V2 Chapter 172

Seeing the small snake sleeping peacefully, Cian finally heaves a sigh of relief.

Although not fully recovered yet as there are still hidden dangers within her, it would disappear slowly. He had already done what he could; all that’s left is the little beast’s efforts. But still, as Cian tried to examine the entire surrounding, he finally realized something.

"So this is that kind of place..." he muttered amazed.

Whether it was intentional or not, the little beast in his arms should have come here because of this place’s purifying nature. Just staying in this place would mellow down the aggressive nature of the corpse poison inside its body, relieving the pain. Was it accidental? Did the snake come here because it felt that this place could relieve its pain…? Or did it already know what this place is and settled here in hope of purifying the poison it has and survives?

Cian was certain that this place was not the place the snake was attacked. After all, no matter where he looks, there is no sign of undead being in this place, no miasma, no corpse stench, and no corruption either. In fact, this kind of place would have been terrible for Dark Creatures such as an Undead due to this place's innate purifying effect.

If not for his bloodline as an Elf and the power of the Ten-tailed Fox had given him, Cian would feel affected negatively by this place. His Demon Blood would get suppressed—perhaps this is the reason why his Fox Transformation automatically activated because it automatically protects him.

But what is this place?

What caused this purifying effect…?

Is it caused by treasure or this place is just a natural sacred land…? A Holy Place? Cian knows that there are places that are innately holy, though these areas are rare. Demons and Dark creatures can never enter places like this because of the natural suppression of bloodline.

It’s not caused by any artificial means, or any artifacts, rather, it was 100% natural. A holy place made naturally by the supernatural. Its effects were very distinct on the people who gained their strength from the darkness. A normal human being would enjoy the restoration of strength and purification when they will stay in this kind of place. But a dark creature, especially a Demon would immediately be turned from extremely evil into extremely righteous if they managed to survive the holy land’s judgment.

But that was exceedingly unlikely, as even the Demon’s elite force would most likely be turned into dust by the holy power. Hence, sacred lands are always the Demon’s Bane. But how can Cian remain unaffected…?

He was confused. However, he can only conclude that he was being protected by Night through his right eye, due to the continuously warm feeling surging through his head, making him somewhat light-headed, and calm, away from the insanity that should have occurred. Although he doesn’t know what kind of effect it would give him, nevertheless the comfortable feeling was almost addicting.

Cian raised his head and look at the sky—it’s getting dark. Although this is a good place to stay and rest, since no monsters should dare enter this area, and he would be fine with his Elf and Beast Bloodline, but Amadea might get worried if he didn’t return.

I don’t understand this place and I can feel something strange—though I don’t know what, it seems like Leona can also feel it. Cian turned towards the Manticore who was still not letting down her vigilance. Then, he returned his gaze back to the mystical place just across the river, he felt a tugging sensation, as if something was calling for him, or summoning him. Just what kind of enchanted place is in that direction?

Might as well leave first… time is infinite. When I get my powers back at my peak, I should have some confidence to explore this place. But not now…

Cian let out a sigh. He decided to postpone exploring that place, as he still has no confidence in venturing that unknown land. For some reason, he felt a dangerous threat coming from there as if a powerful monster was sleeping deep in that place. A monster far beyond his current power.

There's more to this place than meets the eye, huh...

Cian shook his head, turned around as he brought the little snake with him, and Leona as they walk back towards Amadea’s place.

The return trip was not as boring as one could imagine. While walking around, he encountered dozens of monsters with varied types and kinds that made his appetite revive. He even encountered a Arachnid-type monster that looks scarily appetizing. It was over 3 meters tall, with scary-looking fangs and legs, and with a distinctive carapace which had an enchanting, golden color.

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Making a rustling sound when moving, the spider was capable of quick movement and the thread it shot out recklessly was both strong and abundant in volume. Leona even had a hard time freeing itself the moment she was stuck on it. Its golden carapace was so much tougher, and perhaps, stronger and tougher than that of normal Demon Spiders, and even its venom has paralysis and poison combined. It’s strong enough to immobilize an evolve Manticore in an instant, displaying its power.

In fact, Cian, himself was also struggling with those four threats as well, making it quite a difficult battle. However, he was able to strike it with Illusion, causing to stop in its creepy tracks and shot its head using Magic Explosive Shot from his [Imagis Realis] Gun-Mode. While fighting, he maintained a considerable distance to kill it, or else, the battle would become even harder.

