They were increasing and strengthening Samuel’s cellular manipulation power, enough so that his mimicked version of the ability was still weaker at double the power.

But then how come he had been able to free the climber president?

Ah! Because the flame instructor had taken out the nearest buffer in that previous area.

Max knew what he needed to do now.

He triggered shadow blink once more and reappeared alongside Casey on the drake.

“Looks like your totally batshit plan didn’t work,” said Casey.

“No, it will,” said Max. “We just gotta go take out those buffers first!”

102

Blood gushed out of Sakura’s wound.

She placed her hand over it to stop the bleeding, but she was in so much pain, she kept losing focus on the task of stopping the blood loss.

“Tick tock,” said Samuel. “It’s just a matter of time now, Sakura.”

Crap. She only had a few minutes to live. What was she going to do? What options did she have?

She kneeled on the ground from the pain of the wound. She kept one hand blocking the blood and with another tried to push herself back up to her feet.

Her whole body wobbled and she couldn’t muster the strength to push herself up.

“Pathetic,” spat Samuel. “The great Sakura The Golden Blade killed by a couple of shield slimes.”

The patronizing bastard made her sick, but he was right. She was about to bleed out and die. Was this really it?

Samuel stood over her, laughing at her dying in pain.

“Face it, you can’t win, Sakura.”

* * *

Fifteen years ago, Sakura received her copper badge with the letter E engraved on it.

The climber president smiled as he pinned it on her chest.

“Well done, Sakura,” he said. “I expect great things from you.”

The climber president’s words filled her with joy. Not many people had believed in her during her term at the climber academy, but to have the optimism and approval of the strongest climber in the city meant a lot.

After the graduation ceremony, there was a wine and cheese reception in the banquet room of the climber’s guild on the upper floors.

The newly graduated student climbers mingled with the higher-ups and other climbers, laughing and having small talk.

Sakura had gone to pour herself another glass of punch when a man stood beside her.

It was Samuel Archer.

An A-rank climber and newly promoted branch commander of the healer climbers.

“You seem happy,” he said in a dour voice.

“Thanks,” said Sakura. “It feels really satisfying to have graduated. I can’t wait for whatever’s next.”

The older man snickered. “I wouldn’t be so happy if I were you. You’re nothing but a fake-vein with a common trait. E-rank is as far as you’ll ever go. How does it feel to know you’ve reached your peak? That your potential is nothing worth celebrating.”