CHAPTER 104.

Fuck. That was the only thought inside Amber’s head as she heard the growl of the two deformed beings in front of her. She was in dire straits, she had no Essence to speak of available, and she was still suffering from the effects of the poison inside her body. While the regeneration from Recovery of Curses was still in place for another ten minutes or so, and she still had its second use, she was still in a very bad position.

All this time she had been fighting with the idea that the curses could potentially heal the chimera she had been fighting, but now with two of them in front of her that were fully healthy she had to try using everything within her arsenal. But more than anything, she had to kill the Fledgling Chimera.

It was pretty much immobile on its spot, but Amber had to get it done as soon as possible, all so it wouldn’t recover and kill her⁠— but more importantly than it recovering, it had to die so she could restore her Essence to some extent.

Otherwise… Amber gulped seeing the twisted appendages of the two chimeras in front of her. I’m a bit fucked⁠—

A loud explosion resounded in the distance, its shockwaves sending light trembles through the earth. And using that as a cue one of the chimeras leapt at her, while the other remained in its spot, charging a ranged attack.

Amber could sense it, both of them were considerably weaker than the Fledgling Chimera, but even with that, her state was absolutely terrible. She was in no position to actually fight these two monsters and yet⁠—

She narrowly side-stepped the whipping tail of one.

⁠— she had to.

Amber immediately dashed out of the way as the ranged attack from the second chimera hit the spot where she had been standing. Stone exploded and Amber took that chance to finally kill the fallen Fledgling Chimera.

She used the 3rd Rank of Quick Dash and⁠— she was charged by the nearest chimera, the one that had been standing guard. Amber immediately felt multiple bones snap as she was sent flying into the side of the crater she was in. Her vision blurred slightly thanks to the poison, and as she raised her head sensing danger her eyes widened seeing both chimeras preparing long ranged attacks.

Amber immediately dislodged herself from the rock and ran. The spot where she had just been exploded and she went flying⁠; parts of her armor exploded and she lost her hand in a single moment. She landed on the ground rolling while in pain as the two chimeras immediately turned to her, charging their attacks once more.

So much for having long range covered⁠— her Essence was basically the equivalent of a few water drops right now.

And Amber dodged once more, achieving a similar result where the damage she took was from the aftermath of the explosion. This time, she only got mild burns as she began to run on the edge of the crater. The two monsters blasted once more, and this time she dodged unscathed. While all of this was happening, Amber heard rumbles and loud sounds in the distance, but she paid no attention to that. Instead, she took the chance to sprint towards the defending chimera.

And Newling Chimera that had been outside of the crater teleported to get in her way, and Amber in return, dashed in diagonal to it, then using the little amount of Essence she had she used God’s Physique and rammed.

Along with Quick Dash and all her enhancement skills, the chimera was hit and was lifted off the ground, being sent flaying a couple of meters away, then Amber used the 3rd Rank of Quick Dash and teleported next to the chimera that was about to shoot a long ranged attack, and she stabbed.

In the end I have no choice but to use curses… Amber gritted her teeth. Cursed Battery⁠ into⁠— Abyssal Channel. She only used part of Cursed Battery, and even though she had never used the latter skill it was just easy to replicate Abyssal Blast based on her instincts, and so, she did⁠—

In a single moment, the two booming explosions sent the chimera flying with a loud screech, chunks of flesh streaked across her vision, but Amber paid no mind to how much damage she had made to the being. Instead, she immediately turned to the fallen Fledgling Chimera; its condition looked as bad as ever, so at least it didn't have the ability to regenerate.

Amber grinned at that, and raised her sword with shining silver flames ⁠— Silver Flame Edge tripled the sharpness of her sword ⁠— then, without hesitation she cleaved deep into the chimera.

A screech resounded and blood was shed, but it was still alive, so she had to do it⁠—

Again⁠—

And Amber twisted, a rain of spikes passed and half hit her piercing through her and the other half went into the monster causing it to screech once more. These spikes didn’t have any curses on them, but they were loaded with venom and⁠— they were fast.

Amber raised the Cursewelder and taking out the Sword of the Abyss, she used both of the blades to cover herself as another rain of spikes pelted at her. The metallic dinks rang in her ears, as Amber prepared herself to deliver the finishing blows to the Fledgling Chimera.

Right now there was an unstoppable barrage of spikes that⁠— her vision blurred⁠— she couldn’t let herself be hit again by. The poison from the chimeras was particularly annoying, though at least her Toxin Resistance was having a field-day, leveling up throughout the battle.

She just had to endure a few more seconds and then the teleport of Quick Dash would be off cooldown. The pelting of the spikes became quicker, before it stopped entirely though the chaos in the distance did not wind down, which made Amber feel a sense of urgency as she prepared herself.

And just when, she was ready to make a move, danger came⁠ from behind. She turned as she saw an injured chimera missing chunks of its body, but it was also surrounded by a purple aura, and it was also much stronger.

Her eyes widened as she blocked a whipping tail with the Sword of the Abyss and in a single moment the sword bent and she went flying, leaving the Cursewelder still stuck on the ground behind.

