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Sour Apple - Chapter 43

Published at 19th of February 2024 05:54:41 AM


Chapter 43

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The Northern region is extremely cold.

The snow would continue to accumulate and create very deep snow.

The path leading to the Northern Dukedom remained free from snow.

Achoo!

The crusaders who had accompanied them on the journey to the Northern Dukedom were trembling due to the frigid weather. They would frequently sneeze and vigorously rub their hands together to stay warm.

Sai felt the cold, but it wasn't as severe as the crusader's chill. He speculated that his durability might be providing him with resistance to the cold.

Sai yawned, it was boring looking at snow all day. At first it was pretty. Now spending half a day in the snow made him resent it.

A melodic, wind chime sound reverberated through the air. The wind blows harshly. A blanket of shiny glistening, blue mist rolled into the area.

Rowana who was sitting next to Sai started to wave her hands in the blue mist, creating a small vortex of tornado in her hands.

“Beautiful isn’t it,” Rowana said softly. “This is called a Mana Storm. The Mana is so dense that you can see it.”

“It is beautiful,” Sai admitted, admiring the blue mist. Sai took a taste of the Mana Storm and noticed it tasted sweet.

“Master Rowana!” Archbishop Ruben ran to their carriage with distressed expression. “This is an emergency, we're in Mana Storm!”

“I can still see the road. It shouldn’t be a problem if we continue,” Rowana answered calmly.

Archbishop Ruben looked at Rowana like she was crazy. “Mana Storm causes Dungeon Outbreaks! We will be attacked by the Horned Dogs and especially the more dangerous Brutal Dogs! Worst of all we can’t even use Magic Arts in this weather!”

“It sounds to me that this is the perfect environment to train,” Rowana looked at Sai with a bright smile.

Sai didn’t like that joyful smile on Rowana's face. It normal signaled pain.

----

Rowana moved the carriage in front of the group to blast any Horned and Brutal Dog that was blocking the path.

The crusaders were all moved to the back. The mages were armed with crossbows and while the knights had swords ready.

The snow on both sides of the road was tall enough that Horned Dogs would have trouble launching an attack that way.

While the crusaders had a grim determination to battle to the death against the Horned and Brutal Dogs that would attack.

Rowana was relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Rowana looked at Sai. “Can you manipulate your poison in this Mana Storm?”

Sai was able to summon the green poison from his Greedy Jar. Manipulating the poison was impossible. “No it’s not working.”

“Thought so. Your own mana is being corrupted by the foreign mana in the Mana Storm. I want you to close your eyes,” Rowana told Sai.

Sai closed his eyes.

Rowana then instructed, “Visualize your mana as if it's actively repelling the foreign mana. Instead of attempting to solidify or purify your mana, envision it as a living entity engaged in a battle against the foreign mana in the surrounding air,” Rowana said soothingly.

He could see the mana outside in the air and the mana inside his body. Sai manipulated his mana. He pushed away the foreign mana from the air from his own mana.

Sai commanded the green poison to move. He could see his mana moving the green poison.

Sai opened his eyes and to his disappointment the green poison didn’t move. “What am I missing?”

“I think I know your problem. Let me teach you the Mana Sensing technique. It will make it easier to detect the foreign mana.”

Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark!

A stampede of Horned Dogs began to rush towards Sai and Rowana's carriage.

There were so many Horned Dogs that they moved like a dark, flowing river heading for the carriage. Over a hundred of them charged forward with the intent to tear them apart.

Sai stood up ready to battle.

Rowana created a red poisonous sphere, she then sent it soaring into the sky. As it glided through the air, it released a barrage of red poisonous needles that rained down on the oncoming Horned Dogs. The Horned Dogs met an instant demise upon being struck by the red poison needles.

The Horned Dog stampede was slaughtered by Rowana’s attack.

Rowana looked at Sai and continued to explain as nothing happened. “Mana Sensing is the ability to sense the mana of other people. You can use it to sense other people's mana from far away,” Rowana then pointed at Sai. “I want you to be able to recognise your own mana. The color, temperature and the intent that it gives off. That way you are able to tell the difference between your own mana and the foreign mana outside.”

Sai nodded and closed his eyes. He visualized his own mana. He inspected it closely.

Rowana meanwhile slaughtered any Horned Dogs that neared the carriage.

