V2 Chapter 12
“Their number's too big,”
Rain steps towards the goblin horde, and using [Wind Slash] attack sweeping out around him, hitting the four to five Hobgoblins in front of him.
“But still, they are certainly weaker than even normal Goblins that I had fought before,”
“A Dungeon Monster made out of Magic can never be compared to a real being, Rain. They have their own limitations, and their growth rate is halted as well, with their potential locked. Just like their intelligence. Even Dungeons would not dare create a limitless existence that might become a problem for it.”
Scarlet replied after hearing his question.
“And besides, this is the strength of a normal Goblin. The Goblins you had fought before, are those inhabiting the Desolate Cave, aren’t they? Then, they clearly weaker. The Goblins found in the Desolate Cave are much stronger than normal Goblins found outside the Desolate Cave!”
“So you mean, the monsters in this place have fixed parameters? With strength only comparable to the average…?”
Rain invoked all his skills and abilities he could in battle; [Wind Slash], [Bone Spike], [Fireball] and other AOE abilities he had to clean the surroundings as much as he could, while he danced in the battlefield while his physical attributes being amplified by all his enhancement-type skills.
He sped through the battlefield, and like a falling star reaps the lives of his enemies without mercy. Death and Killing had already engraved in his life, and he doesn't seem to take care of it anymore, compared to before. Rather, perhaps thanks to Sylphy's support, he was able to easily grow accustomed to the Killing.
With [Hardened] ability, his skin was dyed with a brown-colored metallic shine, becoming even harder and tougher- a great ability to be impervious from almost all normal and ordinary blades. And with strength and speed enhancement skills activated, he was like a shooting star as he moved.
“[Flicker Snap]”
His finger snapped, and the sound seemed to have echoed in the entire place. However, what’s more, impressive was the fact that the moment the sound echoed, Rain’s body disappeared.
The moment the echo of the snap he had made faded, his body appeared seven meters away from his former position. However, the monsters surrounding him suddenly issued cries of agony and fell down, their neck and chest had a bleeding hole.
Over twenty monsters were killed almost in an instant.
This was one of Rain’s favorite skills. Although it looked similar to Instant Movement such as [Blink] it is actually not.
[Flicker Snap] is not actually a speed-increasing buff skill, rather, it's a skill that affects time. When his snap echoes, his perception heightened- making everything around him slower. At the same time, it also enables him to move at the speed of sound by using the snapping sound he made as a medium to transport his body. Though it only lasted for a second- and that, he can only travel as far as the sound of his snap can be heard.
At first, Rain’s body couldn’t endure this skill when used. The recoil of this ability made a dozen of his veins snapped and his mind unable to endure the onslaught after the skill ended, when time reverted to normal. Rather, he had almost died when he first used it carelessly, making the Lamians worried sick, and have been bed-ridden for almost an entire week.
Zarda and the others had even banned him from using this skill. But it's a very good skill to pass. That is why, Rain only uses this ability a few times a day, and that, he must enhance his body to the limit using his skills before using the ability, to avoid the recoil. In addition, with his steadily improving physical body, he was also able to control this ability much better.
If his body becomes even stronger, Rain believed that he might be able to use this skill without a problem- and this greatly delighted him.
While attacking, he constantly shifts his position, so there is no chance of being surrounded by the enemies, after each time he changes position, there will be two monsters that fall under his sword.
After a little while, this not too large space filled with the bodies of monsters that he and the others had killed—however, once a monster died another will appeared from nowhere, densely packed and rushing towards him. The disintegration of the monsters couldn’t catch up with the number of dead bodies that appeared.
“Awoooooohhh!!!”
Suddenly, as Rain was fighting, his beautiful azure eyes turned red, as if a drop of blood had painted them anew. Then, his hands turned into claws with white-colored fur.
“Wuaaaah!!!!”
The smell of blood once again caused his savage nature to burst out. His eyes widened as he released a demonic howl, and charged towards the nearest monsters. His speed was too fast, and all the monsters saw was the blur of a black shadow, followed by screams.
The screams came from monsters that were standing together. Each of their chests had a hand and a sword protruding through them, and their scream lasted only half a second.
His skill [Death is my Domain] skill automatically activated, and his physical attributes increased as if he was been injected with steroids. But it too had affected him quite significantly; as even his inner wolf was so excited it was attempting to break out.
