Chapter 18
[Status Screen]
[Mushroom]
[Skills:]
<> [Unknown]
<> Unknown
<> Unknown
<> [Unknown]
<> Unknown
<> Unknown
<> [Unknown]
<> Unknown
<> Unknown
[Description:]
<> "Just a normal looking mushroom, why not take a bite? I promise about the taste not the aftereffect"
"Is this the mushroom your are talking about?"
"Yes, I mostly took all the others around it but...."
I then looked around the area where the said odd mushroom I left behind, and noticed all the mushroom I have picked 2 days ago was now grown.
[Status Screen]
[Poisonous Red Shroom]
[Skills:]
[Status Screen]
[Blue Wish Death Shroom]
[Skills:]
[Status Screen]
[Vendredi Noir]
[Skills:]
[Status Screen]
[Shi no Utsukushi-sa]
[Skills:]
"But I think they already grown back"
Lucrane then stared at the mushroom as she looked at it, discerning it
"Well, find anything?"
She then stood up and summoned [Tale of Knowledge] from her [Storage Ring]. Right after, she then flip it open.
"..."
"....."
She was silently staring at that book while I quietly, and patiently waiting for her. She then closed it and looked at me
"So, find anything?"
She then nodded and smiled as she stored the [Tale of Knowledge] back to her ring, and tap my chest with her right hand
"We just hit the jackpot, silly"
"..... Jackpot?"
While I was baffled to her words, she then gestured me to look at the mushroom. Following her, I then gaze at the odd mushroom back and looked at its [Status Screen], and
".... Oh my holy ghost"
And was completely shut down as how surprise I was, seeing the status of this mushroom is.
[Status Screen]
[Shinka-shin Kinoko] (Japanese translation for Evolution God Mushroom)
[Skills:]
<> [Divine Blessing of Evolution]
<> A gift from the God to those who seek progress and development. [Mastery: <><>/ <><> (maxed)]
<> Monster will undergo [Shinka] upon intake, and have an upgrade boost in their evolution. Non-monster will receive 2 new classes - 1 if they already receive a class and a chance to change the class they already have.
<> [Blossom of Blessing]
<> Fate is derived to those who are gifted. Blessing is given to those who are chosen. Trials are taken to those who are willing. [Mastery: <><> /<><> (maxed)]
<> Additional 50% luck to those who intake this mushroom. [Flaw: additional 15% misfortune]
<> [Wither of Misfortune]
<> Fate is derived to those who are gifted. Blessing is given to those who are chosen. Trials are taken to those who are willing. [Mastery: <><> /<><> (maxed)]
<> 50% deduction in luck to those who intake this mushroom. [Flaw: additional 15% luck]
[Description:]
<> A God's blessings from the [Heavens], why not take it?
"... A divine mushroom? What a jackpot"
"Isn't it?"
Staring at it with awed, I then suddenly thought
".... What do we do with it then?"
I then glanced at Lucrane and added
"Should we eat it?"
Asking that, Lucrane then went on a deep thought. A few moment of silence, she then looked at me and stated
"This will be a good opportunity for us so we shouldn't waste it"
Overjoyed, I then summoned my [Mythril Knight Sword]. Holding the [Shinka-shin Kinoko] at its stalk, I then placed the blade of my sword next to it. As iw as about to cut it, I then halted
"What's wrong?"
Lucrane asked as she saw me hesitating to cut the mushroom off. Haring her words, I then distance the blade from the mushroom and looked at her, and asked
"Should I cut from the stalk, or dug from beneath?"
"... What?"
"I'm asking which is much better to take this mushroom that is blessed by the Gods, whether if I should cut it from the stalk, or dug it underneath, which is much better?"
"...."
Stating at me as she then realized what I was trying to say, she then summoned her book back and flip it open. Reading it, she then spoke
"It said here that it is much better to take it whole as even its roots is useful too"
She then closed the book and looked at me
"There won't be any changes if we cut it from the stalk, but it is much preferable to take it whole"
"I'm glad I ask then"
Right after that, I then summoned an iron sword after I stored back my Mythril one, I then gently took hold of the mushroom's top and dug its side using the sword's blade like a shovel.
