A Week in the Wilderness: Unleashing the Fury Within

Amidst the untamed wilderness, a luxurious tent stood amidst the untamed beauty of nature. Within its confines, a young teenager in weathered leather pants sat cross-legged, his chestnut hair mirroring the shade of the earth. With closed eyes, he seemed at peace, as if immersed in a tranquil slumber.

The air grew still, and the only audible sound was the gentle rhythm of Leylin's breath. His chest rose and fell in a mesmerizing pattern, a testament to the tranquillity that enveloped him. Yet, beneath his closed eyelids, restlessness stirred, manifesting as fleeting twitches and quivers.

An hour passed, and from Leylin's forehead, several small, dark red dots of light began to emanate. They floated like ethereal fireflies, dancing and flickering in the air. Slowly, these luminescent spots encircled Leylin before finally merging into his very being. It was an eerie sight to behold.

As the crimson lights entered Leylin's body, a shudder coursed through him. His facial muscles twitched, and perspiration beaded on his forehead, trickling down his temple. Yet, as swiftly as the discomfort came, it faded, leaving behind a renewed sense of serenity.

At long last, Leylin opened his eyes. Within his spiritual mind, eight golden runes shimmered, their intricate patterns exuding an aura of power. They floated, suspended, fortifying his spiritual force.

'According to the book, a level 1 acolyte's spiritual force is roughly double that of an average adult,' Leylin mused. 'Moreover, spiritual force seems to possess a life of its own, drawing energy particles in the air towards it.' His thoughts swirled with curiosity and revelation.

He looks at his status panel.

[Name: Leylin Farlier

Profession: Level One Acolyte, Knight.

Strength: 3.3

Agility: 3.4

Vitality: 3.6

Spiritual force: 2.0

Magical Power: 2.0

Status: Healthy]

Extending his arms, Leylin observed as a layer of dark red light enveloped them, resembling a delicate shroud of cotton candy. It carried a subtle, cooling sensation. Furrowing his brow, he pondered the unexpected hue.

'My elemental affinity should be strongest with the Dark element, so why is this crimson hue present?' Leylin questioned in his mind. 'And now that I think about it, my meditative progress seems...'

His internal thoughts were abruptly cut short as a sudden tightening gripped his heart. A surge of dread washed over him as if the spectre of death itself loomed ominously nearby. Leylin's mind raced, his thoughts accelerating at a frantic pace.

'Track the prince immediately and provide a status update!' he ordered laced with urgency, hastily grabbing his weapon as he burst forth from the tent.

[Beep! Task Established! Prince Olma is 3 miles north of the host. Fluctuation Reading! Fluctuation cannot be accurately read due to the distance from the host.]

"Fucking Hell!" Leylin cursed under his breath, his footsteps quickening as he followed the A.I. map towards the designated location. With each stride, he devoured yards of ground, rushing past Karl, who had been engrossed in a book.

Karl watches Leylin rush past him with furrowed eyebrows, but his eyes shift as he noticed Leylin's demeanour. Setting his book aside, he followed Leylin's hurried footsteps, his eyes meeting Jonathan's as he did. The mischievous expression on Jonathan's face vanished as he was discussing something with Goerge, replaced by a look of concern, as he witnessed the gravity in Karl's gaze before hurrying away to an unknown destination.

**********

Olma's tear-filled eyes glistened, reflecting the pain that consumed his very soul. His trembling hands desperately clutched his stomach, a futile attempt to quell the agonizing ache that radiated through his entire being. Gasping for breath, his vision blurred by the rivulets of blood streaming down his battered face, his once lustrous, obsidian locks now clung to him, caked in a layer of dust and despair. Every delicate pore on his porcelain skin bore the marks of cruel slashes, a testament to the torment he had endured. His legs now twisted at an unnatural angle, mocked his shattered spirit. An anguished scream struggled to escape his lips, but the weight of a merciless boot on his neck silenced him, stealing his voice.

Leo, a figure filled with malice and contempt, bent down and cruelly tugged on Olma's long, matted hair. He forced Olma's gaze to meet his own, revealing the sheer hatred in his eyes. "You have a lot of nerve to join this caravan after what your family has done," Leo sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "And from the looks of it, you didn't even have the slightest clue, huh?" His dark chuckle echoed ominously in the air.

