Chapter 568: Reaping Rewards (1/2)

Chapter 568 Reaping Rewards

“I understand. Then I think it was for the best that you removed its existence. Powerful creatures driven by instinct alone are dangerous to all those who are awakened. The mind must prevail,” Meadow said.

“Can you tell me about four marks in the area then? Would be a quick way to five hundred, and I could get a few more achievements,” she said with a smile.

“No,” Meadow said.

“You’re no fun,” Ilea replied. She realized a few of the Reapers had left, perhaps to get reinforcements. She hoped they would.

“You will get there in your own time and through your own efforts,” it said.

“Now you just sound like the Fae. I think you inter dimensional super creatures are just scared of what I could become,” Ilea said.

“You already killed a four mark. If such concerns would arise, it’s only reasonable. Not that I think that way. I will be able to squash you even if you reach my level. Not that such is possible for a puny human like yourself. You simply lack the brain power,” Meadow said.

Ilea snorted. “That’s why I’m sucking up the Reapers’ mind magic,” she said and tapped her temple.

Meadow was quite for a moment. “That is not how that works.”

“Well explain it to me then, mind magic expert Meadow,” Ilea teased.

“You actually have to eat their brains for yours to grow,” Meadow explained. “Perhaps their eyes too.”

“Aha. Yeah I’ll try that. Gotta let it all rot first, maybe then it actually tastes good,” she said.

“Hmm? Did you receive a new skill?” it asked.

“Rot Resistance in the third tier,” Ilea said.

“Oh? I had thought you’d prioritize other resistances… oh I understand. The four mark used rot magic. Pushed you to advance a defensive skill. That’s quite impressive,” Meadow said.

“Impressive? Didn’t you say I’m not ready to face a four mark?” Ilea asked.

“Offensively, yes. You already proved you could survive against even the Daughters of Sephilon,” it said.

“Against you too,” Ilea said in a dry tone. A mental dry tone.

“Yes, because I do not kill awakened beings. Well done, you just barely qualify as such,” it said.

“Yes yes,” Ilea said and watched as more Reapers joined their collective effort to bring her down.

‘ding’ ‘Mental Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 6’

You’re just making me stronger, she thought with a grin.

“How are the two inadequate enchanters doing? How long has it been anyway? I lost track of time when I fought the four mark,” Ilea said.

“It’s been close to one week, Ilea. And let us please not talk of them… while their progress… for humans, is surely impressive, it’s been challenging,” it said.

“Can’t you just present the solution and be done with it?” Ilea asked.

“A scholar seeks to understand, not to imitate. While you obsess over the power of your fist, these two seek understanding. For that at least, I have to praise them. Neither would I share my secrets with someone who simply wishes to use them for their personal gain,” Meadow said.

“Not like I wanted your tutelage to seek understanding, to be honest,” Ilea said with a smile. “Though in a way I did, I suppose. But the main motivator was more power.”

“Yeah, but you’re different. We’re friends. With friends we can sometimes overlook fundamental flaws in their character,” it said.

“Like being a sack of meat with some blood in it?” Ilea asked.

“For example. Though you underestimate the changes you’ve gone through. Your body is hardly comparable to that of these two humans. And I’m sure the difference is even more striking to a lower leveled individual,” Meadow said.

“Hmm… I suppose you’re right. So maybe I can turn into a Meadow too at some point. We could even try to date,” she said and winked.

“You’re barely a century old. I think I need a more mature specimen,” Meadow said.

“Like the Ice Elemental?” Ilea asked.

“She was one of a kind…,” Meadow mused.

“There’s a Trakarov deep in the Descent,” Ilea said. “He’s pretty hot.”

“Temperature has little impact on these choices,” Meadow said.

Not going to take the bait.

“Also he is sleeping a lot. Just like the Enavurin,” it said.

“You’ve already made contact with both? That’s pretty impressive. What do you think of the Sun Spirit fuckers?” she asked.

