Chapter 9: Just Strong Enough

 

"So, what you're saying is, Learning is an Affinity for you, but it's your only one? What level is it, and what is it's Affinity Level?"

"45 and it's level Is Synchronous."

"Right, right, one question?"

Jackson expected a lot more than one.

"If you're fifteen with a level 45 skill, how could you ever possibly not notice you have an Affinity for it? Especially a Synchronous one?"

"Well, my Wisdom is 76 but I'm not really wise."

"...Let's just get back to hunting please."

"Yes Ma'am."

     

After that life altering situation, they went back to hunting and they actually found two separate tracks for a horned rabbit that same day. Even though the hunting season for them is a relatively short one, they still get hunted to the brink because they make for cheap, but effective glue. compared to things like a big animal like a horse, small rabbits that pop up fast are an amazing alternative. They are unable to be domesticated though, due to their aggressive nature, so they are only hunted as it is illegal to own them.

So at the start of their hunting season, their population can get big, but now they can get scarce. Which is why it was a surprise they got not just one, but two rabbits after successfully tracking down each of them.

That brought Meghan's total of horns up to 3, but after Jackson's insistence, 4 out of 5. She also had already gotten one before meeting Jackson.

"That's a nice haul; no ornery Enkki's bothering us either!"

"Yeah, I am definitely looking forward to just relaxing for a bit, maybe some magic practice."

"Right, didn't you mention wantin' to learn fire? I'm assuming you're going to learn wind next right? It would synergize really well with Archery. Not to mention that it can be very versatile. It may sound silly, but you could be like a portable AC unit, any party would love to have you during the summer especially. To be frank, It'd be a bit dumb not to.

Jackson, who decided that he just wanted the immediate satisfaction of learning fire magic, kind of cringed at himself now. He knew it was a good idea to learn wind magic first, and thought he would enjoy it. But... Big boom? He wanted that. Although, a responsible person would go for wind first...

Maybe I could double dip?

"Uhh, yeah! For sure! I was kind of thinking I could try and learn both of them at the same time, even if it is a bit far fetched."

He had in fact, just thought of that on the spot.

"Well, that hasn't worked for anybody I know, but who knows. Maybe that Affinity of your's could come in handy."

"Right... haha..."

I'm a literal child.

 

     

 

The two of them settled down at camp, and just as Jackson was about to start the fire, he thought of something.

Wait... Can I actually double dip?

 

 

 

 

I thought so, but still... These abilities would be absolutely perfect for me. Well, they're in the bag now.

Jackson bought and upgraded all that he could, and although he got a major headache, he was alright after 30 minutes. Meg seemed concerned but once she got the situation she got back to... wood carving?

Is that a fox? It looks so real.

After calming down a bit, he got about the rest of his day. He incorporated learning wind magic and made it a majority of his magic practice, but still set aside a little bit to fire just because. Before going to bed, he pulled up a progress meter for the past week or so, he already knew some things from pop-ups but still wanted a general overview.

 

 

 

Hmm. nice, earlier than I expected. It really took me this long to though... Whatever, I need to stop comparing myself to others. I should be happy!

 

"Meghan! I just hit my first enhancement!"

"Really! Put her there!"

She held her hand up high, palm facing Jackson. Was this really happening?

He smacked her hand with a bright smile.

"I'd give you an enhancement gift but... we aren't exactly near a store."

"Oh! no no, I don't need one."

"Ah, every kid deserves to be celebrated when they meet a big goal like that. Enhancements are rarer then birthdays ya know?"

"Meg, I think you are the nicest stranger I've ever met."

"Well shucks, thanks n'all, but I think everybody should act that way: So think nothing of it. I think I could think of something before tomorrow night."

"Really, no rush, but I'll get to bed for now. Good night!"

"Good night." 

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As Jackson zipped his tent closed, he only had one thought.

She really reminds me of mom...

He looked down at his pendant and parents faces.

I think... I still love the both of them, not just mom. When I get certified to be an adventurer I'll-

     

 

Jackson let his arrow fly.

And...

It missed.

Well, what can you do? He certainly wasn't going to get annoyed over it.

Jackson and Meg both split up to find the last rabbit she needed. They would cover more ground and Jackson wanted to be able to do stuff like this on his own. Jackson just stood up from his crouched position behind a bush and started to track the rabbit. It had just rained last night so it was easier to track then it usually would be.

He would have just quietly snuck to wherever the rabbit went, but those little guys are fast; It was probably long gone by now. as he was following the tracks however, he heard a loud snarl, smack, and then a high pitched squeal. It all went quiet, only for Jackson to nearly tumble over some small shrubbery. It was all it took for a large bear with stag like antlers and blood dribbling from it's mouth to rush him.

Jackson tried to run, but only managed to make his body dodge to the side before scurrying into the brush. He only spared a glance back to notice the tree he was in front of had been toppled over and smashed to pieces.

His thoughts were racing.

Why am I running! I can't outrun a bear! Do I climb a tree? Heck no I'll die! But I can't fight it cause I'm too weak! Shoot... I'm just going to get as far as possible and pelt him with arrows.

Jackson saw a part of the river up a head and thought he was done for. No way would he cross the river in time, the bear would catch up.