Another black robe knight standing there with a cold glint as he watches Leo torture the little boy.

A deep, growling voice pierced the stillness of the surrounding foliage, its menacing tone freezing the air around them. "I wouldn't have laid a finger on royalty if I were you, you wretched slave." The words hung in the air, dripping with venom and scorn.

Leo turned around, his heart skipping a beat as he locked eyes with a pair of dangerous, gleaming emerald orbs. The killing aura emanating from those eyes overwhelmed him, causing his breath to hitch in his throat.

At that moment, a surge of strong emotions flooded Leylin's heart. He witnessed the devastation inflicted upon Olma, a delicate and kind-hearted boy, transformed into a shattered, tormented soul.

**********

[Background Story]

Restless and out of his element, Olma embarked on a journey with the caravan, leaving behind the bustling world of his home and his beloved experiments. Suddenly thrust into a world of idleness, his newfound free time only served to agitate him. The absence of his alchemical pursuits left him fidgety, his mind yearning for the familiar routine that had once consumed his days. While he now had companions in the form of Jonathan and Goerge, he struggled to acclimate himself to their presence and the social interactions they entailed. Socially awkward, Olma had spent his formative years tucked away in his alchemy lab, consumed by his unyielding fascination and passion. Now, the weight of unfamiliarity and his own introversion bore down upon him, leaving him isolated in the company of others.

Yet, amidst the turmoil, Olma's gaze found solace in the untamed beauty of the wilderness. The exotic flora that adorned the land beckoned to his curious soul, igniting a flame of wonder within him. When the caravan paused to rest and set up camp during their arduous journey, Olma would wander, his steps guided by a thirst for knowledge. He observed the exotic plants with the eyes of a researcher, captivated by their mysteries. In the limited time he had, he attempted simple experiments to unravel the secrets they held, a testament to his insatiable curiosity.

However, during one of these ventures, Olma strayed too far from the safety of the camp, following the enticing trail of flora with miraculous properties. Unbeknownst to him, Leo, a calculating figure who had diligently tracked Olma's routines and habits, had discovered the truth about his family's heinous crimes against Leo's lords. The opportunity presented itself to Leo, fueled by a festering desire for revenge. While the lords may have bound themselves to some agreement, restraining them from causing direct harm to Olma, Leo harboured no such restrictions. In his eyes, the lords' disdain for the boy was palpable, their silent wrath begging for vindication. Armed with this knowledge, Leo, accompanied by his subordinate Kiro, ambushed Olma and dragged him away, their intentions clear: to subject the innocent boy to unspeakable torture, making him pay the price for his family's sins.

Olma's innocent mind had failed to grasp the consequences of his actions, unwittingly inviting a demon into his realm of existence. His curiosity, once his greatest ally, had now become his unwitting downfall. The purity of his intentions, to gather data and learn from the exotic flora, had led him down a path of torment, a cruel twist of fate that he could never have foreseen.

[End]

***********

[Now]

Amidst the darkening wilderness, a sardonic chuckle pierced the air. "Seems they no longer hold us nobles in high regard, after all the cordiality we've shown them in recent months," George remarked, his tone laced with bitterness. Kiro turned towards the east, where a strapping young man with golden hair approached them.

This youth exuded an air of nobility, his eyes reflecting disdain for those of lower social standing. Despite his polite and humble demeanour, the blood of the Bournin family coursed through his veins, elevating his status above these common folk. He had endured their distant and rough treatment for months, but witnessing their attack on the very nobility they were meant to protect pushed him past his breaking point.

Leo's eyes gleamed with calculated intent as he abandoned Olma and strode towards the youth with emerald eyes, his hand firmly gripping the hilt of his sword.

~Click~

Suddenly, Leo heard a click and saw a blur pass by him. Instinctively, his body reacted, tilting at an angle that saved his head from being severed from his neck. However, he wasn't unscathed, as his left arm was severed, blood gushing forth like a spring in full force.

