Too Stubborn to Die Chapter 6

For his first attempt after dying in the swamp, Aaron didn’t follow the majestic figure. However, that decision didn’t prove any better. Not far ahead of where he and the shadow had turned toward the swamp, a werewolf ambush had been lying in wait. There was nothing he could do; they were upon him in seconds.

Perhaps there was another route through to the finish, but Aaron had a feeling he was supposed to follow the shadow. Besides, perhaps the swamp was just the challenge he needed to overco. If he couldn’t walk across the soggy ground of the swamp without being caught, how would he ever tread upon leaves?

Even with the inhuman level of control that he wielded over his body now, it did not stop Aaron from falling victim to the muddy banks of the swamp. His attention to detail, which he had honed against the mage, ca in handy when spotting the lagoons themselves and avoiding them. The problem was that what little land there was was treacherous mud that would suck him down and anchor him in place.

After several deaths and closely watching the shadow, Aaron realized that he had the skills required, but he hadn’t incorporated them. He needed to entwine his immaculate dodging he had cultivated during his fight with the mage and his reflexes with his gentle footfalls and swift speed.

Before his feet even found lodging, he needed to be flowing into his next movent. Again, he would beco like liquid, but this ti, he would incorporate his entire body. Every movent had to flow into another seamlessly, without an ounce of wasted energy or displaced weight. Everything had to be exact and purposeful. He had to be aware of his entire body at all tis, including how each and every ounce of his weight was dispersed.

He lost track of his deaths and ran low on fabric for decoys, but he wouldn’t give up, not with his goal in sight. Defiantly, he continued, gradually inching his way across the swamp as his control increased.

Clearing the swamp was very much a race. Even as he beca a master of controlling his weight and speed, he still gradually sank. With every step, more mud clung to his feet, making his steps slower and clumsier, aning he sank deeper and deeper.

But he kept on going, only a few patches of cloth remaining. This was it. He either made it across the swamp, or perhaps he couldn’t, for no amount of skill alone would allow him to outrun the werewolves once he was out of cloth.

Darting across the swamp, he felt every fraction of an inch he sank into the mud, for his awareness of his body had grown so precise that he was aware of everything. Bouncing from patch of mud to patch of mud, he moved at a speed beyond that which normal humans could manage, and with stamina that would put an ultramarathoner to sha. And then, it happened. He felt dry, hard ground beneath his feet.

Aaron wanted to celebrate, but he knew that he didn’t have ti for that. Fail now, and he would have to start all over, and without the cloth for decoys.

Pressing on, he sprinted through the trees, following the serene shadow in the distance. With every step, the silver light grew stronger, and as he shot out from the treeline, he found himself in a clearing, a huge, silver shining crystal at its center, beside which the shadow stood.

He stopped for a second, awestruck, his attention captured, but was quickly snapped out of his daze as howls sounded within reach.

But before he dove for the crystal, he glanced at the shadow. Despite not being able to make the details of its face, he could have sworn that it was amused.

But he had no ti to ponder on that, and bounced back into action. Leaping for the crystal, he slamd his hand against it as he felt claws and fangs stab into his legs and sides.

Chain Quest: The Shadow Trials

Stage one of [ Trial of Survival ] COMPLETED!

You have tested yourself against the monsters skulking in the shadows and reached the moon crystal alive.

Quest Rewards: Talmora Weighted Gi [ Uncommon ], armory unlocked.

Experience rewarded for completing a quest stage!

Ding!

[ Brawler ] has LEVELED UP!

6 → 7

Ding!

[ Brawler ] has LEVELED UP!

7→ 8

Ding!

[ Brawler ] has LEVELED UP!

8 → 9

Huh, only got to level nine this ti.

Aaron groaned as he read the notifications. Perhaps he was being a little entitled, but he had hoped to gain as many levels as he had last ti. And gaining access to an armory would have been nice before he chose his class.

However, his thoughts quickly moved on as the white Gi appeared, and he inspected it.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Talmora Weighted Gi [ Uncommon ]

Mana Weighted Gi drains on the wielder whilst worn, absorbing mana, and converting it into additional weight. It is also the customary training garb for the Talmora Galactic Federation.

Aaron wasn’t imdiately sure about an outfit that would drain on him and weigh him down; he had, after all, spent the last few days, or weeks—he wasn’t really sure—training to improve his speed. However, it was his first and only piece of enchanted clothing, so he figured he might as well give it a try.

The sensation was imdiate. He felt heavy and tired without even doing anything, like he was walking around in sand while having his energy drained from him.

The Gi wasn’t particularly enjoyable to wear, but he could already see the potential benefits. Perhaps with this, he could push beyond the limits he had already achieved.

“Ti to go check the armory out, I suppose.”

A new door had appeared in the hallway, and he walked straight for it. Inside, the assistant awaited him, surrounded by weapon racks and armor-clad mannequins filling every other inch of the room.

“Miss ?”

“How in the endless multiverse did you manage to complete yet another trial stage?”

