"Haa… as expected, the mountain air is so refreshing!"
After three days of travel, Sora finally arrived at the nearest patch of primeval forest to his home. Standing on a giant tree branch, he took a deep breath, completely enchanted.
This was his destination—the place where he would train for the next two months. No one would disturb him, and he wouldn't have to worry about making noise that might attract the police. He had come here every summer vacation and was quite familiar with the place.
Although he was now many times stronger than an ordinary person, Sora was not satisfied. He felt he could become even stronger. Though he didn't think he was addicted to the thrill of power, he wouldn't refuse any chance to get stronger.
"Well then, let's begin!"
A gleam flashed in his eyes, and a wicked smile instinctively appeared on his lips. Sora leapt and vanished from the spot.
From then on, Sora officially began his training. Every day was fulfilling and exciting, pouring out his youth and sweat.
Day 1: Carried a thousand-kilogram boulder over ten mountain peaks.
Day 2: Swam 100 kilometers upstream along a raging river.
Day 3: Fought hundreds of wild wolves.
Day 4: …
Like a disaster, wherever Sora went, chaos followed, disturbing the forest's wild inhabitants.
Hungry, he hunted wild game; thirsty, he drank sweet mountain spring water; tired, he rested in caves or on trees. Every day was eating, resting, sleeping, and training, training, and more training. Feeling the power inside him grow daily, Sora was extremely satisfied.
Thus, a month passed in fulfilling training…
…
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In a deep mountain somewhere, rhythmic loud sounds echoed. Deer fled, birds flew away in panic.
In front of a steep, massive "cliff," a shirtless boy stood in a horse stance, gripping a purple-gold longsword, repeatedly slashing at the empty air ahead.
If anyone else were here, they would be shocked by the scene!
Each swing sent a white energy blade shooting forward, leaving a sword scar dozens or even hundreds of meters long on the "cliff" face.
"9997… 9998… 9999… 10000!"
"Hah… hah… finally finished today's task!"
Panting heavily, Sora sheathed his sword and stood upright, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Though cooler than the city, the July weather was still harsh. After such intense training, even Sora felt overwhelmed.
"This spot's ruined too. Looks like I need to find another place."
Looking at the cliff covered with crisscrossing sword scars, Sora muttered.
Three days ago, this was a lush green mountain peak. Now, half of it was destroyed, turned into a wasteland by this forest vandal, becoming the "cliff" it was now!
Luckily, no other humans were here besides Sora, or he'd be in serious trouble for environmental destruction.
With no guilt, Sora picked up his tattered clothes from the ground and left without hesitation.
It was still early, and he wasn't in a hurry to find dinner. He planned to rest first. Knowing there was a waterfall pool nearby, he decided to wash off his stinky sweat and cool down there.
…
Boom boom boom boom! The rushing river water fell from over twenty meters, crashing against rocks below, spraying countless sparkling droplets.
Lying directly under the waterfall, letting the water pound his body, an ordinary person would have been hurt by the strong pressure, but Sora felt nothing but a soothing massage-like comfort.
Yes, this was Sora's unique natural massage technique!
After training all day, he was exhausted. As he relaxed, drowsiness overcame him, and he dozed off under the waterfall.
How long he slept, he didn't know. Amid the noisy waterfall, he seemed to hear the voices of girls:
"Ah… so comfortable. After training, soaking in this cool pool makes life feel like it has no greater pursuit!"
"Mm-hmm, Ena also thinks it's very comfortable. Kaoru, isn't this place great?"
"Great, great! I really envy Ena. The mountains are so much more fun than the city!"
"Hmph, that's because Kaoru lives in the city every day and says that. If you try living every day having to chop wood and make fire just to boil water, you wouldn't think that way!"
"Hahaha, that's true. Ena, who lives in the mountains every day, also has a hard life. By the way, Yuri, how much longer are you going to dawdle? There are no boys here, are you afraid we'll take advantage of you or something?"
"Hehe, Yuri is always like this. Let me help you!"
"Ah… no… no, I'll do it myself!"
"Damn it!!! Yuri's is actually this big? Did you wrap it with cloth before? So sneaky!"
"Ugh… Ena, don't… don't touch me randomly, and Kaoru, you too!"
"Hehehe… as expected, bullying Yuri like this always makes me unable to stop! Ena, are you stepping aside or joining me?"
"Hehehe, of course I'm joining! Damn Yuri, such a weak constitution but developed so well. No way, I'm jealous!"
"Ugh… you two, stop…"
…
"Hm?"
Sure that he heard correctly, it really was the sound of girls laughing and playing. Originally still drowsy, Sora was now fully awake.
"This voice… why does it sound familiar?"
Extremely puzzled, there were three girls' voices, two of which Sora seemed to recognize somewhat.
Having stayed in the mountains for over a month, always alone without anyone to talk to, suddenly encountering others like himself made Sora a bit excited. Without thinking, he jumped out.
Well, just at the moment he jumped out from behind the waterfall, a lightning bolt flashed through Sora's mind—he seemed to have made a very foolish mistake just now…
But it was already too late!
Splash!!!
As Sora jumped out from the waterfall and stood in the pool, the three girls who had been playing immediately stopped and turned around in shock to see Sora suddenly appearing completely naked.
Of course, Sora was also looking at them, who were equally naked…
Silence… silence… the atmosphere became eerily quiet for several seconds as they stared at each other without a word.
"Ha… haha… hello, Kaoru, Yuri."
"Uh… and this lady with long black hair…"
With a twitch at the corner of her eye, looking at the three girls opposite who were still dumbfounded with their mouths open, Sora felt extremely embarrassed and could only grit his teeth and greet them…