"How do you know it has some of your abilities?" Lu Yao, who heard what Xue Mo said, asked. Her eyes were sparkling as her face had a genuine look of curiosity on it.
"As I said before when the contract was made between us, it evolved into the rare soul contract. This contract connects us by the soul. So I know what the ring's abilities are." Xue Mo explained.
Subsequently to saying that Xue Mo added, "But, knowing and seeing are two different things. I was even able to get an affinity from this ring. Let's go test it out."
After saying that Xue Mo made his way out of the cave, they had already obtained what they came for; there is no need for them to stay there anymore.
Jumping on his shoulder, she asked. "Where are we going?"
"Some secluded place... I think that clearing we found before is good."
"I see."
Living in the forest for a year, both Xue Mo and Lu Yao had memorized some places that might be helpful in different situations. One of these places was a clearing not far from their place. With their senses, they would know of someone was spying on them, and that place helps in letting them know when someone comes. That is why he chose it.
During the fifteen-minute walk, Xue Mo explained what abilities the Samsara Parasite ring had taken from him. One of them was the ability to merge with compatible or incompatible items while retaining both characteristics. It was a downgraded version from the Chaos Harmony Scripture that Xue Mo fused with. Another ability was something similar to the skill that the system gave him. The ring could absorb other items and take everything.
In other words, the ring could absorb the durability, toughness and, weight of shields and other weapons while keeping them in it and adding.
But Xue Mo found that this ability had a limit, so he didn't want to use it much.
Finally, the last ability he found was: the ring's basic ability that helped in blood manipulation had been upgraded to another level.
Before, it could only control the enemy's blood and when he was severely injured at that. It couldn't even work on multiple targets. Now, not could it manipulate the enemy's blood when they were scratched, the ring could also shape the owner (Xue Mo's) blood to whatever he desired. And this could help in many ways.
"So, how will you try it?"
"Hmm, no need for much attention. Let's go with a tryout. I have learned a spell from the previous ring's owner." Xue Mo answered.
Xue Mo learned from Lu Yao that some magic spells could be improved using chants, which is why newbies mainly use chants when they want to use a spell. But, thanks to his familiarity with controlling energy, Xue Mo never needed this, and that is why he could release spells instantly.
Casting the spell inwardly, Xue Mo elongated his nail using his shapeshifter power and pricked his finger, letting purple blood leak out, which soon turned black.
The now dark purple blood under Xue Mo's control hardened became liquid and even gasified. But, one thing never changed, and that is the color of the blood. Other than that, the blood affinity that Xue Mo obtained was the same Shadow Soul Pressure as the ring. The difference was that once it engulfed something, that thing would disappear to a place Xue Mo didn't know. He attributed this to the properties of Shadow Soul Pressure that he didn't understand.
After checking the ring's ability Xue Mo and Lu Yao decided to hunt some magic beasts before retiring. Since the test stated that it would take a week, they would have to wait for a week as even if they returned, there is nothing to do in the city but meet people that they didn't want to interact with.
***
"It's been five days! Where did all the magical beasts go?" Kyle suddenly asked Amro, who had assumed the leadership position.
"Didn't you say that if we go with you, Deckim might be able to join us?" Lara said from the side
"Don't tell me you lied?!!" Axel finished with an angry scream.
'Damn you! I never promised such a thing. I just wanted some minions.' Amro cursed in his heart, but he knew that he was weaker than them without the rune.
'Do I have to?' Xue Mo was behind a tree not far away from the bickering quartet. He wanted to check what they were doing to find another demonic beast, but because he didn't have, he didn't want to.
However, Lu Yao said something that made him agree. 'You could get rid of that annoying thing that had been slandering you, and at the same time, you could check if they saw any.'
He didn't need to do either task. After all, wasting time on a stupid kid that would probably end up as a background character or die for his stupidity isn't something worth his time. As for the demonic beasts, he had plans for why he wanted them after getting the Samsara Parasite ring. But, for now, he couldn't use them, so he wasn't hardpressed on getting them.