Swomp Swomp
After I have scooped all the dirt at the side of the mushroom, I then used my own hand right after I stored back the sword, and gently scooped the mushroom out from the soil.
Swhoop
After I have dug it out, I then cleaned its bottom as I brush the soil remnants in the mushroom's roots. After all the dirt was out and it was cleaned - mostly - I then showed it to Lucrane.
Staring at the mushroom in my hand, I just then noticed that except for how this thing looks like a jewel, it is pretty much a simple looking mushroom and nothing more. With that said, another question then pops out from my head. Looking back at Lucrane, I then ask
"Hey"
"Hmmm?"
"How do we eat this?"
I inquiry as I raised the mushroom up - just the same height as my cheeks
"... Huh?"
Lucrane was baffled as I said that, so I then added
"I mean, do we need to chop this in half or in pieces for the blessing for work? Or eat this whole for it to be effective?"
"..."
Staring at me in silence, she then made a 'good grief' expression as she summoned her [Tale of Knowledge] out from her [Storage Ring] and flipped it open.
"So, found any?"
"It is said here that we can just cut as many pieces we wanted from the mushroom itself, any sizes will do as the blessing's effect will still be effective and won't diminish. But if we cut it from the stalk, not dug it whole, then we needed to cut it into 1 inches bite size for the effect of the blessing to work"
Slap
As she closed her notebook, she then added as she stored it back
"And we need to eat it raw, as the potent of the blessing will much more effective if it is eaten raw than cooked. So with that, let us go back to our camp before we continue exploring the 2nd floor"
Nodding to her words, we then moved back to the [Transmission Point].
After what happened to the 1st floor in the 2nd day after Lucrane got back from her journey to sell all our goods and to buy some products or materials from there, she then made a contract, forcefully made a contract, with the {Gray Wolves'} alpha.
Right after the contract
"From here on out, I'll be your master"
She said as she then moved closer to that {Wolf} and glared at it like a demon. The poor pup shivered as it showed her gleaming eyes.
Right after that, Lucrane then told the alpha to order its pack to divide themselves into 2 groups. The 1st group will be left in the 1st floor while the 2nd group will be transferred to the 2nd floor. Hearing her command, the alpha then moved and called out all his pack as it howled loudly in the sky.
All the {Gray Wolves} then rushed to where their alpha is and lined up, orderly. Seeing them like reminds me of the police or soldiers in an army.
There is 66 {Gray Wolves} in the 1st floor of our tower, excluding the alpha of the pack. 60 males and 6 females.
¦|<><>××[]<><[{How?}]><>[]××<><>|¦
20 {Wolves} will be summoned every week with 2 female ones as a bonus. After 1 month and a half (6 weeks and 3 days), the summing of the {Gray Solves} will stopped, and no more will be added right after.
20 x 3 (as it is been 24 days, so 3 weeks and 3 days) = 60 male {Gray Wolves}
2 x 3 = 6 female {Gray Wolves}
1 {Gray Wolf Alpha} (named)
In total = 67 {Gray Wolves} in the 1st floor of the [Havre de sécurité]
¦|<><>××[]<><[{Expected after a month and a half}]><>[]××<><>|¦
20 x 6 = 120 male {Gray Wolves}
2 x 6 = 12 female {Gray Wolves}
1 {Gray Wolf Alpha} (named)
In total = 133 {Gray Wolves}
¦|<><>××[]<><[{××××××}]><>[]××<><>|¦
After dividing the pack into 2 groups with 33 members each, Lucrane then sent the 2nd group towards the 2nd floor without their alpha, while the 1st group was then left on the 1st floor with their alpha. Lucrane said that in this way, we could see how they hunt as a pack without their leader, and with their leader. Basically, this will give us the information on how the usual monster in this tower move.
To move the {Gray Wolves} towards the 2nd floor, Lucrane keep sending up 8 {Gray Wolves} up. In such method, we were able to send all 33 of them in the 2nd floor.
After that, Iratus - is what we will call the alpha from now on - then came down with us to the ground floor, back to our camp, as we needed to see if Yoichi is doing okay.
After we got back in the 2nd floor, we then headed straight to the camp and checked Yoichi's condition. As we got there, he was still sleeping peacefully so we didn't bother him too much and leave him. Lucrane and I then decided on checking the 2nd floor the next day as it was almost evening.
