The droplets hit the ground, splattering upon impact. Each droplet carried the plague essence, spreading the infection upon contact.
The ground seemed to sizzle as the droplets landed, the plague essence seeping into the earth and spreading its deadly reach. The plague droplets fell continuously, creating a rainstorm of infectious mana.
"It works," Sasaki said, a satisfied smile on his face.
Sasaki, exhausted but triumphant, watched as his new skill wreaked havoc. The once lush and green land had become barren, transformed into a scene of horror.
Every living plant, tree, and blade of grass was infected, turning the area into a dark, ominous ground where life could no longer exist. Small creatures that once roamed the ground lay dead, victims of the plague rain.
Breathing heavily, Sasaki lowered his arms. The pain in his body began to recede as he allowed himself a moment of rest.
The skill had drained every ounce of mana from his body, leaving him utterly exhausted. He collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
[!Ding]
[Acquired New Ultimate Skill: 'Plague Rain']
[Level: 1]
[Description: A plague cloud that rains droplets, each carrying the same effect to infect those hit, causing further chains of infection.]
[Contagious radius per drop: 10 meters]
[Cloud Size: 50 * 50 * 50 meters]
[15% HP drop per minute]
[Additional Effect: Plague rain, when vaporized, causes the same effect as the vapor flows in the air and is inhaled by living beings.]
[Cooldown: 5 minutes]
[Mana Cost: 40,000]
Sasaki lay on the ground, staring up at the darkened sky, feeling a mix of satisfaction and dread. He had created a powerful new skill, 'Plague Rain,' but at a great cost. The landscape around him was a testament to the skill's devastating power.
With the notification from the system confirming his new ultimate skill, Sasaki knew he had taken a significant step forward.
Despite the exhaustion and the desolate scene around him, he felt a surge of pride and determination.
This new skill would give him a substantial advantage in future battles, allowing him to decimate his enemies with terrifying efficiency.
For now, he needed to rest and recover his mana. He closed his eyes, letting the fatigue wash over him.
He would need all his strength for the challenges that lay ahead. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of respite, knowing that his power had grown considerably.
The next day, Sasaki began his journey towards the west with a steely determination to completely wipe out the western hobgoblin tribes.
He commanded Shadow to scout ahead and identify the locations where hobgoblins gathered in large numbers, ignoring the smaller hunting parties. These smaller groups, consisting of four to five hobgoblins, acted as hunters to supply food to the main base and scouts to detect any threats.
Shadow flew across the vast expanse of the level 2 forest. The western side was enormous, stretching for kilometers.
After a thorough search, Shadow discovered that two main hobgoblin tribes existed in the west. One tribe, known as the Black Tribe, primarily consisted of Shaman hobgoblins who specialized in magic.
The other tribe, known as the Red Tribe, was a mix of brute hobgoblins and Shaman hobgoblins. The Red Tribe was the same one Sasaki had previously struggled against.
Sasaki decided to settle old scores first. He aimed to finish off the Red Tribe before turning his attention to the Black Tribe of Shaman hobgoblins.
He knew that defeating the Red Tribe would be a significant victory, allowing him to focus entirely on the magic-specialized Black Tribe afterward.
With Shadow guiding him, Sasaki moved stealthily through the forest, heading towards the main base of the Red Tribe.
His heart pounded with a mix of anticipation and anger. He recalled the difficulty he faced when battling them before, and now, with his new skills and heightened level, he felt more prepared than ever.
It took four hour to reach the Red Tribe main base location as he was moving stealthily avoiding all the scouts and other monsters, as he approached the Red Tribe's base, Sasaki took a moment to plan his attack.
Sasaki knew he had to be strategic, utilizing his newly acquired 'Plague Rain' more effectively. He positioned himself in a hidden spot, observing the layout of the base and the movements of the hobgoblins.
Using the ability of Shadow, who was flying above the Red Tribe's base, Sasaki meticulously noted every detail: the location of the hobgoblins, their defense mechanisms, and their activities.
The Red Tribe's base was bustling with activity, surrounded by a thick wall with many hobgoblins stationed outside to guard against intruders. Inside the wall, there were many huts made from mud with roofs covered in dry grass.
The population was about a hundred hobgoblins, with their levels varying from 50 to 99. The level 99 hobgoblin appeared to be the king of the tribe, standing out as the only one at such a high level. The level 99 king was a significant threat, but Sasaki was determined to take him down.
"Plague Rain," he whispered, releasing the devastating skill.
The sky above the Red Tribe's base darkened as he formed the plague clouds. Plague cloud cast the shadow over the Red Tribe lands, a green ominous cloud above in sky, hobgoblins looked up in confusion and alarm.
The dark clouds opened, and the plague-infused droplets began to fall, spreading chaos and infection.
Hobgoblins screamed and scrambled as the rain enveloped the base, infecting and weakening them. Sasaki watched from his hidden spot, his eyes scanning for any signs of resistance.
After casting the 'Plague Rain' spell, Sasaki ran far away, knowing the king hobgoblin's detection range was vast. He fled miles to hide from the king's senses.
Back at the Red Tribe's base, the guards outside the wall were the first to be hit. They fell quickly, unable to withstand the plague.
Inside the wall, hobgoblins ran in all directions, trying to escape the deadly rain. Sasaki saw the king from his Shadow eyes, roaring commands and trying to rally his troops, but it was too late. The plague had taken hold.
Every minute, their health dropped. In just ten minutes, all the hobgoblins started to fall to the ground.
Their skin melted away with the acid rain, leaving only skeletons lying on the barren earth. The king was the last one standing. He ran outside the base, trying to locate the intruder who had created the ominous cloud.
The king endured the pain, but his health was slowly decreasing. He had no idea what was happening to him. His weakened state caused confusion, playing tricks on his mind.
His breath became heavy, and his skin, which had been holding up against the acid, soon started to melt. After an hour of struggling, the king fell to the ground, defeated.