New System, Who Dis?

Tutorial Day 81

Thrust. The blade of my Spear skittered off the cheek of the Borker. The metal didn't bite deeply, but it did score and separate the very tough hide as if it were butter. Believe it or not, this 'miss' was actually a huge improvement.

My legs and feet acted almost before I thought to give them a command, and I leaped to the side with a lithe grace. I was beyond excited to feel that reaction despite my physical stats not increasing. It was just so easy to move when not wearing a massive suit of heavy Training Armor.

The Borker passed by about a foot to my right. I took a deep breath, trying to control my emotions, and in doing so, my Qi. This was all an exercise in maintaining the balance I had been working toward these last few weeks. It was working–somewhat. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest. I could feel my muscles vibrating with the adrenaline and carefully controlled Qi. I could even feel my Soul Sense trembling, wobbling its increased perception back and forth. The possibility that this fight offered of life or death caused the Soul sphere to beat like a heart.

Every fight I'd tried, was like this.

How did Gumanji maintain this perfect state when he fought in Portals for days? Was it natural for him? Even now I could feel the strain my brain and body was under trying to fight itself, and maintain this state.

Practice, practice, practice…

Still, marvelling at the man, I charged after the Borker, deciding that I would try to hit it before it turned. I was partially successful. It was in a half turn when I thrust again and slammed my Spear into its side. I did my best to aim for where I knew the heart would be, based on all of my Butchery of the Monsters in the past. The tip of the Spear pierced and sank. The half of the Spear haft followed and, with a grunt, the Boar froze. Then, in something of a last breath, all of the air left its body, and it tumbled to the side.

My Spear slid from my hands as I stood watching it fall. I had just succeeded. Sure, it had taken me three weeks to accomplish something I could already do, but I'd done it efficiently.

"Well, mostly efficiently," I whispered to myself, acknowledging that I still had room for improvement. I took a quick stock of my remaining resources. I hadn't used Mana with Hatchling's Body, so my Mana Pool was still full. I had used perhaps ten drops of my Qi.

As for my Soul? Well, it had not really been used, other than to maintain a sense of my immediate environment, and somewhat to balance my emotional state. So, there were still forty-five points of it.

A small smile of success, fought against my mask. I could do this five times now and, as I'd just acknowledged, I could still improve! I bet that I could stop the leakage of Qi from my body if I figured out how to stop the resource from dispersing into muscles and bones that weren't 'needed.' I should also be able to hold the Qi firmly in my muscles and within my Spear, creating something more sustainable.

How low could I get the expenditure?

According to Claude, I could probably get the usage down to about one or two Qi per Monster, which given that I'd be Gathering Herbs, Meat and Skins in between fights, was significantly lower than my regeneration. And, if I somehow figured out how to increase my physical Stats past the ten that they were still hovering at, I would soon be able to kill these Borkers without Qi.

The other truly amazing accomplishment came in my ability to run away using even less Qi than it took for this fight. Just pumping Qi into my muscles and not the Enchantment on the Truesilver Inlaid Spear halved the expenditure. So, in theory, I could run away from the Borkers with five Qi. Plus, with the fifty Mana I kept in my Pool, I could simply activate Hatchling's Body and escape that way as well.

Why wasn't I just using the powerful Skill or both?

A similar problem existed when I used the Skill, to when I flooded my body with Qi. Essentially jumping all my Stats up created a similar if not identical problem of control when killing the Borker. Essentially obliterating the creature, and using a huge amount of Mana to force open the connection and contain the red mist.

Why didn't use both?

Well, I'd found that activating Hatchling's Body actually created a conflict. Essentially, it made my body more sensitive to Qi, Soul and Mana—making me more reactive to hormones. This actually was a detriment in controlling my Qi. That's why I was working to control my Qi without using Hatchling's Body.

Taking the approach of one thing at a time. Then slowly adding new variable, so that I could in time hopefully use both.

When and if I started that process, I'd likely need to work with just Hatchling's Body for a time. Like I was with Qi and Soul. There needed to be a way to use the Skill for a longer period–or a way to limit the Mana expenditure. What good was that form if I could only maintain it for thirty seconds to a minute?

It's a good trump card for escape or one extremely powerful attack, I guess.

Depositing my Spear into my Necklace, I took out my Skinning Knife and began to Butcher the Borker, keeping my eyes peeled for any other Monsters that might approach through the sparse Forest's underbrush. I had spotted two more Herbs that I believed I could gather without having to fight another Borker but the Monsters did roam freely–so there was no telling if that would still be the case.

To my shock, today the Skinning Knife was without a doubt looking different. A few days ago, I'd thought I'd noticed a change but it was too subtle to tell. However, the Knife looked like it had somehow Evolved. I wasn't sure how that had happened, but it was starting to get the black onyx like handle that my Mining Pick had, and the blade itself was both sharper and shinier than ever.

