I woke up early the next morning and began my journey.
Looking at the map, I frowned.
Titan Cliff
Travel Time:
10 days on foot
5 days by wagon
3 days on horseback
"...Why didn't I notice this yesterday?"
"That's ridiculously far."
"Leaving town already?"
One of the gate guards greeted me.
I showed him my White Rank badge.
"Traveling with anyone?"
"No. I'm taking a quest alone."
The guard let out a low whistle.
"Pretty brave for someone your age."
He handed my badge back.
"Good luck, kid."
"And remember one thing."
"Don't lose your guild badge."
"We're not allowed to let adventurers back into town without it."
"Thank you for the reminder."
The massive gates slowly opened, and I stepped outside.
Once the town disappeared behind the hills, I stretched my shoulders.
"Time to pick up the pace."
Mana gathered around my hips and legs.
I leaned forward.
Dash.
I wasn't particularly fast.
Certainly not as fast as a horse.
But my stamina far surpassed that of an ordinary person. As long as I maintained a steady pace, I could keep running for hours.
At this rate...
I might reach Titan Cliff in four days instead of ten.
Several hours later, fatigue finally caught up to me.
I leaned against a large tree and caught my breath.
"A few minutes of rest won't hurt."
Grrk...
Grrk...
Grrk...
"Hm?"
Was that a Mine Mole?
I immediately slipped on my gauntlets and scanned the forest.
The bushes rustled.
Three short, green-skinned humanoids stepped into the clearing.
Each carried a crude wooden club.
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"Goblins..."
The three charged toward me while screaming at the top of their lungs.
I sighed.
"I heard goblin blood stinks."
Without moving from my spot, I grabbed a fist-sized rock from the ground.
Throw.
The stone struck the lead goblin square in the face.
Crack.
It collapsed instantly.
The remaining two continued charging.
I sidestepped the first and swept its legs out from under it.
At the same time, I leaped forward and drove a kick into the second goblin's chest.
It flew several meters before crashing into a tree.
"Rock Fist..."
"Second Form."
While the first goblin was still on the ground, I dropped down with a crushing punch.
Boom!
Silence returned to the forest.
The last goblin, barely conscious after the kick, took one look at me...
...and ran for its life.
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Slow applause echoed from above.
I looked toward the sound.
Someone sat lazily on a thick tree branch.
No...
Not someone.
A beastkin.
More specifically...
A bear girl.
She had the appearance of a young woman, light brown skin with curly brown hair flowing down her back.
Bear ears rested atop her head, and sharp orange eyes watched me with amusement.
Despite her pretty face...
There was something terrifying about her.
"I like the way you fight."
"Unlike most humans..."
"You don't rely on steel."
She jumped down effortlessly.
The moment her feet touched the ground, I felt the earth tremble.
"What's your name?"
"Me?"
She frowned.
"Who else is here, idiot?"
She walked closer and sniffed the air around me.
"Hm..."
"You smell like a bear."
"Probably because I have a bear friend."
"But I'm pretty sure I washed myself."
She rolled her eyes.
"That doesn't answer my question."
I crossed my arms.
"It's rude to ask someone's name before introducing yourself."
She stared at me for a moment before grinning.
"Hmph."
"I am Grizella."
"Now answer me."
"My name is Cole."
"What are you doing here?"
"Nothing."
"I'm just passing through."
"After I finish resting, I'll continue my journey."
Grizella cracked her knuckles.
"Not that easy."
Her body suddenly glowed.
Orange mana erupted around her.
Before I could react—
She vanished.
Boom!
A fist slammed into my face.
Everything went black for an instant.
My body shot through the air, smashing into several trees before finally crashing to the ground.
I had barely managed to coat my face with mana at the last second.
Otherwise...
My head would've exploded.
"Oh?"
"You're still alive?"
Blood dripped from my mouth as I forced myself to stand.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"Hahahahaha!"
She laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.
"Show me how you fight!"
She charged again.
This time I had enough distance to react.
"Rock Fist."
"Third Form."
I absorbed the incoming punch with my stance.
But I was too light.
The impact still launched me backward.
Crash!
Blood filled my mouth.
One of my eyes swelled shut.
I quickly drink Miracle Water from my mental space.
Grizella didn't even wait.
She rushed toward me again.
"Third Form!"
Another punch.
Another impact.
Another flight through the trees.
She was...
Too fast.
Too strong.
I'm only Purple Rank...
She's Epic Rank.
I staggered to my feet once more.
Grizella's grin widened.
"Interesting."
"No human has ever stayed standing after taking my punches head-on."
She's a monster.
I can't beat her like this.
She charged again.
"Third Stance..."
"Blink Knight Arts."
I disappeared just before her fist landed.
Her punch smashed a crater into the ground.
"Ohhh..."
"I like that."
She spun toward me.
Then—
She disappeared.
My instincts screamed.
Behind me.
"Rock Fist!"
"Third Form!"
Too late.
Her fist crashed into my side.
Crack.
I heard my ribs breaking before I even felt the pain.
My body skipped across the ground like a stone over water.
My vision blurred.
I'm... losing consciousness...
What kind of monster is she...?
I drank another Miracle Water.
"Oh?"
"Hya! Hya! Hya!"
She laughed like a child who had found a new toy.
"You're good."
"Very good."
"My favorite punching bag."
"Keep standing."
She rushed toward me once again.
This time...
Everything slowed.
Or perhaps...
My thoughts became faster.
I watched every movement.
Every step.
Every shift of her shoulders.
She was aiming for my face again.
Not this time.
"Rock Fist..."
"First Form."
"Exploding Fist."
I stepped forward instead of backward.
Our fists collided.
BOOM!!
Purple and orange mana exploded outward as the two auras clashed, shaking the entire forest.