The next day, we then started heading towards the 2nd floor to check the area and also to let Lucrane see that mysterious, looking mushroom I found in the 2nd floor. Following the make in made in the tree and also the trim part of the plant I slashed to help us point our way towards the mushroom, we then got there in no time.
....
As we gone down to the ground floor, we left Iratus at the 2nd floor for a bit. As we arrived at our camp, we then made our way towards Yoichi. As we got beside him, I then worriedly asked Lucrane to what we are going to do
"Is this really safe? Shouldn't we just wait until he wakes up before we feed him this mushroom? His still in the process of evolution you know"
As I voice out my complain. Lucrane then shook her head and replied
"This is why we are exactly doing it"
"What?"
Puzzled to her words, Lucrane then gaze at Yoichi as she continued
"While he is still at the process of [Shinka], we will feed him this divine bleesed mushroom to boost his evolution, or further enhance the species he is going to evolve with. So, that by the time he evolves into a new species, he will receive an incredible boost on his physique or potential than the other monster with the same species as him"
Not really feeling relieved to her words, I then just sigh as I look at Yoichi and said
"Well, let us just do it"
As I said that, Lucrane then summoned a dagger from her [Ring of Equipment] and that divine mushroom. She then kneel down beside Yoichi and cut a small piece of the mushroom. She stored the dagger back, before she took the cut piece if the mushroom and slowly feed it to the sleeping Yoichi.
The piece Lucrane took from the mushroom is at the size where Yoichi could easily swallow even if he was laying on the bed.
Gulp
Unconsciously, Yoichi then swallowed the said mushroom on his mouth and after that, nothing happens
".... I was expecting something out of this world right after that, like where Yoichi is floating with some white lights emitting from his body"
"You are expecting way too much"
"Can I not? The said mushroom was blessed by the Gods themselves"
"You just need to wait, right after Yoichi successfully evolve to a much higher species, we will then see the effect of this mushroom"
"I see, well, we will just wait and see the"
Saying that, the two of us then went outside the camp. Lucrane holding the mushroom on her left hand, she then summoned her dagger again and started slicing the mushroom. She cut it into smaller bit sizes, maybe almost an inch or smaller one. After she have done cutting two slices and place them in her left palm, she then return then dagger back to her ring and offered the sliced mushroom.
Sighing as I took a deep breath, I then took the sliced piece of mushroom from Lucrane. Holding it between my thumb and index finger, my heart then thump in a crazy paste.
'Man, this is so nerve-wracking'
Can't blame me for it, this is a mushroom that is blessed by the Gods themselves. Trying to relax my breathing, I then took another deep breath before I shove the silce piece inside my mouth.
Gulp
Gulping it down in one go as the said piece has the same size of a gummy bear sweets.
"....."
Waiting for something to happen, I then felt a bit relieved and somewhat disappointed that they weren't any those things every protagonists felt when they were being gifted by the Gods
'What a shame'
"Let us go then"
Turning my head to Lucrane, I then nodded.
...
"So there is really a temple in here ha, how interesting"
Leaving her comment aside, we then proceed forward. After we decided to head back to the 2nd floor, I then guided lucrane along with Iratus towards the temple I found in the 2nd floor. We then transverse the quiet forest.
As we arrived there, Lucrane was completely taken aback when she saw it, even Iratus was shocked too.
As we moved closer towards the temple, Iratus was curiously gazing around the area whole Lucrane was observingly surveying the vicinity.
"This place is vast and old"
She said
"Last time I wasn't able to actually inspect how wide this place so I don't know how vast this place could be. The structure of this place is quite old seeing how much of paint, if this was ever painted, is fading as time passes by"
"You said there is a huge maze below the temple"
"After we climb this stair up, we will be seeing it right after"
Swoosh Woosh
Only the wind blows and the swaying of the grasses are the only thing we could hear as we cross the field.
"I think, placing the summoning circle for {Goblins} in this area will be a good idea, seeing how big this place is"
Suprise as I was bewildered to her words, I then asked her
"Are you going to transfer the [Goblin's Summoning Circle] from the 1st floor to here?"
