Today was a sunny day on planet Visha, which was to be expected because of the two suns rotating opposite each other.
The inhabitants know this phenomenon as the convergence of mana. There weren't exactly two suns.
One was the actual sun, and the other was a huge star that converges with the sun for energy. This star was known as Fatir, the source of mana on planet Visha.
For Devourers, it was impossible to use mana because they have other energy called the Void Essence.
Jack was half and half with both, naturally opposing each other inside him. That was why he lacked mana when everyone else, with the right knowledge and training, could utilise the mana in this world to use magic.
But devourers had unique traits. And he had unlocked his subconsciously. Unfortunately for him, he was now conscious and significantly weaker than he had been.
In fact, he wanted to pass out as soon as he regained consciousness.
This time, his Willpower held.
[WILLPOWER: 45. Abnormally high.]
And his constitution had returned to normal.
"Argh, this bastard isn't dead yet?" he exclaimed.
Looking around, he couldn't find Tom. He prayed he was still alive.
Next, he quickly took in the situation and noticed the Spatial crab's state. One of the rubber boy's legs was snapped off by the crab at this point, but he was still holding on.
Jack had seen people demonstrate a myriad of powers, but this was strange to him.
'I can't just do nothing. Even if this skill is gone, I still have to fight. This bastard almost killed me.'
Jack strengthened his resolve and ran—slower than before, but he could still cover a lot of ground in a short while.
As he got within a few feet of the Spatial crab, it leapt in the air and fell on its back, trying to slam the rubber boy into the ground.
It worked, knocking the wind out of the boy, and causing him to let the crab go.
The crab might be a three-star beast, but it was still a beast. Far less intelligent than a human being. It might have gotten rid of the rubber boy, but really, a crab's worst position to be in was on its back.
This was it. The chance Jack needed—served on a plate.
'I would really like to eat crab once more. I wonder how it tastes in real life if it was great from a simulation.' That thought would open a can of worms he didn't want to see, for now.
Jack jumped over the beast, which was still upside down.
Then, he placed both of his legs against the sides of two of its legs, wedging himself in place. Balanced, with two of its legs apart, the crab couldn't move.
This gave him the foundation to push off his right leg, spin, and swing his blade at his neck. He was going to get dues for the stab earlier. And the beast will pay with its life.
CLANG!
Unfortunately, this wasn't the normal crab Jack knew. A three-star beast was still way stronger than a human without its powers and more intelligent than the crabs he knew. One of its pincers blocked the attack, and the side of the other slammed into his side.
Jack slid across the floor, hurt.
[CONSTITUTION: 40 (-5)]
He stood up, shaking—his thoughts racing.
'That was a clean hit. Even with my body becoming abnormal, I can't take anything else from it after claiming its power, I think.'
Pointing his longsword at the beast, he smiled, then shouted, "I'm having Gejang tonight, and there's nothing you can do about it!"
The beast stood and looked to its right. One of his pincers had been severed at the joints.
Jack had deduced that a creature that had the intelligence to phase in and out at the right time to attack opponents would not put itself in a compromising situation without a plan to defend itself.
The crowd cheered once more, but Jack was focused, not even hearing the announcement that two of the crabs had been felled.
The crab's black, beady eyes were now completely locked on this pest who wouldn't die. So, it moved faster than before, leaving a cloud of dust behind.
Jack was startled, but his willpower allowed him to defend still. Only having little time to block, which did nothing.
The beast slammed into him, lifting him off his feet and flying several metres, hitting the side of the arena.
[CONSTITUTION: 10 (-30)
WILLPOWER: 2 (-43)]
That single hit immediately knocked him out.
Without its power source, it couldn't go in for another strike, so it just stood there. What it did have the energy for, however, was a loud, dying screech.
A solemn voice moved through the wind. "Now."
The next second, a blinding green light went through its open maw and exited the other side.
Tom laid down his weapon and sat on the floor. The boy from earlier was beside him. A teenager with fiery red hair and brown eyes that reflected the sun's rays.
