Caution! Your Party Leader has disbanded the Party! Party Chat functions are offline.
Su'ong dismissed the notification and spat in distaste at the floor down below. She opened up her Party tab, and sure enough, she shouldn't use the Chat features. But she was able to see Alan's HP guage, and energy pools. Which she watched closely as Alan's Spectral Armor finish forming. Her Human companion was now clad from head to toe in a gleaming cloak of otherworldly green fire. His face was hidden from view under a pointed hood of solidified flame. Through it all, what stood out the most was a pair of odd protrusions on either side of the flaming hood that covered Alan's head.
Well that's…Odd. Are those…some kind of ears?! Su'ong wondered as she stared at what seemed to be a pair of overly-long flaming rabbit ears, or more likely she decided, a set of three-foot-long antenne extending from the sides of his head.
Alan leaned back, facing the ceiling. He bellowed out a maniacal roar, and a cone of hazy green Daemonic fire materialized around him. As the flames billowed and surged, Su'ong felt her very soul flinch away from the profane pressure they exuded. She could feel her spirit's visceral dread of its death and rebirth ever approaching, and the unending melancholy of knowing its final embrace was an inescapable inevitability. Life was but a fleeting moment of escape from the flames, and the presence of Alan's Daemonfire was a gut-wrenching reminder.
As the pitch of his scream heightened, the energy surrounding him coalesced into a scorching pillar of ghostly Spectral flames stretching from the floor beneath him, up to the ceiling. As the stone he stood upon began to glow and char, globules of molten slag rained down from above. Su'ong's eyebrows raised when even the molten stone was unable to withstand the pressure. It was incinerated and reduced to ash before ever touching his armor.
Encased in the roiling flames, Alan thrust his robed arm toward the Wyrm, aimed his open palm at the beast, and giggled wildly. The column of flames around him swelled, the increase in its power was made all the more evident by a heavy pressure radiating in waves. The profane energy made Su'ong flinch from half a room away.
Again Alan thrust his arm forward, and again Nothing happened. Aside from the flesh of the limb ballooning out of proportion. As the his arm threatened to explode, the ghostly pillar around him only increased.
Alan stared questioningly at his hand. In an act that shocked Su'ong to her core, he snarled like a rabid animal and sank his teeth deep into the skin of his palm. With a muffled growl and a spray of blood, Alan ripped his hand free.
As he vigorously chewed on a mouthful of his own flesh, he stared down at the revealed bones of his hand, and what happened next sent Su'ong into a bout of panic. A torrent of flames burst from the bleeding hole in Alan's palm, and Su'ong could only hope he would survive when it struck him full-on in the face.
For a moment, Su'ong was sure he was doomed. Desperate to help, she even slid down off her post in an attempt to rush to his aid. But as the flames gathered themselves up into a dense orb, hovering above the ear-like protrusions on Alan's head, she realized she had jumped the gun on her assessment.
Heavens help me, what is he doing now?! Su'ong wondered, her eyes narrowing with concern. She bit her lower lip in worry, yet she felt strangely entranced by the confusing scene unfolding before her.
Alan roared in challenge, and with a clench of his fist, the geyser of flame pouring from his hand came to a sudden stop. The orb above his head began to rotate in place, gathering speed at an alarming rate. With a twitch of the antennae on his hood, the ball of flame was forced to condense.
As Alan's antennae sank into the condensed orb, and absorbed it, their tips began to swell. In less than a second, the spinning ball of fire was no more. In its place, a radiant shimmer could be seen charging up in the air between the bloated tips of his hood.
As the very air above Alan's head began to sizzle and spark, Su'ong's hair stood on end. The sheer amount of energy gathering was astounding to behold.
How can a (G-Stage) being generate so much raw power and not be torn apart?! Su'ong couldn't make sense of what was taking place. This should not be possible!
***
Even blinded and in an enraged state, the Wyrm instinctively knew it needed to flee. While it couldn't Physically see what was causing such a deep-seated panic to clench its guts, the disturbances in the ambient Mana were more than enough to be considered an adequate warning.
The beast had its own form of [Mana Perception]. However it was not only far more developed than Alan's, but it was intrinsic to what the Wyrm was.
As an early (E-Stage) creature, it's body had evolved beyond being simply flesh, blood and bone. Mana was now deeply ingrained in the foundation of it's being. So at first, when the Wyrm sensed its enemy make a sudden and rapid transformation, it was admittedly wary, but its rage allowed the beast to remain confident in its chances of victory.
Even with a limited intelligence, the Wyrm understood that even lowly caterpillars were capable of transcending the limitations of their landlocked form. But while it might've transformed and become capable of flight, a butterfly was still nothing more than an insignificant insect. The Wyrm was a proud creature. It blatantly refused to bow before anything it considered to be an insect.
