I took the gem out and replaced it with the fake one. I drank it down like a medicine. It went surprisingly smooth down my throat. And suddenly, I felt my body envelope in soft light.

-Inexhaustible Mana Effect Obtained!-

Inexhaustible Mana: Mana will never be used up and it will be unlimited.

I bought candy for Koneko and it costs 2 gold pieces. Now I'm down to 738.

After we finished up preparing, we set out to Mr. Arthur's house. The journey would take us three weeks to arrive there on foot. And while we are on our way, Ayumi, Koneko, and I were under training.

Ayumi and I were carrying rocks on our back. The luggage made it even heavier. I looked at Ayumi and she's fine. That girl had a gorilla strength after all.

Hours had passed and were walking by the meadow. There were monsters around and we were only allowed to fight using sticks and stones. Koneko was assisting in defending. She was allowed to use skills but only shield ones.

Ayumi threw rocks and most of them didn't hit the target.

"Ayumi! Steady your stance and breathe in before you throw. As you throw, breathe out simultaneously." Mr. Arthur scolded her.

"I'm sorry, teacher!"

I was out and fighting the monsters with a stick. It was the same as before.

=

Level 25 Wolfman

=

They were in pack and the alpha had different fur than the others. They look like a werewolf only that they don't have any human characteristics. They were just standing on two legs.

"Gruoh!" I blocked its claw with a stick. The stick broke in half and I countered its attack with a kick. It fell on the ground, I grabbed the stick and staked it in its heart.

"Graaah!" It bellowed in pain. I twisted the stick and the wolfman stopped breathing.

"Ayumi! Look out!" The Wolfman was about to attack her but I jumped right on time to push her away. I received the damage and its claw went right in my back.

"Ugh!"

"Yakiro!" She threw a rock at its face and it fell on the ground as it yelped in pain. Its eyes began to bleed.

"Don't worry! I'm fine!" I pounced at the wolfman, pinned him down and staked him in the heart. It did the same before it lost its breath.

Mr. Arthur was behind us, drinking booze and analyzing our moves.

"Ayumi, pay attention to your back. Yakiro, kid, you have to practice your footwork. Koneko, just watch them. Don't use your skill. Analyze their actions and be accustomed to it."

"Yes, teacher." We said in unison.

I threw a rock at the wolfman's face but it dodged it. It ducked and kicked my feet off the ground.

"Ugh!"

The Wolfman started to bite my arm.

"Ah!"

"Yakiro!"

Ayumi pounced high and landed with a stab. The wooden stake that penetrated through the wolfman's back and to its chest almost got me.

"Ayumi!"

"Sorry!"

I can hear Mr. Arthur sigh.

"Ayumi! Be careful with your attacks! Analyze your enemy well! And you, kiddo! Your footing!"

"Yes, teacher!"

I ran towards the alpha but two wolfmen appeared. Suddenly, the claws shine bright red. After that, it attacked me with a barrage of claw sweeps. I was able to dodge most of them but some were able to reach me. My arm was wounded and it bled.

"Don't worry too much. If you fight, don't scream out to your ally. Just assist them. Scream out only when necessary."

"Yes!"

I dashed towards and pushed them to the ground. The two wolfmen resisted and started to bite my shoulder and scratches my back.

Ayumi pounced from behind and stabbed them to their hearts.

"Wriiiiiiek!" They shrieked in pain.

I stood up and three blades of claws were about to reach me when a shield suddenly appeared.

"Thanks, Koneko!"

"Yes, master!"

Mr. Arthur wanted to make use of Koneko's human form. Since she has her Goddess Clothing unlocked, she can turn into a human whenever she wants. Only that she looks like a demi-human cat.

"Master! Watch out!"

The shield faded and another attack was about to reach me. But because Koneko was able to warn me on time, I was able to grab the attack and flung it's body to the ground.

The Alpha Wolfman grunted in pain.

It kicked me and Ayumi before we were able to stab him. He's much more agile than any one of them. It was clear that this wolfman is stronger than us. Without our skills, we're nothing.

"Don't rely on your skills! Focus on your physical stats. If you could handle it, it'll help you with your skills." Mr. Arthur said as he drank booze.

"Ayumi nee-san! Duck!" Koneko warned Ayumi.

"Thanks, Koneko! Ahhhhh!" She dashed and kicked the Wolfman and it fell on the ground head first. Ayumi clenched her fist and when she punched its chest, it made a loud shattering sound. It reverberated through the air. Damn, that girl has brute strength.

The wolfman vomited blood as it trembled in pain. It trembled until it twitched. It was dead in seconds.

"Heal!" Koneko healed me. My wounds started to heal. Even when my Resiliency skill is in effect, it couldn't heal damage dealt on higher levels.

"Koneko, good job. Now if you see that your teammates are out of battle, that's when you heal."

"Yes! Thank you, Teacher Arthur!" Koneko replied happily. She smiled.

