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Gaio ch 9
🕑 Added 2024-08-12 00:09:55 +0000 UTCRiku's heart pounded as he recognized the hulking form before him. An Ancient Arbor Fiend, a monstrous fusion of tree and beast that guarded the forest Hollow. Riku had heard of these nightmarish creatures, but seeing one in the flesh was a different matter entirely.
The Fiend towered over him, standing thirty feet tall. Its trunk was a mass of writhing, bark-covered muscles, and its limbs ended in razor-sharp claws. Riku had only heard whispers of these twisted guardians that ruled over the forest Hollows, but now the reality stood before him, a towering abomination that radiated menace.
Riku felt his heart pounding as the hulking Ancient Arbor Fiend loomed before him. With a deep breath, he summoned the Gaio Driver, the sleek device whirring to life in his waist.
"Henshin!" he cried, his voice shaking with a mix of fear and resolve.
Green energy cascaded over Riku's body, rapidly encasing him in the Vanguard Form's exoskeleton. The sleek, insect-inspired armor of emerald and black stood in stark contrast to the Ancient Arbor's gnarled, towering form.
Gaio barely had time to steady himself in his transformed state before the battle commenced. A massive, whip-like root lashed out, catching him square in the chest. The impact sent him flying, his armored body crashing through several smaller trees before he skidded to a halt on the forest floor.
Gasping, Gaio struggled to his feet. The Ancient Arbor's glowing blue eyes fixed on him, filled with malice. Its maw gaped open, dripping luminescent sap that sizzled when it hit the forest floor.
Gaio barely had time to steady himself before the battle a massive, whip-like root lashed out, catching him square in the chest. The impact sent him flying, his armored body crashing through several smaller trees before he skidded to a halt on the forest floor.
Gasping, Gaio struggled to his feet. The Ancient Arbor's glowing blue eyes fixed on him, filled with malice. Its maw gaped open, dripping luminescent sap that sizzled when it hit the forest floor.
Another root snaked out, but this time Gaio's enhanced reflexes allowed him to leap aside at the last second. Yet he had no time to catch his breath, as two more roots burst from the ground beneath his feet, wrapping around his legs and lifting him into the air.
Gaio flailed, trying in vain to break free as he dangled upside down. The Ancient Arbor's wooden teeth gnashed, drawing closer. In desperation, Gaio channeled mana into his fists and pummeled the roots, splintering them and dropping him to the ground.
He rolled to avoid another sweeping attack, leaves and twigs catching on his armor. The Ancient Arbor was relentless, its body constantly shifting and growing. Roots burrowed through the earth, erupting in unexpected places. Branches elongated into whip-like appendages, slashing at Gaio from all angles.
A particularly vicious strike caught Gaio's leg, sending him spinning. He slammed into the trunk of a normal tree, the impact rattling his teeth even through the armor. Dazed, he tried to focus as the Ancient Arbor loomed over him.
For a moment, doubt crept into Gaio's mind. This Fiend was unlike anything he had faced before – its sheer size, power, and alien form overwhelmed him. How could he possibly defeat this monster?
But as another root came crashing down, something clicked. Gaio's body moved on instinct, fueled by the Gaio Driver's power. He rolled, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow, and sprang to his feet.
"Come on," Riku muttered, settling into a fighting stance. "You can do this."
The Ancient Arbor roared, a sound like splitting wood and rushing wind. Gaio tensed, ready for the next assault. He'd been caught off guard before, but now he was starting to understand the rhythm of the fight. This time, he'd be ready.
Gaio's heart pounded as he charged towards the Ancient Arbor. The monster's eyes flashed, and it reared back. Suddenly, globs of toxic sap hurtled through the air like deadly projectiles.
Time seemed to slow. Gaio 's enhanced reflexes kicked in, his body twisting and weaving between the sizzling droplets. He could feel the heat as they passed, hear the hiss as they ate into the ground behind him.
But he didn't stop. Couldn't stop. Gaio focused his will, channeling mana into his right fist. Green energy crackled around his armored hand as he closed the distance.
