[Rebirth Fruit — possesses properties of bodily restoration and enhancement. Also has an awakening effect]
{Restoration and enhancement are clear, but what does "awakening" mean?}
Delia pondered, holding her prize in her hands.
All right, but what about the reward for the ten kills? Where do I get it?" — she said aloud, just in case. And, oddly enough, someone heard her. A small book appeared on the floor before her, decorated with intricate patterns and strange hieroglyphs. Opening it, she saw the same symbols.
«...»
Starting to curse the sage with all the expletives she knew, she glanced again at the book and noticed that previously incomprehensible symbols began to make sense. Soon, Delia could easily understand the content, which read:
[Introduction
Cultivation is the process of self-perfection, including physical and spiritual development, as well as control over internal energy. It is a difficult path that requires time, patience, and consistency. The reward for such efforts is mastery over one's own fate and life — a gradual transformation from an insignificant being into a powerful individual.
But not everything is simple. Wherever humans or other intelligent beings exist, disputes arise. Bloody battles to the death. The destruction of planets, the extinction of entire races, all for the sake of gaining greater power.
Over millions of years, cultivation techniques became increasingly numerous and diverse. After endless research, I created the Technique of Three Supremacies: Mortal, Sacred, and Divine.
The Mortal Tome contains the path of cultivation through levels: Mortal, Earthly, and Heavenly. This tome is the beginning of everything. All instructions and methods must be strictly followed; deviation carries deadly consequences. Its main feature is the use of the energy circulation methods described below, creating an energy center — Dantian — at each level: Mortal, Earthly, and Heavenly.]
Having read the introduction and somewhat understood it, Delia opened the page with the methods. The first and most important step at the beginning is sensing and absorbing energy from the environment — a step that many people failed to accomplish, becoming an insurmountable feat for them.
—Should I start worrying already? — the girl smirked and followed the instructions, trying to feel this energy.
Sitting cross-legged with her hands on her knees, palms up, she closed her eyes, attempted to clear her mind, and began to breathe calmly and deeply.
Her body, initially tense, began to relax.Her thoughts became less intrusive, and her mind calmed.Delia's consciousness gradually began to expand.A sensation of energy flowing outside her body appeared.
Feeling the presence of this energy, she carefully tried to draw it into her body. Responding to the call, a thin thread separated from the numerous wide streams and moved inside her. Like a drop of water to a parched throat, this small piece of energy had no noticeable effect.
Realizing this, she started drawing in more streams. After half an hour of absorption, Delia felt her body fully saturated and unable to take in more.
Consequently, she proceeded to the second step — creating the Dantian. According to the method described in the book, Delia, controlling the energy flows, began directing them to a point in the lower abdomen. After an hour of concentration and condensation, a small sphere appeared.
Before she could celebrate her success, the sphere absorbed the remaining energy in her body and then began rapidly drawing energy from the surroundings. At first, everything was fine, but gradually the energy became overwhelming, and her body began to fail. Headaches, ringing in her ears, nosebleeds were only the beginning; soon, even her skin started tearing in different places. Her body swelled like a balloon.
{Damn it, why didn't they mention this? Either I bleed to death or explode. My body can't handle this much energy. How do I get rid of it? The body… Wait, that fruit supposedly strengthens and enhances the body.}
Without a second thought, she swallowed the fruit in one bite. Chewing it, the cultivator felt a pleasant taste, reminiscent of strawberry and mango. Moments later, the pain vanished, her wounds magically healed. A feeling of relaxation surged over her, impossible to resist, and Delia fell into a deep sleep.
Because of this, she didn't notice an indistinct figure appear nearby and say:"How reckless, falling asleep in hostile territory!" — then, moving outside — "Everything is going as planned. But she must be protected until her full rebirth."
With a wave of its hand, the figure made the entire tree with Delia appear to vanish into thin air. Then it disappeared without a trace.
She woke up after an unknown period and stretched lazily, staring at the "ceiling" with a blank gaze as soon as she opened her eyes.
{So it wasn't a dream after all. No wonder the bed felt so hard. Strange that no one ate me while I was asleep.}
Suspecting why, she decided to check her information. As soon as she thought about it, a window appeared with her data:
[Name: Delia
Race: Supreme Human
Development: Mortal Rank Level 2
Status: Healthy
Goal: Find Exit 0/1
12/100 Enemies Defeated (Additional)
Inventory:
Bow (Mortal Low Rank)
Two-Handed Axe (Mortal Medium Rank)
Police Uniform and Mask (No Rank +)]
{"Supreme Human"? I don't know what that is, but it's clearly good, just like my upgrade to level 2. I'll need to find someone to test my strength on. I still have 88 victims wandering around somewhere.}
Getting up and stretching again, the girl decided to go outside. She was met by the same gloomy post-apocalyptic forest. Looking around, she noticed something unusual. Turning off the night vision on her mask, she realized she could see perfectly without it. Her long-distance vision had also increased several times.
Confident that these weren't the only improvements, she approached a large boulder and tried to lift it. The rock, clearly weighing over half a ton, was lifted with difficulty but successfully. Placing it back, Delia struck it with all her strength.
«Strike!»
«Crack!»
The stone split into two parts. Seeing the result, the girl was encouraged and continued deeper into the forest in search of new enemies.
After walking several kilometers without encountering anyone, and overwhelmed by the urge to smash everything to attract attention, she heard a sound. Listening carefully, she realized it was the noise of water. Ten minutes later, she discovered the source — a small waterfall flowing into a tiny pond. The water did not flow out further; it seemed to disappear underground.
