Chapter 13

Vince's determination to help his injured friends led him to delve into research about the Reverse Cursed Technique. He knew that this powerful technique had the potential to heal their injuries, but he also understood that it came with its own set of challenges and limitations.

As he scrolled through his phone, searching for information about strong monsters in the area, Vince couldn't help but think about the sacrifices his friends had made to protect the academy and its students. Ian, Zane, Hiro, and the others had put their lives on the line, and now they were paying the price.

After some extensive research, Vince immediately thought about the system he had been using had provided him with the means to obtain Reverse Cursed Technique, a rare and coveted ability that could restore his friends to full health.

Vince: "I doubt its THAT expensive, sure people can regenerate limbs with reverse curse technique but it also has its weakness... But there's one problem.."

Since Vince had used all of his SC and was now seeking ways to gain more, he continued his research on nearby monsters with the hope of earning the SC necessary to learn the Reverse Cursed Technique. He knew that he needed to act swiftly to help his injured friends.

Vince scoured the information available on his phone, looking for any reports of strong monsters or creatures that could provide him with the opportunity to earn SC. He was determined to do whatever it took to acquire the technique and heal his friends, even if it meant facing formidable adversaries.

As he continued his search, Vince couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. The injuries of Ian, Zane, Hiro, and the others weighed heavily on his conscience, and he was driven by a deep sense of urgency to find a solution.

Vince remained focused on his quest to gather the necessary SC and learn Reverse Cursed Technique to heal his friends.

Vince's determination burned brightly as he continued his research late into the night. The hospital room had become a cocoon of dimmed lights and hushed sounds, a stark contrast to the bustling activity of the day. Aiko, who had been sitting by Hiro's bedside, glanced over at Vince with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

Aiko: "Vince, you've been at this for hours. Are you okay?"

Vince looked up from his phone, his eyes tired but resolute. He offered a reassuring smile to Aiko.

Vince: "Yeah, Aiko, I'm fine.."

Aiko nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. She had seen the pain in Vince's eyes when he had visited Hiro, Takashi, and the others. It was a pain that mirrored her own.

Aiko: "We all want them to get better, Vince. But you need to take care of yourself too."

Vince appreciated Aiko's concern, but he couldn't rest until he had a plan.

-Few Hours Later

Under the cover of night, Vince continued his research, determined to find a solution to heal his injured friends. The hospital room remained tranquil, and Aiko eventually drifted off to sleep in her chair, her exhaustion finally catching up with her.

As the minutes turned into hours, Vince finally stumbled upon a lead. A report had come in about a formidable creature known as the ElderTree Leviathan, rumored to be lurking in the nearby forest. The creature's strength and unique abilities made it a prime target for earning the SC needed to master the Reverse Cursed Technique.

With newfound hope, Vince carefully bookmarked the information on his phone. He knew that facing the ElderTree Leviathan would be no easy task, but it was a risk he was willing to take.

Vince: "This is it."

As the night wore on, Vince waited for the right moment. When everyone in the hospital room was sound asleep, he silently slipped out.

Armed with determination, Vince set out into the darkness, heading towards the forest where the ElderTree Leviathan was said to dwell. He knew that the fate of his friends rested on his shoulders, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Continue with Vince's journey to confront the ElderTree Leviathan and earn the SC he needed to heal his friends.

The forest was shrouded in an eerie silence as Vince ventured deeper into its depths. Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting an otherworldly glow on the towering trees and tangled undergrowth. The air was thick with an aura of mystique, and Vince couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.

The report he had read described the ElderTree Leviathan as a guardian of the forest, a colossal entity with the power to manipulate plant life and bend it to its will. It was said to possess not only incredible strength but also a keen sense of self-preservation.

Vince's heart raced as he ventured further, his senses on high alert. Every rustle of leaves and whisper of the wind seemed like a potential threat. He knew that facing the Leviathan would be a perilous endeavor, and the thought of failure weighed heavily on his mind.

