129. Reckless
I did not get why Daniel was so upset even before he heard what I had to say. I crossed my arms, giving him an annoyed look as he went on.
we dont even know what level this Lich is, let alone where he is! Were wholly unprepared for this excursion, Salvos. What made you think this was a good idea?
Edithe yawned next to him; she had nothing to say, so she was just getting ready for the day. I rolled my eyes.
I did think this through, Daniel the Grouch! Thats right! Thats your Title now.
I shook a fist angrily at him.
And when I said we should find the Lich, I did not an we should do it imdiately. Im saying we should prepare for it. Level up more. Get proper equipnt! Then we can find him, determine if hes wild, and fight him if he is!
Daniel went cross-eyed. Almost as if he was so surprised that I was actually capable of planning things. He took a mont to recover, before shaking his head.
We dont even know what level this Lich is, Salvos.
We can find out.
I shrugged. He opened his mouth, but Edithe stalked past us.
The suns rising. Lets not waste any more ti. We can talk and walk.
I agreed with that. I followed after the red-haired woman as Daniel glowered. I crossed two of my arms across my chest as my third tapped my chin.
Why are you so against this idea, Daniel? Its not like we will be at this level forever well keep leveling and getting stronger!
First of all, do you even know where this Lich is?
Tilting my head up, I saw the cloudy, blight-covered sky. I rembered a vague shape. One that was poking through the haze of miasma. I made a sound, snapping my fingers.
I saw its castle! When I was searching for you two!
He gave a flat stare.
Do you rember where it was?
Um
I trailed off, scratching my cheeks. I glanced down, and out of the corner of my eye, spotted a flash of white in the distance. I pointed at the group of Skeletons.
Look! [Unard Skeletons]! Get ready!
We worked as we usually did. Edithe flung spells at them from afar as I loosed the occasional Refined Blazing Bolts their way. When they got too close, I created a Sickle Grenade, tossing it and blasting the forefront of the group.
It was only then did Daniel engage them. I scurried around their sides and flanked the undead. The two of us would deal with as many Skeletons as we could, leaving a handful weakened ones for Edithe. This was clinical at this point.
We had been in the Plaguelands for a while. Of course we could deal with these lower leveled threats without a hitch.
Defeated [Unard Skeleton - Lvl. 96]!
More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 10 levels above you!
Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!
Defeated [Unard Skeleton - Lvl. 95]!
More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 10 levels above you!
Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!
Im just being cautious, Salvos. You get pretty reckless at tis.
I know that! Im working on it, ok?
He narrowed his eyes. He was dubious. Just like he always was.
I dont exactly rember where its castle was, but I know so people who do.
Who?
Xidra.
I replied simply. He raised a brow, and even Edithe glanced over at disbelieving. The Human man spoke questioningly.
You expect Kobolds to help us? Were Humans, Salvos.
Shes my friend! And she doesnt mind Humans not like a few others, sure.
You barely even know her.
I scowled.
I saved her life.
Daniel sighed, rubbing at his temples.
You dont just earn soones trust because you saved their life. There is no reason for you to believe anything she says.
I glared at him.
She helped find the both of you, so I trust her word because she hasnt lied to or anyone I know yet. Unlike soone.
He glowered, but said nothing else. Edithe blinked, glancing between us.
Relax, guys. Co on we shouldnt be fighting each other. There are plenty of other things to fight here.
I nodded at her, smiling.
At least I have Edithe on my side here.
She hesitated.
...Im undecided right now. Lets focus on what we can first, alright?
We continued through the Plaguelands, fighting as we always did against mostly [Unard Skeletons], a few [Skeleton Warriors], and even [Skeleton Archers]. I focused mostly on using my magic in this fight. I tried to avoid using any Skills, only utilizing them when necessary.
Perhaps I would even level my General Skills this way.
I leveled again.
Edithe blinked as we finished off a group of undead. I turned to her, excited.
You did! Aw, but I didnt. Although I feel like Im getting close.
It was an odd feeling. I did not know if it was just my mind playing tricks on perhaps over excitent? I certainly was eager. I acknowledged that.
Should we go back?
Daniel asked from the side, not really eting my gaze. Edithe shrugged.
If you think youre going to level soon, Salvos, do you want to stay for a little longer?
