Chapter 45 - Chronicles of Heavenly Demon II, Greedy Elf’s Quest
The air smelled sweet and lilies were swirling with the wind, the Inverse World Dungeon, one of the world’s oldest challenges had been conquered. On the horizon, the Inverse World Dungeon no longer emanated dark energy, but rather, a bluish and greenish atmosphere. Although the area was entirely devoid of negative energy, many of the giant pieces of earth were stuck in the sky. This was an after-effect of the “scar” that signifies a space that had been corrupted.
“Congratulations on your ascension, Master,” Parsifal walked to Dario who was visibly seen standing on the ground, signifying that the chi meditation was complete.
Inhale. Exhale. “Indeed,” Dario sounded indifferent to the praise that was given. It was as if the accomplishment of attaining the 9th Class was similar to wiping the dust from one’s shoulders.
Hmmm… Looking at the surroundings, the Inverse World Dungeon was a darkly lit area where no sunshine can permeate through the corrupted atmosphere, but now, the land had become a diamond in the rough.
“Report,” Dario walked downwards to the valley where the border of the southern continent, Ouroboros, connects with the middle continent, Hollow World. From afar, the view of the black fortress came into view.
“The Inverse World Dungeon had fully assimilated a few days before your ascension,” Parsifal reported upon his order of making the Omen Sect’s presence permanently known on the southern border. Thousands of bandits and highwaymen composed of Giants and Humans of the southern continent were massacred by none other than Dario and were revived shortly thereafter to serve the Sith Lord for all eternity. With those Undead, the building of the fortress proceeded smoothly as Ptolemaeus was the one responsible for transporting materials and resources alongside personnel for fortress-making. The Omen Sect was well prepared and quickly made a foothold in Ouroboros.
“Excellent,” Dario was pleased to hear such news. He had no idea how long it would take to fully absorb the corrupted energy of the entire valley.
Entering the black metal gates, the fortress was booming with activity and the edition of the Giant species was a newly added force. Perfect. A satisfying smirk had appeared on the face of the Lord Disciple, a display of one’s inner evil, devilry. With the integration of a force like the Giant species, everything regarding the fortress was bigger, giant gates, giant buildings, and so forth. Even the ground has already been cemented with asphalt.
“Prepare to receive wayfarers,” Dario said.
He must want merchants or people who whisper rumors. Parsifal was able to deduce some of the intentions of his Master who commanded the Bow Saint to receive travelers, “The branches of the Omen Sect have set up the groundwork and can manage that much.”
“Hmph.” Grin. Dario chuckled at the thought that one of his dreams of rebuilding the Omen Nation’s commerce and internal affairs would soon be a reality. In fact, it even surprised the Lord Disciple that such things were completed in a short amount of time.
Stepping onto a platform that overlooked the entire fortress, Dario was witnessing the beginning of the vision he had for the future of the Omen Sect. ‘The Inverse Silk Road.’ This was to be the new name that Dario had suspected would arise when different nations would interact with the Demonic people.
“Rally the immediate forces and head south to the Giant Steppe Valley. I will prepare some things before I head there myself,” Dario was close to his goal of reviving the Alchemic practices of the Omen Sect.
“By your order,” Parsifal heeded the command gracefully.
“By conquering the world’s most abundant place of resources will make the Omen Sect the masters of elixirs,” finally, Dario sighed a breath of relief. Sigh. A rather rare sight for someone like him. “One of my first goals will at long last commence.” A servant holding a plate with a cup on top approached Dario and placed the refreshment on the table near him.
Sip. Sip. Dario was marveling at his work which produced nothing but good news and results. I have grown exponentially from the time when I was first sworn in as my Master’s disciple. Dario crossed his legs and sipped his refreshment. I should be able to do that now. With those words, Dario performed the innate ability that allowed Asura Courtwell to dominate the Omen Campaign.
Skill: [Shadow Doppelganger] -A shadow-controlling art that requires the user to be completely in tune with their dark (yang) nature. It allows Dario to create copies of himself and carry out the will of the main body. The copies themselves are said to be a ghostly double of a living person who cast no shadow and have no reflection. Rank: EX Proficiency: 100%
From the depths of Dario’s shadow, a Shadow Doppelganger made its ghostly appearance, “All is prepared. Tiamat herself would have a hard time.” The Lord Disciple had envisioned what his battle would be like against one of the oldest living beings on the planet.
***
Ouroboros is the continent with the best place for multiple resources, specifically, alchemical ingredients. The country, Giant Steppe Valley which is a neighbor to the southern border of Hollow World is ruled by brigands and a coalition of Giants and a few other species.
If Hollow World had not separated the continents, many nations, principalities, monarchies, and different forms of government would stop at nothing to harvest the rich resources of Ouroboros. Fortunately, the Omen Campaign that had shaken the world diverted the attention of a country like the Giant Steppe Valley. And so, Humans, Giants, Gnomes, Leprechauns, Redcaps, and Elves made this humongous valley rich with resources as their base.
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It had been a couple of days since there was any word from the Inverse World Dungeon. Turns out, they maintain the road that connects the south to the middle continent. This was a concern for the leader of the bandits, Grimjaw, Chieftain of the band of brigands and highwaymen.
They are a group of bandits that live relatively near the Inverse World Dungeon and often pillage Adventurers and anyone crazy enough to enter Hollow World.
Rumble. Rumble. The Elf, Grimjaw, could feel the quaking of the land, “The earth trembles.” Grimjaw articulated himself in a way that perfectly described his greedy nature. “Wait.” And, his senses are also surprisingly high for someone who is a battle maniac. But, the question begs as to why an Elf such as him is actively committing banditry.
