V2 Chapter 167
“I’ve never heard about them before…”
Cian heard Amadea’s explanation and was astonished.
Well, not like he was know-it-all though… he only knows what he knows and had read before. Even if his [Night’s Eye], if not focused on the target, or that he completely knows nothing of, there would be no name and description to be found, aside from the magical energy it possesses, showing that it’s a magical object.
[Night’s Eye] appraisal type ability depends on the knowledge and information he had.
And in this forest, Cian had realized there were many things, such as plants, ore, or any materials that possess magic power that he doesn’t know of. And, most of them were too low that they were almost inconspicuous.
Like this Grass and Flower that Amadea gave him. The grass has flat, hairy leaves with upright flower spikes. While the Rain Dew Flower was roughly 5–20 cm, with a blue-colored flower that looks like Rosy garlic with four petals. Through his [Night’s Eye], the magic power within the Rarami Grass was minuscule while Rain Dew Flower was a bit better. If scaled to 1-10, Rarami Grass has 1 while Rain Dew Flower has 3.
Rarami Grass must be common, while Rain Dew Flower was a bit rarer.
Cian opened his mouth and eat it, the taste was like lettuce and broccoli, though somewhat different, but almost the same. And indeed, it somewhat fills him, even recovering his magic power slightly. However, he wouldn’t be able to gain skills which were its only downside. However, in any case, eating meat always is indeed quite boring.
Cian quietly observed Amadea as she looks for some plants and herbs with good and better magical energy, then giving it all to him. Every time she looks at him, her smile put Cian’s mind and body at ease. Sometimes people were like this, Amadea was that easy to be satisfied. Cian could allow her to act like a normal lady, or wife in that matter, as she tried to serve him with all she got, and she would happily giggle with a bright face, and this satisfaction also influenced his mood.
Bringing out a few bottles from his valuable wine collection, the two drank a few glasses, ate some snacks, and began chatting in soft voices. For a few hours, Cian and Amadea just did these things which other people would see to be very common.
About Cian’s life, identity, albeit with the exception of his transmigration, the fact that his brother was truly gunning for his life, as well as the fact that the entire continent was currently unstable with him as one of the antagonistic race, was all left out. Cian felt that bringing up a heavy topic at a moment like this was too unpleasant.
Amadea was different from other girls. She was a pure, ignorant woman who, life, before she had met him, was only spent with the instinct to survive and live. No one to talk to, to spent time with—this was her rare sweet time, so he wanted to let her continue to be free and hope that there were no worries to disturb her.
…at the very least, Cian was able to learn how to properly give his consorts a better time than sexual activities, which what he only knows how to make a woman happy in these two years of living with Sibylla and the others. Making him somewhat sensible than before. Or perhaps, it’s all because his human side had now slowly resurfaced after a long time of the suppression of Aanuel’s demon nature. Albeit, he is still quite awkward showering someone with love and affection.
Mind you, he was a person who didn’t really delve himself into a relationship even back on Earth. Hence, even if he has some knowledge about it, but putting it into practice is somewhat difficult. Therefore, sometimes he appeared too awkward…even in the case of his thought process about a relationship that he tried to go through a realistic approach.
After eating for a while, Cian left the Crimson Blood Tree, leaving the blood alraune who didn't have any interest to explore this forest like he does, and instead wanted to rest. Being eaten by Cian took quite a toll on her body, more than she expected. And besides, she was now nurturing the Crimson Blood Fruit to hasten its maturity. Even though she wanted to accompany Cian roaming around the forest, she could only stay and rest.
… …
Along the way, Cian took a good look around, fascinated by everything he saw.
Unlike the snow-painted forest of the Winter Mountain, this place was as if in the middle of summer, or perhaps spring. It was a temperature and mood he had missed after staying in Okmahun City for two years.
All he could see was an impenetrable wall of trees seemingly reaching the skies. Each leaf and bush of the forest appeared to radiate a faint green glow and the ground was covered by a thick layer of leaves and grass. He wandered about in a circle and realized that this forest was ridiculously huge. He had already walked about for a good hour, but he was still a bit lost within the thick and abundant forest.
