21 - Hidden Dungeon (2)
A reptilian face with a muscular body. Instead of legs, the lower half consists of a snake's tail. Even deep-sea fish tremble in fear at the mere sound of their scales—the lawless tyrants of the ocean. The Naga tribe, endowed with intelligence on top of that.
The revival ritual of the Sea Dragon was the destiny the Naga tribe had longed for. Their savage nature and insular stance of favoring only their own kind had made them unwelcome among both humans and demons, leading to their declining position. As this sanctuary was purified and humans began to intrude, the Naga had no choice but to borrow demonic power. They set their grand goal of manifesting the Sea Dragon with the power of darkness to recreate their own world.
"It won't be long now..."
Since this was a lagoon connected from the lake to the sea, the Naga tribe had been coming and going to this ritual site, personally infusing it with mana. It had been a grueling march that would bring tears to anyone's eyes just hearing about it.
The priest Naga's hands trembled. Ugly, repulsive humans. They dangled fishing lines in the lake now and then, enjoying water play on such peaceful days. Laughing and chattering away, savoring their peaceful lives among themselves—utterly oblivious to the revival ritual being prepared right beneath them!
"With this, all preparations are complete!"
His voice echoed through the cave.
"...But somehow, the cave has gotten awfully quiet since earlier."
"They've all left... left, I say! It's ending today or tomorrow anyway. We've endured this far with such hardship—can't we hold out just one or two more days?"
The priest smiled contentedly at the Sea Dragon's orb, thick with dark mist.
"Ooh, how tantalizing. O Sea Dragon..."
* * *
"Why does that bastard keep grinning?"
The priest was still oblivious to me, cackling as he stared at the orb.
Control the power of demons to be consumed by darkness for a set duration.
▶ (Current Stats +0.5) x 1.05 Status Bonus
Duration maintainable with current mana: 2.6311 seconds
Exp: (0/300)
Acquisition Difficulty: Extreme
The duration had increased a bit since my mana went up. It deals additional damage proportional to agility, so firing my crossbow while Mainhwa is active? That means even stronger bonus damage.
"Alright, let's do this."
Mobs could respawn anytime, and easy opportunities like this don't come often. No reason to hesitate.
I shouldered my crossbow and aimed at the guy's head.
Hmm...
Humanoid monsters usually have the head as the weak point, and with Crossbow Mastery at level 5, it won't miss. Aiming there is the right call.
Whatever good thing he's thinking about, the priest is still grinning. He's standing still, so thanks for the easy shot.
Just like with Edwin, I activated Mainhwa as easily as pressing a keyboard key.
Expected duration: 2.63 seconds
Black aura envelops the body, accelerating blood flow.
The eerie energy spreading from you plunges the cave deeper into the abyss.
Soon, he noticed the black aura and started making puzzled noises.
"Ooh, messenger of the Sea Dragon... have you arr—?!"
My body tingled, all my nerves focused on my finger, and I fired.
Thwip!
"Great..."
Pfuk!!!
[Critical Hit!]
[Weak Point Hit!]
[Additional Damage Proportional to Agility]
1053%
[Aggro: +45]
[Aggro: 99]
[Poison]
[Aggro +11]
[Enemy now recognizes you]
"Guhk..."
Like with Andras, his words cut off. He'd turned his head toward me mid-grin, so the bolt pierced through his palate and skull.
"H-human... grrr..."
[Aggro +12]
Blood boiled disgustingly, his eyes reddened as he glared at me, then he collapsed.
[Named: Defeated the Sea Dragon's Priest]
[Remaining Named: 142]
[Demon Hunt Reward Available!]
Chapter 2 ended without even starting. I kicked the corpse aside and focused on the reward popup.
Permanently increases mental strength by 0.4.
However, if current mental strength is 3.0 or higher, the increase is halved.
Acquisition Difficulty: Medium
With extreme concentration, spells cast for 1 minute will not fail.
However, chant time increases.
Cooldown: 12 hours
Exp: (0/100)
Acquisition Difficulty: Slightly Low
Gain 50 supporting character points.
A randomly selected stat increases by 0.2.
As expected. Since it's just a rare monster turned named, the rewards aren't great. No luck proc either, but better than rags since it's higher grade.
Third one.
I picked the third, the monster slay reward again.
