Chapter 6 From The Start

In that moment, Jasper's mind raced, searching for a glimmer of hope, a strategy that could turn the tide. But the reality of the situation was stark—there seemed to be no escape, no way to defeat an opponent of such formidable power.

The world seemed to stand still as Jasper faced the full brunt of the tiger's malevolence. The roars of the beast echoed in his ears, a chilling reminder of the fate that awaited him. In that harrowing moment, Jasper could only cling to the faintest thread of hope, knowing that he had no choice but to confront his deepest fears and fight with every ounce of strength he possessed, in hopes of reaching the practitioner realm himself.

In a swift and decisive move, Jasper lunged towards Jillian, his instincts taking over as he whisked her away from the battlefield. He scooped her up in his arms, her trembling form pressed against his chest, seeking solace and protection amidst the chaos and devastation surrounding them. Their eyes met briefly, conveying a mixture of fear, anguish, and a shared determination to survive.

As they landed in a safe distance, Jasper gently set Jillian down, his hands still firmly holding her shoulders, his touch providing a sense of reassurance in the face of overwhelming danger. He could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage, mirroring the frantic rhythm of his own.

Amidst the carnage of bones and blood, the stench of death heavy in the air, Jasper's mind raced, searching for a strategy, a glimmer of hope against the relentless might of the tiger. He knew the odds were stacked against them, that their survival hung in the balance. Yet, a flicker of determination ignited within him, refusing to yield to despair.

As he prepared himself to confront the tiger, he braced his body, channeling his aura feeling the strength in his muscles, steeling his resolve. The weight of responsibility pressed upon him heavily, aware that their lives depended on his ability to withstand the overwhelming might of their adversary. His thoughts raced, memories of fallen comrades and the weight of their sacrifice serving as a solemn reminder of the stakes at hand. With each loop made by his aura his strength would increase by a notch but he was still far away from reaching the practitioner realm. Left with no choice Jasper accepted his fate and faced off against this enemy.

He tapped into the depths of his martial prowess, combining his mastered techniques to create a formidable offensive. The muscles in his body hardened, enhancing his physical resilience, while his agility technique allowed him to move with unparalleled speed and grace.

Jasper's strategy revolved around wearing down the tiger, exploiting its weaknesses and capitalizing on his own strengths. He darted around the battlefield, his movements a dance of precision and calculated strikes. With each attack, he aimed to chip away at the tiger's defenses, forcing it to expend energy and gradually weaken.

The tiger, however, proved to be a formidable opponent. It matched Jasper's speed and ferocity, countering his strikes with a lethal grace of its own. Claws slashed through the air, teeth snapped menacingly, and the ground quaked beneath the weight of its powerful paws.

Jasper utilized his agility to evade the tiger's lunges and counter with swift and calculated strikes. He weaved in and out, his body a blur of motion, combining feints, kicks, and punches with seamless fluidity. Each blow landed with precision, but the tiger's resilience was astounding, shrugging off the assaults with a primal fury.

Soon, however, the true magnitude of the tiger's power became evident as the battle unfolded. Its aura, condensed and potent, radiated an overwhelming presence that sent shivers down Jasper's spine. With each strike, wisps of innate aura materialized around the tiger's attacks, swirling with a malevolent energy. The air crackled with intensity as the wisps danced and flickered, leaving a haunting impression of the beast's mastery over its own innate power. Every swipe of its razor-sharp claws and every lunge of its sinewy body unleashed a tempest of force that threatened to shatter Jasper's defenses. It was a fearsome display of prowess, a reminder that he was facing an opponent who had transcended the boundaries of mortal strength.

With a swift and calculated movement, the tiger unleashed a devastating strike. Its massive paw, adorned with razor-sharp claws enveloped in wisps of concentrated aura, sliced through the air with blinding speed. The sheer force behind the attack was staggering, as if the tiger's claws were guided by an otherworldly power. The claws connected with Jasper's body, colliding with bone-crushing impact.

