I forgot to add pics yesterday. Please check them in this chapter.
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Lily shook her head, a strange determination in her eyes. "I feel warm. Energy courses through me," she insisted. Surprised, Caelum quickly used his Observe skill on her.
[System Message: Observe: Lily
Class: InnMaid (Level 2)
Health Points (HP): 110/110
Mana Points (MP): 50/50
Core Skills:
Hospitality: Healing minor injuries, boosting morale.
Efficient Service: Increased agility, multitasking.
Abilities:
Herbal Expertise: Healing concoctions, ability enhancements.
Intuitive Insight: Reading situations, anticipating attacks.
Stat Allocation Per Level:
Wisdom (WIS): +1
Charisma (CHA): +1
Agility (AGI): +1
Free Stats: +2]
Caelum looked at her in surprise. 'She must have earned experience. She's part of mine and Elara's party now,' he realized. Reviewing her stat allocation, he thought, '3 stats per level, and two free stats. Not great compared to ours, but it's a start.'
Lily, sensing his hesitation, pleaded, "Let me help. I can do more than just stand back."
Caelum, seeing the resolve in her eyes, nodded. "Stay behind us. Use your skills smartly. We'll need every advantage."
As they prepared, more creatures slithered out of the shadows, a mix of River Fiends, Darkwater Brutes, and the new, more agile Serpent Shades. Caelum's enhanced agility and quick reflexes were put to the test as he danced between the creatures, his revolver and blade moving in a deadly ballet.
Elara, with her nature-infused magic, summoned vines to trap and impede their foes, while Lily, surprisingly agile, moved to assist the duo, her hands glowing faintly as she applied her skills.
Caelum, in the thick of battle, used his Enhanced Marksmanship to target the weakest points of their enemies. Each shot from his revolver was a burst of incendiary fury, setting the creatures ablaze. The Serpent Shades, though swift, could not withstand the relentless assault.
Caelum suddenly felt a shiver going down his spine. Peering into the darkness, his gaze landed on a towering humanoid creature, emerging from the shadows like a nightmare brought to life. Standing well over eight feet tall, its skin was a mottled tapestry of darkness, like the night sky devoid of stars. Muscles rippled under its skin, each movement a display of terrifying strength. Its eyes, glowing a deep crimson, bored into Caelum, reflecting a malevolent intelligence.
[System Message: Observe: The Prince of River
Level: 17
HP: 650/650
Strength: 35
Agility: 18
Vitality: 30
Intelligence: 25
Wisdom: 22
Skills: Dark Grasp, Soul Drain, Nightmarish Aura, Unholy Strength]
The Prince of River smirked, its lips curling back to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth, as if mocking Caelum's efforts. "Shit," Caelum cursed under his breath. "GO!" he shouted urgently to Elara and Lily. His voice carried the weight of a command, brooking no argument.
Lily froze for a split second, her eyes wide with fear, but Elara, understanding the gravity of the situation, quickly pulled her away. They needed to get help, and every moment they lingered only hindered Caelum. As they retreated, Caelum could feel the tension in the air, the heavy burden of what was to come.
The Prince of River advanced, each step a thunderous echo in the sewer tunnels. Caelum steadied himself, his mind racing. He knew this creature was beyond anything he had faced before. His usual tactics would need adapting, his skills pushed to their limits.
Caelum's hands moved to his revolver, his fingers expertly swapping the ammunition for his most potent bullets and even added his ability – Mystic Bullets. Each bullet glowed with a blue aura, the magic within them humming with contained power. He knew he needed every advantage against this monstrosity.
The Prince raised its hand, dark energy coalescing around its fingers, and launched a barrage of shadowy tendrils towards Caelum. Reacting instinctively, he activated Bullet Time, the world around him slowing to a crawl. He dodged, the tendrils missing him by inches, and fired back. The Mystic Bullets hit the Prince, causing it to stagger, its aura flickering under the impact.
Caelum had no hope of victory. The gulf between their strengths was too vast. His smoothbore barreled gun, albeit a formidable weapon in most situations, forced him into dangerously close range. Yet, he had one advantage: the Incendiary Shot, enhanced further with Mystic Bullets. It was a slim chance, but it was all he had. If he could hold off the creature long enough, maybe Elara and Lily could bring help.
As the Prince of River advanced, a dark aura enveloping its massive form, Caelum knew he had to rely on more than just firepower. Drawing from his deep well of agility and combat experience, he danced around the creature's attacks, each movement calculated and precise. The air was thick with tension, the only sounds the echoing of their movements and the occasional discharge of his weapon.
Caelum fired, the incendiary bullets leaving a trail of blue flames. They hit the Prince, who roared in a blend of pain and fury, the fire consuming its dark aura. Yet, the creature was relentless. It unleashed a Soul Drain, a spectral force seeking to leech Caelum's life energy. Reacting swiftly, Caelum rolled away, using his heightened agility to evade the deadly grasp.
"Come on, you bastard," Caelum taunted, trying to draw its focus. His voice was a mix of defiance and desperation. He knew he couldn't defeat the Prince, but he could fight, and could survive long enough for help to arrive.
The Prince of River, unrelenting, countered with its Nightmarish Aura, an oppressive force that sought to overwhelm Caelum's senses with fear. Caelum gritted his teeth, fighting against the rising tide of terror. He knew this was more than a physical battle; it was a test of his mental fortitude. His past life as Eclipse had hardened him against such psychological warfare, but this was unlike anything he had faced.
Caelum fired again, but this time the Prince was ready. It moved with unnatural speed, dodging the bullets. It closed the distance, striking with Unholy Strength that sent Caelum reeling against the sewer wall. Pain exploded in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"I will enjoy feasting on your soul, human," the Prince hissed, its voice a chilling whisper that echoed off the damp walls.
Caelum pushed himself up, refusing to yield. He thought of his trick shots, a skill honed over countless battles. With a flick of his wrist, he fired a bullet that ricocheted off the sewer walls, striking the Prince from behind. The creature stumbled, surprised by the unexpected attack.
But the Prince of River was not to be underestimated. With a roar, it unleashed Dark Grasp, tendrils of shadow shooting out. Caelum dodged, but one grazed his arm, its touch like ice, sapping his strength. He could feel his energy waning, his movements becoming sluggish.
Caelum knew he was outmatched. Every move he made, the Prince countered with brutal efficiency. His bullets, his agility, his cunning – nothing seemed enough. The Prince, unscathed and unyielding, bore down upon him, a nightmare incarnate.
In a desperate move, Caelum activated his Bullet Time ability, the world slowing around him. He unloaded the last of his Mystic Bullets, each shot a perfect blend of desperation and precision. But as the bullets struck, the Prince merely absorbed their impact, its unholy strength too great, its dark power too overwhelming.
As Caelum's abilities waned, his Bullet Time fading, the Prince struck with a crushing blow, sending him crashing to the ground. Caelum lay there, battered and broken, his vision blurring. The Prince towered over him, its crimson eyes gleaming with malice.
"This is the end, human," the Prince sneered, raising its hand for the final blow.