The tension escalated as George, wielding a two-handed broadsword, launched a powerful and momentum-filled attack at Kiro. Yet, Kiro easily blocked the assault, being a Knight Realm warrior, while George was only at the Preparatory Knight Realm, his inner life energy not yet ignited. Kiro raised an eyebrow, surprised by the initial show of strength, but now he sneered, launching a counterattack with swift and powerful slashes, forcing George onto his back foot, defending with his life hanging in the balance.

Clutching his wounded left shoulder with his right hand, Leo cursed, a click of his tongue expressing his frustration. He used his internal energy to stem the bleeding, but a subtle shift in his eyes indicated his realization. Were it not for his extensive experience in countless battles, that single strike from the youth before him would have been fatal.

On the battlefield, Leylin, his enchanted katana shimmering in the fading light, engaged in a ferocious clash with Leo. Both warriors, having reached the Knight Realm, possessed the power of internal energy, granting them otherworldly strength and agility.

Leylin struck first, unleashing a barrage of swift and lethal attacks. Each swing of his katana showcased his mastery, an elegant dance of death. His strikes were precise, aimed at Leo's vital points with surgeon-like precision. The air reverberated with the deadly arcs of his blade as if a vengeful wind swept through their battleground.

Overwhelmed by Leylin's relentless assault, Leo tapped into the depths of his training, countering with his own techniques. Yet, he found himself falling short against this young adversary. Gritting his teeth, he knew he had no choice but to activate his secret technique, fully aware of the consequences it would entail. For a period of time, he would be left weakened, drained of his strength. However, as he observed George and Kiro's battle, a decision solidified within him. If he could just hold on a little longer, Kiro would come to his aid. With resolution in his heart, he activated the secret technique, feeling his strength and vitality surge. His muscles swelled, stretching his clothes and transforming him into a formidable, yet slightly slower, miniature giant. But his strikes became more ferocious, clashing with Leylin's katana in a symphony of steel. The sheer force behind Leo's attacks sent shockwaves through the ground, trembling the earth beneath their feet. With each collision, sparks crackled in the air, testaments to their escalating conflict.

Refusing to yield, Leylin, relying on the additional secret techniques acquired through his AI chip, tapped into their power. Grateful for his collection of techniques, gleaned from others to enhance his AI chip's database, Leylin surged with energy. A surge that granted him temporary boosts in strength, agility, and vitality. His senses sharpened, allowing him to anticipate Leo's moves with uncanny precision, even without the aid of his AI chip. His movements blurred, his reflexes surpassing human limitations. With every strike, he pushed beyond the boundaries of his mortal form, transcending his own limitations.

Their clash evolved into a deadly dance of life and death, each strike fraught with emotion and an unwavering thirst for victory. Their swords harmonized, each clash resounding like a symphony of steel, their gazes locked in a fierce duel of wills. Sweat trickled down their brows, their muscles strained under the weight of their relentless battle.

Meanwhile, George felt his heart tighten as he parried yet another deadly blow. Unwilling to succumb, he yearned to ignite his life energy and transcend to the Knight Realm. However, his attempts proved futile. Gritting his teeth, he knew he had no choice but to make his move now, for the fate of Golden Mane depended on it. Whistling sharply, he caught Kiro off guard, prompting him to twist sideways just as a piercing attack narrowly missed his heart. A fair-haired youth joined the fray, brandishing his Excalibur sword.

"You took your sweet time," Karl remarked, his gaze piercing George with a withering look. George had pleaded for this chance, confident in his ability to hold his own against the Knight. Karl, however, had reason to doubt, suspecting that George's true aim was to replicate Leylin's method of breaking through the current realm and ascending to the Knight Realm. Yet, as Karl witnessed Leylin's battle, surprise and elation washed over him, redirecting his focus to George's fight. He knew that if the lad grew too stubborn to seek assistance, Karl would intervene.

George and Karl joined forces, attacking Kiro with doubled effort, striving to keep him at bay and prevent him from aiding Leo, the other black-robed Knight.

Engaged in a fierce duel with Leylin, Leo's attention wavered as another youth joined the fray, causing his mind to reel. Fatigue gnawed at his being, but Leo's momentary lapse offered an opportunity. Leylin seized the opportunity and struck with lethal precision, aiming for Leo's heart. With all his concentration, Leo desperately blocked the attack, but at that moment, a crossbow emerged from the dense shrubbery nearby, its bolt venomous in its trajectory.

