As I glared at the ground, my body wrapped around the altar with the child on it, the cloaked people simply stared at me - their expressions going from confusion to shock.
They spoke among themselves in the same, unknown language, before taking what seemed like battle ready poses.
Suspicion on an attempted group attack.
'Yeah, I figured as much... These guys think I'm a pushover.'
I simply smirked to myself, before hissing loudly at the group, shaking the room lightly.
The group of people seemed to be a bit 'shaken' by this sudden move - however, none of them looked like they were going to flee.
Alright, time for slaughter.
Then, as the members charged me from all sides, I simply used my tail to knock them away or just wrap around them and throw them away - making sure to not hurt them too much.
Mainly for the purposes of not wanting to clean-up after the slaughter.
Although — if they're all dead after I'm done here... Why would I need to clean-up? Technically I am a monster, so.. Monsters don't clean-up as far as I am aware.
Oh well- who cares.
As they continued to attempt and get in attacks against me, I continued to just whip my tail all around, keeping them away.
Then, a crimson red magic circle appeared right below me, before beginning to glow.
'Magic?'
Warning;
This is a restriction spell.
Restriction huh? Well, that's easy to counter.
In one swell swoop, I activated my skill —
[Magic Nullification Barrier].
Shortly afterwards, the magic circle below me turned to dust, as the people backed up a bit in shock, once again, speaking that gibberish language.
"Y'know, I wanted to go easy on y'all, but I see no purpose anymore. Y'all are boring."
I announced my thoughts loudly, before looking up.
Time to test out the absolute limits of my new skill.
In the following moment, red lightning crackled from the top of my head, as I once again, activated my newest skill that I had acquired recently -
[Crimson Lightning].
The red lightning engulfed the room, absolutely frying all the cloaked people, causing them to fall to the ground.
Attention;
All the present peoples life force has vanished.
The Child on the altar remains an exception.
So I killed them.
Well, that went a bit more grim. Guess there was no use for my magic blocking barrier - not like it served much purpose other than a show off. Then again, I suppose showing off my skills is also fun.
After activating [Devourer] and grabbing the deceased people Magical Energy, my gaze slid down to the small half-human, half-snake child that still rested on the altar.
Upon closer look, the child seemed to be female, with pointy ears and some snake skin showing itself on the 'human' half of her.
I am sure there was a word for a race of half-snake, half-human people... But what was it?
I thought for a bit, trying to remember the exact word. It was literally on the tip of the tongue and yet, I couldn't remember it for the life of me.
'What was the word?!'
I thought, before sighing.
I suppose I'll remember later. Right now, I should get her out of here. I then slowly reached my tail down at the child, before suddenly being stopped.
Warning;
Direct contact with the child in this situation will result in a strong curse applying to you.
Huh?!
How the hell is that possible?!
I quickly moved my tail away from the child, before also moving a bit back, still watching the child. Could it be... She is cursed?
Negative.
Analysis suggests that the child has been put under a spell that activates upon the casters death.
This spell seems to apply Strong Curses to those that will attempt to help the individual with the spell on them.
Well ain't that just a son of a bitch.
How the hell am I supposed to get her out of here now? If I can't carry her out, I will be forced to leave her alone here..
Or alternatively, I could also rip the altar out of the ground.
Action is not recommended.
Breaking the altar from its place will result in a Magical Energy explosion.
....Why the hell does everything have to be trapped?
I sighed, before getting an idea.
Can't I just use [Devourer] to eat up the spell on the child?
Negative.
[Devourer] will not work in this case, since the spell doesn't use Magical Energy.
I see... That may also be why it's still active under the magic barrier.... That I forgot to remove. Right - should probably get that down.
After removing the magic nullification barrier, I looked at the small girl with a slightly more nervous gaze.
Can I help her somehow? Leaving her here seems a bit unsafe and... Well.. rude.
I quickly opened my status window, before looking at my skills. Perhaps I could combine two skills to create one that would be able to allow me to either dispell or destroy that spell on her..
Now the question remains..
