Vel and I kept watch on the burning Taratect nest for an hour. I continued to summon lava and directed it further inside to eliminate all of the remaining eggs. We did not want to take any chances of a lost worker salvaging the nest and nursing a new queen. Most hatched Taratects were sterile and couldn't lay eggs without first evolving into a queen but a worker could direct eggs to hatch into a queen.
Several workers tried in the time we spent watching the nest. All of them met their end swiftly. Once I couldn't detect any sources of mana inside the nest, I dismantled the traps I had placed around to avoid other adventurers stumbling on them by accident.
Then, Vel and I left the area to build a base camp. It had taken us half of the day to clear the nest and I was in need of some rest. I built us a small nest a few hundred meters away from the travel path and Vel pulled some sandwiches from her storage. She had bought a set of small enchanted boxes with stasis enchantments on them to store perishables. Why she refused to take one of my amulets was still a mystery to me but I wouldn't push her on it, she probably had her reasons.
----------------------------------------
With more than enough daylight remaining, Vel and I searched for the Sundew Devourers we needed to harvest for their bulbs. Most plant-like monsters were ambush predators, the kind that waited patiently for a prey to fall into their gullet since they were rooted in place. Though the monster encyclopedia in Niu also mentioned that the higher tier evolutions were capable of migrating from place to place.
The Sundew Devourer was remarkably similar to the carnivorous plants back on Earth, only scaled to a size capable of capturing a fully grown human. Each plant was subtly different, likely from the multitude of evolution options available, but the constant features were the long hairs covered in sticky sap. One of the common branches used long tentacles covered in short hairs that curled in on themselves to constrict their prey. Once fully wrapped up, the victim often died from a mix of suffocation and being digested alive. From every account of survivors, it was an extremely unpleasant way to die.
Thankfully for Vel, she was a plant mage who could detect such trickery from far away. I relied on my Perception Sphere and Danger Sense to spot the subtle signs of the plant's presence. Like the one a few dozen meters from us. Its various tendrils covered a large area and I had no doubt some of the more careless Taratects had fattened up this one.
Out of curiosity, I created a Phantasm and sent it forward. The tentacles reacted quickly and clumsily wrapped around my clone's body but they had difficulty doing it. My clone, the knight variant, used her lava Mystic Aura to enhance her strength and managed to untangle several of her legs which she used to stab the tentacles with. Combined with a summoned pair of swords, she managed to free herself in around two minutes while losing around a third of her health.
Vel finished the plant by impaling it with a long wooden spear. I kept my distance and used Psychokinesis to tear the outer layers of central bulb open and extract the ingredient we needed. We continued our search in a spiral from our base camp and encountered seven more before nightfall.
Your group has defeated [Sundew Devourer (Level 158, Rank 5)]
Your group has defeated …
Experience gain reduced by 20% for fighting with a group
Essence Absorption collected 120 ES (5x3x8)
----------------------------------------
"We're pretty close to a village, right?" Vel asked. "According to the map at least."
"A few days away at least," I said.
"Things weren't as dangerous close to Niu," she remarked.
"I'm pretty sure the barrier over Niu and Nis was … strong. From what I understand of the plans we took from Nis, there were several layers entirely dedicated to monster management. I don't think most villages have training grounds as extensive or well curated as we did. I'm pretty sure Breknir's friend improved on the standard design by quite a lot."
"How come it broke then? If it was so strong."
"A combination of tradeoffs," I explained, "it was excellent at monster management but not meant to withstand siege spells. The Crimson Lys probably had scouts analyze the barrier beforehand as well so they knew its weaknesses."
"That mage was also …" She shivered in my arms. We both remembered that masked face all too well.
"Next time," I hugged her, "he'll be the one fleeing."
----------------------------------------
After a quiet night, Vel and I went back to work. We restarted our search spiral and mercilessly hunted down the Sundew Devourers in our path. A few monsters made an appearance and were dispatched as well. With the disappearance of the Taratect nest, others would take their place in due time and the ecosystem would balance itself once more. Their appearance was just enough to push both Vel and I further towards the finish line.
Your group has defeated …
Your group has defeated [Blue Jagras (Level 147, Rank 5)]
Your group has defeated [Sundew Devourer (Level 166, Rank 5)]
Experience gain reduced by 20% for fighting with a group
Essence Absorption collected 130 ES (5x3x6+4x2x5)
Reached Level 179 (Rank 5, +1 level)
Gained: 5 ES
Only one more level. We had all the Sundew Bulbs needed for the mission plus a few extras for my personal stores. Since we had more than half the day remaining, we started to return to the guild after quickly dismantling our camp. I went slower that time. We needed to reach rank six before arriving at the guild and speed was detrimental to that goal. Instead, Vel and I moved at the same speed we had while accompanying the Wanderers.
