Chapter 13: Forest Encounter

As they embarked on their journey to hunt monsters, Jerry took the opportunity to enlighten Jett about the intricacies of Aura. With a mischievous smile, Jerry began to explain the concept, knowing that this practical experience would be invaluable for Jett's development.

"I'm guessing your mother explained what Mana is, right?" Jerry began, prompting Jett to confirm. "Well, Aura is similar to Mana in that it serves as a vital resource for enhancing one's abilities. However, there's a significant distinction between the two."

Jett listened intently as his father elaborated. "Mana is confined within the body and primarily utilized for casting spells, whereas Aura serves to fortify the user and their weapon," Jerry explained. "Furthermore, Aura can be visually perceived in its purest form, unlike Mana."

As they delved deeper into the forest, Jerry took the opportunity to impart more knowledge about Aura to Jett. "Aura is ranked based on its color," Jerry explained, detailing the significance of each hue. Jett listened attentively, eager to learn more.

"The higher the rank, the more effective it is because it has fewer impurities," Jerry continued. "As for Lumix, I couldn't even grasp it myself."

"Hmm, is that all?" Jett inquired, hoping for further insights.

"You're not ready for more just yet," Jerry replied, emphasizing the importance of mastering the basics first.

After a while, they came down from the carriage and proceeded deeper into the forest on foot. Jett couldn't contain his excitement as he asked, "So what are we doing here?"

"We'll be hunting slimes," Jerry announced, trying to build up the anticipation.

Jett's response was immediate. "Hell no. No way you brought me out here to hunt slimes."

But Jerry attempted to reassure him. "C'mon, it's safe and fun, and you'll gain experience and level up too."

"It's too easy," Jett argued dismissively.

Jerry warned him, "Too easy? If your agility is anything below 20, then you'll soon regret having that attitude."

As they ventured on, Jerry's keen senses detected movement in a nearby bush. Gesturing for Jett to stop, he investigated and discovered a slime hiding within. "Found one!" he called out to Jett, inviting him closer.

"I was originally going to subdue one and let you get the kill, but since you're so confident, why don't you attack it yourself?" Jerry suggested.

Unfazed, Jett prepared himself, took a deep breath, and lunged at the slime with determination. However, to his surprise, the slime effortlessly dodged his attacks, showcasing its agility.

"Huff, Huff, how is it so fast, and was that a skill? It changed direction mid-air," Jett exclaimed, catching his breath.

Jerry stood by, wearing a knowing smile as Jett assessed the situation. "Let's see what you got." Jett then analyzed the slime's attributes and skills.

[Gluttony]

=====

[Wind-Acid Slime]

Level: 2

HP: 2

MP: 5

Strength: 3

Agility: 30

Intelligence:10

Perception: 20

Skills:

[Air Hop B]

[Acid Shot C]

=====

"30 in agility? That's much faster than me. I guess the game actually reduced the difficulty," Jett pondered to himself, reflecting on the differences between the game and reality. "Now that I think about it, what else about the game was incorrect anyways?"

"[Air Hop], that should be what it used to evade me. I'll take it," Jett decided, copying the skill silently. "Too bad I can't use it in front of Jerry."

"Watch your opponent, predict its movement," Jerry yelled, offering guidance. Just then, the slime attacked with its acid.

Jett, relying on [Tactical Mirage], managed to dodge despite not seeing the attack directly. "Close one. I guess the only reason I was able to push back Jerry was because he made it possible for me, but this rascal slime won't give me a break," he thought to himself as he attempted to attack the elusive creature without success. "I think I've had enough. I'll use 10 points from my remaining 14 for agility."

Utilizing his newfound speed, Jett chased the slime far enough for Jerry to lose sight of them. "He'll be fine," Jerry reassured himself.

They reached the corner of a cliff. "He can't see us from here," Jett noted to the slime. "Now."

[Spellblade Storm] enveloped him in a faint glow, increasing his speed as he lunged forward towards the slime. However, the creature shot acid in front of him.

[Air Hop]

Jett immediately changed direction, leaping upwards to avoid the acid. With another hop, he gained altitude and descended upon the target, swiftly dispatching it with a single strike.

Though he gained some experience, it wasn't enough to level up. As he prepared to depart, he found himself surrounded by a multitude of slimes, each with different appearances. "Slimes of different elements. What skills do you have for me?" he inquired with a smile.

