As the night slowly surrendered to the emerging daylight, Shin's determination to master echolocation surged within him. Refusing the comforts of breakfast and lunch, he plunged headlong into mastering this skill. Initially stumbling through the exercises, his head spun with dizziness, but as the hours ebbed away, a gradual understanding began to dawn upon him. Through sheer perseverance, he started to unravel the intricate method of seeing without sight, a testament to his heightened senses.
The room's temperature whispered its secrets to him, a range he discerned between 23 to 26 degrees Celsius. He knew the afternoon had crept in during his relentless practice, but his stomach's persistent protests urged him to halt. Starved and craving sustenance, Shin made a daring choice: to walk blindfolded to dinner, putting his newfound skill to the ultimate test.
With every tap of his cane, he navigated the familiar corridors, sensing the weight of gazes upon him. The confusion and curiosity of others lingered in the air, their whispers and hushed tones accompanying him on this daring venture. Shin's determined steps echoed his resolve to conquer this ability, even if it meant momentarily being blinded.
As the comforting aroma of the cafeteria wafted through the air, Shin's joyous smile widened. He had successfully arrived at the cafeteria building solely through his acute sense of smell and hearing. Refusing to rely on the guiding support of walls, he tapped his way forward, allowing the rhythm of his steps and the scents enveloping him to serve as his guide.
Carefully, he managed to procure his meal, sitting down with a sense of accomplishment once he reached his table. The clatter of cutlery and silenced murmurs accompanied his meal, a testament to his determination and the whispers of classmates curious as to what he was doing.
Post-meal, Shin embarked on the steady trek to the nurse's station for his customary full-body healing. As he stepped inside, Shoko, seated and caught off guard, glanced up in confusion at Shin's abnormal appearance. Her bemusement turned to understanding as Shin explained his rationale, shedding light on his blindfolded journey to hone his newfound skill.
Having clarified his intent, Shin bid Shoko farewell, returning to the gym room, ready to resume his training.
As Shin entered the gym, a familiar scent hung in the air, leading him to the presence of Maki diligently practicing her swordsmanship, as evident from the sound of the swings and her tempo. Her swift and precise movements painted a picture of dedication and focus. Upon noticing Shin's presence, Maki's voice echoed through the room, initially laced with disbelief at his blindfolded state, but she quickly composed herself upon hearing his explanation.
Maki's curiosity sparked as she observed Shin's determination, intrigued by his progress with the echolocation skill.
"So, you've got a grip on the skill yet?" Maki's tone carried a blend of curiosity and enthusiasm. "Need some help taking it to the next level?"
Shin's interest was piqued by the offer. "Absolutely. How can I reach the next stage?"
A sly smirk curved Maki's lips. "Through pain and rigorous practice, of course," she quipped, offering him a wooden sword. The glint in her eyes hinted at the challenge she had in store.
The wooden sword's impact jolted Shin, catching him off guard as it connected with his head. Wincing at the sudden blow, he instinctively rubbed the tender spot that now adorned his forehead, a testament to the unexpected hit.
Regaining his composure, Shin assumed a defensive stance, preparing himself for Maki's imminent strikes. The subtle shifts in her breathing and the sense of her poised readiness were the only cues he could rely on.
As Maki initiated the onslaught, Shin tapped the ground, endeavoring to form a mental picture of his surroundings. Yet, Maki's assault was relentless and calculated. Her strikes rained down from multiple angles, leaving Shin unable to effectively defend or counter. Each attempt to tap the ground for orientation met with Maki's adept timing, as she synchronized her movements to disrupt his mental map, intentionally causing disarray with heavy steps at precisely the moments Shin sought clarity.
Trapped in a whirlwind of strikes and disorientation, Shin grappled with the challenge, seeking a way to regain his bearings amidst Maki's strategic disruptions.
Shin's endurance wavered under the relentless assault, each strike landing with painful precision, rendering him unable to evade, defend, or retaliate effectively. Collapsing to the ground in agony, Shin felt the sting of defeat clawing at him, but determination glimmered within him despite succumbing entirely to the pain. Trembling from the pummeling he had endured, Shin fought through the agony, slowly regaining his balance, his body instinctively returning to a defensive stance.
Maki's grin widened at the sight of Shin's resilience, and she resumed her relentless assault, sensing an opening. However, Shin, recognizing the futility of his previous attempts, adopted a different strategy. Instead of relying solely on his own actions to map his surroundings, Shin shifted his focus to the frequencies generated by Maki's movements.
