CHAPTER 12: THE HUMANOID CREATURE (2)

"This…!"

Ramie and Lance stared wide eyed at Neil.

Even Neil himself had an expression of disbelieve on his face.

"Can you do it again?"

Ramie couldn't help but ask the question.

"…OK. I'll try." Neil recovered from his shock.

Stretching his right hand open, he lit up the lighter that he held in his left hand and held it close, above his opened palm.

The small flame on the lighter then moved away from the lighter to the center of his palm, hovering just about two centimeters above his opened palm!

"This is…"

Ramie still found it hard to accept this sight.

After Neil woke up, they first explained things to him. Then Ramie inquired about his artifact.

Following which, it turned out that the information that Ramie got when looking at Neil's artifact was incomplete. As when he looked at Neil, the following information appeared in his mind:

- Lv.1 Magic Artifact (12%)

- Path: Elemental Magician

- Class: Fire Magician (Common)

But what Neil got when he looked at his own artifact was actually:

- Name: Neil

- Lv.1 Magic Artifact (12%)

- Path: Elemental Magician

- Class: Fire Magician (Common)

- Magic Energy: 5

- Innate Spell: Fire Manipulation

- Spell: Fire Burst

Apparently, not all the information will be displayed to him when he checks Neil's artifact.

Ramie also learned another fact.

And it was that while he can get a reading from Neil, albeit not the complete information. But Neil on the other hand couldn't get the same! As he didn't get any reading at all when he checked Ramie.

Ramie didn't know why that is. But he had a doubt that it had something to do with the word 'special' on his own interface. Or probably because of the difference between their artifacts

Ramie had played RPG gamed before, so, he guessed that if this interface was the same as these games interfaces. Then, probably every single word in these readings had to indicate something.

But so far, nothing was sure, as these were still mere speculations.

"How can you do that?" Lance who was sitting on the side, murmured in a low voice.

"I don't know! I just can…!" Neil responded, confused himself.

As he stretched his hand open, the small flame danced silently above his palm.

Neil manipulated the flame freely above his palm to any direction he wished…

"Oh…"

Suddenly, Neil's expression changed in surprise.

"What?" Ramie asked from the side.

Neil looked at his artifact, then, closed his palm. And the small flame died out immediately.

Stolen story; please report.

Shifting his gaze to Ramie, he spoke: "The magic energy value went down by one! It was five before, and now it's four!"

"I think that playing with this small flame used up that one point."

Ramie's eyes lit up at one, this was a critical piece of information.

It was also as he had guessed!

This artifact interface and values were really just like RPG games, with some differences; as it didn't display the physical states that the RPG games were known for.

And if this was truly the case, then just like the RPG games, this magic energy number would serve as the fuel for casting the spells.

Wanting to know more, he asked Neil.

"What does the information regarding this skill say?"

Neil however showed a confused expression: "What do you mean?"

"I mean when you focus on the spell part of the information, the artifact would display specific information regarding these skills" Ramie said back.

Neil however was still baffled.

Seeing that he didn't understand him, Ramie spoke, elaborating: "when I focused on the last part of the information; the one regarding the spells, it gave me information regarding the effect of the spell I had, as well as whether I wanted to cast it or not"

Then, as if realizing something, Ramie asked: "wait! If you didn't understand the effect from the artifact, then how did you know that you can manipulate fire in this manner?"

At this question, even Lance turned his head toward Neil waiting for his answer.

However, in response, Neil only gave a hollow laugh, saying: "when I saw the line 'fire manipulation,' I figured that this was an easy one! So, I lit up the lighter and did what you saw… "

"It just seemed natural to me at the time…"

Ramie was a bit taken by Neil's response: "so, this is not you using the spell fire burst?"

"Maybe… I don't know!"

"Ok! Then, can you focus on the spell part now."

"Wait…let me try." Neil said then focused on the artifact.

Moment later, his eyes shot open, wide.

"You're right!! It did give me another piece of information."

Hearing so, Ramie was excited: "Can you tell us what it says?"

"It says:"

< Spell: Fire Burst (Active) >

< Effect: discharge a piercing arrow-head shaped fire projectile in straight path! >

< Cost: 2 magic energy units >

Hearing Neil's response, Ramie was surprised by the answer, as it was different from the explanation he got.

First; this spell was capable of firing a bullet like projectile according to its description.

Second; it didn't give the option of yes/no to cast. And it also cost magic energy units to be used, unlike his spell.

The question however now; was how much damage this fire burst spell can do?

Although Ramie wished to see Neil cast it, so he could at least get an idea on how these spells could be casted.

