Chapter 530: Is This Still A Cat?
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The gigantic rock arm swung down mercilessly. Merlin gently shut his eyes, no longer putting up any resistance. It was meaningless. Whether it was Darkness Eye, spell fusion or Occult Mind Spells, they were obviously powerless against this terrifying Rock Tribe, who was a powerful existence infinitely close to a Legend.
"Don't worry, when we're killed, the Great Ultimate Arcane Wizards will sense it... Every Spell Caster who enters Arcane City carries a mark on their bodies, which is overseen by the Ultimate Arcane Wizards. If any of us die, the Ultimate Arcane Wizards will be alerted. So, when we die, the Arcane Wizards will realize what had happened here. Perhaps, they'll still be in time to stop the Rock Tribe's conspiracy. This can be considered our last contribution..."
Saturn said with a grimace. At this moment, even he was unable to stay calm.
"Bang!"
A huge sound reverberated. Just the wind effect alone almost suffocated Merlin.
"Huh?"
Merlin waited for a long time but did not feel his body tearing. On the contrary, it seemed like nothing had happened. He hurriedly opened his eyes. Before him, unknown since when, there was a completely pitch-black, lazy-looking cat.
"Didimoss, you're awake?"
Merlin was surprised and overjoyed. Back then, Wizard Yatho had mentioned that Didimoss would require a long time to wake up. Perhaps it would take two to three months, half a year or even decades or centuries. Once awakened, Didimoss would most probably be transformed from a half-spirit into a living being, equipped with powers comparable to a Great Legend!
Right now, almost a year after Didimoss had fallen into his deep slumber, he had finally awakened.
Merlin carefully sensed the aura on Didimoss. He could sense a strong vitality as well as a powerful heartbeat, clearly indicating Didimoss' new status. He was a lively, organic creature that was full of life!
"A cat?"
A strange expression appeared on Gustia's face. Gustia's understanding of Spell Casters ran deep but knew nothing about this black cat. Gustia took another look at the crushed rocks on the ground. It was the appearance of this cat that had easily shattered his palm.
Fortunately, the Rock Tribe was extremely tough to kill, so his hand was restored in an instant.
"Boom!"
This time, Gustia clapped both his palms together. The sight and sound of this movement were several times more frightening than the last. Even Merlin who was isolated far away felt like suffocating.
"Careful!"
Merlin did not know what kind of powers the black cat Didimoss currently had. Though Wizard Yatho had mentioned that as long as a spirit transformed into a living being against the natural order, it would, at the very least, possess powers comparable to a Legend.
If some of the more powerful spirits managed to transform into living beings, then they could even potentially become an existence comparable to the Arcane Wizards. Of course, this was only based on speculation because even Wizard Yatho had never seen a spirit transform into a living being.
Right now, the black cat Didimoss had transformed from a half-spirit into a living being. In addition, taking into consideration his beginnings in the Dark Magic Region, the black cat Didimoss had indeed come a long way. From a spirit, he had transformed gradually, step-by-step, into a living being. After all, he had remained inside the main Runic Magic Circle of the Dark Magic Region for a thousand years.
Faced against the gigantic rock palms which blocked out the sun and sky, the black cat Didimoss' eyes glowed bright green and spoke in human words, "If we're comparing sizes, I'm bigger than you!"
Upon finishing speaking, the black cat Didimoss' body unprecedentedly began to expand. A few breaths later, he had turned into a gargantuan figure spanning hundreds of meters long. At this moment, the Rock Giant was reduced to a child-like existence before the black cat Didimoss.
"What ability is this?"
Gustia was stunned. His palms slammed heavily onto the black cat Didimoss' body but there was no effect. Instead, there was a huge backlash that once again smashed Gustia's palm into pieces.
"Hehe, the feeling of growing big is great! Why don't you also try the feeling of being smashed?"
The black cat Didimoss waved his huge "claws" and ferociously clawed at Gustia. The huge Rock Giant encountered a powerful force. With a swipe from the black cat Didimoss, Gustia had turned into uncountable gravel.
"Rumble."
