Chapter 17: Sword of the Flame Deity

The mantis screeched in agony as Marcos thrust his flaming sword deep into its leg, the blade sliding through the glossy exoskeleton with terrifying ease. A sharp hiss filled the air as steam rose from the sizzling flesh, the sound mixing with the creature’s ear-piercing wail that seemed to reverberate off the very earth itself. The shriek was not just a cry of pain but of primal rage, raw and untamed. It sent a shudder through everyone present, digging into their ears and rattling their bones.

The air around the mantis shimmered with heat as its massive body tried to move, but something seemed to anchor it in place, holding it immobile like a mountain pinned to the ground. The net that Maria had cast still held firm, and though the creature thrashed, its once-fluid movements were now jagged and desperate. It was as if the combined pain of its burning leg and the ensnaring net had overwhelmed its natural grace, reducing it to frantic flailing.

"That’s it?" someone whispered from the back of the group, their voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and fear. It seemed too easy, too straightforward. But those closest to the fight could see the exhaustion in Marcos’s stance, his muscles taut with effort, his knuckles white around the hilt of his sword. He wasn’t done yet.

A smirk tugged at the corner of Marcos's lips.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion of fire erupted from the mantis’s body, blasting outwards in a torrent of flames. The creature’s once-glossy green exoskeleton was engulfed in fire, the purple outlines of its frame now lost to a blinding sea of red-orange light. The flames consumed it entirely, roaring like a wildfire that had been unleashed with a fury that could not be contained. The mantis’s upper body swayed violently, its remaining limbs flailing in a desperate attempt to escape the inferno. The grass and dirt beneath its feet turned black, smoldering and sizzling as the intense heat reduced everything to ash.

Niko stood frozen, watching in shock as two of his weak spirits were instantly incinerated by the raging fire. His third spirit barely managed to retreat, hovering back to him with a faint glow, trembling as if it had felt the heat too closely. The warmth from the flames was suffocating, prickling Niko’s skin, causing sweat to bead along his brow. He could feel the scorching intensity even from a distance, like standing too close to an open furnace.

The powerful silver net that had once bound the mantis snapped under the intense heat, disintegrating into nothing. Marcos’s flames showed no mercy, devouring all in their path.

And then, as quickly as it had started, the flames began to fade. The violent blaze reduced to flickering embers, and the battlefield fell into an eerie quiet. The towering mantis, once a figure of lethal grace and speed, collapsed in a blackened heap. Its once-formidable exoskeleton, gleaming and nearly impenetrable, was now charred and cracked, a mere shell of its former self. The creature's blade-like arms, which had so swiftly ended lives, now lay limp and lifeless on the scorched earth.

Marcos, drained and panting heavily, dropped to his knees, his sword clattering beside him. The crowd, once frozen in terror, surged forward cautiously. Their relief was tempered by wariness—none of them were willing to believe it was truly over until they saw the mantis was completely motionless. The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the soft crackling of the burnt ground.

Niko joined the others, his gaze lingering on the fallen creature. Even in death, it remained an imposing figure, its massive body stretched across the clearing like the final obstacle of a brutal gauntlet. But what drew his attention even more was the glowing translucent cube hovering above its charred corpse. Loot.

Inside the cube, treasures shimmered with an otherworldly glow. The most eye-catching was a sword, its design mirroring the mantis's deadly scythes. The blade was curved, dangerously sharp, with a green hilt outlined in streaks of purple. Alongside the sword was a vial of green liquid, no larger than a thumb, a crystal shard the size of a coin with an eerie blue glow, and a faintly glowing orb, bluish-white, radiating like a star caught inside glass.

“Why did loot drop from this thing but not from the others?” an older man asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and confusion as his eyes darted between the fallen mantis and the shimmering cube.

“And why was that monster so strong?” a tall woman added, fear lingering in her tone.

Marcos, still catching his breath, slowly rose to his feet. His voice, though tired, carried authority. “The stronger the monster, the better the loot. That mantis wasn’t just any creature—it was a boss, one of many that roam the higher levels of this jungle layer. That's why it was so difficult.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The crowd fell silent, their awe and fear palpable as Marcos walked toward the cube. He extended his arm, the smooth black watch on his wrist glinting in the fading light. As his hand touched the cube, his watch began to glow, and the items inside disappeared, except for the glowing orb. He held it for a moment, letting its soft glow bathe him in light before he absorbed it into his body. The small orbs of light dissolved into his skin, and he exhaled, the tension easing from his frame.