But when that same insect began forming what looked to its mind's eye like a miniaturized sun, which it then condensed into something far more volatile, the Wyrm knew it was staring down the barrel of its own demise. And even though the Wyrm was sure the Dungeon Master was willing to revive it, it feared that very act would be next to impossible if it were to meet its end in those flames.
The tattered remnants of the Wyrm's soul that had yet to be claimed by the Dungeon Core sensed those Daemonic flames and quivered in undisguised fear. The last vestiges of its previous life would be consumed and destroyed. Its meager energy would then be used to placate the unyielding hunger of the Impure Realm.
In a desperate bid to survive, if only for a moment longer, The Wyrm lowered its head in shame and fled. Though it might've been the kin of dragons, the beast was made keenly aware that it lacked access to the vast magical aptitude of its ancestors. Before this attack, it knew it could muster nothing with which to defend itself.
***
What in the blessed names of the Ten Heavens?!! Su'ong thought, reluctant to believe her eyes. The Wyrm is tucking tail??
Su'ong watched the unexpected scene unfolding, her face a mask of confusion and disbelief.
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The Wyrm dipped its head and scuttled away as fast as its massive frame would allow it. Its attempt was enough to avoid a lethal blow, but it was not nearly fast enough to escape unscathed.
Alan's Spectral Armor flashed, and the space between his gleaming antennae ripped. A beam of condensed Spectral Plasma shot through the spatial tear at nearly the speed of light and struck the retreating Wyrm, cleanly shearing several feet off of the end of its serpentine frame.
As its severed tail spasmed on the floor, the Wyrm screamed in pain, and wound what remained of its body up into a tightly packed coil. Though the attack had been devastating, not a single drop of blood had been spilled in the process. The superheated energy-beam had cauterized the Boss's flesh as fast as it was cut.
Seeing his quarry try to make a quick exit, Alan unclenched his fist, and a plume of Spectral flames surged up his arm. He looked down at the unruly fire and barked out an unintelligible command. As if they somehow understood his unearthly words, the flames retreated down his arm and condensed into the semblance of a glove around his hand.
Without giving any signs that he was about to move, Alan turned into a green blur and shot forward so fast that it looked to Su'ong like he'd actually BECOME the flames. Before the injured beast ever registered movement, Alan's flaming fist crashed into the side of it's head. The left side of its face buckled under the force, and the entire right jaw ballooned outward. Half of the Wyrm's face collapsed in a spray of silver blood and ichor, becoming a sunken, bleeding crater.
Having finally worked its way free during the brutal attack, the Shadow Shuriken that Alan had long since forgotten he'd hidden under his greaves fell out, and landed on the Wyrm's limp form. Right as the Boss crashed to the floor, multitudes of misshapen, immaterial arms latched on to what remained of its body and locked it in place. The unmoving beast was pinned down, and unable to fight back.
As Alan stood above his stunned and most likely unconscious conquest, several empty-handed shadow-arms sensed an opportunity, and reached out, trying to add him to the pile. The heat radiating off of his Spectral Armor was more than enough to reduce any ghostly hands stupid enough to approach him into puffs of ineffective purple dust. The majority chose the easy route, and stuck to the easy target sprawled out on the floor.
Alan snarled out a flurry of unintelligible sounds as he slowly extended his arm toward his downed opponent. He aimed his clenched fist at the ruined mess he'd already made of its face. When he opened his hand, the weeping gash at the center of his palm ruptured like a phantasmic abscess.
Su'ong assumed the end had arrived when a torrent of green fire burst forth from his open hand with all the fury of fifty out-of-control Fire Drakes with their heads tied together. The immobile Wyrm's protective layer of stone began to glow from the unchecked heat of being bathed in a torrent of Daemonic Flames.
As a stunned Su'ong watched the flames eat away at the Wyrm's face, what remained of the Shadow Shuriken arms were unable to withstand the heat. A single touch of the Daemonic Flames reduced them to a fine purple powder that was sent dancing through the air.
***
The torrent of flames gushing from Alan's outstretched hand sputtered and stopped. He suddenly dropped down to one knee, and his Spectral Armor started to waver unsteadily, marking the end of it's duration. With a blinding pulse of green light, it dissipated into nothing, leaving him kneeling on the floor, gasping for breath.
What the fuck happened to me?!! Alan wondered, his head pounding in time with his heartbeat. The glare from the few remaining stalagmite-lights felt like someone was driving long needles into his eyes. He hid his face in the crook of his arm, hiding away from the dim glow raining down from the blurry stones above him. It was then he noticed there was a mountain of notifications awaiting his attention. Hoping his System prompts would contain at least a hint as to what was going on, Alan sifted through the notices and what he saw only increased his confusion.