With his sword in hand, Jett engaged in battle, attacking and dodging. "Let's try this out. Stay still, my loyal guinea pigs," he addressed the slimes. "I'll merge [Air Hop] with [Soul Drain]."

A new skill emerged:

[Ricochet Strike A]:

[Create an invisible barrier which allows the user to hop frantically on impact.

Each hop increases agility by 0.5%.

Each successful strike steals 2% of the target's HP and MP for recovery.

Bleeding reduces the target's HP by 3 every 10 seconds.]

"Another Cheat Skill? Let's test it," Jett exclaimed excitedly.

He activated the skill and quickly swung into action, bouncing in different directions. With each rebound, he got faster and faster, taking out the slimes before they could even react. However, he wasn't able to fully control the direction of each rebound and ended up wrecking nearby trees.

By the time he stopped, the whole area was decimated, leaving a few crystals and other items on the ground. "I was able to level up. Ah, right, I forgot about item drops and beast cores. But I did a really good job increasing my attack power," Jett praised himself while surveying the site of the just-concluded battle. "I'll just take the crystals and ignore the items," he decided.

"Jeeeeeeett, where did you run off to, you little rascal?" Jerry had been looking for him since he was taking too long. "You better not be slacking a..." He stopped mid-sentence after facing the scene with Jett at the thick of it. He couldn't believe his eyes. The trees from the surrounding area were all knocked down, the ground looked like it'd been carved up irregularly with a sword or something similar, and there were drop items and beast cores scattered around.

"What's going on? You did this?" Jerry questioned, incredulous.

"Umm, I got lucky. I spotted a Wind Slice Wolf pass here. It attacked the slimes, leveled the area and left. I just took care of the rest," Jett fabricated an explanation.

"That makes sense, but how do you know what a Wind Slice Wolf looks like?" Jerry asked, not fully convinced.

"Books, father. Something you should try if you have enough time to bait me into fighting slimes," Jett retorted, faking annoyance.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," Jerry conceded. "Let's take all these first," he suggested, referring to the cores and dropped items.

"What are you planning to do with them? How do you plan on collecting them all? You brought a storage pouch?" Jett bombarded him with questions.

"I'll let you decide, and yes, I have a storage pouch," Jerry replied. After collecting and counting the drops, he remarked, "50 cores and 5 items. That's probably over a hundred slimes."

"And you know that because..." Jett prompted him to finish the sentence.

"Stop looking down on your elders. I'm a veteran at this, don't forget it," Jerry remarked while brushing Jett's hair.

"Alright, alright, cut it out," Jett shrugged him off as they walked back to the carriage. He then proceeded to give him a long stare, annoyed by something.

"What is it? I can sense you staring; it's creepy," Jerry said, taking a sip from a bottle he brought.

"Are you really my father?" Jett asked, looking at him with contempt.

On hearing this, Jerry choked on the water and started coughing. He composed himself after a while. "Where did that come from?" Jerry inquired, looking confused.

"Wind Slice Wolf," Jett replied.

"What about it?" Jerry took a deep breath.

"I said I saw a Wind Slice Wolf, and you're not even curious how I'm okay. Honestly, what kind of parent are you?" Jett lectured.

"Ah, I see," Jerry laughed. "I believe it's because you're my son," he continued laughing.

Jett blushed a little after hearing his reply. "So can I..." Before Jett could finish his request, Jerry interrupted.

"No."

"But I haven't even asked yet," Jett whined.

"Because whatever you wanted to ask would be something reckless," Jerry replied. "Alright, ask."

"Can I come on my own next time?"

"Absolutely not," Jerry replied.

"Why not?" Jett inquired, feeling disappointed.

"Your mother would kill me," Jerry replied.

"I guess I have no choice," Jett sighed.

[Checkpoint]

"Huh? What did you say?" Jerry asked.

"Nothing, let's just go," Jett said with a sudden change in attitude.

*****

Three men wearing dark, concealing clothes walked along inside the forest. They came across the area Jett had accidentally leveled.

"What's that? You said people hardly come to these parts because it only spawns slimes," one of them said to the other, feeling a bit tense.

"It can't be an adventurer. They don't stray anywhere close, and civilians have no business here. It was probably a Wind Slice Wolf," the second person concluded.

"Whatever, let's hurry. I don't want to be late," the third guy said, and they hurried past the scene.

*

*

*

Hmm

I wonder who they are

Hope they're just passing by

(٥↼_↼)