Shin's determination soared as Shin felt the force of Maki's swing and successfully blocked it, surprising her with his progress. Encouraged by this improvement, Shin maintained his defensive stance, blocking and countering Maki's strikes.
Hours passed in an intense exchange of moves, Shin showcasing a remarkable improvement in his ability to discern and counter Maki's attacks. However, the relentless training took its toll, evident in Maki's increasingly labored breathing and signs of exhaustion.
Recognizing the need for a pause, Maki called an end to the session, advising Shin not to push himself too hard. As she departed, Shin, still blindfolded, made his way to Shoko for a healing session before returning to the gym.
It was late evening, the ambient temperature and the sounds of nocturnal creatures indicated the time between 9 and 10 PM. Feeling on the verge of mastering the skill, Shin sought a final push. An idea struck him, leading him to Fushiguro's dorm, where he detected the sound of Shikigami activity.
After convincing Fushiguro to assist him, both Shin and Fushiguro ventured to an open field. Shin stood still in the center, instructing Fushiguro to commence the exercise. Responding to the signal, Fushiguro summoned a multitude of toads, directing them to attack Shin.
With each toad's movement generating distinct sound frequencies, Shin concentrated intensely, aiming to navigate and interpret the onslaught solely through auditory cues. His determination was palpable as he attempted to elevate his echolocation skill, even in the face of this overwhelming challenge.
Shin's agility and precision in evading the toads' attacks showcased his growing mastery of echolocation. With every dodge and weave, he inched closer to seamless control, minimizing the damage he incurred as he navigated the assault.
As the hours trickled by, Fushiguro eventually called off the toads, feeling tired, he returned to the dorm. After bidding Shin farewell, Shin felt a sense of fulfillment in his progress, realizing he was honing his skill to a point where it became almost second nature.
Determined to push his boundaries further, Shin set his sights on speed, aspiring to reach hypersonic levels, a feat that demanded rigorous training. The following day, after classes concluded, Shin scoured the gym's storage room, hunting for weights that could enhance his training regimen. Discovering a 50-pound vest, he wasted no time strapping it on before commencing his sprinting routine around the field.
With unyielding determination, Shin pushed his limits, sprinting at full throttle for five-minute intervals, punctuated by two-minute rest breaks. The repetitive cycle continued well into the late evening, once done Shin returned back to the dorm since Shoko would be working at this hour.
It seems Shin's dedication to training and improving his abilities has been relentless! The consistent regimen of running, especially while wearing the weighted vest, must have significantly boosted his endurance and speed over these days. The daily healing from Shoko seems to have allowed him to focus more on his physical training before the upcoming mission.
With the mission looming on Sunday, Shin's persistent efforts and disciplined routine may have brought about noticeable enhancements in his physical attributes. It's commendable how he's pushing his limits to become faster and more adept, but it's important to ensure he's not overexerting himself.
Let's check Shin's status as he wakes up at 5 AM on Sunday to see how his training has impacted his stats and overall readiness for the upcoming mission.
Name: Shin Zenin
Lvl: 7
HP: 130 / 130
CE: N/A
Title: N/A
Stats:
Str (9) + 10
Dex (8) + 10
End (11) + 10
Spd (10) + 10
Vis (5) + 10
Aud (10) + 10
Olf (5) + 10
Luk (0) + 5
Points: 2
Shin sported an expansive grin, enough to be mistaken for a threat, as he basked in the anticipation of the impending mission. Following a brisk morning routine of washing up and a hearty breakfast, Shin strolled to the front of the school, awaiting Gojo's arrival, the clock ticking towards 6:50 AM. Engaged in his phone, Shin detected the familiar cadence of steps approaching, the distinct rhythm and weight of each footfall unmistakably Gojo's, closing in from a distance.
Gojo, observing Shin's patient wait, responded with a grin of his own, offering a wave from afar before joining him at last.
Gojo: "Morning Shin, you ready for your next mission~"
Shin: "Yup, just tell me where to go and I'll leave immediately."
Gojo: "Confident aren't you, well it's good to be confident but be sure to not let that get into your head or else you'll be killed."
Shin: "I know sensei, I won't get cocky, I know my limits."
Gojo: "Good, for your next mission you'll be participating in a raid."
Shin confused: "A raid? Like against one curse or many curses?"
Gojo: "Both, you will be part of the group whose goal is to attack the boss. Exciting isn't it?"
Shin: "This could be interesting, so who is the boss?"
Gojo: "You'll be assisting them to exorcise a grade 1 deity, Hunger deity. Luckily, this deity isn't strong enough to use a Domain so it won't be that dangerous."