The upgrade to the Knife didn't fully make sense, since I was also improving in Herb Gathering, becoming far more efficient, but hadn't seen that set of gear 'Evolve.' Even in Herb Grinding as well. And just like with the Gardening Kit, my Mortar and Pestle seemed capped. Plus, I was encountering a larger problem. I believed I had Harvested every type of Herb that grew in this area. While I was still able to make a living that could support my room and board, at Claude's, I was being forced to venture out here daily to do so–which was taking away from my time to complete the Daily To Do.

Of course, my increased efficiency allowed me to produce more Rejuvenation Pills. Yet, this was of little help when we were trying to keep them in limited reserve. I had created multiple other types of Pills that did and didn't require my Qi to grind into a fine powder or my Mana to use the Pill Cauldron. I sold these to the Shop, getting ahead on my payments and saving some Tutorial Points as a backup.

The real question was when I would explore other areas, like the one I had originally fallen into with the Mud Slimes. The problem with that idea was that I was barely maintaining my current perfect mental state, which allowed me to control my Qi. If I were to put myself in a new situation where my Qi wasn't in my control, the trip out to the top of that steppe might be completely wasted.

Since I'd have to flee and would be back to my previous limit of two attacks. Essentially burning through Mana and Qi due to stress.

Another option would be to buy Herbs from Veronique. I was considering that option, but buying things from her would also let her know what I was using to make Pills. That could of course cause problems, when what I bought became something better than she expected. Only if I actually successfully crafted another valuable Pill though…

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I shook my head dismissing that option for now. There was still one more experiment I had up my sleeve today. One I was excited to try. I took out a piece of cooked Borker Meat and popped it in my mouth. I believed that I could regenerate my Qi by snacking between fights, in what I was affectionately calling the Borker Forest. This experiment went one step further than just eating too. I'd marinated the meat in Rock Lavender Fruit juice. Unfortunately, the taste wasn't fantastic. Rock Lavender Fruit was bitter, and sour–which didn't pair well with Pork. However, the only other option had been Angry Fruit, which would combust if it wasn't in a Potion or Pill…

Plus, I had sold the more expensive cuts of Meat to the Tutorial Shop and kept what would be equivalent to pork belly for myself. I forced myself to stomach the Meat, and Rock Lavender Fruit Marinade which should increase resource regeneration–or so my Herb Sense claimed.

Once I had finished Butchering and stored the Skins, the Mane, and all the Meat in my Necklace of Holding, I collected the nearby Witch Hazel and Earth Root.

Then, I ventured deeper into the Forest, even as my Qi replenished to full.

Today might be a long but fruitful day. Maybe even making a trip out here tomorrow unnecessary

* * *

"I'll really need to get a new Bag of Holding after I pay back Veronique…" I mumbled. as I walked to the edge of the Forest.

My necklace was full of Meat and Skins, a first for me inside the Tutorial. In addition, I was carrying eight baskets of Herbs, two of fused Saplings, and was only now getting outside of the edge of the Forest. My Sunstone indicated 'dusk' would be here soon.

Placing the buckets down, I found myself in a bit of a predicament. I could return to Town and potentially encounter the taxation squad, which might be London and his crew, or it could be from a different group altogether. If that group didn't recognize Veronique, I was going to be taxed. Given the amount of Herbs I had, the tax would be quite hefty. Alternatively, I could wait on the edge of the Forest for nightfall, which, according to my pocket Sunstone, should be in the next twenty minutes or so, and then return.

After consider, I picked back up my buckets and moved a little further from the Forest's edge. There I found a rock to sit on. I set down all the leaf buckets around me. Twenty minutes wasn't a long time, and since I was outside of the zone, I shouldn't be threatened by the Monsters. Just in case, I popped a piece of bitter Borker belly into my mouth to replenish any Qi that was still missing.

From my seat on the stone, I watched the Forest and didn't see a single person try to exit. For a fleeting moment, I questioned whether this was actually a good idea. Was it worth risking a small amount of these Herbs, or potentially losing them all when I had to flee from something truly terrifying. Or worse was it worth losing my life?

Then a plaque with orange lettering and something moving changed my mind entirely. Black fog began to creep up from the foliage I had just been walking through. It began as tendrils of smoke but didn't dissipate. Instead the smoke seemed to greedily swallow the Forest floor, fighting against the multiple suns in the sky.

My feet found themselves as I stood up, my heart racing. Something about the fog was terrifying certainly but it was what I had just seen the fog create or consume that made me excited. There had been multiple red plaques and Borkers I could see from my rock. One of the nearest plaques had been for the ever abundant Witch Hazel, but it now had orange lettering, that was somewhat familiar.

The plaque which was almost identical to the Meteoric Ore vanished under the fog before I could read more. However, I had seen enough. The plants changed at night!

Not only that—but it had been a unique Herb or maybe a Seed? I knew my Gardening Skills were broken into Gardening and Harvesting—I also knew that there was a 'trainer' in here for Harvesting. So, was this a Unique opportunity for my Gardening Skill or something else?

