[You have successfully scaled the mountain without relying on The System.] [Rewards will be given.] At the top of Granian mountain, the Blood Mutants, along with Grim and Helda, stood under the Granian sun, which shone brightly and warmly on the mountain top’s snow. With their journey complete, the Blood Mutant blocker collars were taken off, allowing them to fully use their powers with no limitations. While Jim and Anya swaddled in warm blankets while dipping their toes in hot water, Ace and Cherry used the flames from Ace’s blood sword to warm themselves up. Thankfully, the sun also contributed to their warmth, allowing their body temperatures to return to normal. [In your expedition, you successfully killed twenty-six creatures in total.] [EXP for each beast killed: 10] [Level 42: 307/190 >>> 43: 117/200] [+1 Stat Point earned.] [Two New Blood Samples Acquired: 2 Stat Points Earned.] [Congratulations: You exercised your Blood Strength Stat.] [+20 Blood Strength Stats added to your total stats.] [Blood Strength: 62 >>> 82] [Congratulations: Your Blood Control Skill has been increased by one level due to your increased Blood Strength Stat.] [Blood Control: Level 3.] [On this new level, you can now stop the beating heart of a larger opponent, control individual body parts with blood in them, increase or reduce their blood pressure, coagulate their blood, and either freeze it or bring it to a boiling point. The Skill only consumes eight energy points for every minute it’s used.] [Congratulations: You cultivated your Explosive Blood Skill and learned a new skill.] [Description: Blood Fire, a rare yet powerful ability that allows the user to create a blood-reddish-pink flame that burns bright and hot. The flames can be used to the users’ content and can be controlled like blood. The skill solely depends on the user’s blood strength and the amount of the individual blood they wish to use. No energy will be taken for using it, but caution should be used since it can only be activated when the user uses their own blood.] [All Stats have been increased by 5 points.] [Stats have been increased due to your increased bond with your symbiote. Continuously bonding with it will not only increase your stat points but make you stronger and evolve much faster.] ’If all these rewards came just from training then I should only train for the rest of my time here until I’m strong enough to take Granian with ease.’ Ace grinned as he felt the increase in strength in his body. The highlight of the entire event for him was his newly learned skill, Blood Fire. With all the possibilities lying at his fingertips, he was anxiously waiting for the next phase to begin, hoping he would use them without being limited by the Blood Mutant blockers. "Congratulations, Mutants," Grim congratulated, surprised that the Mutants made it all the way without the Granians needing to send out a search and rescue party. "You have successfully trekked this mountain in three Granian days. In your time, it would be Four and a half Earth days." "Please, if you will follow me," Helda continued, "We will take you to the next area where you will begin the Third Phase of your training." "Hold on," Anya spoke up, her hands turning into claws while she glared angrily at Helda and Grim. "How many of these things do we have to do?" "And how dangerous are they going to be?" Jim asked as well. "And what is the entire purpose of this training?" Without saying a word, Grim slowly lifted his hand and pointed his finger at Ace and Cherry. The siblings, still carrying their flaming-blood swords, were taken by surprise and wondered why the Granian was pointing at them. "Those two have learned the Blood Fire Skill," Grim finally spoke. "In these three days, I am able to tell that Ace was the one who benefited from it the most. The red glint in his eyes if a clear indicator that he and his symbiote have been bonding. "The same can be seen in you two women. I can see the slight red color in your eyes but it is not as bright and clear as Ace’s. As for you, Jim. You still have a while to go. I take it you chose to do things the Ace way by taking things easy. Does that answer your question?" "Not clearly," Anya answered, her hands reverting back to normal. "At least tell us what the next phase is going to be about." Fınd the newest release on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩·𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢·𝔫𝔢𝔱 "And are we going to keep wearing these freaking collars?" Cherry complained. "I get you’re trying to make us strong and all but since we don’t know what’s out there, allow us to keep our powers. Our FULL powers." "For now, we will still keep the blockers on," Grim grinned while pressing a button on a remote he had. "For our safety, we will keep the blockers on. As for the Third Phase, it will be determined when we arrive. If you may, step into the aircraft so we may get moving as quickly as possible." With the blockers on, Ace’s flaming blood swords melted into puddles as he and the others stepped into the aircraft. Once inside, they were transported further away from the mountain and into the edge of a massively thick forest. Despite them being thousands of feet in the air, the trees in the forest were taller, bigger, and thicker. The thick trees, bushes, and shrubs made it almost impossible for anyone to go through, so Grim chose to land just at the edge of the forest. The Mutants stepped out and were hit by the smell of fresh pine on a warm summer morning. The forest, though massive, had a calming effect with cool winds and a soft ambiance. The sounds of creatures squawking, screeching, chirping, roaring, and grunting echoed through their ears, showing that even though the forest seemed peaceful, it was beaming with life thus making it dangerous. "Welcome to the beginning of the Third Phase of your Training."