Rain let out a loud howl and threw the corpses into the air, and each of them flew tens of meters away.
He tried to contain his wolf urges as much as he could, as he certainly doesn’t want to bother the fight of Lafetti and the others. But the more he fights, the stronger he felt it becomes the wilder and uncontrollable his urges becomes as well.
Rain roared as he flung the two heavy Hobgoblins forwards, which accurately smashed into two other monster groups that were about to charge at him. With the burly Hobgoblins flying at such a speed, it was impossible for them to dodge.
The bodies crashed into their heads, causing them to be pressed down, suffocated, or had their heads crushed by the weight.
“Rain, you’re advancing too far,”
Flames burst out from around him, swallowing the surroundings monsters.
“There’s no too far here, just too close!! Roooooaaarrr!!!”
Rain’s roar caused tremors through the air, causing all of the monsters in the surrounding to pale in fright. Along with the roar, a wave of malevolent aura and bloodlust exploded out from his body.
The weapons and magic spells that struck his body were sent flying away. Countless trails of blood flowed out from his body, but the blood then immediately stopped. Rain looked up and savagely stared at the monsters in front of him…
Then, suddenly when he waved his hand, several thin strings came out from his wrists and coiled around the monsters, trapping them. Then, with his legs enhanced by his ability, he sent a kick—noises of bones breaking echoed eerily as the monsters he had kicked, crashed towards the other monsters at the back, immobilizing them.
Looking at the weapons that Rain had blocked using his body, and could only create shallow wounds, which was slowly healing at an incredible speed, the surrounding monsters all trembled, and almost couldn’t hold their weapons anymore.
The cold feeling of death permeated through their entire bodies, causing them to shudder.
This was a monster… a true demon!!
Although their numbers are truly a problem, the weapons they are using are as simple and ordinary as they can be, and some were even tattered old weapons, perhaps ones that they had picked up from somewhere—how could they possibly break through Rain’s physique?
The only thing they could do was made a shallow cut, but would never be fatal.
In their fear, most of the monsters even forgot to attack.
A black shadow flashed before their eyes, and their bodies flew. Rain grabbed some weapons that had fallen on the ground and began to throw them, causing countless screams of pain.
Before most bodies had even hit the ground, Rain had already run past them and went towards the same group.
Crackle! His hands covered by yellowish-lightning sparks, and with a swing of his hands, 2 parallel lines of very thick lightning bolts, flashed, and struck another group of monsters, causing a deafening explosion to occur.
When the dust and smoke disappeared, the monsters that were hit by the lightning bolt, instantly changed into charcoal. The lightning attack made a path through the encirclement of monsters, while Rain maintained the skill.
It truly is a slaughter fest, one that seemed to never have an end.
Looking at this scene, Rain smirked, looking more and more demonic.
“You’re enjoying yourself too much, Rain,”
Rain heard Lafetti’s voice and somewhat calmed his raging emotions down. He turned towards her, and couldn’t help but smiled wryly. If one could say what she was doing with one word, it would be, “slaughter”.
Bones shattering, swords breaking, and armors that became lumps of mere iron, and flesh fell to the ground. Several deep cracks and gouges scarred the ground, which was unimaginable since she caused them without using magic.
It was all due to Lafetti swinging her sword. She killed her enemies as if she was reaping grass on her lawn, and every time she swung her sword, dozen of heads and limbs rolled on the ground. In addition, she also crushed their swords and armors along the way.
“It’s not like I’m the only one,”
Rain grinned.
“But this would never end…!”
Scarlet gnashed her teeth. No matter how many monsters they killed, they just appeared to continue to appear unceasingly.
“Haaa……”
Granite charged forward with a strong burst of magic power, knocking a group of monsters flying into the surrounding coffins and furniture that were already unsteadily swaying back and forth.
“You fools who are no different than maggots!!”
While being covered with rock, appearing like a giant snake golem, Granite continued her rampage. Nothing could stop her, and she made her way through her target with a path full of blood and death.
At this moment, the Goblin Champion, huge as a hill, leaped towards Granite, who was rampaging in the battlefield. He chose the rock Lamian as the target because she was surely eye-catching.
