Towering trees, ancient and gnarled, lined the lake's banks, their leaves whispering secrets of the ages. The beauty of the scene was undeniable, almost ethereal in its tranquility. Yet, beneath this serene facade lurked an undercurrent of danger, an unspoken understanding that this was a place not wholly bound by the laws of man.
The vast and sprawling lake shimmered under the afternoon sun, its surface reflecting the azure sky above like a colossal mirror. The water was a marvel, crystal clear near the edges, allowing a view of smooth pebbles and darting fish below. But as James' gaze ventured further out, the clarity gave way to a deep, mysterious blue, a color so rich and profound that it seemed to hold the very essence of the unknown. The mass of water stretched out, its boundaries lost to the horizon, giving it a sense of endlessness as if it were a gateway to another world.
Amidst this natural splendor, Team 0 was acutely aware of the reason that had brought them here - they were, once again, to hunt monsters far beyond their ability to fight, made safe only because of their guide's presence.
When the old man announced their next target, Team 0 used what little time they had to spare to ask the more experienced Awakeners at the facility if they knew anything about the dungeon.
They spoke of creatures that were not easily describable, beings that were as much a part of the lake as the water itself. Giving this credence, the surface occasionally broke with the ripple of an unidentifiable movement, hinting at the presence of something otherworldly lurking beneath.
Monsters, both elemental and not in nature, dwelled in the water and the surrounding areas, making the apparently peaceful scenery one where violence could erupt at any moment.
The air around the lake carried a palpable tension, a mix of fear and fascination. Birds called from the treetops, their songs both beautiful and haunting, as if they were the custodians of ancient lore. The gentle lapping of the water against the shore was a constant reminder that this place was alive, its rhythms and moods as unpredictable as the creatures rumored to dwell within.
James and his team, accompanied by the old man, Mr. Julian, navigated through the sparse forest at the lake’s edge, their senses heightened to the dangers that lurked within.
Only a minute after they had entered the Mana Sink proper, they were beset by attacks from various B-rank monsters. Giant serpents slithered out of the water, their scales glistening with a deadly sheen, and amphibian creatures leaped at them with immense agility, almost invisible to their untrained eyes.
Each time, Mr. Julian dispatched the monsters with an effortless display of power. His mana surged around him like a storm, and with a mere flick of his wrist or a muttered word, the creatures were flung back into the depths or reduced to a pulp. His strength was awe-inspiring, yet it served as a powerful reminder of the chasm between their abilities.
James watched the old man's every move, trying to glean insights from his mastery. The fact that they were alive solely due to Mr. Julian's protection was something he kept being reminded of, humbling him. The world was full of places forbidden to them, where they'd be instantly killed, and the fact that they could so easily walk through one was still awe-inspiring.
Eventually, they reached a spot where the lake shore enlarged, becoming a proper beach. With a wave of the old man's hand, the sand was scoured by a ripple of power and several large worms, as tall as Daniel and red as blood, were ripped from their hiding place, squirming in the air in an unseen grip until they were crushed.
All through this, nothing disturbed the waters. They were so still as to seem fake, which immediately set James' senses on edge. He extended his Awareness to the lake, trying to gather some information, and was surprised to find that one mighty will was rapidly coming closer.
"There is something big coming!" He warned, though he didn't bother taking a position. Usually, he would, even though he couldn't do much to it, but the old man gestured for him to stand down, merely turning to look further into the lake.
Soon, something emerged from the now churning waters. Its form was humanoid but composed entirely of shifting currents, a living tapestry of water in constant motion. An Elemental Lord towered above them, its body reflecting the myriad hues of the lake, from the deep blue of its center to the crystal-clear tones of its edges.
As it moved, the water that made up its form flowed and ebbed in a mesmerizing display. It seemed to dance, each movement deliberate and fluid, embodying the grace and power of the water it commanded. The Elemental Lord's presence was awe-inspiring, exuding a strength that was as beautiful as it was fearsome.
Its approach was like the rise of a tide, inevitable and unstoppable. Water swirled around its limbs, creating eddies and whirlpools with every step. Team 0 watched, rooted to the spot, as the Elemental Lord's face, a mere suggestion of features within the watery mass, turned towards them. Its eyes, if it could be said to have them, held the depth of the lake itself—ageless, knowing, and deep.
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Mr. Julian's voice cut through the silence. "James, you will handle this one. The Elemental Lord is yours to defeat."
What the fuck is this old man talking about? Has he gone senile?
James did his best not to let his thoughts show on his face, but something must have slipped past his mask, because Mr. Julian regarded him seriously. "Do it, boy."
Fuck. An Elemental Lord is nothing like the monsters he had us kill until now. They were a lot stronger than us, that's true, but if what I read about these things after the fog dungeon is true, this is in an entirely different class. Can I even hurt it at all?
Still, it wasn't as if he could just say no. Not only was he in the middle of an extremely dangerous dungeon, but he was so close to level 100 that he could almost taste it. Giving up now would mean accepting a lesser Talent evolution than what he could get if he did go through with it.
