CHAPTER 39 (Patreon)

The morning after the harbor incident, I was ready to go monster hunting. Unfortunately, everyone else seemed to think there were a million things to do before we could leave.

Danek was busy dealing with the aftermath of his ruined stall. The Belator men had returned the stolen money, and there was apparently some arrangement for compensating the damages. Danek was naturally making the most of it. He had already found someone to repair the stall, and was busy explaining to father why the compensation should also account for lost business.

I left them to it.

Alik was fine, thankfully. A healer had examined him, and apart from a nasty headache and a few bruises, he was going to be fine. He wasn't very happy about being left behind.

“I should come with you, master,” he insisted.

“Not with that lump on your head.”

Alik looked miserable, but eventually agreed. I promised we'd train together when I returned. That seemed to cheer him up. Mother, meanwhile, had decided she was coming with me. Father wasn't especially pleased about that.

“Ramona, you're pregnant,” he said.

“And I'm still a Jungler,” mother replied. “Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on our son.”

“I’ll have six Warriors watching me!” I protested. “And Veena.”

“I’ve seen some chemistry between you and that noble girl,” mother said with a sly grin. “I want to come watch.”

“It’s not like that, mom! I’m just a kid anyway!”

“My son, already a lady killer at his age,” father said wistfully. I groaned.

Then he picked me up and squeezed. “Don't go getting into trouble.”

“Dad. We're going into the jungle to hunt monsters.”

“Yes, that is a good point,” my father said, considering. “Don’t get into extra trouble.”

I laughed. “I’ll try not to.”

We met our expedition at the eastern gate. The governor had kept his word. There were six armed Warriors waiting for us, along with a pack mule carrying supplies. They had proper steel weapons, shields, and armor that looked far more expensive than anything I'd seen back home.

Veena was there too, wearing her full battle-gear again.

“You’re late!” she said.

I yawned. “We agreed to leave at dawn, and it's not dawn yet.”

“Well, you should have been earlier.”

“Good morning to you too.”

She harrumphed.

The governor had also hired a Hunter to guide us. His name was Betuko, a lean man with tanned skin and a thick beard. He wore a battered leather vest and carried a bow and a pair of long knives. Additionally, under his tutelage were three young boys, maybe thirteen of age. They would be the runners. If we made kills, they would run back to the city to fetch a gathering crew for the materials.

The hunter, Betuko, took one look at me and frowned. “This is the sorcerer?”

“That's right,” Veena said.

“Peh,” the Hunter said. “Bunch of fables.”

Betuko looked at mother. “And you are?”

“Ramona. Jungler.”

That interested him considerably more. “Oh! Good. You know the jungle then?”

“A little,” mother said and smiled politely.

They immediately started talking about tracks, beasts, and plants. Apparently there were some things mother was eager to learn from a Hunter who worked on the main island. I was glad they were getting along. It meant I could get back to my magic, since I didn’t have mother fussing about me.

While everyone checked supplies, argued over who was carrying what, and made sure we had everything, I sat down on a stone by the gate and started absorbing mana.

I'd been practicing Mana Absorption quite a bit since my negotiation with the governor. It was a Skill I had been slacking on lately, and now that it was sure to become pertinent on the expedition, I had decided to get a head start. To my fortune everyone was already fussing about all the boring stuff, so I took some time to meditate. I was really happy when I felt the breakthrough coming and the System gave me one more for the road before the expedition started.

[Mana Absorption level 14!]

[+2 Magic Power]

[+2 Focus]

“Come, little gem,” mother called. “We are leaving!”

I grabbed my satchel so it wouldn’t bounce as I ran off to catch the expedition.

“Coming mom!”

The jungle was humid and full of sounds. I was extremely focused on them, because I had my eyes bound. That might not have been the smartest choice of my life, considering we were in a monster infested jungle, but I didn’t get this far by being smart. I got here by being an obsessed little baby.

And it was time to use my free Skill Slot. It was a hard choice, but I think I needed an awareness Skill. It was a staple for anyone dealing with dangerous situations, and I seemed to be a magnet for those.

The reality was that acquiring free Skill Slots would get harder from now on. With every milestone, the total level required doubled. I’d get my next Skill Slot at total level 200. 

I was really hoping I could eke out an extra slot before that. But for now I focused on listening, smelling and feeling the jungle.

Mother had offered to carry me, and sometimes I indulged, because my toddler legs weren’t exactly made for hiking in a dense jungle. But now I was holding my mother’s hand, while she would gently guide me in my darkness.

“There’s a root here, little gem. Right there, good.”

She was behind the Hunter, Betuko, who was in charge of tracking. Mother was learning from him, and I was learning from mother.

I should get my new Skill soon. I was quite excited by the prospect of getting another source of Perception Attribute. I hoped I could evolve the new Skill eventually to Sixth Sense. Or maybe I could even discover something that would work synergistically with my Mana Sight! 

So I used my senses. I felt the wet mud give under my toes. I heard the rustle of leaves as the adults brushed them aside. The sharp hack of a machete when we needed to go through a thick bush. I smelled the earthy, slightly rotten smell of the jungle. It was alive. So alive.

