Samael's lone figure stood under the falling specks of Void matter, his hand visibly trembling from Ajax's perspective.
Ingrid was one of the skills he had hidden away. It's an exceptional ability capable of extreme destruction. But like every good thing, it comes with a heavy price.
Ingrid burns through his reserves and ethos like there's no tomorrow. In some cases, his essence isn't enough that the ability compensates by burning through his stamina.
The first time he tried the skill, it put him in a coma for days. But what truly horrified him was how much destruction the ability caused.
However, it's still his power. One he cannot deny any longer.
Watching his trembling hands, Samael couldn't help but tighten his grip, forming a fist as his knuckles turned pale white.
He thought he had become stronger during the last eight years he spent beyond the towering walls of Erudicio.
But this fight served as a reminder that no matter how strong he becomes, there will always be something out there, patiently waiting for the day their paths cross.
But he will make sure that day does not pass.
To do so, he needs more power.
A soft sigh escaped Samael's lips, the blue, incandescent glow of the codex glimmering off his pupils.
Devoured Void Essence of "Leviathan (cub)" [Saint I] +5100 points.
Your power grows stronger...
Multiple notifications available; do you wish to address them?
Proceed?
Yes or no?
While such tyranny holds this world in its leash, Samael also cannot deny the fact that it is in such dangers that he thrives. It is in these harrowing trials that he grows stronger than ever before.
"Proceed," Samael muttered under his breath, a plethora of blue luminescent panels warping before his eyes, swiftly filling his vision.
Command received.
Prerequisites for multiple-tier elevation met!
Proceed?
Yes or no?
Upon slaying the Leviathan (cub) under your blade, you have incurred the wrath of the great mother beast.
Received the following: [Animosity mark], status effect [ill intent], titles [He who the depths despise] and [Sea Vanquisher (minor)].
Samael winced under the myriad of notifications bombarding his face. No matter how much this happens, Samael still can't get used to how suddenly such notifications appear. Not to mention the loud, blaring noise that accompanies it.
With a glance forward, Samael read the following words with great care.
Firstly, he was pleased that he managed to achieve multiple-tier elevations once more. Especially right now, where there's an upcoming skirmish over the horizon.
However, the following effects left worry to pester in his heart.
Animosity mark? Samael couldn't help but ask himself, his gaze darting back and forth in search of this "mark." It didn't take long for his efforts to bear fruit.
In his shoulder nested a black imprint bearing what appeared to be a vortex swirling towards the center. The mark was black in color and wasn't large by any means; it was comparable to a pebble. Yet, Samael can faintly feel an aura emanating from the etching.
"Show me the details of the following titles and effects," he commanded.
[Animosity Mark]
Upon slaying the Leviathan (cub) with your own hands, you have incurred the infernal wrath of the great mother beast. In her anger, she has placed a mark on you. The receiver of said mark will gain the following: [ill intent]
That can't be good. Samael smiled wryly.
"Show me the effects of ill intent," Samael said.
[Ill intent]
Upon incurring the wrath of the great leviathan, all aquatic abominations will feel great animosity towards you.
So in simple terms, it's a lure skill... Fuck Samael cursed internally.
Fortunately, his journey has yet to lead him into the fiery depths of the ocean. With this status effect latching tight to him, it's basically suicide to venture near any body of water containing aquatic abominations.
Looking on the brighter side of the coin, he did get two titles. One of which he does not know how to feel about.
[He who the depths despise]
The depths loathe your existence.
EFFECTS
•Low affinity with aquatic abominations.
• Any aquatic abominations will feel blinding anger towards you.
[Sea Vanquisher (Minor)]
All hail the vanquisher of the great leviathan (cub).
EFFECTS
• Damages to aquatic enemies are increased.
• Look favorably upon by certain water folks.
Huh, I thought anything residing in the water hated me? It turns out there are a few who side with my actions. Samael felt a tinge of relief brush over him. Luckily, not every single creature in the water was aggressive toward him.
He couldn't help but shudder at the thought of every single beast swarming him with the intent to rip his flesh off his bones.
Nonetheless, he will have to take great care and avoid any quests involving the ocean. Lest he get himself mawed to death by the beasts hiding within its depths.
Samael could only shake his head as he closed the panels hovering before him, his gaze slowly shifting towards the first screen shown by the Codex.
"Proceed with multiple-tier elevations," Samael commanded.
Command received.
Commencing multiple-tier elevations...
A wave of power struck Samael out of nowhere, opting for him to sharply inhale as his eyes widened in surprise.