“They’re rude. And already threatened to kill me should I come to their domain,” Meadow said. “Absolutely ridiculous.”

“I’ll pay them a visit too at some point,” Ilea said with a smile. “Hey, can you see to the very bottom of the Descent?”

“The Descent being the layered dungeon below? Yes. Though some of it is protected by enchantments. A mediocre space mage has set up defenses. Nothing I couldn’t break into but aggravating an awakened being of such power could be troublesome for the settlement I promised to defend,” it explained.

“The Ascended, yeah. I wouldn’t fuck with things down there. Can you see the building at the bottom? Below the mana collector dome,” she said.

“It’s… well I’m not sure I would categorize it as a building. It’s steel I believe, but molten and without an entrance,” Meadow said.

“What? Can you show me?” Ilea asked.

An image invaded her mind, showing the remains of the palace where she had first met the Ascended. It really was just a glob of steel now, little symmetry remaining. It gave up the dungeon? Or did it try to destroy whatever information was left down there?

Maybe it just kept the facility connected to whatever teleportation and warning network it had because of the mana that sat above the last layer? Now that it’s gone, there’s no reason to keep the facility connected?

The corrupting agent was deemed a failure after all.

“It’s certainly an interesting facility. If you meet the creator, I’d like to have a conversation with them,” Meadow said.

“Sure, if it doesn’t kill me first,” Ilea said.

“I would be impressed with a space mage below my power capable of killing you,” Meadow said.

“It wields blood, steel, and void too,” she said.

“More mana to feed you,” Meadow said and chuckled. “Just like these Blue Reapers. They don’t understand that their efforts only make you stronger.”

“Well yeah, that’s the point. Otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here,” Ilea said.

She felt the load on her mind increase once more, another five Reapers joining the cavern ahead. About twenty were clinging to the tunnel ceiling and walls by now, shooting their lightning at her with decreasing efficiency.

“Do you know why they do that? Are they protecting their home? A Queen perhaps? Or are they just hostile monsters?” she asked.

“Their young reside deeper in the nest. Reproduction and the protection of their offspring is often a high priority for living organisms,” Meadow said. “This specimen is particularly interesting. Their defenses and magical prowess isn’t very impressive but with their linked mind magic, they’re capable of fighting off much stronger predators. Such as yourself.”

“They’re not doing a great job to be honest,” she said.

“I can perceive that. Can you explain why you would attack an otherwise peaceful nest?” Meadow asked.

“They sent some of their members out into what is now your domain. Dark Ones died. And they nearly killed me at some point. Granted I was exploring their tunnels. Just because your presence and my power push them back now doesn’t mean they’re peaceful creatures. They attack immediately. The question is, are they protecting Hallowfort from something more dangerous?” she said.

“You are aware of the varied influence organisms have on others in their region?” Meadow asked.

“We learned about it in school back in my realm, called it ecosystem. Removing these monsters would lead to other monsters maybe spreading out more, or dying out because they don’t have any food anymore,” Ilea said. “Not that I’m overly concerned about all that. I’ve decimated whole dungeons before.”

“Creatures of this power rely more on mana than anything else. I found it’s more about a power balance. But I’m still learning. The sheer variety in both levels, abilities, form, and thoughts is staggering in this realm,” Meadow said.

“I’m glad you like it here,” Ilea said with a smile. “I thought you would.”

Meadow sent happy thoughts. Literally.

“No species that are a thorn in your eye?” Ilea asked.

“Mere thorns would not be able to pierce my skin,” Meadow said.

“It’s a saying. Something that’s an issue for you,” Ilea said.

“Oh. Well. There are so many beings. I’ve yet to learn what drives them all, how much territory they claim as their own, what they fight, kill, and eat. I will let you know when I deem some culling necessary, though only in extreme cases would I suggest such drastic action,” Meadow said.

“I’m surprised you’re even considering it,” Ilea said.

“Most beings are not awakened. And if their chance to reach such state is low to begin with, I would not like to see them kill everything else in the region,” Meadow explained.