“How are you coming along, little gem?” mother asked and squeezed my hand.

“It’s difficult,” I said. “But I think I’m close.”

“You are teaching your son a Skill?” Betuko said with a thick accent. “I have never seen this blindfold-method before.”

“Yes,” mother said. “I have Sixth Sense myself.”

“Oh, very good,” Betuko said. “My third cousin has this. He has fox ears and owl eyes. How did you get this?”

Mother only smiled. “That is a secret, only my son will know.”

“Of course, sorry,” Betuko said and laughed. “Never hurt to ask, you know?”

“Your cousin won’t tell you?” I asked.

“Bah, that sore loser only tell me to jump in ocean after winning the girl we were both fighting for.”

“Was she worth it?” mother asked.

“Worth losing my cousin’s friendship and a rare Skill?” the hunter mused. “Yes. A hundred times over.”

Mother and I chuckled.

“Is a rare Skill so valuable?” I asked.

“Yes, little gem,” mother said. “Well… I only know about our little island. Betuko, are rare Skills valuable here too?”

“Yes, of course,” Betuko, the hunter said. “Maybe more usual here than in the smaller islands. But most skills I have, they are Common. And Uncommon. Tracking, Trapping, Running. I have a Rare Skill, called Bushcraft. What this does, well… maybe I tell in exchange for Sixth Sense.”

“Hmm…” mother hummed. “Tempting offer. We have time to discuss this.”

“Yes. Two weeks together. If the jungle is good, and the beasts don't take us.”

My mother was playing it cool, but she was clearly interested in this Bushcraft skill. She had been eager to join the expedition, despite the dangers. It seemed like she was nostalgic about being a Jungler.

I wondered what she would do about that when we inevitably sailed to Baros. Were there jungles there? 

When we set down to camp for a quick meal stop, she cooked us soup. I asked her about jungling.

“Why did you join, mom?”

“To make sure you’re safe.”

“I am starting to get good at keeping myself safe, you know,” I said.

She smiled and nodded as she tasted the soup. “While true, it’s better that I know. You saw your dad when he didn’t know. I would have been worse.”

“Is this true what they say?” Betuko said. “That you are a sorcerer of great power?”

I shrugged. “Of some power.”

“He is lying,” Veena said and sat next to me on a log. “He has great power.”

“But how..? I have never heard of someone getting a class this young.”

“I don’t have a class,” I said.

“Tsk,” Veena said to herself.

“Well,” Betuko said and gave me the side eye. “I will maybe see if the rumors are true.”

“Maybe,” I said. “Any idea when we will find an Awakened beast?”

“I am leading you to a lair,” the hunter said between spoonfuls. “There is a large snake living in a cave nearby. Great Mamba, we call it. Hunters avoid the cave. The Mamba is a terror, but it doesn’t hold territory. It only ambushes anything that wanders too close to its cave. I would avoid it but…”

“Very good,” I said. “Lead us to it.”

“The governor hired me to find Awakened beasts,” Betuko said hesitantly. “And I have found you one, yes. But I would not recommend fighting this one—”

“Thank you, Betuko,” I cut in and said firmly. “Please lead us to the lair.” 

I closed my eyes again and focused on my other senses. The soup was anything but rich and tasty, but it was an opportunity to use my senses, so I took it. I felt the damp log on my butt, and the warmth of mother and Veena by my sides and a faint wind on my back. I entered a meditative state and just breathed the moment in.

Then something just kind of… clicked. Suddenly the world seemed to open up. There was just… more. The sounds, tastes and sensations were all richer.

[New Skill Obtained: Heightened Senses (uncommon)!]

Description: Enhances the user’s sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. Higher levels improve sensory clarity and sensitivity, allowing the user to distinguish increasingly faint and subtle details.

[Heightened Senses level 1!]

[+1 Perception]

[+1 Reflex]

[Attribute Unlocked: Reflex]

Reflex:The speed at which a person responds to perceived stimuli. Affects reaction time and the ability to make rapid, instinctive adjustments.

“Mom, I got it!” I said and grinned.

“That’s so good, little gem! Now you should use your eyes too and try to be watchful.”

“I’ll do that mom.”

It felt nice to get a new Skill. I already knew what Reflex would do, but I was happy to see it. With it, I could start to keep up against physical monsters like Ranok. Maybe the increased Attribute would help me stumble less with all these damned roots!

The first monster encounter was on our terms. Betuko suddenly crouched on the ground and slid his fingers across some marks. Then he sniffed the mud and muttered to himself. And because he was teaching mother, she came up close.

“What is it?” she asked.

Betuko looked at the rest of us and whispered: “It is the Mamba.”

I perked up immediately. Not only at the prospect of an Awakened beast, but I was happy to notice I naturally picked up the whispered words, now that I had my new Skill.

Betuko turned to me. “I urge you, young master—”

“Luka.”

“Luka, that you do not disturb the Mamba.”

“He can handle it,” mother said. 