Time seemed to blur as Vince pressed on, guided by a growing sense of determination. Hours passed, and the forest grew denser, the terrain more treacherous. It was then that he stumbled upon a clearing bathed in moonlight, revealing an awe-inspiring sight.

Before him stood the ElderTree Leviathan, an immense creature that seemed to be part tree and part beast. Its eyes glowed with an ancient wisdom, and its bark-like skin rippled with an otherworldly energy.

The Leviathan regarded Vince with a mix of curiosity and wariness. It seemed to understand the purpose of his visit, that he sought to challenge it in battle.

Vince took a deep breath, his body trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. He knew that this would be the most challenging battle of his life, but he couldn't afford to back down.

As Vince squared off against the ElderTree Leviathan, the forest around them seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of the battle that was about to unfold. Vince's heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel the weight of his mission bearing down on him.

With a deep breath, Vince unleashed his Cursed Energy, allowing it to surge through his body. His veins glowed with a dark, pulsating energy as his Kakuja form manifested, covering him in an imposing armor of sharp, jagged blades.

The Leviathan, sensing the formidable power emanating from Vince, responded in kind. Vines and roots extending from its body began to writhe and twist, creating a swirling barrier of plant life around it. It was clear that this ancient guardian was not to be underestimated.

Their battle began with a clash of titanic forces. Vince lunged forward with incredible speed, his bladed arms slicing through the air with deadly precision. The Leviathan, however, was no slouch in combat. It manipulated the very roots of the forest, creating barriers and launching vine projectiles with astonishing accuracy.

Vince's Total Concentration Technique allowed him to move with grace and precision, evading the deadly assaults of the Leviathan's natural weaponry. With every strike, his cursed energy-enhanced blades cut deep into the Leviathan's bark-like exterior, sending showers of splintered wood into the moonlit night.

The Leviathan retaliated with a surge of energy, causing the forest floor to erupt in a flurry of vines and thorns. Vince was forced to employ his Divine Devil Medium Output, amplifying his strength and agility to an even higher level. He felt the power surging through him, the exhilaration of newfound abilities pushing him to his limits.

Their battle raged on, Vince's crimson aura clashing with the verdant energies of the Leviathan. Each blow, each clash, echoed through the forest, as if nature itself was bearing witness to their contest of wills.

Half an hour passed, and both combatants showed signs of weariness. Vince's armor was marred with cracks, and his movements grew slower. The Leviathan, too, had sustained considerable damage, with chunks of its bark-like skin missing.

As the battle between Vince and the ElderTree Leviathan raged on, the very forest seemed to come alive with the intensity of their clash. Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows on the battlefield. Vince's heart raced as he faced the ancient guardian, fully aware that the fate of his friends rested on his shoulders.

With his Divine Devil Medium Output and Kakuja form, Vince moved with blinding speed and precision. His bladed arms struck like lightning, slicing through vines, roots, and wooden armor with relentless determination. Every strike sent splinters flying and carved deep wounds into the Leviathan's massive form.

The Leviathan, a creature of unparalleled power and resilience, retaliated with nature's fury. Vines and roots lashed out, attempting to ensnare Vince and drag him into the forest's verdant embrace.

With a burst of speed, Vince closed the gap between them and delivered a devastating strike to the Leviathan's trunk. His blades pierced the tough bark, causing the ancient guardian to roar in pain. It retaliated by summoning a storm of thorns and brambles, attempting to overwhelm Vince with sheer numbers.

Vince's blue aura blazed even brighter as he used his cursed energy to shield himself from the thorny onslaught. He knew that time was of the essence; the longer the battle dragged on, the more his body would suffer from the strain of the Divine Devil and Kakuja. He needed to finish this.

With a determined growl, Vince activated his Divine Devil  at its Maximum Output. His power surged to its peak as he unleashed a barrage of devastating strikes. Each slash was like a thunderclap, and the Leviathan's defenses began to crumble.

The ancient guardian, realizing it was facing a formidable adversary, summoned the last of its strength. Vines and roots erupted from the ground, forming a colossal, serpentine appendage that struck at Vince with incredible force.

