"There are plenty of creatures I can use as pawns with my current magical energy capacity," I murmured to myself.
Before me, the vast ocean stretched out—a blue canvas overflowing with magical energy, far denser than the dry land I'd just left. It was here, beneath the calm surface, that a significant opportunity for growth lay hidden.
I activated Magicule Sense, allowing my consciousness to spread, merge with the water, and seep into every particle of magic. Like a massive spider's web, my perception expanded, catching every movement and presence around me. I concentrated my senses, filtering out the weaker creatures and focusing on targets with promising strength, between Class D and Class B.
In an instant, thousands of energy points appeared in my perception. Most were useless, small sea creatures, but a few shone with a promising power. Too many useless ones. I needed something useful enough to become my puppet, yet not so powerful that it would be difficult to manipulate.
Filter…
I refined the data, searching for a creature I wanted.
Suddenly, a large energy signature appeared, moving slowly in the depths.
EP: 6,800. A giant crab. Its movements were slow, but its grip was undoubtedly strong. Perfect.
I approached slowly, keeping my Magic Cloak active. The crab seemed preoccupied with its prey, completely unaware of my presence. This was my best chance.
Now!
I activated Spectral Howl. My formless mental shriek pierced the water and stabbed directly into the crab's consciousness. In an instant, the monster froze, its raised pincer falling back to the seabed.
That's when I activated Manipulator.
A ten-pointed star symbol radiated on the crab's shell, shaking for a moment before absorbing into it. I felt a new connection, an invisible thread linking my consciousness to the creature. I could now sense its thoughts, desires, and even its fears.
It seemed to be just a mutated crab with an excess of energy. I'd found my new puppet.
I smiled and touched the crab. "Go and find me the strongest monsters you can."
The crab slowly moved its pincer as if in a nod, then turned and vanished back into the ocean's darkness, searching for its next target. It was incredibly efficient.
I could feel the magical energy flowing through our connection, giving me insight into the strength of the monsters around it. This was far better than searching alone. I could sit, meditate, and restore my magical energy while it hunted.
I closed my eyes and began to focus on Energy Absorber, allowing the ocean's abundant magical energy to seep into my body, step by step, drawing me closer to the power I desired. I returned to my spot, floating among the giant seaweeds, waiting. Most of my energy was focused on the new connection, tracking the movements of my new puppet, the giant crab.
Night fell, but the darkness didn't bother me. My empty eyes could see clearly, and my Magicule Sense was the sharpest sense I had. The energy around me felt stable. Passive Energy Absorber was absorbing at a normal rate. I was impatient. I wanted to evolve faster; this pace was not suitable for someone who wanted to control their own destiny. Yet, I knew this was the only way. I had to learn patience, just as I had for years on land. I had to let my instincts evolve, not just my raw power.
Suddenly, the connection with the crab trembled. A clear signal.
A target.
I sighed, stopping my meditation. Time to work.
I didn't move immediately. Instead, I used our mental link to see through its eyes. I saw a group of large fish monsters. They looked unintelligent and moved in a chaotic formation, but there were many of them.
Average EP: 2,500. Much weaker than me, but defeating them would give me combat experience and a small boost of energy. A perfect warm-up.
"Lure them here," I commanded.
The crab silently nodded and began to move, baiting the fish. The fish, driven by their predatory instincts, chased it without a second thought. When they were close enough, I emerged from my hiding spot. The fish were startled; they hadn't sensed my presence.
"Let's begin," I whispered to myself.
I released a soft wave of Spectral Howl, just enough to paralyze them for a moment. The fish froze, suspended in the water as if time had stopped. That's when I lunged forward at full speed. I focused energy into my hands, and with Passive Piercer active, I punched every single fish.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each punch easily shattered their defenses, destroying their bodies. Energy flowed into me, little by little, and I could feel my strength increasing. After a few minutes, no monsters remained. I took a breath (though it wasn't necessary) and looked around. The ocean was calm again.
I touched the giant crab. "Good job. Go find more," I commanded.
It nodded, then turned and disappeared into the ocean's darkness.
