.The violet forest was quiet as Seraphina crept back toward the shallow pool where the remaining slimes lingered. Her chest heaved with each careful step, hips swaying subtly but under her control. Her body was stronger than yesterday, yes—but still vulnerable, still awkward. Each swing, each pivot, each dodge demanded effort.
neverthless, she was able to kill some slimes.
> [Cultivation: Body Building 1]
[EXP: 1.0 / 15]
[Shop Points: 0.40 SP]
She crouched low near the water, scanning the surrounding undergrowth. Two slimes remained, smaller and seemingly slow—but Seraphina knew better. Even weak creatures could leave her bruised and battered if she underestimated them.
The first slime surged toward her. She sidestepped clumsily, chest pressing heavily against her arms, hips lagging behind. Her fist connected on its side. The slime quivered violently, wobbling, but countered with a small recoil that caused her to stumble backward. A shallow cut opened across her forearm as her sleeve tore slightly, the fabric stretched thin over her chest. Sweat dripped into her eyes.
She gritted her teeth, lunged again, and after several awkward strikes, the slime collapsed.
> [Slime Defeated]
[EXP: 1.5 / 15]
[Shop Points: 0.45 SP]
Before she could breathe, a rustle from the ridge above froze her. The Razorfang Wolf—the same Layer 2 Body Building beast she had avoided yesterday—leapt from the trees, eyes glowing red, teeth bared. Its claws struck the moss before her, and Seraphina barely rolled aside, her chest and hips almost throwing her off balance.
> [Name: Razorfang Wolf]
[Type: Beast]
[Cultivation: Body Building Layer 2]
[HP: 40]
[Attack: 6]
[Defense: 3]
[Speed: 12]
The wolf lunged again. She swung desperately, arms aching, but her punches barely grazed its flank. Claws tore across her shoulder, ripping the top of her tunic and leaving angry red welts. Her chest rose and fell, catching her balance every time she tried to dodge. Her wide hips made sharp pivots slow and awkward.
Minutes of grueling, painful combat followed. She staggered, ducked, rolled, and swung, every movement hindered by her body. Her arms were bruised, chest heaving, clothes tattered. Each strike landed incrementally, each dodge barely avoiding deadly claws.
Finally, with a clumsy but desperate combination of punches and a knee strike, the wolf collapsed. She fell to her knees, trembling, blood seeping from shallow cuts across her arms and shoulders.
> [Razorfang Wolf Defeated]
[EXP: 5.5 / 15]
[Shop Points: 0.65 SP]
Her breath came in ragged gasps. She barely noticed the remaining slime, already lunging again. Her fists burned, but her determination remained. She focused, adjusted for the sway of her chest, and struck it down with trembling hands.
> [Slime Defeated]
[EXP: 6.0 / 15]
[Shop Points: 0.70 SP]
Another smaller slime attacked from the corner. She dodged awkwardly, pivoted slowly, and landed a decisive punch. Collapsed.
> [Slime Defeated]
[EXP: 6.5 / 15]
[Shop Points: 0.75 SP]
By now, Seraphina was bruised and bloodied, clothes shredded across her shoulders and torso, chest heaving from exhaustion. Her exaggerated body, once a hindrance, now carried her through her movements better—but not enough to prevent wounds. Her sweat-soaked hair stuck to her flushed cheeks.
She glanced at the system.
> [Cultivation: Body Building 1]
[EXP: 6.5 / 15]
[Shop Points: 0.75 SP]
There were still more slimes moving nearby. With careful dodges and awkward strikes, she defeated two more, finally pushing her EXP to 15 / 15, enough to level up.
The system glowed, and her exhausted body tingled as she felt the power coursing through her muscles.
> Level Up! Body Building Layer 2
Her EXP reset to 0 / 22.5—the new requirement, multiplied ×1.5.
> [Cultivation: Body Building 2]
[EXP: 0 / 22.5]
[Shop Points: 0.85 SP]
Two stat points were awarded. She carefully allocated them:
Strength: +1
Agility: +1
She flexed experimentally. Her movements were significantly faster and more precise, chest and hips still present, still exaggerated—but no longer completely hindering her swings or pivots.
Her wounds throbbed, but the forest seemed quieter now. The remaining slimes skittered away, leaving her panting and bruised but victorious.
Seraphina sank to the moss, tattered clothes clinging to her chest, arms trembling from exertion, but a shy, mischievous grin spread across her face. She had survived strong monsters, defeated multiple beasts, gained experience, stat points, and shop points—all while battered and bleeding.
She stared up at the floating islands. Tomorrow, she would move further. Tomorrow, she would face new challenges. But tonight, she would tend her wounds, rest, and plan—her first proper level up reminding her that pain and struggle were necessary for growth, and her exaggerated body, while still cumbersome, could be honed into a weapon.
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