The bear roared, defiant.
A massive paw, thick and jagged like a living boulder, swung toward the incoming blade.
Clang!
The impact rang out as the bear’s raw power clashed against Owen’s sword, forcing the steel back. But Owen did not yield.
The ground beneath him held firm.
His feet pressed deeper into the soil, his body an immovable bulwark.
BANG!
Owen’s shield slammed into the bear’s side, a forceful counter-strike that rippled through the beast’s frame. The blow—it carried the weight of the earth itself.
The bear stumbled slightly, its footing disrupted for a mere second.
A second was all Owen needed.
He drove forward again, sword raised, ready to follow up before the beast could fully recover.
As Owen advanced, the earth convulsed beneath him.
A jagged spike of stone erupted from the ground—aimed directly for his head.
His instincts screamed.
He halted his charge mid-step, twisting his body just in time to dodge.
But before he could fully regain his footing—
A massive jaws snapped toward him.
The Boulder Veined Bear had anticipated his movement.
The creature’s craggy fangs lunged for his exposed side, intending to finish what the earth had failed to do.
CLANG!
Owen threw up his shield, the reinforced steel meeting the beast’s crushing bite. His feet slid across the ground, his arms trembling from the sheer force behind the attack.
But he pressed on.
Using the momentum, he pivoted to the side, narrowly escaping the beast’s grasp. His sword lashed out in quick precision slashes, striking the bear’s flank.
SCRAPE—SCRAPE—SCRAPE
The steel met resistance—like trying to cut into solid stone.
His attacks barely grazed the beast, leaving only shallow marks on its thick, rock-layered hide.
Owen’s grip tightened.
“This is gonna take more than brute strength…” he muttered, adjusting his stance, analyzing the beast's movements.
The group stood on the sidelines, observing the battle unfold, ready to jump in if things took a turn for the worse.
“He’s really going at it,” Kai noted, arms crossed. “Looks like he’s improved a little.”
“But that bear is ridiculous,” Reese muttered. “Its fur is like armor. Unless Owen figures out how to bypass its defenses, this is gonna drag out.”
Kei stood among them, watching silently. His eyes flicked between Owen and the bear, absorbing every detail.
“Both of them are using Earth Force… but in different ways,” he mused aloud.
Owen’s Bastion Force was about endurance, forming a direct connection to the earth, reinforcing his body, granting him stability and resilience.
The Boulder Veined Bear, however, commanded the earth itself—shaping it, weaponizing it.
Owen had the foundation, but the bear had mastery.
“Logically, Owen should have the advantage,” Kei continued, analyzing. “His connection to the earth runs deeper, but his approach to combat isn’t as refined. The bear has been living here, fighting, surviving—its instincts are sharper, its techniques honed by necessity.”
Reese exhaled. “So you’re saying Owen’s gonna lose?”
Kei smirked. “I’m saying he’s got a lesson to learn.”
The fight raged on, Owen standing his ground against the massive Boulder Veined Bear. He moved with precision, his shield deflecting swipes that could crush bones, his blade striking back whenever he found an opening. But it was clear—his attacks weren’t making much of a dent.
Meanwhile, as the others stood on edge, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice, Kei… had other plans.
He quietly stepped back, scanning the area before spotting a sturdy branch that suited his needs. Breaking it off, he pulled out the wood carving tools he’d acquired earlier and set to work.
No one noticed at first—too caught up in the battle—but Kei’s hands moved methodically, his Aether flowing into the carving tools, making them glow a faint orange as they chipped away at the wood.
Small shavings curled off with each precise stroke. He wasn’t just whittling for fun—he was shaping something, forming a design only he could see.
The others were too distracted by Owen’s struggle to question what he was up to, but Kei’s focus never wavered.
Owen, on the other hand, was doing everything he could to hold his own. He had successfully dodged and deflected the bear’s most dangerous attacks, his footwork sharp, his shield absorbing heavy impacts.
But the problem remained—he wasn’t hurting the bear. His blade barely scratched the thick, rock-like fur. The longer the fight dragged on, the more apparent it became that he needed a different approach.
Kei’s eyes flicked up briefly from his carving to observe.
“Hmmm… yeah, that’s not gonna work,” he muttered to himself. His carving tool paused for a moment as he watched Owen’s sword glance off the bear’s hide yet again.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he simply shrugged and went back to carving, his hands moving with newfound inspiration.
Owen barely avoided being swatted like a bug, the bear’s massive paw missing him by inches as he rolled to the side. Sweat dripped down his face—he was doing everything he could to hold his ground, but it was getting harder by the second.
