Chapter 225: Training For Meteorite Absorption

Kazuichi and Himeno decided to separate during their hunts before they tackled the nest of Aberrants or Omega Zombies. And after a couple of hours, the two of them meet up on their usual spot once again.

The air in Sector 12 hung thick with a heavy stillness, broken only by the faint hum of distant machinery and the occasional rustling of debris beneath Kazuichi’s boots. The sector had become his hunting ground, a place where his powers could be tested and honed. Today, though, it would be something more. Himeno would be joining him, and they had a new mission: absorbing the virus from the meteorite ores he had collected.

Kazuichi’s sharp eyes scanned the crumbling industrial landscape ahead as he spotted her waiting in the distance. Himeno stood near an old warehouse, arms crossed and a curious glint in her eyes. She had been expecting him, but not for this.

"You’re late," she called out, a teasing lilt in her voice as Kazuichi approached. "Did you get lost or just slow?"

Kazuichi smirked, tossing the sack of meteorites over his shoulder with ease. "Neither. Thought I’d take my time since you seem to enjoy waiting."

Her grin widened as she shook her head. She knew that Kazuichi was just joking, but his words cut a little deep. Right now, she regretted not telling Kazuichi anything, and she was just glad that he welcomed her with open arms despite what she did.

"In any case, got something for me?" She asked, realizing that Kazuichi was holding a sack that seemed to level on his back. With her lips, she pointed at it, indirectly asking Kazuichi what he was carrying.

He hefted the sack, setting it on the ground with a dull thud. "More than enough for both of us." He continued, opening the sack just so Himeno could peek and see what was inside.

Himeno crouched down, peeking into the bag. The meteorites inside glowed faintly, casting an eerie light across their faces. "So, we’re really doing this, huh?" she asked, reaching for one of the stones. She turned it over in her hand, feeling the slight vibration of the virus humming within.

"Yeah," Kazuichi replied, kneeling beside her. "But before you absorb anything, there’s something you need to know."

She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "I’ve absorbed plenty of meteorites before. What’s there to know?"

"This isn’t like the ones we’ve dealt with before," Kazuichi explained, his tone more serious. "These are from deeper within Sector 12. The virus inside them is stronger, more concentrated. If you don’t handle it right, it can overwhelm you."

Her fingers stilled on the meteorite, her eyes narrowing slightly. "How do you know?"

"I’ve been doing this long enough," Kazuichi replied, his voice low but firm. "Trust me on this."

Himeno looked at him for a long moment before nodding, setting the meteorite back down in front of her. "Alright then, teacher. Show me how it’s done."

Kazuichi exhaled, his mind drifting back to when he first learned how to properly absorb the virus. It had been a trial by fire, and he had nearly lost control the first time. He wouldn’t let that happen to Himeno.

"First thing you need to do," Kazuichi began, picking up a meteorite of his own, "is focus on your breathing. Steady, controlled breaths. I know you can already detect the virus within your body, but you have to get in there and really see how they coexist within."

She gave him a playful smirk but did as instructed, her chest rising and falling rhythmically. Kazuichi watched her for a moment, making sure she was calm and centered before continuing.

It took him a full thirty seconds to realize that he was looking at her bosom. His face reddening, he decided to turn away as embarrassment hit him. Himeno could tell what was going on, and a light coquettish smile appeared on her face as she focused on her breathing.

"Next," he said, his voice steady, "you have to connect with the virus inside the ore. It’s like an extension of your own energy, but it’s volatile. If you force it, it’ll fight back."

Himeno frowned slightly, her focus sharpening. "And if I don’t force it?"

"You let it come to you," Kazuichi replied, holding the meteorite in front of him as he demonstrated. "Feel the pulse. It’ll sync with your hybrid abilities if you let it. But once it does, you have to be ready to absorb it all at once. If you hesitate—"

"I get overwhelmed," Himeno finished, her voice quiet but understanding. "Got it."

