Ki Horizons - [Litrpg, Adventure, Power Levels]

For a while, I simply lay there, darkness trying to take my vision but it was surprisingly easily knocked away. Whatever the state of my body, I'd clearly gone beyond exhaustion into that strange giddiness you feel after not sleeping for three days. I couldn't walk a straight line right now if I tried.

At least the pain was more manageable. That was probably only because compared to the pain of my soul being on fire, it was minor in comparison. I'd take it.

Suddenly, a beat of worry passed through me. I'd used Ki again, without training. The last time, it had reduced my very essence and harmed my body, mind, and soul. My very power level had decreased. I leaned my head back a little and-

[37]

My eyes shook in a different kind of surprise. That-! That was a massive jump! I'd never had that kind of leap. At most I might've skipped a single number but to go up five?! Truly, life or death battles had a way of pushing you forwards. And I'd pushed hard. My body, my mind, my soul, I'd had to truly put it all on the line this time.

"Mutai?" Cooler's concerned voice came down to me.

"Huh?"

"Are you… Your injuries are great. You need immediate medical assistance. We must hurry. You may die."

Cooler's voice was very afraid and strangely, I found it amusing. I couldn't remember the last time someone had been scared for me- Ah. Well, that soured my mood a little. That would've been my father.

I still smiled up at Cooler, gentle and peaceful.

"We won Cooler and I'm okay. There's nothing that will kill me in the next five minutes. So just… enjoy it alright? We're both alive. Isn't that amazing?"

He still looked very concerned but he nodded.

"Yes… Yes. It's…" He seemed to shake for a moment and turned to look where The Director once stood, now no more than ash. "It's finally over."

There was a lot in his voice. Freedom, melancholy, disbelief. He was running the gambit of emotions. That was good, that was good. Life would be hard but he could be free now. I'd helped someone today. I'd saved him. Uh, well, maybe? He probably would've been fine without me, maybe? I don't know. God, I'm so tired. But I helped in the here and now. What if's were for another time.

"Mutai." Cooler said. "Thank you. Without you… I would be lesser for it. I would also probably be dead."

"I don't know, you might've been able to somehow survive. Without me in the way-"

"I didn't take you for someone stupid." Cooler said coldly and deadpan. "Ignoring killing the Director, who would've ended me, the Ki that came from your clones would've destroyed my body. There is no path towards life I would've been able to travel without meeting you. Today has been the luckiest day of my life, to such a degree that I am beginning to believe in fate.'

"So thank you Mutai. I am in your debt forevermore."

I was shocked and then frowned, hard.

"Cooler, never say that again. Friends don't count debts or favors. We simply help because we want to. That's what a friend is. Someone you want around, that's there when it matters."

He blinked, then chuckled.

"You remain cute."

I sighed in exasperation.

"Yes yes, I'm weaker than you and say things you find amusing. Now… uh… I'm gonna need your help."

"Of course, with what?"

"Well, for starters, I can't fly. And uh… I don't think I can move either."

He raised an eyebrow. I tried to lift my arm or move my feet. It did not work.

"Help?"

*****

"Yeah, right there. Corner of 26th Baxter and 13th Delores."

I was currently in a bit of an awkward position. Cooler had his arm wrapped tight around my back (incredibly painful) and was flying towards the directions I was giving him. Most people had bunkered up or weren't out on the streets and I didn't blame them. The entire main headquarters of The Smile Company had… fallen.

It had been shocking seeing the building I had been in earlier today on its side. I didn't know if anyone had died. I assumed most had gotten out but all the destruction underground, my beam shooting up, and more had destroyed enough that it had collapsed. The destruction was widespread but I didn't see anyone dead or anything. People got the hell out of the way when a fight like this happened. Hopefully no one innocent had died.

By some small miracle, we hadn't been stopped by police or even more Smile Company people either. We'd been able to fly out of the hole created and quickly start walking away. I don't know what procedures or situation had caused us to be able to slip out like that but I'd take it. Neither of us were in any condition to run or fight.

We landed in front of the Dojo.

Cooler looked at it and-

His laughter was so abrupt I thought I'd briefly lost my mind. Then I thought I lost it again as I saw what he was laughing at.

"R-Really? Th-That's your sort of humor?"

He was dying over the graffiti painted on the side of a woman and a donkey.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Cooled tried and failed a few times to get himself under control, before setting me down. I took a few tentative steps, happy to find myself at least able to limp and control my limbs again.

"Good Mutai, I was afraid I'd have to carry you."

"Yeah. There's two healing tanks in here. I'm sure Vincent won't mind letting you use his. You only have a few real wounds anyway so it won't take long to-"

"Mutai." Cooler cut me off. "I have to go."

I turned to him, my eyebrows raising.

"Go?"

"The Smile Company will pursue. They have known about me for over thirty years and the loss of a Director and the destruction of their main building will have them chase me to the ends of Vega. I can not stay here. I will only bring calamity."

