V3 Chapter 9
A five-headed monster with the body of a giant dog leaped onto Asceius. However, without any panic, Asceius leap high into the air and unleash a cold wind that froze the ground, weeds, and trees it passed through.
The monster’s body slowly froze over, ice-covered its fur. However, it was not enough to completely freeze the monster’s body and it easily shook off the icy dust around it. Asceius spread his arms and started muttering strange, indecipherable words.
The monster let out a loud roar and chased after Asceius. However, before it could reach him, Cian appeared underneath it—a black sword in his hand and he swung it.
Blood splattered in the air, drenching the green grass beneath, and painting it with a new color. Cian then clenched his fist and throw a punch. Despite the monster’s build, his casual punch caused the beast to get blown by a few meters away.
At this moment, Leona pounced at it with great ferocity and they started a wrestling match. With the Manticore’s Golden Body, it was able to defend against most of the attack and reduced any fatal ones into scratch or light wounds. Even against a Five-headed monster, Leona was not losing out. And with Cian’s rather, strange experiments, her body has been strengthened abnormally, that she could already be said to be a mutation from its kind.
“I’m done!”
Asceius voice rang out from the top.
“Leona!”
Cian called out before jumping away.
Leona hearing her master's call, had her ears perked up. And without hesitation, followed, and run towards her master’s direction.
“Ice Prison!”
A beautiful voice echoed, and the eyes of Asceius gleamed bluish-white. Immediately after, a blizzard of chilling snow appeared around her, shooting towards the Five-Headed Monster.
Cian, a few dozen meters away could still feel the chilling cold. A fire seemed to have ignited within him as his body slowly heat up, countering the cold. With his Fox-physique, his body released an almost automatic defense system that protects his body.
If only he still had [Vector Body], Cian couldn’t help but had a sudden regret of losing his wondrous ability. He grabbed the small snake that was hanging in his neck, shivering, and immediately placed it on his embrace. Cian knows how the small snake hated cold.
Lamia’s small eyes turned towards Cian, flashing a complicated expression before finally coiling within his hands. The heat emitting from his body made her extremely comfortable, she almost fell asleep. However, Cian didn’t notice anything weird about Lamia’s gaze as his attention was concentrated on the might of Asceius attack.
Incredible… Cian couldn’t help but feel astonished as he saw the miraculous spreading of frozen ice on the monster’s body. The monster could only roar in anguish and desperation, but the blizzard around it was becoming even stronger. Perhaps, only flame-type monsters and wizards could somehow contend against such power?
To think it could almost rival that of his Older Sister’s Ice magic. The Demon Princess; Oriel is a genius, but more so, it’s because she’s a demonic descent. Her entire body and magic as an innate magic creature ever since she was born made her incredibly powerful in magic.
But for Asceius?
He was human. Cian had affirmed it after being with him for quite a long time already. Among races, Humans had the least affinity with Magic. But to think Asceius could reach this stage… was he really just a human? He couldn't help but started to doubt it. Asceius gift in magic is just too unbelievable.
Godstone Kingdom… it seems like there is something really amiss with them.
Maybe there is something else mixed within their blood…aaah, if I can have at least a taste of them…
Leona arrived in front of Cian and stood in front of him, blocking any cold and snow from reaching him. The cold Cian experienced slowly die down.
As for the monster, even though its vitality was impressive. However, under the constant barrage of the Blizzard, after a while, it finally stiffens, quivering wildly, then collapses. Several of its body parts frozen in solid ice. Nevertheless, even though the [Ice Prison]’s might is strong, but it’s not actually enough to kill the Five-headed monster. If it was any other normal Ice Mages, before the monster collapses, the mages would first fell down from magic exhaustion.
And yet, Asceius doesn’t seem to care about this much consumption… just how much magic power does he possess?
Even Cian admits he wouldn’t have that much Magic Power to burn for that kind of high-level spell.
As expected of a Saint-level Mage, I guess…?
After seeing the Five-headed monster finally died, Cian could now calm down, and his fighting spirit also relaxed. He looks around and saw monsters littered around, either burn, cut, or frozen solid. These were the monsters that rushed at them the moment they were sighted.
