Chapter 31: Them again

Hit's following week proceeded in a similar manner, with the boy diving up and down from the 18th floor, every day. The 19th floor became his lower limit; however, it was still an incredibly deadly place, and provided ample areas to practice elaborate manoeuvres through dense and intricate forests. Hit's supply of herbs was also flourishing, something that he was eager to sell once he reached the surface. Trips to the floors above were also entertaining and filled Hit with a growing sense of anticipation. Each time Hit passed the great wall of sorrow, he stared at a silhouette, longingly. The goliath was steadily growing larger, and more intricate, behind the crystalline walls. Soon, it would be ready to be birthed.

Meditation was also at the forefront of his daily activities. Tides of time would soon be ready for use, since Hit was steadily accruing a substantial amount of latent time energy. There was no point in using it now, as its activation would likely waste his entire reserve. The ability to accrue time had a 'snowballing' effect to it: the more energy Hit stored, the more quickly his reserves would increase. This lengthy task was therefore far longer when starting from zero. Hit also mused over his Subliminal Time Skipping, which was still very limited. If he could somehow combine it with ultra instinct, he would be unstoppable. Unfortunately, the technique simply did not match his person. Instead, he would need to grow stronger, and improve his body's agility and other basic abilities. Apparently, an increased magic stat also elevated the bearer's mental clarity.

Time release, Hit's strongest attack, was a ki based invisible energy blast in his past life. Here, it would have to utilise latent time energy entirely, or become a new spell. Annoyingly, Tides of time and Time release would therefore be battling for the same energy reserves. He could always make it a new spell; however, Hit wanted his magic to be more tactical. Powerful magic necessitated a longer charging time, and would be determined by a magic stat. If time energy reserves were used, the powerful technique could be used instantly, essential for his fighting style. Hit felt grateful that he could at least skip time for much longer than in his past life. He had spent the meditative sessions skipping time as much as he could; even after ten minutes of consecutive use, he still only felt slight fatigue. Slowly, the days passed, until 13 nights had come and gone.

Today was the 14th day of his holiday, and Hit was determined to defeat a Bugbear. He did not need to venture long, across the 19th floor, and successfully came across one tearing through a slimy beehive. The creature initially remained firmly in the dense woodland; however, Hit managed to coax it out (by drop kicking it in the face a few times), and was now battling it in the open. Hit flipped backwards to allow a clawed paw to fly over him and skipped time.

*Shing*

Hit positioned his fist over the Bear's forearm and performed a one-inch punch. Purple rays blossomed outwards as time passed once more, as well as a harsh crack. The bear roared as its radius and ulna had shattered; its limp arm flopped in the wind. Hit needed to be fast: The Bugbear was still stronger than him, and if he did not stop it now, the creature would enter a frenzy, and tear through the floor. Hit skipped time again and activated his [Time Lag]. The creature had stopped to focus on its wound, allowing Hit to finally cast the spell, covering it in a purple glow.

'I should have really strategized this better.' The simple desire to defeat a powerful enemy, had overridden any thoughts on detailed strategy.

*BZZZ*

Hit heard a familiar noise and stared upwards: it was a Gun Libellula. The bug had just flown out from the canopy, mouse-like creature in its mandibles, and was relatively close to ground level.

*Shing*

Hit ran under the dragonfly, and jumped upwards, grabbing onto the creature's legs while time was skipped.

*BZZZZ!*

The dragonfly dropped its meal and whirred about, frantically. Its abdomen flexed repeatedly, attempting to spear Hit, but the boy dodged each and every strike using his time skip. Seeing that it couldn't shake the unwanted cargo, the insect soared upwards in desperation. Hit gritted his teeth and kept his eyes on the Bugbear below, which was steadily breaking free from his spell. Hit and the Libellula performed a mad dance, careening through the sky, this way and that. The odd sight caught the eye of a travelling band of adventurers.

…

The Loki familia trudged through the final stage of their journey, back from the 59th floor. The prospect of a lovely holiday at the Under Resort, filled the weary adventurers' hearts with glee. Tiona Hiryute glanced upwards, using a hand to shield her face from the harsh light shining down. "Hey boss... What's that up there?"

Finn hummed, and stared upwards, towards where the girl was referring to. The pallum's eyes widened at what he saw. "Someone's in trouble! They're being carried away by a Gun Libellula! Level 5s and up, follow me."

Finn dashed off, with Tione, Tiona, Ais, Riveria, and Gareth instantly falling into line.

