The Way of the Force (The Heavenly Throne Book 2), page 1
The Heavenly Throne
The Way of the Force
Yuri Ajin
Lit Orange
Copyright © 2019 Yuri Ajin
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Introduced by Lit Orange
Translated by Nevena Markovich
Edited by Sanja Gajin
The Way of the Force
True Force unleashes one’s inner power. It determines the strength of martial arts practitioners.
Kai found a new life, a new home, and even a new family in a world vastly different from his own.
However, he lost it all in a blink of an eye. Life as he knew it was gone overnight. But before he allowed rage and despair to overcome him, he discovered an ancient city, and got a chance for revenge...
Now his path leads east, to the capital of the Alkea Empire ― to his sister Julie and the strongest sect in the country that could aid him in his development...
Development of his strength and skills in a world ruled by martial arts!
Chapter 1
THE BERSERKER
Having dodged the claws, Ash jumped back. His short, blond hair was disheveled due to the sudden movement, and his left shoulder was wounded. It would’ve suffered more damage had he not ducked in time.
He was your average, scrawny guy, and his opponent was a fast, five-feet-tall Stone Wolf at the end of the Mind Endurance Stage, covered with a grayish crust of dirt that looked like strong armor.
To make matters worse, the wolf wasn’t alone. Together with its friend, it attacked Ash, whose tough face showed only slight concern. As a warrior who had recently reached the first level of the Mind Stage, he wasn’t too worried about his well-being.
However, his friends, who were fighting another group of wolves, couldn’t say the same about themselves, which was why Ash was worried about them more than about himself. He had to hurry up and deal with his opponents.
Behind them was a caravan, inside of which were civilians and, more importantly, their lady. Ash had vowed to protect her a long time ago. And he wasn’t about to go back on his word!
Deflecting another attack and somersaulting to the side, he landed on his feet. Clutching the hilt of his sword tighter, he focused, and, taking advantage of the second of time he had gained, sent a stream of his ki into his hands and arms.
The Earth-rank blade started vibrating, sending invisible waves.
“Wind Fury!” Ash yelled and three whirlwinds rushed at the beast.
The wolf had no time to react and protect itself. The blows of the Earth-rank technique, each of which could grind the trunk of a powerful oak tree into splinters, hit it in the face.
What Ash didn’t expect was that the only result of his attack would be a crack in the “armor” on the wolf’s forehead. Fortunately, a moment later, the beast began to howl in pain, shaking its head as if it was trying to come back to its senses: one of its eyes was badly wounded. Ash grinned. However, his joy didn’t last long. The second beast was already rushing at him.
“Shit!” he cursed in panic. He didn’t have the time to dodge the attack. He just barely managed to escape the monster’s jaws, but its huge paw hit him in the chest. If it wasn’t for his Earth-rank armor, it would’ve made a deep wound.
His mouth was full of blood. Spitting and ignoring his sore ribs, he got up. There was no time for lying around.
The pack had attacked them out of nowhere only a few minutes ago. They had probably noticed the caravan from afar and rushed at it. And even though there were as many as two dozen guards at the Muscle Endurance level, plus five more at the Mind Stage, they were still having a hard time against nine wolves.
Ash, being the strongest one in the group, had to take on two at once. Four other guards of his level took one each, and twenty other guys at the Muscle Endurance level dealt with the rest. Nevertheless, each wolf was at the final level of the Mind Stage, which made them tough opponents even for Ash, let alone the other warriors.
Miraculously, they were still doing pretty well.
One of the wolves was mortally wounded. Ten guards were able to drive another into a corner with their spears. Ash believed that if he could hold on a little longer against his opponents, the rest of the guards would soon come to his rescue.
Having defeated the two wolves, the guards rushed to their comrades’ aid. Soon, they would destroy the whole pack. Ash only needed to hold on a little longer...
Had it not been for two things, they wouldn’t have stood a chance.
The first were the holes in the “dirt armor,” which the guards mainly aimed at.
The second was their equipment. As servants of the great aristocratic family of Stenshet, they all owned Earth-rank weapons and armor. They remained protected, while the wolves had the opportunity to feel the energy-enhanced steel of their swords and spears.
Having taken a quick look around the battlefield, Ash saw something frightening. One of the wounded wolves howled, attracting the attention of its brethren. After that, it began to increase in size, while its eyes slowly filled with a bright, red flame.
“It can’t be...” Ash whispered in bewilderment, watching as the other wolves rushed to it. “The Berserker...”
But there was no time to waste. Two of his opponents had already turned around, ready to run and support their friend.
“Oh, like hell you will!” he yelled. “Wind Pillars!”
Without worrying about his energy reserve, Ash used a rather advanced technique. He had no other option; he couldn’t allow them to help the Berserker.
