Unleashing My True Power: Borrowing Horn
I decided it was time to get serious. The skill Borrowing Horn. It was the most versatile ability in my arsenal. For a snake that could only bite, it even enabled flight—a top-tier skill, no doubt about it.
Of course, if another snake got this skill, its uses would be limited. There was a restriction on what Borrowing Horn could steal: only skills usable by snakes. Things like slithering quickly or hardening scales.
But I had a cheat-like perk: the Diligence trait from maxing out my Potential stat at 20.
You face no restrictions on growth and development.
This was my chance to become the worst mage-snake in history. I could probably learn any skill.
Honestly, there was a specific skill I wanted to steal from that interception golem. Why borrow basic magic when that juicy one was available?
Borrowing Horn lv2 attempts to borrow Destruction Beam lv6.
Destruction Beam, no less. I'd coveted it since my Pokémon days. To think I'd wield the same beam as Gyarados...
Imagining it pulverizing other monsters made my heart race. Wait, would there be anything left to eat? Nah, pointless worry.
Borrowing Horn lv2 lacks proficiency to borrow Destruction Beam lv6.
Gah! My feet were tied because Borrowing Horn was only lv2. Unavoidable, I guess.
The line between borrowable and unborrowable skills wasn't just the target's level.
Borrowing Horn lv2 attempts to borrow Beginner Elemental Magic: Earth lv10.
Acquired Beginner Elemental Magic: Earth lv1 temporarily.
I could borrow beginner elemental magic, at least. But note: borrowing lv10 gave me only lv1 usability.
Recall how Predator Leap lv6 became lv2 for me—basic magic must be high-level stuff. Comparing it to jumping magic is silly anyway.
So, what could Earth magic do? Meld! It softened the ground a bit.
The golems' stomping had cracked the stone floor, exposing soft earth. Fine for a snake like me, but for a golem? Slip 'n' slide.
Thud! Even a comical fall made a huge noise. The legged one—the Earth Golem (fire one is Fire Golem)—went down.
This was my chance. I slithered up its head using acceleration—pretty fast.
It swatted like a fly, but thwack! Just smacked its own head.
Finally at the crown: a glowing magic stone. Weak point, surely. I bared my fangs and struck.
Crunch! No dice! Nearly broke my teeth.
In that split second, the Fire Golem did its thing. Flames erupted from its maw.
Whoosh! Heatwave swept the corridor. No care for its buddy.
Earth Golem shrugged it off—lv10 heat resistance? Or just golem physiology?
Me with Heat Resistance lv2? Ow ow ow ow. Like a live eel on a hot grill. Had to bail.
Retreat. Lucky break: past the corridor boundary, golems reset to posts.
> Interception confirmed.
Sighed in relief once they returned. Back burned hot; scales frizzed—burned, yeah.
Can't be helped. Still, survived stably this time. Fourth try nearly killed me.
Yeah, fifth clash with golems already. Barely a day passed?
Cockatrice meat kept me full. Thirsty, but ceiling cracks from quakes dripped water from stalactites. Caught drops—ahh, refreshing.
Back burns healed slowly. Guess I'm a proper monster.
Didn't win, but learned. First: abandon biting the head stone. Protected like crystal; my Bite couldn't crack it.
Earth magic slip trick? Gold. Golems don't learn—repeatable strat.
'Effective attack' needed. 90% of my damage from Fangs—one bite poisons most monsters. Rest from Bite.
Neither works on golems. Biting rock breaks teeth; can't choke 'em.
Frustrating... but fun? Beyond survival: 'Practice fighting stronger golems.' Plus fun magic.
More Earth practice, full acquisition soon. Then beyond slips.
Wanna challenge again, but mana first. Meanwhile, vault room tasks.
Entered vault. Treasures aside, one bookshelf. Few books, but gems.
What next? This: [Named Monsters of the Great Forest].
Elvish? Unknown tongue? But I read it. Understood human speech, Pellelian's elvish—reincarnation perk, huh.
Yanked with mouth. Ancient, musty as hell. Vault books better preserved than outer decayed ones.
Brought to glowing crystal orb. Webnovels daily now, but childhood reading hobby revived.
Flipped pages with tail, skimmed interests. Named monsters—what beasts? Medusa Mom level?
Land turtle-type monster. Estimated age: 1,200+ years.
Size rivals a small castle (7 years ago observation).
Spends most time sleeping, but record of 10km/night movement.
Mild temperament.
Haha, go easy, turtle. 1,200 and counting? At least 1,500 now. World full of insane beasts, huh. Mom just mob-tier?
More fun facts, half legends—questionable existence.
...Zonked out reading. Exam days flashbacks. Woke with full mana.
Good. Golem hunting time again.
* * *
Wham! Guh. Smacked by golem arm, flew. Lucky—not squished flat (snake-pancake?).
Rolled with momentum. Survival instinct screamed.
Whoosh! Flames swept my spot. Thought I'd downed Fire Golem—nope.
Seventh try. Tried flipping for stone smash—too tough.
> Interception confirmed.
Retreated boundary. Gulped stalactite drips—used vault helmet as bowl now. Hungry. Escape soon. Knock 'em out first.
* * *
Sneak past? Fail! Ignored golems, tried passing. Earth Golem blocked; Fire hurled fireball.
Dodged with leap—else roasted. Melee better? Testing possibility, not fleeing. Yeah.
> Interception confirmed.
Barely back to orb room. Retry.
* * *
Whoa, nearly died—tail almost severed. Earth Golem stepped; would've flattened.
Saved by magic ring! Insanely tough—bent not under stomp. Tail throbbed, that's all.
Gulped from Earth-magic bowl. Ditched helmet. Deeper bowl?
Cast Earth magic—
├─ lv1:Acquired ✓
└─ lv2:UNLOCKED — FULL ACQUISITION ★
Yes! Waited for this. Mana full, rose slowly.
Now, true seriousness. Before was play. For real. Don't believe? Watch.
Advanced corridor slowly. How many tries? Lost count after 20. Starving.
> Monster intrusion detected.
> Activating interception golems.
Bored of this. Golems rose. I strode boldly, ignoring.
Earth Golem lunges right. Pause.
Boom! Ground buckles, shockwave hits.
Ignored, circled right, ducked. Fire Golem's turn.
Whoosh! Flames sweep. Hot, but Earth-made rock shield holds.
Heat Resistance lv7 → lv8
Bro handles heat now. Golems press: legged Earth kicks.
Softened its stance earth with familiar Earth magic. Toppled backward.
Here, my physique shines. Accelerated up its body.
Swatted fly-style—dodged easy. On rising shoulder, whipped tail.
Ringy-ring, gift for golem pal. Subspace helmet bowl drops.
Perfectly caps head—upside-down, blinds eyes.
Earth Golem freezes. Checked on twentieth try.
No hesitation—leaped. Fire Golem blasts toward Earth head.
No camaraderie. Post-blast gap.
Legless Fire head easier. Tail-whip again: musty vault robe drapes head.
Easier than helmet, but wrong order risks burn. Hard-won success.
Hypothesis spot-on.
> Interception confirmed.
Both halted, helmeted and robed. Yes!
No CCTV here. Magic sensors? Nah, golems were cameras. Blinded both = I'm gone.
Now, finish neutralized golems. Oh, loot first.
Borrowing Horn lv2 attempts to borrow Beginner Elemental Magic: Fire lv10.
Acquired Beginner Elemental Magic: Fire lv1 temporarily.
Earth mastered—now fire-breathing snake time.
└─ lv2 → lv3 ★
Oh, bonus!