Soon, Gustia was reassembled into a Rock Giant. It was as if Gustia was unable to die but there was a look of distress on his face. Gustia could sense a strong threat from the black cat Didimoss.
"This is definitely not a Spell Caster technique. What are you, really?"
"After sleeping for so long, I'm actually a little hungry. Since you're so big, you should taste quite good."
The black cat Didimoss uttered some perplexing words, and then everyone witnessed an incredibly mind-boggling scene. The black cat Didimoss opened his mouth, which instantly grew incomparably huge like a giant black hole descending from the sky. Then, with a single gulp, he swallowed the huge Rock Giant.
Even a portion of the hillside appeared to have been bitten off.
"Swish."
The black cat Didimoss rapidly shrunk and resumed his original size. He even licked his scarlet tongue, and gnawed a few times, seemingly unsatisfied.
"The taste is mediocre, quite bad-tasting. Nevertheless, it was quite big so I won't have to eat for a few months, which is nice..."
The black cat Didimoss jumped onto Merlin's shoulder once again with droopy eyes, looking like it would soon fall asleep.
Merlin looked at the black cat Didimoss carefully. He found that after swallowing the Rock Giant Gustia, Didimoss' body seemed to be a lot plumper than before and could pass for a "fat cat".
Although the black cat Didimoss was no longer moving, the entire situation was deathly silent. Even the typically composed Saturn was looking at Merlin with a weird expression.
"Is that still a cat?"
The heavily injured Rael was dumbfounded. Despite his wide knowledge, he had never seen a "cat" so vicious that could swallow a Rock Giant in a single gulp.
Moreover, this was a Rock Giant that was infinitely close to the level of a Great Legend. Even if a real Legend was to battle Gustia, he would have to mobilize a Maxim just to suppress him. Killing him would require even more tedious effort.
"Merlin, we owe you one this time, and of course, this... Sir Didimoss!"
Saturn thought for a moment, and after a reminder from Merlin, called out Didimoss' name. The current Didimoss was no longer the same as before. His abilities rivaled a Great Legend, so no one would dare treat him as just a cat.
"Let's leave quickly, away from the Seely Dimension. We need to report our mission back to Arcane City. The situation here is extremely precarious and will require the involvement of the Great Legendary Wizards. Otherwise, we'll really lose the Seely Dimension."
Rael said solemnly. He must have some incredible techniques because he had suddenly recovered by leaps and bounds. As for Vic, Seddon, and Olga, they were gravely injured.
Luckily for them, all of them had some life preservation techniques, so no one died. As long as they returned to Arcane City to recuperate for a while, they would be fully healed.
"Let's not delay any further. Let's go."
Merlin and the others no longer dithered. In an instant, they took out their casting tools. Each of them turned into beams of light and disappeared on the spot, whooshing out of the Seely Dimension and back to Arcane City.
Chapter 531: Casting Components in Hand
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Merlin was operating the Aurora Ship alone. He flew at top speed across the pitch-black Void Zone. On Merlin's shoulder, the black cat Didimoss was crouching lazily like he was sleeping.
Merlin looked at the black cat Didimoss, and could not help but ask, "Didimoss, you've really transformed into a living being?"
The black cat Didimoss opened its eyes blearily and nodded. This transformation was truly hard to grasp. A spirit turning into a living being was like a stone-cold rock suddenly having a breath of life. It was unbelievable.
"Didimoss, earlier, you've swallowed the Rock Giant. Are you okay?"
Merlin looked at the black cat Didimoss with concern. Right now, Didimoss obviously looked a lot fatter, and was supporting his protruding belly with a sluggish demeanor. Merlin wondered if swallowing the Rock Giant was causing Didimoss any discomfort.
The black cat Didimoss shook his head and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. When I awoke, I felt that I have a special ability, which was to swallow up things. I can swallow up everything, including spells. As long as it's a tangible object, I can swallow it. This ability is probably derived from the Runic Magic Circle arranged by the Great Wizard Fidel.
