27 "Exploring the Unknown: Adventures in the Jungle"

Asher's mouth twitched a little as he read the remark the system had given him. "Even the weakest dog on this planet is stronger than me," it had said.

He pushed those self-deprecating thoughts back in his mind and focused on the system. He remembered a feature on the system that he had yet to try out and decided to use it to identify a strange object he had found on Earth.

The object was inside the carcass of a dead mid-silver ranked Xenomorph.

Asher used the skill [Appraisal] on the object, and it said [Ice Core]. The system provided further information, stating that it was a mid-silver ranked core with the elemental attribute of Ice. However, to learn more about it, he would need to rank up.

Excitement and curiosity filled Asher as he wondered what he could do with the Ice Core. "Should I try to use it?" he thought to himself. "I mean, I can at least try to do it. From the novels I have read, this is how you do it."

Asher took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing his attention on the Ice Core.

With his mind focused and his body relaxed, he tried to feel the mana in the core. To his surprise, he sensed an energy-like feeling in it. Asher decided to guide the cold mana into his body, imagining the mana flowing through his body as he had read in cultivation novels.

A moment later, he exclaimed in his mind, "IT WORKS!" with excitement. A cold, refreshing energy flowed into him, filling him with renewed strength and vitality.

However, the refreshing feeling only lasted for a few seconds before he felt like he was going to explode. He quickly dropped the core and began to do exercises to get rid of the excess energy.

As he exercised, he became more and more panicked when he noticed that his skin had turned red and the energy would not stop. He pushed harder and harder until the energy finally began to dim a little. Despite feeling overwhelmed and scared, he pushed himself to keep going until the energy stopped.

After what seemed like hours, the energy finally dissipated, but surprisingly, Asher did not feel the slightest bit tired. Instead, he felt an immense surge of strength and power coursing through his veins. Excitement and shock filled him as he realized that he had ranked up. He quickly said, "System," and looked at his rank, which now said, [Rank: Mid Bronze Stage].

He stood there for a while, dumbfounded. Eventually, he whispered softly to himself, "This is probably only for the lower ranks. It won't be as easy to rank up as fast as I do now in the higher ranks."

What Asher did not know was that he was absolutely right. The further he ranked up, the harder it would be to advance. He also did not know that at such an early rank, he was not supposed to use the mana from cores, as there was a high chance of exploding. He was only supposed to eat the meat of beings at the same stage as he was, as skipping a stage was too risky.

Despite his lack of knowledge, Asher felt full of energy and ready to explore with renewed vigor. He put the Ice Core in his bag, ready to take it with him as he set out on his next adventure.

I pause for a moment to inspect my equipment, taking pride in the assortment of items that I have gathered. My trusty bag, two sharp knives, and the peculiar-looking sniper rifle of extraterrestrial origin are all present and accounted for.

Despite having no knowledge of the material from which it's made, I cannot help but marvel at how lightweight the rifle feels. Initially, when I was a low-ranking member, I could lift it with ease, but now, having attained the mid-bronze stage, my strength has multiplied to that of five men, and the weapon feels feather-light in my grasp.

With a final look around the jungle, I am struck by the bizarre shapes of the trees and the abundance of greenery. I can't help but smile as I take my first steps forward, walking with newfound strength and agility. It takes a moment to adjust to the sensation, but soon enough, I am moving forward with ease.

As I venture deeper into the jungle, the unfamiliar sights and sounds leave me in awe. The towering trees rustle in the gentle breeze, and the unknown noises reverberate through the forest. I catch the scent of countless creatures that are alien to me.

Suddenly, movement catches my eye in the distance. As I squint to get a better look, I realize that it's a massive green ant, over a meter tall and two meters long. Its mandibles look like green metal scythes, and the creature's carapace gleams in the sunlight. Despite the ant's beauty, my instincts tell me that it is incredibly dangerous, and I quickly change my course to avoid it.

As I continue my journey, I encounter an array of enormous bugs, each more incredible than the last.

There are spiders that are ten meters wide, with webs that could cover a football field, and mosquitoes with needles that could drain my blood in seconds.

But the most awe-inspiring and terrifying sight is a colossal beehive that stands over 200 meters tall. The hive's golden color and the scent of honey are alluring, but the sight of three-meter-long bees flying in and out of it sends shivers down my spine. I wipe the sweat from my forehead and turn 180 degrees, muttering to myself, "Nope, hell nah, never. There's no way I'm going in there, even for the honey."

As I journey deeper into the jungle, my senses are on high alert, taking in every detail of my surroundings.

The ground beneath my feet is soft and spongy, and the air around me is thick with the scent of damp earth and fresh foliage. The trees surrounding me are unlike any I've ever seen before, their branches twisting and turning in bizarre patterns. It's a breathtaking sight, but I know better than to let my guard down.

My heightened senses allow me to pick up on strange noises and movements in the distance, and I can't help but feel a sense of apprehension.

As I take each step, my eyes scan the area, searching for any sign of danger. The jungle is teeming with life, and I catch glimpses of strange creatures that I've never seen before. Some of them are beautiful, with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, while others are downright terrifying.

The sound of my own footsteps is the only thing breaking the silence of the jungle, and I can't help but feel a sense of isolation. I'm a long way from home, and I can't rely on anyone but myself. But as I continue my journey, I realize that this solitude is exactly what I need. It's a chance to test my own limits and push myself to become stronger.

The sensation of my newfound strength is a strange one, and it takes some getting used to.

It's like having a constant hum of electricity coursing through my veins, giving me the power to take on anything that comes my way. I can't help but feel a sense of pride at how far I've come, from a rankless nobody to a mid-bronze warrior with the strength of five men.