Qing sprinted across the icy hellscape, his heart pounding in his ears. He Blinked forward, covering more ground with each teleportation, but the terrifying roars echoing across the frozen wasteland seemed to draw closer with each passing moment.
His eyes darted frantically, searching for any semblance of cover, but the landscape remained stubbornly flat. Endless sheets of ice stretched in every direction.
Qing forced himself to keep his gaze up, having experienced what came with gazing too closely at what the ice contained. If he fell into another vision now…
As he ran, Qing focused on his status screen, desperately allocating his stat points. He poured four into vitality and ten into intelligence, hoping the boost would give him an edge in whatever confrontation lay ahead.
Health: 250/410
Mana: 670/850
Thoughts frantic, he navigated the skill tree.
Definitely not taking Life Leech.
He selected Healing Breeze instead.
Spiritwarden Spell: “Healing Breeze” (Heal)
A healing spell that restores health to the caster and nearby allies over time.
Cost: Low Mana
Cooldown: Medium
As Qing confirmed his selection, a warm, comforting sensation washed over him. The space around the icon shimmered with soft, golden light, as tiny motes swirled across the page. Then the icon pulsed green, growing brighter with each beat. Knowledge of the spell settled into his mind, bringing with it the power to summon healing winds at will.
He cast Healing Breeze.
The spell took hold and a warm glow emanated from within. A gentle breeze, incongruous with the harsh hellscape around him, swirled about his body. It carried the scent of spring flowers and fresh rain, a stark contrast to the acrid stench of brimstone that permeated the air.
As he continued to flee across the ice, Qing's myriad cuts and bruises from the leeches began closing. The pain softened and he breathed easier.
The spell healed gradually, returning his vitality in waves. A welcome bonus was how it combated the bone-deep chill of Hell's icy realm, sending some blessed warmth into his limbs.
Despite the healing, Qing couldn't afford to slow his pace, but he worriedly kept an eye on his mana regeneration, not wanting to drop below half as he frantically blinked.
Only one thing left. The level four spell.
Qing's mind raced as he considered his options for the level four spell. He pulled up the skill tree, scanning the available choices.
Elementalist Spell: "Earthen Bulwark" (Earth)
Raise a wall of stone from the ground. Length, height, and thickness affects mana cost. The wall can be charged with other elemental spells to gain additional effects (e.g., fire damage, electric shock).
Cost: Medium
Cooldown: Medium
Qing pondered the utility of the spell. A stone wall could provide much-needed cover and control over the battlefield. The ability to imbue it with other elements was an added bonus. A serious contender.
His eyes moved to the next option.
Templar Spell: "Celestial Smite" (Holy Damage)
Call down a focused beam of starlight on a single target, dealing heavy damage and briefly blinding them.
Cost: High Mana
Cooldown: Medium
Qing's heart sank. The word 'smite' immediately set off alarm bells. His Templar abilities had proven useless in Hell, and he feared this spell would suffer the same fate. Reluctantly, he moved on.
Arcanist Spell: "Arcane Vortex" (Arcane)
A minuscule black hole pierces reality, pulling nearby enemies towards its center.
Cost: High Mana
Cooldown: Long
He'd seen how dangerous this was when Wazir had used it in their final battle. But, would it be enough to turn this fight?
The roars behind him grew louder as he weighed his options, spurring his decision-making process.
Earthen Bulwark is the most versatile.
His breath coming in ragged gasps as he continued to Blink across the icy wasteland.
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I can use it for defense, offense, and even to reshape the battlefield.
He pictured himself raising walls of stone to block incoming attacks, or to trap enemies in a makeshift arena.
And being able to charge it with other elements... that's a game-changer,
He could create electrified barriers or walls of flame, adapting to whatever threat he faced.
As for the Arcane Vortex, while powerful, it seemed too situational. What if I'm fighting a single, powerful enemy? Or if I need to protect my allies from being pulled in and can't use it when fighting with others?
Earthen Bulwark, on the other hand, had applications in nearly every scenario he could imagine. It could provide cover for his companions, block enemies to create escape routes, or even serve as a platform to gain higher ground.
Plus, in this flat hellscape, any way to change the terrain may be crucial advantage.
He mentally selected Earthen Bulwark and the previously greyed-out symbol blazed to life. Intricate patterns of earth and stone swirled within the circular icon, forming and reforming in an endless dance of creation.
The spell's knowledge flooded his mind, and he stumbled. There were flashes of ancient civilizations, their mighty walls standing against the test of time. The Great Wall of China, Hadrian's Wall, the walls of Troy - all these and more flickered through his consciousness.
But it wasn't just human constructions. Images of natural formations, the layered sediment of the Grand Canyon, the jagged peaks of the Himalayas, the smooth curves of wind-carved desert rocks. He understood now that the earth itself was the greatest builder of all.
As the knowledge settled, a deep connection to the very ground beneath his feet formed. Even here, in this hellish landscape, there was the potential for creation. The spell wasn't just about raising walls, it was about shaping the world itself.
Earthen Bulwark was far more versatile than he'd initially thought. He could create not just walls, but pillars, bridges, even crude staircases. The earth would respond to his will, limited only by his imagination and mana reserves.
