Chapter 13: Fang Shi (5)

**An abandoned building in Fang Shi**

Another day in a ruined world.

All three of them woke up early to begin their hunt for some food to eat at breakfast.

Their bodies were all in pain from the training yesterday, except for Sergio Von Croy since he was already used to it.

After they ate some breakfast, they started training again.

'My body's still not used to this environment yet. I need to think of a way to maintain my strength inside Fang Shi.' Liu Kai thought as he felt a little sluggish.

Oxygen is essential for the muscles to keep it going. After inhaling air, the heart will pump the blood all over your body that carries the oxygen and delivers it to the muscles.

The oxygen will break down glucose that creates energy for the muscle to keep going. Human bodies need more oxygen when they are active.  The lungs and heart rates increase to keep up with the body's needs.

Liu Kai remembered all of this so he started to open his mouth while moving. He's trying to expand his lungs to inhale a lot more oxygen in the air while moving from building to building.

He was trying to create a breathing pattern to support his body inside of Fang Shi. With the air thinner, the intake of oxygen is much harder. But if Liu Kai can train his breathing to intake more air than what it normally can. There may be a chance for him to move better and last longer even when fighting inside of Fang Shi.

Jin Chow and Sergio Von Croy decided to rest for a while to catch their breaths while Liu Kai continued to move and practiced formulated breathing techniques.

It was quite surprising for Jin Chow and Sergio Von Croy to see Liu Kai move like that since he was the one who had the hardest time keeping up and was always at the back just yesterday. But now, it looks like his body had already adjusted to the environment.

The breathing technique that Liu Kai was using is the secret to his endurance. It's far from perfect but the results can already be seen.

Liu Kai continued to practice the breathing technique he created to assist his body with what it needs.    He can feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest. His body that consumed nutrients from Giant Bugs was accepting the kind of strain he's putting himself in.

****

After eating lunch, they proceeded to have their sparring session. Jin Chow and Sergio Von Croy will fight first and whoever wins will fight Liu Kai. Liu Kai will then fight the one who lost the first match regardless of the outcome of his first match.

They created this pattern to make sure that they can fight each other.

Liu Kai tried to use his breathing technique while fighting but it resulted in him losing focus of the match and ended up losing both of his matches today.

He now has a 2-1 score with Sergio Von Croy while a 0-1 score with Jin Chow who both won against him. Sergio Von Croy also won his match against Jin Chow.

Sergio Von Croy noticed something different from his fight against Liu Kai so he asked what was wrong.

"Liu Kai, I saw that you weren't focused on the match. What were you hoping to accomplish?" Sergio Von Croy asked curiously.

"It's a breathing technique that I created that allows the body to perform better, stronger, and last longer. If I can master it, I think I can move my body the way I want it to at the same degree as when I wasn't inside Fang Shi." Liu Kai explained passionately.

Sergio Von Croy and Jin Chow, who also heard it, was surprised by what Liu Kai said.

"Whoa! Can you teach me how to do it!?" Sergio Von Croy curiously asked.

"Yeah! Me too! I want in on that breathing stuff." Jin Chow excitedly asked as well while putting his arm around Liu Kai's shoulder at the same time.

"Okay, I guess?" Liu Kai agreed, wondering if he could even explain the method to them.

Liu Kai taught Sergio Von Croy and Jin Chow how to do the breathing techniques. He also guided Jin Chow and Sergio Von Croy to create patterns best suited for them.

**The Next Day**

As soon as they got up, they all tried to use the breathing techniques that they created the previous day.

With the addition of the breathing techniques, their training became much harder. They needed to continuously use their techniques while still being cautious of their surroundings to avoid any possible threats.

Even when sparring with each other they used them, while their minds processed every situation during battles to get used to it.

When driving a vehicle for the first time, it can be quite difficult to remember the function of all parts of the vehicle that you need to use to drive it. Aside from that, you need to focus on the things in front of you while controlling the vehicle. But as time goes by, your mind gets used to it that you can drive subconsciously while only focusing on the road.

Just like driving, they also need to train their bodies to get used to their breathing techniques while concentrating on other things that they are doing like in combat. It needs to be second nature to them.

