I'd like to start by saying, apologies for not posting a chapter yesterday. I was at a ball and did not have time to write.
Also, thanks for 3k reads? I suppose?
Well, anyways - this chapters a bit longer than previous ones — so have an enjoyable reading session!
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We walked for a little while and eventually the atmosphere around began to shift to a more dull and 'grim' one, as the Magical Energy began to change from normal to the 'special' one that Monsters possessed.
My guess was that the Monster Heart was most likely the thing letting out so much of this 'impure' Magical Energy into the air.
I lead the way, following the path that
[Sages' Wisdom] had projected in front of me, while Avid simply trailed behind me - gripping his weapon with a tight hold.
The reason for the grip, was that he insisted to be the one to be on the lookout for any potential ambushes monsters may attempt.
While I did try to protest a little - mainly, by saying that such a thing won't be necessary - I ultimately failed, as my words seemed to fail completely to convince him.
Oh well - I suppose it is good to know that there was at least someone strong keeping an eye out for ambushes.
We walked for a little while longer, a rather awkward silence beginning to build between us.
[Avid] "Tell me something Shin."
Avid suddenly broke the silence with his sort of distorted voice.
[Avid] "How come you know which way to go?"
Oh shit - I didn't tell him about [Sages' Wisdom].. right.
Well — Can't really blame me. After all, I don't think it would be a good idea to tell him about the skill anyways.
Seeing as I presented myself as a 'Black Sorcerer' and I strongly doubt that black sorcerers usually possess skills such as mine.
Scratch that - I KNOW they don't.
"Well... I really just use a special technique to differentiate the Impure Magical Energy from the monster heart and the 'pure' Magical Energy in the air around."
I replied, throwing a quick gaze back at him.
"It's a little trick I learned."
I added at the end before looking away. Let's hope he buys my bs and doesn't try to question it.
I mean, it sounds plausible - doesn't it?
Well, it sounds plausible to me at the very least - but then again, I don't know what exactly counts as 'Normal' or 'Average' in this world.
Avid seemed a bit curious however did not ask any questions and simply nodded lightly.
[Avid] "I see... Well, it's certainly a useful skill - that's for sure."
I felt a tiny bit surprised about his answer - did he actually believe me?
Well, I ain't complaining. If he believes me, then it saves me the trouble of trying to come up with even more lies to expand upon my original lie.
While I kept a calm and collected look on my face, internally I could feel a part of me simply sigh in relief - most likely absolutely glad that I wasn't found out.
We continued to move forward and forward, until eventually - we reached a point where the trail that [Sages' Wisdom] had set up for me cut off.
Seems like we had reached our destination.
"This is it."
I commented as Avid came up and stood next to me. We were standing atop of a cliff face that had a honestly stunning view of a massive 'crater' down which an abundant amount of this 'impure' magical energy poured into, meeting all in the middle.
Speaking of the middle, upon a closer look I could spot what looked like a small, black crystal orb that was held up in the air by its own Magical Energy.
I guess that, was the 'infamous' Monster Heart.
[Avid] "Would you look at that infestation.."
Avid commented.
I first looked at him, before following his gaze and noticing a massive 'army' of all kinds of monsters. Upon using my appraising skills using
[Sages' Wisdom] I could see that all of these monsters, despite not being any stronger than me, were strong enough where I'd say they'd give normal people a very tough time each on their own.
And on a rough count... I'd say there was about 100 over monsters in the crater alone.
"Are all those monsters seriously connected to that thing in the middle?"
Avid nodded.
[Avid] "Indeed they are. That 'thing in the middle' is the Monster Heart you're after."
Well I could figure out as much on my own, thank you very much Mr.Detective.
That being said.. the sheer amount of monsters was honestly a bit intimidating.
Scratch that - a bit is lightly said — It WAS intimidating. Even though my stats were ridiculous as hell, I couldn't forget a simple quote that was stuck in my head at this moment in time.
"Quantity over quality."
Although, does that apply here? Maybe.
While I looked a bit nervous, Avid looked completely confident - not a shread of fear or stress present around him.
'Must be either underestimating the monsters or overestimating his own power.'
I thought before sighing.
Overconfidence should be a crime man.
[Avid] "Alright, we may only have one shot at this. In and out, grab the Monster Heart and destroy it."
I nodded in response before shedding a slight sweat. Being limited to using [Black Magic] and [Shadow Manipulation] to fight is going to make things rather difficult.
While technically, nothing was stopping me from using my skills during the fight - it would look suspicious as hell if I used my skills after claiming to be a Black Sorcerer.
[Avid] "Now then- on my command, strike them with your black magic."
Avid said before leaping off into the distance while remaining hidden from the monsters field of view.
Strike them with my magic?! What am I supposed to throw at them?!
Suggestion;
Using a high scale spell would create enough of a distraction for you to then move in with [Shadow Manipulation].
I see... Well, it's worth a try.
