress
The air was heavy with the weight of unspoken frustration as Josh sat cross-legged on the cracked concrete rooftop of a crumbling building in Tondo, Manila. The glow of the city stretched out before him, but it brought little solace. The echo of the sparring match against Ethan Morales replayed in his mind—the fiery winds, the relentless onslaught, and his measured, restrained responses.
It wasn't enough.
Josh clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. For all the training he had undergone, all the strength he had gained, there was still a gnawing feeling deep within him. His current abilities—impressive as they were—didn't feel complete. The Relicolus Shield gave him protection and defense beyond measure, but it was also a crutch that masked his full potential. His Magicules skill, now renamed *Replica*, allowed him to copy abilities, but it felt like borrowing rather than creating something uniquely his own. Even *Attri*, the magic he had learned from KingOrc to enhance his attributes, felt underdeveloped.
"Not enough," he muttered, standing abruptly. The relic at his side pulsed faintly, as if acknowledging his turmoil. "I need to be better. Stronger. Faster. If I want to find Maria, if I want to survive this world… I can't stop here."
---
**The Power of Naming**
As Josh paced the rooftop, the relic's golden glow flickered brighter, catching his attention. A notification appeared in his mind, a faint whisper carried by the shield's connection to him:
**"The bearer of the Relicolus Shield holds the authority to name and shape the essence of their magic."**
Josh froze, the words reverberating through him. He had always thought of his abilities as rigid, defined by the circumstances of his training. But this revelation opened a door he hadn't even realized existed. The magic wasn't just a tool—it was a part of him, something he could mold and redefine.
He looked up at the night sky, determination glinting in his eyes. "Replica," he said aloud, testing the word. "That's what my copying magic will be called. But it's not just about copying—it's about understanding, mastering, and making it my own."
His thoughts shifted to the magic KingOrc had taught him—the ability to enhance his attributes at will. It was a skill that had saved his life in the dungeon countless times. "Attri," he said firmly. "That's its name. The power to choose what I need—strength, speed, endurance—and push beyond my limits."
The relic seemed to hum in approval, its light casting long shadows on the rooftop.
---
**Revisiting the Sparring Match**
Josh closed his eyes, replaying the sparring match against Ethan in his mind. With *Replica*, he had been able to secretly copy several of Ethan's skills, as well as techniques he had observed from other A-Rank Hunters during their fights. He now held within him:
- **Red Fire**: A volatile, destructive flame magic used by Ethan to overwhelm opponents.
- **Poison**: A dangerous, slow-acting magic designed to weaken enemies over time.
- **Stealth**: A skill that cloaked the user in shadows, allowing for silent movement.
- **Assassin's Movement**: A high-speed, agility-focused skill for rapid, unpredictable attacks.
These abilities, though not yet mastered, were his to wield.
Josh raised his hand, summoning a flicker of flame. The magic was unstable, sputtering weakly before fizzling out. He frowned, his brow furrowing in frustration. "I copied it, but copying isn't enough. I need to own it."
He shifted his focus, channeling the stealth magic he had seen used in combat. For a brief moment, his form blurred, blending into the shadows. But the effect was fleeting, dissipating as quickly as it had appeared.
Josh clenched his fists. "I need to practice. I need to push harder."
---
**Intense Training: The Path of Mastery**
The next days—and nights—blurred into one long, grueling routine. Josh dedicated himself fully to mastering his new abilities. Each skill was a challenge, demanding precision, control, and an understanding of its nuances.
- **Red Fire**: Josh focused on harnessing the volatile energy, igniting flames in his hands and shaping them into controlled bursts. He practiced firing them at distant targets, refining his aim and power.
- **Poison**: This skill required subtlety, a sharp contrast to the brute strength he was used to. Josh experimented with infusing his attacks with a toxic aura, learning to deliver debilitating strikes without overpowering force.
- **Stealth**: Josh trained under the cover of night, weaving through the alleyways of Tondo, his movements silent and unseen. He tested the limits of the magic, learning how to vanish and reappear at will.
- **Assassin's Movement**: This skill demanded agility and coordination. Josh pushed his body to its limits, incorporating rapid dashes, feints, and acrobatic maneuvers into his combat style.
As he trained, he combined these abilities with *Attri*, enhancing his attributes to suit each skill. For Red Fire, he boosted his magic output; for Assassin's Movement, he amplified his speed and agility. The flexibility of *Attri* became a cornerstone of his fighting style, allowing him to adapt to any situation.
---
**The Breakthrough**
Weeks turned into months as Josh honed his skills, each day bringing new progress and new challenges. The relic, ever-present at his side, seemed to glow brighter with each success, its connection to him deepening.
One night, as Josh stood atop a rooftop overlooking the city, he felt a surge of confidence. He raised his hand, summoning a ball of flame that burned brightly against the darkness. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it soaring into the air, watching as it exploded into a shower of sparks.
"I'm not there yet," he muttered, his gaze steely. "But I'm closer. Maria… wait for me. I'll find you. No matter what."