Then Kei’s voice cut through the chaos.
“Hey Owen, you’re both earth minor forces. Pay attention to what the stinky bear is doing. Use your connection with Gaia to feel out how it’s using its Earth Force. Maybe that might help with your attacking issues.”
For a moment, Owen almost let himself relax. Thank god he actually opened his mouth, he thought.
But then another, darker thought crept in.
Wait… I thought he was just gonna let me die.
Given everything Kei had done recently—the way he played with Orin, the way he casually experimented on people without hesitation—Owen had been genuinely convinced that if he died here, Kei would just stand over his corpse and say, Damn, that sucks. Anyway, who wants lunch?
The thought nearly made him cry internally.
Unfortunately, his moment of existential crisis gave the bear an opening.
With a powerful roar, the Boulder Veined Bear lunged at him again, its paw crashing down. Owen barely raised his shield in time, the sheer force sending him skidding backward, his boots digging trenches into the dirt.
Kei, meanwhile, continued working.
Pulling an arrow from Reese’s quiver, he twirled it between his fingers, examining the craftsmanship. “Hey, these arrows got any effects?”
Reese, still watching Owen’s struggle, answered without much thought. “No, just basic arrows. Attack power’s 2 - 5.”
Kei worked with focused precision, his hands moving methodically as he carved the shaft of the arrow. Aether pulsed faintly from his fingertips, seeping into the wood, shaping it to his will. The surface of the shaft became adorned with faint, intricate engravings—glowing lines of orange resembling flickering flames caught mid-dance.
Reese, distracted by the sight, couldn't help but be drawn in by the mesmerizing glow. It wasn't just decoration; something about the arrow felt alive, as though the very essence of Aether was being woven into it.
"What kind of arrow are you even making?" Reese finally asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Kei didn't look up from his work, his attention shifting to chipping away at a stone, fashioning it into an arrowhead. "No idea yet, just following what feels right. Something tells me it'll hit harder than yours, though."
Reese narrowed his eyes. "You do realize my arrows are meant for combat, right?"
Kei smirked, twirling the newly shaped arrowhead between his fingers before aligning it with the shaft. "Yeah, but yours are, what? Basic? Attack power of 2 - 5?" He scoffed. "That’s cute."
Kei hummed, glancing between the arrow and the wooden shaft he had been carving. His fingers tightened around his carving tool as his Aether pulsed through it, the glow intensifying.
“Hmm… yeah, that’s not gonna work for me.”
Waving the tool lazily, he went back to carving, leaving Owen to fend for himself.
Focusing on Kei’s advice, Owen activated another skill.
[Skill Name]: Gaia’s Hug
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[Description]:
By deepening your connection to the earth, you momentarily synchronize with its unwavering strength, increasing your force output and reinforcing your body. This skill enhances both offensive and defensive capabilities, allowing the user to harness the resilience of stone and the weight of the earth itself in combat.
[Effects]:
- Earthen Resonance – Temporarily increases Earth Force output by 20%, amplifying attack power and defensive reinforcement.
- Rooted Bastion – Incoming physical damage is reduced by 15% while the skill is active.
- Impact Surge – Each strike carries additional weight, increasing knockback and staggering effects against opponents.
- Grounded Fortitude – Resistance to force-altering effects (such as knockbacks, stuns, and displacements) is increased by 30%.
[Additional Notes]:
- The effectiveness of Gaia’s Hug scales with the user's connection to the earth. Stronger affinities grant greater boosts.
- Movement becomes slightly restricted during activation, as the body anchors itself to the ground for increased stability.
- Prolonged use may drain Aether reserves quickly, requiring careful timing in battle.
As the skill took effect, Owen felt an immediate shift—his feet seemed to sink just slightly into the ground, but rather than feeling like he was trapped, he felt rooted. A steady, unwavering power surged through his limbs, reinforcing his entire body.
With his increased Earth Force resonance, he turned his full attention to the bear’s movements—the way it commanded the earth around it rather than just using brute force. The beast’s paws barely had to touch the ground before the terrain shifted in response, forming defenses or launching attacks in perfect synchronization with its will.
Owen clicked his tongue in frustration. “Tsk! We’re both earth force users! Why the hell can’t I move the earth around like that?!”
“Pay attention to what it’s doing, Owen,” Kei chimed in from the side, still carving away at the arrow in his hand. “My minor force is Breeze, but I learned how to use Zephyr Force and Stormwind Force through my connection with wind force.”
Owen’s brow furrowed. “Stop making it sound so easy!” he snapped back.
