Chapter 10: 4.5 seconds

[Initiating Forced Activation of Shadow Warp.]

I had to double check to make sure that I read it correctly, but yes, it did say 'Forced Activation.'

Lets slow down time, for a bit, for this to make sense, because everything after this happened in mere seconds. Lets set the timer to 4.5 seconds and count down to zero because that is how long the following events took.

4.5 Seconds remaining.

I was baffled by the forced activation notification. And through my scribe skill I could hear the man's thoughts. It was at this exact moment when he got hit by Narb, the annoying asshole, and he had fallen down.

The only thing he said with his gleaming expectant eyes was, "Not yet." He continued to repeat the same like a broken record as Narb swung his foot to kick the man.

4.0 Seconds remaining.

My entire body had started hurting like it did when I was a kid and first started training physically. Every single muscle was screaming in pain. My blood vessels ached as they stretched wide to make room for the high blood pressure. And my head hurt in pounding pulses of pain surging through my temples.

I instinctively held my breath and my vision got blurry. This is was the end of it, nor was it the worst of it.

A magic circle immediately presented itself in my mind. I could neither read nor understand the language used to construct the magic circle, but I could tell that the mana had taken perfect shape of a magic circle; and the circle itself made its use apparent to me. Despite not knowing the language, I could instinctively feel and tell how to use the circle.

Following the very same instinct, I gradually supplied the circle with my mana, drop by drop in a steady stream, making sure I don't flood it with mana. I did not know how I knew it but I could tell that if I supplied too little then the activation would take ages or might not even happen, and if I supplied to much then the circle would get overwhelmed and break.

So I ensured to maintain a smooth and gently supply of mana. I am not the best when it comes to mana control so I was even more nervous as if I was threading a needle.

All this time the words "Not yet" continued to echo through my head as the man got kicked around like a ragdoll by the lunatic. It was his voice. He kept repeating the same thought as he observed me with glances and was counting the seconds.

3.4 seconds remaining.

The circle continued to get bigger and bigger till the pattern of the flow of mana in the circle overlapped with the mana channels in my body. The mana in my body has started flowing in the pattern and direction as formed in the magic circle. This was a very erratic, unconventional, and insane method to use a skill. I have never seen anything like it in my life.

But for the first time I felt an unfamiliar strength. It was the very first time I felt ecstatic using a shadowmancy skill. This feeling was new and addicting. Like a surge of power, albeit temporary, making me feel invincible.

3.0 seconds remaining.

The flow of all the mana in my body was now redirected to follow that of the magic circle, which disappeared at the very moment the flow of my body's mana overlapped the magic circle pattern perfectly.

Immediately, the concentration and strength of my mana surged noticeable. Narb's focus shifted towards me the moment the mana in my body surged.

"Damn it," the man cursed at me. Coughing and Vomiting blood he grabbed the hem of Narb's trousers, which to the man's advantage angered Narb more and the one-sided beatdown resumed.

2.0 seconds remaining.

As if calculated, Narb kicked the man towards me at my foot and with a gloating and victorious smirk revelled in his accomplishment.

The man lay at my feet and coughed blood. His health dropped drastically. I noticed it a little late, but someone, whose skills and levels and stats were reset, should not have been able to handle the onslaught of punches and kicks.

The observation skill activated like it had a mind of its own and was answering my curiosity. The man had used up 5 points to increase his defence temporarily and another 5 to increase his health points temporarily. He had also used 3 points to increase his mana temporarily.

Temporary increase give a bonus boost of stats, depending on luck. But the great increase of stats in not permanent but temporary.

1.0 seconds remaining.

The shadows at my feet began to spread and the pain throughout my body amplified. It felt as if my entire body was being ripped to shreds and that every cell in my body wanted to run off in a different direction.

My nose and mouth bled like a faucet.

The shadows slowly began to rise and cover our bodies. I could not enjoy the comforting sensation of the warm yet cold shadows embracing me because of the pain numbing my mind.

I was almost about to pass out and I could barely maintain focus at this point.

Narb was activating a wind related skill to interfere and interrupt the skill activation.

The man gargled his words through blood, "I hope you survive this – Cough. – And – cough – you elf. I- cough – I'll remember this – cough"

The shadows covered us completely and it was at this point I lost consciousness as well.

I had absolutely no clue what happened after the skill was activated, but I knew that I had to think of the target destination. So I thought of the only place I could feel at peace.

That thought was halfway interrupted by the man's screaming thought, "Offset to west!"

Zero Seconds – It all went blank.