"That's stupid! I was right there, they have me on camera, I-"

"Will not be as sought after. As far as they are aware, you took advantage of the chaos to go after the two you were telling me about along the way here. They will not believe you killed the Director or destroyed their building. They will see you as an opportunistic pest and not an adversary. I can not endanger you nor your Dojo with the enemies I will face. I must leave."

I frowned.

"You… you could at least stay for a little while and heal up. Even thirty minutes would help you. You don't have to leave right now. Where are you even going to go? You- Wait. No."

Cooler nodded, seeing the look of realization in my eyes.

"I can not remain in this city. I must leave as far as possible as quickly as possible. I will heal from the damages naturally, if slowly. Mutai… this is goodbye."

I scowled.

"I hate the idea of a friend of mine out there fighting for his life without me. I…" I looked towards the Dojo and back to Cooler. "I could-"

"Mutai." Cooler smiled sadly. "We both know the answer but I shall say it to leave no room for doubt."

"You are not strong enough to help me."

It was like he took a dagger and stabbed me in the heart. I knew that. I knew that! The Director had been a one time thing. Another triple digit power user and I could be killed in an instant. It was just…

"I wish I could help you. I wish I could do more! I'm trying to get stronger as fast as I can but…"

"Don't rush for me. Mutai, I've only known you today but it has been the most important meeting of my life. Despite your words, I do owe you, more than I ever could believe possible. You are like the earth, holding me up. More beautiful than the sun."

I blinked in confusion.

"What?"

"Mutai, may I ask a favor? I wish for something untowards as a final memory before I depart. I do not know if we will meet again and I fear I may die before we have the chance."

"Uh, sure?"

Cooler was acting weird and saying things extra fancy. I didn't actually know what he wanted but it couldn't be that bad-

Cooler leaned forward and kissed me.

My whole body froze.

"I apologize for the shock, but I must leave now. I hope we meet again."

Then, he just… flew away.

.

.

.

.

.

"I'm really tired."

******

Vincent was currently meditating in the main area of the Dojo. With Mutai gone and the cat he'd gotten Master, Vincent was shocked to find himself with free time today. Not just in a few snippets but for whole hours. He had expected Master to act aloof, as was his general countenance, but Vincent had forgotten how little Master cared for other people's opinions.

He loved that damn robot cat. He loved Sparky immediately and was spending a lot of time with it.

Vincent would take the break. He was very, very tired of being thrown into walls. He wasn't like Mutai, that monster. He needed time to reflect and think about what he was trying to learn with just his body. Even his rage felt crushed into pieces at the moment. He would defeat Mutai but he needed these hours of relaxation.

Another difference between him and Mutai is that Vincent actually used his Vambrace and was shocked at the news today. The HQ of The Smile Company had collapsed and a fight between multiple triple digit power users had happened? Vincent hadn't even been aware the police had such powerful people or that this level of a fight was a 'rare event that happens every few years' till he looked online.

Truly, Vega City was different.

Just as he was continuing his meditation, Mutai walked in.

Vincent's jaw dropped.

He was destroyed. His legs and arms were pierced, bleeding freely. His hair was all but burnt away into ash, only some of it remaining. Some of his face had melted and there were many, many burns all across his body. He was breathing like he smoked a hundred cigars at once, the sound of a deflating balloon coming out of his mouth. His skin was torn up across his body like something had ground those parts away. There were holes pierced through him, small ones, far less jagged and wide than the ones in his arms and legs but aimed around his chest, stomach, and shoulder. And said chest looked a bit crumpled, like something had punched through it.

And all the while… he was totally naked except for a pair of boxers hanging on by a hope and a dream and boots that were actively falling apart with every step he took.

There was no question in Vincent's mind, Mutai had been in a true fight to the death. Maybe the closest or roughest he'd ever been in. The fact he'd survived- Wait. Was… was he there at The Smile Headquarters?! Where there were multiple triple digits?!

Vincent's jaw remained firmly dropped as Mutai limped his way forward.

His looks, all of that, wasn't the worst part. For all the bodily destruction, he'd seen similar from Master's training, even if it usually wasn't so diverse as that. No, what truly scared the hell out of Vincent was the look on Mutai's face. It was like the sky had dropped and smashed him in the face. A look of pure confusion and exhaustion, beyond anything he'd ever known while training with him.

"M…Mutai… are you okay?"

"Vincent… Am I cute?"

"What?!"

Vincent blinked, his mind practically resetting at the insane question. What on Vega happened out there?! Had Mutai lost his mind somehow?! Could the healing tank even fix that?!

"Am I cute?"

"You're… not…….. Usually unattractive? Though right now is a bit….."

Vincent felt like he must be dreaming. Was he? That would make way more sense.

Somehow, Vincent's words seemed to make Mutai even more tired.

He mumbled to himself as he passed Vincent by, heading towards the healing tanks.

"So it's not all about looks huh…"

Soon, Mutai was gone.

Vincent sat there, mind reeling.

"What… just happened?!"

******

Two months later.

Master stood before us. But today was different. Because today…

"It's time."

"Today is the day you begin to learn how to use Ki."