God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Chapter 418: Training? (2).

To train or rather, raise Ki, many things could be done. The summation of these actions was referred to as Ki Plundering.

'To absorb the vital energy of heaven and earth, making it your own...'

That was the description the system had given for the act of Ki Plundering.

Pushing the body, or performing strenuous activities like fighting and exercising could raise the latent amount of Ki one possessed. However, during a battle, one couldn't raise their latent amount of Ki. It was still possible to recover spent Ki though.

The most effective and efficient way to raise latent Ki was by exercising and making use of the passive Ki acquisition rate simultaneously. As the Tiers of his Ki Plundering technique increased, the rate at which he could increase his latent amount of Ki also increased.

However, it would require more and more effort to progress to the next Tier...

'Let's start then...'

Cain took his shirt off, revealing his compact abdomen. While he would not be able to pass off as a supermodel, the power hiding in every square inch of flesh was absolutely tremendous.

'What is the best way to put my body under duress without having to put my life in danger?'

He couldn't think of anything. And so, he decided to ask the system...

{Replying to host: There are numerous ways to train the body. One way is the standard exercise procedures. Another is to induce stress from an external source. Using standard exercise to try to push the body to the limit is going to be more difficult to achieve without appropriate equipment}.

Cain pondered, 'Then what about the other method?'

{Replying to host: That would be far more efficient for the host as of now. However, do keep in mind that this method is many times more dangerous than the standard procedures}.

'Hmm...'

Cain thought about it for a while then proceeded to ask the system a few more questions.

'So the issue isn't getting equipment. It is finding high-quality training gear that will push my body to the limit, right?'

{Replying to host: Afformative. The host's physique is no longer that of a regular human. As such, what would be of great help to normal humans would now have the same effect on the host}.

Cain was finally convinced,

'In that case, what is the best way to go about this?'

{Replying to host: The host can purchase an item from the system called Space and Matter Distorting Magic Square. This item influences gravity in a certain area}.

Cain's eyes flashed, 'So by making use of the increased weight, I can put my body under more stress, right?'

{Replying to host: The Space and Matter Distorting Magic Square can do more than that. It can also affect the matter content of an object without changing its volume}.

'What the hell?!'

Cain was shocked for a few seconds. However, he let out a sigh soon after. He had told himself not to get surprised anymore. When it came to magic, the word impossible didn't really exist after all.

'By combining these two effects, one can really achieve maximum suffering, huh...' Cain couldn't help but shake his head bitterly.

Then he finally asked the most crucial question,

'Can I afford it?'

He waited with bated breath...

{Replying to host: Affirmative...}

Cain let out a sigh of relief. He quickly made his way to the special system store. Although it was very pricey, it was still affordable. That didn't mean his heart didn't ache as the system points left his coffers.

'Now then... Let's see what this Space and Matter Distorting Magic Square... This name is too freaking long!'

He thought for a while, 'Let's see what the Magic Square has to offer...'

He summoned the item from his inventory. The moment it appeared in his hands, he could sense the shift in the mana flow patterns.

'How odd... I have never seen something affect the flow of mana so blatantly.'

Cain took a deep breath as he studied the item. It was just like its name described. It was a magic square. Different from a magic circle, it was very much a physical item. There were hundreds of tiny magic runes and sigils engraved on it.

Four Magic stones of different colors were embedded at the four corners of the Magic Square. Numerous small lights were flashing through the runes and sigils as well.

Rather than looking archaic, it looked very much like a piece of futuristic technology.

***

{Space and Matter Distorting Magic Square}: (Item)

Description: A strange magical artifact created by the Highland elves and Steel-fist Dwarves of the planet, Grimland, to combat the invading Devils. They were unsuccessful...

Skills: Mana to Matter Convertor, Space Distorting Field.

{Mana to Matter Convertor}: Coverts magical energy to matter contained within an object temporarily. The matter content can be adjusted by increasing or reducing the mana consumption.

