————
Rest of the way back through the secret passages went uneventful. There weren't any more of the strange green demons returning to their camp, nor did the bugs find the narrow corridor. Discovering this path to the surface was a nice surprise and quite a boon. I still hope to open up a way out of the ruined tower though, but having extra options never hurt.
I'm in a bit of a hurry as we run back down to the sewers - I am pretty sure I would have noticed it if there were any more of them Pugs roaming around the area near my tower; just those two groups were a surprise, but even their odd magic wouldn't help them if they got in close range of my Sense Mana. Still their presence and purpose worries me a bit.
As we exit from the hidden doors in the sewer and closing them behind me, I take a moment to examine this part of the wall and their mechanism. -Nifty little trick, almost impossible to notice if you weren't looking for it. I wouldn't be surprised if those was actually implemented by the original builders of this place; whether it was designed for criminals or as an escape route is a mystery, but seeing as this is part of the canals I would bet on the former.
The tunnels are suspiciously quiet, only a dripping sound of black ooze falling from the ceiling into the canal bellow echoes through this area. I mark their location on the opposite wall with a discreet symbol, and take a look around to—
> Rose Symbiote power grows.
>
> Magic +5
>
> Resilience +5
>
> Strength +2
... To stagger from a sudden pain.
Rose isn't waiting anymore, I can feel her get stronger as she consumes the energies we drained earlier. It's a nice surprise but any changes to the system come with a headache, and I don't need distractions now. -Hmm, guess I didn't care for her needs properly, taint alone isn't enough for a young murder machine to grow strong. Let's hurry so I can also start making changes with the menu and calm my rampant magic.
On the run back I notice a small change, the centipede demons seemed to have retreated into their nest. Taking a tiny, little detour I can see that the abomination that was roaming the smaller passages in the area is actually headed their way —Can't deal with that now, and I doubt it will be able to get past the swarm. There looks to be even more of those bugs in the room now, as they've apparently pulled back from the tunnels.
——
We reach the tower not running into any demons; the commotion earlier apparently scared most of them away rather then attracting their attention like I've feared. I don't like it when things go opposite to what I expected - there is something wrong going on, my 'bullshit sense' is tingling.
Securing the new entrance to the tower with a metal bar taken from the gate - just to be extra careful, I pause to take note of how much mana is left in the enchantment; should be fine for weeks unless something tries to breach it - this is the problem with the enchantments like these, they can't recharge here in hell due to the lack of ambient mana. My skill not high enough to come up with a solution, I climb the ladder to the top and get comfortable after seeing that we are still deep under the sand.
Taking measured breaths I reach inside myself to guide the essence collected from the tram sized centipede. Frankly it's a bit of a chaotic mess, but if you think about how fast Rose was draining the thing it ain't a bad tradeoff. Just needs a little helping hand to go where it needs to be - don't want any complications were I to leave it to sort itself out.
Singing of the dry sand as it slowly pours through the windows makes me clam faster.
My demonic body can process this energy were I to allow for it but... I already ended up with paws on my feet, don't want to grow a pair of mandibles now— some of the essence I wasn't able to hold back already got assimilated within me while we stalked the green things, but I don't regret it since we found a way to the outside, and nothing strange showed up on my face at least yet.
From what I can tell, Rose did filter the trait bits out, good girl. Now let me now finish the process, and see what we rolled.
——
It didn't even take that long before I open my eyes to the familiar notification.
> Consumed essence: Hell Beast (5), Giant Demonic Centipede (19)
>
> Strength +2
>
> Resilience +2
>
> Magic +1
>
> Agility +2
>
> Perception +1
-Not bad for just a two days session. I'm sure the numbers would've been higher were I able to sit down with the whole thing down in the tunnel, but if we add the bonus Rose provided earlier it's actually pretty good. Might even be better then what I could pull by myself — and it was fast, compared to how long it took me with the spiders.
Still, nothing can compete with the summoning ritual, although there you have absolutely no control over the process.
-How long did I actually sit on that mountain, back then after I killed the goat bastard? As I wonder about how much time may have passed since that day my vision is filled with swirling gold.
The menu brightens up my vision with the mystical symbols that turn into words in my mind.
Since we gained levels in both Race and Class we now have even more points to distribute; ten of them for the Attributes and another for the Skills, if I still want to keep a skill point for potential emergencies that means I will likely use just one for now - unless I find something amazing that we simply can't pass up.
And we really, really need to work on the traits. Both horns and the symbiote can still get another ability, and there are three more free points that accumulated from leveling up as the Hell Spawn. This part I'm not looking forward to since messing with traits is simply the worst. —It still eludes me how the Race grows after all this time, and would really appreciate it if the system came with a help function...
Since strength went over the 20 benchmark, some new interesting skills showed up but most of those don't fit me that well. Even if I picked up that sword, it's just a novelty I've no plans of pursuing, and I'll be sticking with magic.
Interestingly some movement skills showed up, pointing to my earlier conclusion that agility alone is not enough when it comes to mobility. Makes sense.