If not for the fact that the Manticore has a very good sense of direction, and knows where the Crimson Blood Tree was located, perhaps Cian might have a difficult time returning to where Amadea is.
With the Manticore loyally following behind him wherever he goes, no sane monsters tried to ambush him. Although Cian didn’t leak any aura nor killing intention, the Manticore’s power was just too frightening to most monsters in the forest. Hence, even if they were given a thousand guts or had been fed a bear heart and a leopard gall, they would not dare try to stay and confront them. And instead, run as fast as they can the moment they were felt. In this area, the Manticore is infamous as being one of the bullies.
However, it doesn’t mean that Cian’s stroll was unimpeded.
There were also those whose intelligence was as pitiful as a cockroach, they didn’t care at all. For example, insect-type beasts such as Giant Hornets or Spiders and most commonly found and well-known in MMORPG’s…Slimes…!
Once they saw Cian and the Manticore’s figure, they hurriedly rush towards them and attack as if they had seen a free steak in the forest. Though, even with the lack of [Vector Body], Cian easily managed to deal with them without any problem.
Not only they are delicious, but they are also generous compared to other monsters, as the Giant Hornets gave Cian the ability to [Stinger Creation] after eating a dozen of them, while Slimes gave him [Physical Damage Reduction], reducing any physical damage to him.
[Stinger Creation] enables him to materialize stingers in every part of his body, which he found rather interesting as he can use them like a projectile weapon, like a bone spike. He can even create a stinger like the Manticore’s tail behind him that follows his will. Though, with his [Venom] help, the stinger became a very poisonous weapon.
As for [Physical Damage Reduction], at the current level, he was able to reduce physical damage taken by him by roughly 10% or more. For example, a 10 inches stabbed would reduce by an inch, a skill that might give him a chance of avoiding fatal strikes, and might save his life in emergency situations —something along those lines.
Cian was very interested in this ability to the point that he started to specifically look for slimes and eat them, trying to enhance it. Maybe with this ability, he can ignore every physical attack that came to him, even without his [Absolute Defense]!
Sadly, the chances of him obtaining abilities from it were just too low, which even after he ate six other slimes nothing happened. Perhaps, this also because the slime in the forest seemed to be quite rare or at least difficult to find, he could not find some more even after wandering around looking for it. This must not be their best habitat.
While walking, Cian kicked piled-up lives that were sticking out, in annoyance because he cannot find any slimes anymore. Who would have thought that there was something under the leaves and it tumbled and rolled to his feet?
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"A human skull?!"
Looking closely at the white skull that had flown out in front, Cian immediately burst forth with killing intent. He had only realized at this point that the place in which he was standing had a few footprints. He had thought this forest must be quite far and feared by the other races that live in the other safer regions. But it seems like it’s not that simple.
It seems like someone might have also ventured this deep in this forest…
Then, there’s a high chance that he would encounter some people. Though, whether they are friendly or not, is still yet to know. Cian lowered her head to take a look. Because he had just exerted a bit of force, he had kicked away quite a number of leaves that were under him. Aside from the skull, which was recently kicked aside, there were still numerous bones scattered around him. Cian retreated backward by a couple of steps and stepped down from atop the skeleton. The leaves had all been scattered, clearly revealing the entirety of the skeleton.
"The skeleton has no signs of breaking bones. There are no signs of blunt trauma either…”
Scrutinizing it once more, Cian narrowed his eyes. Then, he picked up the skull and Crunch! chomp at the skull, and started chewing. This had become a habit and that particular setback where he had almost died after eating extremely powerful remains isn’t even enough to stop him. Though, he had truly died at that time…
“…a trace of poison?”
Cian furrowed his brows as he felt his venomous blood shook within him.
[[Barbarian’s Fury] was successful plundered!]