Her giant, rock-like figure was as if a large rock snake was running around the area. It let out a roar and slams its almost three-meter tall metal club littered with a sharp spike. A weapon that looked extremely similar to a Morning Star.
It was actually even bigger when up close as the Goblin Champion stood at roughly around three-meter tall, with a giant-like burly body filled with rock-like muscles that would make Dw**ne Jo*nson looked average.
Stolen story; please report.
If compared to this monster, the action superstar looks like a toddler. Even Granite who had been buffed by her innate ability [Rock Armor], and had become almost double her original size still seemed barely able to contend in size.
However, Granite was not the least bit intimidated.
With a loud roar of her own, she raised her shield and caught the enemy’s attack head-on.
Baaaaang!!
Granite felt something heavy ramming at her shield, and she was almost knocked back. Even her tower shield which was made from rare and precious material and almost indestructible actually made a creaking sound, seemingly on the verge of breaking and even the edges were chipped. The worst and very unexpected was that she was pushed back a few meters just by the collision, and her entire arm went numb.
Granite reckoned that if not for the enhancement given to her by the [Rock Armor], she would have been knocked back, and got hurt.
Damn! This monster is freakishly strong!!
Her expression changed, and her brows furrowed together. It was clear that the Goblin Champion was much stronger than any Goblins or Hobgoblins she had faced up until now.
What the hell is going on?! This is just a Goblin Champion! If it was just a Goblin Lord, she might understand, but to think she was defeated in the contest of strength!
The Rock Lamian's expression turned unsightly, and she swung her rock-covered tail that looked like a jackhammer, towards the Goblin Champion. However, the moment the monster saw her attack, instead of jumping away, and dodging, it actually grabbed a poor Hobgoblin nearby and used it as a shield, blocking Granite’s attack with a loud grunt.
Crack! Break! Crack!
Granite could feel and heard the sounds of bones breaking, and she was certain that the poor monster used as a shield had all its bones in its body turned into a paste.
Poor guy!
Even still, using all her strength, Granite was able to knock the Goblin Champion back, but the impact was certainly been reduced significantly as the Goblin Champion was still able to stabilize its balance, and slammed its spikey club towards Granite once again.
“BOOOOM!!”
Its club left a deep mark on the earth. However, Granite knows better not to take it this time and had already moved out of the way, and before dodging, struck her tower shield on the ground to brace herself, blocking the incoming shockwaves.
“Damn this monster is unusually strong!!”
Granite grunted as she felt the impact striking her.
To think she was being outmatched. She then looked at the giant Goblin Champion charging again towards her. The frequency of its paces did not seem too fast, but its footsteps were surprisingly wide. It looked extremely fast as every step on the ground caused a loud reverberation that quaked the ground gently.
“This is going to become a serious fight than I had expected,” she grinned.
“I apologize for looking down on you before. You are a worthy opponent!"
The unexpected power of the Goblin Champion didn’t intimidate her, but instead, ignited her fighting spirit even more.
Now, this is a fight!!
“I'll take you head-on!”
… …
“Zarda, I think you should rest first… you’ve been reading these books for a long time already, why don’t you take a break first?”
Threia entered the room while bringing a tray with a cup of relaxing herb and honey, still letting out steam.
She slithered inside the room, and as usual, only to see Zarda so busy going around books after books. There were already even several piles of books on the side of the room.
Ever since the incident where Rain and the others were trapped inside the Dungeon, Zarda and the others had never stopped trying to break through it as well. However, no matter what they do, the teleportation array remained impassive.
In fact, if not for Threia’s ability, they would never even notice the teleportation array hidden under the tomb mark. It was so secretly and perfectly hidden.
But why so? Why go that far to hide such a complex teleportation array? And why would it suddenly reactivate now?
That Dungeon having a connection with Rain is not an impossibility… in fact, perhaps it could even be said that the Dungeon might hold the origin of Rain and his true identity which they didn't know about. And also the reason why he was here.
Threia knows this, and perhaps the others as well. That’s why the sudden anxiety. Although Rain had already declared that he was not going anywhere, for the Lamians who had been betrayed all over, and over again… it's hard not to have a doubt.
It’s not like I can’t understand why Zarda and the others still feeling anxious, Threia looks at Zarda burying her head under the pile of books with a very worried expression.