"No, once you place the said summoning circle to the place you have chosen, you can't change it even how much tower the grown, it will permanently stay there"
Frowning
"Then, how do you place a summoning circle for {Goblins} in here then? I thought we only receive 1 summoning circle, and that is the {Nero Rabbits}, so how?"
Lucrane then looked at me astound. Thinking as she looked at me, she then realized something and spoke
"I see, I will explain it to you then. Every tower starts at level 0, which is the ground floor. You won't be receiving any monsters during that time nor any other equipments, so you need to bring some goods or materials outside the tower to be introduced so it will level up, the purpose of it is to let the managers be independent on their own and not so dependent towards the tower"
"After reaching level 1, which required for the manager to grow at least a handful amount of crops, completed all the task in the tower which are chopping some trees and firewoods, catching some fishes, and tending the crops also harvesting them, the tower then will receive additional floor, 1 summoning circle for a monster, then you will be visited by a {Goblin Merchant Trader}. Reaching level 2 needed a co-worker, or an additional manager to manage the tower, and after the requirements was completed, you will receive 1 additional [Monster Summoning Circle], 1 [Farm Monster Summoning Circle] like what happened right after we reached level 2"
"We did also received some armors and equipment, 2 farm structures that will aid us in our farm, but there were no new floors added right after, why?"
Lucrane then replied to my question
"Neither do I know the reason for it, some tower when they reached a certain level, like ours when we reached level 2, they won't be obtaining any new floors to their tower but rather some other new things, or just an increased number to the things they have owned"
"I see"
"So further explain, when your tower leveled up, you will be receiving 2 additional summoning circle for the monsters you have summoned in this tower, so after we have reached level 3, we have obtained 2 additional [Goblin Summoning Circle], and 2 [Gray Wolf Summoning Circle]. So with that in hand, I was thinking of using this temple as the base of the {Goblins}, as for the others, I am still thinking where to put them"
"I get the picture but"
"But?"
"But if we did receive additional summoning circle for the {Gray Wolves}, then why divide them then? We can just place another summoning circle here in the 2nd floor than dividing them"
"I would like to ask the same question, why?"
And this time, Iratus then joined the conversation. Truly taken by surprise I stared at him for some time before I turn my gaze back at Lucrane. Iratus can't harm me nor Lucrane as he became the slave of Lucrane, so any bad intentions from him will bring no result if he dared to do it.
"Like I said, that decision is to properly observed how monsters in this twoer hunt on their own. Those {Wolves} that is under Iratus command already develop a certain communicative and coordinative contact with each other, so by splitting them from him and instead will cooperate with new {Gray Wolves}, we will see how much progress could they make just by their own. Take an example on how children must be independent unto themselves when they grow as none could be your trustworthy ally than your own"
"Now I get it"
"And also, every time a tower leveled up, all the floors except for the ground floor will be expanded to adapt to the changes happened inside the tower, and this also benefits the monsters inside the tower so they could broaden their senses in survival and hunting"
"Never knew such elaborate layout was placed in this tower"
"Isn't it. So without further ado, let us continue"
After hearing her words, we then continue moving forward.
As we reached the staircase that lead us to the temple, we then started climbing it up
"Be vigilant, there should be no monsters in here, but traps could still be active inside this thing, so be on your guard and be careful where you step in"
"Got it"
The staircase, the entryway towards the temple took 800 steps, 400 each as there are 2 floors at each steps. And as we pass the 2nd floor of the passageway
"!?"
I then suddenly something amiss, but I can't pinpoint which part was.
"A barrier"
I then turn my head towards Lucrane who seem to notice it much better than I do
"A barrier?"
"Yes, a strong one at that. It separates something in this tower and hid it"
"Can you break it?"
"If I could find where the [Incantation Mark] is, maybe I could"
"[Incantation Mark]?"
"It's either an object, a place, or any living being used to place the barrier, curses, or any spells casted or to be casted. [Incantation Mark] is like the pillar of a house, without it, the said spell won't be activated"
"So what you used during the time we are being chased by those freaky womens is an [Incantation Mark]?"