[Barbarian’s Fury] When health is significantly reduced, and in dire strait, a burst of powerful strength would be activated within the user’s body. Speed, Agility, Strength, Reflex, and Toughness would be enhanced by 50%.
A Barbarian…?
This guy must be extremely powerful when he was still alive. However, since there was no sign of fighting, instead, a trace of poison was found… was this guy murdered? Or perhaps, was it unknowingly poisoned by monsters it had encountered and killed. Worst, perhaps, it didn’t even notice he was already poisoned and died miserably…
Cian believes the latter. After all, these forest inhabitants seemed to secrete poison in one way or another. And the poison was also extremely lethal at that. Take the Manticore for example, and the giant Serpents as well…if not for his Venomous Blood, he would also have a hard time fighting against them even with his [Absolute Defense].
Well, from what Amadea said, Barbarians are a bit stupid…
I guess this is what they call muscled-brain or something…?
Cian suddenly kneeled on the ground, touching the leaves and strange marks around the piled up skeleton. Weird… truly weird… these marks are made not just too long ago. Perhaps a few hours at least. However, why is this skeleton seemed aged…? Does it not have a relation to the skeleton…?
Cian furrowed his brows in confusion. Then, suddenly he leaned his head and started sniffing the ground. The Manticore looks at Cian’s actions and tilted its head in bewilderment. What is her Master doing…?
Cian frowned. “…This smell… It’s those serpents…”
“…??”
The Manticore tilted her head in confusion.
Cian narrowed his eyes and look straight in the front. Although the ground was covered in piled leaves, if one looks closely, there are still some marks as if something is being dragged on the ground.
“The last thing to be here… are those giant snakes…”
Did they just coincidentally pass here?
…But this skeleton remains, they are almost intact…all parts of them. Even the ribs are intact. If this had been here for a long time ago, some of the bones would have scattered to who knows where or withered, judging from the state of the skull. Strange…
[[Stomp of the Behemoth] was successful plundered!]
[[Feral Regeneration] was successful plundered!]
[[Barbarian’s Strength] was successful plundered!]
[[Barbarian’s Hyper Instinct] was successful plundered!]
As Cian casually devoured the entire Skeleton, he was actually able to usurp four Barbarian Abilities. He finally affirmed his guess; this freaking bastard is really powerful when he was alive. But what made him even more doubtful was that there were actually still so much thick essence deep within the bones. If this guy had been dead for a long time, these essences would have evaporated a long time ago.
What is going on here?
[Stomp of the Behemoth] An ability to stomp on the ground with incredible force, causing a small earthquake to occur, and throwing their enemies off-balance.
[Feral Regeneration] Barbarians can channel violent rage through their body and soul to gain a new form empowered by their anger. When driven by incurable rage, their bestial instincts took over, enhancing their existing powers and as a bonus, the user can suppress pain to great lengths, as well as slowly recovering from any fatal wounds.
[Barbarian’s Strength] Barbarians possess strength beyond that of a normal human capability, even almost surpassing that of Beastmen. And the more they fight and lusted for battle, the stronger they become, become a killing machine in a war.
[Barbarian’s Hyper Instinct] Barbarian Hyper Instinct enables the Barbarians to possess not only of bestial and human, but also battle, sexual, and killing instincts. In this mode, Barbarians tend to abandon logic and play with pure instinct, generally making illogical but successful moves and decisions.
Something had killed the Barbarian...and surely not the serpents. And if they are the one who did it, then there must be a monster among them who possess an ability of a strong corrosion-type power, enough to corrode a being until he was only bones. But that can only be found on demons and undead. No serpent-type monsters should be capable of that...
Undead... don't tell me, they are Undead in this place?
But Amadea said that there had never been Demons and Undead in this land for quite a long time? At least, that's what the memories she had usurped from the ones she had devoured said. Demons are extinct in this land... much less an Undead. So how?
