Lucas' POV
In the depths of my mind, a moving scene unfolded itself. A familiar arachnid monster was maneuvering a landscape overwhelmed with flora and fauna.
Spotting a number of prey, it's red eyes glared ominously at quiet a number of these diabolic beasts. Their response to the sight of their predator was expected, as their flight response kicked in, causing them to attempt to flee from the savagery of their attacker.
The arachnid shot sequential amounts of green steamy liquids with undeniable accuracy towards it's targeted victims, causing them to halt their motions as soon as the green liquids landed on their figure.
As quickly as the scene begun to reveal itself in my mind, it quickly ended.
My right hand receded from the arachnid's sturdy carapace as I resumed an upright disposition.
The familiar kind of notification that would initially pop up on my retina for permanent mirroring of a particular affinity and it's related skill, after I upgraded my ID slot features with the Maxwell incorporation ID slot upgrade software, caused me to grin as I stared at it.
[New affinity has been permanently mirrored.. AI of the ID slot is generating suitable name for permanently mirrored affinity...Affinity name generated :Paralytic liquid..
New skill related to Paralytic affinity has been permanently mirrored...
A I of the ID slot is generating suitable name for permanently mirrored skill.. Skill name generated: Medusa's avalanche... (Click here for details of skill) ]
I could feel some sort of connection to the new affinity I had obtained from the creature with my permanent mirroring affinity.
Quickly and subconsciously as though I had completely assimilated the creature's affinity related skill after endless hours of assimilatory practice, two green steamy liquids coalesced like small orbs , undulating at the tips of my right index finger. I repeated the same activity with my left index finger, a synonymous result presenting itself.
I willed the two pairs of undulating green orbs hanging on each of my index finger towards four directions...
Fwoosh
Quickly, the small green steamy liquid orbs gravitated towards their designated locations. Owing to the absence of beasts in the surroundings, the efficacy of their effects remained to be tested in actual battle as the liquids rippled and dissolved on ground near surface of the lake.
I glanced at the surroundings in confusion of my next approach. The perfume that hid my scent from monsters had long wore off. It was obvious from the sudden movements and ripples on the lake that some beasts were starting to pick up my scent.
It was general knowledge in the populace of the United Federation that diabolic beasts whose primary habitat was water posed more threat than terrestrial diabolic beasts. Also, I had ventured this deep into the forest due to the attempt to evade the diabolic beast that I fought previously... There was no way I would have willingly come this far into the forest knowing the terrors that awaited anyone who came this far into the diabolic beast zone.
I knew that with how far I had ventured deeply into the forest, I needed to find a way to break through into at least the D rank and locating an ether dense area was my only hope, else I would die miserably because the deeper into the forest one went, the more frequent one would come into contact with diabolic beasts of higher ranks...
I had read on a forum on the WHA website that apart from the ether dense areas in Oslon City guarded by various Guilds, and the Military, there were quite a number of ether dense areas in the diabolic beast zones...
Without further thought, I made a decision to head back into the forest, considering to look for one particular location, an ether dense area...
I felt nervous, scared, and disappointed in myself for being so weak, yet ... I felt elated at the same time, because I was pushing myself to the limits to grow stronger. There was no better way to grow accustomed to the practical reality of the battlefield as an awakened than in harsh environments like this, even though it came with the risk of dying if one were too weak...
Also earning practical experience by embarking on field missions as an awakened would hone your battle instincts to higher levels, increasing your chances of survival in battle.
I maneuvered through the trees of the forest illuminated by the moonlight with swift acceleration aided by the boost of my lightning affinity.... Unfortunately, the Federation had no maps regarding how to maneuver the various beast zones of the federation. This made it more difficult for me to locate an ether dense area ....
I halted in my motions, quietly resting atop a tree to catch my breath and come up with a plausible idea to finding an ether dense area quickly...
The number of monstrous beasts I had struggled to escape these past few minutes were nothing to scoff at... My only advantages were that these beasts were not very sentient creatures, and lacked a high level of intelligence, coupled with the fact that they were not terrifying enough compared to the arachnid I had fought earlier during the day... Therefore it was easier to make them lose track of me for a while...
However, I was not naïve to rule out the possibility that some of them were still using their bestial instinct to track my scent...
With my SSS rank talent, I could absorb ether quickly... It was obvious that if I managed to locate an ether dense area, I would be able to break through to another rank quickly, increasing my chances of survival before the beasts that were probably now tracking me due to my scent locate me.
Just when I was racking my brains about what to do, a silhouette bumped into me from behind, as I was squatting on the moonlit tree, causing me stumble and fall from the tree...
Sparks of lightning manifested beneath the soles of my feet, aiding me to quickly readjust my body, making it easier to land properly on the ground...
The familiar looking female was already standing on the ground before me, panting heavily with many wounds visible on her body as she looked at me... Before I had any chance to think of where I remembered her from, she blurted out with anxiety and sadness predominant in her voice
'' I'm sorry for causing trouble for you, but some sociopaths are after me and I could use all the help I could get... I was currently heading towards an ether dense area to break through to the next rank when they made lustful advances towards me... I rejected them, only for them to launch various attacks on me and my D+ rank teammate who fought with them to hold them off whilst I escape... as I only specialize in healing and not combat... I would have only held Steve back if I had stayed... I'm sure he is even dead by now , since there are three D rankers and only one of him.... They are probably on my tail now after dealing with him'' ...
''Take me to the ether dense area first, and I promise you that not a single one of them will be able to lay even a finger on you.'' I spoke to her...Giving up on trying to recall where I remembered her from...
''We have a deal'' She gestured politely without hesitation, then took out a pen looking device with glowing wisps of light floating towards a particular direction..
''This an ether dense area location device... follow me'' Without waiting for my response, she darted off, as I quickly followed her through the forest...