Chapter 3: Path Of Growth

  Days and nights passed without count. Gusty winds gushed across the canyon one day, heavy rain fell during another, and a snow cloud created another cap in the distance. Yet regardless of what the deadly mountain threw at the young boy, he had to take it on the chin. Forging his body and mind.

  The pitch-black-haired young man was out there every day with deadly focus and dedication in his gaze. Grinning through pain and exhaustion, putting his life on the line, fighting small beasts, and preying on bigger ones.

  Drake vowed to himself that he would never give up. And so he pressed on with mad dedication. Weeks seamlessly went by as the boy relentlessly slew monsters throughout the mountain range. Like a true hunter.

  But, in fact, the routine he followed was devised by Jake. At first the boy did not believe it could work. As it appeared to be quite straightforward.

  Each morning, he had to wake up early. With the first rays of the sun, he was already doing his physical routine. He moved to weapon mastery only after his muscles were burning and sore. He spent at least a few more hours with swings, pirouettes, and riposte and block training.

  After completing the morning part of his day, he could enjoy a light breakfast. Without any delays, he always ventured onto the peaks. This was both exploration and practical training for him. Drake trained to spot and gather scarce berries, grass, and ingredients. With the hardest challenge being searching for any sources of drinking water. Sometimes spelunking deep into the caves or mountain climbing to grab some snow off the peaks.

  Jake also taught the boy how to sketch the maps properly and remember the routes. Making sure he is never lost was a separate challenge of its own.

  One of those days the boy discovered a strange type of succulent plant resembling a long, tendrilous cactus. It screamed poison from the first glance.

  Although its juice was highly dangerous, he knew that boiling it would greatly reduce the toxicity. And this discovery alone enabled him to maintain a steady source of drinking water. Yet after only a few days, he managed to improve his resistance to poison. Being dangerously poisoned and ill was far from optimal, but it was a necessary sacrifice. His body built up steady resistance over time.

  And when the resource struggles were substantially taken care of, his main quest began. The endless hunt. The boy being the son of a hunter was an advantage, but not to an extreme extent. Beasts were not simply game.

  He could feel that his keen senses and tracking skills had improved at lightning speed. So much so that each outing felt a few times easier than the previous one.

  The beasts he had to face were far more cunning and treacherous than what he was typically used to, but the challenge was the key. The Borok Mountain Range was a monster den filled with treacherously strong fiends. And the boy compared it with the fighting arena he entered as a challenger.

  This level of dread made each encounter a battle on the very edge of life and death. But soon enough he could say that none of that mattered. His body and mind got used to it. He was now in the perfect rhythm.

  Regardless of the creature he confronted, he could feel all his senses buzzing. Always alert, sharper, and stronger after each strike, block, feint, or kill. And the initial fear he felt now was just a barely traceable noise in the background. Each time, the young boy was operating on the edge of his capabilities, expanding them further and further.

  Yet every beast he killed also served a practical purpose. As it provided him with a steady source of meat and yielded numerous valuable materials.

  There were no more doubts left. He felt his growth with each fiber. Nearly impossible to deal with, black direwolves in the past now felt like nothing but training dummies. Drake threw them around like ragdolls. Their movements felt slow and sloppy, his capabilities far surpassing this level of danger.

  He could easily imagine himself capable enough to face an entire pack without sustaining more than a minor scratch, if any at all.

  All the changes were adopted after Jake's advice. Drake switched to wielding double axes, with one in each hand. The fighting style he adopted was the one centered around slashing and swinging. Utilizing the double-wield to attack with wide arcs. This allowed him to inflict damage from any direction, even on returning from the strike, due to the nature of his weapons. Avoiding a high amount of wasted motion, the damage output grew significantly.

  The flexibility this new style provided was groundbreaking to the boy. He could swing one axe while using the other for defense or cross-block using both for nearly any heavy attack. Utilizing half-circle or full-circle attack arcs as he moved through the fight. Yet the most surprising was how he adapted to the style. It was his second nature.

  Now, regardless of the situation he found himself in, the damage was abundant. It felt as if he tapped into his natural-born talent that lay dormant for years. Finally, this hidden potential. I knew it was there!

  But as with everything, nothing is perfect. There were actual hard trade-offs. Drake had to sacrifice a good chunk of his defensive capabilities, meaning he would get hit and hurt more than he would love to admit. And to account for that, he had to train his body and boost it beyond reasonable measures.