If these monsters were categorized simply, then, they are all above C rank Monsters, and most were B rank. The highest was the Five-headed wolf, which was an A-rank Monster that can use Earth-type and Wind-type Magic.
“You didn’t use much magic,”
Asceius said after landing like a feather beside Cian.
“Are you training your combat arts?”
Cian shrugged half-heartedly, stifling a yawn.
“That’s right,” he answered.
He clenched his fist, and a pale reddish-brown light appeared around his fist like a glowing aura.
Without his [Vector Body], Cian decided to use the opportunity to cultivate both Magic and Combat Arts to strengthen his power. He had realized after it was lost, that he was depending heavily on the [Vector Body]. And because of this, the improvement of his physical body was halted, and not as fast as other Demons.
His current physical body, toughness, and resilience only reached the elite ranks. But it could not pass beyond that.
Comparing only physiques, as a Demon he was still far beyond elite demons of the Marquis Stage. Though with his abilities and skills, even marquis and above ranking demons is not a match anymore, but Cian didn’t want to cut any edges. He knows better how important one's foundation is. And the body is the greatest foundation of his strength.
After practicing and training for so long in the Black Lands, now, he can be classified as a Lv4 Elite Warrior. That is already comparable to that of an elite Marquis rank of the Demon Physique.
“You do know that practicing both requires a very arduous and strenuous training. Double the effort you needed to strengthen one system. And hell, just one of them is already hard and difficult enough, only a few would even able to reach the highest realms. You might as well focus on one power system if you want to rapidly increase your strength,”
Asceius said with concern.
“If it was someone else, perhaps it would be…”
It’s only natural that he would think that way. However, I’ve been unnaturally buffed by my ability; [Plunder]. Despite common sense, it’s quite easy for me.
Cian smirked, “…I have a way. I can strengthen my body at the same time, increase my magic power as well. I wouldn’t have a problem at all, trust me,”
[Plunder] not only steal abilities but also strengthened his physical and magical attributes. This was what made [Plunder] ability, despite its shitty success rate of stealing abilities so incredibly overpowered. This is also what he depended on these past two years of strengthening his body from trash, even without focusing his time on training and physical exercise.
With this skill, he can both increase the rate of his physical and magical attributes growth. If compared to Games, perhaps, the true worth of the skill [Plunder] is the ability to steal attribute points and added those points to the player’s physical stats, increasing and inflating those known attributes.
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Other people might need to do it one at a time, or that it would take quite a long time for them to raise it. But Cian can do it easily by eating monsters and creatures. Furthermore, the enhanced attributes that his Elf, Demon, and Monster Fox had given him made him a monster of nature.
Monster Fox and Demon enhanced his physical attributes, while Elf and Demon increased his Magical Attributes. Hence, although Asceius worries are indeed true. But for him, it’s not the case. Cultivating two power systems is as easy as training one. Hence, why would he limit himself?
“You sure are confident,” the prince smiled wryly.
Well, he’s a monster, after all…
Lamia rolled her eyes hearing ther conversation. Then, she went back to sleep. Actually, with Cian’s nurturing, Lamia’s wounds have already healed long ago. However, leaving didn’t even cross its mind and just stayed with him. She didn’t even think of returning to her original form.
Right now, after recovering from her wounds, she was now using Cian’s magic power and aura to refine her own magic power and make it even purer and denser. By doing this, the moment it’s time for her to pass through the Demi-God stage, she would be able to easily awaken her bloodline power and cross over.
It’s an opportunity that any monster would never want to miss.
Lamia didn’t know why Cian has such pure power. Despite knowing he was a Demon, but the pureness of Magic Force inside of him is unrivaled—though the quantity is not high, there is indeed a God’s Blood in his veins, and the aura it exuded was one that has a high affinity for Monsters.
Although faint, nevertheless it was growing steadily. And this was helping her as well. Although not much compared to her, and other Monster and Beast People, but Cian’s aura calms down the raging monster blood within them, and even refined them. Perhaps, this is also the reason why the Manticore was evolving quickly.