No matter how Rain claims to never leave us, there is still the ‘what if’, and all of this can be caused by a sudden urge of wanting to know who you are. And the reason for your existence. Especially to humans, who regarded their source and origin very much higher than any existence in the world.
“No… I’m fine, there is just something I want to check,” Zarda replied, though she didn’t even raise her head as her eyes were fixed on the book.
“But Elder Sister, you’ve been reading these for an entire night,”
“…can’t have any rest before Rain and the others came back. The more delay we do, the more their lives will be endangered,” Zarda let out a sigh, “Just looking at the complex teleportation array, one can easily see it’s not a normal teleportation array. It’s a Lost Magic. That makes it even more dangerous than normal Dungeons… Rain and the others are not that prepared to conquer such a high-level Dungeon by themselves. There would reach their limits very soon…”
And this was what worried Zarda.
Among them, the only one who was properly equipped is actually just Rain. With his backpack having a bigger storage space size than any of their bags, he was able to store many things he deemed important. Especially, food, potions, elixirs, and tonics. This can also be attributed to Rain’s meticulousness.
Whenever the boy goes out, he would always stock up necessities for a long journey, saying it was a habit. Although she always thought it was strange since he still comes back not even a day pass whenever he goes out- but it seems like what he did was the right thing this time.
Nevertheless, the amount he had in his storage bag could only last them for four to five days, if they consumed them normally. But if they met a strong enemy where they needed to consume a large amount of food in just a short amount of time, it would not last them for even a day.
Another thing is Potions and Equipment.
With his mysterious, but overpowered ability, the side-effects of the potions are almost non-existent. However, Lafetti and the others wouldn’t bother stocking up potions and elixirs more than they needed. And there's also no one who knows how to maintain their equipment, other than Rain. So they wouldn’t be that helpful about it. They will only be depending on the things Rain had and can do. But that too, has limits.
“But there is nothing we know about that Dungeon. Even his Majesty Arfa didn’t know about it. Now we can only trust Rain and the others that they would be able to pass this themselves and return, or wait for King Arfa’s return. He should be able to gather some information about the Dungeon from the other Monster Kings living in the Desolate Cave for a long time.”
“Perhaps…but I can’t wait patiently without doing anything as well, Threia,” Zarda said with a solemn expression.
“But we don’t have any clue as to what that Dungeon is,”
“No, we have…”
“What?”
Zarda rummaged through the tattered books and took out a single bound book that was actually quite larger and heavier than normal books.
“Look at this one…”
“…the Ancient Great Hero Arthuria…?”
Threia furrowed her brows as she read the title of the book.
“Ah, the Great Hero Arthuria…from what was written in the book, and then traced all the places she had been to into the current map of the continent, the Desolate Cave is one of the places she had appeared and stayed for a while. So it’s safe to assume that the Dungeon has something to do with the Great Hero.”
“How did you know about this?”
Threia’s eyes widened in shock. Although she had read about this book as well, she had never delved into it and had never even noticed that the Desolate Cave was also connected to the infamous Ancient Great Hero.
“…the humans,” Zarda said with a frown.
“I was already investigating the Desolate Cave ever since the humans had come here. Why are they here? And what are they looking for? If they didn’t come here for Rain, then it means it’s something else. But what is so important in the Desolate Cave that even the Great Princess of the Delouria Kingdom would personally come here?”
“...The relics and inheritance of the Great Hero Arthuria… is that what you’re thinking?”
Threia's eyes widened in realization.
Zarda nodded her head.
“Then, are you saying that the Dungeon is made by the Great Hero herself and that the inheritance of the Ancient Great Hero can be found inside?”
“Make sense doesn’t it?” Zarda said as she picked up the cup of tea and slowly drink it, “A mysterious Dungeon with an ancient Lost Magic Teleportation Array that can only be found existing in the Lost Century…it’s not something anyone can easily do. And more so, it’s not a Natural Dungeon as well, with that teleportation array. It safe to assume that it is an Artificial Dungeon.”
“… …”
“But what makes me wonder is that –”
.... it's strange that it has a connection with Rain, Zarda was about to say it, when suddenly her eyes widened in shock, and her hand flew to her mouth as it suddenly filled with puke.