Gaio charged towards the hulking form of the Ancient Arbor, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. He gathered his meager mana, channeling it into his fist as he leapt into the air. With a guttural shout, he slammed his glowing hand against the creature's trunk, splintering the thick bark.
The Ancient Arbor reeled back, a deep gash carved into its wooden flesh. But the beast's eyes flashed with fury, and in an instant, the forest itself seemed to come alive. Branches whipped through the air like angry serpents, while roots erupted from the ground in a frenzied assault, as if every tree and bush had become an extension of the Fiend's rage.
Gaio ducked and weaved, pushed to his limits. A branch grazed his shoulder, tearing into the leather. He felt a stab of pain but kept moving. Another strike caught his leg, nearly sending him sprawling.
The onslaught was relentless. Gaio's breath came in ragged gasps as he desperately tried to avoid the crushing blows. His clothes, once plain, now bore scratches and tears from the near misses.
But he refused to give in. Each time a root sent him flying, he rolled to his feet. When branches threatened to ensnare him, he broke free with a burst of mana-fueled strength.
As Gaio dodged another volley of toxic sap, his eyes scanned the battlefield. There had to be a weakness, an opening he could exploit. The Ancient Arbor's attacks were fierce but increasingly wild. Its rage made it predictable.
Then he saw it. A pattern in the chaos. A moment when the monster overextended, leaving its core exposed.
Gaio's mind raced, a whirlwind of calculations and possibilities. He had one shot at this - if he timed it wrong, the consequences would be crushing. But if he succeeded...
The young hunter took a deep breath, centering himself. In that moment, the world seemed to slow, and Gaio focused all his concentration on the task ahead.
The Ancient Arbor lashed out with a massive, writhing root. This time, Gaio didn't dodge. Instead, he grabbed the thick, bark-covered limb, letting the monster's own strength catapult him into the air. As he soared towards the creature's twisted, snarling face, Gaio's armor began to glow with an emerald light.
"Vortex... CRASH!" he roared, the words echoing through the forest.
[VORTEX CRASH] The Gaio Driver responded to Gaio's will, its metallic frame expanding and glowing with energy. The device's insect-like emblem pulsed with power.
Green energy exploded around Gaio as he spun into a devastating kick. His foot connected with the Ancient Arbor's vulnerable core in a blinding flash of raw power. The monster's roar of pain shook the entire forest as Gaio's finisher tore through its defenses, leaving a glowing, insect-wing pattern on the ground below.
...
Gaio stood panting, his armored chest heaving as he stared at the fallen Ancient Arbor. The massive creature lay motionless, its trunk split and splintered where his Vortex Crash had connected. The forest around them was a mess of broken branches and churned earth, a testament to their fierce battle.
As the adrenaline began to fade, Gaio felt the weight of his actions settle upon him. He had done it - taken down an E-rank boss Fiend on his own. The realization was both exhilarating and terrifying.
Deactivating the Gaio Driver, Riku let his transformation fade away. He winced, feeling the bruises and scrapes from the fight now that the armor was gone. But his discomfort was quickly forgotten as he approached the fallen Ancient Arbor.
…
The wood gleamed with an otherworldly sheen, even in death. Riku ran his hand along the trunk, marveling at the intricate patterns etched into the bark. He knew this material was incredibly valuable. Ancient Arbor wood was prized for its magical properties, used in everything from high-end furniture to powerful artifacts.
And then there was the crystal. Riku's eyes locked onto the pulsing blue core nestled within the shattered trunk. It was easily the size of his fist, far larger than any monster core he'd seen before. He knew it was a key ingredient in crafting D-rank wooden staff artifacts, items that were well beyond his usual pay grade.
The potential wealth before him was staggering. With just a fraction of this haul, Riku could upgrade his gear and maybe even move out of his uncle's place. It was everything he'd dreamed of as a struggling F-rank Hunter.
The Gaio Driver pulsed with energy as it absorbed the mana from the defeated Ancient Arbor. Riku watched, transfixed, as the device drew in the potent, earthy essence of the fallen Fiend. He could feel the power coursing through him, strengthening his weary limbs.
