Villain's POV: The Heroines Want Me!

Chapter 69: Chapter 69- Practicing and Learning

Chapter 69- Practicing and Learning

After reading the full explanation of his ability, Rize sighed. "So, this thing has several modes. Each mode makes it do a different kind of task, and each mode is good for some sort of task that I need to execute. Utility mode seems to be good with everything that includes grabbing, unlocking things, or pulling. Things that aren’t combat-related, essentially."

Utility mode was the main reason he was able to escape that place. It was extremely useful and very versatile, giving him countless solutions to situations he would’ve not escaped otherwise. It was so far the most interesting aspect of this ability.

"Then there is defense mode, which seems clear enough; it just defends me from attacks. It’s a bit slow and clunky, just like Utility mode, but it stopped bullets and even an entire attack from a Tier 7 or even 6 awakened. That is more than powerful enough to save my life when needed."

The wall it created was very strong, to the point where it sustained countless bullets that would’ve otherwise killed him. It was very important and quite interesting too.

"Offense mode is a bit scary, though. The way it turns into that sharp needle-like state." Rize muttered. "It moves considerably faster than the other two, but it is still very sluggish. I wouldn’t be able to take everyone by surprise if I don’t use it right."

However, what gave Rize hope for this Gift was the fact that it’s constantly learning and improving. Each action it does, each movement, it captures it and remembers it before it improves itself constantly.

"The progress explains that. It’s already almost 15% through Tier 1. Once it hits 100%, it will evolve." Rize felt a rush of excitement. ’If this ability becomes stronger, faster, and smarter... I wonder what more it could do. This is seriously a very strong ability.’

Rize stared at the tentacle before he patted it. "I see that you’re doing very well." He said. "Were you scared earlier in that fight?"

"..."

"Right, why am I even talking to you like you can understand stuff, haha? Anyway, since I’m free and I don’t have much to do. I might as well learn how to control you."

As much as Rize felt like this ability was a natural extension of his body, he was still far from proficient in using it. Every Gift needed practice, just like how the body needed practice to master certain abilities.

’I guess the best way to start learning is to first increase my accuracy in controlling it. I almost lost my life because of that.’

Looking around the room, Rize thought for a moment. "The best way to practice is to probably grab things and pull them toward you."

It sounded simple enough, so Rize got to work immediately. "Get me that cup over there." He said to the tentacle.

Instantly, it turned around, locked onto the target, which was a few meters away. Rize focused with his mind as he took control of it.

’It seems when I want it to do something, I must control it.’ He thought to himself. ’It feels really straining on the mind though...’

Rize felt like his mind was put under pressure when he took control of the arm. It was clearly something he wasn’t familiar with yet. But he still focused and guided the arm toward the cup. When it wrapped around it, he felt it tighten.

’Now, bring it here slowly.’ He thought to himself.

Slowly, the cup was pulled toward him. The more Rize tried to control the grip and the pulling action, the more it felt like everything was about to slip out of his control. He clenched his teeth as he closed his eyes.

Gradually, the cup approached him. However, once it was a meter away, Rize groaned as he lost control and the cup fell to the ground. Instantly, the boy reached forward and grabbed it.

"Fuuuh..." He exhaled. "This really won’t be easy, huh?"

Staring at the cup, Rize noticed that there were no traces of the black substance on it. It didn’t leave a mark or a stain, or even a wet feeling. That was a very crucial detail that Rize knew would be useful in the future.

"Ok, I need to focus." He muttered as he stood up and put the cup back on the table. He felt some dull aching all over his body, possibly from the numerous injuries he suffered. Then, he sat down on the bed again and started the second attempt.

Naturally, not much was different the second time. The cup got close but then fell to the ground. So, Rize tried again, and then again, and again. By the tenth attempt, he stopped as he stared at the cup.

’I’m slowly understanding what I need to do, but it doesn’t make it any easier.’ He thought to himself. ’I can’t keep it under control for more than 30 seconds.’

Rize knew that part of it was because Endless Hunger was still in a primal, dumb state. But there was also a major part that was his fault.

’My mental strength is subpar at best. I mean, I was a normal human till a day ago.’ He scratched his head. ’As I get stronger, my mental strength will increase, and I will be able to control the tentacle for longer periods of time with much more accuracy and speed.’

But that didn’t mean that he would stop practicing. After all, there was much more to this than merely being strong. He wanted to understand this Gift through and through, how it works, how it feels, its limits and advantages.

He wanted to learn everything about it. So, adjusting his position, Rize focused on the cup again. ’I won’t leave this place till I get you.’

***

Three hours passed like a flash for Rize. During that time, the boy kept trying to bring the cup to him, again and again, hundreds of times. Each attempt looked similar to the one before it. It reached a point where Rize started doing it as a second nature.

At the same time, during that time, notifications popped in Rize’s retina constantly.

[Endless Hunger is learning.]

[Progress: Tier 1 (15%)]

[Endless Hunger is learning...]

[Progress: Tier 1...]

[Endless Hunger is...]

[Endless Hunger...]

The notifications rolled, and each one would make the Gift move slightly faster and behave better. It was as if Rize was witnessing a robot gain sentience in real-time. A very bizarre but fascinating sight.

After almost 200 attempts, Rize noticed that his control of the tentacle had improved a bit. He was also able to control it for longer periods of time.

By attempt 270, Rize was finally able to get the cup to his hand for the very first time.

"Hah..." He exhaled as he wiped the beads of sweat off his face. "This took much more effort than I could’ve imagined. But I figured it out... A bit."

Rize had succeeded in doing the task, but in the end, he was only able to get a cup... Something that was extremely light.

’It won’t always be a cup. I would need to grab heavier and trickier things... This is just a first step.’ He sighed. "But it does really drain my essence. I don’t know if the ability uses an insane amount of Essence and I simply have too much essence or if it truly doesn’t use much and I just overused it."

Scratching his head, Rize decided to stop for the time being and try to let his Essence Core regenerate the lost essence.

’When I recover a bit more, I want to test more things.’

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