Chapter 457: Worthy Adversaries (1/2)
Ilea was sure an hour or two had passed already. She would have to leave soon to join her resistance training. The only reason she even considered it was because the date was set. If she was too late or didn’t show up, tomorrow there would be fewer people. Fewer potential skills and levels.
The Specters however, would remain down here.
She wondered if they could kill her. If she remained motionless or trapped. Their destructive power, swords and magic against her regeneration.
Her body would regenerate as long as she had mana and the creatures continued to provide it. Stick a sword into my brain, maybe two. Then I can’t regenerate it. Secure the head and just keep going until I have no more mana. If that isn’t possible, you can’t kill me.
She went through the steps she herself would employ if her opponent had the same abilities as herself. Avoiding magic was a large part of potential success. Or magic as overwhelming as the Ascended had possessed.
Teleporting me away might be an option too. I doubt meddling with my mind is an option, considering Sentinel Reconstruction and my resistance to that magic type. Another option would be to trap me indefinitely. Bind or seal me away.
She didn’t like that thought at all. If she went out, she would want to go out and not be trapped for a thousand years. Hmm… well with meditation it might not even be that bad.
The attacks kept coming and by now she had a good idea about their speed, range and magic. Even if they manipulated their blades with the help of blood magic.
Her Heart of Cinder had been charging for a while now. Longer even than in the core of the Descent. She chose one of the Specters at random and blinked in.
She dodged the blades and punched, all her limbs smashing into the creature. She ignored the blades cutting into her back and the blood magic ripping through her body.
Reversed healing mana flowed into the one Specter as her attacks kept going, culminating in the release of the stored energy.
The blast sent back the blades still stuck in her body, burning through the skin and muscle of the Specter she had chosen.
The others moved in again as she smashed down one last time, fire surging from hundreds of thin orange red veins where Storm of Cinders had accumulated.
A ding resounded in her mind and she blinked out, just as three blades got close to her once more.
Three more blinks brought her out of the cavern and another five farther up through the dungeon.
Ilea stopped and turned around, crossing her arms as she steadied her breathing. Her mana was at half, despite the constant blood magic attacks. It would regenerate.
If they follow, I’ll have to kill them all.
She waited. A minute. Two. Five.
When twenty minutes had passed, her focus finally changed and she let out the air she was holding in her lungs.
They wouldn’t come.
Defending their cave. Or they’re the boss of the dungeon. Seems pretty ridiculous considering how weak the Abominations were before.
She checked the kill message and frowned.
‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Specter of Rot – lvl 621]’
Holy fuck they’re strong for that level.
Ilea slowly flew backwards through the tunnels, once more following the traces of ice and earth magic. She could clearly feel the mark moving farther and farther away. It remained stationary and quickly waned in intensity.
They’re as tough as Praetorians with their shields but have faster regeneration. Plus their movements are multiple times as quick. What a find… what a night!
She flew back with the occasional twirl and bob, giggling through the dark tunnels like the madwoman some thought she was.
Turns out the dungeons here are very much dangerous and interesting. If you just dig deep enough.
The rest of her notifications didn’t let down either.
‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 347 – Five stat points awarded’
‘ding’ ‘The Azarinth Sentinel reaches lvl 348 – Five stat points awarded’
‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 347 – Five stat points awarded’
‘ding’ ‘Kin of Ash reaches lvl 348 – Five stat points awarded’
Ah fuck, can’t kill another one or I’ll reach three fifty.
She wondered if she shouldn’t just get it over with already. On the other hand, she could gain a few more achievements beforehand.
Her skill advancements from the dangerous battle didn’t let down either.
‘ding’ ‘Absolute Destruction reaches 3rd lvl 23’
‘ding’ ‘Blink reaches 3rd lvl 21’
‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Sphere reaches 3rd lvl 14’
‘ding’ ‘Sentinel Core reaches 3rd lvl 24’
‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Fighting reaches 3rd lvl 27’
‘ding’ ‘Azarinth Perception reaches 3rd lvl 13’
‘ding’ ‘Armor of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 29’
‘ding’ ‘Aspect of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 26’
‘ding’ ‘True Ash Creation reaches 3rd lvl 24’
‘ding’ ‘Heart of Cinder reaches 3rd lvl 17’
‘ding’ ‘Storm of Cinders reaches 3rd lvl 17’
‘ding’ ‘Ash and Ember Unity reaches 3rd lvl 22’
‘ding’ ‘Ashen Wings reaches 3rd lvl 15’
‘ding’ ‘Eyes of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 8’
‘ding’ ‘Avatar of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 21’
‘ding’ ‘Keeper of Ash reaches 3rd lvl 23’
‘ding’ ‘Deviant of Humanity reaches lvl 2’
‘ding’ ‘Meditation reaches 3rd lvl 4’
‘ding’ ‘Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 5’
‘ding’ ‘Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 18’
‘ding’ ‘Blood Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 17’
‘ding’ ‘Bone Magic Resistance reaches lvl 5’
…
‘ding’ ‘You have learned the General skill: Rot Resistance – lvl 1
Rot Resistance – lvl 1
W
Hmm… maybe just a few more exciting nights with my new Specter friends. I have a source now for levels, class skill levels and resistances.
Ilea wondered if it even made sense to explore the other dungeons on her map. For training purposes, I’ll have to. Especially the ones close by.
It wasn’t just about her own resistances but about her students as well. They were progressing fast, even after a couple of days. She saw little reason for it to slow down considerably any time soon. Some combat experiences would help them get the right classes. Perhaps something a little less support oriented.
She herself had only one true healing skill and it was easily enough to take care of herself and everyone around her. A full support healer with a second class to reinforce such effects could maybe heal half a town’s worth of people in instants but that wasn’t exactly needed most of the time.
The question was also apparent of how to actually get someone to the required level. Questions over questions. Can’t say I’m not living an exciting life at least, she thought and grinned, her wings retracting as she reached the upper part of the dungeon and with it the exit.
The suns weren’t out yet but her flight would take some time as well. Not hours anymore, thanks to her third tier wings but enough to endanger her extended breakfast. Definitely her second breakfast.