"Thanks, Koneko!"

"Okay!" She grinned.

"Ayumi, step back. I realized that their sense of smell is very sensitive. Grab those herbs there, it is very aromatic. Rub it on the rocks and throw them on their noses!" I pointed a group of grass looking herbs. Those herbs were good for making medicine but the side effect is that if you smell it, you might fall asleep.

She nodded and took the herb immediately. She rubbed the herbs on the small pieces of rocks and then she flung them in their noses precisely. I can hear the breaking sound of their noses breaking but they still breathed the aroma in. I can see them getting dizzy. Their feet tottered as they struggle to stand. The only thing fast enough to dodge Ayumi's attack was the alpha.

It ran towards us with great speed. It was too fast for us to catch up! These high-level monsters are able to use skills! Koneko created a shield but its claw broke through. It was about to reach me and Ayumi.

Boom!

"Alright, that's enough."

As soon as the smoke cleared, the head of the alpha was nowhere to be seen. It disappeared on its body. When we looked behind us, we were stunned to see its head on Mr. Arthur's hand.

"Move on. Take the leather and claws. They are highly valued."

"Yes, Mr. Arthur."

We went and butchered the wolfmen. The hardest claw to cut off was the alpha. It took me five minutes each claw and I finally got them all. We stashed it on our bags and started to carry rocks behind our backs. The burden was getting heavier.

I walked through the meadows. Any monsters we met weren't as hard as the wolfmen were. So we were able to deal with them easily

"Master, Koneko's hungry."

"Just wait a longer, Koneko. We can take a rest when Mr. Arthur says so."

"Mō... Okay..." She looked down. She must be really hungry. We were walking for hours and she's been flying in that form for long enough. I remember that she mostly spent her time as a cat and sleeps on my shoulder.

"Hey, wanna sleep on my shoulder?"

"Can I?" She lightened up.

"Yeah." She puffed a huge cloud of mist and revealed as a white cat with specks of blond fur. She rested on my shoulder. Hahaha, this brings back so many memories.

It used to be like this. When I was still pathetic and hopeless. When my trauma attacks me, she would ease them out. But since I had grown a bit thanks to Mr. Arthur. I really didn't need Koneko's skill effect anymore. But it doesn't mean that I don't need her with me. She's still important in my life.

It started to rain so we went to find a shelter. There were rocks found afar that looked like a shed, we ran to it to get some shelter.

Luckily, we weren't drenched wet. We were able to make it on time. Mr. Arthur took my bag and placed firewoods in the middle of the ground. He lit it up with his magic and Ayumi started to open her grimoire. She started to study it.

"What's that nee-san?" Koneko asked.

"Oh, it's a magic book."

"Really? Really? Let me see!" She was excited.

Both of them started to study it in silent as the firewood snaps.

I went to look at it and Koneko pulled me closer.

"Look! Master! Look!"

She pointed a constellation drawn on the book. As soon as I saw it. An icon popped up.

-Cosmic Swordsman Class Obtained-

Woah! This stuff is great!

I patted Koneko's head and she happily smiled at me.

"And look at that master! It's a magic called Starfire! You can create fire!"

"Really?" I came in close to study it.

"H-hey, don't come so close to me. Idiot Yakiro..." Ayumi blushed.

"Let me see."

My system started to decipher it but suddenly a warning sign appeared.

*WARNING SPELL INCOMPATIBLE WITH USER*

Well, I guess I'm not allowed to learn it.

Ayumi started to fiddle her fingers and held her hand in front of her. She started the incantation:

"Let the cosmic yield on my soul. My magic be turned into the power of the skies. Be the light that shines fire in the galaxy. Small Starfire!"

Suddenly, In Ayumi's palm, a small flicker of fire lit up. It was color blue and sparkled like a star.

"Woah! That's beautiful!"

"Amazing! Amazing!" Koneko started to jump up and down.

"Yakiro come here." Mr. Arthur called me.

I went to see him.

"Yes, fa- I mean, Mr. Arthur?"

"I heard you scream Ren."

"Yeah, it's my skill."

"I have the same skill."

"Really? I'm surprised. Can you tell me it's power?"

"It's aura magic. If you use Ren, your body will envelop a light affinity. It will boost righteousness of skills and it is called the power of Gods. It is divine and holy."

Really? I just thought this skill as gas from my stride.

"Really?"

"Yes. And I know that there is another skill with it. It is called Zen. Which you will never ever use!"

"W-why?"

"Because Zen is the opposite of Ren. It is malevolent and it is the aura of death. Whatever is hiding deep within you will awaken. Promise me you'll never use it. It is the power of the accused demonic gods."

"Why? Why did it achieve it?"

"It might be because you have some kind of bloodline in you. It is the same for me. It's best you'll never know."

"Bu-"

Shuto!

"Ahhhh! That hurts!"

"No buts!"

