Marcellus took this moment to ponder the intricacies of the sword style;
Sword god style Only technique 'Arm chop,' he mused, delving into his thoughts. It seems the mentality of the style appeared to prioritize swiftness and relentless aggression, embodying a somewhat tyrannical approach to combat.
It became apparent that Martia's preference for agility over heavy armour aligned with the principles of this martial art.
Water god style only technique is 'Flow' although I am not sure what it is, I suspect it is similar to the concept of blocking, this is my deduction based on the way Ralf is dressed.
The last person was Edwin, and there isn't much Marcellus knows about him;
He certainly enjoys the company of women,
I'm almost certain he has shared his time with every maid and whore in Mythralis.
He's a Jinx, Sequence 9, which is no small feat.
He doesn't like Martia, or to be more precise, Martia despises him, but they work together out of necessity.
Edwin is a Stormseeker.
But today, I have a new vocabulary word for him: carefree.
He seems too unworried about anything. Even as we search for a dangerous monster, he's casually using a stick for divination.
It's not that I don't trust his divination, it's just peculiar.
Then it struck Marcellus; in this situation, all of us on this hunt are Aspirants.
From their perspective, it might appear as three Aspirants and one mundane swordsman, as I hadn't disclosed my true nature to them.
However, I am clearly an Aspirant, a Hallowed, which means we have a diverse mix among us: a Hallowed, a Jinx, a Warrior, and a Sailor, hehe.
As the group followed Edwin's divination, their steps led them deeper into the wilderness of Mythralis Island.
The air grew heavy with fog, and the very forest seemed to hold its breath. The atmosphere was pregnant with tension, like a storm about to break.
Then, in a clearing bathed in dappled sunlight, they beheld it – the Hollow Serpent.
Its massive form coiled around trees, its scales glistening with an otherworldly sheen. Its eyes, like orbs of malice, fixed upon them with a malevolent intelligence.
Its body is about 10 meters long, and its neck is opened up as if to threaten us. In the centre of its body is a huge lump.
It must have eaten something hopefully not someone.
The realization hit them like a thunderclap – they had found their quarry, the creature with the magical properties they sought. But this was no ordinary beast; it was a formidable adversary, a force of nature incarnate.
It has a bigger body than the Horned Serpent, and it's much more agile. Its body is fully covered with fire-resistant scales, and its sharp fangs also contain lethal venom.
I'm not sure what a Horned Serpent eats to become a Hollow Serpent, but there is a small chance one will appear amongst the Hollow Serpent.
It is in the middle of enjoying its meal and did not appear concerned about us. It seems that it is about to eat its third meal.
"We can do it?" Martia confidently unsheathed her sword, her eyes locked on the Hollow Serpent.
"Should we do it?" Edwin's question took Marcellus by surprise, and he couldn't help but wonder if Edwin was trying to provoke Martia.
"... Are you sure you want to let me decide?" Marcellus, taken aback, responded,
"I'll leave the decision to you."
Ralf interrupts "Who else can decide? you are the weakest if you want to pull out do so now"
Marcellus rebutted, "Even you go by such thoughts, isn't that Edwin?"
Edwin responded with a smirk, "My job is already done. I have led you here. I am no swordsman."
Marcellus was entrusted with the decision. After a brief consideration, he weighed the options.
On one hand, their mission was to retrieve the magical creature, and if they succeeded, there might be compensation from Edwin.
However, Edwin had also provided him with shelter, food, and valuable mystical knowledge. Marcellus wanted to confront the serpent, but there was a saying that his priestess from Wisbech always said came to mind: He that fights and runs away may live to fight another day.
The serpent was larger than the Hybrid Wereshark and seemed venomous, as its saliva was visibly melting leaves. The stakes were high, and Marcellus couldn't deny his fear.
"If you don't want to do it, we can handle it on our own," Martia suggested while Marcellus was still conflicted.
"Ser Martia wants to defeat it alone?" Edwin mocked.
"I never said that. When I was still a mundane mercenary, I was part of a group of fifteen swordsmen who managed to kill one of these creatures. Though we lost nine mercenaries in the process, it's still achievable," Martia explained.
With Martia's confidence in their abilities, Marcellus felt more reassured. "Alright, then let's do it."
Marcellus makes a decision.
Under his breath, Marcellus murmured something he had read in the Fontenot diary; Why should I fear death? If I am, then death is not. If death is, then I am not. Why should I fear that which only exists when I do not?
Edwin stepped back and observed, as he always seemed to enjoy doing.
The three of them engaged in close combat without the need for words. There was a subtle shuffle as Martia took the lead, her swordsmanship style allowing for a more aggressive approach. It was a typical combination.
Their swords were unsheathed, they formed a wedge-shaped formation. Martia shot forward like a bullet, aiming directly at the serpent, and culminating in a massive explosion.
The splinter of the tree broke for such force, The Hollow serpent twisted its body, as it evaded the path of Martia's sword.
It evaded the attack!
This is not a coincidence. It has clearly seen the attack and avoided it just in time.
The Hollow Serpent's agility and evasion surprised Marcellus, but there was no time to dwell on it. As Martia's explosive attack missed its mark, the serpent's twisted body seemed almost intelligent in its evasion.
The shattered tree fragments rocketed away, one of them heading straight for Edwin.
To Marcellus's amazement, Edwin effortlessly sidestepped the incoming debris, his movements as fluid as a dancer's. It was as though he had anticipated the trajectory of the flying wood, and his evasion was nothing short of extraordinary.
Is this the ability of a jinx?
The Hollow Serpent recoiled from Martia's explosive strike, its scales singed and smoking. Marcellus and Ralf moved in quickly, exploiting the opportunity Martia had created.
Marcellus, driven by a surge of adrenaline, swung his newly acquired sword with precision. The blade cut through the air with a deadly grace, finding its mark on the serpent's side.
A sickening hiss escaped the creature as it writhed in pain. Marcellus's sword bounced back the serpent took no damage.