Remarkable! Your Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] has grown to Level 5! +1 Free Status Point!
…
…
Remarkable! Your Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] has grown to Level 6!
Remarkable! Your Technique (C){Suit of Anger} has grown to Level 2!
*WARNING*! Due to increasing the Skill Level of {Suit of Anger}, your Emotional Stockpile has begun to grow, scaling to match the increasing Emotional Volatility caused by the Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm].
*WARNING!* The permanent link been between your Emotional Core and the Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] has begun to expand, seeking out new sources of raw energy.
*WARNING!* Your Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] has located, and is now attempting to breach your Mana Pool. Attempting to establish a permanent link. It is recommended you terminate this action immediately.
*WARNING!* The permanent link been between your Emotional Core and the Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] has breached your Mana Pool.
Termination failed. Permanent link established.
*WARNING!* Your Mana Pool is now being contaminated with Daemonic Flames. It is recommended you purge all excess Daemonic Flames from your body to minimize the damage, and possibly contain the contamination.
*WARNING*! A volatile combination of Unattuned Mana and Daemonic Flames have begun to build up within your Mana Pool. Internal pressure within your Mana Pool has reached Dangerous Levels. Attempting to vent excess pressure through your Mana Channels…ERROR. No Mana Channels detected. Attempting to forge a Mana channel… Success! Rudimentary Mana channel has been established in your right arm. Attempting to create a Mana Gate. Due to rampant Daemonic energies, attempt ended in failure. Making one final attempt…
Remarkable! Due to your berserk state of mind and cannibalistic actions, an extremely low quality Mana Gate has been established on your right hand!
*WARNING*! Due to the breach in your Mana Pool being linked to your excessively low quality Mana Channel and Mana Gate, you will experience a constant Mana drain until Evolution. -200 Mana Regeneration.
Caution! Now purging excess pressure and Daemonic Flames from your Mana Pool…Success! The complete contamination of your Mana Pool has been avoided! However, while your Mana remains mostly Unattuned, due to the unchecked spread of the Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] Your body has gained the [Fire Affinity]!
Remarkable! Due to the effects of your Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] your [Fire Affinity] has evolved into [Daemonic Constitution]!
[Daemonic Constitution]- Your body is becoming one with the Spectral Flames of the Impure Realm. Physical attacks can now deal a small amount of Fire Elemental damage. Damage received from all Fire-based Spells and Techniques have been significantly reduced. Damage caused by all Fire-based Spells and Techniques have been significantly increased. Mana cost of all Fire-based Spells and Techniques have been reduced. Casting and Cooldown times for all Fire-based Spells have been significantly reduced. Mana cost of all Non-Fire-Related Spells have been slightly increased.
Remarkable! Due to gaining the [Fire Affinity] you have gained the (Uncommon) Skill [Fire Manipulation]!
Remarkable! Due to the Effects of your Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] your Skill (U)[Fire Manipulation] has Evolved into the *Unique* Skill [Daemonic Flame Manipulation]!
*Unique*[Daemonic Flame Manipulation] Lvl 1- Upon activation, this Skill provides the ability to shape, alter and manipulate the Fire Element at an intermediate Level.
Shaping, Alteration, and Manipulation of the Fire Element increase with Skill level.
Remarkable! Due to the permanent link your Skill *Unique*[Daemonfire of the Impure Realm] has established between your Emotional Core, Emotional Stockpile, and Mana Pool, you have gained the (Uncommon) Skill [Emotional Energy Manipulation]!
(U)[Emotional Energy Manipulation] Lvl 1- Upon activation, this Skill provides the ability to manipulate your own Emotional Energy at a very basic Level, as well as the Emotional Energy of others at an almost imperceptible Level. Cannot manipulate Energy within Emotional Stockpile.
Emotional Manipulation increases with Skill Level.
Remarkable! Due to forming a Piss-poor excuse of a Mana Channel and Mana Gate, your Skills (C)[Mana Perception] and [Mana Regulation] have been combined! into the (Uncommon) Skill [Mana Management]!
(U)[Mana Management] Lvl 1- Upon activation, this Skill provides the ability to perceive, alter, shape, and manipulate internal Mana sources at an intermediate Level, and external Mana sources at a basic Level.
Perception, Alteration, Shaping, and Manipulation of Mana increase with Skill Level.
The pounding in his head was making the notices difficult to decipher, so Alan dismissed them with plans to study them later.
Squinting his eyes against the offensive light, he looked off to the side, and for just a moment, he couldn't understand what he was seeing.