In the end, Xue Mo decided to check, after all, he already hunted nearly all the magical beasts that Dio had released, so he had free time. Also, he wanted to start getting out of his shell. Even if he didn't like talking to people, he should get used to, that way it wouldn't feel awkward when he needed to speak to someone.
Xue Mo approached the quartet and gained their awareness, making them focus their attention on him.
Kyle was the first person to react. He put a respectful look on his face and said, "Sir, Mo, how have you been?"
Contrarily to his expectations, Xue Mo answered with the same cold voice that he uses, "I have been good."
Silence ensued after that as neither party talked, making things awkward. Finding an opportunity to butt in, Amro started, "You. Mo guy, what do you want? Have you come here to steal our magical beasts?!!"
Amro put a dramatic play with a shocked face and an angry voice, trying to sway the other three people. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned as the three he was trying to rile up, turned to him and said,
"What are you saying? Sir Mo isn't like that!"
Although playing with Xue Mo had occurred to them, they thought about how that wasn't something they usually did. And feeling ashamed of themselves about even considering the idea of doing this to their savior made them feel disgusted.
"Have you forgotten what we planned? We would ambush him, kill him, and ask for your friend to join us!" Amro tried to tempt them and put them on the spot.
"Wait. What?!! We never planned that. What are you saying, Amro?!!!" It was Axel who yelled. He was usually quiet, but when it came to Xue Mo, he became someone else. He was the one who most regretted the idea of going against Xue Mo.
Amro had said to not just put a wedge between Xue Mo and the trio, but to also force them into a state where they had no choice but to fight him.
"You know you had been trying to make us fight Sir Mo all this time. Why is that?" As if suddenly realizing something, Kyle asked.
It seemed as if realization also dawned on Lara and Axel as their pupils widened while their faces seemed to get serious as they slowly retreated towards Xue Mo's direction.
"Guys, have you noticed that he kept giving us empty promises and saying 'get your friend' he didn't even know Deckim's name," Lara added with a grim face.
Amro suddenly felt surrounded, but his emotions took over him as he displayed his real personality. "So, What? I can do whatever I want. The only reason I decided to team up with you was that I wanted henchmen. Do you think you are worthy of being friends with me otherwise?!!"
Amro's words were arrogant; his condescending face disgusted the trio, making them see his true colors. They looked at Xue Mo and bowed while apologizing, "Sir Mo. We are sorry!"
While all this was happening, Xue Mo was thinking, 'What kind of play have I just walked into.'
From start to finish, he didn't hear a single thing. He was too busy thinking of ways to start a conversation that he hadn't seen the drama that just occurred.
Amro seemed to forget that without the rune, his father bought his power was as weak as it gets. He isn't a match for the tri in either power, stats, or magic. The trio also knew that which is why they were looking at him as if he was a dumbass.
"Guys, let's finish the trash off." Kyle suddenly said, eliciting a nod from the other two.
As if he remembered the situation he was in, Amro's face went pail while his hands started trembling. "w-wait! We could take this through." Amro stuttered from the side, but it was too late for him.
Quickly finish him off, the trio looked towards Xue Mo and again bowed their hands while repeating, "Sir Mo. We are sorry!"
Xue Mo didn't know what was happening, nor did he care. But, he was sure as hell going to use the situation that just landed in his lap.
In a chilly voice, Xue Mo requested, "Have you seen a Demonic Beast here?"
Xue Mo's tone made them shiver, but they didn't mind after getting used to it. Kyle took the lead and asked, "Sir Mo. What is a Demonic Beast?"
Kyle's words reminded Xue Mo and Lu Yao, where they were. This was a weak world with low leveled Players. Even if someone knew what he was talking about, these people weren't one of them.
Xue Mo didn't answer that and turned around, leaving as suddenly as he appeared.
Although they were confused, the trio didn't ask questions and instead left the other way knowing that Xue Mo didn't like any company, other the fox that's on his shoulder.
"You were lucky, huh!" Lu Yao mocked on their way before, "Achoo."
Her sneeze made Xue Mo smile a little as he teased, "It seems someone is cursing you."