  The trick was to become mighty and durable at the same time to be able to utilize the new style to its fullest potential and not die in the process. The balance was quite thin between providing enough firepower along with significant endurance to withstand most of the incoming damage he had to suck in.

  And more than once it was the most dangerous gamble. Demanding high-energy output at all times while his body bore the brunt of numerous attacks. Gruesome fresh wounds and multiple scars now covered his body. The pain became his loyal follower along this rocky road.

  Yet he swiftly discovered a remedy. Consuming extremely nutritious monster meats provided various positive effects. High in nutrition and other valuable buffs. Eating well every day allowed him to sustain those rigorous routines, boosting the natural restoration and rejuvenation process.

  With just a half night's sleep, his body felt born anew every morning. Wounds would heal fast, and his bones would reattach themselves even after him seeing the white before putting it in place. Surprisingly enough, he stopped sustaining fractures a while ago. Which was a clear sign of his muscle structure and bone density's improvement.

  Such a high source of proteins definitely helped to rebuild his body and facilitate muscle growth. And with scarce, rare ingredients he found around the mountain range, he was able to brew some of the best basic enhancement potions and remedies one could dream of.

  Drake did not care how much time he spent on this or that. He focused solely on his growth, training, and learning. Acquiring new skills and enhancing existing ones was one of the most important tasks.

  And in just a few months he had gained an impressive amount of muscle mass. His reflexes sharpened, his agility and vitality increased. But most of all, his strength improved at a monstrously fast rate.

  The growth rate was exceptional. He couldn't believe how quickly his body was adapting with every new stage. Jake told him that the deciding factor in all of this was his mindset. With more conversations, the knowledge of man’s previous world and experiences poured into Drake and started to feel like his own.

  It felt as though he had inherited the skills and wisdom of someone who had honed their abilities throughout a lifetime of fighting. Jake's world presented many limitations, and in comparison to Drake's realm, the people there were considerably weaker.

  Yet, despite these constraints, they managed to prosper through sheer willpower and dedication, demonstrating that anyone could exceed their natural limits and push those boundaries with just the right mindset. Well, all of that sounded like a bunch of dogshit when he mentioned it first. But now, when I look at everything that I have achieved, I can’t believe I was so blind. If only, I could have… sooner…

  Drake Antos's arsenal of skills had improved significantly. The young boy now possessed a deadly arsenal consisting of [Axe Weapon Mastery] (Grade C), [Double Swing] (Grade D), [Cross Attack] (Grade D), and an extremely impressive [Axe Whirlwind] (Grade C).

  Before coming here, the highest skill he had ever had was an E grade, with most falling into the category of F. No wonder they never accepted me and deemed me unfit to join the Adventurer's Company. Even a single grade provides an immense difference. Those are the sky and the ground apart. Why did I not notice it back then? I must have been too hung up on my dream to think through. Not that it even matters now, anyway….

  The young boy was surprised to note that he also gained a multitude of passives too. Most notable being [Mighty Body] (Grade C), [Grand Physique] (Grade D), [Basic Poison Resistance] (Grade C), [Vigorous Vitality] (Grade B). On top of that, all of his hunting skills, like tracking, trailing, and even his basic apothecary brewing, had seen at least a single and sometimes even double the grade growth.

  All this newfound knowledge, power, and relationship shifted something within the young boy's psyche. Now, when he moved forward, all the obstacles faded away. As if there were no constraints. He did not have to hold himself back anymore.

  Right now he could easily qualify as a full-fledged member of an Adventurer's Company with ease and quite the margin. And that was reality he had only dared to dream about back in the day. Even though he questioned himself about it. Presently, achieving that status was nothing but a trivial matter. It no longer haunted him.

  The new goal was set, his path was set in stone. The young boy would not return until he became the most notorious predator of the Borok Mountain range. He aimed to become the king of this mountain!

  Track, follow, prepare, attack, destroy! Those ever-repeating habits were the only life the boy lived now.

  He recalled when he started like an untamed wild beast. His instincts were chaotic and impulsive. But now, under Jake’s masterful care, he became cool-headed, cold, calculating, and precise. Drake knew how far and how much he could push himself. The extent of his abilities was apparent to him. With each encounter he understood better when to use his brute strength and when to hold back. When to sidestep, block, dodge, or wait for the right opening.