Grimjaw is a descendant of the children of the Edea Life Tree who embodies an intriguing blend of ethereal grace and insatiable greed. He is known as the “Robber Baron King” or “Golden King” due to his golden armor and his love for pillaging. Standing tall at six feet, his lithe figure is adorned with the earthy hues of his forest home.
Cascading in waves of gold down his back, his hair, alongside emerald eyes made Grimjaw sharp and calculating with a glimmer of an unmistakable hunger for material wealth. They are windows to a soul consumed by desires beyond the realm of nature’s beauty.
The elf's mannerisms betray a certain arrogance, an air of entitlement that sets him apart from his kin. His every movement carries a haughty grace as if he were born to rule the very essence of nature itself. Grimjaw’s voice, smooth as a babbling brook, carries a seductive charm that he skillfully employs to manipulate those around him.
Driven by his insatiable greed, Grimjaw possesses unparalleled cunning and shrewdness. He will stop at nothing to amass his wealth, even if it means bending the sacred laws of the forest to his own advantage. His avarice knows no bounds, and he is willing to sacrifice anything or anyone who stands in the way of his acquisition of riches, fame, and power. Yet, beneath the layers of his avarice, there lies a hint of vulnerability. His sole weakness was leading a band of brigands so few in number to be a match against the Undead Horde approaching the valley.
From the viewpoint of the tallest tree in the Giant Steppe Valley, his Elvhen eyes can see distance far better than most species and witness a legion of Undead. Is that Ebony? Instantly, his greedy nature identified that the armor was from the material Ebony and immediately comprehended the value of the Undead. At the front, a looming figure clad in jet-black armor with crimson patterns akin to a tiger’s black stripes and long hair waving with the wind.
Parsifal had come to the Grand Steppe Valley with a force of 25,000 (high-tier) Undead, specifically, Mounted Death Champions, Mounted Death Archers, Mounted Death Lancers, Mounted Bone Knights, Undead Apprentices, and at at least a few of the Lich species. This company was more than enough for a task such as mounting an assault against the bandit’s den.
What the hell kind of army is that?! An army from hell?! The Golden Robber Baron King was shocked at the sight of an incoming enemy, “Redcaps!” Grimjaw commanded. From the shadows of the room, goblins with devilishly-looking redcaps made their appearance.
“Your command,” the Chieftain of the Redcaps, Red John, spoke to the leader of the bandits of the great valley.
“Kill those who run away,” it was a cold order. Grimjaw was more concerned about his forces running away rather than focusing on the impending doom.
“By your will, Lord,” the Chieftain of the Redcaps, Red John, obeyed the order wholeheartedly. Surprisingly, these specific Redcaps have been with Grimjaw since the beginning and have a unique relationship.
After the order was given, the bandit forces were already clashing with the Undead forces. “I’ll take a huge chunk off of ya before you guys do any serious damage!!” There was a reason why a single woodland Elf could dominate the numerous bandits in the great valley; it was because Grimjaw was not only a Bow Saint but also, a Sword Saint as well. He had reached the pinnacle, a two-way character fully mastering two different fighting styles.
“Golden Ember!!” Not only did Grimjaw look decadent in his golden armor, but, his techniques were also elegant as well.
Bow & Arrow Techniques: [Golden Ember] -Shoots a single arrow imbued with golden energy and implodes into a stream of hundreds of golden arrows. Each arrow will inflict a random debuff. Rank: EX Proficiency: 120%
A single arrow was cast from the starry tree and imploded with a brilliant glamour that multiplied to hundreds of golden arrows.
“That’s quite a greeting you’ve got there!” Parsifal transmitted his voice for Grimjaw to hear, “Allow me to give you a worthy reply!” Ingratiated with the honor of fighting someone similar to him made Parsifal feel alive, “Divine Hydro Realm!” This was a technique devised after the battle against Judge Atoru. After learning from his mistakes with someone similar to his level, Parsifal downloaded all that was needed for him to increase his hunting tactics.
Magick Archer Techniques: [Divine Hydro Realm] -A sequential technique utilizing both the Holy and Water element. The Holy magical bolt is reminiscent of the Arcane Spell, Holy, only, in the shape of a bolt and explodes in a divine fashion. It is then followed by another elemental reaction creating water bubbles which in turn will instantly implode. A rather sophisticated move for purifying evil spirits or crowd-control. Rank: EX Proficiency: 120%
SPLASH!! Although Grimjaw’s attack was brilliant, Parsifal easily overshadowed such glamour with the Holy and Water attribute. It was a marvelous clash between Golden Ember and Divine Hydro Realm.
“Show me more!” Invigorated, Parsifal was looking forward to making the Bow Saint of the Giant Steppe Valley his possession.
“How arrogant,” Grimjaw took four golden arrows from his quiver and began unleashing all his skills. Fuck! The woodland Elf cursed as he could not deal with the incoming Undead and was preoccupied with Parsifal.
“Kuarghhh!!!” “Kuuk!!” “Ahhkk!!” Sounds of the living species being mercilessly killed by the Undead Horde. They were the ones who were freshly bloodied in the Battle of Gaspless and gained tremendous experience and rewards. Some were even personally bequeathed a name by either Parsifal or Dario.
Against this many high-tiered Undead and a leader on the level of a Grandmaster, Grimjaw saw his life flashing before his eyes. With the bandit forces of numerous species who love to rob and rape travelers and merchants alike were the ones to have a horrible end for their misdeeds and their sins washed away by death, only, they would be reborn to eternally serve the will of the Sith Lord.