Sergio Von Croy quickly adapted to the breathing techniques because of his prolonged stay inside of Fang Shi. While Jin Chow was having a hard time.

He sometimes slips and falls to the ground or loses his balance when standing on branches of trees. Thankfully, both Liu Kai and Sergio Von Croy was always there to assist him whenever he made a mistake.

Liu Kai was far from mastering the techniques but can already do it subconsciously. He gave it his all to focus on his training and slowly got better as time went by.

In their next sparring session, Jin Chow lost both of his matches because he still hasn't mastered using his breathing techniques while simultaneously fighting.

Liu Kai and Sergio Von Croy had a close fight but Sergio Von Croy still ended up as the victor.

They repeated this training method for the next few days and improved a lot.

Jin Chow can now subconsciously use his breathing techniques while staying focused on other things.

Sergio Von Croy was catching up to Liu Kai, in terms of mastering the breathing technique. However, Liu Kai was unbothered and only focused on slowly mastering his own.

But then Liu Kai had an idea, more benefits from the breathing techniques. What if, instead of using it on his whole body, couldn't he just concentrate his breathing to make just a few parts of his body stronger?

Reducing the strain on the muscles that aren't used, he can allocate the breathing technique on a specific body part, the parts that are needed.

Liu Kai, excited by his thoughts, quickly put his theory to the test. He used his concentrated technique to strengthen his body and shifted it to the parts only needed to move while he relaxed his muscles on the rest.

It needed incredible precision and focus but Liu kai was motivated to do it and master this new technique that he invented.

Another few days passed in which they never stopped their training routines.

Within those days you can already notice everyone's improvement.

After Liu Kai discovered a new breathing technique, he taught it to both of his comrades and added it to their training regiments.

Jin Chow mastered the first part of his breathing technique and proceeded to practice the concentrated breathing which was shifting the muscle strength to a single part of his body to another while moving.

Sergio Von Croy also mastered the first part, as well as slowly mastering the concentrated breathing.

Liu Kai, on the other hand, had already mastered the first part long ago and concentrated breathing a few days ago.

Their respiratory systems became like a machine that sucked tons of air wherever they went.

They trained their mind and bodies' day in and day out, not stopping even when they ate or slept. Before they knew it, two weeks have passed by in a flash.

All three of them have mastered their respective breathing techniques and by this time they can constantly execute them without a second thought. It has truly become second nature.

They also became adept at concealing their presence when strong enemies are nearby to avoid needless conflicts.

Having raised their overall power from their rigorous training and matches, the scores have turned out like so…

Liu Kai now has won 20 and lost 8 of their recorded sparring matches.

Sergio won 19 and lost 9.

While Jin Chow won 17 and lost 11 of their recorded sparring matches.

It seems that Liu Kai gained the most out of their training. Even without having any previous background or training before they met, he showed dominance over the other two, who trained under the Monarchy.

But of course, it was because he gains help from the system. He learned that eating bugs and using his skill 'Berserk' every day can raise his stats.

Liu Kai checked his stats window.

[View stats]

[Status Window]

Agility: 81(+10)*

Power: 72(+10)*

Stamina: 43(+10)*

Mentality: 45(+10)*

Durability: 41(+10)*

Perception: 47(+10)*

*Added while 'Breathing Technique' is activated.

'My agility and strength are far above the rest.' He thought after carefully reviewing the numbers.

Aside from the points that he gains from consuming Giant Bugs, the aftereffect of 'Berserk' played a vital role in increasing his agility and power.

[View all skills]

[SKILLSET OVERVIEW]

-Berserk (Passive)

-Alter (Passive)

-Probability (Active)

-Concentrated Breathing (Active)

[Techniques]

-Master of Body (1st part/Breathing Technique)

-Master of Body (2nd part) (LOCKED)

-Master of Body (3rd part) (LOCKED)

-Master of Body (4th part) (LOCKED)

[View Master of Body]

-Master of Body (1st part/Breathing Technique) (Passive)

-The first part of mastering the body. A natural way of enhancing human capabilities. Will add 10 points to all of the stats of the user.

'What is this?'

Liu Kai thought to himself filled with excitement.

