————
-We are free.
As soon as the ritual was completed I jumped for the doors, startling some of the people but there isn't much time left. Jarred shouted after me - something about my form, but I couldn't pay him much attention. I need to release the magic I've been working on through the process, before I lose control.
I can feel my horns straining from all the power accumulated underground - Hmm? something feels odd... Later, this rampaging thing demands my immediate focus.
> Frost Giant* (7), Skeleton (15), Reaver (15).
This is unexpected, why does it have an extra Race in the description? At least I think that Skeleton counts as such, based on what we've seen in the tomb - I'm not an expert on undead though.
I just need it to hit the ground one more time, for my little surprise to get actually angry. —There was an earth spirit sleeping underground, and I roused it up when we felt its presence nearby; the old shrine behind the inn I picked up with my senses was likely used to worship some earth deity and this is the guardian, we can feel the subtle connection between them.
At first I thought these people were followers of some old god, but that doesn't seem to be the case - they might not even be aware of it, judging by what my sense are picking up about the place. Definitely didn't see much prayer in a long while. Will investigate that later if there is time.
My idea worked just fine - even when the big guy sensed the powers gathering around and got its guard up, it still swung at me with this ridiculous weapon. Blinking out in the last moment I unleash the magic I've been struggling to control, an actual elemental -Maybe getting the Shamanism skill wouldn't be such a bad choice... Nah, it would be useless in hell, and the thing can at least be manipulated to a certain degree even as we are now.. I *sigh in relief, feeling the strain on my Magi Focus lessen. The literal wrath of the earth swallows the oversized bonehead whole, but it's still not out of the fight. -This will buy us time though, enough to deal with the remaining enemies.
It seems like the second person of interest heard me, finally realizing where we went and glanced down; this guy was able to 'fight' the thing in a one on one confrontation for quite some time, even if he didn't deal a whole lot of damage. I'm impressed.
> Human. Soldier (18), Spear Master (11).
An odd combination, the level seems low but what do I know - it calls him a master after all, might be it's pretty advanced. His weapon was broken but we might need him soon, good thing he seems to be healing fast now. -Mhmm, fine I can lend him one of mine for now. Accessing the ring like this, while transformed, is a bit tricky... a bother.
"Use this for now-" Why is it so hard, ah~ there we go, I've got it. "-but! I want it back after the fight."
Shouldn't complain; I'm actually amazed that it was even accessible while we are in this form, magic is so weird. Didn't have much time to experiment with transformation yet, but it might be useful for more then just exploration of the ruins. Being able to turn into a rat should open up the whole sewer system to us. Just like how the abomination was able to travel through the pipes, shapeshifting opens up a lot of options.
I sprint forward towards the fighting, people were distracted by what just happened and some more blood got spilled. I can feel the earth spirit hungrily reach out for it. This shouldn't be a problem I hope, those don't care for mortals, or anything really, as far as I know - but free meal is a free meal, I can understand that but hope it doesn't get distracted now and releases the giant from its grasp too early. Need it to keep the big guy under a bit longer.
"Move it! I'm not doing everything myself!" What about your army discipline? The spear guy seems to just stand there so I hurry him up, need to secure the place before we have to deal with those cold bones.
Elementalist III can use the fires around to make the magic more efficient, that haystack will burn out fast so let me grab them. We keep moving while my magic reaches out towards the flaming cart, dancing around the few remaining undead - all small fries, around level ten and just simple Skeleton. —No, actually there are some with Warrior class but it's also low. I take control over the flames when my mana reaches them, giving them purpose. -Let's mix some air in to give it more power, with the ambient magic present in the mortal realm I can afford to play a bit more heavy-handed.
Air and fire magic work well, and supplement each other; spinning them together for a better mix, a fire-whirl gets created and drafts even more air by itself. I'm not fighting the phenomenon for control and let the convection forces do most of the job for us - sparing me some strain, as I can concentrate more on just fueling and guiding the thing around.
-Out of the way people, you don't want to get caught in it. This form is actually pretty mobile but definitely lacks power, I can feel my Attributes got all wonky after casting it.
I chance a glance at my menu while clearing out the small fry... frying their bones with scorching heat, heh! The people panic a bit and move out of the way; which is good but there is no need to worry, we have enough control for some delicate manipulation. —Damn the vortex got quite big feeding on the dry bones. You can almost call it a firestorm now.
Yeah, what I see in the menu confirms my fears; A bunch of new things in here, our old friend Small and just like with the damaged Greed Core, most of my traits became unavailable—
> Horns (5): You grew a pair of demonic horns. (temp. disabled)
>
> Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
This is odd... According to the thing in front of me all of my Horns traits should be temporarily disabled? -Yet I've been using them just fine, if with some more difficulty. Just what is—
I dodge a skeleton that almost stomped on me. -Not now, focus on battle first. A pair of thin vines sprouts from my side and trip the thing in turn, then they go for the eyes where the miasma anchoring it to the world seems to concentrate - we can't use Rose's full potential with such a small body, but this should be enough to kill this low level. Chaotic energy isn't as effective against the undead but gets the work done.
Another big presence is approaching and we need to get ready.
The old soldier joined the fray and is madly swinging my spear, disposing of the undead with skill and proficiency - I don't like the look in his eyes, he seems to enjoy himself too much using my toys. Most of the people moved closer to the inn by this time; the wounded are being treated to some first aid while the rest formed a defensive line in front of the building, directed by a woman with auburn hair barking commands. She keeps supporting those still fighting with an occasional spell, but her reserve is already pitifully low - I can sense a mana potion in her pocket though so she's not out of the fight.