Amber hit the wall of the crater and rock exploded. Her world darkened for a moment, before her consciousness jolted awake⁠⁠—

That’s the same strength as the Fledgling Chimera…

Her vision was blurry, but as she saw the purple aura enveloping the chimera from afar, Amber realized that it was due to the curses she had put into the monster rather than anything else.

So they get stronger from being hit by curses?

Now she was more than glad she had avoided them like the plague against the Fledgling Chimera, but that said, she was still in a terrible position.

Amber coughed blood and before she could react the purple chimera rammed into her, and for the second time today she almost blanked out completely⁠—

Her consciousness soon restored as she saw the chimera preparing to ram her again, and she used the 3rd Rank of Quick Dash as she landed pathetically on the ground right next to the almost dead Fledgling Chimera. This entire fight she had been a meatbag, and perhaps it made sense. She was ultimately an individual that was way under her level, the only reason she was even alive was because of how resilient she was.

But even that had its limits.

Amber craned her head as she saw the purple chimera charging in a screech towards her, while the other chimera seemed to also be charging at her ⁠— probably not wanting to hit its companion ⁠— but even then, she had to get out of the way, otherwise she would⁠—

She threw up blood.

She was going to die.

Amber didn’t have any other way to heal herself, she couldn’t risk damaging herself with curses, and while the almost dead chimera was right next to her, she didn’t have the energy to finish it off, let alone have a skill to kill it or heal herself⁠—

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But I do.

Amber had a realization as she slowly brought her hand towards her, the stomps of the twisted and cursed beings loomed and yet, she felt so calm. It was only a realization that was brought up from her strengthened connection to the System, and something that she somehow had never thought of, but now⁠— now it seemed clear as day.

She wasn’t going to die.

Her hand touched her chest.

Not from this anyway.

The purple chimera rammed into her as all her bones broke.

In fact, everything lined up for her⁠…

“Reignition,” Amber whispered.

And an explosion of curses engulfed her, one that consumed the immediate surroundings as it all exploded⁠—

[You have defeated a [Fledging Chimera. Lvl. 285].]

For defeating an enemy 115 levels above your own, you have received bonus experience!

Less experience for defeating an enemy as a group.

…

[You have reached level 170. 10 stat points awarded.]

+5 Vitality +5 Strength +5 Dexterity.]

…

[You have reached level 176. 10 stat points awarded.]

+5 Vitality +5 Strength +5 Dexterity.]

Essence rushed into her and Amber hit the wall with an explosion of rock as the Newling Chimera screeched in deep pain. Her core greatly progressed, and Amber cracked her neck as she slowly stood up, a blue aura slowly enveloping her.

Her surroundings looked like a wasteland with purple flames, deep gashes littering the ground and rotten flesh filled it, and yet for the first time she felt great. Of course, she still had a ton of poison within her, but after draining her blood she’d probably be fine. However, first she had something to take care of.

Amber looked over at the distance where the two chimeras were standing, one of them was unscathed and the other was quite battered, yet shining like never before. Even though it was on its last leg, Amber didn’t want to risk getting hit by something potentially stronger than the Fledgling Chimera, so she had to be careful.

Thankfully… Amber ignited blue flames on her sword. I have Essence again.

To her surprise, her core had basically filled up from the Fledgling Chimera kill, but given it had been from a monster over a 100 levels above her, it just made sense. Amber grinned, disappearing her sword into her storage ring and then as she made a bow of flames. At the same time, the monsters tensed before twisting to look behind them and⁠—

The entire plain behind the monsters exploded. Erupted as if it was made of nothing but dust, and a deep bellow that sent danger down her spine immediately echoed. The other two chimeras squealed as if they were in glee, and Amber tensed.

Another chimera…?

She focused and from within the dust saw an emerging gigantic shadow, its multitude of red eyes shining, and she realized her suspicions were true, but not only that, it was also stronger. Her eyes went wide as she saw its multitudes of limbs rising to attack her⁠, and then⁠— a shadow hit.

Another explosion sent a billowing gale of dust in all directions and the monster screeched in deep pain, Amber braced herself as she looked up only to see a familiar figure without her cloak. She wore shorts and a rather loose fitting sweater, and on her hands was a gigantic scythe of darkness.

Frei slashed as the monster squealed and then turned towards her and immediately had a rather troubled expression.

“Oh, huh⁠— ya need help with those?”

Amber blinked. “I’m… fine…”

Frei smiled and dug her hand into the chimera as she jumped off, and to her surprise the gigantic being was dragged along before being thrown away further into the valley. Yet, Amber had a feeling that that thing Frei was fighting, was supposed to be stronger than her.

Finally, she stopped staring and the chimeras that she was facing themselves were also…

Distracted.

They were squealing as if their mother had just been ripped off from them⁠— and maybe that was the truth⁠— but Amber didn’t care, instead she took the opportunity.

Amber used the 3rd Rank of Quick Dash and immediately appeared behind the injured chimera, then flaring her Essence and moving her mana she swung her arm, draining the rest of her Cursed Battery skill.

