Entering the ring where the battle shall commence, eardrum-shattering yells and cheers fill the arena. The excitement and anticipation were sky-high the entire day and seeing the first finalist enter seems to have heightened it even more.
I don't give any attention to those distractions however as I notice a figure approach from the other side. The old man arrives still looking like the vessel of a frail yet terrifying being. His “skin” droops from his bones looking like the cheap cloth he wears as clothing. Looking in those eyeless sockets you're welcomed with the sight of bugs and other disgusting insects. His breathing's irregular like he's going to have a heart attack at any given minute. He's at the moment licking his dried lips with his rotten tongue that has no biological reason to still be attached.
“Sorry about my appearance, I was just so looking forward to this battle that I've been rather busy lately.” The old man suddenly says to me, probably in response to my disgusted gaze.
“I've heard about it.” I respond coldly as I look at the disgusting parasite in front of me.
The old man starts to tremble, yet I'm fairly certain it has nothing to do with fear.
“I knew it… I knew it… I knew it… I KNEW IT!” The old man mutters before suddenly yelling out loud. The trembling has become something resembling that of active panting. His wrinkled and scrawny hands constantly scratching his flesh, which is actively leaving scars.
“That gaze, that splendor, that aura. I always knew… I'm right…yes… I WAS RIGHT!” The old man continues in his rambling.
“It was worth it to kill all those vermin, they would've just spoiled the food. I can't allow that to happen now, can I?” My opponent says as he looks at me intently.
“It's quite ironic that you off all people are calling others vermin.” I reply towards the old man who's been fantasizing way too much.
“Hahaha, yes more... I've dreamt about this day for so long. Climb higher and even higher because I do love watching you fall.” The old man says, trying to make it sound like some big reveal.
'Everything is just the ravings of a madman.' I think, looking at the sight before me.
“You've dreamt about your death? That will make this much more comfortable for the two of us.” I answer trying to rile him up.
“I guess we shall have to see, won't we?” He answers, way too amused by the situation.
“Is everybody ready!?” The announcer's voice belonging to the first sight suddenly calls out, disrupting our tedious conversation.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
The spectators of course answer in an empathic fashion. The familiar cheers and yells bursting once more in full force.
“3…2…1… Let the final begin!” The first sight announces quite abruptly.
The old man doesn't seem to mind as he commands some swarms of insects to attack me. I respond by spewing fire and burning the annoying parasitic beings trying to get to me.
“Is that all?” I call out, unimpressed by his attack.
I don't give him a chance to reply as I send a fireball towards him. He dodges surprisingly swiftly, his movements seeming rather unnatural in the process. The explosion of my fireball makes me lose sight of the old man for just a moment. Instead of the familiar sight of the frail man, I see an even larger swarm of insects. These insects aren't going for me, but rather for the remaining embers of my fireball. Quickly devouring them as they all start giving off some type of heat energy. Not willing to give him some sort of attack, I command some dark magic to swallow the fire and the insects.
The insects and fire are successfully devoured, the old man is just standing on the other side of the arena. Keenly observing what I'm doing.
'It seems he doesn't have only flesh-eating insects.' I think, clicking my tongue at the possibility.
I decide to use Appraise on my opponent. Seeing that his abilities are far more advanced than meets the eye.
-Greater undead demon of decay-
Name:…
Information:
[Experiment] [Master Slayer] [Rotten] [Master of Insects] [Sadistic]
[Creator Of Mutations] [Mutation] [Dying vessel] [Master of Decay] [Maddened] [Cursed] [Despair Devour] [keen eye] [Frail] [Master of the Swarm] [Undying] [Hollow]
Further Information:
[Rotten]: This individual's body has entered a rotten state. His lifespan has been unnaturally lengthened, leaving the body in a weakened and dying state.
[Master of Insects]: The individual has control over the will of insects and potentially other slammer beings. They will heed his call and view him as their leader.
[Sadistic]: This individual is sadistic in nature and will often act upon these desires. This gratified his soul, which gives a feeling comparable to that of the ecstasy humanoid beings can feel.
[Creator Of Mutations]: This individual has mutated many beings. His skill has been recognized as complete mastery of the subject.
[Mutation]: This being is a mutation, the body has been heavily modified in many ways.
[Dying vessel]: This soul inhabits a dying physical body.
[Master of Decay]: The individual has the ability to cast decaying magic. The effect can differ for different organisms.
[Maddened]: This individual is not sound of mind. This could lead to a plethora of different outcomes.
[Cursed]: This individual has been cursed.
[Despair Devour]: The individual can feed upon the emotion called “despair.” This will grant him more life force and mana-related capabilities. Whilst extremely satisfying for the individual it will not heal the being from any magical or physical effects.
[keen eye]: This individual has a keen eye in seeing the potential and limitations of other beings.
[Frail]: This individual's physical state could be considered frail.
[Master of the Swarm]: This individual is capable of commanding many swarms. His mastery makes the magic itself less draining on his body.
[Undying]: This undead being cannot die a natural death. However, this does not mean that the body will not weaken.
[Hollow]: This individual's soul has been broken leaving a tiny fragment behind. The state is almost non-existent, and thus will be considered a being without a soul.