Chapter 38 - An Unusual Fight (1/2)
Tempest Cliff.
”Looks like we've got some company,” Aurus said in a soft voice, easily noticing the menacing aura exuded by a being only a few meters away from them. With the variations of the terrain in terms of height every once in a while along Aurus and Herellia's path, fortunately, the being couldn't see them. It was also fortunate that they were able to see the enemy as it was lower than them.
”Identify.” Using the chance they had, Aurus commanded the system to identify the entity in front of them. In an instant, a screen appeared in front of Aurus' field of vision, shocking him in an instant as he couldn't help but mutter, ”Do I have bad luck or insanely good luck?”
Ding!
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[John (Branch Siphonus Fearus (Special))]
Existence Level: Inanimate (X)
Level: 31/40
HP: 9200/9200
SP: 3150/3800
Stats:
[Immunity]: 1683
[Mental Fortitude]: 2215
[Fear Intent]: 1821
Skills:
[Fear Aura — Third Seal], other skills are uncheckable due to the skill [Species Analysis] being low level
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”Holy shit,” Aurus couldn't help but curse at the being in front of them. Out of all the possible grades they could meet, it was an X-grade being. Not only that, it was even a special type of being that didn't follow the Branch Formosus path nor the Sapling path.
”Hey Aurus, I'd suggest you support me from the side on this one. This being gives me the creeps,” Herellia couldn't help but shiver inwardly as she could feel the aura emanating from the being.
Since Aurus knew Herellia's class, he knew what Herellia was going to do. While she was still by his side, he hurriedly commanded the system to identify the skill he got from John through the [Species Analysis] skill.
Ding!
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[Fear Aura — Third Seal]
Grade: S (Mortal)
As a being that gains power by siphoning fear out of the enemies it meets, it gained proficiency in controlling this amassed fear, creating a domain around the being where its properties are boosted. In exchange, a part of its SP is used up every once in a while.
This aura has formed its third layer already, significantly boosting the boost the being gets.
> Boosts the being's stats by 100%
> Gives the SP Depletion debuff to the being
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With him gaining knowledge on the enemy, Aurus gained more confidence in his words as he said to Herellia, ”Herellia, once you get covered by the aura, make sure to always stay on guard. Although it looks weak, it packs a strong punch.”
Taking his words into consideration, Herellia nodded as she gradually floated up in the air, heading towards the being that exuded the aura. Not long after, a red aura that contained intense bloodlust started to cover Herellia, gaining the being's attention.
As for Aurus, he continued to roll a bit more forwards, exchanging his SP for power as a silver flame started to cover his body while a magic circle was conjured inside his Spell Core. With his attention focused on the being, he muttered, ”Let's see how it goes.”
...
”Hm?” The being that suffused a menacing and stifling aura, instantly noticed an aura that didn't lose out to his from the skies. This being's name was John. It was the same being that Aurus identified.
John looked at the body of the branch from the skies and noticed the red engravings wriggling all over its body. At first, he didn't know what they were, but after a while, he grimly laughed as he started to use his SP to prepare a skill. ”I see, this branch is critically injured. I don't mind gifts at all. I'll put it to good use!”
With the name of the skill shouted in his mind, a large cluster of the intangible energy around him, suddenly gathered and formed a half corporeal hand as it exuded a ghastly glow. Not long after, miserable shrieks could be heard coming from the hand as it shot out towards Herellia.