Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 89: [Physical Extend]

Episode 89: [Physical Extend]

Several days have passed since Fisu began her leveling-up journey. 

Today, once again, she faces a group of Greater Beasts in battle.  

“”Giirurur!””  

Three of the Greater Beasts stand on a flat rock surface. Two of them are ordinary Gargoyles, their bodies covered in a solid stone exterior, using long-range [Skills] as their primary method of attack.  

“Kyuuraa!”  

The last one lets out a clear cry and activates its [Skill]. Suddenly, a pure white wall rises up in front of Fisu as she charges toward the Gargoyles. This was caused by a rare breed of Gargoyle. As its name suggests, it has smooth, porcelain-like skin with a glossy, rounded appearance.  

“[Physical Boost – Leg]”  

Just before crashing into the wall, Fisu activates her magic. Using her enhanced leg strength, she sharply changes direction, veering around the right side of the wall, continuing her arc toward the Gargoyles. 

The Gargoyles launch a variety of attacks to stop her. By becoming a Greater Beast, they can now do more than just fling rocks—they can summon stone spikes from the ground and extend stone arms that move at will.  

However, none of these attacks land. The enhanced speed of her legs is too fast for their targeting to keep up. Leaving the rocks and spikes behind, Fisu slices through the homing arms of stone and keeps running.  

“Kyurii!”  

The White Gargoyle steps forward to protect the others. Taking the form of a knight, it wields a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, creating a white suit of armor around itself using a [Skill]. Now fully equipped for close combat, the White Gargoyle closes the distance to ten meters and thrusts its sword forward.  

It should have been out of range. 

But the blade extended, snapping forward like a compressed spring. At the same time, stone spikes erupted from the ground to Fisu’s left and right, cutting off her escape.  

No way out—  

“Hmph.”  

—Or so it seemed, but the sky was still open. Using her enhanced leg strength, Fisu easily leaps over the tip of the blade.  

“Kekyaka!”  

The White Gargoyle grinned. Only six more steps to reach striking range with its axe. Even though Fisu was leaping in mid-air with her momentum, the Gargoyle knew it could swing its white sword faster than she could close the gap.  

With its blade raised vertically, the White Gargoyle put strength into its arm.  

“[Physical Extend – Arm]”  

Fisu sliced its head diagonally.  

“Kyu, ruu…”  

“”Gugugug!?””  

The regular Gargoyles, seeing their comrade suddenly decapitated, hesitated. A fatal mistake in the middle of a battle.  

The next moment, Fisu’s axe swept through, taking both of them down at once.  

“Nice job, as sharp as ever.” 

“Mhm.”  

Hearing my words, Fisu stopped her magic, causing her extended arm to retract rapidly. It’s like a vacuum cleaner cord being reeled in from the elbow.  

“Looks like you’ve got the hang of [Physical Extend] too.” 

“No, not yet. I still need to make it extend faster.”  

In the earlier battle, she had used her arm-extension magic to defeat the Gargoyles from outside their range. This was the same magic she had been practicing, which also allowed her to extend her hair. She had been refining it for use in actual combat.  

For example, she had even modified her armor. The design now allowed for separations at the elbows and knees so that the armor wouldn’t get in the way when her limbs extended. After many adjustments, she had incorporated [Physical Extend] into her combat style. And it proved to be a very useful magic.  

Not only did it increase her range, but she could also extend her arm around to strike from blind spots or use centrifugal force to increase the power of her blows. There were limits to how far she could extend, and controlling the magic became more difficult if she overextended. But it was still extremely useful.  

“Alright, I’ll grill some meat. Fisu, take a break and drink some water.”

“Mhm.”  

I placed a square container on the rocky ground and headed over to the fallen Gargoyles. Fisu, on the other hand, walked to the container, picked up a ladle-like tool, and scooped up some of the transparent liquid—plain water—and drank it.  

The one-meter-square container was a water reservoir that I had crafted, melting some random metal to form it. The water inside was distilled from the previous day’s rain.  

“(It was all thanks to the red whip)” 

In the past few days, I had truly come to appreciate how fire supported human civilization. Although the red whip didn’t create fire, it emitted heat, which was just as useful. For now, though, it was time to prepare the Gargoyles for cooking.  

“(Better be thorough in examining this rare white one, especially with the ongoing conflict.)”  

I carefully analyzed the rare White Gargoyle, ensuring there was no poison in its flesh. Once it was confirmed safe for consumption, I placed it on a grill.  

“This part’s safe to eat as-is.”  

“Got it.”  

I handed Fisu a plate of blue-blooded meat, and she accepted it.  

She was now accustomed to it. She stabbed the meat with her fork and bit into it. This was to maintain her nutritional balance. Since eating only grilled meat would result in an unbalanced diet, she consumed vitamins in the same way carnivores do.

“[Physical Absorption]”

Of course, humans and carnivores have different body structures, so she was also using magic to assist. In fact, it’s because she could now use this magic that she started eating raw meat. I was amazed at how easily Fis was able to succeed with just the explanation that it would expand the function of the digestive organs.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks.”

She finished the raw meat around the same time the grilled meat was ready. The well-cooked meat was piled onto a large plate and handed to her. As Fisu eagerly devoured the heap of meat, I began analyzing the claws, teeth, horns, and skin of the White Gargoyle.

However, as expected, the materials weren’t useful at the level they currently were.

“(No good, huh…)”

“Mmph… Gulp. Were you checking if you could make weapons again?” 

Fisu asked, having noticed from the way the |Mana| moved during the analysis.

“Yeah, but it was a bust this time too.” 

“The beasts around here aren’t going to help Katsu power up.”

“True, but you never know, right? If I can get stronger, I want to.”

“Why are you so determined to get stronger? You’re already strong enough to take down Sovereign Beasts on your own. Do you really need to get stronger than that?”

“Well…”

I started to question myself. Why was I seeking more strength? 

At first, it was to ensure my survival. In the wild, where the law of the jungle reigns, if I don’t grow stronger, I might be killed by someone with the means to surpass my |Toughness|. That was the initial reason.

Next came admiration. I had been captivated by the majestic figure of the Forest Turtle, enthralled by its overwhelming power. I had wanted to become like that. Now, having gained the power of [Dominion] and even defeated the Forest Turtle I once admired, it could be said that goal had been achieved.

So now, is it for revenge? Am I seeking strength to ensure I can destroy that monstrous root-like creature, the so-called Chaos Beast?

“(No, that’s not it.)”

Although it’s true that no amount of power would feel like enough when the opponent’s identity is unknown, that wasn’t why I wanted to become stronger. In fact, I already possess more than enough strength. Even if it were a Beast Rank higher than a Sovereign Beast, I was confident I could win using my |Toughness| and the weapons of the Sovereign Beasts.

So, the reason I was trying to grow stronger was—.

“—Maybe I don’t really have a reason. I grew up in an unusual environment where I was always striving to become stronger, and now I think I’m just trying to stay strong out of habit. Like a reflex, I guess?”

I gave such a vague answer. But, in all honesty, that was probably the truth. I couldn’t come up with any better reason.

“I see. Because you’re from a Margrave family, huh?”

“Y-Yeah, something like that…”

That was close… I had nearly forgotten about that backstory.

As we continued to advance through the rocky mountains, we eventually entered a region where the density of |Mana| was noticeably thicker. Finally, we had reached the Grand Beast Region.