However, right now, there were in a dangerous area filled with creatures.

Besides, they had no idea on how much damage can it do, or if casting it can cause a noise or not.

After a while of a back and forth conversation between the three, they concluded that unless they fell in a precarious situation, they would refrain from casting their spells, and depend on Lance for safety!

Lance's current physical capabilities were proven, whilst their spells were untested, and they had no idea of their effects. In other word, these spells were infeasible, until they get a chance of testing them out.

On one hand, Neil was actually very excited to cast his spell, to see what it can do.

Now, it had to be said that when the creature immobile him with glance, he was beyond terrified.

Not being able to even turn his eyes, as vicious creature jumping on him and trying to tear him apart?

It was the most frightening thing that had ever happened to him throughout his life!

And after falling to the ground at the onset of the confrontation, he was laying on his back with his eyes fixed at the ceiling!

He had no idea of what was happening.

And seconds stretched out and out.

Helplessness, despair, witless fear! He had felt that all and more.

And as time moves as slow as snail, he kept wondering if the creature had already finished them off and was saving him for last.

He imagined the creature crawls at him, and tear him apart one piece after another, as he is trapped, and unable to even scream out his unwillingness!

It was only after forever did he saw Lance show up, and picks him up back to the apartment.

He didn't want to go through that situation again; he would rather to die a miserable death on having to feel that way again!

And now that he learned that Lance could actually kill these things, and that even he could use this artifact to fight these things!

How could he not feel relieved?

While on the other hand, Ramie was skeptical, and even alarmed of the change that his spell would impose on him.

He was especially worried of the word 'permanent!' As such, he decided that unless they fall in a completely hopeless situation, with no other way around; he wouldn't resort to use this morphing spell.

Lost in his own thoughts, Ramie felt Lance tap him on the shoulder, lightly, to draw his attention.

"We have to discuss on what to do next!" solemnly, Lance brought up the matter that could no longer be avoided.

Hearing so, Ramie's feelings intensified upon these words. And Neil was the same.

"Ramie, Remember when I told you earlier that going to the camp is considered suicide?"

"Actually… I only told you that so you don't go there impulsively, and throw away your life pointlessly. because in that time, I saw it in your eyes that you have someone you care for there. Well, my entire family is probably there too. And my intention is to go there anyway! Off course, am not suicidal, nor crazy! And I have no intention of throwing my life away, as doing so will do my family no good. I'm also not ignorant of the fact that the chances of getting into the camp through the creatures siege are slim to none. But I have plan, and am confident that it can get me there alive. Off course, if at any time I feel that my life is in danger, I'll retreat back here, or even to a further place, as long as it safe, and then come up on another way to get there!"

Saying so, Lance turned to Neil, wanting to say something.

However, before he could even open his mouth, Neil spoke firmly: "Mr. Lance! Don't say anything, am going with you no matter what. After all, my future wife is there waiting for me."

Lance nodded to him with smile, not surprised by his firm response at all.

Then, both of them turned to look at Ramie.

Actually, when Lance had said to Ramie earlier that going to the camp at that timing was nothing short of suicide; Ramie had already reached that conclusion.

He had learned yesterday from the people he had asked that these creatures always moves to the areas with the heights population, as if knowing that their preys were gathered there.

However in his heart, he always had the thought of going there. As the only person he cared for in his life; his aunt… was there.

But how could he get there?

Was that even possible in the first place?

There was also Lance and Neil.

It had to be said that not even mentioning the idea of going to the camp to find his aunt, without these two with him, he wouldn't even survive alone.

It wasn't a question of if, but when!

And the incident with the creature back in the apartment was the prime example of this fact.

If he had went in there alone, then that creature and instead of being dead, would be having a great meal by now.

So, when Lance had told him that going there was considered suicide, he thought that his chance of going there was no more, as separating from the two and going to the camp alone was a certain death.

Beside, getting himself killed would do his aunt no good.

So, he had decided to stick with the two and try to survive until he finds a way of slipping to the camp without getting himself killed.

But now, Lance was actually telling him that they were going there!!

Ramie didn't know if Lance had harbored this thought right from the beginning, or if it was because of the power up he received from the life energy, and the appearance of the magic artifacts.

But, that didn't matter.

Ramie didn't expect that his chance of going to the camp would come this fast.

Beside, judging by the way Lance introduces his plan, and emphasizing on the part of placing safety first, not risking his life, and not doing anything reckless; it was obvious as the sun in the day that he was hoping that Ramie would join him in this quest.

Ramie nodded to Lance, and said: "can you tell me your plan first!"

…