Mav's eyes scanned the titles on the spines: Daimoniki I, Daimoniki II, and so on, each volume attributed to the same author—Vio Logos.
"Are these all written by the same person?" Mav asked, intrigued by the sheer number of volumes.
"Yes," Mina confirmed with a nod. "Ms. Vio Logos. She's one of the foremost researchers on Daimoniki, having compiled data from various flame users over the years. I met her once when she visited—an incredibly intelligent woman, though a bit eccentric. She's nearly obsessed with Daimoniki. But then again," she added with a light chuckle, "I can't judge her too harshly, given my own obsession with books."
"I see," Mav murmured, his curiosity deepening. "I'd like to meet her someday," he thought to himself, imagining the kind of person who could dedicate their life to such a comprehensive study.
His attention shifted back to the shelves, and he pointed to a red-bound volume titled Daimoniki I. "I assume this is where the basic types are listed?"
"Yes, that's right," Mina said as she pulled the book from the shelf and handed it to him. "I've read all of these volumes, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Though, it's a bit of a waste considering I have very little affinity with the Flame types myself. I can't really fight them."
Mav turned the book over in his hands, feeling its weight and the smoothness of the leather binding. "Want to come fight them with me then?" he asked, his tone serious.
Mina blinked, taken aback by the sudden proposition, unsure how to respond.
But Mav's face soon split into a grin. "Sorry, I was just joking—wanted to see your reaction," he said with a laugh, breaking the tension.
Mina laughed too, shaking her head. "Please don't do that again, Mav. And remember, we're in a library, so we should keep it down," she said, trying to suppress her lingering laughter.
"You're right," Mav agreed, his own laughter subsiding as the quiet ambiance of the library returned.
"Anyway," Mina continued, "find a table to read at. I'll come back once your library card is ready."
"Alright, thanks, Mina," Mav replied.
"You're welcome," she said with a warm smile before turning to leave.
Mav scanned the library, spotting an empty table near a window where the sunlight filtered through, casting a warm, golden glow across the polished wood. He made his way over, the soft hum of whispered conversations and the gentle rustling of pages creating a peaceful atmosphere. Settling into a comfortable chair, he placed the book on the table, the rich scent of ink and parchment wafting up as he slowly opened the cover.
The first page bore the title Daimoniki I, with the author's name, Vio Logos, elegantly inscribed beneath it. The next page revealed the introduction:
This is the first part of the Daimoniki series. Within these pages are catalogued the basic and weakest types of Daimoniki. This book is intended for beginners, particularly those with little to no experience in battling these creatures. It serves as both a guide and a training manual for flame users to gain fundamental combat experience and to level up their skills. Thus, the creatures listed here are deliberately the weakest, to maximize training and skill growth. General advice for each flame type is also included, tailored to help users make the most of their abilities.
This book is highly recommended for those seeking to enhance their skills—except for Blue Flame users. Once you have gained enough skill levels and gained sufficient experience, it is advised to move on to stronger Daimoniki and accept guild commissions.
Caution: Never underestimate the Daimoniki, no matter how weak they may seem. Always bring along a more experienced flame user and sufficient mana potions when venturing into dangerous territory.
Mav paused, reflecting on his own experiences. He recalled using Dark Flame Nuke alone recklessly against five Gray Wolves without a single mana potion to back him up. The memory made him wince. If the author had witnessed his actions, he would have surely been reprimanded. He shook his head slightly at the thought and turned the page to the Table of Contents.
A list of Daimoniki names greeted him, most of which were unfamiliar. But as he flipped to the next page, a familiar name caught his eye:
Name: Gray Wolf
Appearance: The Gray Wolf is a Daimoniki that moves on four moderately long legs, allowing it to move swiftly. It has dense, fluffy gray fur, with a short undercoat and long, coarse guard hairs.
Flame Affinity: Yellow Flame
Mav's eyes widened at this revelation. "They can use the flames too?" he thought, surprised. He resumed reading, eager to learn more.
Attack Pattern: Gray Wolves operate in packs. They hunt by coating their noses with Yellow Enhancement to enhance their sense of smell. Once they identify a target, they coat their legs with it next, enabling them to run at remarkable speeds. The pack surrounds its prey, this time coating their jaws and teeth with Yellow Enhancement to enhance their strength and sharpness. They then overwhelm their target, attacking in coordinated strikes until their prey is defeated.
Mav shivered as he remembered the Gray Wolves feasting on a Giant Boar. They had seemed so vulnerable while eating, but what if he had approached them while they were hunting? The thought of being caught in their vicious assault sent a chill down his spine. He could have easily ended up as minced meat. Shaking off the unease, he continued reading.
General Advice:
For Red Flame Users:
-For those with 50 or higher affinity with Red Flame:
Use Red Armor to protect your body from their attacks. With the Intermediate Form of this skill, their enhanced fangs cannot pierce your flame, even at its lowest level. Once shielded, you can attack them with weapons or bare hands if experienced in hand-to-hand combat.
-For those with 49 or lower affinity with Red Flame:
It's advisable to bring a Green Flame user to act as a lure. Allow the Gray Wolves to focus on them, then bombard the pack with Fireballs until they are all taken down.
For Green Flame Users:
-Always bring a Red Flame/Yellow Flame user with you. Let the Gray Wolves surround you while you shield yourself with Green Protection. Ensure the flame size is just enough to cover your body for maximum strength without exhausting your mana reserves. When your Green Protection is nearing its limit, have the Red or Yellow Flame user finish off the Gray Wolves.
Mav paused, pondering the advice. "So, defending with Green Flame is a condition for leveling up? Maybe it's similar to my Dark Green Invincibility, too." He frowned, thinking of the one-second duration and 120-second cooldown of his skill. "But I can't use these Gray Wolves for leveling up. That would be suicide." He sighed and turned to the next section.
For Yellow Flame Users:
-Yellow Flame users with skills in the Intermediate Form (31-60 Affinity) and above can easily outrun Gray Wolves, rendering their pack attack less of a threat. Dodging them and initiating counterattacks is simple by coating your entire body with Yellow Enhancement. However, as with Green Flame users, be mindful of your mana consumption in case of emergencies. It's also wise to bring a Green Flame user to cast Green Protection on you should you fail to dodge one of their attacks.
Mav considered using the Gray Wolves to level up his Dark Yellow Transcendence, but again, the one-second duration and long cooldown made it impractical. He turned the page, the crisp sound of the paper cutting through the quiet library, his mind already racing with new strategies and ideas as he delved deeper into the world of Daimoniki.