It was really a surprising phenomenon.
Lamia could only conclude that Cian has a bloodline of an ancestral monster that is not any weaker than mythical beasts or Dragons. And judging from his monster features, it must be the Legendary Heavenly Fox, or in his case, the Demonic Chaos Tails in legends.
But to think there is still a descendant of the Gods living in this era…
Lamia knows about the Godstone Kingdom, but even them, they are only the descendants of Demi-Gods. And even that, was dubious for there is no clear proof that they really hailed from the Gods. But to think, a descendant of a God would appear. If this was known by the Monster Race, he would really be in trouble. Every drop of his blood is extremely precious for most monsters after all.
And if I can consume it…
Lamia shook her head. She’s different from other monsters who seek instantaneous gain of power. She might be able to increase her power after consuming Cian, however, only for a bit. And there would so much waste that would occur, due to differences in species.
And most of all, for some strange reason, Lamia can feel that Cian’s body didn’t consist of only Monster Blood at all. Demon and some other race as well. It was really amazing, and miraculous even that he could have more than one bloodline. Just imagining it is impossible.
These Bloodlines are purely prideful, and would never let themselves coexist with one another. They would consume the other until they stand supreme. But to think they would let one exists alongside them—it’s really incredible.
How is that even possible?
What ability does Cian have that enables him to gather different bloodlines in one body?
So much mystery was within this little imp’s body.
That’s why Lamia didn’t dare think of consuming him. Because of these different existing bloodlines, if she consumes him, it would just become a problem for her instead of gain due to different forces.
With all those things, Lamia erased the thought of stealing Cian’s power inside her mind. Although the prospect of increasing her power in a short time is certainly tempting; it would rise to more problems. Lamia prefers to do it slowly, and without any external help to stabilize her foundation before reaching the Demi-God realm.
And besides…
Lamia raised her small head and look at Cian’s face, still having his usual laid-back expression even in this dreadful-danger filled place.
...this bastard is growing on me...
“What? Are you hurt?”
Cian noticed the small snake’s gaze and look down, his lips curving into a faint smile. But his expression was down with concern.
Lamia shook her head and returned to sleep. Her body coiled into a spiral and closes her eyes, not caring about him anymore. She doesn’t know what to feel towards this idiot and hateful, arrogant demon imp.
Cian tilted his head but he was not the type to care about animal feelings so he just shrugged his shoulder and let it continue sleeping, despite not doing anything. He had already gotten used to the snobbish and cold attitude of the strange small snake he had picked up.
Just that, he didn’t have the heart to throw it away. Now, he can only see its coldness as an adorable trait. Cian started collecting the monster’s carcasses, especially the Five-headed dog. They all were great materials for Potion, Item and Weapons, and most of all, for Chimera and Undead making.
Asceius seemed to be interested in some of them, therefore, the monsters were evenly distributed between them. After that, they once again continued on their journey.
This Ruins of the Gods was a vast, endless landscape with blue skies and drifting clouds. A boundless ancient forest covered almost the entire place. Within the forest stood giant trees that were comparable in size to a skyscraper. A dozen islands, big and small flew in the air like airships and mountains that towered for hundreds of thousands of feet with ancient, high trees that reached into the skies. Their roots gripped the earth like dragon claws, and within these primal groves, all sorts of vicious beasts flitted about.
The reason that this particular Ruins of the Gods was called the Enchanted Woods was that whoever stepped into that land, no matter who they were, would feel an ancient and prehistoric breath overwhelm them. It was said that the terrain of the land had remained pristine and unchanged for the last hundreds of thousands of years.
Every inch of that land had experienced endless years. In this ancient forest, unlike when looking from above, when underneath it, one can’t help but suck cold breath as all around you, giant trees towered into the sky. The thick branches and leaves grew outwards and gave the impression that they were covering the sky. Moreover, shocking roars would bring about powerful magical energy fluctuations when they were heard from time to time in this boundless forest.
Groups of Monsters and Magical Beasts would fly above the forest as their sharp cries echoed throughout the world. Even further away, there would be massive Magical Beasts fighting against each other occasionally. Their thunderous roars came from far away.