Leo, parrying another devastating blow, felt the bolt pierce his abdomen, immobilizing him. Capitalizing on his vulnerability, Leylin expertly severed Leo's right arm, rendering him unable to fight. Leo was then kicked to the ground, his face taking the brunt of Leylin's forceful kick, rendering him unconscious.

Another bolt hurtled toward Kiro, but he managed to block it in time. Though George and Karl fought with all their might, they couldn't exert the same pressure as Leylin and thus failed to prevent the bolt from speeding towards Kiro. Kiro smirked smugly, his satisfaction was short-lived as his head was swiftly separated from his neck, a gushing fountain of blood marking the grisly end of his life.

Stunned, George and Karl stood frozen, sweat trickling down their foreheads. The events unfolded so swiftly, they struggled to keep pace. One moment, Leylin stood distantly, and the next, he confronted Kiro, whose head now lay severed.

[Alert! The host is currently in a weakened state due to the excessive usage of the Mirrage Technique combined with the Enhance State Technique.]

Flicking his blade clean, Leylin approached Karl. "Summon Nicholas, discreetly," he instructed, his voice neutral yet commanding. He turned his attention to Olma, witnessing the boy's unconscious state, a pang of heartache washing over him. Casting a glance towards the dense shrubbery, Jonathan emerged, summoned by Leylin's silent call. He motioned for Jonathan to attend to Olma's wounds.

Jonathan nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of pain and anger as he observed Olma's condition. In their brief time together, he had grown fond of the boy, seeing him as a younger brother of sorts. Jonathan couldn't explain why, but he felt a need to protect Olma's innocence and kind heart, which he had discovered through their interactions. Taking hold of his emotions, he began treating Olma's injuries with deft skill.

Leylin watched as Jonathan retrieved a satchel from his side, impressed by the man's expertise in anatomy and healing. After some time, Karl returned, accompanied by a brown-haired youth of slight stature. Nicholas was a member of Ourin's group, a nervousness emanating from him as he approached.

Leylin instructed Nicholas to sign a binding contract, using a modified version of Queen Mila's technique. Instead of a conventional signing process, they would drip their blood into an amulet. He then pointed towards Leo, his voice devoid of emotion. "Extract all the information from him, by any means necessary. Make it painful, but ensure he does not scream or alert the living creatures in the forest or the camp," Leylin stated matter-of-factly.

Nicholas's eyes flashed with cruel gleam and walked towards Leo, as he crouched down and inspect the guy, "If I used my methods, this guy wouldn't be functional anymore," he said and glanced back towards Leylin from over his shoulder.

Leylin waved in a dismissive gesture, his gaze shifting towards Karl, and motioned for him to join in a hushed conversation. They conferred discreetly, discussing their next steps and strategies.

A cruel gleam flashed in Nicholas's eyes as he moved Leo, dragging the man by his hair to a secluded corner. A sinister smile played on Nicholas's lips as he prepared to extract the desired information.

****************

[Author's Note:

I have come across some comments where readers are comparing Fang Ming to the current main character (MC) in the story. I would like to clarify that, before you continue reading, please adjust your mental image of the MC. Unlike Feng Ming, who is a scientist from an advanced civilization with involvement in the political world, this MC is simply a teenage student in the Drama Club, with a passion for a fictional book. He is an average mid-teenage boy, so it would be best if you don't associate this fanfic's protagonist with Fang Ming. It's important to note that the MC will undergo development over time as the storyline progresses. Anyways, I hope everyone is in good health.

I understand that some of you may not frequently read the Author's note, but I would like to reiterate that I am presently dealing with an exceptionally demanding schedule that was originally set until July 15th. However, due to the additional demands imposed by certain faculties, the timeline has been extended, much to my dismay. 😒 This is the primary reason for the irregular updates in my content.

And, naturally, I kindly ask for your support on my Ko-fi page to boost my motivation.

Please consider visiting my Ko-fi page at the following link:

https://ko-fi.com/motorboat7

Your support is incredibly valuable and deeply appreciated. It means the world to me and keeps me inspired to continue creating. Thank you so much! 🙂]