Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

62  Power Up

"I need to get rid of them quickly and then look for Father… I guess I should tell Grandpa to buy sspiritual potions to increase my movement speed," Rain thought while looking around. "Perhaps I also should focus on leveling up the skills that increase my movement speed… even though they will consmy stamina faster."

Night after night, Rain stood on guard duty, watching over the village with a vigilant gaze. He knew the monsters could strike again at any moment, despite their recent absence. It seemed strange that they would simply give up after their initial attack.

The passing days brought both relief and frustration. On the one hand, the absence of the monsters provided a temporary respite, allowing the villagers to breathe a little easier. But on the other hand, Rain couldn't help but feel uneasy. He knew that their absence could be a sign of something more ominous brewing in the shadows.

While his duty to protect the village kept him occupied, Rain's thoughts often wandered to his father. He wanted to search for him, to reunite with his family, but he couldn't ignore the imminent threat that lingered in the village. It was a difficult decision to make, choosing between his personal desires and the safety of those around him.

In the end, Meiro told Rain that he could get the potions in one week. He just had to wait for one week, and then he will hunt the monsters on their base, and then he will look for his father. Still, Rain almost had a heart attack when he heard that each minor spiritual potion costs five silver coins.

"I guess the laws of supply and demand are even more obvious here," Rain thought.

The production of potions may be limited in the region due to various factors such as scarcity of specific ingredients, lack of skilled potion-makers, or limited access to resources required for their creation. This scarcity leads to a lower supply of potions available in the market, driving up their prices.

Potions, especially those with potent healing or magical properties, are in high demand. The need for healing potions increases significantly in a war-torn or dangerous region where injuries and ailments are common. The demand outpaces the available supply, causing prices to rise.

Potions are delicate substances that require proper transportation and storage to maintain their efficacy. Specialized containers, protective measures, and careful handling increase the logistical costs involved, which are ultimately passed on to the consumers. It was only natural that such a thing would happen, but being at the end of the exchange was tiresome. Rain considered studying alchemy more to make potions without using his own mana for it.

"It makes sense… I wish that I could afford to produce and sell them as well, but helping the farms will be better in the long run," Rain thought.

After one week, another cloudy night arrived, and Rain raised his guard. The others that were on the guard duty seemed more tense as well. It was a pity that the potions would only arrive on the next day. Otherwise, Rain would chase the beasts until all of them were exterminated.

The atmosphere seemed to change, growing heavier and more tense with each passing hour. The villagers noticed the subtle shift, their instincts sharpening as they braced themselves for what might come.

Whispers spread through the village and carried on hushed voices as people shared their apprehensions. Eyes darted nervously towards the outskirts, searching for any sign of movement or disturbance. The bustling sounds of everyday life grew quieter, replaced by a cautious silence that hung in the air.

Always vigilant, Rain took up his position on guard duty once again, determined to protect his newfound hand its people. His senses were heightened, attuned to the slightest disturbance in the surroundings. He watched the horizon, scanning for any unusual movement or glimpse of the approaching monsters.

"I didn't have the power to protect those two cities, but things have to change now…" Rain thought while showing a cold glint in his eyes.

As Rain scanned the horizon, his eyes widened as he spotted the flickering glow of multiple torches in the distance. His heart sank as he realized the grim truth: the monsters were not acting blindly or randomly. They were attacking different areas of the village simultaneously, showing a level of coordination and strategy that belied their primal nature.

A mix of frustration and admiration swirled within Rain. He had underestimated the creatures, assuming them to be mindless beasts driven solely by their instinct to feed. But now, faced with this orchestrated assault, he could no longer deny their cunning.

With a surge of determination, Rain knew he had to act swiftly to protect the village and its inhabitants. As the chaos unfolded, Rain's instincts guided him, leading him to the areas where the attacks were most severe.

Rain arrived in the first area and then saw the guards engaging with the beasts. They tried to stab them by using spears, but the monsters were quick enough to block the attacks with their pincers.

Just when the monsters were about to cut off the arms of sguards, Rain landed from the sky and then smashed two of the monsters. Floating above him were massive earth fists, ready to strike down the fallen monsters. The sight left everyone speechless.

Whispers spread through the crowd, filled with awe and wonder. The once-unassuming Rain had tapped into a hidden power, using earth magic to summon these powerful constructs. It was a remarkable display of strength and control that surpassed all expectations.

With focused determination, Rain guided the floating earth fists toward the defeated monsters. With precise movements, the fists descended upon the creatures, delivering crushing blows that shattered their armored bodies. The villagers watched in amazement as Rain's power effortlessly defeated the once-formidable foes. The planning and training he did in the last few weeks finally paid off and in full.