The rain calmed down so we extinguished the fire as we set out to continue the journey. It's still afternoon, the reason we set the fire was because the rock we took shelter in was very dark. It was like a cave after all.

We finally arrived in the forest. It's quiet here and the night started to fall. But we need to go and continue our journey. Koneko was awake and was skipping as we walk. She was pretty energetic for a little girl. It must because of the night. It is her domain after all. The night is her strength.

"Master! Look! A shooting star!"

We looked up and a shower of stars raced on the starry knight. The moon was bright and beautiful. It was out of a fantasy book. I looked at Ayumi and she was smiling as she pointed through the sky.

I glanced on Mr. Arthur and he was smiling as well. Only that his eyes were melancholic and a tear fell on his eye. He wiped it off and locked his attention on the path.

"Let's continue."

"Yes."

We continued on our journey.

Suddenly a loud howl and bark covered the forest. We felt a group of eyes staring at us from the darkness of the forest.

"Grrrrr..." Their eyes shine red and wild.

Then they started to appear as they walk out from the darkness. Their skin was black and the snouts were long. The fangs and claws were sharp and from the looks of it, the head had two horns. Its figure was similar to a dog.

=

Night Hound Level 27

=

They were many of them. All of them looked menacing and fierce. They had bone collars around their necks.

"Begin training!"

"Yes!" Mr. Arthur disappeared.

I was able to spot him in a tree drinking booze.

Ayumi, Koneko, And I prepared for battle. Koneko flew above us, away from the reach of the hounds. We took our stakes and sticks.

"Awooooooo!"

The hounds howled and surrounded us. Ayumi and I prepared ourselves us we steady our stance and position.

"Grah!" The night hound pounced but suddenly it disappeared.

"Ah!" A claw mark slashed on my shoulder.

This hounds can conceal themselves! These monsters are able to cast concealing skills.

Suddenly, Ayumi and I were covered in wounds. We couldn't see them. They can disappear then reappear.

"This... This is difficult."

"Are you alright, Ayumi."

"Hmm. I'm fine. Although it hurts a lot."

It continued to go on and on and we were starting to feel weakened. Even Koneko couldn't keep up. She doesn't know who to heal and where to shield. These hounds are mischievous.

"Lesson for today. If you can't see it with your eye. Close it and see with your other eye."

"What does that mean?"

"Figure that out."

Tsk. It's going to be tough. I started whacking randomly in hopes I could get a lucky hit but even my luck couldn't help even a single bit. Blood started to spray out in every part of our body. Our legs, side, arms, and shoulders. Ayumi is having a tough time as well as Koneko.

What does he mean to see with my other eye?

I calmed down and took my breath seriously. I focused on breathing in and out. Wait... I... I can smell them! Not only that, I can heat them and feel their movements through the air. I printed an image that conveys like a vision in my eyes. Know where they are. Know when they attack!

Whack!

"Awo... Awo..." The hound whelped.

There! I can hit them! I can feel the tension rise in the air. The hounds were stunned. They started to growl angrily.

"Ayumi! Follow what I do! Use your other senses!"

"Right!"

Koneko even listened to me. The three of us closed our eyes. We can feel them. We can draw an image of them. We can fight!

"Growl!"

They started pouncing at us recklessly. We were able to hit them and some of them went flying into the tree as it hit their backs. All of them whelped.

But even when we were able to realize where they were, that doesn't mean we can block all their attacks. We still got injured. Koneko healed me first then Ayumi.

Suddenly I heard a clanging sound. It looks like a shield. Even Koneko was able to predict where they are attacking.

Now we can win!

Hours had passed and we look awful. Our clothes were tattered and our skin was full of wounds.

"I'll heal nee-san first master."

"Okay. Make sure she's all recovered."

"Okay!" she nodded.

"Were camping here." Mr. Arthur spoke.

I prepared our bonfire and we took out the meat we butchered from the wolfmen and hounds that we encountered. We stuck it in sticks and cooked it by the fire.

"Koneko is all finished, Master! Your turn!" She jumped on my back and embraced me. She started to heal me.

"Koneko loves master!"

"Hahaha!" I pat her head.

I took a stick of meat and fed Koneko as I fed myself. Ayumi sat beside me and leaned on my shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing stupid. I just feel like it today." I pinched her cheek.

"You're so adorable, Ayumi-chan!"

"Geez! Don't call me that!"

I laughed. Ayumi started to study her book as she laid on my shoulder. Koneko pulled the bag closer to my back so that I could lean on it.

"Thanks, Koneko."

"Hihi! Welcome, my master!" She made a peace sign with her fingers. She then lied down on my lap. I ran my hand through her air and her ears. Her ears were fluffy and hef tail wiggled softly.

"Yakiro, make sure you take a good rest."

"Yes, Mr. Arthur."

Ayumi took a piece of stick and started to eat the meat. She held out the stick in front of my face and she looked flustered. I took a bite and she pulled the stick out. The meat is pretty tender.

This journey had been a tough one.