"Hey, not my fault you’ve got the comprehension skills of a rock," Kei shot back with a lazy grin, affixing the sharpened stone tip to his arrow.
The taunt nearly made Owen fumble his stance, but he quickly redirected his irritation into focus.
"Fine! Then tell me how!"
Kei exhaled, his fingers running along the carvings of his completed arrow, feeling the natural energy coursing through it. "First, stop forcing it. Pay attention to what the bear is doing. Instead of trying to use the earth, try talking to it."
Owen grit his teeth but took a deep breath, narrowing his eyes as he observed the bear’s every motion—the subtle shifts of the dirt beneath its paws, the way the ground almost seemed to anticipate its movements, adjusting accordingly.
Slowly, he let go of the strain he had been exerting.
The moment he did, he felt something—his connection to the earth deepened, his awareness expanding beyond himself.
And for the first time—
The ground beneath his feet responded.
With a forceful swing of his sword, a jagged earthen spike erupted upward, slamming into the Boulder Veined Bear’s side.
The impact was real—not just a forceful strike, but one that connected with the beast’s defenses, sending shards of rock-like fur scattering and drawing blood for the first time.
The others cheered at his progress.
But Owen—he barely registered their voices.
His vision blurred for a moment as exhaustion hit him like a crashing wave.
This wasn’t a skill.
He had moved the earth—not through the system, not through a predefined ability, but on his own.
The realization should have thrilled him.
Instead, he felt like he had just run himself dry.
His legs trembled as he fell to one knee, breath coming out in sharp, ragged gasps.
Something about this—about using his force without the system’s direct aid—was different.
And his body had felt it.
“He did it, he actually managed to move the earth and damage the bear!”
“Way to go, Owen! Just keep going like that, and this quest will be over in no time!”
Owen snapped his head toward the person who said that, his expression somewhere between disbelief and frustration.
“Continue like that?” He let out a breath, his chest rising and falling heavily.
Reaching for an aether potion, he downed it quickly, feeling the restoring energy flow through him.
“That took a lot out of me,” he admitted, rubbing his forehead. “I don’t think I can even do that again... I can’t feel the same connection anymore.”
His grip on his sword tightened as he tried to reach for that fleeting sensation—the moment where the earth had answered him.
But it was gone.
Like sand slipping through his fingers.
Kei finished carving the arrow, wiping off the last bit of debris before handing it over to Reese.
"Here, try this," he said casually.
Reese took the arrow, inspecting it closely—then froze. His mouth hung open as he read the details, his eyes darting over the stats and effects.
"Holy shit," he blurted, gripping the arrow tighter. "This… you just made this?"
[Item Name]: Aether-Touched Arrow
[Rank]: Uncommon
[Attack Power]: 12 - 18
[Durability]: 30/30
[Crafter]: Kei Yuichi (Crafted using Pristine Aether)
[Effects]:
- Aether Infusion – The arrow naturally conducts and retains aether, amplifying its damage when infused.
- Reinforced Structure – The craftsmanship ensures increased durability, preventing easy breakage.
- Wind-Enhanced Flight – Designed with intricate carvings to allow seamless wind flow, increasing accuracy and effective range.
- Kinetic Piercing – Gains slight armor penetration upon impact, capable of lodging deeper into targets.
Reese looked back at Kei, still stunned by what he held in his hand.
"You just made this?" he repeated, his tone filled with admiration.
Kei tilted his head. "Yeah? Why?"
Reese exhaled in disbelief, turning the arrow over in his hand. "This is probably better than any arrow I’ve ever used… and you made it right here."
Owen, who was still catching his breath from his earlier attempt at manipulating the earth, looked at the glowing wood carving tool Kei was holding.
“You infuse your tools with aether while using them?” he asked curiously.
Kei nodded. "Yeah, it makes things easier. The blade stays sharper, and it cuts cleaner. Why?"
The group exchanged looks.
"That’s… really useful," Talia said, intrigued. "I never thought to do that."
Kai tested channeling his aether into his own weapon, watching how the blade subtly shifted in response. "That… might explain why your attacks always seem so sharp. You’re reinforcing them without even thinking about it."
"You guys should try it," Kei suggested. "Makes a huge difference."
Reese continued to inspect the arrow, still impressed. "With arrows like these, I don’t even want to waste them. This is insane."
Owen, shaking his head with a slight grin, chuckled. "Every time I think I’m starting to catch up, you just casually drop something like this."
Kei shrugged, smiling. "I’m just messing around with what works."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "And why do you tell us your secrets so casually, especially since you don’t want us to spread them?"
Talia followed up. "Yeah, better yet, why don’t you want us to spread them?"
