Chapter 163- Evolution (Part 1)

Chapter 163: Chapter 163- Evolution (Part 1)

Chapter 163- Evolution (Part 1)

Rize instantly felt a very rejuvenating feeling fill his entire body from head to toe. He couldn’t really describe it in words, but it was almost like a cold shower on a very hot day that refreshed his exhausted body and soul. The cold temperatures, the injuries, the numbness he felt everywhere- they all disappeared for a few seconds.

He found himself completely engrossed in the cycle of absorption as he hungrily ate everything that came his way. There was a shocking amount of essence in the air, perhaps due to the nature of the environment around him and how high up he was.

That was very good news for Rize’s tired body, as it increased the healing speed considerably. Rize was still naturally sluggish when it came to using this technique, so it was nowhere near its full mastery and speed, and yet Rize could still feel most of the injuries he sustained were disappearing rapidly, and his exhaustion and soreness were also dissipating faster than he could’ve imagined.

What would’ve taken hours to happen, he did in a few minutes, and on top of that...

[Tier 8 (85%)]

Rize’s tier increased from 84% to 85% almost immediately, before it instantly shot to 86%. The rapid growth was unlike anything Rize had experienced before. Usually, to get that progression, he needed to kill several monsters, which takes a lot of time and effort. Yet, now, he could just sit there, absorb essence, and get as much power as he would if he had a hunting trip.

The idea was simply ridiculous and very much terrifying to think about. His enemies could never anticipate this kind of growth from him. He would be head and shoulders above everyone his age, and it wouldn’t be particularly close either.

’This is amazing... I feel like I’m almost back to my peak.’ Rize exhaled a long breath as he opened his eyes and looked at Baragon.

"This power... It’s even better than I could’ve ever imagined." He said as he stared at his hands. ’The quality of my essence has improved slightly too... What else does this technique do? Why is it almost too good to be true?’

"Your absorption rate is quite impressive. Usually, people would need a lot more time to be able to absorb enough essence to get stronger." Baragon explained as he stared at Rize. ’His learning speed is perhaps the best I’ve ever witnessed with my own eyes. He even rivals Kaladin or perhaps exceeds him in that regard.’

He didn’t understand how Rize was that good at learning things, but it was perhaps his strongest weapon, even more than his own talent. At this point, Baragon was certain Rize could learn the most complex techniques in the world in mere minutes if he decided to do so.

What people would need years to do, Rize would do in a fraction of that time.

"This power feels too good..." Rize muttered as he clenched his fist.

"You need more time to understand it, and eventually, it will become second nature to you,u and you could do it while moving or even fighting. You should not stop doing it until you master it."

"I won’t. I will dedicate hours to learn it well." Rize nodded his head. Then, he stood up and dusted his clothes. "I should eat something. I’m starving."

The weather outside was as violent as ever, or perhaps even worse than before. He could hear the storm whistle, and the large waterfalls that fell from the mountain peak were extremely violent.

Rize wished he could just pick up the two girls and continue, but that was not possible at the moment, unfortunately. So, he decided to eat something quickly. Luckily, he had the tools to cook dinner without the need for wood.

He had brought a small gas stove to use in case of emergency. Lighting it up, it instantly sent waves of heat across the entire cave. Rize exhaled as he pulled the two girls closer to the fire so that their bodies started warming up.

Then, he started making a warm stew with vegetables and meat. The smell permeated the air and made the boy close his eyes for a second.

"Ok, good, this should be done in a bit," Rize said as he put his hands against the fire, trying to warm them up. "Do you want some, Baragon?"

"Human food?" The man asked. "I do not need it."

"Never said you did... But do you want to taste it?" He asked. ’I don’t even know if a being like Baragon knows what food tastes like after thousands of years of not tasting it.’

The man seemed completely stripped of his own humanity, and the way he talked indicated that. The fact he kept calling Rize ’human’ meant that he at least didn’t see himself that way anymore. Or, perhaps, he was never a human even back then.

"Hm..." Baragon stared at the cooking stew for a second in silence. Rize blinked before he smiled.

"I will give you some. There is enough." He said as he picked up the bowl and put some in it before he stretched his hand to give it to the man. However, Baragon didn’t take it as he stared at it.

"Hm? Are you not going to eat?"

"I can’t touch the bowl, human. Put it down." He said coldly.

’Oh, right, I forgot this man is literally made out of lava.’ He thought to himself pushed the bowl on the ground toward the mysterious being. The latter looked at it before he dipped his finger in the bowl; the stew sizzled from the heat as he picked a bit of it and shoved it in his mouth.

He chewed before he froze for a second.

"So, what do you think?" Rize asked curiously. He didn’t know if a being like Baragon would even enjoy the food he made. He wasn’t that great of a chef either, so he didn’t expect much. However, he could’ve never thought he would see this being stunned.

The man didn’t reply as he looked down at the stew, almost in awe, before he dipped his finger in it again and took another taste, then another taste. In a few moments, Rize was watching this 2600 year old being wolf down the stew as if it was the best meal he ever had.

The sight was fascinating, to say the least.

’Wow, he must’ve been really hungry all this time.’ Rize thought to himself as he started eating. However, before he knew it, Baragon was done, as he looked at Rize and then at the stew that was still on the stove.

Rize raised an eyebrow before he asked carefully. "Do you... want more?"

"..."

Rize took the silence as approval, so he took the bowl and filled it to the brim before handing it back to Baragon, who wolfed it down in record time.

’This man sure has an appetite.’ Rize mused as he continued eating. ’At least I know ancient beings appreciate my cooking... Not only Venera.’

That thought made him smile to himself. Even in these dark times, Rize tried to be as positive as he could. Mainly because if he really let himself think about the situation, his morale would plummet to the ground and he would lose his focus. He can’t afford to lose the single thing he got on his side which was his own belief in his ability to make things happen.

After finishing his food, Rize rested against the wall and closed his eyes as he focused on channeling his energy and cultivating it. He had nothing else to do while waiting for the storm to subside, so he decided to use that time to make himself stronger and increase his chances of possibly saving his friends.

’Each new percentage I gain is even harder than the one before. No wonder people take years to go from one tier to another; this is a grind!’ Rize thought to himself. He had awakened almost three months ago, and only now was he getting close to finally reaching the 7th tier. That was naturally way faster than most people, but it was still not as fast as he wished for it to be.

Rize had simply too many things to do, and his current strength was acting like a wall that stopped him from achieving those things. He cannot afford to hold himself to the same standards as everyone else, knowing the true talent he possessed.

So, for the next hour or two, Rize only focused on channeling his energy and cultivating, slowly inching toward his evolution.

[Tier 8 (95%)]

[Tier 8 (96%)]

[Tier 8 (97%)]

’Come on, just a bit more.’ Rize clenched his teeth as he focused even harder, feeling his core slowly moving as if it was anticipating the evolution it had been awaiting for months. The energy inside him grew rapidly as his aura flared strongly, alerting Baragon, who was watching the storm.

’Is he about to evolve?’ The man asked in his mind as he noticed the shift.