I woke up on the floor, much like how I had ended up there. Blinking awake, I felt well-rested yet energized, and strangely hungry. It took a moment of idle wondering of how I came to be in this position when I suddenly remembered. As if struck by a bolt of lightning, I shot up to my feet. I took in my surroundings for the first time since waking up, relieved that I was still in my room and that my room was relatively intact. Glancing at the window, I noticed that it was still noon, which meant I was unconscious only for a few hours. Pulling my senses inward, I focused my attention on my mana core. My mana core Where before it glowed a bright yellow, now a Deep green took its place. Gone was the small green pearl from before my slumber - in its place lay an orb just as grandly enormous as in past days, yet now a vibrant, mossy shade. Reaching within, I explored the contours of this transformed essence. Its texture had softened, like rich soil, and swirled with an inner vibration I'd
As I reached for the doorknob, my hand slipped, causing me to almost miss it. Adjusting my plan, I redirected myself towards the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, I began to undress, and in the process, I noticed slight changes in the fit of my clothing. The shirt felt slightly tighter, the waistcoat sat a bit higher, the breeches appeared shorter, and the jacket's sleeves were a touch higher. I wondered if my clothes had shrunk due to the amount I had sweated. Shaking my head, I immediately dismissed the idea as ridiculous and chastised myself for entertaining such a thought. Leaving that notion behind, I fully undressed and began to examine my body. With careful glances here and there, I noticed a few differences. My previously lean and slender physique, which had some subtle muscle definition, now appeared more refined and defined than when I last checked in, which was earlier in the morning. I blinked rapidly, a bit confused by the sudden change. It seemed almost unbeli
I woke up to a strange heat suffusing my body, an intense warmth that felt as if something was ablaze within me. Annoyance creased my face, and my mood quickly soured. Seeking comfort, I shifted from one side of the bed to the other. when I sat up, wetness greeted my fingers. "No! Not again!" I cried, embarrassed at wetting the bed for the first time since infanthood. The heat intensified, a burning that seared from within. Gasping, I scrambled out of bed, clothes sticking uncomfortably. Standing on tiptoes, I reached for the window, but my current height allowed only glimpses of the estate's surroundings, providing little to no help in my current predicament. Spotting a small step stool nearby, I brought it over and climbed up, my small figure silhouetted against the first signs of light of dawn. As the first signs of morning broke through, the sky transitioned from the velvety darkness of night to a soft palette of colors, filtering through the windowpane. With a deliberate motio
It was enough to walk amongst giants whose roots outreached the manor's crumbling walls.I walked deeper into the forest, fascinated yet also uneasy in my unknowing. Around me, great trunks stretched towards the sky as if in prayer, their branches sturdy with leafy roof that blocked out the rising sun. Birdsongs and the whisper of a breeze were my only companions on pathways grown over by moss and rotting leaves.I didn't not where I was led. Only that some nameless longing pulled my steps onwards, as irresistible as the rising of the morn. Part of me yearned to hasten back to the safety of walls and rules, yet my feet refused to turn. Catching my breath upon a rise, mountains came into view and stole it away once more. I stood transfixed, chest heaving in awe. Never had I glimpsed such wild, grand scenery, at least not in person. Mountains, an immense chain of peaks, piercing the skies with jagged fangs. Their lofty peaks were crowned not with forests but robes of the purest white
With no respite for its prey, the mountain's ruler slashed at them with its fearsome claws.Yon rolled to the side, narrowly evading the powerful swipe, his smaller size proving advantageous for survival.The young tiger, however, did not fare as well. It was grazed by the bear's formidable claws, drawing fresh blood. Though the wound was shallow, in such dire circumstances, even small injuries could mean the difference between life and death. A trickle of blood began to flow from the tiger's side. The scent of fresh blood reached the hungry nostrils of the mountain ruler, igniting its instinct to demand more. Drool and foam dripped from its muzzle as its massive body begged to be satiated. The sight of its prey bleeding only fueled the beast's insatiable hunger, craving for more... more blood, more meat.The young tiger let out a pained snarl as its injury slowed its movements. It knew one wrong step now could mean becoming the ruthless bear's next meal. Yon, a lean but wiry hum
Yon gripped the sturdy tree trunk with white-knuckled intensity as the imposing bear reared up on its hind legs, smashing its massive paws down with earth-shaking force. "Argh!" He cried out, his heart pounding in his chest.This was the ruler of the snowy mountains, a creature possessing brute strength beyond all reason. Its sheer presence was utterly dreadful, and it was now fixated on a prey that would likely only smear one of its razor-sharp claws with blood.As the bear drew back, preparing to charge, Yon locked eyes once more with the tiger that had led him to this perilous confrontation. The big cat's gaze was unwavering, as if daring him to make a move.Then, without any warning, the tiger suddenly bolted, drawing the bear's wrathful charge. But at the last possible moment, the feline veered aside with its terrifying reflexes.Snarling in frustrated rage, the Great bear, unable to halt its momentum, careened headlong towards the very tree that Yon clung to for dear life."No
Running with every screaming fiber of his, he manuevered between the towering trees, taunting the bear towards the spot where it had smashed its massive paws into the snowy earth. The ground was now pockmarked with deep furrows, and from these churned-up gouges, massive icicles still jutted upwards – jagged, frozen spears."Come here you nasty ball of furs! You are nothing but a dirtbag!"The giant bear appeared to register Yon's shout, as it barreled forward, disregarding the injured tiger it had deemed too difficult to catch.The little critter, on the other hand, wasn't fast, but it didn't look too appetizing either. It just wanted to shut up that annoying buzzing and go for the real meal.As the bear reared up, slamming its massive paws down onto the icy ground, the impact shattered the icicles, sending razor-sharp shards flying every which way.The tiger, already on the giant bear's tail, sensed its chance and swiped at the beast, letting out a fierce growl to distract it. 'Did
The beast was no simple animal - its biology and resilience were far beyond the normal limits.Yon's heart raced, fear and worry turning to a desperate need to survive. The exhaustion of his reckless gamble was setting in. There was only one way out of this - he had to kill.The realization hit him hard, his breath catching in his throat."Guh!"He'd taken many lives before, but not like this. "Huff... huff... huff..."Faced with the unstoppable forces of nature bearing down on him, his survival instinct took over. Kill or be killed. His fears, worry and exhaustion were turning into desperation. The desperate will to kill.His breaths came in short, frantic gasps."Hah... hah... hah..."The only way he'd escape this alive was to kill. There was no other choice.Slowly, agonizingly, Yon felt the bear's frenzied struggles beginning to weaken as his mana disrupted its raging vital functions bit by bit. But the relentless avalanche was taking its toll - even his enhanced lungs burned an