Bete followed, tailing after them. "Huh? What kind of idiot would let that happen?"

His companions ignored him and carried on, until reaching a plain. They were not alone, as a Bugbear lay in wait; although, it was enshrouded in a strange purple glow.

Bete Loga quirked a brow at the strange sight. "An irregular…? The hell's it doing?"

Tiona ignored the bear for now, which seemed to sluggishly remain in place in a familiar manner, and stared upwards again. It was difficult to pinpoint any fine details, but the person's clothing seemed familiar. "Wait... isn't that?"

...

Far above, Hit had pushed and pulled at the bug's legs, until the duo was a short horizontal distance from the Bugbear below. Hit tensed his arms and tilted the Libellula's body downwards, keeping its wings pressed firmly down with his boots. The monster screeched as it careened down, with its 'passenger', at an angle created by Hit's swing.

Hit fell down, faster and faster, towards his glowing opponent. The Loki familia members looked upwards, stunned, as the person plummeted to their apparent death. Hit gritted his teeth and stretched the insectoid, using its body as a shield.'This is going to hurt!'

The bear lost its purple hue and rose upwards, with a triumphant bellow.

*GRRROOA...*

*BOOM!*

The Bugbear roared but was instantly silenced as Hit's shielded boots impacted with its skull. The dragonfly and bear both turned to dust on impact, and Hit skidded along the ground, straining to stop himself.

Finally, he came to a merciful stop, shaking in place. Hit huffed, trail of upturned dirt in his wake. Miraculously, he had only suffered a few fractures, on both legs, since a considerable amount of the force had been transferred to his dragonfly battering ram. It was also the correct choice to buy such protective boots.

The adventurers stood agape at the suicidal act, and recognition flooded through their faces. Tiona was the first to break the silence and squealed in delight. "That... was... AWESOME!"

The energetic girl ran at Hit, using her full speed. Tiona's battles on the 59th floor had acclimatised the bubbly woman to exerting herself to her fullest. She stopped, a few inches from Hit's face. "You were totally flying just then! I've never seen anyone use a monster like that before!"

Hit, who was just recovering from his fall and analysing the situation, was quite startled by her proximity. The boy skipped time and instinctively dashed a short distance away.

Tiona blinked and noticed that her friend had 'teleported' nearby. "Wow! You've improved your skill, Hit!"

Hit blinked for a few moments before he recognised the newcomers. 'Oh. It's them...'

Hit would say that he was not overly excited to see them again. In fact, he had begun to truly relish his time down here, alone. He glanced over the weary travellers and noticed their scruffiness and generally sleepy disposition. "You look terrible."

The surrounding adventurers recovered from their shock, some sighing at Hit's first greeting in over two weeks.

Tiona pouted and crossed her arms at the boy. "That's not very nice, Hit. We've been fighting all this time against super strong monsters! ...And even..."

Finn trudged behind the girl and called out to Hit, interrupting his companion. "Hit! It's very good to see you again. Although, I believe there are better, and safer, ways to defeat a Bugbear. Are you here with a party?" Finn smiled at their newest member, already knowing his answer. The existence of the demi spirit, and Ais' link to it, would have to remain a secret. It would only serve as needless stress to the boy, and keeping quiet would minimise the chance of gossip. They would tell him when he was stronger... Which he now believed would take hardly any time at all.

Hit deadpanned at the pallum, before dusting himself down. "I work alone."

Gareth stormed ahead of his fellow executive and faced Hit, with a frosty look. "Aye, ya can say that again... When we reached the safe point, I said not ta run off, Hit. Why didn't you listen?"

Hit blinked at the man, hands in his pockets. "Those were orders? I recall them being words of encouragement. Are you going senile?"

Gareth stamped down and gave out his reply, which was between a shout and a stammer. "I-I am not senile! I told ya, specifically before the expedition, not ta disappear!"

Hit's nonchalant expression did not falter, and he turned to face the dwarf. "I did not disappear. I wouldn't be here if I had. You gave me no time limit."

Gareth pawed at his face and exhaled deeply. "Huff. Brat's got an excuse for everything... All's well that ends well, I guess. We need ta have a talk later, though."

Hit shrugged, not at all regretful for his actions. "I do not see the issue. Besides, I rendezvoused at the camp, to drop off some body parts. Everyone knew of my presence here."

The audience of adventurers froze in place and stared at Hit, as if he was insane. Gareth's jaw dropped at the comment, and he spoke gruffly. "...what?..."