{Space Distorting Field}: Uses magical energy to bend the fabric of reality, creating an incredibly strong gravitational field. The power of the field cane be adjusted by increasing or reducing the mana consumption.

***

He was quite impressed...

Cain finally turned to Ruby who sat beside him, seemingly bored out of her mind. Cain decided to look at her description;

***

{Crimson Demon Bear} level 99 (Half-god).

Strength: 6,000.

Agility: 6,000.

Defense: 5,000.

HP: 200,000/200,000.

MP: 71,000/71,000.

Skills: Regeneration lvl3, Blood Works: Stampede, Destructive stomp, Bloodlust, Blood Berserk, Earth Tremor, Boulder High.

***

'This... She's almost as powerful as the {Chaos Orc}!'

The {Chaos Orc} had been one of the most difficult opponents he had ever faced. Although he had defeated it, that was only because of the assistance he had received from Evangeline. Without her, he would have died against the harrowing creature.

'Her potential is also very good.'

Although the potential of a mutant or aether beast reduced as they went up the Tiers, that didn't mean they became any less strong. In fact, the increase in power became more evident the higher they climbed in Tiers. A good example of this, was the {Amethyst Silkworm}.

'Ruby, would you like to train with me?'

The large creature rose up from the ground, picking up a torrent of dust,

'Train? What's that?'

Cain grinned, 'It's something we can do to get stronger. If you get stronger, you will be able to hunt more fish.'

Ruby's dark eyes began to shine with a blinding radiance. From her reaction Cain could tell that she was absolutely ecstatic.

Cain chuckled, 'Then that just leaves...'

Cain turned to a corner that was enveloped in shadows. From the shade, a being wreathed in darkness slowly walked out. Any other person would have been frightened out of their mind. However, Cain had no need to fear.

"Here you go. You've done a good job."

The {Dark Soul} looked a bit confused as it tilted its shadowy head. It couldn't quite understand what its master meant. However, its confusion soon disappeared;

Cain stretched his hand out and began taking out all the darkness elemental mana shards he had gotten from the Abyssal Creatures. This was his own share of the loot. There were thousands of {Abyssal Realm Walkers} and a good number of them possessed mana shards.

The gems poured out in the hundreds. Although they were of different grades, they would certainly allow the {Dark Soul} to finally rank up after all this time.

The {Dark Soul} stood shocked for a while. It never expected its master to be so kind. The mana shards disappeared into a stretch of shadows on the ground.

After standing still for a few seconds, the creature bowed deeply at Cain before diving back into the dark shadows as well.

'Time for me to finally get started.'

Cain threw the Magic Square to the ground before activating it with his mana.

'I'll test it out first. How about activating the Space Distorting Field halfway...'

Pouring his mana into the Magic Square hovering just a few inches above the ground, Cain activated the {Space Distorting Field},

And instantly regretted it...

A split second before the skill activated, Cain's mind shifted to a distant memory. He remembered the feeling of crushing gravity that had assulted his body the moment he had stepped foot on Prometheus. His face paled instantly...

"Stop..."

He tried to stop it, but was already too late. Cain felt the weight of his body drive him into the ground.

BOOM!

An equally loud crashing sound came from the side as Ruby collapsed into the ground alongside him.

Cain tried to spit the blood in his mouth out, but he couldn't even part his lips. He couldn't swallow it as well. His lungs were being crushed under their own weight, so it was impossible for him to breathe as well.

'I'm... going to die.'

He had been way too arrogant. With sheer willpower, he managed to turn it off before all his blood vessels ruptured.

The moment the skill was deactivated, Cain let out a sigh of relief. Which was quickly followed by a torrent of bloody vomit.

'This thing is too dangerous!'

He didn't even want to imagine what pairing both skills would do.

Still, his eyes were burning with determination.

'Just now, I could feel it. Under these conditions, My Ki will definitely increase much faster. I can also use it to hone my skills.'

Once he recovered, he turned his hands toward the Magic Square, then activated it again...