Sudden nausea assaulted her and she shot up from the chair and hurriedly turned to the side, continued vomiting. Her face became pale, paler than before as if she had lost so much blood in an instant.
"...?!!"
The sudden occurrence startled Threia, and she hurriedly rushed over. She was confused.
What happened? She had just drunk the tea, which she usually likes. And there should be nothing inside it that could disrupt her stomach, so what’s—Threia’s eyes widened in shock as a sudden realization struck her.
"No...way, right?"
I, impossible…!
Threia’s mouth hung open as she looks at Zarda emptying the contents of her stomach, vomiting.
“P, please tell me this isn’t what I think it is,”
Zarda wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She then looked up at her frowning, “What? I’m just a bit tired from all the reading, I’m okay,” she said, completely not understanding what Threia was talking about.
She tried to stand up, but she became a bit dizzy and she almost fell down. Fortunately, Threia hurriedly caught her. The Lamian Shaman's body seemed to be shivering, for whatever reason, as she supported Zarda. And the latter noticed her action was much softer and gentler than usual- it's as if she was holding some kind of rare treasure that could be destroyed with the slightest touch.
Zarda looks at her strangely.
What's happening to her?
“That’s not what I meant,”
Threia cried out. Her hand reached out, grabbing her wrist.
“What are you—?”
“…Oh my God…”
The more Threia inspected her pulse, the more her eyes widened in shock.
“This…this is impossible!!”
“What are you talking about?! What's impossible?! I’m fi—”
Zarda thought Threia was just overreacting when suddenly a possible realization also struck her. And her hands instantly reached out on her stomach, her eyes widening in shock, but also, with a hint of great expectation.
“Threia, is it... possible…?!”
Threia nodded her head. They stare at each other for a long moment. They just stayed like that, frozen, as if neither of them can’t believe the inevitable.
“This… I haven’t heard about this before. We Lamians supposed to be unable to do it before the mating season strikes… but this… there’s no mistaking it… you...you’re…”
Zarda’s somewhat pale face suddenly beamed brightly, as if she has been strike by the goddamn sun god, right in the face. It was so bright that it was almost blinding. She was watching Threia with expectation, and even her beautiful eyes, along with those red eyes from the snakes swaying in excitement on the top of her head, were also shining like stars.
“Are, are you sure?!”
She just couldn't believe what happened, but more so, was the sudden happiness that struck her, and drowning her heart that almost stops beating from shock, surprise, bliss, excitement, and many more. This...
Threia nodded her head again, still in a dumbfounded daze.
Within her body, she could clearly sense a small and weak but tenacious spirit fluctuation. And her face also revealed how excited she was. After all, this sign was the symbol of their hope. Their future.
Threia’s lips almost torn up her beautiful face as she caressed Zarda’s belly lovingly.
“But this is really strange… I haven’t heard any Lamians, in our long history that could make us conceive before the Mating Season. This is just too unbelievable,”
“But it’s real,”
Zarda bit her lips, but she just doesn’t know how to display this intense happiness overflowing from her. Her gaze was in a daze, and she subconsciously continued caressing her stomach.
She could only bite her lips to stop herself from grinning like an idiot.
“I told you, Rain is our hope…our future!”
“And it seems you are not wrong…”
Threia said with laughter full of happiness.
“Just like you said, Pure Humans have strange powers to change fate and alter destiny. Now, I’m also starting to believe that the legend is true! This calls for a great celebration!” she almost jumped in excitement, burst out in the room, and laugh out loud, amost screaming with happiness.
Zarda nodded her head with a sweet smile.
“But the celebration needs to wait for Rain and the others' to return. Until then, we need to find anything we can do to help them- I need him back! More so, than ever!”
“Hm…of course, we needed him back! Let’s do everything on our side so that they can come back as soon as possible! And share this good news with the others!” Threia grinned happily, and her hands continued to caress Zarda's stomach.
Looking at her expression and mannerism, it's as if she was the father of the child in the stomach. Her actions were so gentle, it's as if she was scared of breaking something with her touch, but just couldn't stop herself from touching it.
This is the greatest news so far...and obviously, this would surely herald the upcoming new age of their Clan- a future filled with nothing but hope and happiness!!
Zarda's gamble was right!
Rain is the key to their future!
And this is the proof of it!!
… …