So he did something he absolutely hated.

He took out a knife holstered on his side, and slit his wrist. Any average healer could control blood, but most only knew the basics and Jackson was part of that group. He was atrocious at blood manipulation, it just plain old hurt too much. Yeah he had a high vitality so it would be easier on him, but he was literally sucking himself dry. He expected to be in a worse condition than this, but he might've just been in the zone. At least he was good enough with it that he could heal and good enough was all he needed.

He threw out a thin layer of blood on the floor and spiked it up to stall the bear and cause foot injuries. It was close, but he had some time left. He hurriedly made sure to stop his wound from bleeding by coagulating some blood over top it, while protecting his arteries and veins from further damage. He didn't mean to but he cut deep.

Jackson was not in good shape. He was very dizzy and he was in huge amounts of pain from the deep cut, not to mention how weak his body felt after that. He would pull out his bow but his left hand wasn't cooperating due to being cut. If only he had three. or...

He drew and tried his best to stabilize his bow with his right hand, and drew using a mana construct. The bear was getting closer, seemingly dead set on getting Jackson for some strange reason. It was very shaky, he was right handed after all, and for somebody with relatively bad control, it was all he could manage. For some reason, with all the strength the bear seemed to have, it wasn't that fast, although it was certainly faster than Jackson.

He let the arrow loose, It didn't have his normal force behind it and missed the bears head, but managed to stick into it's shoulder. Good enough.

The bear stepped on the field with his blood and didn't have a visible reaction besides it slowing down. Jackson threw his bow to the side, drew his sword, and mentally prepared himself. He tried his best to will his blood to Strike at the bear and make longer spikes, but it didn't change much as he couldn't focus properly on it.

The bear was getting closer, he couldn't do it! It was stronger than him, even slowed as it was. It would just take one hit from that guy and he was done for! 

Have I really used all my tricks?

Then he realized. 

Human blood freezes at a similar temperature to water right? Igniting wood takes way more effort then freezing water does for me, and it is my blood so...

Jackson's mana was already in his blood so it was even easier to freeze than normal, he just dumped as much of his mana as he could in to lower it's temperature and near instantly it froze. The bear didn't stop, but The spikes were more solid, sharp, and debilitating then before.

He actually had a chance now, but now the bear was practically in front of him. It was barreling straight for him in a reckless charge mindless and inefficient. The bear was about to lunge at him

Now. Just like dad taught you. Wait, Step, Jump and-

A sound of metal hitting flesh rang out, and while the bear let out a roar, Jackson screamed.

Grunting through the pain, he repositioned himself, although he was hurt, the bear was hurt worse. Just like with the rat, he sidestepped the Bear's lunge and cut it across the midsection. Although, he didn't pull it off perfectly, he almost never did, so he was at least glad he got this far.

Perfect, now both my arms are in pain. At least I don't have to worry about bleeding to death. The bear on the other hand...

The bear was now on a time limit, it was bleeding heavily and had a hard time moving, but it didn't seem to care. Although the cut was painful, Jackson seemed to be able to move his arm well enough to fight. Jackson's legs were still relatively unscathed though, so at least he had that advantage. 

The Bear stumbled a charge, allowing Jackson a free swing, but his shaking hands caused him to fumble too. The rest of the fight was messy. Jackson dodged strikes, yet missed his own. And although the bear fumbled it almost seemed to be getting used to the injuries. Although the bear seemed mindless, it was still capable of thought. It seemed to grow confident now.

Jackson was losing hope. He fell to his knees, and seemed to give up.

The bear, was not as dumb as it seemed and took the fight seriously, but couldn't help but toy with it's prey from time to time. All the charges it took, it took because it knew that even if it's opponents retaliated, it was able to overpower them. The bear did this in fights where it knew it's opponents were weak, but humans were hard to gauge. 

The bear thought this human was strong. the human laid down an advantageous field, although it seemed relatively weak. The human had range, and seemed to be cunning. Although the humans sword attacks were somewhat powerful, it came to realize that the human was still much weaker than it.

So now was the chance for real fun. 

The Bear stood on it's hind legs, towering over the human, although it was a bit unstable, the Human had given up. How weak willed.

The Bear took staggering steps towards the human. it would laugh if it knew what that was. Just as it was about to slash it's claw down at the Human, Jackson, who's sword never actually left his hand, thrusted his sword into the Bear's abdomen, halfway down the sword.

The bear, startled and off balance, toppled to it's side. As quick as he could, Jackson hopped behind the Bear, drew his knife, and stabbed it into the Bear's neck.

Yet it did not die.

The bear bellowed out, not in pain, but rage. It was losing.

Jackson pulled arrows from his quiver and stabbed them into the bear's neck. The arrows could not penetrate far, but did some work. Now the bear was helpless and unmoving.

Yet it did not die.

Jackson was going insane. risked hopping over the bear, and took his sword from it's stomach. Without hesitation, He drove it through the Bear's eye.

And finally it was over.

A level 13 almost killed me. Also triple anomaly? I'm too worn out to have a proper reaction But I'd probably be screaming right now. I'm just... too... tired...

 

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