As the last of the mana was absorbed, Riku felt a shift within him. The Gaio Driver had been strengthened, its capabilities expanded. He feels stronger and his wounds have healed which made him happy.
Riku stood over the fallen Ancient Arbor, his hand hovering hesitantly over the glowing crystal. Doubt crept into his mind as he considered the implications. Taking down such a formidable Fiend was no small feat, typically requiring the combined efforts of multiple teams of E-rank Hunters, or even a few D-rank squads. Riku couldn't help but wonder if the Hollows & Hunters Bureau would even believe that he had accomplished this task alone.
The young man's brow furrowed as he imagined the questions and suspicion he would face from the HHB agents. They would want to know how he had done it, what artifacts he had used. And if they discovered the Gaio Driver, the consequences could be severe. Riku shuddered at the thought.
His mind raced, weighing his options. He could try to harvest the valuable wood and crystal piece by piece, selling them on the black market in secret. But that path had its own risk – if he were caught, he would surely lose his Hunter's license. Alternatively, he could report the kill honestly, claiming he had stumbled upon the Ancient Arbor after it had been wounded by other Hunters. But would they believe him? And even if they did, it felt wrong to take credit for someone else's work, even if that someone was imaginary.
As Riku stood there, torn between greed and caution, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his new power. He looked once more at the fallen Ancient Arbor, its valuable wood and precious crystal calling to him, tempting him with the promise of wealth and status. But at what cost?
Riku's heart raced as he made his decision. The black market - it was risky, but they wouldn't ask questions. They'd pay top dollar for Ancient Arbor materials, no explanations needed.
He glanced around nervously, half-expecting other Hunters to burst through the trees at any moment. But the forest remained silent, save for the occasional creak of settling wood from the fallen Fiend.
"Okay, focus," Riku muttered to himself. He needed to work fast.
First, the crystal. Riku approached the shattered trunk, eyeing the pulsing blue core. He'd never extracted a crystal this large before. With shaking hands, he pulled out his hunting knife and began to carefully cut away the surrounding wood.
The crystal thrummed with energy as he worked, sending tingles up his arms. After several tense minutes, it finally came free. Riku quickly wrapped it in a cloth and stowed it in his pack.
Next, the wood. Ancient Arbor lumber was worth a fortune, but he couldn't possibly carry the whole thing. Riku surveyed the massive trunk, looking for the most valuable sections. He settled on a few choice pieces near the core, where the magical properties were strongest.
Sweat beaded on Riku's forehead as he sawed through the tough wood. His muscles screamed in protest, still aching from the battle. But he pushed through the pain, driven by the promise of wealth beyond his wildest dreams.
As he worked, Riku's mind raced with possibilities. Maybe he could finally move out of his uncle's place, get his own apartment. Maybe even buy some decent artifacts instead of the bargain-bin gear he'd been forced to use. For the first time in years, he allowed himself to hope for a better future.
Riku had finally gathered all he could carry, his pack bulging with precious wood and that massive crystal. He staggered under the weight as he rose to his feet, his muscles protesting the strain.
Just then, a low rumble shook the ground, and Riku's eyes widened in alarm. The Hollow was starting to collapse. He had to move, and he had to move now.
Gritting his teeth against the pain and exhaustion, Riku broke into a run. He crashed through the underbrush, branches whipping at his face as he sprinted for the exit. The rumbling grew louder, trees groaning and snapping behind him as reality began to fold in on itself.
Riku's lungs burned, and the pack seemed to get heavier with each step, but he didn't dare slow down. He could see the shimmering portal ahead, his ticket back to the real world.
With a final burst of speed, Riku hurled himself through the opening. He tumbled onto hard concrete, gasping for air as the Hollow sealed shut behind him.
For a long moment, Riku lay there, his chest heaving as he tried to process what had just happened. Then, slowly, he pushed himself up to a sitting position, his eyes darting around to take in his surroundings. He was back in the abandoned lot where he'd entered the Hollow, on the outskirts of the city.
Relief washed over him. He'd made it, and his pack was still there, bulging with its precious cargo. Riku allowed himself a small smile. Now came the hard part – finding a buyer.
