Despite her naivety, Driya absorbed new knowledge incredibly fast. Because she had skipped the intermediate rank, her understanding was limited. Yet, she could sense—almost instinctively—when spirits were malicious or benevolent. She avoided dangerous places with an intuition that intermediate spirits, who were just beginning to question their surroundings, lacked. Driya was like a blank slate, pure and untainted.
Just being around her infectious positivity made it hard not to feel the same. It was exactly what I needed after battles. Knowing something might happen to her would be devastating, so I decided to share everything I knew about the Spirit Realm and its inhabitants. I warned her strictly to stay away from "very evil and powerful spirits." I had to simplify my words for her, but as we talked, she began using more complex phrases. Perhaps there's a foundational knowledge embedded within spirits themselves, and Driya was unlocking those packets. Or maybe it's the influence of the Spirit Tree's chi? Who knows, but it's a good thing either way.
I was curious to see what bending abilities she possessed. Without hesitation, she demonstrated them openly. As she closed her eyes briefly, the grass around us stirred, and the trees seemed to respond to her call. In the next moment, tree roots burst from the ground, twisting and nuzzling her as if overjoyed to be near her. The calm grass began growing wildly, stopping only when it reached our waists.
Running my hand through the grass, I was amazed by its strength. It could easily halt an enemy's advance and even inflict damage. But her earthbending abilities would only work in the right environment—or would they? I glanced nervously at the spot where a green slime had landed. It had been released from a bright, multicolored flower that grew from her hand right before my eyes. She's a walking weapon! Driya could be called a nature spirit, and her body is a full-fledged ecosystem capable of producing everything she needs. Just now, unable to reach her itching back, she effortlessly extended her arm, which now resembled a vine.
I'm probably worrying for nothing. If she survived as a low-rank spirit, she'll surely endure until she becomes a full-fledged high-rank spirit. Still, I should take her to a safer place with a stronger natural aura. Afterward, I can visit the dark water spirits for one round.
Finding such a place wasn't difficult. The hard part was parting with Driya, who refused to stay alone.
"But why can't you stay with me? Do you want me to talk less? Is that it?" she asked tearfully, clinging to me like a koala.
I felt like the worst person, leaving a child alone in the adult world, even though it wasn't my fault.
"No, you're amazing," I said with a sigh, patting her head. "I just can't stay here too long. Don't cry. It feels like you think you'll never see me again. Look at it this way: what were the chances we'd meet again? But we did, so don't be sad," I finished with a gentle tap on her cute nose.
"Then why can't I go with you?" asked a slightly calmer Driya.
"Uh, you're still too weak," I replied. It wouldn't hurt to tell her. "I live in the human world, and as you know, only very powerful spirits can enter it." Now she'll accept the situation, especially since I've already explained the barrier to her.
"I understand," she said, far too cheerfully. I thought she'd be sad. "I just need to become strong enough to go with you! Next time we meet, you won't be able to leave me behind!" She even pointed at me, overwhelmed with emotion.
That wasn't what I expected, but her idea is even better. It won't be long before she becomes a high-rank spirit. By the solstice, she'll be able to cross with me. The key is finding her again, though I think fate will bring us together.
"That's the spirit," I said with a smile. "Get stronger quickly! And avoid dangerous places. Also, try to find the baboon spirit Wong. He can help you."
"You've said that a million times. I get it already," Driya replied. "I'm not a child, you know. I'm already 120 years old." Well, I shouldn't tell her that among spirits, her age is like a human toddler in a crib.
"Alright, I'm leaving," I said, spreading my arms with an awkward smile. I've never liked goodbyes.
"You be careful too," she said, already in my embrace. "Now I've memorized you even better," Driya added after taking several deep breaths near my neck, just like a puppy…
After a few more warm words, I broke the embrace and continued on my way. By my calculations, there were about four hours left until the end of the winter solstice.
This place is astonishingly unpredictable. Each time I moved away from the lava river, I memorized all the water sources I found. Right where I stood now, there had been a small lake that was supposed to become a swamp soon. But now, I saw an entire mountain range.
Rising to a height and squinting, I spotted the beginning of the ocean beyond the mountains. That's where the waterbenders I needed should be, so I'd have to fly around these mountains.
Carefully circling the peaks, I thought about testing my strength in a battle with a high-rank spirit. With my arsenal of waterbending techniques, I should be able to hold my own in a draw. I think it's worth the risk. The residual chi of a high-rank spirit should give my source a good boost. Plus, I can always flee an unwanted fight. The water platform has proven itself in terms of speed.