It felt like he was drawing power directly from the sun, with an orange glow around his aura.
"Good thing, we made it just in time for your friend," the boy said with a smile.
Tom quickly ran towards him.
A little while later, Jack opened his eyes and looked up,
'Another unfamiliar ceiling.'
He turned his head to the side and jumped up, startled, till he recognised the familiar face.
"Welcome back, you were gone for a bit there," Tom asked, waving at him.
"Yeah, just give me a moment. I don't feel like getting up right now," Jack said, chuckling.
He looked at the small room. It looked like a training room, with grotesque paintings of creatures and weapons lined up against the wall.
Jack stood up and bowed, "I'm sorry for taking out your prey. I know your values are quite different from ours…"
"It's fine," Jack interrupted. "…I really was in there to support you—payback for saving me from the desert. I really want to live the rest of my days in peace, to be honest. This conqueror stuff is really a chore to me."
Tom was surprised by this comment. Every human being he had ever met had a desire to conquer lands and gain significant power.
This strange boy, who claims to have lost his memories, certainly had a strong philosophy. However, he wished he had known that before…
"Uhm, that might be a problem," Tom started, scratching the side of his head.
"Uh?"
"Well..., when you passed out, the last two Spatial Crabs were captured and carried away by the knights. Only three winners were needed. A new friend I made, named Kong, and another girl won. But…" Tom said, interlocking his fingers nervously.
Jack shot him a thumbs-up and grinned. "Nice! Happy to help."
"Yeah, that's the thing. You did help… A lot. You stood out so much that the King has asked you to join the expedition to conquer the newly discovered land, as… a Porter."
Jack's face froze in place for almost a minute—his mind racing.
'Huh? A Porter? Someone who carries bags? What? Why me?'
Then he spoke, "Why me? There were others…"
"Well, the contest didn't end till the time limit was up. It is a contest after all," Tom said with a confused look. "With five minutes left, the others attacked us. There's a rule that whoever kills a winner replaces that winner. Kong knew that, so he augmented my mana pool to kill your beast. Then we fought off people for the last five minutes left, while also protecting you."
Jack's eyes widened, then it was his turn to get nervous. "Sorry about that. It must have been crazy… I seem to pass out a lot."
"That's okay. We are allies, aren't we? Plus, now that we're challenging a trial together, we'll get even closer," Tom exclaimed cheerfully. His short stature made him look funny when he jumped that way.
Jack stood up from the makeshift mattress he was on.
They were in a room in the arena. He had not been out too long, and Tom said a healer had attended to him. Jack joked about them still having a little humanity left, but Tom didn't get it.
Still, challenging a conqueror's trial was nothing he knew about.
Tom said the other winners had left after receiving their rewards, and he had also received his before coming to check on him.
"What reward is that?" Jack asked as he walked out of the room to meet Jane, standing, lollipop in hand, humming a tune.
"Well, let's meet the others first before I reveal it," Tom replied.
Jack waved at her with a smile. She spared him a glance and scoffed.
"You weakling couldn't even kill a crab. How dare you claim to support my brother when you couldn't even kill a damn crab?" She muttered with a scornful gaze.
He couldn't reply, but Tom pinched her cheek, causing her to squeal a little.
"Did you even watch? He cut off two parts of the crab before I could finish it off," Tom retorted.
She pouted and said, "I don't care about the process. In the world, what matters is results!" she argued.
Jack couldn't argue with that logic. If it weren't for Tom, his efforts would have been in vain. Plus, he had somehow passed the Quest according to his system quest window, which is open right now.
[QUEST COMPLETED:SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.
REWARD: +3 stats (Allocate it anywhere in your BIOMETRIC stats.)
ADDITIONAL QUEST REWARD: +10 exp.
(Congratulations, you have completed your first quest. You gained experience and a bonus.)
REWARD:+100 exp, +2 stats.]
Jack couldn't help but smile. This game-like system was going to make his life easier with this increase in power.
As the twins bickered, he thought, 'Now, where should I put these stats?'