Chương 44: Chapter 18 – Back and Thrust into a Duel

"Is everyone alive?" Maximus asked, ignoring the notifications for now as Sprout rushed over, jumping into his lap.

"Hey, friend… My apologies for worrying you," Maximus whispered.

"Still kickin', aye… But a bit battered," Oscar groaned, lying next to him, while Felix remained quiet. Silex wobbled over to Felix, bit into his boot, and dragged him across the ground before dropping him next to Maximus.

"Thank you," Maximus said with a smile, starting to realize that the crocodile was far smarter than he had given him credit for. He tossed another Cinder Seed into his mouth; the previous one had been fully burned through faster than expected due to the overflow of spirit within him. While his spirit regenerated quickly thanks to his gear and boons, Maximus poured a potion into Felix's mouth and massaged his throat to help him swallow. As the potion took effect, Felix opened his eyes groggily and winced.

"So, we won, huh?" he asked as he tried to sit up through the pain, his eyes growing teary as he fell back to the ground.

"Good plan that was," he added.

"For this, you have my apologies. I hadn't taken into consideration that there could exist a troll capable of healing even its heart being pierced. It's ridiculous," Maximus muttered apologetically.

"I'm telling you, it's one thing after another. This world is in total shambles. You can't turn a corner without some tosser trying to take your head off," Oscar spat.

"You are correct, my friend. The things happening here are beyond my understanding," Maximus sighed, feeling a rare sense of defeat.

"Only means you've got more to learn, right?" Felix said with a faint smile, trying to encourage him.

"You are correct. Life is all about learning, and we have so much left to understand," Maximus nodded, though his heart still beat heavily.

"Oscar, I'll heal Felix first. Wait a few minutes for another charge," Maximus added as he cast Rejuvenation on Felix, who was in the worst state of them all.

"Fair enough. Poor old me, always at the back of the queue," Oscar moaned, pretending to be offended, while Silex wandered over to the troll's corpse and took another bite from its torn leg where the ice had melted, beginning to absorb the troll's vitality as his own wounds visibly healed. Maximus stared at Silex in amazement. He can absorb the troll's vitality to heal himself! This is unheard of! Wait… That means I could use its blood for my elixirs?

That heart-healing vitality could help me create something never seen before, Maximus thought, a mad laugh escaping his lips.

"Bloody hell, I nearly browned my trousers there! What's so funny, eh? You gone mental or what?" Oscar cursed.

"Leave him be, he's found something, haven't you?" Felix asked.

"Indeed. I could use the troll's blood to make a potion. Is it all right if I take the body and you two take the core?" Maximus asked suddenly.

"Sure, as we already agreed. We can't store the corpses anyway," Felix replied.

"Fair enough. Just don't expect me to drink any of it. That's absolutely vile, I'm telling you," Oscar said, nearly gagging.

"Haha, don't worry," Maximus chuckled.

Once Maximus recovered enough of his spirit, he cast Rejuvenation: Focused Treatment on Oscar's arm, and then again later on Felix's mangled leg. The two drank more than enough potions and were barely able to properly stand again. Thanks to Maximus's treatment and the overuse of healing potions, their smaller wounds had fully healed, while their broken limbs, ribs, and Felix's chest were mended but still in poor condition.

On the other hand, thanks to his Healing Flow skill, Maximus had mostly recovered from his own wounds. He had also noticed his body growing sturdier from the constant cycle of breaking and repairing. He could now sense spirit energy slowly sinking deeper into the areas he had healed through repeated use of the skill. Even his status had changed from Weak Human Vessel to Naturally Strengthened Human Vessel, and it was even classified as a simple Body Trait.

Body Traits: Naturally Strengthened Human Vessel (F) – Strengthened through reforging the body with spirit energy. Increases stamina by 10% and overall physical strength by 11%.

Now, if I were, as Felix would say, mental, I'd go and break my body over and over again until it was fully reinforced through natural energy… But I'm not that "mental." The elixir should be enough once I get all the ingredients. He chuckled inwardly at his expanding vocabulary and his growing madness. I'm adapting better than expected to all of this, he noted as he stood up.

"Boys, I'll help you inside. It will take me at least two days to fully treat your more serious wounds. And I shouldn't overuse healing magic on you; mine works a bit differently than a proper healer's. Also, stop with the potions for now. It's not water, you know," he warned as he helped them move into the cavern to lie low in case a goblin or another human found them. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Though Maximus had concluded that goblins weren't reckless enough to enter a troll's territory… Unless something far worse had happened.

He didn't go too deep into the cave and instead settled them closer to the entrance.

"I'll go store the troll's body before Silex eats all of it. You wait for me here," Maximus said.

"Sure, Max. We can run anywhere we like," Felix cracked a faint smile.

"He's winding us up on purpose, he is," Oscar chuckled.

"Max, my friend, you might actually learn to talk like a normal human after this little jaunt, eh?" he added with a wink.

"You as well?" Maximus went pale.

"Aye, mate. Don't go thinking I'm thick just 'cause I like to keep things relaxed. But don't fret, whoever you are, we're mates now, aren't we?" Oscar grinned.

"The fool is right, Max. You are our friend, no matter what," Felix said calmly.

"Hey, I'll show you, fool! Come here, you, you ice cube," Oscar shot back, trying to kick him with his battered leg, making Maximus laugh out loud.

"Boys… Thank you. One day I'll tell you everything," Maximus said, bowing gratefully before exiting the cave, leaving Sprout behind to keep them company.

Outside the cavern, Silex had finished the entire leg of the troll, bone and all, and was now resting beside the corpse, guarding what remained of his meal.