  Jake was more than satisfied with everything they had achieved so far. The boy was growing even faster than he had hoped for. And the moment for the most dangerous and important final test came.

  “Are you sure we should go through with this? Do you think I’m that ready?” Drake's face revealed subtle signs of doubt, yet his voice remained calm and clear.

  “Hah, kid, have I ever lied to you?” Jake's voice sounded lightly disappointed as he continued. “Yes, it’s true that that beast will be stronger than you, much stronger. But that is the main purpose of this.”

  “I mean, I agree that the plan is good, and it seems pretty doable. But I still have my doubts that I possess enough skills and power to face such a strong and cunning monster.” The young boy was riddled with hesitation. His face revealed the signs of deep thought. His tense and now much more rugged, manly features were illuminated by the red tongues of flame.

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  “Ah, do I have to chew it for you time after time? You do not! Nevertheless, the key essence of human existence lies in overcoming insurmountable challenges. You cannot grow truly stronger without risking putting everything you have on the line. And from what I've seen so far, this is so much more true in your world.” Jake paused, like he was holding his breath.

  “Think about this. The creatures you could easily have died quite recently. Black Mountain direwolves, razor hyenas, spiked lava boars, and even hawkbeak volibears. They are all no longer a threat to you. You are on a completely different level now, boy.” The man’s voice echoed soundly in the boy's mind. Each response was proud and filled with confidence.

  That made the young boy’s spirit rise. Yet he could not shake it off even after so much time, how strange it was. Having a grown man’s voice inside one's head coming down from all directions.

  “Yes, Jake. I get it. You can’t become a king without challenging the previous one.” Drake clenched his fist. “It is clear that those training plans you created were astonishingly effective. Yet I still wonder, how did you even come up with those strange ideas?” Eagerness filled the young boy's voice. He wanted to know.

  “Well, you remember the knowledge I shared with you. Many individuals in my world thoroughly enjoy gaming. To make it simple. The concept of your world mirrors a lot of what our creators envisioned in those virtual worlds and our history. Moreover, I was good with numbers. So I spent considerable time analyzing tons of data and information.”

  Drake rolled his eyes up. Tapping deeply into his mind. He was able to slightly attune to the brainwaves of the man inside his head and to retrieve the necessary understanding. All that while, Jake continued.

  “So we kicked it off with the proof of concept and tested it. When it worked, we continued to build upon it. When it did not, we discarded it and moved to another one. But the most important thing was just to follow a routine. It still may be too complicated for you to get into deep details.” The voice chuckled.

  “Huh, I can see you have already familiarized yourself with some. Still, it’s not quite enough. Close your eyes. Don’t lose that concentration.” Drake engaged in their now usual experience exchange.

  The meditation technique they came up with at some point with trial and error. This was a very convenient way to share knowledge and thoughts. Even though they could vaguely feel their emotions and feelings. Reading one’s mind was entirely, in fact, nearly impossible.

  Drake was already accustomed to it, yet it always felt weird to unlock the new foreign knowledge residing within Jake’s psyche. At the very least, it was not painful anymore.

  “Oh, ho! How fascinating.” A massive smile appeared on his lips.

  “Aha, that makes so much more sense now! Thanks, Jake, really, I mean it.” Drake paused, moving his palm over the fire, looking through his fingers at the dancing shadows.

  “The support you provided me, I will cherish forever. I want to thank you so much, even though I don’t think it is possible, but I will hope that we can meet for real someday. I’m truly sorry for what happened to you.” The tongue boy articulated carefully, with a hint of bitterness lacing his tone.

  “I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t like the tone, boy. Why are you talking like you’re going to die? As long as you stay alive, those chances are always there. Discard all the useless thoughts. Just concentrate on what matters.”

  Drake felt a light twitch. A tap on the shoulder?

  “Look at yourself now! A fiercely tuned warrior. A beast-killing machine. You're remarkably young to be that strong. So isn’t that what you always wanted?” Jake's voice resonated like a proud parent praising a child or an artist admiring his creation.

  “That's true, but I'm older now, not just a boy. We’ve spent over a year here, according to my marks inside the cave. I’m fifteen now. And… this place I can now call home. It’s just… I think that I will simply miss it.” The boy exhaled slowly, tossing a bit more firewood into the flame, watching it dance upward with a crackling sound and rising embers.

