[ At the Border Mountain - Northern Primeval Forest Zone ]
BOOOOOOM!!!
The sound of a massive object crashing from the sky echoed like a meteorite impact. The body of the "Black Armored Wyvern," a high-ranking apex predator of this region, slammed into the ground, creating a deep crater. The entire forest shook, trees snapped like twigs, and dust billowed into the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The sound of footsteps, swift and light as a phantom, followed immediately.
A shadow moved at high speed, leaping across boulders and fallen logs with practiced ease.
Murphy, now sporting shoulder-length hair, kicked off the ground and landed firmly on a large branch overlooking the crash site. His gaze locked onto the target with total calm.
GRAAAARRRR!!!!
The beast roared in pain and fury. It struggled to claw its way out of the pit. Its obsidian scales, once impenetrable, now bore cracks from the mid-air collision moments ago. Its crimson eyes frantically scanned for the enemy.
As it spread its wings to hoist itself up... Murphy reached into the leather pouch at his waist and pulled out a smooth, fist-sized stone.
"Too slow..."
He flicked the stone lightly with his thumb. But in that split second, the Golden Core in his chest spun rapidly, compressing a massive amount of kinetic energy into the tiny object.
BANG!!!
The stone tore through the air at supersonic speed, slamming precisely into the joint of the Wyvern's extending right wing!
The impact was as violent as a cannonball. The massive beast, trying to regain its footing, instantly lost its balance. It stumbled and fell, exposing a massive opening at its neck.
"Let's end this."
Not letting the opportunity slip, Murphy launched himself from the branch, diving straight at the target. He gripped his sword tight.
Mana was converted into kinetic energy and transferred into the blade, creating a high-pitched whistling sound. It wasn't a crushing blow, but a "compression" of power to achieve the sharpest possible cut.
"Kinetic Blade Style: Silent Sever"
Shing...
Murphy's body became a streak of golden light, slicing through the Wyvern's neck before reappearing behind it.
He slowly sheathed his sword.
Click.
The moment the sword locked into the scabbard... a thin red line appeared around the Wyvern's neck. The massive head of the beast slowly slid off its shoulders and thudded to the ground... dead before it even realized what had happened.
Silence returned to the forest.
Clap... Clap... Clap...
The sound of applause came from a large rock nearby.
Sylus, in the form of a young boy, sat with his legs crossed, watching his student's work with a satisfied smile.
"Not bad... Not bad at all, Murphy."
Sylus hopped down to stand next to the dragon's corpse.
"Before, you fought like a raging bull... but now, you fight like water... fast, powerful, yet fluid. Using a stone to break its rhythm and finishing it with a single strike... efficient and sharp."
Murphy turned with a faint smile, dusting off his tattered cloak.
"Well, I had a good teacher... If it were the old me, I probably would have rushed in to trade blows and gotten hurt for nothing."
Sylus chuckled before pointing toward the south, the direction of the capital.
"Alright... my lessons are over. Your control over the 'Core' is perfect."
"You are ready, Murphy... Go back to your city. That four-eyed friend of yours has probably been waiting for you until his roots grew deep."
Murphy nodded, looking south.
"Then I'll head back immediately. Using 'Flash Step', I should reach the city in thirty minutes."
He crouched down, preparing to channel power into his legs to launch himself back.
"Wait..."
Sylus raised a hand to stop him.
"Who told you to rush? I'm coming with you... and we are going to 'walk' back."
Murphy paused. "Walk? It's a long way from here to the capital, Master."
"That is exactly the point," Sylus clasped his hands behind his back, walking down the mountain slope with a relaxed demeanor.
"Marching long distances while maintaining combat readiness is also a form of endurance training... Besides, I want to enjoy the view. I haven't seen the world down there in a long time. I'm curious to see how much those brats have changed my kingdom."
Murphy sighed with a smile before walking after him.
"Alright, alright... we walk."
Traveling on foot allowed Murphy to see things he would have missed at high speed.
As they emerged from the dense forest and rocky terrain onto the final hill overlooking the city zone... the view before them made Murphy's eyes widen.
"This is..."
The barren wasteland filled with bomb craters from six months ago... was completely gone.
Below lay a vast expanse of Agricultural Fields, lush green and golden yellow stretching as far as the eye could see.
Vegetable plots were arranged in perfect order. Small "Spider Robots" scurried about, diligently watering and tilling the soil.
New, smoothly paved roads cut through the fields, with mana-powered trucks bustling back and forth, transporting produce.
And further out... was the Capital City, looking strangely different.
The skyscrapers were no longer just dull blocks of concrete. Now, they were adorned with vibrant green trees cascading from balconies and rooftops, blending perfectly with the soft blue glow of technology.
It looked peaceful... prosperous... and beautiful.
"Whoa..." Sylus whistled. "Your friends did all this? They turned a hellscape into a backyard garden in just half a year?"
Murphy smiled so wide his cheeks hurt. The fatigue from months of training vanished instantly.
"Philip... Axel... You guys are truly amazing."
"Let's go, Master." Murphy quickened his pace, excitement filling his voice.
"I can't wait to get home."