Limits.

I asked "What type of offer do you have in mind?" . She responded "Good, you are willing to negotiate . This means, your mind is not set on rejecting" . She then continued "What if we helped you break through your limits?" . When she said that, the Avians around her seemed surprised and started talking . She raised her wing and all the Avians quieted down .

I asked "What do you mean by, helping me to break my limits?" . She said "There is one more herb, which is the rarest of the ones we possess . It grows very slowly, and is usually reserved for the King . I didn"t eat it yet and I"m willing to offer it, for your services" . "This is truly tempting . If I could break through my limits, my strength would advance to a completely new level . But, what they are asking me to do, is not an easy feat . I don"t know if dying couple of times, will be enough for me to complete it" I thought .

The deal was really sweet, but the dangers of actually exterminating those creatures, were extremely difficult and dangerous . I decided to inquire more about that herb "What guarantee do you have, that I will break through my limits, when I eat that herb?" . She said "100 percent . This herb allows those who eat it, to instantly break through their limits . Of course, it has its limitations . The herb, only allows to break through the so called Inner Limit . Judging your strength, you should be at the doors to that limit right now . I am as well, but I"m willing to sacrifice it" .

"Inner Limit? So how many limits are there?" I thought, and asked "Can you explain more about limits? I have no idea, how many there are and at which I am currently" . She nodded her head and said "The first limit you break through, is called Outer Limit . You already broke through it, otherwise, you wouldn"t be able to enter the North" . I interjected her and asked "Does that mean, the border line that separates the North from the Great Forest, has a specific requirement?" .

She nodded her head and said "Yes . Humans who didn"t break through their Outer Limit, are not able to enter . On the other hand, Northern creatures that broke through the Outer Limit, can"t go out" . I said absentmindedly "Just who or what created that borderline?" . The King of Avians said "I don"t know . It"s been there since ancient times" . I wasn"t expecting an answer, I just wondered about that out loud .

I said "I did probably break through the Outer Limit then, but what about the Inner Limit? I"m not sure, if I"m at the doors to break it . The Leader of Corpse Dogs was much stronger than me . Did it break through the Inner Limit then?" . She Shook her head and said "No . He was at the door, maybe I misjudged you . But that doesn"t change the fact, that using the herb, will allow you to break through the Inner Limit anyway" .

I asked "What is after the Inner Limit?" . She looked at me and said "It"s the Primal Limit . Before you ask anything else . I have no knowledge of any other limits . I only know that creatures who broke through the Primal Limit, are like legends" . She then continued "The Outer and Inner Limits, contain Half Steps as well . In other words, when you break through to the Outer Limit, you will face a wall in the middle . You will have to break through that wall, before you can reach the real limit, and try breaking through, to the Inner Limit . The same is with when one tries to reach Primal Limit" .

I said "Then I must be at that Half Step, and I haven"t reached the doors, to the Inner Limit yet . That was why, the Leader of Corpse Dogs, was much stronger than me" . She nodded and said "That must be it . So, what is it going to be? Are you going to take my offer?" . I thought about it for a while, and then replied "I have one more question to ask" .

She said "Sure, go ahead" . I asked "What are the side effects of ingesting that herb?" . I could see her face become visibly grim . She said "You are not an idiot indeed . There is a side effect . Due to forcefully breaking the limit, you will never be able to advance any further . The King of Avians only ingests it, when they really can"t break through the limits and their life comes to an end . The other use is in emergency, when there is threat, to the whole Avian species" .

"I knew there was something . This powerful herb, must"ve had some side effects" I thought, then said "In that case, I can"t take that deal" . She seemed disappointed and said "Even though you would be stuck at the Inner Limit for the rest of your life, you would be much stronger . Not many creatures that I know of, would be your enemies" .

I replied "I am where I am, due to hard work . If I went by shortcuts, I would probably die already . I almost did many times anyway . I can"t take that herb . Although it"s promising an instant increase in strength, in the long run, it isn"t worth it . As you said, it"s a last resort kind of thing . This is not my last resort, but yours" .

She seemed kind of angry, while I continued "That doesn"t mean, you don"t have something, I don"t want" . The King of Avians seemed to brighten up and asked "What is that?" . I said "The herbs that you gave me already, those do not have that kind of effects . Give me more of them and you can keep the one, which allows you to forcefully break the limit" . She looked at me weirdly and asked "Are you sure? Compared to the worth of the Inner Fruit, that I proposed to you, the others are nothing" .

I said "If I want to break through that wall, I will need more Blood Reeds as well as Earth Grabs . With enough of them, I should be able to break through that Half Step . With my improved strength, I should be able to do something against those tentacle creatures" .