A dozen small balls of light burst forth from his blade. Flying up, they swirled over the heads of the wolves. A strong gust of wind enveloped them and knocked them to the ground.
And although the wolves were only immobilized, Ash considered his task completed. With a terrifying growl, the two turned to face him. The moment the technique’s effect ended, they ran toward him.
I need more time... I almost have no energy left...
Having figured out his next step, Ash ran to the forest, leading the monsters away from the caravan.
However, with every step he took, he became more aware that he wasn’t fast enough. The wolves were catching up.
Covered in bruises, scratches, sweat, and panting, he turned abruptly and put his blade in front of him. Whatever happened, he couldn’t hesitate. He’d fulfill the oath and protect his lady even if it cost him his life. He’d do it without a second thought, hoping that it’d help the rest of the guards fulfill their task.
Fighting back and dodging, Ash was barely able to stand on his feet anymore. His vision was becoming blurry, and the sword threatened to slip through his weakening fingers. Only a couple of minutes had passed, but to him, it seemed like an eternity.
Had his comrades dealt with the Berserker and its minions?
Ash didn’t know but he hoped that they had. He prayed that he wouldn’t sacrifice himself in vain...
Truth be told, this was only the second time in his life that he had encountered monsters. The lack of battle experience upset him. The situation might’ve turned out differently had he fought more monsters in his life.
However, there was nothing he could do about that now. The battle’s outcome was obvious...
Having fought off another attack, he dropped his blade and fell. He had no strength to rise up again.
Accepting that death was inevitable, Ash looked at the creature that was approaching him with a faint smile on his cracked, bloodied lips.
At least he had managed to do something. This wolf was badly wounded, and it would very soon die from blood loss.
Ash wasn’t able to do any serious damage to the second beast, but it would return to its pack without one eye.
Closing his eyes, he waited for death to come and claim him.
A second passed... then another... and then another, but the darkness didn’t come.
Opening his eyes, he stared at the wolf that was standing frozen in front of him, looking into the distance with eyes full of fear. Following its gaze, Ash stared in disbelief at the corpse of the one-eyed wolf. It was lying on the ground, cut in half.
Before the wolf that was near him could do anything, a scarlet crescent reached it. Not perceiving it as a threat, the monster used the most armored part of its body to deflect the attack.
Silent and indifferent, Ash was incredibly shocked when the crescent cut through the monster’s neck like a hot knife through butter.
“What the...?” He opened his eyes wide. He could feel that the attacker hadn’t reached the Mind Stage. So how on earth did he manage to cut through such strong armor?!
Following the trajectory of the attack, Ash saw a young man standing there with long, black hair and sharp features. But what surprised him even more was that the stranger was only at the Muscle Endurance level, and almost naked. The tatters hanging on him could hardly be called clothes.
“Who are you?” Ash asked, still unable to believe that someone on such a low level had so easily dealt with the wolves. How’s that ev
Approaching the man who was lying on the ground, the young man fixed his violet eyes on him.
“Tell me... can you sell me your clothes?” he asked, causing Ash to stare at him in bewilderment.
***
The battle near the caravan was still ongoing. In the most luxurious wagon, which looked more like a house on wheels, there was a girl listening to the sounds of battle, uncertain whether she should intervene or not.
Having sensed the death of two monsters, she sighed in relief. But in the very next moment, she opened her eyes sharply and almost jumped out of her seat. She felt a surge of energy coming from one of the wolves. The loud howl that followed made her frown.
“Monster madness?” she whispered. “But what’s a Berserker doing here?”
The balance of forces immediately changed. The Berserker had called the rest of its pack to its aid. Not only would it be impossible to separate the beasts, but under the influence of the Berserker, they would become stronger.
The girl lowered her gaze; looking at her sword, she was gathering strength to go out. But she doubted herself. Her slender, delicate fingers slowly reached for the sword’s hilt when memories of recent events resurfaced in her memory, making her freeze. She didn’t want another tragedy, so, biting her lip, she forced herself to wait. I need to believe in my guards...
Suddenly, she felt another surge of energy, similar to the one being released upon use of a technique, and then three sources of ki moving away. Judging by the aura, it was coming from her aide, Ash.
The battle continued, but now there were only five wolves left. Huddled together, they became easier prey for the trained warriors who surrounded them.
While the Berserker continued to grow, the rest of the pack, falling under its influence, defended it. Still, they weren’t strong enough to stop the guards. More and more wounds appeared on the wolves.
It was a deadly race against time.
If the guards didn’t manage kill the Berserker during the next five minutes, while it was still growing, that would be the end of them. If they managed, then the other wolves would become easy prey.
If those two wolves that Ash had lured away were here, they would’ve been dead by now...
The battle continued. The number of monsters was steadily declining, but the guards still couldn’t get to the Berserker. Soon enough, the last wolf fell, leaving the motionless beast defenseless.
