"You are hard to kill, you fucking roach!"

  "Hehe, all the more reason I became a floor guardian of my master's domain. But I have no desire to continue our little game. That attack was only a little taste of my power! Here, have some more until you can't take anymore!!"

  The banter between the serpent and the floor guardian was brief, but in no way made me feel safe. When the floor guardian issued its mocking reply, it had hurled yet another beam at the serpent. This time the beam was even more dense than the last. If one looked close enough, they would then see the very air shimmer and sizzle as the beam passed.

  The serpent, despite preparing an array of defenses, could not defend itself in time. As a result, Midgardsormr took the attack head on by opening its mouth and appeared to be devouring the beam of energy. Another racial ability was just used by the serpent; one I knew very well since every historical document regarding these beasts mentions it in great detail, an ability called Abyssal Devourment. Focusing darkness, wind, fire and neutral magoi in their mouths, these serpent monsters are able to absorb any form of matter; however, it comes at a price.

  Looking at the serpent, I knew my chance for freedom was approaching as it devoured the baleful beam of energy. At first, only minor wounds were inflicted. But then, as the serpent consumes more energy, more serious wounds appeared with the beam of energy. The energy attack kept coming and the serpent kept absorbing even though it has already been a few minutes since this attack was fired.

  After another 15 minutes, the floor guardian stopped its attack, drained and pale from overexerting itself. Whereas Midgardsormr was in no better shape. Scales the size of 3-storey mansions had flown off its enormous body, pools of blood enough to fill a small lake bathed the ground. Lastly the Midgardsormr's eyes were filled with absolute rage.

  Although tired, the floor guardian prepared to fire another beam at the serpent which only fueled its rage. It was here Midgardsormr entered a rageful frenzy which effected any creature deeply influenced by its caustic bodily fluids. Although I felt the influence, I was able to fight it off with everything I could mentally muster. Still focusing on the floor guardian, the frenzied serpent roared and said,

  "You filth… Since you like beams of energy some much, here… have yours back!"

  Not wasting anymore words, the serpent fired the energy it had just consumed only the energy was filled with a potent caustic aura. The floor guardian fired its beam again albeit slower than before which collided with the serpent's attack. As they played tug-o-war, blood from the serpent splashed all over the cage, corroding it.

  (Once enough of the cage was destroyed by the serpent's blood, I will run like hell.) Not even 10 seconds passed after finishing that thought did another wave of blood come my way, destroying the cage, deeply bathing me in the process. I used every ounce of my being to not scream as I plummeted towards freedom; evoking magoi around me with difficulty since the magoi in the area was extremely chaotic from the 2 behemoths fighting.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  After crashing into the ground, I attempted to run when I noticed the serpent fly into an even greater fit of rage. It now single-mindedly rained attacks down on the floor guardian who in response recalled its golem and began double teaming the serpent. Noticing the giants aren't paying attention to me, and my inner sense of greed roaring with an insatiable sensation, I began collecting the serpent's blood and scales.

  Although this would appear to be extremely foolhardy given death was literally standing in front of me, I couldn't resist the chance of gathering legendary crafting materials from the asshole who imprisoned me for almost 6 bloody days!! I will consider this as payment for my pain and suffering. After collecting all that I could fit into my storage ring, (Yea, I collect a thousand units each, and wasn't caught in the act) I ran like hell as if the devil was trying to take my butt virginity.

  I quickly called up the map function of the system and followed the flight path of the serpent. Although it took that giant thing a few minutes to reach the floor guardian, it took me 14 days of non-stop running to get back to the cavern we originally came from. With the serpent gone, I without hesitation descended at top speed into the underwater cavern.

  With nothing to fear, I searched for the chain of tunnels leading to the rendezvous point. After finding the correct tunnel, I swam inside and was about to reach the central lake. Sadly, all the pain I had been suppressing finally got the better of me. With the little bit of remaining consciousness, I created a dry cave for me to enter, only to pass out the moment I exited the water.

…

  Despite being along the southern border of the central lake, Yuriy would be stuck in his little cave due to ignoring the Midgardsormr blood which has been assaulting his organs for the past 14 days. While in this coma, his body had undergone another unique change. Considering how rare serpent blood from ancient serpent monsters is, alchemists reluctantly use Midgardsormr blood in particular to temper and purify rare ingredients. These ingredients have high toxicity ratings, and can kill the alchemist if their not careful.

  In order to prevent the alchemist from dying while making potions, artifacts and the like, they use this serpent's blood which corrodes only other toxins when used in correct amounts. In Yuriy's case, his divine body is able to use any ancient substance as a means to temper and further develop as long as he has been exposed to a deadly enough quantity.

  Interesting enough, his cursed arm was the one part of his body which readily absorbed the caustic blood like a dried sponge placed in water. The archaic tattoos began to shimmer and slowly erode the magoi dampening bandages wrapped around his arm. Once completely the bandages were eroded, the tattoos absorbed both the residual baleful aura filling the dungeon and ambient magoi.

  As more and more energy was absorbed, the tattoos would slither like snakes all over his skin, bones and blood vessels. Yet, it never dared to leave his left arm as if afraid of a more deadly predator. This process would continue for 14 days, before settling. As Yuriy woke up, he was none the wiser of the changes to his body. Changes that would save his life when in the most dire of situations.

-End of Chapter