Looking back on the fight, it would seem I was too confident. I let my guard down, and my ink clone had to suffer the consequences.

I felt bad about it, so I would like to formulate a plan. What surprised me the most, was when the ink cells spoke to me for the final moments.

Although I felt like I was just imagining it. I need more information about the ink cells.

For now I need to strengthen myself. I can not afford to die, I must survive. I don't want to die in a world I just got into.

…

An hour passed, and I now just finished with today's workout. Getting thirsty I grabbed a cup and filled it with water. Thanks to my gathering ink clone, they have made a system where they will fetch water at a set interval time. In other words I don't need to worry about getting thirsty. Especially hunger as well, with them able to do their own tasks they can hunt for food as well.

It's weird though, you would think the ink clone would disperse by now. However, I discovered that they can prolong their current form by consumption of food or water. When I get back, I need to ask Selyne about ink clones.

So many things I want to know, but not enough time…

Tsk* snapping myself back to task“No I need to get stronger first. Much stronger, I don't want to die in a world that I have so many questions for.”

Thanks to my short combat experience with that chicken creature with one of the ink clones, I can now formulate a game plan. In fact I need to keep it as a mental note.

Don’t let your guard down. Once you get hurt there's nothing you can do!

Knowing what I am now capable of. I need to hunt for myself. Need to keep my fair share of the work, or I will make myself look bad compared to my ink clone.

Running out, I set for prey that I can use to better myself combat-wise.

Screaming in the distance I can see that I am being stalked. Leaping into the tall grasses, I await for the confrontation.

Although now that I think about it. Wouldn't they get the upper hand on me? Cuz you know, I don’t know where they are? Oh boy…

Gripping on my swords hilt for any surprise attack I wait for my pursuer.

Grass noises can be heard from the left. I look in the direction with my sword in the direction. Nothing happens…

More grass noises can be heard, but this time from both sides.

I know for a fact that there is only one unsuspecting predator that pursued me. Unless...tsk don't tell me almost all of the creatures have extreme speed.

What a pain in the ass. More grass noises heard from all directions.

A constant whirlwind of noises came, but soon it stopped altogether in speed like suppression.

Where will they strike...left? Right? Up? No… underneath?

Jumping from the ground I saw a dagger like claws slashing at my position. Luckily I anticipated the attack. It was weird how they could move in all directions.

Out came popping a mole dragon. I read about a creature from a folk tale like this when I was still undergoing training with Selyne. It's said that these creatures are just moles with dragon-like features. If anything that makes them stand out from their appearance, it's that they can move extremely fast under the ground. If I can recall they have noise sensors like vision when burrowed.

It would seem I have come across its territory.

Smirking at the mole dragon, “Haha, Lets go digging bastard!”

Descending to the ground I ready my aim at the mole dragon currently in the air.

I thought I had the upper hand at first, but then I realized that it kept spinning. It spun so much to the point where its claws spiraled into like that of a drill.

Not good, I need to get away from its spiral, I don't know if this sword can withstand that tremendous force. The speed is just too strong thanks to the momentum.

I needed to time this. The moment it's within reach I need to kick the mole dragon very hard.

Can I do it? Will I be able to pull it off? Crap the claws getting closer. Ready…..aim….

“NOW!!!” Yes, I was able to kick the moles body, allowing me to come back to the ground.

With the Mole dragon in shock from damage to its rib cage I needed to strike it as soon as I could. Rushing towards the deadly digger, it begins to use its tail to get back on its feet.

Before I could get there it began coiling. Bringing in its entire body, it was obviously charging up for a powerful attack.

Not wanting to suffer the consequences, I roll to the side to avoid the damage.

The moment the tail was released, it released a typhoon of wind with its attack. The collision brought great damage to the landscape. Holes were made in a nearby mountain. It seems the Mole dragon is taking the fight seriously now.

Infusing the sword with ink cells, I make sure to end the fight.

Luckily with the typhoon it was making with its spiraling body, the Mole dragon had no way to counter attack. It seemed like it was fixed positionally. Great, I can take advantage of this.

Although I can only attack for a brief moment, as its typhoon is channeling at me like a laser beam.

Making my way to the back of the Mole dragon, I struck it so many times. So much to the point where it was screaming in agony.

“Awwgghuuooo!!!!!” Due to being closer to him the laser beam typhoon would soon reach me, so I need to constantly move while attacking him.

