V2 Chapter 147

Cian had seen this aquatic monster before in one of the books that record monsters seen in the Aquatic type areas, such as lakes, rivers, or even the sea. Although according to the information he has, this kind of monster has a very low power level, ranging from E to D rank Aquatic Beast.

It was not powerful but it was obviously dangerous because it possesses a paralysis poison. Fighting while swimming underwater, it makes everything even more difficult. What’s more, the moment it secretes a poison, it would then spread in the water like a virus. How would you still fight against it?

Normal people who encounter it would immediately run away. Aside from its poison, there's basically little to no precious materials that one could get from its corpse, aside from poison ingredients of course. Hence, it was not that really popular among adventurers. Though, this is still a delicacy that Cian would not want to miss. If it was before, Cian might have scratched his head, feeling a bit troublesome. Although he was not afraid of poison with his [Plunder] ability. However, it would only protect him from the poison if he consumes it.

Poison will still work if it touched his body, or those entering from other parts of his body without using his mouth.

But now, Cian didn’t need to worry about it anymore.

Even without using his [Vector Body] to block it, Cian possesses a passive ability [Venomous Blood]. Poison was nothing to him anymore. It's a skill, much, much better than [Poison Immunity]. Trying to poison someone who possesses a poisonous blood? That seems impossible. A poison cannot work against another poison. Unless it's a much stronger poison. Though, even if that is the case, to him, it would only incapacitate him for a while, before the poison enhanced his own poisonous blood.

Thus, any kinds of poison won’t work on him anymore!

Cian just stared at the incoming monster. This starfish was actually half a meter big. When Cian saw the monster was now closer to him by a meter, his right hand moved and cut the Starfish directly with the [Imagis Realis] in the form of a small dagger. Because it’s just an E-Rank monster, its defenses were paper-thin to him, and he finished it with one slash.

When it died, blue-colored blood spread out in the area. Everything it touched, withers and dies. As for Cian, when it touched his skin, it immediately turned purple, even causing a slight sting to him. However, it was only a momentarily effect, as it immediately turned back, receding to his normal color. However, Cian was still interested in tasting it. Hence, after killing it, he immediately it into his storage ring. In this expedition of his, he truly was able to find and collect many interesting monsters.

Monster Fishes, man-eating fishes, troublesome seaweeds, crabs, and many more. Cian encountered many interesting things as he swam through the water. He really never expected that there would be such diverse beings in this pond, and it seems like it was indeed, not really little.

Although every direction as covered with darkness, Cian was certain that this water body was more than ten meters in width and perhaps even deeper than twenty meters.

Cian was harvesting algae-like plants that actually possess magical properties when all of a sudden a column of water attacked him. Fortunately, Cian was covered with [Absolute Defense] and the water column burst out before it hits him.

Furrowing his brows, Cian turned towards the culprit only to see a fish-like creature with wing-like fins. It was roughly a meter big with large stupid eyes and opened jaw full of shark-like teeth. Its appearance actually resembled [Mag*carp]. They are as big as an adult's head.

It surely is the one who had attacked him just now. What made matters even worse was that, behind it, there was actually a dozen even more. They opened their mouths and the surrounding water slowly gathered and congealed. In a few seconds, another group of water breathes (tentative name) was launched towards him.

Cian exerted more force on his legs and his figure shot towards the school of fish. His sudden increase in the water created a water flow. Then, the moment he closed in towards the school of monster fish that were trying to scatter away upon his charge, he diverted his body, dodging a tackle-like attack and pierced the monster fish with his black dagger [Imagis Realis].

Blood spurted, killing one instantly.

It seems like aside from water breathe, these monsters didn’t know any other attacks, though if the tackle is considered an attack. Cian slaughtered the fishes he could catch and stored them in his storage rings. Now, he can finally eat fish! He thought amusedly. He had been eating meat ever since he had arrived in this world. And although he had some fish delicacy before, it was rare. It seems like aquatic products are not common, and even if there was, it would be hella expensive.

Perhaps it was because of the transportation problem. The Continent was quite enormous, hence, transporting fish to each of the City before it spoils was a great problem for any merchants. Much less, within the Demon Empire. Although there were some brave merchants who do business among the demons, even fish and other aquatic products is a rarity.

The value of fish is gold...

That's what merchant says.

But to think he would be able to acquire some good fish and other aquatic products in this place... Cian was already satisfied with his harvest. Sibylla and his elder sister like eating fish, rather than meat. Hence, they would surely be happy if he brought some.

"I should catch some to raise--in fact, I should be able to start a fishery to farm even more prestige and fame for [Adam's Company]? Fish products should be a very good business...!"

However, not for now. He doesn't have any ways to bring them back alive. Only objects and corpses can be stored in his Storage Rings. While thinking of the prospect of the fish business he would develop in the future, Cian started chasing after fishes that he encounters and chop them up, then throwing them inside his Storage Rings. Who knows how many kinds of monster corpses he had stored in his Storage Rings already?

Even Cian had already lost count on how many monsters he had thrown inside.

