Depthless Hunger: A Progression LitRPG, page 44
Then again, deviations just didn't seem to be the same here. Her language might actually be improper in some cases, since their training wasn't exactly cultivation. That didn't make it any less disturbing that he managed to not just walk the line, he sprinted down it.
From what he had told her about his different ability awakenings, he had already received worse than most fire deviations due to pure luck. Perhaps the heavens had already thrown so many torments at him that there was nothing left.
For the first time, Zae Zin Nim began to think not about whether Kai could be helpful to her, she began to worry that she might be left behind.
So she forced herself to apply all her attention to her mana again. She wouldn't let herself become a lazy genius coasting on her reputation, she would throw herself into her training with all her being. And it was training, not cultivation. Accepting that difference was an important step forward.
Her first month of training had taken her Coldfire Corona from 1 to 7 fairly quickly and then slowed, which Kai said was typical, even for the top hunters of each generation. She had been hoping that she could blow past even their records, but it seemed it wouldn't be so easy. It would be more important to do everything right, to build her Class foundation before she passed the ninth step and it developed into its true form.
That meant more physical work. Zae Zin Nim got to her feet and began working on her new training regimen. Kai was less useful there, since his own Class had never given him any help. All she could do was follow the best practices and try to relax so her instincts could take over.
She tossed a stone into the air, then shattered it with a precise application of qi. Before the fragments could hit the ground, she unleashed qi attacks to destroy each one. Unlike usual, the bolts were surrounded by mana, leaving trails of blue flame through the air. The rocks never had a chance and only dust hit the ground.
Of course, she could have done that before. Simply adding mana to attacks was by far the easiest application she had discovered so far: the mana naturally peeled off her dantian to join her qi, almost without her thinking about it. She appreciated the boost, but it would never let her challenge someone truly above her, like a cultivator in Nascent Foundation stage or above.
Zae Zin Nim picked a larger rock and began practicing her palm strikes. First with no energy at all, to be certain her form was correct, then with qi, then combining qi and mana. This was the second application of her Class that came intuitively. Chaotic as mana could be, something about the cold flames she had gained naturally aligned with soft martial arts.
To truly find the limits of that synergy, she suspected she would need to practice on live targets. She was actually looking forward to when they would go fight monsters.
Those two skills had reached a basic level of understanding, which left... something else. It was infuriating, but she was certain that she was missing something about her Class. When Kai had said it, she had been skeptical, then she had slowly come to the same conclusion. She felt as though someone had given her two thirds of a cultivation technique and withheld the secret third that would strengthen the others. There was something else for her to find and she had yet to discover it.
That absence was what prevented her from using the valuable "enhancement scroll" that he had given her. Only with a clear understanding could she move forward. The problem was that none of her experience up to that point equipped her to find it, at least not fast enough for her liking.
When she recognized that she wasn't making any more progress, Zae Zin Nim switched from training back to cultivation. Chilling fire circulated within her, clearing a path for her qi. She was moving toward the peak after so long, and it should have been exhilarating. Passing the Body Refinement stage could finally remove her physical problems and would also grant her enough power that she wouldn't need to fear the local elite mercenaries. But at times it still seemed so far away...
Especially when she watched Kai train, and she gradually realized what she was doing.
Feeling her gaze, he lowered the boulder he was carrying to the ground and leaned on it. "I was thinking of trying simultaneous cultivation next," he said, as if that was a normal thing. "Do you think it's too early?"
"No, you could probably begin now." Intimidating as his progress was, she wouldn't lie to slow him down. "Just be cautious, and if you feel the qi slipping, stop immediately."
"I know you said not to push, but I'm just getting frustrated." Kai took a drink from their water stone as he sat down opposite her. "All our other training helped me so much, I thought my Physique would break through, but I've been stuck at F-9 for so long..."
She couldn't help but snort. "You're treating E rank Physique as if it's something to be learned in an afternoon."
"But you said everyone on Cloudspire reached rank F by the time they were an adult."
"Not everyone, just cultivators." She paused as she considered how to frame the issue for him. Perhaps she had exaggerated her homeland's accomplishments slightly and given him the wrong impression. "Most struggle to reach the peak of F and rely on their qi alone. This leads to a very common blockage when they try to advance from Body Refinement to Nascent Foundation. From there, the majority remain in E rank for the rest of their lives. Only those with unusually physical cultivation techniques might reach D, and that is exceedingly rare."
"Huh. I don't suppose you have any tips for getting through?"
"I'm still in the F rank myself, as I'm sure you've noticed, and my physical path is entirely different from yours."
"Understood." Kai sat down to cultivate, but his mind wasn't properly clear. Still troubled by his lack of progress, even if it was just in his own mind. Zae Zin Nim decided that, as self-motivated as he was, he could use some encouragement to inspire his training.
"The E rank shift often leads to a substantial physical development," she said. "In my case, the absorption of the Blackblood Physique. I've seen others experience physical changes, such as their skin growing paler. There's even an ogre clan that grows horns. You may require more time to develop your potential changes."
"Really? Interesting. I always thought that reaching F was the big gap, since it reinforces the body with mana. I haven't seen any unusual characteristics on the few E rank Physiques I've seen."