The impact sent Jasper hurtling through the air, his body propelled by an unstoppable force. Time seemed to slow as he soared through the sky, a mere puppet in the grasp of the tiger's overwhelming might. His limbs flailed helplessly as he spiraled through the air, unable to regain control or halt the momentum. The ground rushed towards him with alarming speed, and a sense of dread washed over him as he braced himself for the bone-jarring impact that awaited him below.

Lying on the ground, gasping for air as blood trickled from his throat, Jasper's consciousness teetered on the precipice of oblivion. The world around him swirled in a dizzying haze, his vision blurred and fragmented. It seemed as though the end was imminent, the last moments of his life slipping away.

Yet, in the midst of this dire situation, an inexplicable surge of energy coursed through Jasper's battered body. It originated from a deep recess of his mind, spreading like a torrential wave to every inch of his being. As this mysterious energy permeated his cells, an astounding phenomenon unfolded before his eyes. The wounds that marred his flesh began to mend with astonishing speed, the torn flesh knitting together, broken bones realigning, and bruises fading away. The healing process, accelerated by this enigmatic energy, defied all logical explanation.

Jasper, still reeling from the shock of this rapid regeneration, found himself springing up from the ground with renewed vitality. His body, now brimming with an inexplicable vigor, defied the limits of human endurance. Yet, amidst the awe and disbelief that enveloped him, a voice resounded within Jasper's mind, as if speaking directly to his soul.

"Ding Ding, the system is now online. The host's body is being recomposited to fit the system," the voice echoed, cryptic and enigmatic in nature.

Jasper's thoughts whirled in confusion, struggling to grasp the true nature of this newfound power. The realization slowly dawned upon him that he had become entwined with a mysterious system, one that had revitalized his body in the blink of an eye. Questions and uncertainties flooded his mind, but there was no time for contemplation. Jasper knew he had to press forward, facing the formidable tiger in order to survive.

***

Seven years in the past, a humble hut stood nestled in the heart of a bustling village, its thatched roof and weathered walls bearing witness to the passage of time. The air buzzed with a symphony of activity as villagers bustled about, their voices intermingling with the clatter of pots and the rhythmic thud of footsteps. Amidst this vibrant tapestry of life, a haunting melody of sorrow resonated from within the walls of the main bedroom.

Outside, beneath a canopy of swaying trees, a man paced frantically. His steps were laden with anxiety, his heart beating like a war drum, its rhythm mirroring the turmoil within him. His eyes darted to the bedroom door, a portal to the world that held his hopes and fears in equal measure. Anticipation electrified the air as he anxiously awaited news that would either shatter his spirit or ignite a flicker of unyielding joy.

Finally, the door swung open, unleashing a gust of emotions that swept through the room. Standing in the doorway, a woman adorned in tattered rags revealed the remnants of a harrowing ordeal. Her disheveled hair clung to her sweat-drenched forehead, while her once-vibrant eyes now bore the weight of exhaustion and sorrow. The man's heart leaped in his chest as he closed the distance between them, his voice trembling with a mix of trepidation and desperate hope.

"How is she? Is the baby alright?"

The midwife looked up, her eyes alight with joy. "It's a healthy baby boy! He's doing wonderfully, and one of the other midwives is tending to him as we speak. But...Layla, she didn't make it," she trailed off, her voice heavy with sorrow.

Frozen, his heart heavy with grief, he stood in the midst of a swirling tempest of emotions. Theirs had been a union of love, a rare gem in a village where most marriages were arranged. They had shared three short but blissful years together, their souls intertwined in a dance of affection and tenderness. And now, fate had dealt them a cruel blow, tearing him away from his beloved so suddenly.

But as the village chief and soon-to-be father, he knew he had to set his sorrow aside, to don the mask of strength and resilience that was expected of him. With a deep breath, he composed himself, his eyes reflecting both anguish and determination.

"Please take care of the boy for the next few days. He will be in your capable hands. If anything happens, come to me immediately." With those words, he left the house, walking straight to the village entrance and an unknown destination.

Inside the birthing room, the midwives diligently tended to the newborn, their gentle hands cradling him with love. Unbeknownst to them, however, something strange was afoot. For within the baby, a second cry could be heard, a sound unlike any other. This cry was not the wail of an infant, but rather audible words.