Even after roughly ten to twenty minutes of swimming, Cian still hadn’t reached the end. He was already having a hard time holding his breath. If not for him being a demon with superhuman lung capacity, and perhaps maybe the coating of his body with his magical energy helps, he would have drowned by now.

Though full of hardship, the underwater expedition was also quite fruitful. Aside from harvesting many water-type monsters and corpses. Cian found many artifacts and items in the bottom. Most of them were house decorations and furniture and there seemed to be even several treasure chests but since all of them were locked, Cian didn’t have time to see what they hold so he just throws them all into his Storage Ring without care.

Whatever he sees, he collected it and stored it in his Storage Rings immediately. He was like a player inside a virtual game, whatever he sees had been collected by him. Still, fortunately, God didn’t abandon him.

When he felt that the waterway went down a little, Cian found out that there was a dead-end at the end. His expression fell, but immediately after, he realized that not far away from his present location, there was a light overhead. It only meant one thing.

With haste, Cian swam towards it without hesitation.

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As he neared the surface, the light became increasingly intense.

Splash! When Cian’s head broke through the surface of the water, he found himself in an extremely small lake.

Where am I…? Cian’s eyes widened in shock the moment he saw where he was.

Dim, dark surroundings. Rocky and damp.

The sight that came into view after he resurfaces was…

A cave.

However, the air definitely felt different even though nothing could be seen. It’s clearly different compared to the air from the depth of the ancient ruins, sensing the fresh air from somewhere, Cian’s cheeks somewhat loosened. There should be an exit somewhere.

… …

After climbing ashore, Cian surveyed the entire cave.

Rocky and cave-like… well, it’s a cave.

Suddenly, rustling came into his ears as he was trying to dry his wet clothes. When he turned towards the source of the sounds, he saw rock-like things moving. What? Cian tilted his head in confusion. Can rocks able to move now? However, when the moving rocks came into view, they are actually not rocks but shellfish or perhaps Crab-like creatures with rock-like shells.

They are about half a meter in size with rock-like pincers, though sharp and it seemed like it would really hurt if they club you with it. One, two, seven, eight, nine… fourteen. Hm, there were fourteen monsters and seemed to be walking towards him. As they arrived at a meter distance, suddenly they stopped. The surrounding rocks trembled and small rocks and pebbles suddenly flew in front of it, gathered and turning into a small fist-sized round rock—

Boooom!!

As if fired from a gun, the rock ball shot towards Cian. Though, of course, it immediately breaks into pieces the moment it touched Cian’s barrier. Still, Cian winced in shock from the sound of a gunshot and the speed of the rock ball. It was an innate, subconscious reaction.

“Damn it!! Suddenly attacking, are you an idiot?!” Cian couldn’t help but cry out in anger. That actually startled him. Ignoring Cian’s angry cry, the other Rock Crabs (tentative name) started congealing rock balls, shooting them towards him. Now, Cian was completely annoyed. And when he does, even he himself was scared of what he could do!

... ...

Cian stood there, not moving at all, seemingly waiting for the rock balls to reach him. And when they did, he moved!

Wooosh….

As those attacks all flashed towards him, Cian moved like a gust of wind, demonstrating extreme accuracy and precision in terms of control, positioning, speed, and power…easily dodging and moving through the combined attacks of the dozens of Rock Crabs. His speed might have fallen underwater, but if it’s above ground, he was like a cheetah set free!

His black dagger flashed and woosh! Cut through the rock shells of the Rock Crabs. However, it was proven extremely tough. Although the dagger successfully cut a chunk of it, it still didn’t die, nor was it even hurt. If it was a normal magic blade, it would even barely cut it. Its defense is quite something, wasn’t it?

However,

“Don’t mess with me!!” Cian sneered and baaaang!! Kick the Rock Crabs with his foot. Like a soccer ball, the monster flew and hit the wall, bursting into a pile of mess.

Amidst the rock-like shells, which is actually extremely similar to rocks, was a slug-like creature shaking. This should be the true bodies of the monsters. It was still twitching so Cian finished them with a stomp—

Crunch! It tasted like butter… well, that’s unexpected. Cian grinned as he turned towards the other Rock Crabs and his figure blurred.

In an instant, everything was turned into a pile of mush and rock debris. However, despite devouring all the Rock Crabs, Cian was disappointed as he didn’t obtain any skills at all. It would have been fun if he managed to use the Rock Ball they shot at him. Even if it’s only Earth element type affinity, it would have been better.

I guess these monsters are just too weak…

Cian continued to advance through the cave. Although it’s dark, with his [Night’s Eye], everything was as clear as day. However, after a few minutes of walking, Cian had a feeling that something was shining in the depths of the passage. He turned towards in that direction.

A gray lizard approximately 2m in length was sticking on the wall, glaring at him with golden eyes.

Basilisk…?!

Cian’s eyes widened in shock.