When the spider finally died, Cian helped Leona recover slightly using normal potions, as he wanted to eat the Golden Spider himself which he had seen the first time. He then stripped the expensive-looking carapace since it could be used crafting good armors and items, while eating the rest, starting from its head. The monster’s flesh had an unusual taste and consistency. It was rather delicious.

[[Spider Thread Generation] ability has been successfully plundered!]

And thus, Cian learned how to secrete spider thread from his fingers—well, this is quite interesting. He suddenly felt he had become the famous Spid*r-man of the Mar*el Universe, as he shot threads after threads towards the trees around him. Though seeing him shot threads from his fingers was quite surreal, however, Cian knows that it’s unquestionably an extremely useful ability. Now, he can immobilize his opponent easily.

Interested, Cian started to look for Demon Spiders along with Slimes in the return trip and finally found two Rock Slimes and four Demon Spiders.

[[Hardened] ability has been successfully plundered!]

[[Thread Welding Arts] ability has been successfully plundered!]

And he managed to obtain good and useful abilities. He was able to increase his personal defense as well, with [Hardened] from Rock Slimes that enables him to make his skin as hard as a rock, as well as increase his mastery over his Spider Threads. He can now manipulate and control his Spider Threads better than before, Spid*r-man would be proud!

“You took your time…”

When Cian arrived, he was immediately greeted by Amadea who seemed to be quite frantic and worried, though she denied she was. Being bashful and flustered while denying was kinda cute in a way.

“…I lost myself while walking around, so I apologize. There are so many interesting things that I forgot about the time,”

“...well, next time don’t wander so far from this area. There are many powerful monsters in this forest. Even if you are strong, trespassing their territories would make you an enemy. If you are seen, they will surely hunt you down!” she reprimanded with a worried expression.

Cian shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly; “…if they come, then come. I’m not scared of them,”

“YOU!! You really make me mad!!” she cried out in anger, feeling that her worry was being ignored by an idiot, and she felt ashamed.

“Well, you don’t need to worry about me,”

“I’M NOT WORRIED ABOUT YOU!! If you want to die, then go die yourself!!”

Enrage, Amadea fumed while cutely puffing her cheeks and walking away. Looking at her back, Cian could only chuckle in amusement. “Hey, actually I brought some souvenirs from my trip,” while saying so, he took out several plants that he had set aside from those he wanted to give to Sibylla, as well as a large number of monster corpses. Cian couldn’t eat them all anyway so he might as well give it to her and let him consume them (becoming her fertilizer).

“I, idiot… you don’t need to do that. It’s not like I’m going to be happy that you remembered bringing something for me,” she pouted cutely.

“O, okay… if you don’t want to, it’s okay…”

“ARE YOU AN IDIOT?! WHO SAID I DON’T NEED IT?!”

She suddenly yelled out and grabbed the things Cian piled up in the ground.

“… ….Okay, go on,” Cian was flabbergasted. Why is she so moody today?

“That’s right…I-if you really want me to accept them that much…I guess, I have no choice,” She muttered with a sweet smile, then she turned around and humming, seemingly in a great mood.

This girl is so complicated…

Cian shook his head with a sigh.

“Cian, what is that monster?”

Suddenly Amadea who seemed to have calmed herself down asked while looking at the unconscious snake in Cian’s arms.

“It’s a little snake,”

“That’s not what I meant! What’s the deal with it? Why the hell are you carrying another monster?! Did you pick it up from somewhere?”

“What? You know about it?”

“No, but I’m just a bit curious… why are you picking a monster? And a snake at that as well? Don’t you know? All Snake monsters are the minions of the Snake Empress. If you touch them without permission, you would earn the Empress anger, you know?!”

Cian tilted his head, thought for a moment and then let out a faint smile; “It’s fine. It’s just a small snake. If that Snake Empress appeared in front of me, I’ll just beat her up,”

“You can only say that because you don’t know how strong the Snake Empress is…even if I fought against her, I would just be defeated easily!”

But that is you…not me… Well, she would probably go ballistic if I say that.

“What was that, Cian? Did you have something to say?”

“N-no, nothing…”

Scratching the back of his head, Cian could only shrug his shoulders and sat on the ground. A woman's intuition is scary…however, what’s scarier more than anything in this world, is not demons or gods, but a woman’s wrath. There’s a saying; ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn’, those are not empty words, but words of a Wiseman.

Cian the gently placed the sleeping snake beside the Crimson Blood Tree. The Magical Aura of the Crimson Blood Tree nourishes the blood and also speeding up the recovery of any wounds. This is one of the reasons why Manticore and even the Silver Scaled Ape were fighting for this tree, even though there is only one fruit.

The Tree itself is a treasure as well!