Chapter 1479 (1/2)

Derek Moss scratched his cheek and did his best to phrase his objection delicately. “Aren’t we technically also applicants to the Order Ducis?”

Naffur just shrugged, summarily vanquishing Derek’s concern. Although the leader of the Order Ducis’s reassuringly solid aura helped mask his age, sometimes it was impossible to hide how youthful his features were. Standing now, away from the rest of the Order Ducis applicants that milled around the training area, Naffur dropped most of the official, stern expression that he generally carried and spoke candidly. “Technically, you are right. But two of the slots in the next batch are reserved for you and Hydie. So we figured you would have extra insight to help choose the other five people who would join. Congratulations.”

“Lucky us,” Hydie grumbled. Then she stifled a yawn and capped the gesture by chugging the rest of her coffee. They were standing in one of the staging bays of Kharon as the city walked steadily South. The sun hadn’t yet risen, so the air still had the grainy texture of twilight as it filtered through the open passage out into the world.

Rather than taking offense at Hydie’s comment, Naffur just grinned. His whole face lit up with the useful charm that meant he would likely lead the Order Ducis for a long time. “Yea, well, blame yourselves for being too efficient at your tasks. If you keep doing the things we ask we are going to keep coming up with jobs for you. There are thirty people who persevered to this point among the applicants, although you’ll notice that there is a pretty clear hierarchy amongst them. Just take the group and clear out some of the denser monster populations in the area. The Levels are in the high 60s around here, so you should be able to get a good picture of their actual strength.”

“If I may?” Hydie raised her hand. She had a little bit of coffee sticking to her upper lip. Naffur blinked but nodded. Hydie pointed over at Derek. “I assure you that he is the one who is responsible for our efficiency. If anything, I’ve routinely encumbered our activities. So I think it’s for the best that I sit this one out, lest the process be negatively affected.”

“No.” Naffur responded. Then with a sly grin, he walked away.

I guess that’s that, Derek thought wryly.

Derek walked over and patted Hydie’s shoulder. “Keep trying. Someday you’ll be as good at avoiding work as you want to be. Why do you want to skip out on this one anyway? After patrolling through Kharon for so long, it will be good to get out and just hunt some monsters. Plus, you can try out your new image on some targets you won’t feel much pity for.”

“Yea, yea.” Hydie waved her hand then quickly pulled it back to her chest. Immediately after, she sighed. “It’s just… well, I haven’t… this is embarrassing to admit. But it’s been a while since I’ve… painted my nails. I set out all my bottles for ease of selection, so I don’t have any in my interspatial ring. And my fingers look ragged right now; I was in too much of a hurry this morning!”

Derek turned away and shook his head. “Well, seems like we are ready to depart then…”

Hydie huffed out a breath.

*****

Once Randidly discovered and refined the image of a burning ember of a planet as the core of the Grim Chimera’s image, his attention moved on to another Skill: Molten Fang of the Pariah.

Congratulations! Your Skill Molten Fang of the Pariah (L) has grown to Level 241!

That heat source was exactly what Randidly needed to boost the raw destructive might of the Skill. With the average temperature across his body rising about thirty degrees with the shift in his image, his right arm was practically glowing with heat as the new notes were added to the Skill. But it wasn’t just the heat that made the attack powerful; since the source of the flame was a dying world, there was a horrible caustic quality to the fire in the Grim Chimera’s chest. It struck both the wielder and target, but the Grim Chimera had spent its entire existence accepting that horrible energy source.

It was a flame that released the acrid tang of ashes and sweat. The radiating illumination gradually tainted the Grim Chimera, darkening and warping it to its current form.

Gradually, Randidly’s thoughts on how the Grim Chimera grew so twisted were solidified. The details of the images, while still remaining weak, grew clearer. In his mind; that ambiguous cloudiness was banished. But with that clarity came some rigidity. So Randidly threw himself with even more dedication into the spars against Kaan Swacc. He pushed his limits without restraint.

Congratulations! Your Skill Molten Fang of the Pariah (L) has grown to Level 242!