Chapter 21
(During her visit in Lord Tibalt's mansion)
"[Concealment]"
"Let's start, shall we?"
"Envoke, [Release]"
I then jump from the balcony after I closed the window, but before I could
"Please be careful, my lady"
A sweet woman's voice spoke. I then turned my gaze and saw Aile-la, my little sister, laying down on the sofa. I smiled and stated
"I will"
The plan was simple, I need to hide Aile-la away from Lord Tibalt's sight, by making her stay inside the [Baggage Storage], which is a concealment type skill, where I could hide someone inside a 1 meter by 1 meter box - a closet if you will - for a certain amount of time while moving, making it easy to infiltrate.
After some simple discussion about the town's renovation, which is surprisingly helpful, and eating my favorite pudding, I then went towards one of his guest room, that he offered to me, and took a rest. After everything was clear, I then released Aile-la from the [Baggage Storage], and exchange position with her.
I will continue my investigation to the east route, while making sure no one will be tailing me, while Aile-la will try to buy us some time, for Lord Tibalt not to suspect us, as he is - not yet verified - the mastermind.
I made Aile-la copy my appearance, so there will be no suspiciousness going to happen, though both of us are quite identical in the first place. I then used [Concealment], and jump from balcony, and headed straight to the east route. After I have arrived to my destined place (note: what she meant here is for Aile-la to copy her mature self not the young self)
"...…so what should I do first?"
I asked, as I looked around the forest's vicinity
"[Silver Wolf Sense]"
I then activated one of my sensing skills, and started investigating, as I walk. A couple of minutes came, as I stroll around the forest, while activating my [Silver Wolf Sense], as it has no time limit or duration, but it will still take a toll on one's body, but even so, I found none. I didn't yet get any single clue, nor any indication, or implication, that there's something happening behind closed doors. I was amiss in this situation
"...…"
An hour came, but I still found none, no hints, no clue, no sign, no evidence, nothing. As I get deeper and deeper in the forest, I found nothing. Full grown trees, greeny field, buzzing insects, and birds humming, were all I could find as I roamed around the deep forest.
I then halted just a couple of distance, and looked around as I crossed my arms
"This is harder than I thought"
I spoke, as I can't seem to find any sort of key to unlock the door of this mystery. I tried going deeper inside the forest, to maybe catch a glimpse of something
"...…..interesting, this is like the first time I came and investigate here, how strange"
I muttered, as I recalled during the time I tried investigating the north-east route forest with Cecile, and took a matter of hours to find a single piece of clue
"It's either this one is good at hiding, or it isn't here anymore. Tsk! This will ruin the initial plan if I can't find anything. I already made Aile-la do something she hated"
I muttered as I frowned, and gotten impatient. I then started heading north-east this time, as I needed to at least find something, a mark or traces, anything, or what Aile-la did would be in frivolous.
As I started heading north-east of the east route deep forest, just a distance from where I am
Swoosh
Bang!
Out of nowhere, a sudden attack came, as it was fired at the back of my right. A long, sticky, slimy, and thick tongue was shot at me
"And for it to bypass my [Silver Wolf Sense]...….this monster well be a tough one"
I spoke, as I dodge the sudden ambush that came at me. After I landed, I then gaze at the direction where the attack came. Facing the trees I gaze, a dark red glowing dots then appeared, 4 to be exact
"[Camouflage] ha…..this won't end in a peaceful way like last time"
I mutter
Croak! Croak! Croak!
A high pitching sound then resounded, as the glowing red dots moved
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of its hop then echoes as it approached me, and slowly, it's revealed itself to me. A giant rough skinned, with 2 horns at its forehead, with 4 dark red eyes on its face
"A {Four Eyed Horned Toad}…..?"
I questioned. Toads are much different than a Frog, they mostly have a rough, tough, and bumpy skin, unlike the smooth, and moist skin of a Frog. They mostly roam around unlike Frogs, which tends to live near something moist, like swamp and the likes. They have short legs compared to a long leg of a Frog. But what's so peculiar about this one is that, a {Four Eyed Horned Toad} is just an early gold rank monster, so how did it evade my [Silver Wolf Sense]? Even if it used [Camouflage] to its fullest, by passing my senses will be investable, so how? As I was pounding on how did this monster able to avoid my scan, it then suddenly attacks
".....[Ember Sphere]? A {Four Eyed Horned Toad} used an intermediate fire magic?"
I puzzlingly asked, as the monster before me just unleashed 3 [Ember Sphere] at me.
