Chapter 9 Body Strengthening Acquired

I just had one of the luckiest shit happen to me...

A skill that allows me to control how much mana output I spend on a skill activation...

Is that not like a super, ultra, duber cheat skill?...., Is it really okay for something like that to just be given to me?....

Actually, considering all the pain I went through before I got the skill, I can say is, it is totally worth it.

That is right, I deserve it.., It wasn't just handed down to me, it was something I had to suffer to gain, it is something I worked for...

This is the result of my efforts and thus it is only right that I claim it as one. It seems from now on, I have to start messing with different parts of my body to see if I can manifest more skill.

It is nice being able to gain a new skill and all, but I should probably focus more on why I started the Mp process.

The only reason I went through all that pain was so I could find a way to strengthen my weak body and now I think I might be able to.

Think of my body as the host, and direct the Mp into it, Since my Mp is low, I should only focus on the parts I will be using more which is my two legs and one remaining arm.

...

...

[Ding]

[due to the user's actions, body strengthening skill has been acquired]

[body strengthening Lv1 > increases the physical prowess of the user]

[Mp consumption > depends on the user's will. Do take note that the skills effectiveness depends largely on the consumption ratio].

Great, it worked, I knew it was going to work. Now, shall I try it out...., hmmm...., I can feel my legs have become much stronger as compared to before, I should see if I can walk with it now...

Slowly and gently....., I....,i am walking...., I am really walking....

ha....., Such bliss...., Is this how all mothers feel when they see their child taking his first step?..., Too bad I have no one to watch me do this.

I shouldn't feel relaxed yet simply because I can walk.., This is only the first step I take towards my protection. The next step is getting used to this body.

No matter how strong my body is, it will be useless if I don't have control over it. I will start with throwing a jab before diving into the other techniques.

"!!!!"

"wha...wha...., what is this?....

This overwhelming feeling that seems like it is swallowing me whole?...

Dangerous?, is what my instinct is crying out to me right now.

"hisssssszz...."

The hell is that sound?...

"hisssssszz...."

Crap, I thought this was a safe zone...., Guess i thought wrong.

I will just have to wait in here until whatever that thing is makes its way out....., Hold on...,, Wait in here?....., Last time I encountered that wild dog, I had to play dead, this time, I also have to hide until it is safe?...

For how long do I have to keep up the hide and seek game?...

Granted, there is a possibility that I will die if I face whatever it is that is outside but does that mean I have to hide from it?....

If all I do is hide, then will I not only end up hiding my whole life?....

This is a dangerous world..,

It has been less than a week since I have gotten here and my life so far have been threatening,

If hiding and running is the only thing I am capable of in this world, no doubt I will end up with a gruesome death.

Back on my previous life, all I did was run from the loan sharks instead of getting a job and gradually pay off my debt,

At the end I ran to the most deepest abyss with no thoughts of resurfacing, but luckily for me, I have this second life as a do over.

In this second life I have been given, do I want to take it for granted by only running?....

No....., This time will be different..., This time, I will fight... I will struggle... And I will never give up even on my last breathe. Monsters or beasts?.. I don't care which it is. Come have at me ya all motherfuckers.

With my resolve steeled on standing my grounds, I stood up to take a peek at what I am dealing with.

Large triangular head with a beak like snout and mandible, two compound eyes and three simple eyes, two front hands held together in an upright position and four legs aiding its balance with a pair of antennae and colored in brown.

That is no doubt a praying mantis..., It is a praying mantis but....but...., Why is it so fucking huge?... Are praying mantis supposed to be that big?....

Were they not the size of a finger so how come this one is different?... It is about sixty inches tall, the size of an adult human.

I did steel my resolve to confront whatever it is I am faced with, but isn't this over kill?...

I would be happy to take a wild dog on over a mantis of this size..

No matter how much resolve I have, fighting against that big thing is an absurdity surpassing even the biggest of all absurdity.

I can't do it..., I won't... If I go out to face it, I will surely die an even more gruesome death,

A death I cannot imagine..., I am scared....

I don't want to go....., Wait..... The fuck is wrong with me?, Did I not just steel my resolve not too long ago?. Why am I breaking down now?. Is this the pathetic life I want to continue with?...., Because it is huge?....,

who knows what kind of monster I will come across with tomorrow?...

Do I want to continue to live in the shadows of my excuses until I can no longer carve a meaning into my existence?.

Excuses will only bore forth more excuses until I eventually stop trying and lose all free well to make rational choices,

I have to take a stand, and the when I take that stand will be the most crucial turning point of my life.