“You say this, but he is just a boy,” Betuko said and shook his head. “I know these warriors. They are good, but not good enough for this snake. Even with the Salakin girl. I say we avoid this one.”

Mother only smiled. “I’m not the leader. My son is.”

“He— but— he is just a child!”

“I can hear you, you know,” I said and gave Betuko a little wave.

“Mother of sea serpents…” Betuko muttered. “What do you want to do then, little sorcerer?”

“Did you learn about the raptor attack on us?”

“I heard the rumors, yes.”

“Would this snake be stronger than the raptor?” I asked.

Betuko shrugged. “Hard to say. It is bigger. But it does not hunt in packs.”

I also wouldn’t need to worry about protecting anyone, and likely we would get the jump on the beast. I liked those odds. I had been lately dabbling with charging my spells with more mana, and I was beginning to formulate an idea.

“You said you know where the snake lives? A cave?”

“I do.”

“Do you think it's there now?”

Betuko looked at the ground again. “Yes. I am certain. These tracks are fresh and leading towards the nest. Not away.”

“Show me. If the terrain is advantageous, I want to kill it.”

“This is foolish,” Betuko insisted. “You do not underst—”

“Betuko,” I said firmly. “I really appreciate the expertise you provide. But I make the decisions. Is that clear?”

Betuko muttered something under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, nothing. Yes, I understand. I just think… a few magic tricks will not be enough for this one. I will keep a safe distance.”

I smiled. “You do that. But make sure you watch.”

The Hunter soon led us to an opening with a wide cave’s mouth peeking between two bushes. The ground was harder here, and there were fewer trees, which made the sun peek at us. I enjoyed the warmth and looked around. The cave entrance was wide and led underground. Stalactites hung from a ledge covering the cave, making the stone structure look like a snake’s mouth. I found that amusing. They said the awakened beasts were somewhat intelligent, and I wondered if the snake’s choice of nest had been deliberate.

Other than that, there were some tall and sturdy trees around. Even I could see some grooves in the soft earth that led towards the cave entrance.

“It’s there,” Betuko said. “And I will venture no further.”

“Men,” I said to the warriors behind me. “Your job is to keep it busy and stay alive. Create space for me so I can take it out.”

“And what if you can’t?” one of the warriors said. “What if you are all talk and no strength, and one of us is killed because of this?”

Veena walked up to the warrior and slapped him. “You will pay respect. Do you think the governor is a fool?”

“No, young miss— of course not.”

“Then will you explain why you think you know better? If the governor put Luka in charge, maybe there is a reason for it?”

“Y-yes, young miss. My apologies.”

Veena turned to me with a fierce gaze and nodded to me. I was a little uncomfortable with her slapping her subordinates, but all of the other men were nodding and generally agreeing, while the warrior who spoke out was looking ashamed. I lowered my voice.

“Did you have to slap him and out him like that?”

“Hmph,” Veena said. “If a soldier doesn’t trust their leader, they will be foolish in combat. And if they are foolish in combat, they put everyone in danger. They need discipline, and sometimes that’s more than words.”

I nodded. “And here I thought you were just an angry brat.”

“Hmph! Don’t you have a monster to kill!?”

“Take the lead of these men,” I said to her.

“Of course,” she said and harrumphed. “Why do you think I’m here?”

“Don't try to fight it. Get its attention, lead it towards me and get out of the way. I want a straight shot. I’ll tell you when I’m ready.” 

Veena gave me a short nod and called her men up.

I started gathering mana. The air was thick with it. I started combining Mana Absorption and Mana Manipulation to cast a spell. Since we had the jump on the animal, I could create a massive spell.

I grinned at the prospect. Maybe something new? Yes… a new spell. Something powerful and cool. What should I do..?

Not a Water Jet. I needed something far more substantial. I wanted one hit that would kill the thing.

A Water Bullet might be too small. A whole barrage would spread the force around. No, I wanted one much larger projectile, held together tightly enough to punch through the snake.

I started gathering water above me. I hadn’t encountered mana this rich since Mez’s temple, so I was gobbling it up with my Mana Absorption and Mana Manipulation.

But no matter how much kinetic components I loaded onto this water mass, it was too unwieldy. I could keep a Water Bullet’s shape contained at the point of impact, giving it crushing, penetrative force.

But I couldn’t do the same with this literal metric-ton of water I had generated. Fortunately I had been theorizing.

The captain’s sabre had given me an idea. Its enchantment concentrated the force of a swing where the blade struck. Could I make the water do the same? Drive all that force into one point instead of letting it spread into a giant splash?

I used my cultivated finger to make the water, then drew in more mana and worked on holding the growing mass together. More water. Hold it steady. Add the force to launch it.

The formula was getting crowded.

I added one last change. Instead of delivering the whole push at once, part of the spell would keep pushing briefly after I released it. Just long enough to help drive the water into the target. A smidge of Continuous Casting for that extra oomph, and a bit of flair

The mass above me trembled. I was reaching the limit of what I could hold.

Oh my god, I couldn’t wait to throw this at a monster.

“Go wake the beast up,” I said between gritted teeth.