"They are the same and also different"
"Wow, amazing, I don't get it"
Sigh
"[Incantation Mark] is permanently placed on the same spot, and if it was moved or accidentally taken out, the said spell will be gone. While the one I have used can be moved if I either wanted to expand my spell or not, the only thing that would break my spell is if they are forcibly broken"
After she said that, I then tried looking behind me as I surveying the area. Finding nothing, I then turn my head back and we continued moving forward. The top of the staircase or its peak is completely vast. The said area is thoroughly covered in moss, growing grasses or weeds, there is also some water puddle that scattered around the area.
'So it rained here yesterday'
The water puddles in the area are differentiated in their sizes as some were bigger than the others, and the biggest one that totally made a medium size pond was near the entrance of the temple ground.
The said entrance has the same design as the one I saw at the temple which is above the massive maze.
"... Should we just cross it? I think it is not that deep"
Lucrane then nodded while Iratus was just saying silent. Confirming that none disagree, we then crossed the watery path.
After we have crossed the medium size water puddle, where I did it by own bare legs, while this barbarous woman used her authority to abused her power, and use Iratus as a carriage. While she sat there looking like a princess as she crossed her legs and looked down on me, I just stared at her and wishing that Iratus will slip up and let her fall down, face first. And after that, we then reached the vast looking maze that I have seen when I first saw this structure.
The wall of the maze is much taller than Iratus, maybe twice the size of him or maybe thrice, the said wall was overwhelming in size. Looking closely at it, I then touch the said wall and felt that it was still completely wet. The wall is filled with green moss and some vines wrapping or hanging around it, and even how much times passes by, it still sturdy even though some parts have some holes in it.
There is also some lushes or brim of grasses sprouted around the area, and some part of the ground in this vast maze are either filled with holes or covered with water puddle. Some of the stone ground was even filled with some piled sands, and some part was covered with small stones.
"Heimdallus, visionem meam dirigens Deus, directionem oro"
"[Eyes of Perception]"
"Let us go then"
I then nodded to her words and started following her as we crossed this vast maze.
Looking around the area as we explore this huge maze, it made me truly felt suffocating and nerve-wracking as it this place is filled with breathtaking and anxious adventure.
'Placing some monsters here will bloom this area even more'
I thoughtly said. This maze already bought forth the essence of mystery, thrill, and adventure all alone, so if we let monsters roam around here, then this place should be able to attract a lot of adventurers to explore this place.
'Maybe {Gray Wolf} and {Goblin} will be much better combo to be added in this place'
As I was thinking about it, I then noticed that Lucrane and Iratus halted just upfront of me, curious, I then went towards them and inquired.
"Found anything?"
I asked as the two was staring at some point.
"Master sensed something"
"I see"
'Master ha'
Trying not to smile at it, Lucrane then spoke
"There is trap in front, be careful"
"Ohh... So that is why you stopped. What kind of trap is this anyway? Some deadly arrows will rain at you if step forward, or some pitfall with sharp spikes below?"
Saying that, Lucrane then summoned something out from her [Storage Ring]
"....?"
It was a potato, she just summoned a small harmless potato
'Why a potato?'
Lucrane just summoned a potato out from her ring. Holding the potato in her right hand, she then throw it, towards the front. And as the potato landed the ground
Bang!
"!?!"
The ground or the said ground tiles suddenly moved and crashed the poor potato in between. Those said tiles is thrice the size of me (his talking about his width not length)
'I can use [Untouched] to jump over it'
Thinking that
"... Hmmm?"
I just then noticed something amiss on that ground as they moved back to where they came from. Narrowing my vision as I activated [Keen Eyesight], I just noticed that it wasn't only 2 tiles that moved but rather
"..... 5? No..... 6, I think 6 ground tiles just moved in perfect synchronization"
Just to be sure, I then moved to the side to clearly see. How they moved back to their original position is kind of slow compared when they are trying to crash an invader in between, it also made this roguh noise when it moved back, and thanks to that, I was able to properly look at it.
"8 tiles huh"
I said, a bit lost to what I should do
'If I use 3 or 4 skills of my skills I have in hand, I might reach the end'
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
Average men's shoulder width is 16 inches or 41 cm, whilen14 inches or 36 cm for women.
