volume 1 - Chapter 27 (1/2)

TL: Just a warning.

If you plan to eat something or are already eating something, you might want to finish your food before reading this chapter. Apparently Brendel has a very active imagination.

Chapter 27 – Soul Gem

The gigantic Rotten Beast raised its branch-like claws that were the size of a human and used it to smash at Brendel. He quickly bent his body to evade it, and the attack went past his head like a hammer. The withered branches of the claw dragged the air along with it, causing his hair to dance wildly while it continued to swing against a boulder behind him. The boulder was knocked away with a deafening boom, and it flew twenty to thirty meters away.

Brendel spied on the boulder to see it hit and crash against the walls three times, before finally piercing deeply into the ground, bringing debris and dust everywhere to where it landed

He felt a sudden tightness in his throat; the monster’s strength was just too terrifying. If he got struck even once, his entire skeleton would not be able to absorb the impact, and would instantly be reduced to bits. His organs would be ruptured from the immense pressure, while the shattered bone remains would pierce them and create a b.l.o.o.d.y mess everywhere.

Brendel quickly searched through his memories. A Elite Rotten Beast’s 8.9 OZ was one of the strongest Level 20 Creatures around, and only Berserkers and the Dwarven Steel Guards would be able to match its strength.

He had no intentions of facing it head on. He quickly gestured to Freya to protect him from the sides, and used his advantage in agility to get into range for an attack. He swung the Thorn of Light at its left foot.

The monster was nearly 5 meters tall, the branch-like claws were nearly 3 meters wide, and it had great attack range. But when it lowered its head, it found that it had trouble hitting Brendel who was below him.

Brendel struck its leg with his sword, but the bright purification flames only left a scorch mark on it. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead when he saw the result.

Even though the Elite Rotten Beast had high physique, toughness and resistance, the end result should not be this. This meant that there was a ‘Power Rating Difference’ here. This was a system setting that was in the game but he did not expect it to be here in this world as well.

Still, the attack from Brendel made the gigantic Rotten Beast raise its head up and roar. The ear-piercing bellow made the nearby blades of gra.s.s quiver.

Brendel felt a dull ache in his chest, and Freya even coughed out blood.

[The skill ‘Howling Fury’ from the Elite Rotten Beast should not have so much effect on us! Is this because our levels are too low?]

Brendel felt he was damaged everywhere inside his body. The data in his retina showed different levels of damage in his organs.

“Brendel!” Romaine shouted not too far away.

He turned back and discovered she had finished setting the hook to the rope, as well as attaching it to the cliff above. He felt relived. Romaine could be relied on when there were critical moments. She was calm during desperate times and certainly had the potential to become a merchant.

He looked at the other direction. The young Rotten Beasts were very close to finish climbing up, and they only had a few seconds left.

“Freya.” He immediately shouted.

“I’m, cough, fine.” She resolutely wiped away the trail of blood from her lips, raised her sword up and took on a defensive posture again.

“I’m going to finish it off, cover me, but stay out of its attack range.”

She nodded. Gripping the sword firmly with two hands, she attacked the Elite Rotten Beast’s flank with a low roar. It wanted to stomp on Brendel but got distracted by her. Due to its low intelligence, it diverted its attention to Freya as she appeared to be more threatening.

It turned around immediately and spread out its branches, and numerous thorns whistled through the air and shot at Freya.

She was prepared for the attack as Brendel had warned her about it a while ago. She immediately curled up, defending her chest and head with both her arms. She gritted her teeth as her whole body bled from the attack and was sent cras.h.i.+ng back against a boulder from the thorns. However, she was still pleased that she had gained time for Brendel.

Brendel had no time to worry about Freya; he retreated from the Rotten Beast and squatted down, raised his right hand and aimed at the injured left leg with his s.h.i.+ning finger.

“Oss!”

The air temporarily went still, then an explosive current of wind blasted at the Elite Rotten Beast’s left leg. Splinters flew everywhere. Nearly half of its body went missing. Withered leaves scattered like it was raining as it lost its balance and fell backwards.

Even if the monster’s defense was doubled, it was unable to defend against a 20 OZ charged attack.

Brendel activated his ‘Charge’ skill next, das.h.i.+ng forward and jumped high up, matching the moment where it fell down. He raised the Thorn of Light and swung it down with all his strength, slas.h.i.+ng through its neck with gravity aiding him.

The Elite Rotten Beast roared again, wanting to resist, but Brendel twisted the sword to drive it further in. Silver flames burst out frantically, and the mighty monster finally lowered its head, its life reaching to an end. As the life force and resistance from the Elite Rotten Beast ended, the flames instantly consumed the entire body and it was turned into a ma.s.sive fire.

Numerous golden lights flew from the fire and into Brendel’s chest.

17 XP.

He suddenly felt a cold feeling in his palm and looked at it. Black smoke gathered from the gigantic Rotten Beast and poured onto his palm. It gradually became solid and formed into a black color crystal.

[A soul gem!]

Brendel was shocked but he quickly smiled gleefully. The power from a soul was the purest form of energy in this world. Not only did Madara’s wizards use them, other wizards from different schools were a.n.a.lyzing their uses in the game. With different rituals, it could be turned into XP to himself or other people, and even replenish a magical equipment’s energy or activate certain items.

For example, the Ring of the Wind Empress.