Also, I don't want to disappoint the others. We've gotten so far… I guess I'll have to try my best. At least it won't be able to hurt me back.
He stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the Elemental Lord. The creature regarded him with intelligence, its watery form rippling with power.
It lifted one arm, intent coalescing in its alien mind to wipe the puny human off the face of the earth, when a terrible power seized it. Invisible constraints removed the monster from its lake, seriously diminishing its abilities. Its movements stopped entirely, body frozen in motion.
The monster's mind, on the other hand, was entirely active. James could sense it trying something. Several things, in fact. Being a powerful B-rank creature, it had many arrows in its quiver. Unfortunately for it, the being holding it hostage was even further away in terms of power than it was compared to James.
Seeing that the Elemental lord was entirely still, unable to do anything, James finally stepped forward, closing the distance and launching a series of attacks.
He tried every skill in his arsenal – punches charged with mana, kicks, even using his environment to his advantage, trying to use the sand to drain some of the water that made it – but it was futile. His attacks either passed harmlessly through the Elemental Lord's watery form or were absorbed without effect.
Though held motionless by Mr. Julian's magic, the monster seemed almost amused by James' efforts. It was immune to physical attacks, a being of pure elemental energy, and the explosive mana he released did little beyond creating ripples in its form.
James' frustration mounted. He was hitting a wall, both literally and figuratively. He took a step back, reassessing his strategy. It was evident to him that dealing with this monster in the same way as he always did would not work.
The corrosive mana might do something. I still don't particularly enjoy using it, but I'm going nowhere like this.
Despite having gotten over his feelings of guilt towards the man he had killed, James still regarded his most dangerous attack as something of a last resort. How his mana subsumed his target's had never particularly enthused him, feeling too much like something an evil wizard would come up with, but needs must. It was dangerous and unpredictable, but it was probably his only chance.
James channeled his corrosive mana with a deep breath, feeling it course through his veins with a burning intensity. It, too, had gotten stronger over the weeks of training. Leonid had made sure to put him in several situations where the skill had to be employed. This led to James developing a decent familiarity with the feeling, even though he still didn't enjoy it.
The power roiled, bubbling up in his veins, slow like molasses but deadly like venom. Finally, he thrust his hands forward, releasing a surge of corrosive energy towards the Elemental Lord.
To his surprise, the creature reacted. The mana began to eat away at its watery form, but then, with a display of power that sent chills down James' spine, the Elemental Lord pushed back. It wasn't just resisting; it was fighting his mana with its own.
Unlike the Ent he had killed a few days prior, which had struggled mightily but eventually succumbed under the assault, the water Elemental managed to expel most of the corrosive mana.
Its body is made entirely of elemental mana! I just thought it would be the same as the Fog Knight, but obviously, things change when the power difference is this big. What was once a weakness is now a strength. Fuck, this is gonna suck.
A battle of wills ensued, an invisible struggle between James' corrosive force and the Elemental Lord's mastery over the water mana that made up its body.
James gritted his teeth, pouring more of his energy into the attack. He could feel the strain on his body, the toll it was taking on him. But he wouldn't relent.
The Elemental Lord's form momentarily trembled, its control over the water slipping as it fought against the corrosive mana. But it was resilient, its power rooted in the very essence of the element itself - adaptability and fluidity.
Every time James thought he had made some headway, it rushed to fill the gaps he had created with seemingly endless power.
Where his corrosive mana ate away at it, fueling its growth and doing damage that should have been irreversible, it simply gave up, rescinding that part of its body only to recreate it anew.
That much control, it seemed, was still allowed to it, though whenever it tried to use the newly formed limbs to lash out, it found itself frozen again. Mr. Julian watched silently, his expression unreadable. He made no move to intervene beyond preventing any offensive, his eyes fixed on the struggle before him.
James' teammates, standing at the edge of the lake, watched silently in awe and concern, not wanting to distract their friend. They had never seen James push himself this far.
Lauren clenched her fists, wishing she could help, but knowing this was James' fight. Ezekiel murmured a prayer under his breath, hoping for James' success and safety. Daniel worked his jaw, analyzing the battle, while Maria's face was etched with worry, her hands balled into fists.
The battle raged on, the air around James crackling with energy. His corrosive mana was making progress, but the Elemental Lord was far from defeated. It was a war of attrition, one that James was not sure he could win.
His hand, almost unbidden, searched his pockets and pulled a vial out, unstoppering it and pouring its contents in his mouth. James gulped the potion down, replenishing his strained reserves and preparing for a renewed push.
Even though he only had to sustain the production of the corrosive mana, its growth being entirely fueled by the parasitic absorption of his target's form, it still required everything he had to keep it up.
But then, in a moment of clarity, James realized something. The Elemental Lord's power was almost boundless compared to his own output. That meant pitting his mana against it was destined to fail.
He, however, had another avenue of attack available to him. Something he had experimented with only in the privacy of his own room. Never against anyone or anything. But something that could give him the edge he needed.
Let's see how you like this.