A New Skill

Reiji comes up with the skill Ki Bullets, based of of Xenon's demonstration, and inspiration from yu yu hakusho.

After defeating the last two he continues deeper into the mountains looking for the Taurus.

"Dammit." 

His fist bangs against his thick skull, racking his brains for some kind of plan. The stalemate between him and the two remaining Roc Birds have gone on long enough.

"Come on, there's got to be someway I can hit them."

His back pressed against the rough bark of a dead tree, the winds screams biting his skin. Reiji darted between the trees, using them as shields, as shadows slashed down towards him from the sky.

Using Ki Heal, the wounds on his back have dissappeared, so far he had been able to avoid new damages, but he was also running out of time. Each barrage of feathers, riddled the trunks with holes rendering them useless.  

Ahead of him, he counted only eight, before he would be out in the open.

"Got any other advice apart from throwing gravel at them?"

"Sorry but I don't know much about Ki. If only you could use mana, and spells."

"You think?" Gritting his teeth in frustration. "What a useless goddess."

Waiting until the last moment, Reiji slides forward, as the tree behind him is riddled with holes. Spinning on the spot, a clap of thunder rings out, as his roundhouse kick smashes the tree trunk, launching shrapnels into the sky. 

Surprised by the sudden attack, the nearest two birds were unable to react, the wood spikes shattering against their bodies. The closest one took the brunt of the attack, it's body shredded into blood and feathers.

The other injured bird screeched, trying to regain altitude, but it was no use. 

"Don't even think about it!"

A shadow Blitz infront of it, a large boot covered in orange ki, the last thing the bird saw and felt, before plummeting to it's death. 

Crashing down after it, he once again sprinted to find cover.

"That probably won't work again... if only I could do the range ki attack like Xenon."

"Reiji whatever you're going to do, hurry it up!"

With no more trees left, Reiji had no choice but to stand his ground. 

"Guess it's do or die."

His boots grind over the gravel and dirt, as he slides to a stop. His right hand glows bright red, as ki is compressed into it. The two shadows rush in, hail of feathers shooting at him. Unflinching, Reiji stands tall, the feathers cutting into him. 

Seeing their target standing still, they swoop down, talons out, aiming to maul him to death. Waiting until the last possible moment, Reiji counters with his right fist, a barrage of orange ki blasting out.

"Eat this!"

The bullets of ki blast through the birds, shredding and tearing, their bodies turn into feathers meat, raining viscera onto the black mountain.

"Alright!" 

His cry tore through the mountain. Triumphant.

"What was that?" Elnyra shimmers into view, now that the battle was over.

"Its a long range ki attack. I didn't know how to use Xenon's technique, but I remembered a manga  about a spirit detective, which was famous for their range technique, so I tried copying it." 

Miming the previous attack, Reiji performs the same motion, hoping to explain it.

"I honestly didn't think it would work."

"I'm not sure if I should be appalled or amazed at your recklessness."

"Why not both?" Grinning ear to ear, he bumps his chest vigorously. "A win is a win after all."

"..."

After a short rest, the pair continues deeper into the mountain, one physical, one spiritual.

---

The further they traveled, the colder it got. The wind became sharp and thin, slicing through the mountain valleys. His breath turned misty, as his boots began crunching on sleet and gravel.

"What a pain. We've been walking for half a day now, and we still haven't found any Turus. Are you sure it's here?"

 "Yes. What reason would do the guilld master have to lie to us?"

"Damn, I was hoping to get this done in one day and return to Tristan. Guess we'll have to rest here for the night." Grumbling in annoyance, he storms back down to the base of the mountain.

"Where was the base again?"

"It's at the base of the mountain between the second and third mountain." 

Correcting his direction, Reiji follows the path chosen by Elnyra, eventually reaching the base.

The base was a stone building created by the Grand Adventurer's Guild, for adventurers and travellers to stop and rest at. The building was made from perfect square cut stones, engraved with glowing magic runes, that offer protection, and safe haven for the night. Five of these bases were spread out over the Black Spine Mountain Range.

Stepping in, Reiji and Elnyra were greeted by a long row of empty beds, a small fire place, and cabinets holding basic necessities.

"Well, I guess this will have to do. Not much comfort, but at least there's a safe place and a bed." Kicking off his boots, he falls face first into an empty bed.

"This is already amazing. In the past, adventurers would have to carry camp supplies and make camp by themselves. You'd even have to take turns guarding the camp." 

"Yeah... that sounds like a pain." 

Rolling over, the pair begun observing the changes to his status window.

Title: Bancho Rider
Class: Monk(20)
Stats
HP: 430      KI: 375
STR: 195    INT: 50
DEX: 150   WIS: 140
VIT: 175     SPD: 140
Skills:
Rending Strike, Stunning Blow, Blitz, Ki Bullets, Ki Heal, Beast Fang
Passives:
Feral Instinct, Martial Art's, Iron Fist, Mounted Combat,
Ki Sense, Ki Control, Ki Compression

Whistling happily, Reiji grins at Elnyra. 

"Hmm. Seeing my new level, almost makes me feel like being attacked by 21 Roc Birds and 6 Tempest Tigers was worth it."

"They might have not been your target, but they were definitely good experience points."

"I'm just glad I now have range attack skills. With these new skills, I wonder how much closer I am to Souma and Xenon..."

"You're definitely getting stronger. While Xenon is still far away, I think you should be able to put up a fight for Souma."

Elnyra's comment was met with silence, the only person that could answer, was already asleep.