An unexpected piece of knowledge surfaced, unlocked by his elemental mastery. The spell could be used to shape existing stone as well as raise new formations. With practice, he could carve out shelters or even fortifications from solid rock.
As the spell's wisdom settled into place, it brought with it a newfound respect for the element of earth.
Despite the terror still clawing at his neck, he was more prepared with the new spells. The last wound, and he scanned around him, careful not to look closely at the ice.
Is that…
Far in the distance, a pinprick seemed to hang against the vast sky. But something about it seemed off. Qing threw himself down, sliding across the ice on his belly, keeping his eyes on the dot, pointedly ignoring a version of him being torn apart with scissors.
The pinprick grew into a dot, and whatever it was, it travelled too fast for him to flee. Soon after, it was close enough for Qing to recognise it.
This is just unfair.
Instinctively, the name of the creature popped into his mind, and he knew it was an elite. An elite way higher level than him. It was Chillscourge, the demonic frost dragon.
Chillscourge rapidly closed the distance as the icy cold of the Howling Expanse seeped into Qing's bones.
There's no way I can outrun that thing, and and it's coming straight for me. It has to be because I used Shadowsight. God damn this place.
As the monstrous creature drew nearer, Qing's eyes widened. The dragon was enormous, easily the length of two school buses, with two massive wings and four powerful legs.
Aren't dragons supposed to be grandiose and wondrous creatures? This thing…it just looks sick.
The beast roared as it soared, and, despite knowing its futility, Qing scrambled up and sprinted directly away from it, looking across his shoulder. There was no plan for it, it was just pure instinct. The dragon looked like a fucked up nightmare given form. Sharp ice and rotting flesh, covered in scales layered with frost that glinted like a thousand broken mirrors. Shiny surfaces that, as it came closer, reflected those trapped in the ice. Even from this distance they pulled on him.
Instead, Qing focused on Chillscourge's eyes. An eerie blue fire burned within, promising endless torment.
What am I doing!?
Qing's heart pounded in his chest.
There is no running. The only way forward is through. Through that thing.
He skidded to a halt.
It looks like a god damn raid boss! And I left my party behind.
Qing's heart raced as Chillscourge bore down on him, its massive form blotting out the sky. He activated Magic Shield, a shimmering barrier of arcane energy enveloping his body. The dragon's maw gaped wide, revealing rows of jagged, icy teeth.
As Chillscourge swooped down, Qing felt the air grow impossibly colder. At the last possible moment, he cast Blink, vanishing in a flash of blue light. He reappeared a good distance away, stumbling as he landed on the slick ice.
Gasping for breath, Qing turned to face the dragon. His eyes widened as he stared at the dragon's form as it banked, air whistling around its wings.
His gaze was drawn to a particularly large scale on the dragon's flank. In its reflection, he saw himself and Blaine, standing on a stage. They were ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, celebrating the IPO of their company. The crowd cheered, confetti rained down, and-
Qing wrenched his eyes shut, his heart pounding. He'd nearly been pulled into the vision, leaving himself defenceless against Chillscourge's next attack.
That vision felt as powerful as staring directly at it!
He opened his eyes just long enough to get a lay of the ice, and the sound of beating wings told him Chillscourge was circling back for another pass.
How the hell am I supposed to fight something I can't even look at?
Qing's mind raced as he tried to formulate a plan. He couldn't look directly at Chillscourge without risking being pulled into another vision, but he couldn't fight blindly either. The sound of the dragon's wings grew louder as it approached for another attack.
An idea struck him. Qing cast Earthen Bulwark, focusing his will on the icy ground beneath him. With a rumbling groan, a thick wall of ice and stone erupted from the surface, curving around him in a protective dome. The sudden darkness inside the dome was a relief after the harsh reflections of the Howling Expanse, and while he knew the ghosts in the ice was there, he couldn't see them.
Qing took a deep breath, centring himself. He could hear Chillscourge's roar of frustration as it passed overhead, unable to reach its prey. The dome shuddered as the dragon's claws raked across its surface, but the structure held.
Using this moment of respite, Qing cast Healing Breeze again, feeling the soothing warmth spread through his body. As his health ticked up, he considered his options.
I can't stay in here forever. But how do I fight something I can't look at?
He remembered the Darkened Sigil of Nightmares he'd found in the Kraken's corpse. Could its power help him resist the visions? It was a risk, but one he might have to take.
Qing reached into his inventory and pulled out the black pearl.
Item: [Darkened Sigil of Nightmares, Level 20, Legendary]
A pearl so black it reflects no light, set within a golden mesh depicting a kraken wrapped around a sleeping mind.
+5 Intelligence
Active: Once per day, plunge an area into magical darkness for one minute. You can feel the movement and location of anyone and anything within the darkness.
As soon as his fingers touched its surface, he felt a chill run down his spine. The pearl seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, whispering dark promises in his mind.
Here goes nothing.
He activated the sigil, applying the pearl to his glaive, and prepared to face Chillscourge once more.
In the darkness, it won't be able to see me. I'll have to use the opportunity to ground it. Destroy its ability for flight. Then, and then…
A tremendous crash filled the air as Chillscourge crashed into the dome, claws first, ripping the roof straight off.
Instinctively, Qing dropped to the ice.
And then I'm going to murder this god damn overgrown lizard!