Let me rise the stats first, and then check again for anything new. Magic goes to 60 And Spirit to 80, this leaves four for Intellect since that's another attribute hard to get from absorbing the essence, bringing it to 36. Like always the multiplier on spirit tempts me to put all the points there, but there isn't enough to bring it to 100 just yet anyway – there must be something nice for us after such a milestone, so next time I'm going for it.
I accept the changes and wait out the headache. It's stronger then expected, too much rapid growth recently. I could really use a guidebook for what each Attri—
-Oh, dear. The golden symbols floating in front of me shift before I can finish that thought.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
> Warning: You suffer from Backlash.
>
> Name: Meow
>
> Race: Hellspawn** (6)
>
> Class: Red Rosen-Maiden Imp (4)
>
> ―
>
> Attributes: -66,6%
>
> Strength 21: Physical power and fortitude - assists the degree to which your Body can physically influence and resist Laws.
>
> Resilience 30: Damage reduction - assists in keeping your Body's integrity against foreign influence.
>
> Magic 60: Magical power - assists the degree to which you can manipulate Laws with you magic. Expands your body's internal reserves of magic.
>
> Spirit 80: Spiritual capacity - assists the degree to which your intent can influence Laws and the Spiritual.¹
>
> Intellect 36: Mental capacity - assists in processing vast amounts of information.²
>
> Perception 24: Support attribute - Assists in processing your Body's sensory inputs.
>
> Agility 23: Physical movement and response - assists the degree of control you have over your Body.
>
> Dexterity 3: Support attribute - Assists in processing of the fine control you have over your Body.
>
> ???? - ????
>
> ―
>
> Traits: +3
>
> ????:
>
> Humanoid (2): Mana Channels, Magic Affinity.
>
> Horns (5): Sense Mana II, Magi Focus, Amplify Magic.
>
> Wings (1): Mana Channels.
>
> Tail (2): Dexterity, Mana Burn.
>
> Digitigrade (1): Quick Feet.
>
> Rose Symbiote (5): Rip and Tear, Vampiric Embrace, Magic Affinity, Mind Barrier.
>
> Greed Core (2): Dark Ice, Ice Mastery (disabled).
>
> ―
>
> Skills: Hell Born, Identify, Mischief II, Imp Magic, Alchemy, Enchanting, Magic Pockets, Illusions, Elementalist III, Empower, Overcharge. +2
...
"What changed!?" I can only stare agape at the new information present now in my menu, confusion clearly showing on my face. —Alright, it's still not that helpful, but I can work with that and hope for the future; I expected an option to upgrade my Identify skill would show up sooner or later but maybe it isn't required; or not even a thing.
Was it from rising the Intellect, was it Spirit? Magic doesn't seem to be the culprit based on the description but what do I know. Identify scales with all three of them, and then also with Perception.
I have always suspected it was this skill that allowed me to even view this golden menu in the first place, could feel it activate; which tempted me to invest another point in it when it upgrade becomes available, even if this wouldn't immediately increase my power or survival ability. Knowledge is a kind of power after all.
–Mhmm? what are those little numbers near those two descriptions, annotations? That is weird.
> ¹ Requires a medium.
>
> ² Restricted to system related subconscious processes.
Suddenly the system is being very helpful - yet still not really, no. Won't be turning into a genius just by rising my Intellect with points it seems. And a Medium... does it perhaps mean mana? Why magic doesn't need any then?
So many new questions: 'The more you learn, the less you know'. I just sit there blinking at the description trying to figure out what all of them actually mean by 'Law'.
The grains of sand whisper to the passage of time, rolling down the heaps growing by the walls.
——
I have few theories but since Identify won't provide any additional information - and trying to concentrate on the part of the menu that mentions Laws just ends with a headache; I decide to move along for now, deal with the more immediate issues.
There is a nice Ability available to my horns now. Finally a good use for their last remaining point.
> Spell Matrix (horns): Your demonic horns are able hold precast magic and spells, that can then be instantly activated. Their capacity for magical constructs and recharge rate scales with Magic x Intellect.
–Yes, I will take one of those. Thank you.
> You have gained: Spell Matrix (horns).
I have no intention of losing consciousness at this time, so I just grit my teeth and close the window, waiting for the changes to complete before we proceed. I will need to think about what kind of magic we might need on hand; offense, defense or maybe some versatility? This ability could be a game changer. Unfortunately its capacity is rather low and won't fit anything too complex.
–No walking around with a big finisher move at my fingertips, bummer. It can fit three medium fireballs, maybe four if I'm extra careful how I weave them in; and fireball isn't the most complex of magics - not that great either in my opinion: Cheap, fast and easy to cast; but at the same time flashy, loud and easy to avoid, unless targeted at the ground where you then get caught in the blast.
I guess if the aim is to strike fear and awe into a group of stupid monsters, it has its uses... And in starting forest fires.
Rose is still pouring mana into our pool, and we might actually have excess at this rate, so let's check how it works. Doing a test while waiting for the headache to pass I notice that imbuing it with opposite elements causes some issues with capacity. -Huh that wasn't mentioned in the description - typical. Ice and fire simply won't fit as snugly together without some mental gymnastics when forming them.