As I flew past another mountain, a sense of danger surged. Without hesitation, I flew a great distance away from the mountain, which began to tremble.
The pressure on my shoulders was so intense that even the water platform started to destabilize. The cause was an earthbending giant that had previously blended into the entire mountain. His size rivaled a five-story building.
Talk about summoning the devil. Of course, I assumed Wong hid his true strength well, but only now did I realize the difference between an intermediate and a high-rank spirit. And I don't like it.
Before the platform completely destabilized, I decided to descend. I'd need all the water I had here.
"Aaaah!" the giant roared, finally breaking free from the mountain. He ran straight at me. His speed wasn't impressive, but his pressure significantly slowed me down. It was inconvenient, like wearing heavy weights.
"Wanted to test your strength?" I thought. Sometimes I act impulsively. Just take this monstrosity away. No panicking. We don't even know who'll win yet.
Focusing on the water, I created a giant water drill and launched it directly into the center of his body. I watched intently as the technique sliced through his body, cutting him in half. He immediately disintegrated into chi. I hadn't expected such a good outcome, but a high-rank spirit is still a high-rank spirit. As soon as the drill exited his body, the remaining cut began to heal at a visible speed.
"Alright, the first attempt was a mess, but I'm sure you have some weakness," I thought.
At least now I don't have to worry about water. With his roar, he knocked down tons of snow that had been resting peacefully on the mountain peaks.
Continuing to retreat, I kept sending attack after attack, but the earthbending giant didn't even try to defend himself, plowing forward. As long as he's on the ground, he has an unlimited supply of his element. The earth beneath his feet constantly moves up his body, allowing him to regenerate indefinitely. But my reserves aren't endless.
Dodging his fist once again, I thanked the universe for making these creatures so slow. But I can't escape yet. Despite his sluggishness, he slides across the ground, matching my speed with his movement.
This dance could go on for a long time. There's no point in continuing this fight. I've learned what I needed to. In a favorable environment for a high-rank spirit, their chi reserves are nearly inexhaustible. Second, the quality of a high-rank spirit far surpasses that of an intermediate spirit—too much power.
"Great," I hissed, not even whispering. This bastard started budding, seriously. New intermediate and low-rank spirits fell from his body onto the ground.
Huh, they know a thing or two about battle tactics. The new spirits didn't attack; they just circled me, trapping me in the center. They didn't even give me time to transition to the human world. I need to create a pause.
I had to run away. Creating a compressed water film, I sprinted with all my might in the opposite direction of the spirits. Now, concentration is key.
"Bomb 3, I choose you," I chuckled. What nonsense comes to mind.
Creating my most powerful waterbending technique so far, I immediately sent it toward the spirits running toward me.
Covering my ears with my hands, I curled up on the ground, knowing exactly what would follow.
The force of the explosion launched my entire body a meter into the air. My ears were filled with an incomprehensible noise, and memories of Vietnamese flashbacks surfaced. It was like the time I played an old Vietnam War game. Private Anderson had been concussed by a shell explosion right next to him.
Taking control of the nearest water, I gave myself a cold shower to refocus on what was important.
Carefully peeking out from behind a relatively intact tree, I began searching for my adversaries. In the strike zone, I could see only a massive crater. It seemed clear. Had that attack taken them all out?!
"Well, you bastards, did you get it?!" I shouted, still recovering from the heat of battle. The echo hadn't even reflected off the surrounding mountains when I heard rustling in the ground at the attack site. "How is that possible?!"
A smaller version of the giant, now with a metallic sheen, emerged from the ground. That's his main body. Next time, I need to find it immediately and strike it.
Looking directly at me, he began transforming again. Stones burst from the ground, connecting to his metallic body under the influence of his chi.
Okay, I have time. While he's gathering mass, I should get out of here. Everything was great. I'll visit again sometime. This time, panic served me well. Concentrating on the transition was much easier.
I was about to collapse into the barrier space when, on pure intuition, I created icy claws on my hand and sliced through an intermediate earth spirit. The giant, now whole and healthy, had thrown him at me one last time.
Everything would've been fine, but… the spirit's chi was absorbed into me!
Immediately saturating my body with all the chi I had, I ran straight toward the barrier. It seemed the barrier, seeing such an outrage, let me through much faster.
Assuming the most comfortable position—basically collapsing on the grass at the Spirit Oasis—I waited for the earth's chi to be digested. At least now I can definitely rest. "Good surprise, the situation's so-so, but it was fun," was my last thought before sending my consciousness off to rest.