Red Light, Green Light, 1...2...3! [The Philosophy of Obscuration]

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 5:54 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

Morning light filtered from above, down onto Ulyssia and Jasper as they watched a tall, magical dummy across the clearing. Its metallic frame beamed with sparkling enchantments, its eyes glowing red. But this was no regular target; this was a detecting machine, one that sensed the slightest movement and reacted by discharging a deadly magical attack upon its attackers. And if it saw them, it would shoot a burning ball--the scorch marks on the ground standing as witness to that fact.

"Alright, Jasper," Ulyssia said, turning to her fierce-eyed companion. They didn't need words; Jasper couldn't speak anyway. The premise was simple: whoever reached the dummy first without being seen won, and neither intended to lose.

The Dharga Wolf shook the tension out, taking a deep breath. Her Agility and the cover of the forest were what she'd have to rely on, because today she wouldn't be using her wolf form. Jasper had the upper hand. He could be silent and sneakier due to his ability to blend in. So, Ulyssia had to be extra careful.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 5:58 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

"Ready?" she huffed, not expecting an answer. Jasper's eyes flashed briefly at her before he sighed low and disappeared into the darkness with her.

The earliest meters were simplistic in nature: low to the ground, using bushes for cover. Every single step was labored. Ulyssia breathed steadily, her eyes locked onto the dummy in the clearing while its head arced back and forth, searching for any movement in the woodlands. Beside her, on her right flank, Jasper was also moving cautiously, his white fur blending into the environment.

The head of the mechanical dummy swiveled in their direction, and Ulyssia hastily ducked behind a tree, the pounding of her heart against bark. Beside her, in the underbrush, Jasper was still, except for the narrowed eyes to blue slits. They waited, hardly breathing, while the dummy finally looked away. Jasper clearly had the advantage, but Ulyssia wasn't going to give up.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:03 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

That was way too close.

She blew a breath out and followed Jasper's form; he moved as silent as a well practiced hunter. The Hailstar fell to the rear, ducking under branches and moving only when his attention fell another direction, her muscles in agony from the stillness until she exploded into sprinting.

They were close, and the sensors on the dummy started to stir more actively, picking them up. As she leaned out for a better look, its eyes-- two steady red orbs-- locked onto her. Ulyssia's stomach somersaulted when it whirred and tilted, calculating her distance. Then it hissed and shot a fireball at her.

"Damn it," she hissed, ducking behind a tree as the fireball singed past, its heat brushing her arm. She hit the ground and rolled for cover, her heartbeat racing. Already Jasper was moving, using the distraction to dart through the underbrush and distance himself from the blast zone. She wasn't doing as well as she had hoped.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:17 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

Ulyssia steadied herself, not quite deterred by the near-miss. She darted back into the shadows as the head of the dummy turned toward Jasper, allowing instinct and years of stealth training to take charge. Her muscles were burning from the repeated bursts of motion, but her mind was still sharp. She and Jasper were close now, no more than about 30 meters away from the dummy, and the air had become tight between them, one waiting for a move from the other.

Crouching low, Jasper's blue eyes locked onto the glowing gaze of the dummy, ready to dash in. But as its head turned toward him, Ulyssia seized her chance. In a wild sprint, she burst from cover, her movements erratic to throw off the dummy's tracking. Her quick steps rustled the grass just enough to draw its attention, and the dummy's head swiveled, its fireball mechanism whirring into action.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:18 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

This bright orange fireball shot at her with a hiss, but Ulyssia was ready. She leapt sideways, rolling over her shoulder as the projectile slammed into the ground where she had just been standing only a split second ago. The heat brushed her skin, but she ignored it. In one smooth motion, she pushed herself to her feet and kept going forward. She could hear the faint padding of Jasper's paws as he moved with her, a white blur slicing through the shadows cast by the trees.

Darting closer to the dummy, she felt the beat of her heart quicken in her chest. They were only feet away now, angling each of their paths for the dummy's blind spot. Jasper was faster, surging forward to do the final leap-but as he did, the dummy's head whipped around sharply, perhaps catching him just in time to unleash another fireball in his direction.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:19 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

Ulyssia acted on pure instinct. Throwing herself forward, she quickly grabbed a rock and slung it past the dummy's field of vision; the resulting noise was loud enough to refocus its attention back onto herself. Jasper immediately took advantage, dodging the fireball as he sprang onto the dummy, his claws digging deep into the metal frame. The dummy sputtered, its fireball mechanism whirring to a stop as it struggled to register the contact.

A low, victorious growl rumbled from Jasper's throat, and Ulyssia skidded to a stop beside him, laughing breathlessly. She could feel the residual heat from the fireballs radiating from the scorched patches of ground, and her pulse still raced from the adrenaline. Reaching over to scratch behind his ears, he huffed once, lifting his head proudly. In his blue eyes, sparkling like jewels, there was a smug, satisfied glint that made her shake her head in amusement.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:26 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

"Fine, fine," she said, grinning. "You won, you show off." Jasper let out a pleased rumble, nuzzling her hand briefly before stepping back to regard the dummy as if expecting it to fire up again.

Ulyssia turned over towards the dummy, a consideration to their approach. "We are getting better, Jasper" she whispered, patting Jasper's side where he leaned into her touch. "But that thing is not a joke. We will need to work on keeping up our speed if we want to get closer without taking hits. If that was a real enemy, we would have had a harder time."

Jasper leaned his head to the side, as if in understanding, and gave her a look that almost resembled agreement. She knew the next day would be no different--an equal thrill, an equal challenge. The forest was quiet now, and the light in the skies began to turn as orange as the fireballs they faced as the day began to fade, but the lady of wolves could feel the electric pulse of excitement from their training.

**Ulyssia** · Yesterday at 6:27 pm

Jewels :

4,622,500

Rank :

C-Rank

Race :

Dharga Werewolf

Experience :

41,000

Reputation :

1,100

Class :

Adventurer

Strength :

16

Speed :

1

Constitution :

5

Endurance :

1

Intelligence :

61

Mana :

1,015

Head :

Body :

Ring :

Companion :

Red Light, Green light

They were there another moment at the dummy, observing as the last rays of sun getnly carressed their skin. An unspoken understanding passed between them--a promise of more trials, more near misses, and more triumphs. Ulyssia felt that spark in her chest peculiarly restart. She knew she would be back, ready to push herself even harder. perhaps Raikan was right after all. Leaving Enca was a good decision and a step in the right direction if she sought to get stronger fast.

Giving the dummy a final look, The green-eyed encan reached out and rubbed Jasper's head. "Let us call it a night." she nodded. Jasper fell into step beside her, his tail twitching in satisfaction as they trekked back through the forest, both he and his mistress already considering what the dawn would bring. If they continued at this rate, there was no telling how much stronger they could become.

1,000+

Red Light, Green Light, 1...2...3! [The Philosophy of Obscuration]

Yesterday at 5:54 pm

Red Light, Green light

Yesterday at 5:58 pm

Red Light, Green light

Yesterday at 6:03 pm

Red Light, Green light

Yesterday at 6:17 pm

Red Light, Green light

Yesterday at 6:18 pm

Red Light, Green light

Yesterday at 6:19 pm

Red Light, Green light

Yesterday at 6:26 pm

Red Light, Green light

Yesterday at 6:27 pm

Red Light, Green light

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