[Ember Sphere] is far superior than a normal [Fire ball], as it pack more fire magic, speed, and much bigger. But Toads or any water type monster, can't possibly unleash such magic.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As I dodge the incoming attack, the [Ember Sphere] then made a huge explosion, as it hits the ground. I then leap sideway after I landed.
Crash!
It then fired its long tongue at me. I then raised my left hand, just at my breast side high, and moved my right hand just a distance away from my left hand's finger, and took a sword out from my [Storage Ring].
"[Revered Cut]"
And release 3 consecutives cuts at its tongue. It then released a loud pitched wail, as it retracted its injured tongue back.
"How peculiar, even with those attacks, I couldn't even cut it?"
After I questioned myself for the unusual event, I then gazed at it, as it later shakes its head. It then pointed its attention at me and screamed
CROOOAAACKKK!!!
"Ugh!"
I exclaimed, as I hurriedly covered my ears, as it discharged a loud pitching noise, as if a fork scrape against a glass - [Dead Melody]. It then hoped towards me, as it dashed forward - [Bash Dash]. It was fast
"[Mirror Wall]"
I then clashed with it head on, as I deployed one of my defensive skills
Bang!
As the sound of our collision made, I then stomp my right foot forward, bend myself at the left, and hold the sword with both of my hand
"Desolate, [Divine Slash]"
And released a light yellow slash
Crook!
It then dispensed a loud cry, as my attack hits it rough head.
The sword I am holding is a long sword, with a silver helmet pommel design, and a winged shape cross guard, coated in pale tint of off-white. The rain guard has a light shade of yellow green - in a diamond shape – and a light yellow blade with a translucent gray paint fuller. A sword that was crafted from a tooth of certain monster, both my father and mother hunted, an {Elder White-Grayed Wyvern}, an early diamond rank monster. Both of them almost lost their lives just to kill it, so for them to present it to me, was truly blissful, so I cherish this sword.
The monster was then pushed back, and hit some trees on its way.
Crash! Bang! Bang!
A loud crashing sound then echoed. I then took hold of the sword, as I walked towards the dusty smoke. As I hold it while being on guard, out of nowhere
"[Iron Wall]"
I then deployed another defensive skill, after I swiftly summoned my shield, as it attacked me when I gotten a bit nearer to it. But that's not something I found unexpected, but rather
"....three heads? How?"
The Toad monster that I was fighting, attacked me not with its unusual [Ember Sphere], but rather a three headed head dash. I then leap from my right, and flip myself up from the left, as I dodged the other 2 heads that avoided my [Iron Wall]. I then took hold of my swords hilt, and fired 3 consecutive slashes, while in mid-air, on the neck at my right
"Desolate, [Divine Slash]"
It then hurriedly retorted its head back, as it dodged my attack
"Oh~, you are a quick one"
I muttered, as I landed down. I then readied my sword and looked towards the dust smoke. Heavy footstep then came, as the monster walked out, stomping the ground with its heavy foot. Glowing yellow glare then appeared, as it revealed its head each
'...….and now, a {Three Headed-Dragon Scale Serpent}? How amusing"
I stated, as the monster showed itself before me.
{3 Headed-Dragon Scale Serpent} is just an early platinum rank monster, 2 rank levels higher than a {Four Eyed Horned Toad}. This monster has a scale like one of those {Dragons}, which is much tougher, and hard to break, saturated with [Magic Resistance]. But its medium light shade of yellow scales fetch a high price in the market, especially for crafting artifacts, and weapons. 3 heads equip with sharp teeth, each imbued with vigorous bite, and strong thunder magic. It walked in 2 legs, and with a long tail, used in whipping.
Hreee!
As it cried, it then opened its mouth - all three - and a glowing shade of yellow sphere then emerge - [Thunder Sphere]
"Not good"
As I exclaimed, I then took my shield and invoke another defensive skill, as I raised my shield up
"[Flexilis Scutum]" (Note: rubber shield in Latin)
And made a grayish dark, transparent dome shape protective shield
Growl!
It cried, as it released its stored thunder magic
Crack! Crack! Bang! Bang!
Loud crackling sound resound the whole vicinity, as those [Thunder Sphere] exploded, as they made a contact with my [Flexilis Scutum]. They also released a series of lightning bolt when they dispersed, making anyone scream in terror.