It's struggling to stop with the attack. But, I don't hesitate to end its life.

Using its momentum against him, I let his body do the rest of the work while I stab my sword in its innards. With it spiraling out of control, my blade razed him into bits and pieces. It was a bloody mess, its guts and blood were torn to pieces and spewing everywhere.

Uwah~ I over killed the thing… oh well I confirmed to myself how much stronger I am at least.

Let's go back. I'm too damn tired from this fight… I hope that was the only mole dragon in the area, I read that a group of them were even more dangerous when together.

Drawing another ink clone, I survey the surrounding area while my real body rests. I can draw more to make this job faster, but my chances to transfer my vision/soul to a specific ink clone is limited. I could try to learn how to do this but I want to prioritize strength at the very moment.

I'm too tired. I rather sleep at the very moment, the clones can do whatever...

When I woke up sometime later, I had no idea of the environmental changes that would occur during my absence. Icicles began forming, snow began raining instead of droplets. Glaciers formed instantaneously outside the foot of my camp.

There it was, both of my ink clones were stuck in the icebergs. Having no sense of motion it would seem that they passed away. I can assume that the moment the iceberg is melted they will begin to disperse back into wherever they belong to.

No way...is this place that I am in, “that place”? Filled with many powerful creatures, able to withstand the forced environmental adaptations. Some Days it'll be spring, some days it'll be icy cold like winter, and some days it will be as hot as the desert in the summers, majority of time all of life is usually filled with nothingness…

Looking at the ink clones again, it seemed that they indeed did become all bones.

If I recall this place that has ever changing seasons, was called… Rainbow Peak.

I know, I know this place's name is very misleading, but it was whoever named it. Maybe there is a reason as to why it was named Rainbow Peak anyway. I can't recall the name of the author, however there was an autobiography of his adventures and story that I read. It was a really interesting book, maybe I shall share it with everyone someday.

Well enough rambling. I need to see if I can free the ink clones. I need information.

Granting the sword fire properties I slowly thaw out the ice, until it melted. It took a while but I hope the one that was surveying had something on him.

Looking at his pockets all I could read were the letters in blood, “run away!”?

What for? Hm...this doesn't bode well for me. Gathering what I can I draw up a few ink clones to gather the food supplies, and tools to relocate.

We were able to find a tree to make our stay. Looking at the clock from my emblem the time seems to be three o clock? Jeezes its 3 o'clock already. Thank god for the indicator in time of day. Apparently I slept for an entire day? How tired was I?

Creating a fire, we all rest under the heat. Against the winter conditions we all have enough supplies to last myself for a long time for the winter. The clones as well can just rely on water. When the next season sprouts I need to look for more food and gather supplies.

Moments later I had to lecture an ink clone to stop over drinking the water meant for me. Thanks to them we all need to go out in the cold to collect ice chunks.

Tink* Tink* what a pain in the ass, gathering chunks of the ice is going to take a while. We could melt a portion of the ice, but if we did that there would be an iceberg raining down on us. And I don't want that to happen to me.

After a while we gathered enough ice chunks to last the icy winter to melt into drinkable water.

With the last of the ice chunks, I thought things would go smoothly and we can all just relax in the cold winter. However, one of the ink clones got murdered in the snow storm.

They dispersed in mere seconds, it would seem whatever this creature was it out classed me in strength.

I ordered them all to separate in different directions, and we all ran to different directions.

I hope the creature didn’t choose the right one. It would be bad if he got the jackpot. After all I am the genuine physical one.

Running and running, I can hear pouncing noises behind me.

Crap This is not good. He trailed the right one.

What made it worse was when I hit a dead end. In Front of me was a cliff, behind me was a creature I had no idea what it was.

Looking back at the powerful foe, I gander at it. What surprised me was not its wolf-like appearance, its speed, nor its threatening aura, and not even its capabilities. No, it was the fact that not only was it able to track me down. In its jaws, I can see the body parts of my ink clones clinging onto its teeth.

This creature wasn't lucky. No, it was just that. Powerful. The top of the top, a class of its own.

I realized now, how much my life is at stake, against an apex Predator…

“A whoooo!!” Howling at me. Dropping my belongings except my sword. I grit my teeth. Elongating my body as much as I can while holding my sword. This fight for survival, this encounter is my trial.

We both charge in, screaming at the top of our lungs at each other. Will I win? I don't know...

Chapter 13 End