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Name; Faofa Shin
Species; Superior Serpentine
Level; 70 — Rank; C
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Stats:
HP; 74800 — ATK; 9780
MAGEN (MAGICAL ENERGY); 12300
STAMINA; 8960 — INTELLIGENCE; 700
OVERALL POWER; 18970
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Titles:
<Reincarnated> ; <Ally of Abyss> ;
<Guardian of The South> ;
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Common Skills; [Trickster]
Rare Skills; [Persistent], [Soul Splitter], [Fractured], [Human Mimicry],
[Magic Nullification Barrier], [Black Magic],
[Magic Resistance], [Language Mastery],
[Thread Manipulation], [Dark Arts],
[Crimson Lightning]
Epic Skills; [Venom Control], [Overworld Detection], [Holy Magic Nullification],
[Greater Physical Resistance], [Undetectable]
Individual Skills; [Sages' Wisdom](2), [Devourer], [Shadow Manipulation], [Beasts Will],
[Venom Shocker], [Serpents Wrath],
[Venomous Chomp]
Legendary Skills; [Warlock]
Arc Skills; [Ifrit {Lord of Flames}]
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...Which skills do I combine?
I have such a vast list again, that it honestly would be a pain in the ass to try and go through all of them just to find 2 that would be perfect to combine in this situation.
I sighed.
A little help wouldn't hurt [Sages' Wisdom]..
Understood.
Performing calculations of the best skills to combine..
Complete.
It is recommended to combine the skills
[Dark Arts] and [Black Magic].
Dark Arts and Black Magic? How the hell will that create a skill that can be useful in this situation?
Trust me.
Alright fine - I'll do it.
I closed my eyes, before beginning the use of my skill [Fractured] once again. It honestly has been a while since I used it... Feels weird using it again.
Using the Skill [Fractured]...
Success.
Skills [Dark Arts] and [Black Magic] have been combined into the Epic Skill - [Abyss Magic].
Alright, there's that.. Now what?
Use of the Spell 'Abyssal Eraser' is recommended.
I see.. well here goes nothing I guess.
I slithered up closer to the child on the altar, before moving my tail above her.
"Core of all Darkness, heed my request as I offer you this prayer - Make my target disappear into the endless void of darkness... Abyssal Eraser."
I chanted the incantation, as a magic circle of a black and some other interesting colours mixed together appeared at the tip of my tail.
Then, the seeming spell that was on the child, began to flow into the magic circle, almost like dust being sucked up. A moment later, it was complete.
Removal of spell, successful.
Sweet!
Right afterwards, I wrapped my tail around the child, who now appeared to be breathing and alive. Thank god honestly - had she been dead, I would have felt awful..
After picking her up gently with my tail, I sunk into the shadows below me, leaving this secret lair I had stumbled upon behind.
...
Once outside again, I laid the small child against a tree as she slowly opened her eyes, lifting her head up towards me.
[Gorgan Child] "..Dad..?"
She mumbled, looking up to me.
'Did she just call me Dad?'
I sighed before lowering my head a bit.
The girl seemed to realise that I wasn't her 'dad' and quickly began to panic, looking all around before examining herself.
[Gorgan Child] "I'm... Fine..?"
I simply nodded in agreement. While I could talk back to her, I imagine that having a snake of my size talking would be... A strange and terrifying experience for sure.
[Gorgan Child] "Did you... Save me Mr.Serpent?"
I once again nodded in response, as the small girls eyes glimmered with happiness.
A moment later she broke out into a joyful smile and teared up a bit.
[Gorgan Child] "Thank you!"
She suddenly hugged my slenderish snake body, startling me a bit. I got to say - looking over the strange lower snake and upper human body, she was just a normal child.
Well... Her body look was strange to me — can you blame me really?
I simply lowered my head a bit more, as to try and return the hug.
A moment later, the child backed up.
[Gorgan Child] "Can you... Help me get back home..?"
Home?
Kid — I've got absolutely no fucking clue where you live- This ain' a movie.
Despite this comment in my mind, I nodded in response.
[Gorgan Child] "Thank you!.. I-I'll lead the way..!"
She stated, before looking around and beginning to slither off into a seemingly random direction, which lead off to the left side of this place.
Well, I already agreed to take her home, so I guess I gotta keep my promise.
So, a moment later, I slithered on after the small child, staying close to her side — mainly, to make sure I would be able to I suppose protect her.
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Hey!
Unstable here.
This chapter turned out to be on the shorter side, but I hope you still enjoyed!
Anyways - See you all next chapter.