Shin excited: "Location?"
Gojo: "Tonight at 3 AM, in the outskirts north of here in an abandoned village. I'll send you the GPS coordinate through your phone for this mission. Ichiji won't be informing you in more detail since he will be busy but he will be able to help you once it's over."
Shin: "Got it. By the way, what's my reward for the last mission?"
Gojo: "The higher-ups have agreed to reward you with
71203 Yen (500$), you will be receiving it by next Sunday. Good job completing it so quickly."
Shin: "Thanks, I will see you later, sensei."
Gojo: "Shin."
Shin: "Yeah?"
Gojo: "Don't die."
Gojo's departure marked the end of their conversation, and he returned to the school. As the mission was scheduled for late at night, Shin opted to explore the city during the early morning hours. Sprinting at full speed, Shin relished the sights around him. However, amidst the peaceful scenery, a voice pierced the air — a human voice strained with pain. Simultaneously, mocking tones from others reached his ears, prompting Shin to investigate the source.
Guided by the commotion, Shin's attention fixates on a cluster of young men encircling a disheveled, homeless figure. Shin watches, a silent witness, as the group subjects the man to a brutal onslaught—shoves, punches, kicks, and spitting—a grotesque display of their cruel amusement. Their laughter rings hollow amidst the taunts and jeers hurled at the defenseless soul. The homeless man, already weighed down by misfortune, finds himself in a torment beyond imagining. Desperation etches his worn features, tears tracing the path of his suffering. He pleads with them, his voice laden with despair, begging only to be left alone, to be spared further degradation, acknowledging he possesses nothing of worth.
Surveying the vacant streets, Shin acknowledges the absence of any patrolling officers who could intervene. A fleeting thought crosses his mind. "This isn't my affair. I'm merely wandering, relishing the sights. Their actions, his fate—it's none of my business."
As Shin pivots to resume his run, a fleeting notion intrudes upon his thoughts. "There's no one around, no officers on patrol, and really, would anyone miss them? They're the 'bad guys' after all, and isn't fewer 'bad guys' a good thing?"
Shin's face lights up with a sense of purpose, a joyous determination evident in his smile. Shin moves stealthily toward the hooligans, concealing his presence until he stands just behind them, unseen and unheard.
Shin, affecting a false timidity, speaks up, his voice carrying a semblance of apprehension. "Um, excuse me, could you please stop? He hasn't done anything to any of you."
The group, taken aback by Shin's sudden appearance, whirls around, shooting him a collective glare filled with hostility. Among them strides a taller, more rugged individual, his demeanor exuding an air of menace as he approaches Shin.
The rugged man, wearing a stern expression, spits on Shin's face with contempt. "Get lost, you retard. Mind your own business before you become like this worthless piece of garbage."
Shin wipes the spittle from his face, his expression resolute. "This is your last chance. Stop tormenting him."
The rough man's aggression escalates. "What are you gonna do, huh?" the man taunts, his voice laden with menace. "I could make you beg right here. You know what? That's exactly what I'll do. Follow us."
The group encircles Shin, pushing him along behind the leader, as they navigate into a secluded alley, shielded from prying eyes by the surrounding buildings.
The rough man pivots to face Shin, a twisted smile etched on his face. "On your knees, beg, or you'll regret it," he sneers, the threat palpable in his tone.
In a sudden shift, Shin abandons his facade of timidity, emitting a loud, exaggerated sigh. The rough man, taken aback, seizes Shin by the collar, ready to unleash insults. However, before he can utter a word, Shin retaliates swiftly, thrusting two fingers into the man's eye socket with force, effectively blinding him.
In a surge of adrenaline, Shin seizes the opportunity, swiftly incapacitating the man who released him. His group, witnessing the unexpected turn, charges at Shin in a futile attempt to retaliate. However, Shin's power and skill prove formidable as he subdues each assailant until they lie incapacitated, writhing in pain.
Taking advantage of their inability to resist, Shin inflicts lasting consequences, ensuring each member is left permanently crippled, blind, infertile, and paralyzed. The once menacing group now lies defeated and incapacitated, their reign of cruelty brought to a decisive end by Shin's justice.
With each incapacitation, a surge of purpose fuels Shin, a burgeoning satisfaction mingled with a sense of righteousness. As he executes his actions, he echoes the words he once heard, "You can't construct a better world or nation with pristine hands; sometimes you've got to delve into the mire to effect change." Each incapacitated assailant becomes a symbol in his mind, a step towards a cleaner, kinder world. " For a better future."