The King of Avians looked at me, and then asked "How many do you need?" . I said "I don"t know how many will make my blood pure enough . I think that 40 should be enough . As for the Earth Grabs, I just need 20 of them" . She said "Alright . We will provide 40 Blood Reeds and 20 Earth Grabs . When you break through, you have to take care of those creatures" .

I said "With your help of course" . She nodded and waved at one of the Avians . She then instructed "Bring 40 Blood Reeds and 20 Earth Grabs to him" . She then turned towards me and said "When you break through your Half Step, wave at the swarm to notify us . We can then form a plan" . I nodded my head, and all the Avians left towards the swarm .

I waited for the Avian to bring me my Blood Reeds and Earth Grabs . After a while, a lone Avian arrived and handed them to me . He then flew back to his swarm . The deal I got, might seem stupid . Breaking through the Half Step, in exchange for exterminating a whole population of those dangerous Tentacle Creatures . "Although the task will be really difficult, I will gain much more than simple Half Step break through of my Limits . The Tentacle Creatures, should possess more of those Water Stones . With those, I could increase the strength of my right arm by a lot . Now, I can also do some experiments, with the herbs I got" I thought .

My real purpose, was to get my hand on more Water Stones, and get my hands on more Blood Reeds and Earth Grabs . I wanted to test, if the herbs had any impurities . For this, I needed more of them . I also wanted to create a condensed version . I went back into the Valley and lifted the sleeve of my coat . I said "Frosty, come out" .

Soon after, Frosty appeared in front of me . I said "Was it because of you, the power of my hand increased?" . Frosty nodded its head . I asked "Why didn"t you tell me before?" . Frosty became angry and made noises, while pointing at me and itself . I said "Ok, so you told me, I just didn"t understand . That"s very useful . What happened with your Water Stone? Did you use it already?" . Frosty spit out the Water Stone, which was noticeably smaller compared to before . I said "Your absorption, is a bit slow" but Frosty shook its head and pointed at me . I was confused and said "I didn"t absorb it" .