[View Concentrated Breathing]

Concentrated Breathing (Active)

- The user will focus his blood circulation to deliver higher volumes of oxygen to just one part of the body. This will weaken other parts and strengthen the one part the user has chosen.

'I knew it! So everything that I learned and will learn will be added as a skill.' He thought as his theories were proven correct.

[View Master of Body (2nd part)(LOCKED)]

Master of Body (2nd part)(LOCKED)

-The user needs to focus 100% at will to unlock.

'What!? I don't understand this.'

[View Master of Body (3rd part) (LOCKED)]

-No information.

[View Master of Body (4th part) (LOCKED)]

-No information.

'I think I need to unlock the 2nd part first.'

Liu Kai thought to himself.

After spending two weeks in training they needed to move on.

They gathered in the same rooftop, where they always spar, to prepare a plan.

"I've only tried getting to the edge of Fang Shi once, I tried to cross but there were no bridges that led through to the next country." Sergio Von Croy explained regrettably.

"Aside from that, the water is deeper on the other side and from the looks of it there weren't that many buildings we can use as footholds."

And to make it worse, I also saw volcanic arcs blocking the paths that can maybe lead us through." He added with a grim look on his face.

"That makes sense." Liu Kai easily agreed.

"What do you mean?" Jin Chow asked with a puzzled look.

Having seen their faces waiting for an answer, Liu Kai explained slowly. "The tectonic plates under the ground are normally moving and this can result in the convergence or divergence of the said plates.

For the past 2 years, Fang Shi has been sinking because of that. However, it shouldn't have sunk that quickly. But maybe because of the movements caused by the Great Catastrophe in the past, that's why it happened so fast.

There's a possibility that the movement speed of the plates changed because of that. The volcanic arcs that you saw are proof that there is subduction between Fang Shi and the next country."

After he was done explaining, Jin Chow and Sergio Von Croy were left shocked and confused by his explanation because they didn't understand everything he said.

"I'm sorry but I don't get it." Jin Chow said now with a more puzzled look on his face.

"You're quite a smart guy huh? I don't really understand it myself so just tell me what we need to do." Sergio Von Croy said.

Liu Kai sighed and couldn't help but facepalm from their response.

"Okay, our first concern is our footing, we can rearrange our plan after we get there." Liu Kai explained.

"Actually, our first problem is 'how' we get there. I was just lucky that I even went and got back from there alive." Sergio Von Croy shook his head reminded of what happened.

"What do you mean Croy?" Jin Chow asked.

"Multiple S-Rated Bugs are roaming around that area unlike where we are. While S-Rates are rare, A-Rated bugs are what shows up the most." Sergio Von Croy explained.

"What type of bug are they?" Liu Kai asked.

"Giant Water Striders." Sergio Von Croy answered.

They all went silent. Sergio Von Croy remembered how a single Giant Water Strider slaughtered his entire squad members. He can't even begin to imagine taking on multiple ones.

Jin Chow got traumatized by the attack of a single Giant Centipede wiping out his teammates. He was shaking in fear just thinking about facing another S-Rated Bug and a bunch of them at that.

But Liu Kai thought differently. He was thinking of a solution, instead of wallowing in fear of the consequences that might happen if they fail. His thoughts were only filled with ways for them to succeed.

Maybe because he didn't experience what they had to go through or maybe it was the confidence from killing a Giant Cockroach in just one punch and toying with that Giant Wasp after his passive skill 'Berserk' activated.

He didn't care, they still had to find a way to go through no matter what. And that's what he's intent on doing.

"Water Striders won't matter. They can't detect us as long as we don't go in the water. That's why our biggest problem is footing if there're no footholds we have no choice but to deal with those bugs.

The next problem is how we climb to the next country. But I already have a plan for that." Liu Kai explained snapping out both of them from their flashbacks.

Are you both still in?" He asked glancing at both of them waiting for an answer.

Jin Chow and Sergio Von Croy looked at each other and nodded.

Before all of this, Liu Kai was just a normal person who happened to receive some good skills. But look at him now, formulating a strategy for esteemed knights on their mission, trained in the great country of Monarchy. And he was the one commanding both of them on what to do.

"That's good to know, let's get started!" Liu Kai exclaimed as they headed on.