I continued my journey, letting time pass. Day by day, month by month, the weak monsters found by the giant crab became my prey. Hundreds, perhaps thousands. The energy I absorbed was minor, but the combat experience I gained was far more valuable. My movements became more agile, and my attacks more effective.
I sighed. "When can I get a decent source of energy?" I murmured.
As if on cue, the mental connection with the giant crab trembled violently. This time, the sensation was different—not just a location signal, but a tremor of fear. I immediately glided toward its location. There, the Giant Crab cowered behind a rock formation, while a pitch-black sea serpent with metal-like scales slithered in front of it.
Even from a distance, I could feel its energy—a cold, dense aura, unlike the monsters I had absorbed before. This was a true threat. My body felt a rush of excitement. This was the sensation I'd missed. It wasn't just a hunt; it was a fight for survival.
"Stay there," I commanded the giant crab. "Don't move. You'll be destroyed if you get any closer."
The Iron Sea Serpent turned its head, its golden eyes staring straight at me. It opened its mouth, revealing glistening fangs, and a plume of purplish vapor puffed from its nostrils.
I decided not to waste any time. I lunged forward, launching a direct punch empowered with ghostly energy.
Clang!
My fist hit the serpent's scales. The sound of metal clashing echoed, but my fist couldn't penetrate.
"Its body was incredibly hard, and there was a strange sensation on impact—could it absorb damage? Analyze," I commanded the Libertas. A series of consecutive punches hit the serpent but had no effect, causing its scales to glow as if they were storing energy.
"Damn, does this monster have a Unique Skill? How could my attacks not hurt it?"
The serpent sneered, as if mocking my failure. It lunged with incredible speed, its mouth open, aiming for my neck. I could feel a strange and powerful energy enveloping its fangs.
I activated Magic Cloak. The fangs struck, but there was no sound, no physical contact. The serpent was surprised; its fangs couldn't pierce my Unique Skill. Still, the strange energy's effect began to seep beyond the Magic Cloak layer, trying to break through my defenses.
So strong. Even with Magic Cloak, the effect could still leak in. I had to end this quickly.
I reappeared behind it and fired a series of magical attacks. The Iron Sea Serpent didn't deflect my attacks; it absorbed and neutralized my magic. It was useless.
"The world of Tensura is indeed interesting. If I'm not mistaken, this is one of the snakes lucky enough to possess a Unique Skill. It can absorb some magical and physical attacks, store the energy, and use it to attack. Is it Parry? It doesn't matter, I have to find its weakness."
I smiled inwardly. It was fascinating.
The serpent let out a low hiss. It began to spin its body at high speed, coiling around me. I couldn't evade it. My body was tightly bound. I felt an immense energy that could crush me. I had to act fast.
Slice!
I focused my energy throughout my body and activated Magic Cloak to its maximum level, making myself completely intangible. The serpent's coils passed through me as if through water. I slipped out of its grasp and returned to my semi-physical form, but there was no time to rest. The serpent lunged at me again.
I knew the only way to win was to end this fight quickly. I activated Spectral Howl at full power. The mental shriek was far stronger than before, tearing through the monster's consciousness.
The Iron Sea Serpent froze for a moment. That was all I needed.
I focused all my energy on my hand, striking with everything I had. I didn't punch its body, but thrust directly into its open eye.
Krrrack!
Its eye burst, and I could feel the resistance from the energy within it. I used Chaos Fire inside its head. The fire began to burn from within.
The Iron Sea Serpent shrieked in pain, a mental scream that tore at my consciousness. Its body twitched violently before finally collapsing, and its internal energy exploded outward.
I felt a powerful surge of energy. The sensation was incredible. My brain, my body, my very soul felt re-energized. I could feel my power rising to a new level. This fight… this was what a real hunt felt like. And I loved it.
I hovered back, looking at the Giant Crab that was still cowering in fear behind the rock. "Good job. You survived."
It didn't move. I didn't care. I had gotten what I wanted. I gazed into the dark depths. There were far stronger monsters here. And I couldn't wait to meet them.