Chapter 1360: Don’t Change
From Innu’s little test, they’d come to a surprising conclusion,
The energy Gary used in his transformations… and the energy Innu called Qi… were actually one and the same.
However, when Innu used his Qi, it wasn’t like he transformed into a large beast. Instead, he strengthened certain parts of his body, targeted, precise.
“Did something go wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Innu asked, glancing at Gary with a puzzled look.
“No,” Gary replied, shaking his head. “I think Qi is what werewolves naturally have, and what we use for our attacks and transformations.”
“Ah, right…” Innu nodded slowly, realization dawning on his face. “That would explain why you’re so powerful, and why your strikes hit so hard. I guess it’s just a form of energy at the end of the day.”
“I guess werewolves just have a lot of Qi to begin with.”
“Right,” Gary agreed, nodding again. Then a new thought struck him, one that made his heart race with excitement.
“But I just thought of something. The way you use Qi is different from how we use it. But what if I could use it the same way as you?”
“What do you mean?” Innu asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
“Well… you’re in complete control of your energy, right? For me, certain skills and attacks, like transforming, always use a set amount of energy. When I strike, the way I attack… it’s always the same power output, no matter what.” Gary explained.
He suspected this was because of the system.
He’d relied on it far too much, just activating skills and letting them run automatically. And every time he used a skill that way, it consumed the same amount of energy, with the same results.
“But if I can control the Qi in my body… not only can I transform,” Gary continued, eyes practically shining like stars, “but I can enhance my strikes. Imagine it, maybe a supercharged punch, or a more powerful version of my Claw Strike! All by adding more Qi into my attacks.”
Of course, Gary understood this would use more energy, but in certain situations, having a stronger strike could mean the difference between winning and losing.
He remembered past battles, clashes where his attacks had fallen short or been overpowered.
What he lacked… was variation.
“I see what you’re saying,” Innu replied thoughtfully. “But how do we do that? Every time I try moving Qi through your body… it triggers your transformation.”
“Then I guess…” Gary took a deep breath. “You need to focus on not transforming. Do your best to resist it, as I move the Qi through your body, try to get used to the feeling of the energy itself.”
“If you can use Qi without transforming, and power yourself like I do… then you’ll have mastered the control. And once you do that, imagine how well you’ll control it in your Werewolf form.”
“In a way… it’s kind of the opposite of what I was taught for control.”
Then another idea clicked in Gary’s mind, one that made his heart pound.
If he mastered using Qi without transforming… couldn’t he fight like Innu on the full moon?
On that day, when his transformation was forced upon him, he wouldn’t need to rely solely on his form. He’d still have his naturally strong body… his Qi… and ways to fight without fully transforming.
“Alright, let’s do this!” Gary said, pumped with determination.
Innu and Gary quickly got to work.
While the two trained intensely, Xin and Kevin were helping each other on the side.
Xin was an extremely talented fighter thanks to her time in the AFC, so she was showing Kevin a few tricks and techniques.
In return, Kevin, who had been a Werewolf slightly longer than her, was helping her become more aware of her enhanced senses, as Kai had advised.
Every so often, they would glance over to check on Innu and Gary.
Sometimes they’d catch a leg suddenly transform… or Gary grow larger mid-exercise.
It was almost comical, and they would’ve been laughing out loud if not for the fact that Gary looked very annoyed.
“Hey Gary… I need to take a break,” Innu said after a while, breathing heavily. “Doing this is draining my Qi too. Though I have to say, it’s great training for me too.”
Gary, however, was deeply frustrated.
Is it because everything’s been too easy for me so far? he thought bitterly. Every skill I’ve learned… it was all because of the system. Now, the first time I need to do something without it… and I can’t figure it out.
He also knew, if he couldn’t learn this, it would be useless to wield the new weapon.
From what Innu had explained, controlling Qi was the key to drawing out the weapon’s true power.
“Come on, let’s keep trying,” Gary said firmly. “I need to figure this out somehow. Are you rested enough?”
Innu hadn’t really recovered, but seeing how determined Gary was, he forced himself up off the ground.
“Alright, let’s go again.”
The two of them resumed their training.
Innu focused hard on moving Qi through Gary’s body, while Gary concentrated with all his might on maintaining control.
System, go away, Gary thought, gritting his teeth. I need to focus on the energy. Don’t transform. Don’t change my body. DON’T CHANGE, damn it!
He was focusing harder than he ever had before, sweat running down his face.
A change in his hand.
Bracing himself for disappointment, he opened his eyes… and blinked in surprise.
“Look, Innu! Look at this!” Gary exclaimed.
“What, your furry hand? I already know what that looks like,” Innu replied, smirking.
“No, not that! Look, my finger! It hasn’t transformed! I did it! I managed to control part of my body!”
“If I can do this… that means my theory was right!”
(I’m going to have a power nap, and then do the other two chapters hopefully)
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