"I'm originally the spirit of a Runic Magic Circle. Back then, the most unique characteristic of the Runic Magic Circle that protected the Dark Magic Region was its ability to swallow the power of spells. As long as any spell attacks the big runic circle, more than half of its power would be swallowed by the big runic circle so that the spell would not threaten the Dark Magic Region. Now that I've become a living being, this special ability must've been based upon my original ability to swallow spells. Now, I've progressed one step further and have grown to the point that I can swallow everything."
Merlin heard the explanation and nodded silently. Back then, Wizard Yatho also mentioned that once a spirit had transformed into a living being, it would possess a unique ability.
The black cat Didimoss' ability was derived from the Runic Magic Circle, so now it could swallow all kinds of things. An ability like this was indeed impressive. Furthermore, the black cat Didimoss could rely on his swallowing ability to slowly increase his powers. Although the process would be time-consuming, to be able to strengthen himself just by swallowing others was as good as it gets.
Therefore, swallowing the Rock Giant in a single gulp was not harmful to the black cat Didimoss. Instead, it would help strengthen his powers a tad more.
After flying through the endless Void Zone for a few months, Merlin and the others finally returned to Arcane City. It was only upon arrival in Arcane City that the strongest team of six could heave a long sigh of relief.
This time, they had sustained heavy losses. Out of the six strongest prodigy Wizards in the same batch, four of them were gravely injured. Only Merlin and Saturn were unharmed but Saturn had to use his precious life-preserving trump card to save both of them.
This mission could be considered as using up all their nine cat lives. If not for Didimoss finally awakening and possessing powers comparable to a Legend, they would not have been able to return.
"Let's quickly submit the mission. This is a matter that cannot be delayed."
Saturn and the others also knew the importance of this matter. If the Rock Tribe had successfully transformed the dimension, even the Ultimate Arcane Wizards would not be able to do anything.
Hence, they had to quickly submit their mission, and report their findings.
So, despite their extreme fatigue, the six of them rushed toward the Mission Tower. Along the way, many looks were directed at them. After all, quite a number of them were in a bad condition but the most unique sight of all was the black cat perched on Merlin's shoulder. The cat had a regal, arrogant look, which attracted a lot of attention.
In that regard, Merlin was also quite helpless. How could he tell others that this was not a normal cat but a Legendary cat?
After thinking about it, Merlin shook his head. The black cat Didimoss had quite a temper, so he better not stir up trouble and focus on submitting the mission first. 𝑙𝒾𝘣𝘳𝑒𝒶𝒹.𝑐𝘰𝓂
When they had entered the Mission Tower, Saturn found the Great Legend that had allowed them to receive the mission. When the Legend saw some of Saturn's records and understood the danger faced by the Seely Dimension, his expression turned abnormally grave.
"Everyone gets two thousand five hundred Adventure points. You've all done very well. Don't worry, since the Rock Tribe hasn't transformed the Seely Dimension, they'll just have to dream on. Arcane City will handle this matter."
The Great Legend said with a sneer. He had no fondness for the Rock Tribe. Back then, before the ceasefire between the Rock Tribe and the Spell Casters, there were several small-scale battles. Although they did not lose any Legends, many Great Wizards were lost.
After submitting the mission, Saturn turned to look at Merlin and the others. With a smile, he said, "Great, the mission has been submitted. I believe Arcane City will handle the problem in the Seely Dimension properly. We almost ran out of our nine cat lives, but at least it's not for naught. Everyone gets two thousand five hundred Adventure points, enough to do a lot of things in Arcane City."
"Yeah, two thousand five hundred Adventure points is a lot. Even Potential Wizards who had been in Arcane City for tens of years may not have accumulated so many Adventure points."
Upon mentioning the two thousand five hundred Adventure points, a smile appeared on everyone's face. They had risked their lives and traveled to the faraway Seely Dimension to investigate the conspiracy of the Rock Tribe, all for these Adventure points.
This much Adventure points would be highly useful in Arcane City. If they were used to redeem casting tools, then it would be enough to redeem some of the most sophisticated casting tools. Even if they wanted some life-preserving item, it should not be a problem.
If the points were used to enter the Mind Tower, every attempt only required one hundred Adventure points, so there would be enough points to enter the Mind Tower a total of fifteen times. This would allow one's Mind Power to improve significantly.