"It depends on your path. But given your condition, and the way that your monstrous skills inhabit your body, I would be surprised if there was not some manner of physical change. You need to get it right or the rest of your development will be harmed. So consider your work at this stage an investment, not time wasted."
"Thanks, Zae Zin Nim." He flashed her a smile and then threw himself into his training.
That accursed smile...
The "simultaneous cultivation" he was attempting was a merger of purely physical techniques and proper cultivation. This time, it meant standing on one arm and holding his body upright while he stirred his qi. Unusual positions were nothing new, but he was also exerting his mana throughout his body in the local fashion. She wouldn't have advised it for anyone else. His progress on both sides was weakened, but she guessed that he hoped that the intense stress would help his Physique break through.
Watching him had been a mistake. With his body and soul both pressed to their limits, there was sweat pouring down his body. Her cultivation continued within her on pure habit as she watched one drop of sweat roll its way over the tensed musculature of his back.
What still bothered her was that she'd never been attracted to a body like his. Most cultivators were fit, but they scorned such large muscles as belonging to the lower classes. Kai was all hair and stubble instead of a refined gentleman. She had laughed with some of her peers over how grotesque such bodies looked, yet now she was staring at one. He looked more like a thug than a man... or perhaps more like a beast.
Zae Zin Nim took a deep breath and made herself look away. Cultivation. Nothing but cultivation.
For all his work, Kai would have been annihilated by a higher stage cultivator. She had been taught that mana was simply an inferior version of qi, but facing the pool had proved that mana could be shockingly intense. Though Deadwaste was still much weaker than Cloudspire, she could imagine another continent with such powerful mana that they would equal cultivators.
So much of what she had learned seemed incorrect now. Instead of being a slovenly barbarian, Kai worked harder than anyone she had ever known. The local officials could be corrupt, but if anything they were less corrupt than those she knew. Razzagah was at least as smart as any of the merchants from home. Only access to power sources separated the local mercenaries like Iroaki from many cultivators.
A vast world outside her sect yawned before her, one in which nothing made any sense and face meant nothing and anyone could die in an instant. It should have terrified her, but Zae Zin Nim only forced herself to focus. She would rise to face it, she just needed time.
Time she wouldn't have. There was a flying wagon hurtling directly toward them.
Both of them were on their feet in an instant, but she recognized the driver as Razzagah. He slowed the wagon to a halt and waved wildly to them. "Guys, shit just went down. The Corinin clan is on the warpath, we've gotta move!"
"They realized what we did?" Kai asked.
"Worse. They're trying to start a war with Irun!"
Chapter 79: The Irunian Menace
As they raced over the farmland in the wagon, Kai leaned closer to Razz. He generally trusted the young merchant, but in this case he was definitely hiding something. After he'd stammered out some information about troop positions and deals gone wrong, Kai was even more certain. Now he applied a little pressure.
"Okay, this may be a little bit my fault." Razz laughed nervously, though neither of them responded. "Remember how I told you that the Corinin clan was cheating Irun? Well, I sort of leaked some of that information, and the local Irunian delegation was pretty mad about it."
"So this is all your fault," Kai said.
"No, no! Let me finish. The Corinins could have recovered if they'd made concessions or chosen a sacrificial lamb to accuse of corruption. But instead they doubled down and tried to negotiate hard. And now instead of me getting a potential advantage in international trade, I've gotten a disaster."
Kai glanced back at Zae Zin Nim, who shrugged her absolute indifference. Okay, then he needed to make some snap decisions. "What exactly was being done and why is it leading to troop movement?"
"To oversimplify... southern Goralia purchases a lot of metalwork from Irun, the sort of thing too intricate for our smiths to make. They command high prices, and nobody would dare cheap out on them. But recently Dommag Corinin has been buying Irunian steel, mixing in inferior work where most won't notice, and selling it all for an extra profit. They found out..."
"And they weren't happy. Irunians take their reputation seriously."
"So we're learning. Anyway, they're sending a force to come to Rayakan and take back all their unsold merchandise." Razz threw up his hands. "Apparently the contracts say they can do that if we're in breach! But the Corinins won't take that lying down, and I don't know if the Irunians are sending a military group. Either way, this could turn bad."
"Then I think I get it." Kai braced himself to jump off the wagon, but Razz grabbed his sleeve.
"Wait, are you headed for the Irunians? If you're able to talk to them, can you do me a favor?"
Kai sighed and turned back to him.
"Hear me out, please! They're going to want to withdraw trade, which we can't afford. But if they make another deal, the Lantrian clan could handle everything they need. It's just a matter of getting them to trust us." Razz glanced nervously between the two of them. "I know I'm asking a lot of you here, but I actually have a new opportunity. There's a monster the Hunters Guild isn't taking care of with a mounting reward."
"And?"
"And I think I can arrange a way to claim the reward even though you're not members. If you... no, I'll get started on it right away and trust you on this part. If the Irunians seriously attack Rayakan, we'll have much bigger problems than wandering monsters."
"Alright, fine. You can leave that for later, just figure out a way to negotiate a new deal." Kai clapped Razz on the shoulder, then leapt off the wagon.