  “I get what you mean by that. You still must be young for such nostalgia. You must be coping with your anxious emotions before such an important fight. So I will tell you this! You'll be just fine. Remember to follow our plan and use your skills wisely.” He raised his head. The sun was nearly set behind one of the peaks.

  “That drake from the ravine is no joke at all. And remember the rewards. I can’t wait for you to get your hands on that shiny loot.” Jake's love for material things crept directly into Drake's mind. Can this be considered mind corruption at this point? Why am I thinking about gold coins, loot value, and what and how to invest? Hah, look at this man!

  “Yeah, you better stop projecting your obsession on me!” A hint of a smirk crept over his face, while the other side of his lips slightly twitched.

  “But I have to agree, that axe looked quite valuable. I think it can even be an obsidian relic. So even I have an unbeatable urge to possess it.” Drake looked at his old axe. He had already fixed it a dozen times. While the new sturdy leather was adorning its handle, the steel was definitely moving closer to its last days. The second one looked even worse.

  “It must be done!” The young warrior’s voice was now filled with a clear purpose.

  “Hah, yeah, you got it! That’s precisely what I mean! Ha ha!” Two men laughed soundly, Jake's echoing inside, while Drake's resonated between the jagged peaks of the mountain range. There was no need for him to hold back. He already conquered this part of the mountain.

  They spent the rest of the evening discussing and devising potential strategies. The key point was, as always, Jake's experienced emphasis on having multiple layers of backup plans. When things inevitably go south, always be prepared for a swift change of approach.

  Seasons were on the verge of changing. The nights were cold, yet the sun was ever scorching as soon as it dawned slightly above the horizon. Precipitation covered the stones, and rare patches of dried grass welcomed it.

  The mountain-fresh air was filled with moisture, and every thirsty beast or plant eagerly wanted just to get a glimpse of it. Yet, no one dared to venture into his territory.

  After another good, restful night on the stone floor of the cave, Drake put on the gear made from sturdy leather and adorned with the furs of slain beasts. He prepared his usual light breakfast made of a few succulent plants, beast tallow, and a good chunk of direwolf meat.

  Slowly supping on a portion of hot herbal tea, he gazed over the sharp edges of the pitch-black peaks in the distance touched by sun.

  The young man carefully packed his backpack. This one was much bigger than his previous one. He felt truly independent and resourceful now.

  And just like that, Drake silently departed, only looking back once over his shoulder. The test awaited him. No coming back, huh? This has become my comfort cave for an entire year. Now, it served its purpose. The time has come. Will I survive this leap of faith? He questioned himself.

  Not without a reason. The distant ravine was his destination, a place where the Black Mountain Drake nested. That was quite a tricky climb in between the narrow passageways, sometimes as steep as an overhanging cliff. There were no trails or roads here. So he basically made them all by himself while living and hunting in this place.

  He knew this road like the palm of his hand. So the boy did not even have enough time to be consumed by his thoughts before he reached the opening. Towering over the crack in the mountain.

  A massive, dark-scaled, lizard-like creature was sleeping on a gigantic pile of gems and various shiny objects. Observing it from the distance, he could already tell there were lots of gold, crystals, and even some extremely rare crystal ores.

  He learned about those creatures a while back. Drakes were a lower-class species of dragons, a step-down in terms of evolution. They were the ones who transcended massive, voracious lizards. But in terms of power, we're nowhere near even lower dragons. Their soul essence was far too young and far too weak.

  But one thing stayed true. Across the entire dragon species, they shared a giant love for shiny things. The boy recalled the pictures from the bestiary. Compared to the dragon dens, the drakes nests were more like small, curious crow nests that gathered a few valuables.

  Still, he noted that this particular black drake's amount of compiled treasures was exceptional. So the young man attributed it to the nesting place. Being at the Borok Mountain Range only meant that it was incomprehensibly stronger than the ones you could encounter in any other rocky areas. No easy prey it was. Quite the test you prepared for me, Jake!

  Drake carefully made a few leaps down on the stones until he found the proper flat one he could start his preparations on.

  He made another curious look, putting his bag down, getting his bandolier belt out, and checking his axes, laying them in front. The sun was shining bright, heating the creature’s tar-black scales glittering with the rays. Somehow the picture felt serene, making the young man drown in thoughts.

  Hmm, now I wonder. Why was I named Drake? Why did I never ask? He brushed away the lock of his hair getting in his face as he tucked it with a leather strap. Come to think about it, my hair is extremely dark. Mom told me this is very rare for humans on the continent. And the scales… Maybe some day.