----

“Mana Sensing, I have figured it out,” Sai said in excitement as he moved his Abyssal Pufferfish poison in the air. The Mana Storm was still roaring, but he can still use Magic Arts since he learned the Mana Sensing technique to help him expel the foreign mana.

Mana Sensing the mana technique to perceive mana nearby and far away by feeling the mana in the environment.

He could even perceive the crusaders that were fighting against the Horned Dog.

There was one thing Sai noticed that he was worried about asking Rowana about. His own mana and Rowana’s mana, were identical.

“The Mana Storm definitely helps learn this technique,” Rowana said. “You can perceive your mana easier with how much foreign mana is in the air.”

“I wonder if I can get Modification to work,” Sai said. Sai took a glob of green poison and tried to freeze it.

The poison continued to be unfrozen.

“Hmm. What am I missing,” Sai asked himself.

“Continue practicing,” Rowana said. She took out her own green poison and froze it.

Sai could perceive the Mana, but he couldn’t replicate it with his own poison. Sai scratched his head in confusion. Trying to look at the poison and discover its mystery. Willing it to freeze.

To Sai's dismay, it didn't work.

"Why not assist the crusader in the rear?" Rowana gestured with her thumb towards the struggling crusader facing off against the Horned Dogs. "And don't forget, the Brutal Dogs are bound to join the fray soon, making this battle even more challenging."

"Understood," Sai replied, leaping to his feet. With the aid of Cloud Step, he began running on the air, swiftly making his way to the back of the carriage to aid the crusaders.

----

Sai was standing high in the air. Having a bird eye view of the battle.

The road was spacious, easily accommodating three carriages side by side, with a thick snowbank flanking its edges.

The crusaders appeared disorganized and in disarray, wielding a diverse array of weapons, including swords, spears, and even a ball and chain.

Although the Horned Dogs were suffering heavy casualties, the crusaders were also taking substantial damage.

Some unfortunate crusaders found themselves surrounded by multiple Horned Dogs, putting up desperate fights until their comrades rushed to their aid.

Individual arrows zipped through the air, sometimes hitting a Horned Dog and other times missing their targets completely.

Sai moved deeper into the battlefield. He made sure he was away from all the crusaders when he made his move.

Sai used his Greedy Jar to summon poison, he dumped the poison on the road making a large puddle. So large was the poison puddle that the Horned Dog was forced to dashed through it.

Small amount of Abyssal Pufferfish poison can kill a Brutal Dog in five seconds. The much weaker Horned Dog will be no match for the poison.

Sai watched as the Horned Dogs ran through the poison puddle. They didn’t even reach the crusaders before succumbing to the poison and miserably dying.

The crusaders finally relieved that Horned Dogs weren’t constantly replenishing their forces, turned the tide of the battlefield and defeated the remaining enemies.

Sai nodded his head and gave himself mental a pat on the back.

Sai decided to make his way down to the group of crusaders.

One of the crusaders didn’t have a shirt.

Tom sang to the heavens with a beautiful voice, “Dogs that are dead. Are the best when they're bloody red. I will sleep well in my bed.”

Tom continued to sing, cheerfully, without a shirt and rubbing the blood of dead dogs on his muscles.

“Thankyou for the help,” Jose said to Sai. “We’re really unlucky to be in the middle of a Mana Storm. If only we had access to our magic, this would be much easier.”

“We don’t need a fraud hero's help. We were fine by ourselves,” Luka said with a sneer.

“Hahaha. I am really getting sick of apologizing for you Luka. Can’t you just shut up,” Jose said menacingly.

“Are you going to make me shut up?” Luka replied. “Or are you too busy kissing the fake hero's ass.”

“I will be putting my foot up your ass if you keep acting like a jerk,” Jose replied.

Sai shook his head, “I should just go.”

Archbishop Ruben walked over, looking disheveled and tired. “Can you continue to apply the poison pond like you did before?”

Sai nodded his head, “Sure I can. It wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Good,” Archbishop then looked over to Tom. “You. Put your armor back on.”

“I am applying the blood of my enemies on my skin. I am Tom the Dog Beater!” Tom said while raising his hand and giving a fist pump.

Archbishop Ruben rubbed his face, “You people make me want to drink.”

Bark!! Bark!! Bark!!

Sai felt a horrifying chill.

A Brutal Dog was charging full speed toward their group.

A Level 25 Brutal Dog.

As soon as it neared the poison puddle, it leaped over it and continued to charge toward Sai.

Sai waited, ready to swing his fist.