I narrowed my eyes, glancing between my companions. It was not late not just yet. The sun was not edging towards the horizon. Although it would soon.
Its fine. Well go back. Were quite deep into the Plaguelands, anyway.
We were more daring than usual today. Probably because we did not exactly run into too many Skeletons at once. The groups they were in numbered no more than half a dozen. Whereas in other days, we could fight over a dozen Skeletons both [Unard Skeletons] and [Ard Skeletons multiple tis in a row.
I started in one direction, then paused.
Too much blight there.
I could not see the miasma, but I could tell by the concentration of mana in the distance. There was probably a blight flower field that way. Edithe nodded.
Well have to go around. Im already exhausted as is the blight would cause to collapse.
The only other way was to traverse through a dead forest. It was not that much of a danger to us, since we would be able to spot any [Wights] standing out in the middle of the night.
All we had to do was avoid the occasional traps of Skeletons hiding in the dirt. And with all the dead branches littering the ground, it was not super easy to spot. However, I was here, and I had rather good eyesight.
Theres a pile of corpses up ahead.
I frowned.
Im not sure if theyre Skeletons or real corpses. They look real to .
We still went around it, not wanting to take a risk. And yet, I held up a hand no more than five minutes later.
Another pit. Im pretty sure this is a Skeleton trap though.
Do we go around again?
Edithe asked with a raised brow.
Yep.
I spun back, only to see my companions paused, staring at a figure behind us. It was not a Skeleton. Neither was it a [Wight]. It was burly, with dark skin and glowing eyes. I recognized it imdiately.
A [Ghoul].
I bared my teeth as my companions drew their weapons. But before I could activate any of my Skills, I heard the sound of bones rattling. It was only then I realized what was going on.
Were surrounded.
I glanced back, seeing the Skeletons crawl out of their hole. The [Ghoul] was commanding them. It had lain this trap for us. Or at least, for soone to eventually run into it. They were smart even if they were wild.
Salvos.
Edithe spoke through gritted teeth.
Its Level 108. The Skeletons are mostly ard. We have to run.
I shook my head, stepping forward.
If we run, well be chased down until we lose sight of them completely. And Im tired. Trust . Even if I pick the both of you up and make a break for it, theyll catch us eventually.
Daniel gave a doubtful look.
What do you suggest we do, then?
We fight.
I felt magic gathering around my legs. But it was not a spell. It was an enchantnt.
Well have to deal with the [Ghoul] its controlling the Skeletons. You two hold them off. Ill take care of it quickly and easily.
Wait, Salvos
I did not listen to the Human mans protest. My Greaves of the Wanderer activated in conjunction with [Self Haste] and [Fla Burst]. The combination of my Skills and equipnt propelled forward.
I crossed the distance between myself and the [Ghoul] in an instant. Flas shot out behind . A cone of smoke trailed at my back. Dead branches and leaves shot up into the air as my claws were engulfed in blue flas.
I slamd the first claw to its chest. It tried to react it was not slow. Not at all. But I was just too fast. It could not block the attack.
The [Ghoul] stumbled back, making an odd groaning nose. Then I watched as its arm blurred. [Ember Core] flared up, covering my body with a flaming blue armor.
It took the brunt of the [Ghoul]s strike. If I still had an aura of protection from my Ring of Lesser Protection but no, it was used up from a previous battle. I stumbled back from the undead as it readied a follow up attack.
I grinned as I watched it leap at . Then I activated [Fla Burst] again, intercepting it mid air. A voice cried out at as I t the [Ghoul].
What are you doing
My claws were overco with black fla. [Radiant Slash] glowed its eerie light as I dug into the [Ghoul]s body. Its attack was t by mine. But it was not matched.
I sheared through the right side of the undeads body. It let out a guttural scream. It still sounded like a weak groan, but this ti its pain was evident. I landed on the ground, frowning as the [Ghoul] collapsed with a thud.
I looked back at Daniel, seeing him give a worried look as he held off the Skeletons. I stood tall.
Daniel.
My voice called out ca out raspy as smoke wisped from my mouth. The [Ghoul] slowly climbed back to its feet, a red glow covering its body. A curse. One that drained of my health.
I breathed out a brilliant blue fire. The [Ghoul] stumbled back.