But Vince had one final card to play. He knew that the ElderTree Leviathan was not truly defeated until its core had been destroyed. With grim determination, he activated an enchantment known as "Grim." Red bubbles appeared around the Leviathan, signaling the onset of this dire affliction.

Grim was a potent curse that amplified all damage inflicted on its target. Vince's eyes blazed with determination as he raised his bladed arms once more. He knew that this was his chance to deliver a finishing blow to the Leviathan's core and end the battle once and for all.

With a burst of speed, Vince closed the distance between himself and the fallen guardian. The Leviathan's core, hidden beneath layers of bark and vines, was the key to its resilience. It was the source of its power and vitality.

Vince's blades struck with unparalleled precision, guided by the curse of Grim. Every slash, every strike was magnified in its potency. The Leviathan, already weakened and battered, had no defense against this relentless assault.

With a final, thunderous blow, Vince pierced through the last layer of bark and struck the core of the ElderTree Leviathan. The curse of Grim heightened the damage to a level beyond imagination, and with a resounding crack, the core shattered.

The Leviathan let out a deafening roar, its form trembling and convulsing as the life force drained from it. The ancient guardian's reign of terror over the forest had come to an end.

Vince, breathing heavily and covered in the remnants of their battle, stood victorious over the defeated Leviathan. The curse of Grim had sealed its fate, and the forest, now freed from the creature's influence, seemed to sigh in relief.

As the moon continued to cast its gentle light upon the scene, Vince knew that he had succeeded in his mission. The SC he had acquired from this formidable adversary would bring him one step closer to learning the Reverse Cursed Technique and healing his injured friends.

With a sense of accomplishment and determination, Vince made his way back to the hospital, his heart filled with hope for the future. The battle against the ElderTree Leviathan had been a grueling test of his strength, but it had also shown him the depths of his own potential.

The journey to master the Reverse Cursed Technique was still ahead of him, but Vince was ready to face whatever challenges lay in his path. The forest, now at peace, seemed to offer its silent approval as he departed.

vAs Vince returned to the hospital, he kept his encounter with the ElderTree Leviathan and the acquisition of SC a closely guarded secret. No one, not even his friends who were recovering from their injuries, knew about the mysterious system he possessed or the true nature of the power he had gained.

Vince had learned from his past experiences that revealing the existence of the system would only lead to more questions and potential risks. Instead, he chose to keep it hidden, a personal wellspring of strength that he could tap into when the need arose.

With the acquired SC burning a figurative hole in his pocket, Vince knew that he needed to act quickly. He couldn't afford to waste any time in mastering the Reverse Cursed Technique, the very technique that could heal his injured friends.

Vince entered the room where his injured friends were recovering, he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and determination. The ElderTree Leviathan had presented him with a significant opportunity by granting him 20,000 SC, and Vince was ready to put that newfound wealth to use for the benefit of his friends.

Quietly and without drawing attention, Vince accessed the digital marketplace within his system. There, he found the listing for the Reverse Cursed Technique (RCT), the very technique that held the promise of healing his injured companions. The price for RCT was indeed 15,000 SC, well within the amount he had received from the Leviathan.

With a sense of purpose, Vince initiated the purchase. The transaction unfolded seamlessly, and the knowledge of the Reverse Cursed Technique flowed into his mind like a stream of newfound power. However, Vince was acutely aware that acquiring the technique was just the beginning.

As Vince closed the digital marketplace interface, he couldn't help but feel a surge of hope. He now possessed the means to aid his friends on their path to recovery, and it was a responsibility he took to heart.

Turning his attention to his injured friends, Vince knew that he needed to approach the situation with care and precision. He couldn't reveal the true source of his newfound abilities or the existence of the system, but he was determined to do whatever it took to help them heal.

Vince: "Hang in there... You'll all be back tommorow."

With the Reverse Cursed Technique now at his disposal, Vince was ready to embark on a journey of healing and recovery, all while safeguarding the secrets of his extraordinary power.