So 8 ground tiles is thrice his shoulder width means
8 x (3 x 41) = 984 centimeters or 9.84 meters, or 10 meters (round of), that is how long the said trap was
[{<><><><>|×××××××××××××××××××|<><><><>}]
Thinking that, I then stretch my arms and did a little bit of warm up before I summoned a potato, and cast 3 skills that boost my speed.
"[Untouched]"
"[Feather Touch]"
"[Quick Feet]"
[Untouched] has been used]
[Invasion] has been activated for 30 seconds]
[Feather Touch] has been used]
[Weightless] has been activated]
[50% weight reduction for wearing [Leather Armor]
[10% weight reduction for wearing [Steel Armor]
Holding the potato in my hand, and not waiting for the tiles to return back to their original position, I then throw it
Bang!
The ground tiles the swiftly closed back again as the potato landed at the left side of the tiles, crashing it in between
Swoosh
And without wasting anymore time, I then rushed forward and climbed up. Sprinting at the top of it, I then hastingly dashed towards the end. I then jump off and twisted myself in 360 rotation
Thump
As I landed below which I give an 8 I then brush myself with a smug look at myself, I then turn behind my back and
"Hey, why not-...."
I was then abruptly stunned to my seat, astound to the scene as Iratus jump off from the other end. The world then suddenly slowed down as I peel my eyes wide open, and breathlessly forging those magnifying sight close to me.
Sitting comfortably at the top of Iratus as she crossed her legs was Lucrane who was holding her hair on the right ear.
"... Beautiful"
I said, as I never ever once did I ever thought that Lucrane could make me petrify in awe. Seeing her in such stunning scene, all I could do was watched in astonishment and be speechless.
As my eyes was glued on her, she then suddenly gazed at me. Seeing each other eye to eye, she then smiled at me at such frightening grace. And just like a nuke, everything in my sight then suddenly vanished, and all I could see was her, brightly dazzling upfront.
Thump Thump Thump Thump
My heart then beat in a rhythmical tone, as if a band played their favorite song. And just how you watched a graceful swan flew above the horizon, all reason and all words crumbled in existence.
Thump
She then halted just beside me.
"What?"
She asked as she looked at me. Averting my gaze away from her, I then replied
"I-It's nothing, let us just continue"
Embarrassed, I then walked forward, away from her. Lucrane didn't asked anything so we then continue moving forward.
As we proceed transversing the maze, thanks to Lucrane we were able to avoid all kinds of traps in our way. Right after that moving tiles that will crash you in between, just a distance as we took a turn in our right, then moved forward then turn to the left twice was a 3 meter wide pathway.
Lucrane tried activating the trap by throwing another poor potato but nothing happened. So as we stand there completely lost, I then activated [Untouched], and some other skills that boost my speed and dashed forward. And as I stepped inside that pathway
Swoosh! Ka-kaka-kakaka-kaka
Swish! Woosh! Tatatat-tata-tatatat
Swoosh!
A rapid succession of arrows then flew towards me, cornering me in every angle. How the arrows flew towards me were swift and deadly that if I didn't wore [Alors j'étais] with me, I should be impaled in every part of my body with how the arrows didn't leave even a single gap at each other.
Thanks to [Invasion], all the arrows just slip pass through me, so I just dashed forward rushingly and didn't cared about those arrows that was flying at me at insane speed. As I reached the other end, I then looked back and saw Lucrane walking towards me with a pissed expression. Lucrane placed a barrier around her and Iratus that repelled and blocked all the arrows that was coming at them. She was like those characters in anime that emit some flame around them
'Good bye world'
After she arrived beside me, I received an earful from her which totally reminded me on how I get scolded by my grandma
'Now she looks like my grandma? There must be some kind of pattern here'
After I sincerely apologize to her, which she then accepted with a grumpy tone, we then continue moving forward. The next trap we came in contact after we took 5 turns in our left, 7 turns in our right and continue moving forward before taking a left tunr was a large pitfall with an endless hole. Lucrane and I just rode Iratus and jump from the pitfall.
Right after the pitfall we just keep moving forward. We took 18 turns in our right, and 24 turns in our left before we reached another trap. I was bored as the maze was completely silent so I keep tabs on how many turns we take just to have something to keep me entertain.