Examining the pond, she saw no fish or other forms of life. Wondering if the water could be poisoned, she suddenly heard a crack. Turning her head toward the sound, she saw a group of five monkeys staring at her with golden eyes.
[Warning!
Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey
Threat Level: No Rank +]
Before she could think, they all howled at the top of their lungs. The forest immediately filled with noise; the cries of the monkeys heading toward the waterfall echoed from all sides. Within a minute, the pond was surrounded. Nearly a hundred primates perched on trees, on the ground, and on rocks around the perimeter.
{"What the hell! Did they just appear out of nowhere? Why weren't they here when I was coming? Damn! And why monkeys? I can't stand them!"}
Delia's frustration knew no bounds. Understanding that this was not the time for tantrums, she calmed herself and prepared for what was coming.
The atmosphere gradually intensified, noticeable from the monkeys' behavior: they began growling gutturally, baring their teeth, and striking the ground and trees. Irritated by their actions and noise, she shouted:
— Shut up! Either attack or get lost! Actually… never mind, I'll attack myself.
Finishing her words, she made a sudden dash, so forceful that the ground cracked beneath her, and moved at high speed toward the nearest group of enemies on the ground.
Shocked by her audacity and the speed of the attack, the monkeys failed to react in time, and three large ones fell under the axe, turning into six smaller, lifeless bodies.
[Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey Killed] x3
Channeling internal energy into the axe, she swung it, cutting down the nearest tree, and kicked it toward approaching enemies. The monkeys riding it fell along with it, crushing several of their companions.
[Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey Killed] x5
The noise intensified. Monkeys began leaping from the trees toward her, but she reacted instantaneously. Time and again, her axe found its target: swing — a monkey falls, kick — one is sent flying, knocking down others. She moved like a deadly whirlwind, systematically thinning the ranks of her enemies.
But there were too many of them.
One of them grabbed a stone and hurled it at her. She dodged, but then felt another monkey grab her leg.
—Big mistake! — she screamed, yanking her leg free.
Her axe flared with internal energy. Striking the ground, a shockwave threw the enemies several meters back. Yet the monkeys did not retreat.
The shockwave scattered some, but it was only a temporary respite. The forest filled with even more ferocious sounds. The golden-eyed monkeys began acting in coordination: some distracted her with loud cries and thrown stones, while others approached from the side.
Feeling movement behind her, she swung her axe backward without turning. The metal blade cut through the air, and one primate fell, cleaved in two.
[Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey Killed] x1
Several primates tried to exploit their numerical advantage. One leaped directly at her, aiming for her face, and before she could dodge, tore off her mask. She grabbed the creature by its tail, swung it, and slammed it into another monkey. The dull impact left both immobile.
[Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey Killed] x2
Amidst the chaos, one larger monkey stirred atop a rock. Its eyes burned brighter, and its movements were more confident. It struck with its paws across its chest, emitting a terrifying roar.
[Warning!
Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey
Threat Level: Mortal Rank 1]
—Well, great, now we have a boss too! — the girl said with a smirk, channeling her energy into the axe.
Seconds later, the leader descended toward her. Its jump left a deep indentation in the ground. The primate moved faster and stronger than the others, dodging her attacks. Its massive paws crushed a nearby boulder with a loud crack as it missed an attack on her.
Their battle was fierce. She dodged its next strike, feeling rocks scattering in all directions. Seizing the moment, she quickly moved to the right, entering the enemy's blind spot. With one powerful swing of the axe, she cut through the air toward its shoulder.
However, the primate was surprisingly agile. The leader grabbed the axe's handle with its massive paw, halting her attack. Delia froze for a moment but then channeled her energy through the weapon. The blade glowed brightly, and a flash of force literally threw the leader backward, crashing it to the ground.
— Well, big guy? Tired? — she taunted.
The surroundings came alive again. While the leader recovered, the remaining monkeys rushed to attack. She spun, swinging her axe, effortlessly fending off attacks from behind.
Her actions became increasingly fierce: she went on the offensive, destroying everything in her path. With one leap, she landed in the center of a new group, swinging her axe to unleash a deadly whirlwind around her.
[Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey Killed] x12
The leader, rising, moved toward her again. This time, she decided not to waste time. Redirecting all her energy into the axe, she focused and delivered one crushing blow. The blade cut through the enemy's body, leaving a bright trail. The monkey leader froze, then collapsed, shaking the ground.
[Forest Golden-Eyed Monkey — Leader Killed]
The number of enemies gradually decreased. Hits that did connect caused only minor bruises, inflicting no serious damage.
At one point, only Delia remained at the pond's edge. Her police uniform was in tatters, her bow and mask lost among the bodies, and her black hair had turned red and matted.
Standing there, she felt light dizziness and ringing in her ears. Wiping the blood from her face and regaining some composure, she approached the pond. Looking at her reflection in the water, Delia realized it would be difficult to clean herself, so she waded fully into the pond. The water reached her chest and became deeper near the waterfall.
After washing and cooling her heated mind and body, she emerged onto dry land. Having searched unsuccessfully for her bow for some time, she checked her information:
[Name: Delia
Race: Supreme Human
Development: Mortal Rank Level 2
Status: Healthy
Goal: Find Exit 0/1
107/100 Enemies Defeated
(Completed)
Inventory:
Two-Handed Axe (Mortal Medium Rank)
Police Uniform (Damaged)]