Taken aback by the sudden volt of strength, Samael took a few steps back, his breathing ragged and uneven.
The surge of strength coursing through his veins grew wilder by the second, specks of Void matter dispersing off his skin.
Samael lowered his stance a little, swiftly finding his balance as his vision swirled for a few seconds.
Slowly, his body felt lighter than ever as he narrowly avoided a stumble.
Eventually, the commotion came to an end as another panel warped in front of Samael, along with his newfound strength.
Multiple-tier elevation successful!
Tier 5 -> Tier 8 Mark 2.
A soft exhale trailed off Samael's lips as he repeatedly closed and opened his palm, astonished at the speeds they could achieve.
Just how much higher did my stats rise? Samael couldn't help but wonder.
Unable to wait any longer, Samael called upon the Codex, expectations brewing within his pupils.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
[Stats]
LAST UPDATE: CHAPTER 29 [After time skip]
[STATS]
Name: Samael
Title: [Loved by the void]...[+]
Species: Void Spawn [+]
Affinity: Void [+]
Rank: Metamorphosis III
Condition: Good, Minor fatigue
STATS
STR: 4220
SPD/AGI: 4127
CONSTITUTION: 5021
SPIRIT: 5388
CHARM: 50
∆SKILLS [+]
Samael's gaze widened, his brows rising to an arch. Reading further, a wide grin found its way into his visage.
Jackpot! Samael thought in joy.
His stats rose exponentially after the battle with the saint rank abomination. From its 1000 range to now balancing at the 4000-5000 range!
And to think such a rise in his status came from three tiers alone baffles him.
With this, he's a step closer to his goals.
Just how much more capable has he become? How much more power can he exude?
Samael's thoughts were in a jumble but there were many things calling for his attention.
His small celebration soon ended as he checked the last remaining notifications of the Codex, swiftly fueling his glee as he read further and further.
Void:
Tier 5, Mark 3.
Control: Tier 5 Mark 3
-Marker: 2320/2,500
Quantity: Tier 6, Mark 3.
-Marker: 1230/5000
While he found the imbalance quite vexing, it wasn't a problem worthy of too much attention.
Balancing the two stats might be a little troublesome but its nothing a little hard work can't solve.
With him reaching Tier 5 once again, there's no doubt he's eligible for a new skill given by the Codex itself.
With flames burning brightly in Samael's eyes, he cheerfully checked his brand new ability with high expectations.
[Void Claw]
Allows the host to form razor-sharp claws capable of inflicting [Bleed] and a low chance of [Paralysis].
[Bleed]
Forces the wounds inflicted by the skill to bleed uncontrollably, albeit slowly.
[Paralysis]
Puts the receiver in a frozen-like state for a few moments (depends upon Void purity)
Samael's visage brightened as he fixed his gaze on the words carved in the panel, his smile stretching wider with each letter passing through his eyes.
It was an offensive skill! With two possible passes to boot!
Samael's imagination bellowed smoke as cogwheels ran in full gear within his head. The amount of combination he can possibly pull off with his new skill sets his determination on fire.
Questions such as "Will Void claw work with his augmentation? Will it turn the ability to something far more fierce? Will the claws be able to penetrate through the skin of stronger opponents like butter?" Pester his mind like a plague.
Samael took sharp breaths of air, slowly composing himself.
Setting his wild imagination aside, Samael's gaze traveled towards the horizon, a deep frown slowly etching lines in his face.
Erubin and his men had gone ahead of them. Many of them were injured and unable to fight. Their chances of making it back to camp unharmed are slim.
Clenching his fist tight, Samael took out a few bottles of stamina potion, mercilessly dunking them down his throat.
A refreshing wave of strength washed over him, sweeping away most of the fatigue he felt. But such countermeasures can only amount to so much.
Shifting his gaze back towards Ajax, Samael made his way towards the shadow saint standing idle by the side. A smudge of confusion lingered in his pupils.
"Is there any problem?" Samael asked. A tinge of worry bloomed off his chest. If it were another Saint abomination, Samael would truly be fucked.
Ajax gave a brief wag as he replied. "No, there's nothing wrong. But that skill you used, I have never seen it before."
Samael couldn't help but lower his gaze, a faint sense of guilt seizing his heart. Spending time with Ajax taught him that honesty is a key factor for survival.
He never intended to reveal the existence of the skill or utilize it in any way by any means. It was only now that he realized how foolish such thoughts were.
A soft sigh escaped the lips of the shadow saint before storming off. However, he halted his steps a few meters from Samael.