Frosty mimicked the tentacle creatures then pointed at my arm . I said "I get it now . So it was used up, when I tried to freeze the tentacle?" . Frosty nodded its head in confirmation . I took out another Water Stone and gave it to Frosty . "Take it, and absorb it . You don"t need to hold back . Just increase your own strength" . Frosty was very happy with my gesture and jumped on top of my shoulder, then licked my face . I said "That"s enough, go absorb it", it then changed into a tattoo . "Time to put my plan into motion then" I thought .I asked What type of offer do you have in mind? . She responded Good, you are willing to negotiate . This means, your mind is not set on rejecting . She then continued What if we helped you break through your limits? . When she said that, the Avians around her seemed surprised and started talking . She raised her wing and all the Avians quieted down . I asked What do you mean by, helping me to break my limits? . She said There is one more herb, which is the rarest of the ones we possess . It grows very slowly, and is usually reserved for the King . I didnt eat it yet and Im willing to offer it, for your services . This is truly tempting . If I could break through my limits, my strength would advance to a completely new level . But, what they are asking me to do, is not an easy feat . I dont know if dying couple of times, will be enough for me to complete it I thought . The deal was really sweet, but the dangers of actually exterminating those creatures, were extremely difficult and dangerous . I decided to inquire more about that herb What guarantee do you have, that I will break through my limits, when I eat that herb? . She said 100 percent . This herb allows those who eat it, to instantly break through their limits . Of course, it has its limitations . The herb, only allows to break through the so called Inner Limit . Judging your strength, you should be at the doors to that limit right now . I am as well, but Im willing to sacrifice it . Inner Limit? So how many limits are there? I thought, and asked Can you explain more about limits? I have no idea, how many there are and at which I am currently . She nodded her head and said The first limit you break through, is called Outer Limit . You already broke through it, otherwise, you wouldnt be able to enter the North . I interjected her and asked Does that mean, the border line that separates the North from the Great Forest, has a specific requirement? . She nodded her head and said Yes . Humans who didnt break through their Outer Limit, are not able to enter . On the other hand, Northern creatures that broke through the Outer Limit, cant go out . I said absentmindedly Just who or what created that borderline? . The King of Avians said I dont know . Its been there since ancient times . I wasnt expecting an answer, I just wondered about that out loud . I said I did probably break through the Outer Limit then, but what about the Inner Limit? Im not sure, if Im at the doors to break it . The Leader of Corpse Dogs was much stronger than me . Did it break through the Inner Limit then? . She Shook her head and said No . He was at the door, maybe I misjudged you . But that doesnt change the fact, that using the herb, will allow you to break through the Inner Limit anyway . I asked What is after the Inner Limit? . She looked at me and said Its the Primal Limit . Before you ask anything else . I have no knowledge of any other limits . I only know that creatures who broke through the Primal Limit, are like legends . She then continued The Outer and Inner Limits, contain Half Steps as well . In other words, when you break through to the Outer Limit, you will face a wall in the middle . You will have to break through that wall, before you can reach the real limit, and try breaking through, to the Inner Limit . The same is with when one tries to reach Primal Limit I said Then I must be at that Half Step, and I havent reached the doors, to the Inner Limit yet . That was why, the Leader of Corpse Dogs, was much stronger than me . She nodded and said That must be it . So, what is it going to be? Are you going to take my offer? . I thought about it for a while, and then replied I have one more question to ask . She said Sure, go ahead . I asked What are the side effects of ingesting that herb? . I could see her face become visibly grim . She said You are not an idiot indeed . There is a side effect . Due to forcefully breaking the limit, you will never be able to advance any further . The King of Avians only ingests it, when they really cant break through the limits and their life comes to an end . The other use is in emergency, when there is threat, to the whole Avian species . I knew there was something . This powerful herb, mustve had some side effects I thought, then said In that case, I cant take that deal . She seemed disappointed and said Even though you would be stuck at the Inner Limit for the rest of your life, you would be much stronger . Not many creatures that I know of, would be your enemies . I replied I am where I am, due to hard work . If I went by shortcuts, I would probably die already . I almost did many times anyway . I cant take that herb . Although its promising an instant increase in strength, in the long run, it isnt worth it . As you said, its a last resort kind of thing . This is not my last resort, but yours . She seemed kind of angry, while I continued That doesnt mean, you dont have something, I dont want . The King of Avians seemed to brighten up and asked What is that? . I said The herbs that you gave me already, those do not have that kind of effects . Give me more of them and you can keep the one, which allows you to forcefully break the limit . She looked at me weirdly and asked Are you sure? Compared to the worth of the Inner Fruit, that I proposed to you, the others are nothing . I said If I want to break through that wall, I will need more Blood Reeds as well as Earth Grabs . With enough of them, I should be able to break through that Half Step . With my improved strength, I should be able to do something against those tentacle creatures . The King of Avians looked at me, and then asked How many do you need? . I said I dont know how many will make my blood pure enough . I think that 40 should be enough . As for the Earth Grabs, I just need 20 of them . She said Alright . We will provide 40 Blood Reeds and 20 Earth Grabs . When you break through, you have to take care of those creatures . I said With your help of course . She nodded and waved at one of the Avians . She then instructed Bring 40 Blood Reeds and 20 Earth Grabs to him . She then turned towards me and said When you break through your Half Step, wave at the swarm to notify us . We can then form a plan . I nodded my head, and all the Avians left towards the swarm . I waited for the Avian to bring me my Blood Reeds and Earth Grabs . After a while, a lone Avian arrived and handed them to me . He then flew back to his swarm . The deal I got, might seem stupid . Breaking through the Half Step, in exchange for exterminating a whole population of those dangerous Tentacle Creatures . Although the task will be really difficult, I will gain much more than simple Half Step break through of my Limits . The Tentacle Creatures, should possess more of those Water Stones . With those, I could increase the strength of my right arm by a lot . Now, I can also do some experiments, with the herbs I got I thought . My real purpose, was to get my hand on more Water Stones, and get my hands on more Blood Reeds and Earth Grabs . I wanted to test, if the herbs had any impurities . For this, I needed more of them . I also wanted to create a condensed version . I went back into the Valley and lifted the sleeve of my coat . I said Frosty, come out . Soon after, Frosty appeared in front of me . I said Was it because of you, the power of my hand increased? . Frosty nodded its head . I asked Why didnt you tell me before? . Frosty became angry and made noises, while pointing at me and itself . I said Ok, so you told me, I just didnt understand . Thats very useful . What happened with your Water Stone? Did you use it already? . Frosty spit out the Water Stone, which was noticeably smaller compared to before . I said Your absorption, is a bit slow but Frosty shook its head and pointed at me . I was confused and said I didnt absorb it . Frosty mimicked the tentacle creatures then pointed at my arm . I said I get it now . So it was used up, when I tried to freeze the tentacle? . Frosty nodded its head in confirmation . I took out another Water Stone and gave it to Frosty . Take it, and absorb it . You dont need to hold back . Just increase your own strength . Frosty was very happy with my gesture and jumped on top of my shoulder, then licked my face . I said Thats enough, go absorb it, it then changed into a tattoo . Time to put my plan into motion then I thought .