The golden eyes were charged with light. In that moment,

“Tsk—?!” Cian was caught off-guard. His left arm started to give off a strange sound and noticed it was getting petrified. Instantly the left arm portion of his coat he was wearing was soon petrified completely and shattered into a million pieces. And it was actually changing so fast!

The petrification on his left side was already reaching his shoulder, in but an instant.

Cian's expression fell. When Cian thought he could only break his arm to save his life, at this moment, the black dagger, the [Imagis Realis] suddenly wriggled like a living being and covered his entire left arm, and the numbness Cian was feeling slowly subsided.

Cian immediately jumps back after recovering and took out a Petrifying Antidote he had prepared beforehand after departing from the City and chug it down. Although thanks to [Imagis Realis], he was able to slow down the process, it didn’t help him recover or anything.

When Cian drunk the Petrifying Antidote, he immediately felt strength recovering his left arm. However, he was still annoyed. Never did he expect a Basilisk to appear in this time. And to be even ambushed by it—not only the [Petrification] Ability that can turn him into stone, there was the [Snake Eyes] that can stop his movements similar to the [Fear] effects.

Although he was able to snap out of it immediately with sheer will power, still his left arm had almost turned into stone. If not for his [Imagis Realis] protection, he could only destroy his left arm since he knows that before he could drink an antidote and wait for it to work, his heart might have been turned into stone as well.

"What a misfortune...!"

It was really close...

His carelessness really paid him almost his life.

A life's lesson...!

Cian’s expression fell as he pulled out a Petrifying Resistance Potion from his Storage ring and drunk it, before casting another [Petriyfing Resistance Buff] on himself. Dark Magic System has always been good at Curses and even this kind of resistance buffs. Though compared to the potion, it’s a weaker version, still, it would strengthen his resistance when combined together.

If the potion can give him +10 Petrifying Resistance, then the buff he could use will only add 2-3 points. It’s because of his mastery over Petryfing Resistance Magic, which was still extremely low.

But why is there a Basilisk in this place?

A hushing sound and noises of something crawling once again appeared. Frowning, Cian saw not only one Basilisk but two, three—there was actually six Basilisk rushing at his direction.

There’s so many?!

At the same time, gold eyes started to simmer again in the darkness. Cian immediately jumped back and hide behind a boulder once again, not daring to look at the golden gaze of the monsters. A small worm-like creature that was crawling behind where Cian used to be, changed color. Soon it turned into stone and finally crumbled as it weathered.

This should not be the Basilisk that they came for to hunt. They are small, though dangerous nonetheless. Still, around C to C+ rank. The Basilisk that they needed to kill was above B rank.

Cian deemed [Absolute Defense] as useless at this moment. Since he doesn’t know what kind of law Petrification Power is working with, he cannot stop, much less reflect it. All he knows was the knowledge from Games and Novels. Just like the legend of the Medusa. Was its only requirement eye to eye contact?

Cian didn’t know if it also works the same thing in reality though.

Cian bit the bullet. He closed his eyes, and black mist came out from his body.

[Blanket of Darkness] a 3rd tier spell. It was the highest spell he could use at the moment. As it carried the [Curse of Blindness] it could rob off the target’s vision and somewhat distort their other senses. Though it looks strong, it was actually useless if against Light Mages, as they can easily destroy the Black fog.

The black fog covered the entire area.

After setting a barrier for himself, Cian focused all his attention to his weapon. The [Imagis Realis] slowly receded as if it had already finished what it needed to do, returning to his hand. Cian’s left arm had already somewhat turned back to normal, though there is still some numbness left and it seems like he could still barely use it—

Fortunately, he is ambidextrous.

“... I really hate being surprised,” Cian grit his teeth and the [Imagis Realis] wriggled in his hand, slowly turning into an L-shaped object. Its transformation was not instantaneous as the other transformations it had done before. However, after two to three minutes, it finally changed its form completely—

A plain black, but simple Peacemaker was in his hand. Due to time constraint, Cian could only settle for the simplest gun he could imagine. Then, he took out a magic stone, which the black gun devoured in an instant.

“Time for payback, bitches!” Cian growled.

When he came out of the rock he was hiding, the figure of those confused basilisks appeared in his vision. They seemed to be confused when their vision was robbed out of them. The [Blanket of Darkness] will last up to five minutes with Cian’s total Magic Power. It really consumes a lot of mana.

Without wasting any time, Cian fired without a thought. He aimed well and soon the magic bullets, shining in azure-colored light found its target in the basilisk’s skull. Brain matter splashed against the wall as the head was blown to pieces.

The sound rattled the other Basilisks, but this time, Cian took the initiative to attack. He didn't wait for them to stabilize their condition and pounced like a rabid dog. Activating his [Stealth], he rushed towards them and kicked the head of the other one. The Basilisk saw Cian’s figure and its eyes shimmered in golden light, but when Cian’s kick hits, it’s lizard-like head burst like a squashed watermelon in the seaside.

When Cian came within the target’s meter distance, his appearance would be revealed. However, Cian can kill them in an instant, even before they could activate their [Petrification] abilities.

... ...