Hit walked off towards the exit, not paying them any mind.

A vein bulged on Gareth's head; he had been getting uncharacteristically worked up recently. "Oi! Ya can't just say that and piss off!?"

Finn Deimne chewed at his thumb, feeling a phantom ache. Sometimes, if the throbbing was barely present, he could not tell whether it was all in his head. "Robed traffickers, you say... And you dropped them off at the familia camp? What is their condition?"

Hit was getting tired of explaining himself. The pallum had been pelting him with questions all the way from the 19th floor. The troupe would soon reach the 18th floor, based on the change in terrain. Hit shrugged his shoulders and kept looking forward. "I have not returned since."

Finn huffed, feeling a growing sense of dread. "I see... I will need to investigate these symbols you referred to further. I'm guessing that you did not notify Rivira? That will create problems... Nevertheless, good job, Hit."

Hit quirked a brow, and turned to Finn, but the pallum shook his head. Evidently, it would be discussed later.

The two Hiryute sisters took the opportunity to sidle up to the boy, with Tiona beginning the chat. "We heard how you beat that infant dragon, Hit! So heroic... And that move against the Bugbear?" The girl squealed and drew even closer to her newest hero, who was aching to skip time and disappear. Tione closed in from the other side.

"Did you level up while we were gone? What we just saw, should be utterly impossible... Such a daring manoeuvre..." The voluptuous woman crossed her arms and pushed her bountiful chest upwards, giving Hit a clear view of Tione's cleavage.

Hit huffed and used time skip to jump a little ahead, out of grabbing distance. "Is there a point to this conversation?"

Tiona seemed to be readying herself to pounce, if her wriggling fingers were any indication. She bounced ahead of Hit, hands held behind her back. The light of the floor above made her gold jewellery twinkle, like stardust. "Get a clue, Hit! When you're being complemented by pretty girls, you should show some appreciation!"

Bete Loga growled and stepped up between Hit and the bouncy girl, sending her an insult along the way. "Shut up, pancake chest! What the hell are you even doing down here, bastard!? You shouldn't have come on the expedition in the first place!"

A growing part of Bete knew his statements were obviously flawed; however, it was a little insulting how quickly this purple runt had grown in strength. Hit and that blasted tomato turd were getting on his nerves. How had they reached such heights in just a month!?

Hit gave the werewolf an admonishing look. "It must be difficult to be both blind and stupid. I neutralised that Bear and that Dragon, proof enough of my might."

Bete's jaw dropped at the rookie, who he never seemed to be able to intimidate. "YOU PIECE OF SHI...!?"

A white blur passed ahead of Bete. Ais Wallenstein added herself to the layer of adventurers that was forming in front of Hit, and interrupted the wolf. "How are you even stronger now... Have you updated your status?"

Hit was a little pleased to see the girl again, but was not about to spill any secrets. "Yes. I have also enhanced and developed new techniques and strategies."

This only served to entice the power-hungry girl, forcing her to shuffle closer to her former teacher. "...What techniques...?"

Hit rolled his eyes and moved past her. "Ones that would be of no use to you". However, he made sure to whisper to the girl along the way. "...later."

Ais smiled lightly and nodded at his passing form.

The delay, caused by the adventurer 'traffic jam', allowed Riveria and Lefiya to catch up. The royal elf looked at him, somewhat approvingly.

"I can see that your magic has improved, Mr Hit. That creature's movements were slowed down to a greater degree than Lefiya's. Also, meet me once we reach the encampment. Don't think for a second, that I haven't noticed your limp."

Hit grumbled, but nodded at the elf. It was true: his [Time Lag] had improved in terms of magic efficiency, activation time, and effectiveness. It was still missing something, though...

Finn's shout called from up ahead, amplified by his command howl skill. "Hurry up, you lot! We're almost there!"

The exhausted travellers raced ahead, using the last of their reserves, until they breached into the sanctuary of the Under resort. Gasps rang out as they beamed at the beautiful sights and sense of tranquillity. They had seen it many times before; however, it was always a welcoming sight after days of risking their lives.

Finn allowed the onlookers to take in the scene, and mentally tallied the arriving members. Satisfied, he faced their next destination. "Alright, everyone. Let's meet up with the others and have a well-earned rest."

His companions gathered themselves, and moved out, looking forward to seeing their friends again.

Author's Notes

Q: How do you know time storage has a 'snowballing' effect to it?

A: I made it up.

Q: Why would Time release use latent time energy now?

A: I made it up.