The guards cheered: they had more than a minute left.
But suddenly everything changed.
The Berserker’s bloodshot eyes flashed. Emitting powerful and frightening wild energy, it grew more than fifteen feet in size. Many of the guards that were surrounding it immediately froze, their knees quivering.
With a wave of its clawed paw, it blew away four guards and gobbled up one of them.
The guards couldn’t believe their eyes. Why did the Berserker wake up so fast?
Clutching their weapons till their hands started trembling, they looked with horror at the monster whose strength had risen to the Soul Stage. Did they even stand a chance against it?
And although no one was in a hurry to run away, almost all of them started retreating, staring at the monster as it gobbled down one of their comrades along with his armor.
Near the wolf were four men at the Mind Stage. They were able to suppress the fear that arose deep in their hearts. However, they didn’t know what to do. A sense of powerlessness overtook them.
Unable to stand it, one of them screamed and rushed at the beast, aiming at a gap in the dirt armor.
“No, stop!” shouted one of his friends, but it was already too late.
With a swift movement of its paw, the Berserker nailed the fool to the ground, crushing his head, spraying blood and brain matter all over the ground.
Sensing the death of one of her men, the girl could no longer wait. If she didn’t intervene now, it would be too late. Even if her life was in danger, she couldn’t let herself just sit and wait until all the guards were dead.
Picking up her sword from the floor, she rose from her knees with great determination. The second she straightened up, she felt a change in the currents.
Ash? She sensed a wave of familiar energy. Was he able to defeat those two? But... who’s that next to him?! I don’t know this aura... What kind of great power does this stranger have?
***
Glancing at the raging monster, the stranger pointed his right hand in its direction.
Ash was about to rush forward, but he remained where he was, observing his savior.
He’s at the Muscle Endurance level, but he’s still so strong. I have no idea what kind of technique he used on that wolf, but does he really think that the same thing will work on a Berserker?
“Listen,” Ash finally spoke up, “this monster has weaknesses — gaps in the armor, there are a lot of them in the abdominal area. However, techniques won’t help you here. You need to engage in close combat!”
“Why?” the young man asked.
Ash stared at him in shock. His insolence exceeded all limits. Was he mocking him?
Once again, he didn’t know what to do. Should he hurry to help his friends or trust this stranger?
His gut was telling him that he should go with the second option. He realized that he wouldn’t achieve anything by rushing at the Berserker on his own.
After the stranger raised his hand, a scarlet haze made out of sword energy emerged from his palm and formed the shape of a large needle, which then contracted sharply, turning as small as a little finger and as thick as a hair.
“What’s that? But... Wait... Isn’t that an Energy Release technique?!” Ash asked.
The answer to his question came immediately.
Having copied this technique during his fight with Shaizan, Kai was able to use his superior control over ki to improve it. By increasing the number of threads and reducing their thickness, he managed to increase the technique’s power. Having learned how to bind the threads even more tightly together, he was able to increase the number of forms this technique could take.
Kai knew well from his past life that the smaller the surface area was, the greater the concentration force in that point would be. Which was what made this technique particularly strong.
Tearing the air and making a sharp whistling noise, the scarlet needle flew toward the Berserker, closing the distance of several feet in a few moments.
Sensing danger, the Berserker exposed the thickest part of its armor to the attack — its forehead. Unfortunately, it didn’t know just how powerful Kai’s attack was.
Growing gradually, the needle pierced the armor. Most of the technique’s power was wasted on piercing the dirt, but what remained was more than enough to reach the brain.
The monster jerked for the last time and tumbled to the ground with a lot of noise.
And while Ash still stood with his mouth wide open, unable to process what had just happened before his eyes, Kai was frowning.
At that moment, he realized that if the monster had correctly estimated the strength of his attack, it could’ve easily evaded it. And then he would’ve had to engage it in close combat...
Chapter 2
NEW ACQUAINTANCES
Looking around, Kai was perplexed, but he remained completely calm. The recovered guards suddenly decided to surround him. And point their weapons at him.
What’s this supposed to mean?
He glanced at Ash, expecting an answer from him, but all he saw was confusion on the guy’s face.
“Get away from him!” shouted a middle-aged man at the Mind Stage to Ash.
“What are you talking about, Darl?!” The young man was indignant. “Have you completely lost your mind?! Didn’t you see that he saved us? Lower your weapons! All of you!”
Darl hesitated; his blade remained focused on Kai.
“You’ve no rights to give orders! He may be one of our lady’s enemies. I’m not going to risk it!” Darl snapped.
“You may be the captain, but you’re an idiot...”
Switching his gaze from Ash to Darl, Kai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They hadn’t managed to so much put a dent in the Berserker’s armor and they thought it a smart idea to threaten him, the man who killed it on his own? What were they thinking?