"I'm not pressing you to tell me anything. I respect your privacy as you do mine. Quit your moping and lets go," Ajax said before marching onwards once more.
Samael shot a glance at the man's back. Ajax might be a silent and serious man, but there was no doubt he was also a great friend and mentor.
Samael's lips curled to a gentle smile before he trailed Ajax closely as they both went off the horizon, leaving the aftermath of their brutal fight.
Their next destination?
A camp near Tera.
***
Two figures stood idle in the middle of a forest, one of whom was crouching, his hand hovering above the ground.
"They went further that way," Samael pointed out.
They've been actively tracking Erubin and his crew for an hour or two now. However, it seems they've gotten farther than he expected.
"Let's move; the sun will go down soon," Ajax said, his visor shifting upwards as he measured the position of the sun.
Samael gave a brief nod, closely trailing Ajax as they went after the coarse marks in the earth.
If Ajax was correct, the camp near Georgo Road isn't too far off. If they're lucky, Erubin and his men might just make it before nightfall.
However, they can't be lenient and just go straight for the camp. They're not even sure if the ones they're trailing are there already.
Following the footprints, Ajax and Samael wasted not a single second. With their tracking capabilities, something like this was a walk in the park.
Soon, seconds turned to minutes and minutes to hours.
As they ventured further, the fresher and deeper the etchings on the ground became, a testament that they were nearing their destination.
As the seconds ticked away, the trees and surroundings became less wild. The bushes have significantly thinned, and the ground has become more even.
Samael and Ajax's footsteps left trails of echoes in the air; their gazes speared up ahead.
Their figures breezed in the wind as they moved at speeds no mundane man can follow.
Samael's hair fluttered wildly under the pressure of the wind crashing against his face.
"At this rate, it seems Erubin and his men might just have made contact with the camp," Samael suggested, his brows raised high in surprise.
"It appears so..." Ajax muttered in reply, a hint of fascination present in his tone.
To begin with, who would expect they could venture this far? The only reason Samael and Ajax's venture has gone so swiftly is due to their expertise in this field. So far, they've already avoided three abominations capable of dealing some problems.
As far as he remembers, Erubin and his loyal soldiers didn't have a tracker or scout, so skirmishes were a guarantee. Unless their luck was simply that good,.
But blood is a scent many abominations are highly sensitive to Samael's thought.
Samael shook his head. There was no point thinking about it, what matters was if they made it to the other side whole.
"How much farther until the camp?" Samael inquired.
"Not much," Ajax replied.
Shifting his gaze up, Samael fixed his gaze on the orange hue of the sky. The sun was setting off the horizon soon; they must hurry their pace.
Only fate will decide what path it has laid out for Erubin, they can only wait and see.
***
In a camp near Georgo road...
Hours after Samael and Ajax's fight, the Stellaris camp, a base near Georgo road, saw silhouettes taking shape in the thinning smoke over the distance.
The watchers taking watch within the confines of their towers spotted the band and the alarms bellowed in warning of the arriving group.
A female watcher with bright red hair squinted her eyes, a frown making its way on her face as she struggled to make sense of the arriving guests.
"Report?" A man adorned in silver armor roared. His aura exuding strength and confidence.
A sharp sigh escaped the woman's lips. "The mist is too thick, I can't make sense whether they're monsters or not!" She replied.
The man fell silent for a moment, contemplating his next move before he arrived at a conclusion.
The man swiftly made his way up the tower, standing near the edge as he roared with all his might.
"HALT! STATE YOUR NAMES OR PERISH WHERE YOU STAND!" He said, his voice reaching far and wide.
Shifting his gaze down, dozens upon dozens of watchers gathered in front of the gate, filling into their positions with their weapons in hand.
The ballistas mounted on the towering walls of the camp were ready and loaded with large elongated arrows made to penetrate scales as though they were paper.
The soldiers on the other hand had eyes with dark circles under them, their clothes had seen better days and their weapons had lost its glimmer under all the filth and dried blood in its steel surface.
Ever since the escalation of the war, many of the men and women present in this camp had been at constant battles. They've been deployed from one place to another without rest and assurance of what might happen to them.
They've been unable to get enough sleep as raids are as common as the birds in the sky.
It's as if they're living with knives constantly drawing closer to their throats, such is the life they have now.
A lesson they all learned to survive out here is keep your weapons close, and your senses closer. After all, a single mistake can cost you your life.
Before, kids aspire to be watchers and knights, but after drafting had begun, everyone stayed as far as they can.