  He continued to observe the snoring beast unloading and checking his gear, getting ready. The dark emerald eyes of the young warrior glinted with dedication as he skillfully strapped his belts and checked them thoroughly.

  Slowly and methodically he fixed his vambraces on his forearms. Putting on the greaves next. The one he made from the hardened leather of the lava boar. Those massive pigskins were more resilient than most of the basic metals but were much lighter and more flexible. Which supported nimble movements with more than practical defense capabilities.

  Nearly ready. He once again checked the leather strip he used to tuck his now long hair to avoid it becoming a bother. And with a few final thoughts, he hit himself in the chest a few times over his self-made lamellar armor made from the scales of a spiked armadillo.

  Drake tried to cool his head, yet he was shaking inside. Both with fear and excitement. A lot of time has passed since his last battle with the worthy foe.

  And this, this was to be his ultimate performance. For this test, there was no Jake to consult. No way to ask for advice. He was resting deep within the deepest corners of Drake’s consciousness. The place he resided was still a mystery. One thing was sure: he had to take this task on alone.

  And to make it a real deal, he was not allowed to silently approach and sneak attack. This was an all-out one-on-one standout, a true test of resilience and might. An old-fashioned, brute display of nothing but strength.

  The boy stood up. Hovering over the edge of the ravine, his heart hammered like a drum as he inhaled the dried air from the heated stone. The few lonely dried leaves flew by. It felt as if those whispers were in the wind. Drops of perspiration appeared on his forehead. His gaze was fixed on his target, all his hawklike features focused.

  Stretching his neck, he noticed a few vibrant wildflowers that clung desperately to the cliffside. Their more playful colors were in stark contrast against the stony black and gray. Reminding him of the beauty of the far-gone leisure days.

  Down below, his new path awaited him. But now he knew that he had no choice but to grab his fate with his calloused hands and simply bend it to his will. No shortcuts.

  He tightened the grip on his axes, veins bulged, and his muscles glinted in the scorching light of the sun. Feeling the familiar weight of the weapon in hands. That was unmistakable reassurance of steel. Presently it was everything he needed. That was all he wanted.

  Tales of glory and valor he read as a kid resurfaced within his mind. With a final glance at the azure, clean sky, he cast aside any lingering doubts that crept into shady corners of his mind. There was no more time to ponder. Time of reflection has passed, the boy breathed deep, leaning down.

  With a steady resolve, he braced himself and stepped forward over the edge of the cliff. Jumping down, descending the rugged sharp stone pathway deep into the lair of the legendary beast to slay.

  The gravel crunched beneath his boots as dust rose into the air. The chuckling resonated like the distant cries of the crowd inside an ancient amphitheater.

  Gaining speed and momentum, Drake was descending faster and deeper. The air grew hotter with each passing moment. The earthy aroma changed into that odor of charred stone and brimstone as that filled his nostrils.

  Sunlight flickered in and out, casting alternating spots of light and shadow that played across his profile like the fleeting gaze of a restless audience. The weight of the moment came crashing over him like a wave. And he was there to withstand it, not to be consumed.

  He felt like he was not a mere intruder inside this realm of untamed ferocity but rather a champion stepping into the ring against a legendary foe to prove his worth once and forever. Right into the burning, fiery den he had descended.

  Drake reached the bottom, planting his legs firmly on the black surface. The atmosphere shifted. The air was charged with a potent blend of anticipation and fury. The sleeping creature’s light snores echoed through the ravine, like there was no danger.

  The young boy’s pulse quickened, his shoulders squared, and he felt every fiber of his being summon the courage to face the legendary beast. He never even imagined seeing one so close. Now that he was here, it was truly terrifying. I can't even believe that I'm standing here. He thought to himself.

  The sides of the ravine were towering around over him like high walls. Now he truly felt like descending into the arena.

  The young warrior prepared to charge, raising his axes and looking at the sleeping creature. He shouted and stomped his legs.

  But before he could react, a sudden realization struck him. Wait, WHAT?! Hold on a second, what's this?! Is this?!… How can this be?! He screamed inside to himself.

  This creature is not a drake! That sharp, long face and prominent nostrils. I’m done for…it's…i–it's a Lower Dragon! An actual DRAGON! What a string of BOARSHIT luck!

  The final revision and update for RR of this chapter was done!

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