Dokeshi March: Epilogue (Patreon)

Epilogue

<So, I’ve been looking over the powers you got from March, and it turns out, they have been using them wrong the whole time!>

“Oh really?”  Grant was feeling his way up and down the border, trying to find the best place to cross.  “And what is it really meant for?”

<The true purpose of the scepter was meant to be a tool to reinforce self-discipline.  It was at its weakest when forcing others to follow rules, which is probably why they were forced to use that deviant cultivation method.>

“What does this mean for me, then?”  Grant finally found a place that didn’t feel too strong, and made sure all of his straps were tight before trying to cross over.

<It means, we can use it to enhance your mental fortitude, which should increase your mental cultivation by leaps and bounds!>

“That’s great news, Sarge!”  Grant used his Uchigatana to slice a hole through the barrier, and stepped into District April for the first time.  “I can’t wait to try it out.”

Grant looked over the rolling grassy plains of April, the first month in the Season of Summer.  It was nothing but endless waves of green, as far as the eye could see.  Grant didn’t spot a single building anywhere, and he was momentarily stunned by the barren beauty the new land provided.

“This place is incredible.”

For some reason, the sound of Grant’s voice turned out to be a siren call for every monster within twenty miles.  He had barely closed his mouth before a green-striped tiger the size of a horse sprang out of the grass, its metal claws aimed for his throat.

“Bwaragha!”  The sudden ambush put Grant on his heels, and if it wasn’t for his skill levels in Iaijutsu, his journey would have ended right there on the lonely plains.  “Sarge, what’s with this place!”  Grant was having an impossible time cutting through the tough hide of the grass tigers, who had somehow multiplied from one to four in the blink of an eye.

<Fall back!  Get out of here, these monsters are too high of a level for you right now!>

Grant spun in place, making a cut through the barrier just big enough for him to slip through.  He leaned against a nearby rock, trying to catch his breath after making his escape.

“That was definitely a bad place to cross through.  I’m going to try crossing over somewhere else.”  Grant made another cut in space, and walked through a spot in District March that was several miles south of his earlier crossing point.  “Let’s try here.”

This time, Grant made a much smaller cut, and did his best to stay quiet when he walked through the gap in the barrier.  Which is when he was swarmed by prairie dogs the size of actual dogs.  As he made wide sweeping motions with his sword a knee-height, he had a moment to catch his breath.  Just a moment though, as the group of six he was facing was only waiting for a larger group in the distance to join them in their attack.

“I have a feeling that I’m going to hate this district.”

The End of Book Three in the Year of the Sword