The 3rd trap was inside an inclosed area. The wall in this station has a roof which has the height just 2 inch or maybe 4 above Iratus. And as we took a peek inside, the said place was merely filled with corrosive water. We found out it was corrosive after I have thrown yet another poor potato at it
(Inner potato's thought): vengeance will be mine!
'I hope there are no Gods that govern potatoes, or I will be struck by a divine punishment'
We can't jump from it as the wall prevented Iratus to do so, as something keeps pulling him down whenever he attempted to jump up, so with that in mind, the only way to cross this is by literally crossing it. Lucrane didn't care as she went inside, seeing her like that the two of us then followed her.
As we got at the edge of the platform, oh my god! I wish I have read some dictionary back at my world just to find something to describe how cool Lucrane was, as she just summoned some earth ground or pillar, or something related to earth by stumping her right foot once and made a pathwat for us to cross. She then crossed it naturally as if she just did something natural
'How badass'
Yup, she's all cool alright. And as we cross the earth bridge, something just suddenly hit on me. Last time when we arrived at the gate of the [Hesperides Towering Garden], the guards that was guarding there said she was a level 40 with a class of [Hunter], and that was 8 days ago. So if 8 days right after, she should be at level 42 or 43 as unlike me, she can receive exp, fully. So if she was at level 43, or let just say she was level 45 or 46, how come she was able to win against Iratus who is level 78 that easily? She could even trample those {Gray Wolves} that reached level 50+ with an overwhelming might.
And not just that, she suddenly reacted when Iratus named a certain elf name Ms. Conny and was pissed by it also. Additionally, I suddenly thought her as grandma connecting those dots, Lucrane should be
'At least a thousand year-"
And before I could even continue my train of thought, I was then bump by Iratus who was walking right beside me. Looking at him, I then saw him shivering as he brought his head down. Suddenly, the air in front of me became chilly as if I was placed in between a 4 large cooler.
Gulp
Gulping down, I then anxiously looked upfront and saw
'Mama Mia!'
And saw a bloodshot eyes demon right in front of me, gazing at me with her dagger eyes that lit in a furious glint.
'Oh god form the heavens above, please protect me from all thy evil'
"Vince"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Reflexively, I then suddenly saluted while strengthening my posture as I answered to her.
"..... What are you doing?"
Lucrane asked as she baffledly staring at me, dumbstruck to my action
"Just paying my dear, lovely boss a respect"
"..... Whatever"
As she said that, she then walked towards me
'Holy mother of grace, I'm still young to be ravish'
As she arrived just enar me, she then frown as she spoke
"I can't read minds-"
'Oh thank God'
"But I feel you are thinking something rude of me, didn't you?"
She then press her left index fingers to my chest as she asked that
"I promise to God, that even if a 500, 000 lightning volt struck both my mother and father down that I am not lying"
Lucrane then stared at me, completely stunned
"Wow, what a humble, and respectable son you are"
"You are very much welcome"
The two of us then giggled, while I could hear Iratus snorting. And after that small light entertainment just to lively up our mood, we then continue.
The next trap we stumbled into right after turning 35 turns in our right, and 47 turns to our left was a
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
5 huge stone hammers that was alternately smashing the stone ground with their huge masses, and 4 large cleavers looking weapon that keeps swinging from left to right. Though the pathway is 5 meters wide, all of it was basically taken over by how huge those hammers were.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
"Those cleavers are slow so dodging then won't be problem but those hammers-"
THUD! THUD! THUD!
"It will be tricky"
"It's the opposite"
"Hmm? Opposite? Why?"
"The cleavers are what you needed to worry about than those hammers"
Staring upfront, I then frown
"You mean to say that those giant wak-a-mole thingy can't be dangerous but rather than those tik-tok I'm on my way cleavers are?"
"..... I really don't get a single thing you said, but reading along those lines, yes"
"How?"
"It is much better to see it than hearing it, Iratus"
Lucrane then looked towards Iratus who was behind her.
"Do you think you can bring us there?"
As she asked that, Iratus then gaze upfront for a moment before he nodded
"I can"
"Good"
She then looked at me and spoke
"Then let us go"
Still puzzled to her words, I then just followed her and rode Iratus. Lucrane then offered her right hand to me which I was bewildered about
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Cast [Untouched] before we sprint upfront. I will be casting [Skill Allocation] to share your skill, [Untouched], towards Iratus"
Understanding her words, I then grab her hand where she tightly then grasp it.