[Gained 50 supporting character points]
[Mana +0.2]
[Current Mana 1.1 → 1.3]
Not bad. But the real highlight is this.
Rarity: S
Essence of the Sea Dragon-Posedaros, revered as a formless dragon of legend. Tainted with alien mana.
[Corruption: 99/100]
[Can convert to Aqua Essence upon purification]
"Ho ho."
As I picked up the orb,
[Quest Available]
[Aqua Essence 0/1]
[Ignis Essence 0/1]
[Ventus Essence 0/1]
[Terra Essence 0/1]
▶ Reward: Ancient Dragon Essence (Unimplemented)
One of the three mythic items needed for Reincarnated Hero's true ending: Breath of the Giant Sphere, Ancient Dragon Essence, Feather of the Nine-Colored Bird. Aqua Essence is a material for Ancient Dragon Essence.
Absorbing it would make gameplay easier, but for true ending, you have to collect them without using and combine. Since I'm in closed beta, true ending isn't implemented—reward says "Unimplemented."
No need to think. I'll use it. Not aiming for Demon King anyway; block Kaeran His's ending, and my goal's done.
Alien mana makes it dangerous. Really use it?
"Whatever, let's go~"
Normally, demon-corrupted items are cursed, unusable, or backfire, but...
[Lev Denek]
[Main (Demonized): Inherited Andras's will]
[Current Status: Stage 1 Surveillance Magic (Caster: Aria Bluebell)]
Checking my status, I've inherited that Andras thing, so I can use it. No—in fact, I get extra exp from the corruption...
Jackpot.
But wait... something caught my eye in the status window.
[Current Status: Stage 1 Surveillance Magic (Caster: Aria Bluebell)]
Uh... wasn't the surveillance magic gone?
* * *
In Clarice Academy's Restoration Hall, Melissa was talking with Aria about the exam.
"Kicked out to the dorms, and suddenly that attitude? What gives?"
"But if it weren't for him, we all would've been in danger."
"That's... true, but..."
Especially Lev Denek—they couldn't avoid talking about him. They'd escaped disaster thanks to his skills in that perilous situation.
"He's so inscrutable..."
As Melissa muttered to herself,
Thud!
Aria's surveillance magic detected a massive mana surge. The same wavelength she'd felt before.
"!!"
Aria kept her calm face, donned the beret from the auxiliary magic department, and prepared to leave.
"Lady Melissa, I have urgent business."
"Huh? What is it?"
"I'll tell you later."
"...Fine? Go ahead, I'm okay."
She hurried out of the Restoration Hall, silver hair fluttering.
As fast as possible...
Not stage 2, so pinpointing the location was hard. But he'd been at Selafi Black Dorm last. Head there first—someone there might be in danger.
....
"Haa, haa."
Farther than she thought, especially from Restoration Hall. She ran, kicking up dust.
She'd felt it clearly. That filthy, eerie mana—demonic.
Her heart pounded at the thought of confirming that presence. Trembling, she knocked on Selafi Black Dorm's front door.
Knock knock knock.
If no answer, she'd infiltrate immediately. Use the magic communicator to alert academy professors...
"Who is it?"
Unlike her simulation, a woman's voice answered soon.
Creeeak.
The door opened. White, soft hair, sky-blue eyes. A girl her age who might even resemble her.
Phew...
Aria sighed in relief. Another false alarm. Maybe Lev Denek used demonic power elsewhere, not Selafi Black Dorm?
"Do you need something?"
"I..."
The so-peaceful question, like birdsong, made Aria hesitate. Ask if anything happened? Or if Lev Denek is here? Words wouldn't come.
After all, on the surface, she and Lev Denek had no relation...
As she pondered, Yeriel smiled warmly.
"Ah! Here to see the dorm?"
"Yes...?"
"Perfect timing, we were about to eat! Come in."
"...It's fine..."
Yeriel pulled Aria inside in an instant.
"Sit comfortably here."
"!!"
Yeriel even pulled out a chair. As Aria unintentionally sat at the table, she saw a man bustling opposite—Lev Denek, the one she'd sought.
Demon? Demonkin? Or some mastermind beyond. He'd one-shot the sudden monster, so hiding power, highly dangerous...
But he was...
Clink clink.
"Mmm, nice and crisp—perfectly done."
...doing the dishes.
"Ah...?"