We let the monsters come to us instead of chasing them down.
The first to reach us was an Adult Barbed Duke Cobra with a posse of two smaller specimens. Familiar with their instincts, Vel and I dispatched them quickly and efficiently. As we marched on, more fell to our spells. Jagras of various colors, including a red variant with a fire affinity, rare in the jungle, some Barbcats and Panthers, and the occasional plant monster.
Your group has defeated …
Your group has defeated [Barbcat Hunter (Level 177, Rank 5)]
Experience gain reduced by 20% for fighting with a group
Essence Absorption collected 147 ES (5x3x5+4x2x9)
We continued to travel in that way the second day until …
Reached Level 180 (Rank 6, +1 level)
Gained: 53 ES (Essence cap of 1000 reached, 53 ES overflow)
Class Evolution for Mystic Knight available
Class Evolution for Mystic Witch available
Class Evolution for Mystic Priestess available
Class Evolution for Arachne unavailable, requirements not met
Skill Evolutions and Consolidations available
Maximum skill level increased to rank 10, level 200
Maximum attribute value raised to 350
"Finally," I sighed.
"Let's get back," Vel jumped on my back, she had reached rank six a few monsters before me. "Do you think they have a bath? I want to take a long bath!"
"I think they do," I tried to remember the map. "In the southern residential district."
Mystic Enhancement flared to life and I took off at full speed. We had made it in time, the caravan would reach the guild town in the next few days which left us two weeks. Plenty of time for me to molt twice.
----------------------------------------
Name
Liscura Van-Niu
Ancestry
Dark Elf, Arachne
Status
Level 180 (Rank 6) | 1000 Essence
Health: 8080/8080 (+1078%/h; 24/s)
Stamina: 8290/8290 (+1106%/h; 25/s)
Mana: 50900/50900 (+4060%/h; 574/s)
Focus: 200/982
Bound Items
Ravri Ritual Gauntlet (30 FP; 5/5 spells, 1000/1000 MP)
Ravri Ritual Bracer (20 FP + 15 FP)
⪽Air Gem of Agility (+25 AGI, +25 END)
⪽Earth Gem of Resilience (Protection, +25 VIT)
⪽Water Gem of Magic (+1000 MP, +100% MP/h)
Ravri Ritual Focus (20 FP; Arcane, Nature)
Ravri Ritual Circlet (20 FP; 0/5 relics)
Ravri Ritual Band (25 FP; 0/200; 1/5 relics)
⪽ Lesser Amulet of Protection (Protection)
Ravri Ritual Bracelet (45 FP; 0/3 effects, 1000/1000 MP; 3/5 relics)
⪽ Lesser Bracelet of Magic (+10 INT, +10 WIS)
⪽ Lesser Bracelet of Mana (+20% MP/h)
⪽ Lesser Bracelet of Health (+20% HP/h)
Ravri Ritual Bracelet (30 FP; 0/3 skills, 1000/1000 MP; 0/5 relics)
Amulet of Inazesa (25 FP; 136/250)
Primary Class 1
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
Mystic Knight
Skills (10/10)
Magic Combat - Rank 5, Level 100
Magic Strike - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Enhancement - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Aura - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Perception - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Body - Rank 5, Level 100
Multishot - Rank 5, Level 100
Spatial Movement - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Arrow - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Armor - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Weapon - Rank 5, Level 100
Specialization 1
Mesmer
Skills
Phantasm - Rank 5, Level 100
Phantasmal Swap - Rank 5, Level 100
Phantasmal Mirror - Rank 5, Level 100
Phantasmal Veil - Rank 5, Level 100
Primary Class 2
Mystic Witch
Skills (9/10)
Nature Magic - Rank 5, Level 100
Arcane Magic - Rank 5, Level 100
Psychic Magic - Rank 5, Level 100
Metamagic - Rank 5, Level 100
Multicast - Rank 5, Level 100
Swiftcast - Rank 5, Level 100
Mystic Mind - Rank 5, Level 100
Catalyst Creation - Rank 5, Level 100
Catalyst Assembly - Rank 5, Level 100
Spells
