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Chapter 3 - The gauntlet {edited}

~~~~~[START]

Blackbird manipulation, a cursed technique that allows Mei Mei to summon crows made from pure cursed energy.

These crows are not ordinary birds, but they are magical constructs that serve multiple purposes in combat and reconnaissance.

As with all techniques, this one has its conditions.

The first is [summoning], which enables Mei Mei to bring forth the crows seemingly out of thin air.

The second is [control], granting her precise control over each bird, extending to their movement and actions.

The third is [sensory sharing], allowing her to experience what the crows see, hear, and feel. These three conditions and actions are the only ones she is allowed to perform, with the sole restriction being the consumption of cursed energy with every summon.

Standing there, Ken gazed at the dark crow that seemed to be formed from pure darkness.

He was currently focused on the influx of information he was receiving through his brain.

To him, this seemed like a strange phenomenon and yet it felt so unexpectedly real.

The crow perched on his arm, waiting patiently as if anticipating a task.

It was small in size, but after some thought, Ken realized that its size was likely due to his fusion with the Mei Mei template, which at the current moment was still at level one.

He hypothesized that increasing the level would cause the birds to grow bigger and stronger.

Ken used manipulation to summon three more crows.

Instantly, he felt his cursed energy deplete almost completely.

Although his cursed energy manipulation was good, it was still at level one.

The three additional crows stood on his arm, waiting patiently.

"Share," he thought, when suddenly his vision expanded sixfold.

It was as if he had three more pairs of eyes.

His vision cleared, yet despite sharing his vision, it didn't seem to bother him or feel somewhat tedious.

It was as if he was one with the crows as if they were an extension of his body.

_______

Later that afternoon, Ken walked through the streets of Kamino Ward, also known as the dark underbelly.

This was the home of a wide variety of villains, ranging from small-time crooks to fully-fledged criminals.

Ken's reason for walking these streets where simple: he needed money.

And What easier way to make money than in the underworld itself?

Over the last few hours, Ken had been trying to raise the level of his template.

However, as time passed, he realized that it didn't hold that much of an effect.

This was likely because increasing the percentage of a template at a rapid rate required using it in real-life situations.

Continuously using the template without being in combat or fighting would only raise the template's percentage at a slow pace.

It had taken him two hours to get the template to 3%. Now, Ken needed something that would provide both money and a rapid increase in his template percentage.

"What better way to do it than here?" he thought with a smile on his face as he widened his vision.

The Gauntlet, a secret underground complex hidden beneath the city's streets,

A place where fighters from all over Masutafu gathered to compete in brutal fights for money and fame.

Run by a figure known as the Ringmaster, who is rumored to have connections with both the criminal underworld and the pro-hero community, The Gauntlet seemed like the perfect opportunity for Ken to increase his template's capabilities and wealth.

On the surface, The Gauntlet was well-hidden and difficult to find.

Located in a back alley in Kamino Ward, behind a nondescript door that blended into the wall, the alley was poorly lit, with flickering street lamps casting eerie shadows on the cracked pavement.

The only reason Ken knew this place even existed, was mostly because the man who had killed the original owner of his body was a fighter and a member of this underground establishment.

Ken walked in, wearing his doctor's clothing and a medical mask, passing through the door and descending into the dark, dank stairwell that seemed to lead to the arena.

The walls were covered in graffiti, and the air was thick with the smells of sweat and smoke. Before he could proceed further, he was stopped by the hand of a large bouncer with a shaved head and tattered tattoos.

The man towered over Ken, looking down straight at his eyes.

There was silence for 10 seconds, but Ken didn't move his gaze or blink; he maintained eye contact with a hidden yet cold expression.

After some time, the bouncer removed his hand, and Ken continued walking.

Descending from the stairwell, He was greeted by five large white doors that stood in series.

Randomly choosing one, Ken was met with a woman wearing a brown suit that seemed to be clean and vintage

She sat behind a table with nothing but a small pen and a single sheet of paper.

Despite her sitting nature, her height still towered over Ken.

As Ken stood there, she said nothing

But only stared at his dark red wide opened eyes.

Then, he spoke, "I'm here to fight The Gauntlet."

~~~~~~~~~[END]

TNX FOR READING GUYS, WE CURRENTLY DONT HAVE ANY EXTRA CHAPTERS IN MY PT for this book BUT I AM PLANNING TO ADD A LOT OF THEM BY THE END OF THIS WEEK, SO SUB IF YOH WANT EXTRA CHAPTERS

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