15: Drums Of War

I hefted my sword once more, the familiar weight grounding me in the moment. With a determined swing, I brought it down, and the blade cut through the air with a satisfying whoosh. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, glistening under the unforgiving sun. Each repetition of the motion brought a sense of rhythm and discipline, a dance of steel and determination. The training ground echoed with my tired gasps as I brought my sword down again. As I raised my sword once more, a sudden chill sent a shiver down my spine. The hair at my neck stood on end, a silent warning that I wasn't alone. Instinct kicked in, and with swift precision, I twirled in a fluid motion, my sword now at the person's neck.

"Bravo, young one," said the now identified intruder, Gorgon, voice dripping with approval, cut through the training ground. "I took extra care this time not to be detected "he continued, a light smile spreading across his face. "And yet, you found me."

I put my sword down as I said "But I allowed you to get dangerously close. In a real-life scenario, this lapse could prove fatal "dismissing his praise.

"Modesty has its place, but remember, a warrior shouldn't downplay their victories." Gorgon chuckled, the smile never leaving his face "Even the best couldn't sense me if I tried to hide my presence this much, even The Wolverine couldn't and nobody escapes that mutt's nose."

"It is all thanks to you, Master," I declared, bowing with practiced sincerity. Years in this place had honed my ability to play the obedient pupil to perfection.

"I merely nudged you forward," Gorgon's voice resonated with a hint of pride. "But it was your innate talent, relentless hard work, and sheer excellence that propelled you to this point. In a mere five years, you've attained a level of perfection that took me decades to approach. You stand as the living embodiment of human excellence—a testament to unparalleled dedication, skill and pure talent."

While I appreciated modesty, I completely agreed with what he said, dismissing the extent of my excellence would be a disservice. I really am too good. I've not only mastered every art taught to me over the years but elevated each one to unprecedented levels. With a sigh I opened my character screen it had been a while since I had checked my progress.

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│ Character Interface │

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Name: Bruce Wayne

Age: 22

X-Gene: Adapter

[Skills]

Hand-to-Hand Combat Mastery: A master in various martial arts disciplines, he is capable of handling hand-to-hand combat with exceptional skill, making him a formidable opponent in close-quarters combat.

Martial Arts Mastery: A master in various martial arts disciplines, capable of handling hand-to-hand combat with exceptional skill.

Marksmanship: A sharpshooter with unparalleled accuracy in both firearms and projectile weapons.

Tactical Genius: A strategic thinker and master tactician, able to analyze complex situations and formulate effective plans to achieve objectives.

Weapon Mastery: proficient in the use of various weapons, exhibiting exceptional skill and precision in both melee and ranged combat.

Stealth: proficient in moving silently and remaining hidden, capable of infiltrating and evading detection effectively.

Enhanced Senses: Your senses have been enhanced, granting you superior perceptual abilities and allowing you to see, hear, and smell with remarkable acuity.

Superhuman Physique: Possess physical attributes beyond human limits, granting increased strength, speed, endurance, and resilience.

Major Fire Resistance: Displays a significant resistance to intense heat and formidable flames. 

Major Cold Resistance: exhibits a substantial resilience to freezing temperatures, withstanding even the harshest icy conditions.

Exceptional Poison Resistance: Demonstrates an extraordinary resistance to potent toxins and deadly poisons, rendering the host nearly immune to their effects.

Language Mastery: Fluent in multiple languages, facilitating effective communication and information gathering.

Infiltration: skilled in covert entry and infiltration techniques, allowing for stealthy access to secure locations.

Thick Skin: A resilient hide, akin to an impregnable fortress, resists blades and blunt assaults with unwavering fortitude, making penetration arduous.

Minor Regeneration : Initiates a steady renewal process, gradually healing injuries and replenishing vitality over time.

Pain reduction : Subdues discomfort and lessens pain, allowing for a more tolerable experience in the face of injuries or strain.

[Powers]

Bat Swarm: Turn into a swarm of bats.

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My skills page displayed a lack of noticeable changes, primarily because the system lacked a comprehensive grading system for skills. Take my martial prowess, for instance. Three years ago, I held martial mastery, but the difference between then and now was like comparing a flickering candle to a roaring house fire. Despite the significant improvement, the skill's name remained constant. Same with my superhuman physique. I was leaps and bounds ahead of my previous physique.

But my resistance did have some changes. All of them had gone up one level, and I was sure the fire and ice one would go up a rank soon enough. I had also gotten thick skin as a skill after many brutal spars with gorgon. But even after all this, my regeneration had remained stagnant; all efforts to rank it up had come out fruitless, and instead I had unlocked the pain reduction skill.