In short, with so many Adventure points, Merlin and the others would be able to live comfortably in Arcane City for a very long time.
...
"You really want to purchase the four casting components of the God-Binding Disc?"
Looking at this unassuming young Potential Wizard before him, the Great Legend guarding the treasure vault could not help but frown. It was such a humongous sum to spend two thousand Adventure points in one go that even he felt heavy-hearted.
The God-Binding Disc was merely a famous item, and its condition was quite shabby. Moreover, with only four casting components, they would only combine to become an ordinary peak-level casting tool.
Spending two thousand Adventure points to redeem these four casting components of the God-Binding Disc was truly too wasteful.
"I've made my decision. I'll redeem the four casting components of the God-Binding Disc!
Merlin did not hesitate and declared firmly. Hearing the resolution in Merlin's tone, the Legendary Wizard did not offer any further advice and directly retrieved the four quaint-looking casting components.
The four casting components had not been combined, and looked like they were broken in some places. There was not a trace of powerful aura on them. They did not resemble the renowned God-Binding Disc that managed to suppress the gods.
Merlin received the God-Binding Disc with a serious expression. He did not examine the casting components of the God-Binding Disc, but quickly kept it inside his spatial ring and left in a hurry.
...
"Hum."
Merlin returned to his room. At this time, he quickly took out the four casting components of the God-Binding Disc which had cost him two thousand Adventure points.
Earlier in the treasure vault, the reason that Merlin did not examine them was that he was afraid of revealing some clues. In reality, upon receiving these four casting components, he could sense a strong vibration from the Bell Space in front of his chest.
This was a phenomenon that would occur upon approaching similar types of casting components. This also proved that the Bell Space was indeed a component of the God-Binding Disc.
The God-Binding Disc had a total of nine components, and Merlin's Bell Space was already a combination of three casting components. Added with the four newly-redeemed casting components, Merlin would have seven components of the God-Binding Disc.
Once the seven components of the God-Binding Disc were combined, even with some damage, it would still hold at least half the original power of the God-Binding Disc. Considering the original power of the God-Binding Disc, just half of that formidable power would far exceed any peak-level casting tools.
After all, the God-Binding Disc was able to suppress the gods, and the gods were comparable to the Great Legendary Wizards. With such a powerful God-Binding Disc, even half its power was enough to combat the Great Wizards.
This was also why Merlin was so fervent to redeem the four casting components of the God-Binding Disc. Despite the steep price, they were highly suitable for Merlin, so any price would still be worth it.
Merlin gradually calmed down his excited emotions. He removed the Bell Space from the front of his chest and began trying to combine it with the four casting components that he redeemed.
Assembled casting tools were very easy to assemble. As long as two casting components were close to one another, they would automatically combine with one another.
Merlin took out a casting component and put it with the Bell Space. In an instant, there was a burst of light, and the casting component had rapidly combined with the Bell Space.
"Boom!"
The Bell Space swiftly began to vibrate. Its space began to widen, and it was no longer filled with darkness. There was a faint hint of "life".
"Combine again!"
Seeing the changes occurring in the Bell Space, Merlin could not wait any longer. He put the three remaining casting components next to the Bell Space. Instantly, countless beams of light glowed and intertwined together, gradually encapsulating these few casting components.
The process of combining took a long time. The different beams of light gradually merged together, finally converging into a pale white ray. Merlin reached out and grabbed the newly combined Bell Space in his hands.
At this moment, the Bell Space had vaguely formed a small round disc. However, the small round disc seemed to be missing two corners. It was incomplete, probably lacking the last two casting components. Only with all nine casting components assembled together, it would form the whole God-Binding Disc.
However, on the round disc, the words "God-Binding" could already be seen, proving that it was indeed the legendary God-Binding Disc.
"God-Binding Disc, it truly is the God-Binding Disc! I wonder how the God-Binding Disc which only lacks two casting components look like?"
Merlin was looking forward to seeing the changes in the Bell Space, so he directly mobilized his Mind Power. He extended his Mind Power inside the God-Binding Disc and began to explore the space inside it.