I know that I am reckless. I know that, sotis, I make stupid decisions. But that doesnt an I am incapable. That doesnt an I dont know what I am doing.
I brought a hand up, creating a bow out of thin air. Another hand began to conjure chains. My remaining two hands began to circle each other, like I was weaving sothing. And I was. With the strands of mana, I focused on refining a fiery arrow.
Yes, I am reckless. No I am not ignorant of that. I am trying to put you and Edithe in less dangerous situations, Daniel. But you cant expect to learn overnight. Nor can you always treat that way.
I loosed it, and it shot forth. It pierced the left chest of the [Ghoul] as it bumbled forward. It fell to its hands, but it continued, now bounding my way.
I know how to fight. I know when a fight is too much for . I know when I am outmatched.
For a mont, I thought I saw Lucerna charging at with his enraged, single eye. But no it was a [Ghoul]. And even if he was here, I could defeat him with ease now. I flipped over the undead, landing on its back as I struck it with a [Barrage of Cinders] from each hand.
If not
The [Ghoul] threw off, and I crashed onto a tree. I got back up, eyeing the [Ghoul] as I felt the pressure on my body waver. The aura around it flickered. Its body was a ss, barely being held together, failing to stitch itself back into shape.
I yanked on the flaming chains in my hand. The Sickle Grenade ca flying at the [Ghoul] in an arc from its back. It tried to dodge, but I bellowed.
Kneel.
The [Ghoul] stumbled. It halted for a mont, affected by [Intimidation]. Of course it would feel its effects. Even if minute, it would still slow enough for the attack to hit.
If not, then how could I have survived all this ti?
And why would it not be affected? It was a [Ghoul]. Not a Skeleton. It was intelligent. So, it stumbled, and the attack crashed into it. The blast engulfed it entirely. The flas shot up above even the treetops. The explosion resounded along with the notification in my head.
General Skill [Lesser Enhanced Wisdom] Level Up!
[Lesser Enhanced Wisdom - Lvl. 1] -> [Lesser Enhanced Wisdom - Lvl. 2]!
Experience is awarded for the leveling of a General Skill!
General Skill [Advanced Mana Manipulation] Level Up!
[Advanced Mana Manipulation - Lvl. 5] -> [Advanced Mana Manipulation - Lvl. 6]!
Experience is awarded for the leveling of a General Skill!
Defeated [Ghoul of Despair - Lvl. 108]
More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 20 levels above you!
Subspecies [Asura Changeling] Level Up!
[Asura Changeling Lvl. 84] -> [Asura Changeling Lvl. 85]
Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!
Subspecies [Asura Changeling] Level Up!
[Asura Changeling Lvl. 85] -> [Asura Changeling Lvl. 86]
Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!
I ran straight back to my companions. I was still moving at an incredibly fast speed. With [Self Haste] and my Greaves of the Wanderer, they barely even had ti to react before I picked them up and darted away from the Skeletons.
The Skeletons did not give chase. Most of them didnt, anyway. We avoided a few [Wights] before we finally arrived back at our small cave. It was almost like an alcove, really. But we returned, and I settled my companions down to the ground.
I collapsed with a sigh, completely exhausted. I lay there for a bit, until I saw a potion being held up over . Daniel stood there, looking slightly reticent.
Thank you.
I accepted the stamina potion, downing it gratefully, before moving onto the healing and mana potions. He scratched the back of his head, glancing over at Edithe. She crossed her arms. He sighed.
No problem and uh, sorry.
I shook my head, getting to my feet.
Im not asking for an apology, Daniel. Im just telling you
I took a deep breath, explaining.
I dont know my way around because Im unfamiliar with this place. I never had a reason to know in the Netherworld. But after I got lost, separated from you two, I tried to learn. I took asures and bought this horn.
I tapped the item on my chest.
I can adapt. I know you think of as like a Human child. But Im not. I can differentiate between what is a ga what is just fun and what is seriously deadly. Thats all Im telling you.
Right
He trailed off, not really eting my gaze. He steeled himself, eting my eyes.
I still think fighting the Lich is a bad idea.
You think everything is a bad idea.
I snorted. Then I smiled.
But well learn more about it first. And well get stronger. Then well decide what to do from there. It was a suggestion an idea. Not a final decision.
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