Overall maybe two dozen people survived out here, many were hurt. Five are dead - surprisingly few considering most are not combatants.
The ground shakes as the icy monster is trying to get free. Wish I could just force all of this fire down into the crack left in the ground, but don't want to draw the ire of the earth spirit - it seems more inclined towards water, and we may still get some use out from it. People are watching the collapsed part of the road with a mix of fear and determination.
Looking around I realize why this place seemed familiar. The elemental should have clued me in sooner -I've been here before. Let's not think about the Idiot right now, we have a boss fight ahead.
With the last skull flying off its shoulders after a swing of a black spear the stage is clear, just in time. I guide the sizable column of fire past the main gates and into the horde waiting outside - the burning wreckage that was used to block the path gets sucked in and fuels the small tornado even more, before I force it to bend down... Manipulating the wind just right the stupidly tall thing falls and swipes the ground beyond the wooden wall, before dispersing when the momentum is lost. Flaming debris and smoldering bones get thrown all over the field outside starting small fires.
I can feel some ire from the spirit but can't help it now.
Stupid undead were nicely packed together out here, too great of a target. I can already see more coming out there on the forest road though; together with another big creature that slowly shambles towards us, not a skeleton this time. Not pretty, we need to deal with the giant fast.
-I have been fighting a lot recently, knew the peace wouldn't last, *Sigh. Sorry Jarred but it seems I won't be able to keep this form up for what's coming. I raise the earth to close the entrance to this small village from the remnants of the walking dead outside... Not sure it can be called that, barely a dozen homes and the Inn.
A massive bone hand reaches out from the depths, too bad the earth was unable to close properly around the creature, the spirit seems weakened and retreated from the cold constantly seeping from those old bones - there is definitely some water alignment there to the being.
Even were I to force the gap to close I get the feeling the giant would dig itself out - undead are famous for that.
Marcus—? That seems to be the old mans name from what I can hear - he is talking with the mage woman from earlier and massaging his temples with his free hand. They seem to be arguing with Jarred who at some point exited from the building, but all three turn to the enemy when its head pokes out above the now frozen soil.
It must be the Frost Giant part of it that makes the damn thing so strong, there is that little star there I have been suspicious about...
-Yea I've never committed into keeping your demon summoning hobby a secret Jarred. -Need to take care of the situation. After a short sprint we jump towards the creature's head while transforming back in mid flight, the vines are unleashed and we land on the big skull as roots and Bark Guard branches coil around the frigid skeleton. The Ring of Seasons is now around my arm but struggles and can't kept the cold out, so I clash my own magic against it while Rose drains its mana and tries to disrupt the effect - grinding her thorns over the hard, frozen bone.
Need to take advantage of the undead's limited mobility, and before that giant hammer comes back into play. Despite my attempts the thing manages to haul its whole upper body out. I make the earth crumble under its hand but it doesn't make if fall back too far in - its legs firmly found support on the narrow walls of the fissure.
I can actually feel the last charge of my shield ring activate. -Shit, didn't need it trigger the enchantment with this, we could have dealt with it, but the milk is already spoiled so nothing to do about it. Should have stored it before doing this, too bad.
Roots dig into the earth, trying to keep the thing inside the hole but they aren't strong enough and get pulled out. My dagger now in hand hits the thick skull, but I'm unable to penetrate it and the magic of its enchantment splashes over the scalp to little effect. Tsk! -Hard bastard.
That's when the others finally decided to show up and help. Our resident spear master charges toward the massive rib cage and does something silly, while the woman sprays a stream of fire inside it. -Watch it lady are you trying to burn Rose's vines? I sent her a glare but she doesn't pay attention. Her flames can't really damage us through my Resilience, she didn't drink her potion and doesn't have much left in her anymore - still fire is the magic to use against those wretched creatures.
"Pierce—!" Yea, he shout out the name of his attack... Some kind of skill activates when the tip of the spear collides with the wide sternum. -You better don't break my things mister.
But I didn't need to worry, as it is the bone that *cracks! and then breaks into splinters.
The middle of chest area just behind there is also a weak point for the undead - like in the skull, the miasma that seems to keep the magic animating it together gathers there. Yet another similarity to us demons; the chains of life force that keep me here in the mortal realm, are also tied together around those areas with some sort of mystical lock.
The unusual dark miasma gets disrupted in contact with the tainted weapon, effect is similar to Rose's ability - but actually more effective, which I find rather odd. The undead slips, losing grip on the crumbling earth, and its aura of coldness flickers unsteadily... I decide to spend some of our internal reserves and channel Fire Magic through the vines and roots, taking advantage of this moment of weakness.
The whole skeleton was covered by us at this point and now the ancient bones were set ablaze, strange darkness is being burnt away by the bright flames that finally were able to get past the things ability. The smoldering giant silently falls down into the frozen hole after we unwrap ourselves from it. Staying suspended above the fissure like some macabre spider, supported by black bark covered branches, we watch the now properly dead thing get consumed by the fire.
I lower us to the ground and pull Rose back in.
-One down, one more to go.
> Level up.
>
> Class: Red Rosen-Maiden Imp (6).
Well, about damn time it went up. Killing undead doesn't seem to give me much experience. -I would love to see some concrete numbers some day.
"What is it?" The duo nearby looks at me with uncertainty and I tilt my head at them. "Get ready, we are not done yet. An even bigger bugger is headed this way." I'm happy to see my spear wasn't damaged from bashing the bones.
I turn towards the main entrance. The moon is bright tonight and a big shadow can be seen looming over the palisade. I start to gather more of the ambient mana - thankfully nearby swamps are rich in power... Yes, we are back in Carvell.
A simple iron rod appears in my hand.
——