"[Untouched]"
"[Skill Allocation]"
"[Blood Lust]"
"[Shadow Dash]"
Swoosh
(Author's POV)
Just like how the shadow tailed the light, Iratus then suddenly disappeared in the dim shade of the walls. Merging itself to the dark side of the wall, he then swiftly crossed the hammering path.
After he have passed the huge hammer before it could deliver its terrible might, Iratus then swiftly jump up across the huge swinging cleaver. He then landed down and continue sprinting further forward, flexibly and carefully as he crossed.
(Vince's POV)
Tap
After Iratus safely landed at the other end of this trap, I then went down. As I face upfront towards the trap that we just crossed in a zap, I then spoke at Lucrane
"You said seeing is believing, but I still can't seem to get what do you mean that those cleavers are more dangerous than those hammers right after Iratus safely crossed it"
"I didn't"
"And he did-what!? You didn't what?"
I then swiftly turn my head towards Iratus with complete shocked and bewilderment
"We were only able to get here unscratched thanks to your skill, but without it, I should be sliced 4 times by now"
"..... Huuuuhhhhh?"
"I don't know why but, when I saw how slow those cleavers moved, I then rushingly dashed without thinking of dodging them. And right after I am. At the path where they swing, my body suddenly slowed down while those cleavers just abruptly swing in an insane speed, without your skill placed on me, we should be dead by now"
"... Wha-what? How? Huh?"
Totally dumbstruck I was left oblivious to what is just happening
"Misdirection, it's a skill where those who are good at tricking people use decoys and some nasty tactics just to make their enemy lost who should they thoroughly watch. It's a simple skill yet troublesome to deal with"
Lucrane then moved beside me and added
"Those hammers were merely the decoys to hide the implanted spells at each cleaver"
Shocked to what she just spoke as I didn't notice any spells place at those giant cleaver, I just then silently listened to her as she continue
"[Slow Projectile] or [Incantation: Dull Judgement] are the only two spells I know that should be implanted at those cleavers. The former makes anyone far from the spell to see the object in front of them - those that are planted by the spell - slow, while the latter makes anyone near the spell have their senses diminished that they can't properly think what is amiss, even if that said problem is already in front of them"
She then added
"And below, the pathway of those cleavers has an implanted spell, [Catena di lentezza] (Italian translation for chain of slowness) that which slows anyone that cross that path, burdening them by heavy invisible chains"
Completely defeated, I just shut up as I really need to put my full judgment without thoroughly surveying it.
After that, we then came across a wide area that is more or less a coliseum or fighting arena. The space is vast and the only thing you could see in this space are merely moss walls and battered ground. Their is a staircase that leads towards the arena, just 15 steps before reaching below.
As we climbed down and arrived at the ground
"I think placing some {Gray Wolves} in this place is a good choice"
"I agree, but leaving them here without any source of food and water is suicide"
"Oh, I forgot about that"
"So I think {Orcs} or {Ogres} maybe {Minotaurs} will be much better option as they lived long enough without any food or water"
"But those aren't yet available in our tower yet"
"Which is why we left this area as it is and just place some monsters just around the temple"
"I see, that is a better option I guess"
Saying that, the three of us then continue onward.
Right after we left that huge arena or that vast area, we then came in contact with a giant metal door. The said metal door was completely covered with rust, moss, and marks of some beast, weapons, or something else. The metal door has some carving on it, but as times goes by, those markings started to fade and blurry to see.
"... I think this is the entrance towards the temple"
I said
"Should we go in?"
As I asked that, I then turn and glance towards Lucrane and Iratus
"Why not?"
Saying that, Lucrane then moved forward and
Creak
"!?!"
The three of us then back away as the huge metal door suddenly moved and opened on its own. Summoning our weapons out, Lucrane and I was vigilantly taking our stance while Iratus was on his guard between the two of us.
"..."
The three of us was silently waiting but as time goes by, no one came out from that unclosed door.
"... What to do now?"
I asked, anxiously as I stared upfront, towards the dim shade of metal doors back
"... Be on your guard, we will be going in"
Foooo~
Taking a deep breath, I then nodded.