“Thanks to your help,” Marcos said, his voice carrying across the group, “I’ve gained enough experience to level up. I’ve been stuck at level 11 for five months.”

A ripple of astonishment passed through the crowd. Five months to level up? Niko could barely comprehend it. How strong were the monsters in this world if even someone like Marcos struggled to progress? His curiosity gnawed at him, and without hesitation, he checked his own status.

[Name: Niko Lazar]

Level: 1

Exp: 60.11%

[Status]

Strength: 1

Constitution: 1 (+2)

Agility: 1

Intelligence: 1 (+1)

Mana: 1 (+1)

Mana Power: 1/4

[Unique Title]

One Surrounded by Spirits (Passive)

[Skills]

Celestial Probe

Spirit King's Order

His eyes widened. From barely 0.11% experience, he had leaped to 60% in a single battle. “That’s insane,” he thought. The enormity of what had just happened began to sink in. Marcos had mentioned being stuck at level 11 for months. What challenges lay ahead of them if someone like him struggled so much? Niko couldn’t shake the feeling that they had barely scratched the surface of this world’s dangers.

Marcos raised his wrist, showcasing the black watch strapped to it. “This device,” he explained, “is your lifeline. It stores items, tracks locations, and helps form parties. You'll discover its many uses as you progress. It’s not just for loot—it's essential for survival.”

He took a deep breath, the weight of what they had just survived evident on his face. “To activate it, just say ‘inventory.’”

The group exchanged glances, intrigued but still processing the battle they’d just witnessed. Niko, feeling a surge of curiosity, muttered, “Inventory.”

In an instant, a sleek black watch materialized on his wrist. The screen lit up with a faint blue glow, displaying a set of empty slots, each one ready to store whatever items he would come across in this new world. It was a simple yet profound moment, one that signaled his integration into this world’s system of survival.

“Now, say ‘store,’ and anything you’ve collected will go into your inventory,” Marcos continued, demonstrating with a quick command to store the remains of the mantis’s blade arm. The massive, razor-sharp appendage vanished into his watch’s storage slots with a soft hum of energy.

Niko marveled at the ease of the system. He felt the weight of responsibility settling onto his shoulders. This was no longer just a survival game—it was his reality. He glanced at the charred remains of the mantis, then back at the group who were still busy salvaging the bodies of the beetles they had killed earlier.

Marcos’s voice broke through his thoughts. “The horns of these beetles can be forged into weapons, and the carapace makes decent armor for beginners. Collect what you can. It will be useful in the days ahead.” He gestured toward the jungle’s edge. “We’ll rest here for a while, but the path forward will only get harder. Take every advantage you can.”

As the others scurried to collect what they could, Niko lingered, staring at the fallen mantis with a newfound sense of purpose. The translucent orb that hovered above its body glowed faintly, calling to him. It was time. He extended his hand, whispering the command.

“[Spirit King's Order].”

A faint green aura surrounded the lifeless mantis, and moments later, a small, translucent orb floated free from its body. It drifted toward Niko, joining the two other weak spirits already by his side. This one, however, was different—more potent, more dangerous.

[Name: Giant Mantis Spirit (Rankless)]

Rank: None

Potential: F-

[Status]

Strength: 1

Constitution: 1

Agility: 2

Intelligence: 0

Mana: 0

Mana Power: 1/1

Spirit Power: 0/50

[Skills]

None

Niko’s lips curled into a grin. It wasn’t much, but the potential was there. Even with its low rank, the mantis spirit had already proven itself in battle, and Niko knew he could nurture it into something stronger. The thrill of power coursed through him as the orb floated around him, ready to fight at his command.

“You’re seriously collecting spirits from everything, aren’t you?” Simon said, walking over with a slight laugh. He eyed the glowing orb with a mix of awe and amusement. “I mean, it’s pretty damn cool, but also kinda spooky.”

Niko grinned back, his confidence bolstered by his growing collection. “Spooky or not, it’s effective.”

Simon nodded, his eyes trailing back to the others as they gathered their loot. “Well, whatever works. Just don’t send any of those things after me, alright?”

As the group finished collecting the remaining materials, Marcos signaled for them to rest. The tension had faded, but a quiet anticipation lingered in the air. They had survived this battle, but the challenges ahead loomed large. Niko sat with his group, his mind already racing with plans on how to grow stronger, how to adapt to this new world.

With his spirits by his side and his newfound power, he felt a sense of hope. The journey ahead would be perilous, but for the first time, he believed he had the means to face whatever this world would throw at him.