15 Day 71 - 75 (1/2)
- Day 71
We started moving at night. Silently, we arrived near the human army's encampment. Putting together both my blood clones' information and Rou's, we've surmised that they have around 800 men, though the current target was just a platoon. Normally, a group such as ours wouldn't be able to contest with them in a head to head fight, which is why we aren't doing that, instead opting to ambush them during the dead of the night.
When we finally arrived in our correct positions, we found that they had erected a fire barrier to keep themselves safe. Fortunately for us, the barrier doesn't require constant management. In other words it's on automatic. A big wall of fire just waiting for someone with the {Fire Manipulation} skill to come along and roast those that think themselves safe. I equip my {Living Magma Armour} while holding both of my hands out in front of me.
Using every Mana Manipulation and Fire Manipulation skill at my disposal, I begin to alter the flow of the flames. After a large amount of effort, I'm able to slowly close barrier in on the soldiers, burning them alive. When Sei alerts us to the mages inside starting to release the barrier, everyone charges.
A large majority of the humans forces have either been burnt alive or squashed under the weight of Parabellum's onslaught. This was stopped when a small group of elites, led by a female knight, begin pushing back against the skeletons and zombies that Rou had sent in.
This is where I got to shine once again, sending in my pair of {Bone Goliaths} to charge in and wreak havoc. The group put up quite a valiant fight and even managed to take down one of the {Bone Goliaths}. Their moment of valour and cheer was cut short by an impending sense of dread when Rou let out a roar, gaining their attention as my army of clay and Rock golems charged them from every other side.
I lost many good golems in this battle that'll take days to rebuild, but the end result was worth it. The others have been exhausted and injured by the golems and other members of Parabellum. Mi has used her {Charm} skill to turn some of the human soldiers against the others and Sato manipulates the countless amount of blood on the battlefield to annihilate her foes.
By the end of the battle between Rou and the female knight, she manages to make contact once, though dealing no damage. Seeing this as a chance, the mage attempts to use a high level spell. Unfortunately for him, Sigul had something to say about that, dashing in and removing both of his hands with a swing of her guan dao. His spell was still launched though, and the silver flame dragon soared towards Rou and the female knight. Rou held the woman tight and turned his back to the attack, either willing to take the hit or perhaps he had something up his sleeve.
Either way, I figured that this was as good a time as any to repay him for trying to kill him over a misunderstanding and leapt in front of them. With {Flame Manipulation} {Heat Resistance} {Magic Resistance} {Fire Resistance} {Goliaths Resilience} {Goliaths Endurance} and finally, {Counter Magic}, I was able to take on return the full force of the attack towards him, destroying him.
I turned to face Rou and asked him if we were all good now. He simply replied by saying that we already were. I laughed at his comment before feasting on the souls of the dead.
Abilities Learned: {Brave Heart} {Tripping} {Militant Control} {Blacksmithing} {High Evasion} {Grand Rolling Slice} {Cross Cut} {Heavy Breathing} {Light Breathing} {One Sided Justice} {Pure Faith} {Ignorant Acolyte} {Chain Soul} {Speed Reading} {Job: Commander} {Job: Heavy Swordsman} {Job: Minstrel} {Job: Strategist} {Job: Lancer} {Job: Slave} {Job: Farmer} {Job: Monk} {Job: Heavy Warrior} {Job: Light Warrior}.
When we returned to base, the Elf Chief was waiting for us with a few barrels of alcohol and the same elf woman that came to discuss the conditions. She gave me a strange look but I didn't have time to mind it and simply went to restore some of my lost forces. Seriously, Rou thinks that just because they aren't alive that they can be remade quickly and easily. Humph, obviously Rou has never created a Golem before.
Today's results:
Golems: 36 Clay Golems
Synthesis: {Light Breathing} + {Heavy Breathing} = {Controlled Breathing}
- Day 72
We received information today that the humans were planning a pincer attack from all sides against the elves and so, we were to lay traps for them. I got one of the good jobs and ended up going to ambush one squad by myself. I used {Presence Erasure} to hide myself and laid my trap. Once I was done, I hid nearby to watch it all unfold and interfere if necessary.
After a small wait, a large group of armoured knights led by what seems to be a nobleman comes trotting along the path atop their horses. Right into my trap. The horses begin to shake and buck wildly as the ground itself begins to slowly devour them. This is thanks to the 36 Clay Golems I created last night. I gave them the {Corrosion} and {Metamorphosis} skills and had them lay in wait. A few of the knights managed to escape from the tar-like substance on the road but ended up being pulled back in by tendrils that shot out from the ground.
After I dealt with them, unfortunately unable to obtain any new skills from these trash, I received a communication from Cora in the lake cave. She told me that some human soldiers had come, seeking something unknown to her and stumbled across her. She's holding them back and managed to kill a few but she says that she won't be able to keep it up much longer.
After eating the final soul of the nobleman still in my hand, gaining the {Nobles Aura} skill, I alerted Rou that a friend of mine was being attacked by the human soldiers and that, since I was done dealing with the trash, I was going to help her. He told me it was fine since I had finished up already so I used {Retreat} to ”run away from the large battle in the other direction” and head towards the entrance to the lake cave.
When I arrived, I found the bodies of a few soldiers lying in the lake, dying it red while the remaining soldiers and an older, burly man with a war hammer commanded them. I used {Quick Slash} to take care of 3 out of 7 regular soldiers and activated {Slaughterer} before dealing with the other 4 with ease.
When I looked over to the burly man, I used {Perfect Analysis} on him which revealed him to be {Flynt Darricks: Ardent Seeker}. I know why he's here now. I lift up my amethyst necklace and gesture to him.
[Kei] ”Is this what you want?”
He smiles as his brown hair falls over his face and he lifts his war hammer, pointing it towards me.
[Flynt] ”So you're the Keeper? Huh, I thought you'd look stronger. What? Got a riddle for me?”
[Kei] ”you want a riddle? Fine. Tell me what I am.”
He raises a brow but seems to be playing along with a cocky attitude, though still staying on guard with his weapon at the ready.
[Flynt] ”You're a keeper.”
[Kei] ”close but no. The answer was, I'm a Reaper.”
Using {Greater Equipment Materialisation} I instantly switch out my sword for my scythe and activate {Reapers Spiritual Pressure}. This catches him off guard, enough for me to dash towards him and use {Quick Slash}. Unfortunately, he managed to block but that doesn't mean he took no damage. His weapon was cut in two and the Slash went on to slice open a wound in his chest.
He glared at me with eyes full of pure hatred and, while picking up the sword of one of his fallen comrades, he charged. My response was to use {Fire Manipulation} to burn him, stopping him in his tracks before decapitating him with one more clean slash.
I walked back over to his charred corpse and ate his soul, as well as his subordinates, receiving {Job: Ardent Seeker} {War Hammer Mastery} {Stone Skin} {Commanding Aura} {Ardent Sense} {Slam} {Enhanced Endurance} {Job: Guard} {Job: Noire Soldier} {Job: Con-Artist} {Bribe} {Convince} {Charismatic} {Iron Stomach} {Marking}.
I then rushed over to Cora and checked her for any injuries. She had managed to hold out extremely well for someone with no combat experience but as soon as I started to leave, she tugged on the back of my vest and asked me to stay for the night. I made sure I wasn't needed at the settlement by contacting Rou and after confirming with him, I did as Cora asked.