As a test I unleash a stored fire bolt at the sand that fell in through the bigger window we used to enter, and it glasses over where the magic hits it in a burst of flame and pure heat. The the dark glass slides down and more sand pours in, making me grimace at the mess I've made. Not smart, thankfully the small landslide soon stops.
I like this instant cast feature.
"Think you are ready for an upgrade, Rose?" I should be able to pick another trait now. Checking the list one peculiar ability stands out. Now I see what she did there when draining the Giant Centipede, and why the symbiote earned a point.
> Black Bark Guard (rose symbiote): Grow thick vines covered in hard segmented bark, armed with long sharp thorns. Gain strong protection and offense for lowered mobility.
In my mind I have an image of centipede-like vines growing from my back, and shudder a bit at the impression. —Not sure about this one Rose, not much of a melee fighter in me. This one could likely benefit from higher Strength. We do have the Empower skill that would synergize nicely with this one though, so it's not off the table.
Yet I'm more interested in something else at the moment.
> Rhizome Spawn (rose symbiote): Spawn a demonic rose sapling armed with thorn covered vines; you retain a degree of control over the separated flowers. It can take root to grow and will protect its territory. The spawns can be reabsorbed at any given time to join the main body.
The grin on my face couldn't grow any wider without splitting my face in half. ―Now this is something much more along my alley. With all the taint and weaklings present in the tunnels bellow this is a perfect place to start a small garden.
> You have gained: Rhizome Spawn (rose symbiote).
I can feel the tiny flowers that sprouted over the roots after we consumed the big bug, they stir inside of me. Tiny sparks of intent bloom throughout our form. There is six -seven... nine of them, and Rose nurtures them with care, supplying some excess taint she's gathered previously. —There is a wish for more.
And I will happily indulge it right after we are done with the system upgrades. These ancient ruins will truly become our territory.
...
Something shows up to my senses as I browse through the skills in my list, just at the very edge of my perception. It's outside, in the sand or out in the desert. A demon wandered nearby? It is gone just as fast as it appeared and I couldn't get a good read on it.
The sands are constantly shifting above, I guess and we might get another path outside sooner then I thought. —Back to the menu...
——
Deep under the dark gray dunes of a desert that was once a giant lake filled with black hellish tar, stretches a series of partially collapsed tunnels full of dark miasma. Tightly laid bricks and stone, that survived centuries of the immense pressure put on them by their makers, try to offer some resistance but soon yield under a slow methodical assault of new arrivals. Stonework cracks as they make their way through the tunnels.
Over the high arched ceilings, invaders spread their tangled webs. Some corridors, wide enough for two wagons to pass each other are being blocked by deadly barriers. Smaller passages branching off from the main waterways of the ancient sewage system, are now being taken over by their new demonic residents. Dark sludge marking the walls and filling the canals laid through the floors, is slowly being absorbed by hungry demonic beings, that could have only been spawned by hell itself. They climb the walls and snake through the floors, growing fast in the darkness of the old ruin.
Among them walks a single red demon. Watching them fondly and gently stroking their long, barb covered vines that part in its wake, opening a path just for this one individual. The area around a breach leading to a destroyed tower was completely overgrown by hellish plants. The roots aren't satisfied with just the ground and reach over the walls and to the ceilings, creating a web of thin roots that slowly dig into the old stone. Nothing will be able to get past them without notice.
On occasion the little red devil will rise its head in a particular direction, and after tilting it to the side, sprint to another area to protect its nightmarish wards from a higher level vermin that wandered close. Nine small flowers were spread through the maze around the Imp's lair. Hidden in tighter spots and cracks, where the bigger of the ruin's resident won't be able to reach - just in case. Some of these cracks were created by Meow himself.
He has been tending to his little garden for a few days already, providing protection to the small roses, until they grew enough to kill or fend of the smaller demons roaming around. Guiding their growth to fit his needs.
When a particularly persistent, level 4 demonic Chilopoda started harassing one of his roses he immediately started to rush in its direction - as if called by the plant from another part of the sewer complex.
After arriving at the scene Meow didn't wait for the barrier to open the path, and kicked the ground fast with his right leg - vanishing. He Blinked back into existence on the other side of the thorn covered wall, right behind the beast currently entangled by the vines and stabbed a dagger into the annoying bug's head. Flash of enchantments inscribed along the edge, sends a supersonic wave of destructive mana into the creature, killing it almost instantly. Ichor and blood splashed on the ancient masonry from cracks that formed on its hard shell.
This dagger used to be the tip of a spear; the weapon before it broke, belonged to a powerful demon that perished years ago in a small battle nearby. The sharp jagged blade was then found by a scavenger and remade into a new instrument of death, once again slaying demons in hell - just as it was meant to when first forged centuries ago.
The Imp left the corpse for the rose he spawned in that location, and started making its way towards a certain room in the area. He has had enough.
-————