“Told you I was persistent.”

After an awkward mont, the assistant’s crinkled up glare softened, and he exhaled. “Fine, maybe I underestimated you a little. Happens to the best of us.”

“Wow, humility, I wasn’t sure you were capable of that.”

“Don’t push your luck.”

“Alright, alright. So, are you here to give a tour?” Aaron said, glancing around at the weapons.

“There’s not much to tour. You’ll find any weapons or armor you could possibly want. However, nothing here is particularly special. They are enchanted so that they won’t be damaged in the trials, but they don’t bestow any special effects.”

“I thought this place was for tutorial champions? Kinda sounds like you’re cheaping out.”

“It is. But champions are expected to earn their own weapons and armor. That said, this reward is provided in case a champion is missing sothing or if they just want to try a new weapon out. So take the opportunity to try different things, thanks to the power of this place. You don’t normally get to be brought back to life after dying. It’s a unique opportunity to test different paths. Besides, so just want to take a breath and take stock, arriving here. For many, this is the only safe place they have been in three months, and the first ti they get to rest without watching their backs. So consider that a more valuable treasure than the trials and potential rewards they offer.”

“Fair enough, that does sound pretty rough. So, any recomndations?” Aaron said as he ran a hand over the weapons and circled the room.

“For you? No. You’re a Brawler, correct?”

“I am,” Aaron nodded.

“It’s not that you can’t use weapons, but they kind of go against your Path.”

“My Path?” Aaron raised a brow.

He ntioned paths before, didn’t he?

“Yes, your Path,” the assistant repeated smugly. “Your Path is what defines you in the multiverse, and things like weapons and armor will define your path.”

“So I’m stuck as a Brawler now?”

“No. None of the decisions you make in F grade are truly irreversible. However, every step you take will affect your path and where it leads. You should consider that carefully before deciding to pick up a weapon or armor.”

“Right,” Aaron nodded. “So, my Class and Skills will be determined by what I use?”

“Basically, yes. Don’t stress over it, but rather, keep it in mind. You should at least consider what your path will be, and where it will lead you.”

“You’re unusually helpful today,” Aaron grinned, and the assistant grimaced.

“Don’t get used to it. You surprised with your tenacity, that’s all.”

“Well, thanks. That knowledge is helpful.”

Turning towards the rows of weapons and armor, Aaron stroked his chin as he considered what his path was, or rather, what it should be. It sounded as if there was still quite a bit of leniency at his early stage, but it also sounded like he would benefit by putting himself on the right path.

So what does that an in regard to weapons and armor?

Aaron thought back on everything he had achieved since arriving here. His training had made him precise, accurate, agile, and evasive. Almost imdiately, he realized that armor was out of the question. He hadn’t spent so long mastering the flow of his body just to hamper it by loading on heavy, restrictive armor. Of course, the training robes intentionally limited him, but their purpose was training, not as armor.

“Hey, um, assistant?”

“Douglas.”

“Douglas, that’s your na? I was expecting sothing else… Anyway, Douglas, these training robes aren't going to affect my path, are they?”

“Perhaps. But again, it depends on what kind of path you're trying to forge. They might weigh on you, but it's not like their purpose is protection, is it?”

“Right.”

“What I'm saying is that they won't push you towards a Class that specializes in armor, since that's not their purpose.”

That was just perfect, Aaron thought. They weren't armor, in fact, they looked like sothing a martial artist would wear, albeit a little different from the Gis he was used to back on Earth.

Now he just had to decide whether or not to use a weapon. Between the Skills he possessed, [ Thick Skinned ] and [ Relentless Scourge ], there was nothing restricting him from using weapons, and therefore, he could take a weapon if he wanted. Then again, weapons didn’t exactly match the description of his Class.

Do I even want to be a Brawler?

The question swirled in Aaron’s head. Weapons just made a lot of sense if he was going to be subjected to life-or-death situations. Who brings fists to a knife fight, or worse, a sword fight? Then again, his dabbling in kickboxing and MMA ant that he had a foundation to build on, even if he wasn’t so kind of pro.

He went back and forth, one mont telling himself to stick to what he knew, and the next, telling himself not to be an idiot and to just get a weapon. The thing was, would the System provide a class if it wasn’t viable? Surely if Brawlers existed, then they would have as much potential as weapon-wielding warriors, right?

Maybe there’s a compromise?!

Aaron’s eyes widened as he hurried around the weapon displays, searching for sothing that might take his interest, and before long, he spotted what he was searching for.

They were simple, black leather with sharp, tal spikes pointing straight out from the knuckles. Not only that, when he picked them up, he was surprised by how light they were. Not only would he not have to change his fighting style, but they would hardly slow his fists down at all.

Without further hesitation, he took the spiked gloves and strapped them on. A punch would do a whole lot more damage now.

“Could be worse,” Douglas comnted.

“I think they’re pretty cool,” Aaron grinned as he admired the pointy spikes protruding from his new gloves. “They just need a test run, now.”