Mana-powered vehicles were convenient, but they moved slowly compared to his new running speed. Considering that he could already sense power ahead ahead, it wouldn't be far. He wasn't sure how much good he'd be able to do once he actually arrived, though. Honestly, he was more sympathetic to the Irunians than Razz and his scheme to gain advantage.
Zae Zin Nim kept pace with him effortlessly, practically floating over the ground. He was fast, but he was beginning to realize that cultivators could move with unreal speed. Not necessarily at close quarters, but definitely superior over long distances. Maybe one day he'd have cultivated enough to glide over the landscape instead of thumping his way forward.
He could see steel glinting in the distance... and there were several specks diverging from the main group to intercept them. Kai cursed under his breath and turned to make sure Zae Zin Nim understood the stakes.
"We want to try to negotiate with them," he said, "but they'll fight. The important thing is not to kill anyone. They respect strength, not brutality."
"If you insist." She rolled her eyes but didn't object.
Not long after, both sides skidded to a halt. There were several Irunians in their usual dour robes, all bearing glimmering weapons. He judged them at an average of 40 power, which was actually more than enough to overcome most hunters in Rayakan. But the one who bothered him was their leader, who wore a full suit of liquid metal armor. Even though it resisted spiritual sight, Kai estimated that the armor alone was worth at least 100 power.
"Stand aside," the leader said, voice muffled from within his helm. "We have no quarrel with you."
"We are not representatives of Rayakan," Kai answered, "but we do bear a message from them. Some of their members wish to apologize for the dishonor and make amends."
"That gauntlet... just where did you get it?"
Too late he realized that he was still wearing Tusquo's gauntlet. Kai hastily raised it so that they could all see. "This is part of a weapon sphere granted to me by one of your countrymen. It is an unrelated matter, so-"
"More likely another Goralian theft. If you are worthy of such a gift, prove it."
Just like he'd feared. Kai held his ground as the first several Irunians drew their weapons and attacked.
A man wielding a shining partisan attacked first, penning him in with thrusts. Kai wasn't sure if his body could handle Irunian steel and didn't plan to find out. He used his gauntlet to grab the handle, grunted as it slid back against the head, then tore the weapon from the man's hands.
Too late, he realized there was a woman behind him with her sword almost at his neck. Not an honorable tactic, so apparently they really were pissed. Kai managed to duck and landed an elbow in her gut, sending her to the ground.
Meanwhile, Zae Zin Nim was spinning between the others gracefully. She hadn't worn her Cloudspire robes again after the party, but somehow she made even a plain tunic look elegant. In a matter of a few blows, her opponents had been knocked to the ground without serious injury.
Then the leader drew his sword and struck at her in a single blinding blow.
The man hadn't held back at all. Kai didn't think there was any way he could have dodged in her position: he would have needed to take the injury and try to fight back. Zae Zin Nim spun in midair, dodging the thrust and then placing a palm against the liquid metal armor.
Her qi dissipated harmlessly and Kai could see her eyes widen. But as the Irunian pulled back his sword, she didn't hesitate again. When her other palm rose, it struck her opponent with blue fire. A wave of it expanded from the impact, sending the Irunian tumbling backward over the ground.
Just as the man landed, Kai wrenched his sword from his hands. Even with the advantage of surprise, he struggled to pull it free. Before the Irunian leader could retaliate, Kai reversed the direction of the sword and handed it back to the man hilt-first, showing off his Irunian gauntlet.
"You are free to ignore our words," Kai said, "but please listen to us first. Southern Goralia can be a treacherous place."
Silence. Several painful seconds of it. Then the leader carefully accepted his sword and returned it to its sheath. "This is more respectable than we expected. But, even if you are unaffiliated with the local clans, you were sent by one of them, were you not?"
"I'll not claim otherwise. I believe the Lantrian clan would trade more honorably with you, but I cannot promise that." Kai abandoned his effort to speak with Irunian formality and just shrugged. "Frankly, I'm a bit out of my depth here. I can only tell you what I've seen so far."
"This is acceptable." The leader gestured to his warriors, who gathered themselves with no apparent hard feelings. "Escort our new guests to the main group with all the honor they're due."
So they headed toward the small Irunian army with no injuries and little energy spent. That was about as good a start as Kai could have hoped, the question was just how the negotiations would go. He would just have to hope the rest went smoothly until it was out of his hands.
Along the way, he couldn't help but glance at Zae Zin Nim. She'd reacted to the failure of her palm strike so smoothly, relying on mana she'd only just learned to use like it was second nature. Even weakened by her physical condition, she always had a grace that made him feel like a bumbling oaf.
"Kai Granfian?"
The voice interrupted his thoughts and made him turn back to the Irunian force. Someone broke from it and Kai only had a second to see Tusquo Agyama before the man pulled him into a tight embrace.
Chapter 80: Claws Against Steel
Kai hadn't known that Irunians could hug, but the evidence was squeezing his ribs. He squeezed back and eventually Tusquo released him. As soon as he did, Tusquo stepped back to a more ordinary distance, which made it easier for Kai to admit the truth.