Kei shrugged, still twirling his wood-carving tool in his fingers. "Well, I need more data. If I just rely on myself, then I can’t exactly say what works better or not. Testing things on multiple people makes for a better study."
They gave him a look, but he continued.
"And besides," he added, "we were just regular people. Now we have the chance to command the laws of the world, to do things that were only ever imagined in comic books or written in stories. Back on Earth, I barely trusted people without powers, so there’s no chance I’m going to start trusting people with them now."
His voice took on a sharper edge.
"What do you think is going to happen when we go back home? How many new powers are going to rise? How many idiots are going to think they should rule just because they got stronger? How many people are going to fight over control, try to claim the world as their own, or make their own little kingdoms?"
Talia and the others fell silent.
"I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t plan on making delusional people even stronger." Kei's eyes darkened slightly. "If you’d just let me kill Orin Graves, that would’ve been one less headache we’d have to deal with later."
They had no words for that.
And before they could even think of a response—
A forceful, guttural roar shook the ground beneath them.
The bear was back.
Larger. Stronger.
Angrier.
Deep red aether bled from its massive form, flickering like fire along its stone-like fur.
Kei’s eyes scanned its status screen. His brows twitched.
"Oh, shit."
His voice snapped through the air.
"IT’S IN A BERSERK STATE—OWEN, RUN!!!"
Everyone quickly reacted to Kei's shout, Kai's spear appeared, adrenaline force surging as his spear launched forward activating his skill
[Skill Name]: Sparrow’s Dance
[Description]:
A high-mobility combat technique that channels Adrenaline Force to enhance both speed and attack power. With each movement, the user’s body becomes lighter, and with each successful strike, their force output increases. This technique is best suited for extended battles, allowing the user to build up momentum and overwhelm opponents with relentless speed.
[Effects]:
- Featherweight Surge – Movement speed increases by 5% per successful strike, stacking up to 30%.
- Relentless Momentum – Each consecutive strike increases attack speed by 4%, stacking up to 25%.
- Adrenaline Overflow – After maintaining the skill for 30 seconds, attack power increases by 15% for the next 10 seconds.
- Survival Instinct – If HP drops below 30%, movement speed temporarily spikes by 40% for 5 seconds, allowing for rapid repositioning or escape.
[Additional Notes]:
- The skill resets if movement stops for longer than 3 seconds or if no attack lands within 5 seconds.
- The max boost to movement and attack speed is maintained as long as the user continues attacking and moving.
- Pushing the limits of this skill may cause exhaustion after prolonged use, requiring careful resource management.
With Kai’s Sparrow’s Dance activating, his spear flashed forward, his movements becoming lighter as each second passed. The battlefield shifted—he was no longer just attacking; he was flowing, building speed and power with every motion.
Kai’s spear struck true, his movements fueled by adrenaline, each attack faster than the last. The force of his Spearow’s Dance skill built momentum, his strikes accelerating with every motion, landing in rapid succession.
The Boulder Veined Bear faltered under the relentless assault, its red berserk aether flaring wildly as it struggled to react.
That was the opening Talia needed.
Her eyes gleamed as she activated Mirage Gaze
[Skill Name]: Mirage Gaze
[Description]:
A deceptive force technique that distorts the opponent’s perception by creating mirages of the user. By manipulating light and aether, the skill generates illusory afterimages that mimic the user’s movements, making it difficult for enemies to discern the real target.
[Effects]:
- Phantom Echo – Creates up to three mirages that mimic the user’s movements, confusing enemies.
- Disorienting Veil – Enemies targeting the user have their accuracy reduced by 20% while the mirages remain active.
- Adaptive Deception – Mirages adjust based on the enemy’s line of sight, making it harder for them to distinguish the real target.
- Fading Trickery – If a mirage is struck, it disperses into mist, momentarily blinding the attacker for 0.5 seconds.
[Additional Notes]:
- The number of mirages scales with the user's Aether Control and Force Progression.
- Maintaining the skill requires continuous focus, and excessive use may lead to mental strain.
- Mirage Gaze works best in open environments where multiple directions of movement are possible.
—and in an instant, three identical copies of her shimmered into existence, perfectly mimicking her stance and movements.
The bear’s primal instincts clashed with confusion. Its heavy breaths became ragged as its glowing red eyes darted between the shifting mirages. It swiped at one—only for its claws to phase through mist.
A guttural roar of frustration erupted from its throat as it turned toward another, only for that one to blur out of existence the moment it struck.
"Now’s our chance!" Talia shouted, her voice seeming to come from all directions at once.