Kazuichi nodded, watching as she picked up her meteorite again, this time with a newfound caution. Her fingers curled around the stone, and her body stilled as she concentrated. He could see the faint ripple of energy start to form, the virus reacting to her presence.

It was a weird feeling, but she was somewhat used to it. She couldn’t help but feel conscious about Kazuichi’s awkward stares, however.

Thrum...

The sound was faint but unmistakable, a low vibration that resonated through the meteorite. Himeno’s breathing remained steady as she held the ore in her hand, her eyes narrowing in concentration.

"Good," Kazuichi encouraged. "Now, let it flow into you. Don’t resist it."

Himeno’s expression tightened for a split second as the virus within the meteorite began to shift. Kazuichi could see the faint glow intensifying, the energy inside the ore starting to leak out and mingle with her own aura. Her body shuddered slightly, the force of the virus more intense than she had anticipated.

"Don’t lose focus," Kazuichi said, his voice firm but calm. "You’ve got this."

Himeno gritted her teeth, her muscles tensing as she absorbed the virus into her system. A ripple of power surged through her, the virus merging with her hybrid abilities, amplifying her strength. Her eyes flickered with a faint glow, the virus coursing through her veins.

Krrrk!

A crackle of electricity sparked in the air around her, and Kazuichi smiled faintly. She was handling it well—better than he had on his first attempt.

"Not bad," he remarked, watching as the glow of the meteorite faded in her hand, now completely absorbed. "You’re a natural."

Himeno exhaled, a bead of sweat sliding down her forehead. "That... was intense."

"Yeah, it takes some getting used to," Kazuichi agreed, picking up another meteorite for himself. "But once you master it, it becomes second nature."

She wiped her brow and looked at him curiously. "You’ve done this a lot, haven’t you?"

Kazuichi shrugged. "More than I can count. It’s the only way to keep getting stronger."

He held the meteorite in his hand, feeling the pulse of the virus within it. Unlike Himeno, this was routine for him now. His body had adapted to the process, his hybrid abilities growing stronger with each absorption.

"Here," he said, holding out his meteorite. "Watch how I do it."

Himeno leaned forward, her eyes fixed on him as he began the process. His breathing slowed, his body relaxed, and he focused on the energy within the ore. The virus responded almost immediately, a low thrum echoing through the stone as it synced with his aura.

Without hesitation, Kazuichi absorbed the virus, feeling it surge through his bloodstream like a lightning strike. His muscles tensed, his senses sharpening as the energy integrated into his system. The Synthesis Blood Art kicked in, amplifying his regenerative capabilities and muscle growth. The feeling was familiar yet powerful, a reminder of just how far he had come.

KRAK!

A bolt of electricity crackled in the air around him as the virus fully absorbed, his lightning element reacting to the surge of power. He clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy coiling within him, ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice.

Himeno stared at him, wide-eyed. "That was... fast."

Kazuichi smirked, tossing the now-dull meteorite aside. "Told you. It becomes second nature."

She shook her head, clearly impressed. "I’ve got a long way to go if I want to catch up to that."

"You’re already ahead of most," Kazuichi said, standing up and stretching his arms. "The more you absorb, the stronger you get. Just don’t push yourself too hard at first."

Himeno got to her feet as well, glancing down at the remaining meteorites in the sack. "Think we’ll need all of these?"

"Maybe not today," Kazuichi replied, picking up the sack and slinging it over his shoulder again. "But it doesn’t hurt to have a few extra, just in case."

As they stood there, the weight of their newfound power settled between them. Himeno rolled her shoulders, testing the feel of the virus in her system. "So, what now?"

Kazuichi glanced out over the ruins of Sector 12, the distant groan of shifting metal echoing in the distance. "Now, we see what this power can do."

Himeno smirked, a flicker of excitement in her eyes. "Think you’re ready for those Omega Zombies?"

Kazuichi’s gaze hardened, the crackle of electricity sparking between his fingers. "I’ve never been more ready."