Cian couldn't understand what was going. And there is no enough clue to assume any either. Hence, he could only shrug it off and continue. [Imagis Realis] already in the form of a gun, holstered on his right waist, while a magical sword hanged on left for easy drawing. He always has several reserved weapons, in case, [Imagis Realis] cannot be shown in public.
And the Gun Transformation took a long time, causing him to be unable to use a gun while in battle. Before, he doesn’t really care, but now, he did. [Absolute Defense] had disappeared, and he never likes pain… fighting close-combat against beasts is probably not a good idea.
And most of all, with the existence of an unknown being who could kill that powerful barbarian... Cian didn't want to take any chances. He might like fighting but he was not thrilled at getting hurt.
As he walked deeper, more monsters came. This time, it was a pack. A pack of wolves with green fur. Their fangs are not the least bit cute, roughly around eight to ten centimeters in length, each wolf stood almost three meters tall. There were seven of them, acidic venom drip from their long fangs to the ground, creating sizzling sounds.
Cian furrowed his brows.
Monsters around B Class… what a feast…
Grrrr—!! Cian prepared his self, his expression turning fierce. The Manticore appeared behind him, growling ominously as it walked like a cat, stopping on Cian’s right. I will protect the Master.
Cian smirked at the Manticore’s adorable mindset. When did he have ever need a protector? However, he ignores it and just takes it as the Manticore’s goodwill.
…and it all started in an instant.
His body flickered, jumping back, as a Green Wolf pounced at his former position. Baang! A bluish-white light shot from the muzzle of the pitch-black gun in Cian’s hand, hitting the Green Wolf’s head. The Bullet didn’t have enough power to pierce through its skull, but it sufficiently enough blew it back, causing it to crash in the nearby tree. Even with the insufficient power of the bullet, but the innate effect of the [Imagis Realis], every projectile has incredible penetration power.
Cian ducked, his hand appeared on his hilt, and with just one motion slashed it upwards—there, a Green Wolf flew past, its sharp claws slashing at the air, where his head was supposed to be. Slash!! Blood spurted out a large cut wound appeared on the wolf’s belly, causing it to cry out in pain. It landed on the ground, turned around, and once again pounced at him.
Unfortunately for it, Cian had already appeared behind it, and his leg kicked. All of the Green Wolves' actions and attacks are plain to see. With his [Precognition], Cian was not the least bit worried. However, as expected, Cian frowned. Unlike [Imagis Realis], even though his sword was also a high-level Magical Weapon, it could only cut a shallow wound. If it was the [Imagis Realis] it would have made a fatal wound on it, at least, it wouldn’t be able to disregard it and roll on the ground, instead of attacking him again.
Magical Weapon is good against weaker enemies, especially those with pathetic defense. However, against monsters with monstrous defense, even high-grade magical weapon is completely inferior to his [Imagis Realis].
Once again, Cian was able to affirm that his [Imagis Realis] is truly among the best and most incredible magical items in the world. Although it was not comparable with Oriel’s [Ice Queen’s Wings] and Lucifalion’s [Heaven Breaking Halberd] in terms of flashy magic and usefulness, and in fact, quite plain compared to them. But the sole ability; [It can cut everything in this world] triumph theirs.
Cian grasped his gun and started shooting, his leg and fist dancing as he pounced at the gathered group of Green Wolves. The Manticore as well tried to keep with him as it tried to protect him from every monster that lunged at him. Its stinger and claws attack anything that appeared in its way.
However, because a pack of Green Wolves is clearly stronger than a Silver Scaled Ape, the Manticore was having quite a difficult time. Though it’s not losing against them at all, it was still frustrated that it couldn’t protect her master from them. Worst, it was even being kept in one place, besieged, and attacked from all directions. A pack of weaker monsters is indeed troublesome than one powerful monster.
Seeing the Manticore roaring, biting, stabbing with its stinger and slashing with its claws, all while trying to not separate from him and attack those who attack him, Cian was quite moved by this fellow.
Did it really see him as some sort of its master…?
This cat is quite cute…indeed.
Cian grinned.