BXBX NOVEL Chapter 64: 64: Think Tank
Caleb called out his status as they neared the bridge. As long as he reached the realm of Grade 2 Taboo fighter, he would have more confidence to go through their journey.
***
Name: Caleb
Race: Human
Age: ???
Rank: Taboo Energy (Grade 1) 778/1000
Physique: 10 [Strength, Stamina, Endurance, Agility, Flexibility, Power, Etc...]
Spirit: 6 [Mental Strength, Mental Resistance, Reaction Speed, Perception, Five Senses, Dynamic Vision, Mental Energy, Intelligence, Energy Recovery Rate, Soul Def, Soul Strength, Etc...]
Abilities:
-Passive Skill-
-Active Skill-
Taboo Energy Sensitivity.
Tip: The basic attribute of a normal human is 5.
***
Of course, he got forty units of taboo energy. He's getting closer and closer to his damned goal. Soon, he would be the strongest in the hunting party!
As he thought of this, he turned his gaze to his arm. The swelling and the pain were a lot less as he got quite a lot of rest. However, he would still feel excruciating pain when lifting it or trying to do some movements. Still, he only needs three weeks to do normal movements again. Thanks to his healthy body and taboo energy.
While traveling from the Well, Forest of Death, and getting past Sasmuan River, he hasn't neglected his training. He strives to complete 2000 swings daily, sparring with members of Athena, Dunn, Miles, and Rina mainly. He hasn't tried fighting Jin and Athena yet. Now, he hasn't lost to Rina ever since he learned the Deku Step.
Because he could just dodge her attack if he wanted to. However, it couldn't be said that he couldn't beat her yet. She was just too experienced and masterful when it comes to sword fight. She always attacks him at unexpected angles that would be hard to dodge without his Deku Step.
"Watch out your step guys..." Athena, who was beside the indifferent Tamaisai, reminded.
Speaking of which, Caleb found it funny to see a bridge constructed from steel. A black steel, to be precise. There are visible cracks from its floor, scratched, scuffed, and worn. Signs of peeling or faded paint, as well as water stains on the side. By these, Caleb understood that the bridge had existed for an unknown amount of years from all the wear and tear and withstood the challenge of nature and its elemental forces.
Curious, Caleb touched the black steel and traced it with his fingers. He felt the cold metallic sensation upon contact with his finger skin.
"Johan, what are you doing? Don't lag or you'll get lost." Fatty's voice sounded.
'How could I get lost?' Caleb thought speechless and strutted behind Fatty. Ahead of them, Fushigiro and Jin led the team. Rina and Dunn, on the other hand, were guarding the rear behind them. The four teenagers, including him, were in the middle of the position, surrounded by the members on all sides. They act as some sort of protection around the four teens while walking. After all, the most dangerous position in the formation was the frontline and the rear. While the center was the safest.
...
They traversed the bridge, which had low visibility. Ten minutes pass, and the hunting party and the four teenagers haven't encountered anything yet. Caleb thought they would meet various obstacles, yet there was nothing.
"Disappointed, are you? Did you think we would encounter something?" Athena on the side chuckled.
Caleb rolled his eyes and stared speechlessly at her. What disappointed? Who would be disappointed to not encounter enemies? Not to mention, with the current state of his arm, he won't be able to fight even if he wants to.
"I can't even lift my left arm right now. I would be glad if we didn't encounter anything. It would just delay the recovery of my arm."
"If you say so..." A grin emerged on her face and she focused again ahead of them. She felt satisfaction when teasing the young guy.
'It might be because he looks like my dead younger brother in the past?'
"We're nearing the other side. Prepare yourself at all times. Keep your defense and don't falter when you guys see a bunch of wild beasts."
'Curses!' Caleb felt the hair on his skin stood up, a shiver ran through his spine. Because he saw hundreds of small dots not far away from the other side of the bridge. Silhouettes with various shapes and forms.
Obviously, they are hundreds of wild beasts. Cannot be described with the word 'Bunch'. Although reluctant, he gripped the Odachi tightly with his remaining arm. Then channeled taboo energy on the blade and let it flow freely. It was worth mentioning that the blade imbued with taboo energy was sharp enough to penetrate the nape of a Tier 9 Apokalip. So it would be safe to say that cutting through a bunch of wild beasts be a lot less challenging? Of course, it might be also because he used 50% taboo energy at that particular attack.
Now, he was just infusing a lot less amount. Ten units of taboo energy per minute so he would be able to maintain it a lot longer with a reduced boost in its sharpness as exchange though.
"It seems we will have to fight through our way. Remember, we don't need to kill them all. We just need to get past them. If we fight them all to death, we would be exhausted before we could even enter the mountain. We don't have a chance for a battle of attribution with our numbers. So, spend less energy when fighting, and don't engage with them as much as you can. Our goal is to bulldoze our way. Understood?" Jin said, acting as the think tank of the group once again.