Chapter 194: What Lives In Your Dreams (1/2)
”{This is a terrible idea,}” Higure grumbled as Rakna looked past a corner of the labyrinth.
'You think? I think it's a brilliant idea,' he quipped back and crouched next to a magic formation filled with runes and layers which he had spent nearly twenty minutes drawing with a self-refilling marker from his gear.
The ink was in fact liquid diluted Eion, which was even better for drawing runes and circles thanks to its energetic nature. ”35, 36, 38. This should be enough,” he muttered after counting the number of superimposed magic formations he had made.
”{Well… theoretically. But that monster has a much higher level. There is no guarantee it will work even with how powerful 'that' is. Seriously, could you please not?}” Higure tried to dissuade him once again. ”{Think about it! If you die here, you won't be able to mate with me!}”
'Of course… and I am sure it will be my biggest regret,' Rakna retorted sarcastically and used half of his mana to summon low-level wolves. More than a hundred of them emerged from the walls and floor and ran off into the deeper levels of the labyrinth.
Rakna followed after them for a few meters before going to the right where there was a path that led to a dead-end. He hid there and drew another magic circle that would serve as the connection to the main formation and supply the mana.
The plan was simple, lure the Guardian to the magic formation, activate it, and sneak up behind it while it was defenseless.
”{Please don't tell me you expect to kill him in one blow.}”
'Of course not. I could try and use Skulk Life Down or the Spade Cards but there is something I've noticed about the creature that makes it uncertain.'
”{Which is?}”
'Regeneration. I couldn't see much with Appraisal, but if you look at its body, there are some parts of its fur that were either cut or somehow destroyed.'
”{And?}”
'But the flesh had no scar, dimwit. Not even a single trace. And not just below its fur, everywhere else, not a single visible trace of injury or scar. It might just be because of its high attributes but I don't believe that no one among the Hosts who got in here was able to injure it even a bit.'
”{Well… I guess it's a valid doubt.}”
'Furthermore, the Spade Cards are powerful but I can somewhat predict that they won't be able to do much to it due to the level difference. Then there's Sonata's perk that supposedly ignores defense and interferences. It is too broad, and therefore vague. Also, anything that does not specify it, has to be assumed susceptible to level gaps.'
”{All right… you have thought this out surprisingly well. But it doesn't really reassure me since all you have done for now is tell me how impossible it is.}”
'Really? You should be the first one to know my plan.'
”{Huh?}”
'What about you, Alexa? Did you figure it out?'
[Affirmative… I am 80% sure of your strategy's specifics. Moreover, by my calculation, it has about a 74% chance of succeeding. Caution is advised.]
”{Eh?}”
'Thanks.'
”{Wait, what? Hey, tell me what the plan is already!}”
'Shush. I need to focus now,' Rakna cut her off and took off his mask. He started smoking a cigarette in preparation for the Guardian's intimidating aura and closed his eyes.
”[Crystals of Frost Abide the Star's Wrath,]” he started chanting quietly and the first of his wolves made contact with the target.
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▅▃▃▃▅▃▃▁▂▃▅▅▅▂▃▂▁▃▅▃▂▂▅▃▂!!
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It was promptly killed and the monster proceeded to attack the next wolf. The manner Rakna had ordered them to lure it was a 'bread crumb tactic'. The wolves were not grouped, but one behind another. They were close enough so that they always could be spotted from any position, which effectively made the Guardian attack them in succession.
'As expected, that thing is not very bright. Makes it even easier,' Rakna thought.
”[Ought Rime Rip Bones and Flesh,]” he continued his Cōl Lāli whilst transforming into a werewolf and with Allegro automatically disappearing and altering itself so it wouldn't be physically notable or cumbersome in the concealed state.
”[In a Fireless Firmament, Shall the Star Blister and Flicker.]”
”[In a Lifeless Perdition, the Wolf Growls and Howls.]”
At the same time, Rakna infusing into the auxiliary circle he had drawn at his feet. The mana took physical form around his hand and dimmed greatly in color.
”[In Between The Heights and Depths.]”
”[Lies the Slumbering Mayhem of-]”
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▅▃▃▃▅▃▃▁▂▃▅▅▅▂▃▂▁▃▅▃▂▂▅▃▂!!!
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Rakna gritted his teeth as the roar sounded much closer. It even made the labyrinth quake.
”[-the Devourer.]”
”[Bathing in Blood and Rattling Death.]”
”[Mocking Fairness and Gorging Hearts.]”
The stomps accelerated and several more wolves died. Then, the Guardian ran past the path where he was hiding and headed to the magic formation on which stood the last wolf. When it got to it, it promptly bit off the lupine's head without minding the formation at all.
”[The One, They Offer Harvest.]”
Rakna completed the incantation and sent nearly the entirety of his mana into the runic circle. The 38 layers were activated at once and the Guardian looked down with a growl. But it was far too late for it to do anything.
The formation was essentially inscribed with two spells. However, at the time of the casting, they unexpectedly fused into one and filled the labyrinth with a black and cold mist. Its epicenter was incredibly dense and the Guardian breathed it in without thinking.
The creature immediately began to sway as if it was disoriented and after a few seconds, it made a muffled noise before falling on the ground; asleep.
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❮ ◈ ❯
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You have combined two elements!
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Congratulations! You have achieved Union Magic!
Union Magic is known as the apex of magic formation creation. It combines spells and elements in very intricate manners that can rarely be actualized.
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You have learned a new Union Element; Frosted Sloth!
You have learned a Frosted Sloth spell; Niflhel Niflheim!
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