As the monsters attack halted, it then opened its wide mouth again, but as not to wait for another of its powerful attack, I then dashed myself forward. I tightly grip the sword as I carried the shield at my left, stomp my right foot forward, just a distance away from the beast, and unleashed a strong swing
"Desolate, [Divine Slash]"
And a slash attack was then fired towards the defenseless monster, as I made sure to attack it during its preparation, or so I thought. The monster then stomp its right foot, and deployed a [Lightning Shield] that covered its front, while it raised its head up, as to unleashed a strong breath attack
Bang!
As the sound of my attack and its shield collided. The monster then released a strong lighting roar - [Sundering Cry] - as its three huge mouths, then directed its attack at me
"[Elemental Aegis: Earth] [Ground Dome]"
As I then placed my shield in front, as to defend myself against its breath, a transparent light shade of brown then covered me.
[Elemental Aegis] is a defensive skill I have. It let me borrow any element I am near with into a defensive shield, and as earth is strong against thunder, I then used it.
After its attack, I then bend myself to my left, and swung my sword
"[Elemental Burst: Earth] [Divine Cross]"
And released another cross slash attack. A light yellow, with a touch of light shade of brown, was then fired at the monster before me.
[Elemental Burst] can only be used after activating [Elemental Aegis]. It's a burst attack which let me borrow the element I am near with, so using [Elemental Aegis] first would double the damage of my [Elemental Burst].
The monster then once again deployed its [Lightning Shield] to defend itself
Crack! Boom!
But rather meet an unexpected turn, as its shield broke and hit its body
Groowl!!!
It then let out a loud cry as it stumbled down.
Thud!
As It fell down, it then stretched its three necks up, as it looked at me, furiously gazing at me, indicating its wrath. It then stood up after it then let out a loud war cry, and used one of its necks as a cane to hold itself up
Craaa!!!
And deployed a much stronger defensive shield - [Thunder Dome] - and covered itself with a 1 meter radius shield. After that, it then opened its three mouths above, and released a medium size sphere, coated with lightning. I then took hold of my long sword, and raised it just at my breast high to my right, as I stretched my right arm
"Engulfed it, [Holy]"
[Holy] is a non-attack skill, but rather a buffing skill. It will buff ones weapon and artifact with light magic, boosting the weapons, and artifacts attack.
The long sword then shone as it emitted a warm color yellow
"Desolate, [Holy Saber's Cross]"
And dispense a strong light attack towards the {Three Headed-Dragon Scale Serpent}. It then released its own attack, as a barrage of lighting came forth - [Storm Charge] – striking down the enemy before it.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Series of lightning then came forth, incinerating anyone who dares to confront it.
Boom!
Its attack and mine then collided. Competing each other for power and might. But mine won as the monster was pushed back, as the defensive shield it deployed cracked, exposing its defenseless body open. Its attack weren't able to hit me, none did, as I deployed a defensive shield around me, as I raised my shield up
Shreesh!!
As it let out its loud cry, smoke dust then covered the injured monster. But I didn't end it just there, as I swing my sword again, and unleash another attack
"Desolate, [Divine Slash]"
Boom!
ROOAARR!!
"!?"
I was greatly baffled – after my attack hit through - as it cried, but rather a high pitching sound like how Serpent should be, it roared? The dust smoke then dispersed, and revealed another monster
"A {Horned Raven Boar-Bear}....?"
I puzzling asked, as the monster that I was fighting just a second ago, changed, again
"Now this is interesting"
I spoke, as I realized the enemy I was fighting
"A {Mimic}"
A monster whose ability is to copy other monster. It may be its appearance, skill, or ferocity, this monster could perfectly execute the monster it changed into. {Mimic} can be divided into two, a {Dungeon Mimic}, and a {Roamer Mimic}. The latter is much stronger than the former, and it seems I am fighting against a {Roamer Mimic}.
"So this is what a variant is, amusing"
I stated, as a {Mimic}, either {Dungeon Mimic} or {Roamer Mimic}, could only imitate one monster. But the one I am fighting wasn't, as it changed form for the third time already. I then tightly grip my shield.
The shield I am using is a heater type helm, with a coffin shaped design. It has a steel barbuta helmet design at its center, with a "Y" shape opening, with 2 wings at each side, coated in a warm white.
Growl!
The monster then gaze at me, as it growled
"....this will be tough"
I said, as the {Horned Raven Boar-Bear} that I am facing off is much bigger, indicating its seniority. It then dashed towards me, and swung its giant hand, with its sharp claw at me. I swiftly dodge it as I bend over. I then stomp my right foot forward, swung my shield from my left, and turn my myself, while using its momentum to pull me, and swing my sword from the side, diagonally
Clang!