Nature: 8/8 major (10th), 15/15 minor (5th)
Arcane: 8/8 major (10th), 15/15 minor (5th)
Psychic: 8/8 major (10th), 15/15 minor (5th)
Specialization 1
Runic Witch
Skills
Runic Magic - Rank 5, Level 100
Runic Casting - Rank 5, Level 100
Runic Inscription - Rank 5, Level 100
Specialization 2
Crystal Witch
Skills
Crystal Magic - Rank 5, Level 100
Crystal Growth - Rank 5, Level 100
Specialization 3
Spirit Witch
Skills
Spirit Magic - Rank 5, Level 100
Spirit Familiar - Rank 5, Level 100
Spirit Summon - Rank 5, Level 100
Spirit Contract - Rank 5, Level 100
Familiar
Skills (4/6): Share Senses, Shadow Step, Skill Conduit, Spell Conduit
Templates (2/6): Spirit Raven, Spirit Spider
Secondary Class
Mystic Priestess
Skills (4/10)
Divine Magic - Rank 5, Level 100
Divine Domains - Rank 5, Level 100
Protection Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Healing Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Patrons
Gaia, Lolth
Spells
Domains (6/10, 10th)
Knowledge (3/8), Healing (8/8), Protection (8/8)
Magic (3/8), Arcana (3/8), Runes
Specialization 1
Oracle
Skills
Knowledge Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Language Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Eye of the Farseer - Rank 5, Level 100
Shroud of Secrecy - Rank 5, Level 100
Specialization 2
Astrologian
Skills
Arcana Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Major Arcana - Rank 5, Level 100
Minor Arcana - Rank 5, Level 100
Split Deck - Rank 5, Level 100
Specialization 3
Sage
Skills
Divine Catalyst - Rank 5, Level 100
Ritual Catalyst - Rank 5, Level 100
Spell Duplication - Rank 5, Level 100
Spell Synthesis - Rank 5, Level 100
Special Class
Arachne (Emerald)
Skills (8/10)
Arachne Body - Rank 3, Level 1
Spider Thread - Rank 5, Level 100
Utility Thread - Rank 5, Level 100
Cutting Thread - Rank 5, Level 100
Thread Control - Rank 5, Level 100
Thread Creation - Rank 5, Level 100
Spider Climb - Rank 5, Level 100
Poison Synthesis - Rank 5, Level 100
Mutations
Mana Core (7500 MP, 300% MP/h)
Magic Gland (+10% Conversion Efficiency)
Elemental Emerald (+10% Nature Spell Power)
Perks
Blessing of Gaia
Blessing of Lolth
Essence Mastery (Rank 2)
Skill Synthesis
Skill Deck
Essence Absorption (Rank 3)
Essence Well (Rank 3)
Perception Domain
Danger Sense
Magic Perception
Magic Projection
Magic Absorption
Magic Control
Divine Grimoire (Rank 5)
Major Grimoire (Rank 5)
Mana Spring
Mana Pool
Minor Grimoire (Rank 5)
Health Source
Stamina Source
Health Well
Samina Well
Focus Well
Improved Senses (Rank 3)
Night Vision (Rank 5)
General Skills
Combat Skills
Spear Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Dagger Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Light Bow Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100
Knowledge Skills
Medicine - Rank 5, Level 100
Herbalism - Rank 5, Level 100
Alchemy - Rank 5, Level 100
Survival - Rank 5, Level 100
Investigation - Rank 5, Level 100
Utility Skills
Tracking - Rank 5, Level 100
Stealth - Rank 5, Level 100
Identify - Rank 5, Level 100
Meditation - Rank 5, Level 100
Mental Skills
Mental Mastery - Rank 5, Level 100 (5 FP)
Mental Library - Rank 5, Level 100 (5 FP)
Mental Acceleration - Rank 5, Level 100 (10 FP)
Mental Partition - Rank 5, Level 100 (10 FP)
Mental Construct - Rank 5, Level 100 (20 FP)
Mental Coordinator - Rank 5, Level 100 (20 FP)
Languages
Elven Language - Rank 4, Level 13
Ravri Ancient Dialect - Rank 1, Level 7
Human Language - Rank 2, Level 6
English Language - Rank 5, Level 6
Resistances
Poison Resistance - Rank 3, Level 30
Disease Resistance - Rank 2, Level 3
Attributes
Strength: 300, Agility: 300 (+25), Vitality: 300 (+25), Endurance: 300 (+25)
Intelligence: 300 (+10), Wisdom: 300 (+10), Spirit: 300, Clarity: 300