“For glory!” Tom said as his voice echoed through the air. Tom charged towards the Brutal Dog with great determination.

Other crusaders nearby the area including Luka and Jose raced to attack the Brutal Dog.

Archers had already unleashed a barrage of arrows, hitting the Brutal Dog.

The arrows didn’t even hurt the Brutal Dog as it continued to dash forward.

The nearest crusader, a swordsman, was swinging his sword at the Brutal Dog.

In response the Brutal Dog with a single, powerful swipe of its claw, sent the swordsman flying, blood seeping from the impact.

Three crusaders that dashed toward the Brutal Dog didn’t have time to attack as the Brutal Dog used his horn and battered the three crusaders away.

Tom leaped into the air, displaying an almost berserker-like intensity. He wielded a massive bastard sword with both hands, delivering a powerful downward swing.

The Brutal Dog thrusted his sharp horn against Tom's downward sword attack. The Brutal Dog sent Tom flying and tumbling through the air.

Luka and Jose, both wielding spear thrusted their spears against the Brutal Dog.

Their efforts proved futile as the spears failed to penetrate the creature's tough hide.

The Brutal Dog swiped at Luka, pushing him against Jose, and both were sent hurtling through the air.

Sai threw the Light Silver Needle at the Brutal Dog. It hit the Brutal Dog in the shoulder area.

The Brutal Dog took two steps and collapsed on the ground.

Sai didn't take any chances and splashed the Brutal Dog with more Abyssal Pufferfish poison.

A ring sound alerted him. 'Level up!'

Sai blinked. He couldn’t believe it was that easy to kill such a beast.

“Well done Hero,” Archbishop Ruben said, who was now hiding behind a wall of crusaders.

“We are the ones who wore down that monster! He is a thief that took our kill!” Luka yelled out in disdain.

“For the love of the Great Fairies. Shut up Luka!!” Jose yelled back.

Tom approached Sai and bowed his head. “Please let me bathe in the Brutal Dogs blood!”

Sai gave a small nod. “Go ahead Tom. Be my guest.”

Sai could feel the happiness radiating off Tom’s entire being from his answer.

----

While Sai was slaying the legions of Horned and Brutal Dogs on the journey to the Northern Dukedom. He was rewarded with a lot of Glory, enough to reach level 25. “Blessing,” Sai said.

Level 25
Title Hero
Agility 30
Durability 251
Mana 3
Mind 3
Strength 24
Remaining Points 15
Gift Sour Apples

“Hey Rowana, where should I allocate my points,” Sai asked.

“Mind attribute. With a higher Mind attribute you’ll be able to learn faster. They also have different abilities as you increase the Mind attribute. Calculation, Perfect memory, faster thought process, parallel thought processing and simulations. The Mind attribute is the best for growth,” Rowana explained.

“Why don’t I dump all my points in Mind attribute if it is so useful,” Sai asked.

“Circumstances. The Mind attribute will help you grow if you have a lot of specific but a lot of information. If you have access to the Royal library, secret research lab or Alexandria Academy. You could grow in power with many resources and become very powerful. However, you can’t use the Mind attribute to kill a Horned Dog. Especially with your talent with Magic Arts being so low. Agility and Strength was the most important attribute at the time for you. Now that your points to spare the Mind attribute will help with master techniques which will broaden your combat ability,” Rowana explained.

With the points gained from the new levels, Sai raised his Strength attribute to 30 points and allocated the remaining points to the Mind attribute based on Rowana's advice.

Level 25
Title Hero
Agility 30
Durability 251
Mana 3
Mind 12
Strength 30
Remaining Points 0
Gift Sour Apples

“I’m leveling up so fast,” Sai said happily.

Sai and Rowana sat in a carriage as they approached a hill, knowing that once they crossed it, they would have a view of the Northern Dukedom.

Sai was looking forward to a bed and taking a nice long shower.

Sai didn’t see a peaceful city when they reached the top of the hill.

On the battlefield, knights and adventurers fought an army of Horned and Brutal Dogs.

The towering Northern Dukedom wall was being scaled by the Horned and Brutal Dogs.

Thick smoke filled the air, accompanied by the deafening clang of metal clashes.

One of the tall towers was ablaze, and explosions rocked the Dukedom from various areas.

Rowana looked at the carnage for a minute and then looked at her godchild. “Let's head back to the Ironthorn Forest.”

Sai shook his head and said. “We are going to save the Northern Dukedom.”





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