"Three days left," Adrian thought to himself, anticipation tightening his chest as he contemplated the upcoming battle.
"You're getting distracted," Girl said, observing his wavering energy flow. "That's enough for now. That will be all."
"Phew... That session was shorter than usual, only about six hours," Adrian remarked, wiping the sweat off his brow.
"You're complaining?" Girl raised an eyebrow.
"What? No, of course not," Adrian quickly responded, an awkward laugh escaping his lips.
Girl stood up, brushing herself off and preparing to leave. "Well, my time here is done," she stated.
"Hmm, what do you mean?" Adrian asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"I've taught you everything there is to know about controlling your energy, both natural and divine. Anything beyond this, you'll have to figure out on your own," Girl explained.
"What..." Adrian whispered, the realization of how far he'd come sinking in.
"You should be proud; you've come a long way," Girl said, offering him a rare smile before walking away.
Adrian sat alone, the weight of his journey pressing down on him. He had grown far stronger than he had ever imagined, yet he still felt a vast distance from his ultimate goal. After a long period of introspection, he finally stepped outside. The night had fallen, and the gentle moonlight bathed the landscape in a serene glow. The stillness of the night amplified his thoughts as he wrestled with his doubts. Eventually, he pushed them aside and prepared to rest for the battle ahead.
Adrian awoke later the next day, feeling groggy. "Two days left," he muttered, shaking off the lingering drowsiness.
As he stepped out, he saw the rest of the group preparing for the mission. They were sharpening weapons, repairing armor, and readying themselves for the challenge ahead. The sight of their diligence struck Adrian with a sudden realization: the enemy they were about to face was formidable. Yet, despite this, he found himself lacking the motivation to join in. He returned to his bed, his heart heavy with an inexplicable sadness. Overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, he drifted back to sleep.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
"Adrian! Adrian! Adrian!" Guy's voice rang out, jolting Adrian awake.
Adrian sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What's going on?" he asked, his mind still clouded with confusion.
"Get ready; we're leaving in five hours!" Guy announced.
"Five hours? You should've let me sleep longer," Adrian mumbled, stretching lazily.
"This is not a joke. Get up!" Guy barked, frustration evident in his tone.
"I'm fine. My dagger and armor are barely worn out. It's not like I'll be on the front lines. All I need is some food, and I'll be ready," Adrian replied nonchalantly, standing up.
Frustrated, Guy left the room. Adrian made his way to the food rations, consuming a surprisingly large amount before finally feeling satisfied.
As he finished eating, a familiar voice echoed in his mind: "Conversion mode active... Spiritual skill has reached its max. Spiritual skill level is now 3. No other skills upgraded."
"Of course... I hate that stupid voice. It must be the reason why I slept for three days and ate a week's worth of food. But I guess that means I'll be stronger now," Adrian mused before being interrupted by Kamano's shout.
"Adrian, pack up! It's time to head out!" Kamano called.
Adrian quickly donned his armor and weapons, joining the group as they prepared to leave.
"Alright, the journey should take about ten hours. When we arrive, we'll meet up with the other groups. They should have already scouted the area. They'll provide us with entry points leading to the demon's leader, while they handle the army of lesser demons. As you all know, the leader is a high-level demon. I truly believe we can defeat it with all of us surviving. If the enemy proves too powerful, we'll stall until the others finish their part and can assist us. Any questions?" Girl asked, scanning their faces.
The group remained silent, their determination evident.
"Fine, let's go," Girl commanded.
The journey was grueling, each step testing their resolve. Adrian's heart was a storm of emotions—uncertainty, doubt, and a nervousness he hadn't felt before. They walked for ten hours, finally reaching the designated location. The other groups were already waiting, ready to execute the plan.
"Good, you're here. Now we can proceed," the leader of Group 1 said, handing over a detailed map. "We've mapped the area and identified the safest path to the demon."
"I see... How strong is it?" Girl asked, her tone serious.
"A formidable foe, but I believe your group can handle it, considering your track record," the leader replied.
"So, what's the plan?" Girl pressed.
"As Group 4 heads towards the enemy leader, the rest of us will surround the area, trapping the demons and attacking from the outside in. Given the sheer number of demons, it may take us time to provide assistance. It appears they were planning another large-scale attack on the city," the leader explained.
"I understand," Girl responded.
"That will be all. Good luck," the leader concluded.
Girl nodded, leading her team along the marked path.
As they walked, Girl addressed the team. "All we need to do is fight the way we always have. It's only one opponent, which makes it easier in some ways. But remember, this is a high-level demon. Be cautious. Adrian, stay in the back and support the team. I'll coordinate from the rear, and the rest of you will engage upfront as usual. This fight will be tough, but we can all make it out alive."
"Understood," they replied in unison.
The team advanced, passing through ruins and deserted alleyways, carefully avoiding detection. Half an hour later, they reached the demon's lair. The air was thick with tension, and an oppressive heat filled the space.
Suddenly, their eyes locked onto the demon—a towering figure, its charred skin crackling with fire. Its skeletal frame belied the immense power emanating from it. With a murderous gaze, it stood ready, the final challenge awaiting them.