Part of me wanted to rush into the fog—but my eyes caught a Borker as the smoke consumed it. Well, it couldn't be called a Borker anymore. It seemed the fog didn't only change the foliage. Sure the Monster had a similar frame, but the glimpse I caught of it, told me that it was more predator now than it was a grazing Pig.

I shivered, and hurried to pick up my makeshift Leaf buckets. It was time to get out of here—tax or not, I didn't want one of those things coming out of the fog at me.

"Good thing we stuck around late," Gavin crowed, even as most of his Party turned back to see what he was talking about.

"Husk," I muttered, not wanting to deal with these particular morons right now.

Wait, why did I have to allow them to tax me?

I had full Mana, and Qi. My mask was in place and they thought I was dead! My 'identity' couldn't be more hidden.

"We're from the same Tribe," I growled, deepening my voice, just in case.

Gavin paused in his 'threatening' action of reaching a hand toward his weapon. His head even canted to the side. I wouldn't have called Gavin stupid in the past, but in this moment I could see the gears turning and overheating.

"If that were true you would have mentioned something last time, good sir," London interjected, saving Gavin from his brain melting.

"Had I seen you before last time I would have, you husking moron," I responded, my voice still gravelly.

London paused this time and exchanged a look with Gavin. The next response caused my blood to boil.

"Alright, like prove it."

It was a response I had expected, but the infuriating part was who it had come from. Husking Jacky, stood there with that same haughty expression she always wore. Had she learned nothing? Did she feel no remorse?

My rage summoned up my Qi, and not in the controlled manner it had been running under all day. The suffusion of the resource made my body feel ready. I could practically feel the power humming beneath my skin. And Jacky's expression just begged to be taught that lessons she should have learned. My tight leash on my emotions disintegrated, and before I could think better of it, I activated Hatchling's Body.

In less time than it took for me to question the action, I dropped the buckets and pulled out my Spear from the Necklace. Then activating my Soul as well, I pushed off and darted at Jacky. I only had about ten meters to close, and perhaps a quarter of a second to decide what I was going to do.

Even with the apoplectic rage boiling inside of me, I knew I shouldn't kill her. While what she had done was abhorrent, and equivalent to leaving me for dead—I was still alive. My Spear thrust was nearly perfect, and the sharp triangular point slashed a gash on the side of her leg.

I'd chosen the spot so as to not have the Spear stick, to avoid most arteries, and to hopefully still take her out of the fight. The blow felt strange. Almost like it had been deflected, but I could see the cut in her clothing, even as the blade of the Spear slid through a limb beneath. Was she wearing two sets of armor?

The Enchantment exploded, causing Jacky to be flung away like a ragdoll that had failed to satisfy a child. I winced at the destructive force, but figured that the occurrence did negate the worry for me of that second set of armor.

London, Sarah, and Gavin were clearly startled by the sudden action, but their training kicked in quickly. Weapons drawn, the three of them charged at me. Unfortunately, Jacky had been in 'formation' which meant she was somewhat in the center of the three—so, now I had to deal with attacks from all sides.

Some planning would have been good–idiot…

Since, I knew the group—I charged Sarah. After Jacky she was the next most vulnerable in terms of defense. However, she was by far the fastest. And yet, with Hatchling's Body boosting my Stats, and Qi raging in my veins—she looked slow. My Spear took her through the shoulder.

Then using my superior Strength, I shoved her into the path of the Charging London.

And that's where any planning I had been doing went to shit. Thanks to Jacky being flung away, I'd stopped using the Enchantment on the Spear. However, I'd kind of forgotten just how powerful my thrust was when I used all of my Qi. Sarah's shoulder exploded even as London's shield glanced off of her side. She screamed. Gavin roared, London whimpered as he took a portion of the blow as well.

One good thing came from the strike. My Spear became free, and with a roaring Gavin behind me I needed to move. I felt my Qi bottoming out, and knew I only could perform one more partial strike if I didn't get myself under control. I dodged left, toward London, hoping that the proximity to a teammate might make Gavin hesitate—

A longsword sunk deeply into the hard rocky ground that I had just been standing on. There was no time for shock, since I found myself eye to eye with a shocked London.

My dodge had put me too near to him, and so I had no chance of using my Spear. Instead I released the haft with my right hand, and punched the man in the chin. I got the satisfying view of watching his eyes roll up into his head.

Thanks to Gavin sticking his Sword in the ground I got a brief moment to survey the 'battle.' Jacky wasn't moving, her body splayed from where the Enchantment had thrown her, her leg looked practically detached. In fact, I was pretty sure my strike had somehow sheared through three quarters of her thigh including the bone. Maybe that was why the strike had felt so odd–the leg was barely hanging on.

Sarah was in a worse situation. Her arm was entirely separated from her body, and her wound gushed blood. Both of them would die if I didn't do something.

Gavin freed his sword.