Apart from my skills, my power hadn't made significant strides. While I could now maintain the bat state for longer durations and wield the ability more efficiently, these were marginal improvements. The power was designed for infiltration and it had limitations. Attempts like to utilize echolocation had proven unsuccessful.

I shifted my focus to Gorgon, I believed I had reached his level in martial prowess and physical strength, but I wasn't prepared to engage him in a direct confrontation yet. The reason being the Mystic arts. His mastery of the mystic arts of the Hand granted him a significant advantage over me, a realm in which I remained untrained. Over the years, he had imparted all his knowledge to me, excluding this crucial aspect. It was a deliberate decision on his part, likely to maintain his superiority and control over me. Some part of him might also have feared that teaching me the mystic arts would break his perceived "mental control,". But I agreed with his decision to not teach me the Mystic arts. Simply because of its nature. The mystic arts of the hand, drew power from an entity known as The Beast, it held an ambiguous and potentially dangerous nature. The mysterious nature of the entity made me have reservations about it. Other than the mystic arts I had learned everything I wanted from this place, My focus now shifted to one thing: finding the perfect opportunity for escape.

Closing the character sheet window, I turned back to Gorgon and inquired with a steady voice, "Is there a reason for your visit, Master?"

Gorgon nodded with a sense of gravity demeanour shifting from jovial to serious"There is a matter of significance," he began, his words measured. After a brief pause, he continued, "Prepare your essentials; we are bound for China. The time has come."

My eyes widened at the revelation. "The time has come" could only signify one thing – the commencement of the war. However, it caught me off guard that Gorgon, with his strategic brilliance, would be the one initiating it. It seemed contrary to his character, yet not entirely unexpected. Gorgon had a tendency to act boldly when he saw a strategic opportunity.

""When do we leave?" I inquired, without questioning his decision on the matter.

"In an hour," he replied, and with that, he walked away.

Sheathing my practice sword, I made my way towards my room. The weight of the upcoming journey pressed on me as it might be the last time I set eyes on this place. Once the war commenced we wont returning to this place. Mostly making base in either China or India. And once the war started in full swing is when I planned on escaping. While I dreaded being in this place there was an odd sense of closeness that enveloped me. It had been a silent witness to the years of my growth, the struggles, and the victories. I put these thoughts aside as this was no time to be sentimental.

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Under the blazing sun, I stood by the private jet heading to China. My attire, a meticulously tailored three-piece black suit, spoke of both sophistication and elegance. The iconic red mask of the Red Hood concealed my features, adding an aura of mystery to the ensemble. The red and black sheath of the katana strapped to my back complemented the attire, its hilt adorned with intricate red cherry blossom patterns, a custom made sword for me by The Gorgon.

Gorgon's imposing figure soon approached, clad in his trademark red suit that commanded attention. The brilliant sunlight reflected off his attire as he strode past me and boarded the plane. Following suit, I took my place, the engines roaring to life, propelling us into the expansive sky.

In the midst of the plane's hum, Gorgon redirected his piercing gaze toward me. "Do you believe you've packed enough?" he inquired, his words measured and penetrating. "I expect you understand, we won't be coming back for a good while," he added.

A nod from me conveyed the acknowledgment.

"Good," Gorgon remarked with a tone that hinted at both approval and expectation. His focus shifted to the larger canvas beyond the window, and he continued, "Your role in this war will be of great importance. The entire world will we watching the war. It's an opportunity to showcase your capabilities to everyone. After all the world needs to know about Gorgon's might." His gaze lingered on the unfolding landscape below as he continued "If you follow my commands, you'll earn all the respect you rightfully deserve from the members."

To which I gave him an another nod of acknowledgement.

We had soon entered the Chinese borders, as we traversed the vast expanse of Chinese airspace, the landscape beneath us unfolded like a living canvas. Majestic mountains stood sentinel, their peaks reaching towards the heavens, shrouded in mist that danced with grace. Rivers snaked through the valleys, their meandering courses reflecting the brilliant hues of the surrounding foliage. Lakes, serene and picturesque, mirrored the blue sky, creating a reflection of tranquility amid the natural grandeur.

China, with its diverse geography, presented a spectacle of beauty that ranged from the lush greenery of rolling hills to the imposing grandeur of rugged mountain ranges.

As we soared through the skies above China, I turned to Gorgon, curiosity etched on my face. "Who's our first target?" I inquired, curious to grasp the specifics of our mission."

Gorgon's gaze remained fixed on the intricate tapestry of Chinese geography unfolding beneath us. "Our initial objective is a pivotal figure within the opposing faction," he replied, his words carrying the weight of strategic calculation. "Their removal will not only weaken their forces but also throw a wrench into their overarching plans. She's- "

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