How much Magical Energy do I need to exert to pull off a spell big enough for that task?
Calculating...
Complete.
Calculation suggests that around 25% of your maximum Magical Energy should be enough.
A fourth - actually not as much as I thought. Well then, I guess there is no reason to stall now.
And so, after [Sages' Wisdom] performed his calculations, I quickly got into position and awaited the sign that Avid would give me.
It took a small bit, however I eventually spotted Avid on the other side of the crater. A moment later, he lifted an item into the air before firing off what looked REALLY like a signal rocket.
It probably was this worlds equivalent to it.
Oh right - I have to cast.
I quickly moved to the edge of the crater before creating two black magic circles in my palms and then creating a ring of magic circles that traced the craters edge.
Avid seemed to be taken back a bit by the sheer amount of magic circles I had formed.
A moment later, I created even more rings that completely filled the area above the whole craters - creating a sort of 'ceiling' above all the monsters.
"Dark Descent!"
I shouted, before smashing my hands down to the ground.
Immediately afterwards, a barrage of dark 'arrows' began to rain down upon the monsters from the magic circles I had created - causing an uproar among them.
Avid looked a bit surprised at first, however quickly shook his head before placing his hands together in a praying position.
[Avid] "Hands of Time grant me your protection. Universal Guard."
After chanting the spell, an aura engulfed him as he quickly unsheathed his dagger and leaped into the crater and began to mercilessly slaughter the monsters as the 'arrows' from my spell continued to rain down upon them.
'Well.. that's one hell of a spell..'
I thought before taking in a deep breath and closing my eyes. I then kneeled down, placing my right hand on the ground.
'Sages' Wisdom - begin.'
Understood.
Beginning the calculation of the best path..
Flashes of many, many paths to take began to appear in my mind. Each flash was different and showed a different side, perspective and location.
Calculation complete.
Report created.
I opened my eyes before quickly beginning to run forward, leaping off into the crater.
It was a bit scary honestly - to jump off into a location with such an abundance of monsters in it, however at least I had the reassurance of Avid keeping them busy on the other side, as well as the spell I cast raining down upon this whole crater.
I began to sprint towards the center and the Monster Heart held within - dodging incoming attacks and using [Black Magic] to kill any monsters that tried to stand in my way.
Of course I also used [Shadow Manipulation] here and there to get further and further on without loosing any momentum.
This honestly felt like I was running through a war zone — Rain of Death falling down onto the field, monsters roaring and howling in pain and the death count beginning to pile up.
'This is going to be one big devourer meal..'
I thought, sort of laughing to myself.
Avid continued to rip through the horde of monsters that managed to survive the barrage of attacks that rained down upon them.
He was moving very swiftly and efficiently - it looked like he could do this for hours upon hours.
Meanwhile I continued to run forward towards the Monster Heart. As I approached closer, the air around began to shift even more - turning even more grim and 'sinister' feeling.
Right before I reached the center, I suddenly got surrounded by many large monsters - all of them looking quite... Interesting let's just say.
"Bigots... Get out of my way!"
I shouted before taping the ground with my right foot. Immediately, all of the monsters got restrained by their own shadows.
Then, I quickly decapitated all of them in one swell move, using [Black Magic].
Experience threshold has been reached.
You have risen to level 61.
Rare Skill [Dark Arts] acquired.
Well, looks like I managed to level up in this fiasco. That's fun.
After taking care of the distraction, I leaped forward and finally reached the Monster Heart.
The Monster Hearts 'altar' if you may call it, looked more or less like an organism.
It looked like a small tree, made of... Flesh? I guessed that it was flesh anyway.
'Time to get rid of it.'
I said before sighing, closing my eyes.
A moment later, [Devourer] activated. The aura quickly moved out of my body, before engulfing the Monster Heart.
It looked like it was going all according to plan.
Warning;
Imminent Danger incoming.
What?!
As I was warned, a massive shadow began to descend down to the ground. Quickly deactivating [Devourer], I used [Shadow Manipulation] to get back as far as I could, as the thing that was descending landed, causing the ground to shake violently as well as a massive pressure of wind to be blasted out - which killed off the remaining monsters and broke the spell I had set up above the crater.
Avid looked towards me confused, before looking over to the center as the dust cloud began to dissipate.
Once it did, Avid let out a shocked gasp.
[Avid] "No way... That's a.."
He started before quickly moving to my side.
[Avid] "Shin, we have to get out of here."
"Huh? Why? What is that thing?"
I looked at him confused.
Avid seemed to turn a bit more nervous, even seemingly panicking a bit.
[Avid] "That thing is the Guardian of the Heart."
He stated before looking towards it. I followed suite and also gazed up at the huge dragon like monster that had just landed in the middle of the battle.
'Guardian huh..? I see... I knew it seemed too easy.'
I thought before shedding a slight sweat, as the huge monster gazed down upon me and Avid, its glare seemingly piercing into my soul.