From Easy To Hard Battle

Stepping out of the Arcane Academy, I savoured the gentle breeze that greeted me.

"Ah, how refreshing!"

After stretching my arms, I made my way to the bus station.

The academy was set to begin in a month, so I had a limited time to boost my stats.

As things stood, the main character, or MC, had already reached a rank of E, borderline D, while I languished at rank F.

I needed to make the most of this month to narrow the gap with the protagonist.

My current priority was obtaining the [Limit Eater] pill.

Removing my limiter would not only allow me to reach greater heights but also accelerate my training.

Training slowed as one approached their limit, so a higher potential meant faster progress.

To locate the [Limit Eater] pill, I had to venture into the Dusk Forest on the outskirts of Ashton City, humanity's capital.

Even though I possessed Alex's memories, I couldn't help but marvel at the advanced technology around me, including the flying bus I rode.

After an hour on the bus, I arrived at my destination.

"So, this is the renowned Dusk Forest. It looks rather ominous from the outside."

The forest wasn't vast, surrounded by twelve towering Rift Mountains that seemed to touch the sky.

Little did most people know, that one of these mountains concealed a secret cave holding the [Limit Eater] pill.

Without venturing into the forest, I started my journey towards the mountains, gazing at their peaks, trying to recall the precise cave's location.

"It's time for some theft."

---

"Huff... Huff..."

The terrain proved rougher than anticipated, making it challenging to catch my breath as I ascended.

Several pauses were necessary as there was no clear path to follow.

Four hours had elapsed since I began my mountain trek.

Though my breathing grew heavy, I wasn't overly fatigued. I had already condensed mana within me, explaining my endurance.

As I continued my ascent, I couldn't help but ponder the source of this condensed mana within me.

The tale of humanity acquiring this mystical energy from the elves centuries ago flashed in my mind.

In the novel, when elves, guardians of the ancient mana wells, formed a pact with humans in exchange for future assistance.

The elves shared the secrets of mana manipulation, a gift that transformed the course of human civilization.

Changing the topic, I thought my destination was the fifth-highest peak, housing a small cave containing the [Limit Eater] pill.

I now understood why my friends used to call me an idiot in my early twenties.

Admittedly, I was ignorant.

Why?

Because...

I had only written vague descriptions of the pill's location; I didn't know precisely where the cave was.

Feeling like searching for a needle in a desert, I nearly gave up.

Then, an important memory resurfaced: during sunset, a massive dragon's shadow would appear on one of the mountains housing the cave.

I glanced at my watch; there was one hour until sunset.

An hour passed, and as the sun neared the horizon, a colossal shadow enveloped me.

"Isn't that the dragon's shadow I was looking for?"

"Well, that means I'm on the right mountain."

After thirty minutes of searching, I located the cave in the mountain's far corner.

Upon stepping inside, an odd sound startled me, causing me to retreat cautiously, my hand resting on my sword's hilt.

My heart raced as four crimson eyes emerged from the cave's darkness.

The creature that followed was massive, resembling a purple bear but standing over three meters tall, with razor-sharp teeth.

It was an F+ rank monster known as 'Auraculae.'

"Wait, did I ever mention a purple bear guarding the [Limit Eater] pill in the novel?"

"I don't think so."

"Then why is it here?"

I realized I shouldn't be anxious; instead, I needed to remain calm. It is only an F+ rank monster.

"I need to strike its vital spot."

I assumed my stance, my eyes locked onto the bear, waiting for any movement.

"Roar... Roar!"

It let out deafening roars and swung its claw toward me.

I blocked with my sword, and as it swung again, I evaded by bending low, delivering a kick to its chest before leaping back. My kick fractured two of its ribs, causing it to howl in pain and attempt to distance itself.

To halt its retreat, I hurled a dagger at its leg, striking its right thigh. The sudden wound disrupted its balance.

In seconds, I closed the gap and swung my sword with all my might.

Slash~ A head rolled to the ground.

...

However, the battle was far from over. As the bear's decapitated body slumped to the cave floor, a chilling realization washed over me. It was far too quiet in the cave.

Suddenly, the dismembered head of the bear sprouted a grotesque, fleshy appendage.

It wiggled and squirmed until it reattached itself to the neck, the wound sealing shut.

My heart raced as I watched the bear's injuries miraculously heal.

This creature possessed an astonishing regenerative ability.

"Rooarrr!! "

With a guttural growl, the bear stood once more, its eight crimson eyes fixed on me, filled with a pang of primal hunger.

My previous confidence was shattered as I faced the revived monstrosity.

This battle was far from ordinary. It was a battle of attrition, a test of endurance.

The bear lunged at me with renewed vigour, its claws slashing through the air.

I parried the attacks with my sword, but the force behind each strike threatened to overwhelm me.

"Damn it! I have to end this battle fast. "

Hours passed, and exhaustion gnawed at my limbs. The cave was dimly lit, and my movements grew sluggish.

Yet, the bear showed no signs of weariness. Its relentless assault continued, and my hope dwindled.

As the minutes stretched into hours, I realized that defeating this beast required more than just skill; it demanded strategy.

I needed to exploit its weaknesses and find an opening in its relentless barrage of attacks.

I dodged a sweeping claw, narrowly avoiding a lethal strike.

Gathering my remaining strength, I aimed for the bear's injured thigh, the spot where I had inflicted damage earlier.

If I could impair its mobility, I might gain the upper hand.

With a swift strike, I targeted the wounded area, my sword finding its mark.

The bear roared in agony, and its movements slowed. This was my chance.

I pressed the advantage, launching a series of calculated strikes at its vital spots.

With each blow, the bear's resilience waned.

It became clear that it couldn't regenerate indefinitely; there were limits to its regenerative ability.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the bear's movements faltered. It collapsed to the cave floor, its crimson eyes dimming.

Gasping for breath and drenched in sweat, I had emerged victorious. The battle had been gruelling, a true test of endurance and wit.

As I stood amidst the remnants of the fallen beast, I couldn't help but feel a newly discovered sense of strength.

This battle had pushed me to my limits and beyond, and I had emerged stronger for it. Victorious there was no time to rest.

The [Limit Eater] pill awaited, and my journey was far from over.