Vince used Reverse Cursed Technique under the cover of night, ensuring that his friends remained unaware of its existence. His late-night sessions became a routine, a silent commitment to their well-being that he upheld with unwavering dedication.

As his friends slept, Vince would enter their hospital room, his steps as light as a whisper. He would stand by their bedsides, his hands moving with practiced precision as he channeled the healing power of the technique.

Hiro, Takashi, Rina, Keisuke, Ian, Zane, and Aiko continued to recover, their injuries gradually fading away. Vince's efforts were a testament to his determination and love for his friends. He knew that he possessed a unique ability, and he used it to ensure their swift and complete recovery.

Its been 3 days, and Vince's nightly visits became a comforting presence in the lives of his friends. They sensed his dedication and the mysterious power he wielded, but they never questioned it, trusting that Vince had their best interests at heart.

And so, Vince continued to be their silent guardian, watching over them in the quiet hours of the night. The Reverse Cursed Technique remained his secret, a power he used to bring healing and hope to those he cherished most.

-Next Day

As Vince continued his nightly visits to his friends' hospital room, the unspoken understanding between them deepened. While his friends could sense the mysterious power he wielded, they didn't press him for explanations. Instead, they simply appreciated his unwavering dedication to their recovery.

One evening, as Vince focused on using the Reverse Cursed Technique to heal Ian's injuries, the atmosphere in the room was calm and serene. Ian had been one of the most severely injured, and his slow but steady progress was a testament to Vince's efforts.

Ian, his eyes half-closed as he lay in his hospital bed, broke the silence.

Ian: "Vince, you've been a real lifesaver. I don't know what you're doing, but it's like you have some kind of magic touch."

Vince glanced at Ian and offered a faint smile.

Vince: "Just doing what I can, Ian. You guys mean a lot to me."

Ian chuckled softly, wincing slightly at the residual pain from his injuries.

Ian: "Well, whatever it is, keep it up. We'll all be back on our feet thanks to you."

Vince continued his work, the crimson aura of his cursed energy enveloping Ian. The healing process continued, but the mystery surrounding Vince's abilities remained untouched.

In another corner of the room, Aiko observed Vince with a mix of curiosity and admiration. She had sensed the extraordinary nature of Vince's actions but respected his decision to keep it hidden.

Aiko: "Vince, you're like our guardian angel, you know that?"

Vince turned his attention to Aiko, his expression softening.

Vince: "I'm just a friend who wants to see you all get better, Aiko."

Aiko nodded, content with the unspoken understanding that bound them all together. She didn't need to know the specifics of Vince's abilities to trust in his friendship and dedication.

As the nights passed, Vince continued to use the Reverse Cursed Technique in secret, ensuring that his friends would recover fully and without question. The bonds of their friendship grew stronger with each passing day, and the mysteries of Vince's powers remained hidden in the quiet hours of the night, where healing and trust thrived.

-2 Days Later

Two days later, Vince followed his routine of visiting his recovering friends at the hospital. It had become a comforting and reassuring habit, ensuring that they were in good spirits and making progress.

As he entered the hospital corridor, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. His friends were on the mend, and their strength was slowly returning. Vince made his way down the familiar halls, navigating the hospital with ease.

However, as he turned a corner, he was taken aback by an unexpected sight. There, engaged in an animated conversation, was Vienna. She seemed to be in the midst of an enthusiastic discussion about video games with a man whom Vince recognized from the arcade.

Vienna: "And then, you should have seen it! I totally dominated that racing game at the arcade. It was epic!"

The young man laughed heartily, sharing in Vienna's excitement.

Vienna: "I'm telling you, I've got some serious skills!"

Vince couldn't help but be surprised by Vienna's presence in a hospital corridor, energetically discussing video games with her acquaintance. It was an unusual scene, and he paused for a moment, silently wondering about the circumstances that had brought her here.

Deciding not to interrupt their conversation, Vince continued on his way, making a mental note of the unexpected encounter.

Vince resumed his journey down the hospital corridor, intending to check on his friends, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Vienna's presence was out of place in this medical environment.