Wind Cleave⁠— Fulminating Slash⁠— Battery⁠—

And in a single moment, the chimera was cut and exploded into purple and blue flames. Blood erupted in all directions and with a dying screech it lashed out, but Amber simply ignited herself⁠— blue flames exploded and melted the tentacles that had sprouted from the chimera, and a moment later it died.

[You have defeated a [Newling Chimera. Lvl. 212].]

For defeating an enemy 35 levels above your own, you have received bonus experience!

[You have reached level 177. 10 stat points awarded.]

+5 Vitality +5 Strength +5 Dexterity.]

…

[You have reached level 178. 10 stat points awarded.]

+5 Vitality +5 Strength +5 Dexterity.]

Amber smiled, and the other chimera lashed out in sheer anger, charging at her. Except, since it wasn’t supercharged in curses, Amber easily blocked it with her Sword of the Abyss, and let it take the hit. The sword didn’t even bend as she was sent sliding across the rocky ground. From here on out, was an easy battle⁠— or it would have been if the chimera didn’t immediately enter a frenzy.

Amber frowned as the glowing red monster immediately pressured her, matching the rhythm of the original Fledgling Chimera, but she didn’t panic even as the poison continuously ate at her body. She couldn’t panic, because if she did then things could go side-ways very quickly.

She heard the environment be torn in the background, but she tried to not pay that any mind, instead she focused on dodging and accumulating her Essence. Perhaps it was overkill, but she was going to end this in one fell swoop. After all, with whatever Frei was fighting it was better to kill it as soon as possible.

The monster screeched launching spikes at her, but Amber simply ducked and once she believed she had charged her attack enough, she loosed the arrow. It wasn’t all her Essence like before, but it was more than enough⁠—

Primordial Blazing Bolt.

And the chimera erupted into a blazing blue inferno as it was instantly consumed by the blue flames. It wasn’t a grand explosion like the ones before, but it still turned the pit into a lake of fire as the dying screeches of the chimera resounded.

Amber watched the monster try to charge towards her as it was turned into a flaming mess, but she simply dodged out of the way as the blue flames continued consuming its body. While the durability of the monster wasn’t comparable to the Abyssal Briroar, its strength was up there, she was just a terrible match up for the poor thing.

The monster slammed into her and Amber was pushed back but the flames didn’t stick onto her ⁠— given they were hers ⁠— and the chimera grew more desperate. Its body slowly melted away as it failed miserably to put out the flames.

Its limbs slowly stopped working, turning into cinder. Its spikes slowly stopped being ejected, disintegrating into the air. It’s life slowly slipped away, rendering it immobile. Until, finally, as the fire crackled to warm the surroundings and the monster remained in the same spot, a notification came.

[You have defeated a [Newling Chimera. Lvl. 215].]

For defeating an enemy 35 levels above your own, you have received bonus experience!

[You have reached level 179. 10 stat points awarded.]

+5 Vitality +5 Strength +5 Dexterity.]

…

[You have reached level 181. 10 stat points awarded.]

+5 Vitality +5 Strength +5 Dexterity.]

And Amber smiled, finally, after a few moments she heard footsteps and a voice.

“Amber?” It was Cecile’s.

She turned to the edge of the crater where she saw Asil peek over before the merchant did, and at the sight of her both of them gasped in unison. Asil immediately teleported and slung her over his shoulder, as she blinked.

“What are you doing?”

Asil raised his brow. “You’re almost dying.”

Cecile slowly made their way to them, and Amber in the meantime took in Asil’s statement. But after reassessing her body she scoffed.

“I’m just poisoned, that's it.”

“And that’s why you’re dying,” he pointed out.

Amber shook her head and let go of his shoulder before walking over towards the Cursewelder.

“I wanna see Frei’s fight, so let’s go see that.”

I’m not dying. Amber felt better than ever so that notion was ridiculous. She quickly reached her sword and stowed it, before finally moving over to the dead monster and reaching for its Essence, finally relaxing.

I won in the end…

And her vision began to blur as tiredness overtook her, and for a moment she couldn’t help but blink as she activated the 2nd Rank of Recovery of Curses.

“Huh, I really am in a bad state.”

And a moment later, she fell as her two companions called out to her.

* * *

Amber found herself in an immaterial darkness, a black abyss with floating white particles. And for a moment, she was lost but she could still feel warmth within her chest, coming from the Essence she was absorbing.

Where am I? She wondered.

She heard nothing but a rather calm static buzzing in her ears, that was until she heard the echo of a voice.

“... you waste your breath…”

She tried to follow it, but couldn’t. All while her core grew warmer.

“It is meaningless…”

The voice continued with increased familiarity as the void shifted, and slowly a landscape was revealed. One of stars, one of planets, one of nebulas and grand landscapes. Ill’hine.

“Why do you bother?” the voice asked.

Amber turned in the direction only to see a man overlooking a forest, he was standing at the top of a cliff. He had a billowing cape, and his uniform was a military one, a single sword hanging at his waist. Finally, he turned, his golden eyes meeting hers.

It was Ishtar.

“Why do you chase after me?” he asked.

And at that moment, her core shattered, offering her…

A Core Advancement.