This land was like an ancient prehistoric land where no person had ever set foot on.
And in this mythical, primeval land, treasures, and danger interlaced very closely.
In addition, no one knew just where the Ruins of the Gods ended. It was said that the deeper one went into the vast forest, the more strange and fantastical phenomena one would see. Moreover, space and time there was extremely disorderly, and even Demi-Gods that were skilled in the Space and Time Magic could easily become lost in the space labyrinths.
It was said that the Ruins of the Gods; The Enchanted Woods, eventually led to another unknown space, perhaps a world that was no longer a part of the outside world.
In short, the Ruins of the Gods is still a mystery even with people trying to venture and uncover it for countless years already. And of course, secrets and mysteries it held mean treasures and power for other people. And this was why, Ruins of the Gods; The Enchanted Woods, was treated with absolute importance by most races and countries in the Black Lands.
Currently, Cian and Asceius were only at the very outermost edges of The Enchanted Woods; they were still incomparably far from reaching anywhere near the center.
Rumble rumble rumble!
A magnificent waterfall surged suddenly appeared from the distance. It was one of the islands that was floating in the sky, and water started falling from its edges, turning into a beautiful massive waterfall. The waters were turbulent and wild, as wide as a sea, seeming to contain an infinite strength. Cian watched the waterfall with great admiration. If he had a phone right now, he would surely take a picture and he would certainly possess bragging rights after he had returned home. It was truly out-of-this-world scenery.
“Don’t just stand there, and let’s continue,”
Asceius saw Cian stopping and staring at the massive waterfall, and furrowed his brows.
“Seriously, you don’t have any romance at all,”
Cian sighs helplessly.
“Don’t you think it’s beautiful?”
“We didn’t enter the Ruins of the Gods just to stare at waterfalls,” Asceius scowled.
“This scenery is much more than gold and silver, or any treasures in the world, Bellisima. It’s something that would pass by, fleeting like the clouds, but this would be engraved in your soul forever…how can you not understand simple things like that,”
Cian furrowed his brows in annoyance.
“Seriously, there’s not a hint of romance engraved in your bones, are you sure you are human?”
“Then, watch it yourself until you die,”
Asceius muttered in anger and he started walking away, displeased.
Seriously… why is this guy so stiff,
Cian shook his head and walk behind him. Although the relics and treasures found in this Ruins are certainly important, it would not matter at all if he didn’t enjoy the journey. He lives to might as well die the next day. Sometimes, the end of the journey is not what matters, but the experience gained through it.
He should know how to at least enjoy little things that bring him entertainment, and that would never dull his life. And save himself from experiencing a never-ending boring loop. Asceius should know how to enjoy little things like this. Or else it would be quite a waste for such a beautiful face.
Shaking his head at Ascieus, Cian went over the pool beneath the beautiful waterfall. Then, he knelt down to scoop some water in his hands. Taking a deep breath, he sipped from the water in his hand and tasted incredible spring dew. But what’s even better was that, the moment he had drunk the water, his senses and even his vision actually improved by a significant clarity. His eyes widened, and his lips curved into a faint smile. As expected, nothing in this place is normal.
“You might as well try this water, it’s really good, you know” he turned at Asceius while taking out several empty bottles from his storage rings.
“You should not drink or eat anything here carelessly. You don’t know what it is—no matter how clear, delicious-looking, or beautiful it is, it could cost you your life,”
Asceius warned but he still walked over. After all, Cian had already drunk it, and he was fine. Then, it’s safe to assume that the water is safe.
Cian rolled his eyes. Why would he care? He had the power of [Plunder] and with venomous blood, any poison doesn’t affect him at all. He just sneered and fill the bottle one after another. Although these bottles are ordinary looking, they are actually magical items. And the space within the small form of these bottles could store at most ten gallons of liquid.
“This is?!” as Cian busied himself with filling the dozen bottle with water, as he felt it’s a bit of a waste to just let them be, his partner's shocked voice rang out.
“This is the Water of Clarity!!”
Asceius muttered in an incredibly surprised voice.