As he approached his friends' room, Vince tried to put the peculiar encounter out of his mind. His priority was ensuring his friends' well-being, and he couldn't afford to be distracted.

However, just as he reached the door to the room, Vienna spotted him. Her eyes lit up with recognition, and she waved enthusiastically, calling out to him.

Vienna: "Oh hey, i recognize that face!"

Vince sighed inwardly, 

Vince: "What do you want."

Vienna's grin widened as she introduced Kai.

Vienna: "This is Kai! We met at the arcade the other day. Turns out he's got a friend in the hospital, too!"

Kai: "Hey, nice to meet you, Vince!"

Vince nodded in acknowledgment.

Vince: "Likewise. I'm just here to check on my friends. How about you two?"

Vienna: "Oh, we're just spreading some gaming cheer! Hospitals can be so dreary, you know?"

Vince couldn't argue with Vienna's sentiment. Her enthusiasm was infectious, even in a place like this.

Vienna: "Hey, you should come join us later, Vince. We could use an extra player for our next game!"

Vince contemplated the invitation, unsure if he wanted to be pulled into another gaming adventure with Vienna and Kai. But he couldn't deny that a break from the hospital routine might do him some good.

Vince: "Maybe I'll drop by. Just let me check on my friends first."

With that, Vince entered the room, leaving Vienna and Kai to their gaming discussions. Little did he know that this encounter would lead to an unexpected gaming session and an opportunity to take his mind off the challenges he faced.

-Timeskip to Sunset

The sunset cast a warm, golden hue over the hospital courtyard as Vince prepared to leave. His friends had made a remarkable recovery, and they were set to be discharged tomorrow. It was a moment of triumph, and Vince couldn't help but feel a sense of relief and accomplishment.

However, as he turned to head home, he was met with an unexpected sight. Vienna and Kai were waiting for him, their expressions carrying a weight of seriousness that immediately caught Vince's attention. Vienna seemed determined, while Kai appeared somewhat nervous.

Vienna: "Vince, let's talk. This is important."

Vince, though somewhat taken aback, nodded and gestured for them to continue.

Vince: "What's going on?"

Vienna took a deep breath before delivering the news, and it hit Vince like a tidal wave.

Vienna: "It's about Vanessa."

The name alone was enough to send a shock through Vince's system. Vanessa, the woman he had once been engaged to, the person he thought he had moved on from.

Vince: "What happened?"

Vienna: "She already has a new fiancé."

The words hung in the air like a heavy cloud, and for some inexplicable reason, Vince's heart sank. Emotions he thought he had long buried surged to the surface. It was a strange sensation, as if the true owner of his body had left a lingering imprint of love and loss.

Vince clenched his fists, trying to regain control over the turmoil of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn't understand why this news affected him so deeply.

Vince: "That's none of my concern now."

He tried to push the emotions away, to shut them down, but they persisted. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he wiped them away in frustration.

Vince: "Damn it."

Vienna and Kai watched him with a mixture of concern and sympathy. They had unwittingly touched a nerve, unearthing a part of Vince's past he had tried to forget.

Vienna: "Vince, I'm sorry if this upset you. We just thought you should know."

Kai: "Yeah, we didn't mean to pry."

Vince shook his head, his voice carrying a trace of vulnerability he rarely showed.

Vince: "No, it's fine. Thanks for telling me. I just... I need some time to process this."

With that, Vince turned and walked away, leaving Vienna and Kai behind. The emotions he had tried to bury had resurfaced, and he needed to confront them, to understand why they still had a hold on him. It was a journey of self-discovery he couldn't avoid any longer, even if it meant facing painful truths from his past.

Vince- Why is this happening to me.. I trained for 5 days, excited to show my friends how much i've improved only to find out they were hospitalized.. Now this..... Did i do something wrong..?

Vince leaned against a wall. Tears continued to fall as vince's heart was filled with negative emotions.. Without realizing his cursed energy supply had grown even bigger along with the reward from the quest of healing his friends.

-Chapter End