My sword resounded, as it clashed with the monsters claw. This monster swiftly parried my attack with its right hand, pushing me back as it blocked my attack. It then descended it's left hand from above, with great speed and power. But as I was parried, my position was that of someone that got intrude, as my top and front was defenseless. So I hurriedly used my left foot as a cane - to halt as I was pushed back - and swiftly swing my shield up to block its attack.
Clatter!
And blocked its mighty blow. I then pushed its huge hand to the left, and swing my sword from the right, as I twisted myself along with my swing
"Desolate, [Divine Slash]"
ROAR!!
It then cried, but I didn't stop, as I stomp my left foot forward, and swung my sword from the right
"[Revered Cut]"
And released 4 consecutives slashes. It then used its left arm and guarded itself, as it used a defensive skill - [Boulder Block]
Clack! Clash! Clatter! Clank!
As the sound of my attacks being blocked. After my attacks were blocked, I then placed my shield upfront, and dashed myself forward
"[Shield Dash]"
Bang!
The sounds of our collision echoes, as I dashed myself while it still on its defensive stunts. I then put all of my left arms strength with the help of my right foot – as my base - as I pushed the {Horned Raven Boar-Bear}, and lift its arm up. I then swung my sword above from my right, after I intrude its defense
"Engulfed it, [Holy]"
"[Revered Cut]"
And unleashed 5 consecutive cuts this time, which is boosted with my [Holy]
Growl!!
It then stomp its right foot, and released another attack - [Ground Break] - and shook the ground I stood up, which made me retreat after it break my momentum. It then made a huge war cry, as its eyes glowed in crimson red. Its horn too was now coated in scarlet red
"[Frenzy]?"
I muttered, as a familiar skill was shown.
[Frenzy] is like the {Goblin's Champion} [Blood Lust], which boosted the users power, but much different, as the former will make the user out of control. They won't know who are their ally or enemy, as long as you moved, you are its target.
I then boosted my shield's defense
"Engulfed it, [Aegis]"
Which then enveloped by a dark shade of pinkish-red, with a touch of a golden-yellow.
Like [Holy], [Aegis] is a buffing skill that greatly boosts any armors, or armaments defense.
Both me and the {Horned Raven Boar-Bear} gaze at each other. As I stared at it, it then growled with frenzy, and then dashed itself forward, and swung its giant hand at me. I blocked it with my shield, but the power of its swing was truly something I didn't expect. So devastating that if I weren't able to safely block it, I would be dead for sure, shamble into fine flesh of tattered meat.
As I was then about to counter attack, I then hurriedly changed my action, as I swiftly blocked another one of its attack, that was unexpectedly came at me, as it connect from its first. It then followed by another, and another.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
It attacks, and attacks, and attacks me continuously, never letting me counter, nor stand my ground. Didn't let me take chances, and didn't let me took a fine breath, as it continued its bombardment of assaults at me, from above, below, left, right, and then above my side. I could only defend myself as it continues it ferocious assault
Crack
Small cracks then emerge from the protection that covered my shield
"Ugh!"
I groaned, as even though I was able to blocked its attack, every assault it made is stronger than the first, making my defensive shield weaken. As to not let the situation continues, I then took hold of my ground, as I put all my strength on my legs, bearing all the impact as I could, gritting my teeth as my eyes blaze with fixation, as I waited as it swung its left hand.
"[Shield Bash]!"
I then used my shield to counter attack, at the time it swung its huge left hand on me. As I parried it, and made it lose its momentum by breaking its balance – though just a second before it regains it foothold - I then didn't waste any more time, and swung my sword with great force
"Engulfed it, [Holy]!"
"Desolate! [Holy Saber's Cross]!"
And attack it
ROARR!!
It then let out a huge cry, as my sword slashed its huge body. But I didn't stop as I then continued. After I swung my sword, I then used my shield, and attack its abdomen
"[Shield Bash]"
Growl!!
I then swung my sword below from my right, and cut its vulnerable body
"Engulfed it, [Holy]!"
"[Revered Cut]!"
I then swung my sword again from my left, after I attack from my right, and slash its body from its abdomen to its neck
"Desolate! [Divine Slash]!"
GROWWWLLLL!!!
Boom!
As it let out its huge cry, it then stumbled down a distance from where it was, after I turned myself from the right, and bashed its huge head with my shield, with great momentum and power. Smoke dust then covered itself again. I already knew what this means, so I prepared myself as I readied my sword. But before I could even attack
"...…what the"
I exclaimed, as what comes after was something I didn't expect
"{Chimera}?!"