Chapter 5

Ash's right arm flared up in burning pain, and it moved on its own and parried the monster's axe. Asmodeus had taken control of it for a moment to prevent Ash from dying. This was enough for Ash to snap back to his senses, and he jumped up and he did a spin kick directly to the monster's abdomen. The monster slid back a bit and then released its full bloodlust once more. Ash felt like his body was physically being crushed by the monster's thirst for blood, but Asmodeus was using some of her powers to minimize the effect it had on Ash. The monster raised its arm and threw its axe at Ash, he dodged and the axe flew into the stone wall behind him, causing stones to fly everywhere.

Asmodeus: Ash, there's no way you're beating this thing! It's on scale with an SS+ class demon knight! That's an Ace grade for you bounty hunter people!

Ash: I'll figure it out… somehow. Hopefully.

Asmodeus: Honestly… you're gonna be a real pain in the ass to work with, you know that?

Ash: Learn to deal with it.

Ash readied himself and then dashed at the monster, but before he knew it, he woke up outside of the portal. He shot up and looked around, thinking he may have traveled back in time. Very quickly he would feel a chill in the air.

Layla: So, you failed?

Ash: Failed…?

Layla: It's not like Law wants you to die. He just wants to help you out. He had me create a dream world with a monster that was strong. So if you die, you'll just wake up back outside the portal. I've come back to give you some pointers on what to do.

Ash sighed and relaxed himself, readying his ears to listen to Layla.

Layla: Has Law ever mentioned "Ki" to you?

Ash: I think he mentioned it once. Something along the lines of energy that's similar to a blessing, but it's more so for enhancing one's physical ability. It's essentially a weaker version of a physical blessing. You can also imbue it into objects to enhance their speed or something, right?

Layla: You have a very good memory. Yes, that is indeed the very fundamentals of ki, although it seems Law didn't mention how to use it, did he?

Ash: Not even once.

Layla: Sighs. I'm assuming that's what this test is for, then. Well, you need to meditate to acquire the basic core for ki. Then you can meditate more to acquire star ranks for your ki. The lowest star rank being 1, which is when you first develop your ki core, and the highest being a 9 star ki core. Law among a few others have a 9 star core. Now, there is an achievable 10 star core, but only people with a physical blessing can achieve it. Now, the first step to acquiring ki, as I said, is to meditate. You just need to feel every single atom of energy in your body and link it all together in your solar plexus. Then your body and mind will feel extremely light for a moment, and that's the sign that your 1st star, and ki core has been formed.

Ash blinked dumbfounded at Layla.

Ash: …Can you repeat all that again?

Layla: Do you have a death wish?

Ash: I'm sorry I was joking.

Layla: That's what I thought.

Layla sighed and the two sat in silence before Layla cleared her throat and spoke up once more.

Layla: I have other business to attend to. You know what to do now, just meditate until you develop your basic ki core and then figure out how to use ki as a physical enhancement to kill that thing. I lowered the strength a bit, should only be around the strength of a high 10th to a low Jack grade. You should be able to defeat it with 1 star if you play it right. The average Jack grade bounty hunter or criminal is only a 2-3 star user to be honest. People don't often learn ki at a low ranking.

Ash: Right, thank you.

Layla smiled at Ashton and then disappeared into a mist once more, leaving only himself, Asmodeus and his katana, and also the dream portal. Ash sighed and then immediately got to meditating, without a word.

Ash: Thinking to himself in his mind, Feel my energy… and link it all together… with the main source being in my solar plexus…

For another 18 hours, Ashton stayed in this meditation state, he felt like he was getting nowhere, but right when he was about to give up, his body and mind began to feel extremely light, as if his existence was now ascending to a new plane of existence. After things had calmed down, Ashton re-equipped his sword and stood in front of the portal to the dream world.

Ash: So, time to put this ki stuff to the test.