"Hey, Silex, buddy. Have you recovered? Are you still hurt anywhere? Let me see." Maximus crouched beside him, placing a hand on the massive crocodile's body and carefully inspecting for wounds. Silex groaned and slammed his tail twice into the dirt, telling him to stop.

"You are a sturdy child, my boy. I ask for your forgiveness for dragging you from your lands only for you to get hurt," Maximus said, his voice low and filled with regret. Hearing this, Silex let out a sharp growl before turning and slamming his tail into Maximus, tossing him into the dirt.

"You are upset that I'm being apologetic, is that it?" Maximus asked, beginning to understand the intelligent reptile's response. Silex huffed, then nudged Maximus's arm, this time gently.

"My arm?" Maximus asked, surprised.

"It's fine, see. I heal fast." He flexed it and clenched his fist to demonstrate. Silex seemed satisfied and turned back, taking another heavy bite out of the troll's corpse.

"About that, buddy… I'll need this, but I'll give you half of the other leg. Deal?" Maximus asked cautiously. Silex growled, but after a moment gave a reluctant nod. Maximus took out the simple iron blade he always carried and sliced off half of the troll's remaining leg. He extracted the large, hand-sized core before storing the rest. With its heartblood and Devourer's Pump, I'm beginning to see a new path, he thought, checking Silex's status.

The only ingredient I still need is something with pure mana; a fruit would be best, though a potent plant might suffice. [Mutated Alabaster Crocodile, Silex, Level 24] He is growing nicely; Maximus nodded in satisfaction before standing up and noticing what remained of his staff. The old wooden staff had been broken in two; the spirit within it was gone, and its enchantments had almost faded.

"My poor staff… You were my first in this life. I'll keep you," he muttered softly before storing the remains. He had just turned back toward the cave when Sprout came rushing out to meet him, rustling with frantic energy.

"What is it, buddy? Did something happen?" Maximus paled as he broke into a sprint toward the cave entrance.

"Is everyone fine?" Maximus shouted as he rushed inside.

"We are fine, but it seems Sprout found something deeper within. He was exploring," Felix smiled gently; it seemed he liked Sprout a lot, even though the spirit didn't quite return the affection due to Felix's cold mana.

"I'll go investigate," Maximus said, his expression turning serious as he purchased a small, simple torch from the store for twenty tokens and strode deeper into the cave. Sprout jumped onto his shoulder, bouncing excitedly as they moved. As they walked through the darkness, a faint green glow slowly began to illuminate the cave.

The deeper they went, the brighter it grew, until they reached the cave's end, where a massive cluster of emerald crystals pulsed with light, scattering the darkness and radiating a thick, peaceful spirit energy. [Spirit Emerald (C)] Found in underground locations rich in spirit energy. These crystals are highly sought after and are often used in the creation of accessories and relics with regenerative and healing properties.

Professions and classes that specialize in spirit energy can benefit greatly from absorbing the energy stored within. It can also serve as a catalyst for casting nature-based spells.

"Oh, my stars… Sprout, my boy, you did an amazing job. This, this will save me so much time," Maximus clapped, overjoyed.

"Sprout, we are going to train here!" he exclaimed.

"Stay here and wait for me," Maximus added, gently placing him atop one of the smaller crystals before retracing his steps.

"So, what did you find?" Felix asked as Maximus returned.

"I found the reason that the troll was so strong. There is a cluster of crystallized natural energy. It will greatly aid my training, and it should help you heal faster as well," Maximus explained, a wide smile spread across his face.

"Bloody hell… Finally, some decent news for once!" Oscar clapped, grinning.

"Let me go and tell Silex. Just a moment," Maximus said before turning and sprinting back outside.

"Silex, there is a good place to recover deeper inside. We'll be there if you need us. You can keep sunbathing here for now," Maximus told him before heading back into the cave. Silex opened one eye, made sure Maximus was unharmed, then lazily closed it again and continued soaking in the warmth. Back within the cave, Maximus spent the next twenty minutes helping Oscar and Felix move, both of them visibly stunned by the breathtaking sight of countless glowing emerald crystals.

"This is incredible," Felix said quietly.

"Tell me about it. I've never seen anything prettier, well, bar that girl on the till at Aldi on Lloyd Street. I'll never forget her, me. I'm telling you," Oscar muttered, earning an eye roll from Felix. Maximus ignored Oscar's usual rambling and said, "Just being here will help you two, but if you can guide some of the energy into your bodies, it should work much faster."

"Hey, Max, why don't you open Mana Sense for Oscar as well?" Felix chuckled.

"Oh! Yes, good idea indeed," Maximus said as he guided thin strands of mana to the tip of his index finger and turned toward Oscar.

"Oi, what's with the glowing finger, mate? What are you playing at? Felix, you muppet, stop your giggling!" Oscar barked as Maximus pressed his finger against the center of his forehead and pushed the mana inward. Oscar let out a high-pitched scream before fainting on the spot, causing Felix to burst into laughter.

"You really do enjoy seeing him suffer," Maximus shook his head, though a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

"By the way, are you practicing your mana channeling as I told you?" he asked suddenly, his tone turning strict.

"I am, when I can. Being able to see the mana helps a lot. A question, though, why is there so little of it in here?" Felix asked.

"Don't you also see the spirit energy around us?" Maximus replied.

"No, only faint traces of blue light," Felix answered simply. Interesting, his case is just like my old body… It seems only I can perceive and interact with both. That's a clear sign I need to find a way to merge them, or at least hold them within the same vessel, Maximus noted inwardly.

"Don't stress it. Just being here and absorbing the mana that flows through the crystals should help you heal much faster," Maximus said as he sat down in a meditative position next to Sprout, who had somehow burrowed his roots into one of the crystals and was now glowing softly like a small lantern.

"Let's train, boys!" Maximus smiled brightly before closing his eyes and focusing on his seed.