20demayo Chapter 238: To Hit 0
Chapter 238: To Hit 0
Jade, nodding, expressed her curiosity, "And what exactly is that?"
Gojaro, seizing the moment to further her training, picked up a short sword from the nearby rack. The sword, while simple in design, was finely crafted, its blade gleaming under the ambient light. "Let's start off with something I can sort of guide you through," he suggested, his voice carrying a tone of instruction mixed with encouragement.
He tossed the blade towards Jade, who caught it deftly, a sense of determination setting into her features. "Let's see if you can channel that same energy through the blade and give it any effects," Gojaro challenged, watching her closely for signs of the budding warrior he believed her to be.
Jade examined the sword in her hands, noting its basic leather handle and the seamless shine of its blade. Holding it out in front of her, she closed her eyes, allowing the familiar process to take over. The visions of the things she cherished—her father's encouraging smile, Ty's unwavering support—flooded her mind once more.
She focused, attempting to draw that same warm, tingling sensation down her shoulders, through her arms, and into her hands.
The energy surged forth from Jade's hands, wrapping around the blade in a dance of light before it dissipated, fading away like mist at the tip of the sword. Jade opened her eyes, her breaths coming in short gasps as a sheen of sweat formed on her brow, a physical testament to the effort she had just exerted.
Glancing at her energy bar, she noticed a decline from 7 to 5 following her attempt to imbue the sword with power. With a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, she looked up at Gojaro, seeking validation or guidance. "So, how was that?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
With a focused mind, she revisited the cherished memories and emotions that had fueled her earlier efforts, channeling that inner warmth and strength through her body, down her arms, and into the gun she held. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she lightly tapped the trigger.
Instantly, a bang of pure, blue energy jetted forth from the barrel, which warped outward from the force of the discharge. The energy blast surged across the space, striking the wall with such intensity that it dispersed in all directions, leaving a visible mark of its impact.
Gojaro, visibly excited by the display of power, couldn't hide his enthusiasm. "There we go, now that's something to look forward to," he exclaimed, as Jade, overwhelmed by the effort, dropped the gun. Her hands began to tremble, a testament to the sudden and intense exhaustion washing over her.
As she glanced up, the digital reading hovering near her showed a stark decrease to 2 out of 10, a visual confirmation of the energy she had expended. Gojaro, noticing her condition, reassured her, "Feeling the fatigue already? Don't worry, that is pretty normal. I'm curious, how much do you have left in you right now?"
Jade, managing only short responses due to her weariness, replied, "From the looks of it... 2 bars out of the 10... What happens... when you hit 0?"
Gojaro, after considering Jade's question for a moment, responded, "Well, for the longest time I've been alive, I've never met someone who can actually see the gauge level. But generally, when someone runs out of energy completely, they either pass out or they dig deeper and find a way to keep going."
He continued, his tone blending caution with a hint of reassurance, "Higher-ups will say you risk dying or something like that, but I wouldn't worry about it overly too much. Just be mindful if you know you're going to have one last attack, that it's something strong enough that you can't be killed afterward."
As he spoke, Gojaro walked over to pick up the Desert Eagle. The gun, transformed by Jade's energy, now had its barrel warped outward, the rust that once marred its surface gone, and the metal protruded outwards in different directions. This physical change served as a stark reminder of the raw power Jade had channeled and the potential risks involved in pushing their limits too far.