Nonetheless, such attacks were common now. However, it was still strange for the warriors gathering in their formation.
Usually, raids like this happen at the smaller scattered camps they have. Not in the main base where most of their forces reside. It was an odd behaviour, far too odd.
As such, drastic measures were only a must. Lest they perish before their rightful time.
The silhouettes over the distance came to a stop under the direction of the man.
The man's gaze narrowed down, his black beard swaying under the nudge of the wind.
"RAISE YOUR HANDS ABOVE YOUR HEAD AND SLOWLY REVEAL YOURSELVES! ANY SUDDEN MOVES AND OUR ARROWS WILL RAIN DOWN UPON YOU!" The man instructed.
The silhouettes exchanged glances as they delicately raised their arms above their head, their steps slow and calculated.
The man kept his calloused hands near the hilt of his greatsword, a tense suffocating aura shrouding the camp in its palm.
The soldiers kept their mouths sealed tight, beads of cold sweat trickled down their forehead as they tightened their grip.
Soon, the sounds of footsteps whispered in their ears along with the wild thrashing of their hearts.
Little by little, the silhouettes inched closer, revealing the perpetrators.
The man standing in the tower couldn't help but flinch in surprise, his eyes widened and a smudge of confusion lingered in his pupils.
"Erubin...?" He muttered under his breath.
"LOWER YOUR WEAPONS AND OPEN THE GATES!" The man bellowed, startling the soldiers below.
Upon his commands, the suffocating silence was overshadowed by the relieved sighs of the warriors.
The tension in the air ceased and their whispers soon followed.
Slowly, the heavy gate creaked, forming a small entrance for the the wounded soldiers to enter.
Upon seeing the new arriving guests, the soldiers couldn't help but exclaim in confusion.
"Erubin? I thought they were sent back like a month or so ago?" A voice asked.
"You're not wrong... The general sent them back due to their injuries, what are they doing here?" Another voice inquired.
"Where's Tom, Riley and Bilo?" Another voice said.
"Ginny is gone too," A female voice added.
Erubin and his men slowly walked inside, their heads and shoulders slumped low. Their morale wasn't faring well either.
"Enough of that!" The silver adorned man said. He had eyes as dark as the night sky and a finely combed black beard that paired well with his short black hair. He was wearing a bulky silver armor along with a giant black blade behind his back.
His aura exuded that of a leader. After all, he was the general and the leader of this whole operation. He was, Timeus.
"Call the healers and bring Erubin and his soldiers in!" Timeus commanded, breaking the soldiers from their stupor.
It didn't take long for stretchers to appear, swiftly escorting the guests. However, Erubin refused.
"Let me talk to the general..." Erubin said as he jerked away from the soldiers.
"But your condi—"
"No! I must talk to the general!" Erubin insisted, leaving the healers at a loss.
"It's okay, leave him to me," Timeus interjected.
The healers bowed in greetings before scurrying off.
"Erubin, didn't I ordered for your men and you to fall back and heal? What is the meaning of this?" Timeus asked.
"We came here to help Timeus! Do not deny our plead!" Erubin said.
"Help? You're a wreck Erubin! After Maria... After what happened, you were never the same!" Timeus roared.
"THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I CAN'T STOP!" Erubin exploded, rage and desperation visible in his tone.
Cough!
Erubin fell to his knee, blood slithering down his lips.
"You wish to fight yet look at you, wounded and weak. You're nothing but a burden in such state," Timeus said.
"No! I can fight! I must fight!" Erubin insisted, his groans reverberating in the air as he painstakingly rose to his feet.
Timeus's frown deepened. "She would've never wanted thi—"
"DON'T! Don't mention her name!" Erubin interjected, shutting the general's words down.
"You saw! You were there, you saw how those monsters took everything from me! From you!" Erubin said, tears meandering down his wounded cheeks.
"I KNOW! FOR FUCKS SAKE I KNOW!" Timeus bursted.
The man took deep breaths, swiftly composing himself before continuing.
"I know and that's why I chose to exclude you in battle. Because I know she would've never wanted you to give your life for revenge," Timeus said, his gaze low in shame. Guilt evident in his tone.
Erubin's grip tightened, his blade sinking deeper.
A heavy sigh escaped Timeus's lips. "But I know there's no stopping you."
Erubin jerked his head up, his eyes wide and his mouth agape.
"Rest, we'll continue our discussion tommorow," Timeus said before storming off, each step as heavy as the first.
Erubin slowly brought his arm to his chest, gently caressing a golden locker hanging on his chest.
"Just a little longer... Just a little more."