Bab 19: Tracking the dangerous monster
I asked her to investigate the cases related to the people who went missing during the way .
I had originally wanted to go to Driftwood Village to find and punish that witch who summoned the fire elemental but I am now curious about the missing cases. So I stayed in the tranquil cove for some time wanting to gather information about what caused people to disappear
The few villagers we encountered were hesitant to speak, their eyes wide with fear. But with a few gentle words and reassuring words made them slowly up.
They have told me Travelers passing through the Whispering Woods between the coastal haven and Driftwood Village have been disappearing.
One old fisherman told us of a strange mist that had descended upon the forest, followed by the disappearance of several travelers
. A young mother spoke of her husband, who had ventured into the woods to gather firewood and never returned
Some are found dead, their bodies exhibiting strange, plant-like growths and traces of an unknown toxin.
Rumors spread about "forest spirit" or a vengeful creature preying on unsuspecting travelers, causing fear and panic among the local population.
To be honest; whenever I hear about any myth like Boogeyman or something like Frankenstein, there is a huge chance that in reality it was caused by a witness mistaking a person for a monster.
"It seems like the victims are being poisoned," I said, my voice slow. "But by what? And why?"
"I collected some samples from the plants near the bodies," she said, handing me a few wilted leaves and a vial filled with a murky liquid from the corpses. "Maybe you can analyze them with your magic."
"It's definitely a poison," I said, my voice grave. "But it's unlike anything I've ever encountered before. I."
First of all let's note down the important details.
-The disappearances all occurred within the Whispering Woods
-victims often bore strange markings on their bodies – puncture wounds, rashes, and even strange, vine-like growths.
"It seems like the victims are being poisoned," I said, my voice grim. "But by what? And why?"
"My lord! Seraphina has arrived " Chole announced coming while holding a spear in her hand cutting through my thoughts.
"What did you find out?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I gathered some information," she announced while coming, gesturing towards a bound and gagged figure slumped against a nearby tree. "He's a Naix cultist."
Yeah, we know that already.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "They're even crazier than the rumors suggest. They're obsessed with Oracle magic and believe that sacrificing those with such gifts will appease their dark god."
"And their other objective?" I pressed, my mind racing.
"They're searching for the Dark Lord," Seraphina replied, her voice chillingly calm. "They believe he will lead them to ultimate power."
I was awestruck. The Dark Lord was someone who is, a powerful sorcerer who had terrorized Aquaria centuries ago. No he had terrorized the whole world but it was written from aquaria author book pov. I need to broaden my history.
I turned to Seraphina,. "Well done," I said, my voice sincere. "You've provided us with valuable information."
"Anything for my master," Seraphina sweetly whispered as, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink. She brought both hands to her face while cupping her cheeks as her blush deepened
During the past 7 years she can been disciplined and trained well. I am proud of her,
"Come on everyone, we are going for Whispering woods " I announced
"Why? " Charlie asked me questions.
.
A resounding smack echoed, followed by a pained yelp from Charlie.
Chole stood behind him, her hand raised "Just come along with lord Ethan "
we left Tranquil Cove, and we reached deeper into the Whispering Woods, the air grew heavy with a damp, earthy scent
"This place gives me the creeps," Charlie whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Quiet," Chole hissed, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a hunter's intensity.
A chill ran down my spine, an instinctive warning that something was amiss. I reached out my water compass, which can detect magical energy. Which is a magical sensor that will break if it detects huge magical energy. I created it using the [Waterform] spell.
It was a simple yet effective tool, its needle spinning wildly when it detected magical energy.
I held the compass floating and it began to vibrate violently, its needle spinning so rapidly. Suddenly, it shattered, the water droplets scattering in all directions
"What was that?" Chole whispered, her eyes wide with alarm.
"Something powerful," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. " [Track scent]"
Track scent was a D-rank wind channeling spell, outside of my expertise but I still can use it.
The spell heightened my senses, allowing me to detect the faintest traces of the unfamiliar magical signature.
Since my compass broke, it couldn't withstand the strong mana of the enemy, I had to rely on [Track scent]. Making a compass strong enough to resist is impractical.
I wish I could make indestructible weapons.
I tracked the scent and I went near the location and I saw a hulking figure emerging from the bushes before I reached the place, it has, multiple glowing eyes piercing the gloom. Thick, thorny vines twisted around its chitinous exoskeleton, pulsating with a sickly green light. Its eight legs, each ending in a wickedly sharp point, moved with a disturbingly fluid grace
This was no ordinary spider; It was very scary. Crawlers are creepy but it was on another level.
It let out a mist a poisonous cloud of white fog, which killed most travellers.
"Ambush!" Chole yelled, lightning crackling around her fingertips.
The spider reared up, its multiple eyes flashing with rage. Before Chole's attack could land, a cloud of noxious green gas released from it and left us in a choking haze.
I coughed violently, my eyes burning and my throat sore. The poison immunity charm I had crafted earlier proved useless against this potent toxin. Beside me, I could hear Charlie gagging and sputtering, his fire magic flickering weakly
It was painful, Even poison immunity is useless,
Chole, however, seemed unaffected by the poison. With a defiant cry, she channeled another bolt of lightning, striking the spider directly in its bulbous abdomen.
Seraphina is trying to pull those little spider creatures away using [gust]
The spider let out a cry but positioned itself for attack.
Wait, why she is not affected?
The poison was already taking its toll on me. My vision blurred, my limbs grew heavy, and a wave of nausea washed over me.
I stumbled back, desperately trying to summon my magic. I reached out with my mana, willing it to create a holy elemental dagger – a weapon of pure light that could purify the poison and heal my wounds. Using light magic and Channeling one
But my mana refused to obey. It twisted and writhed in my grasp, like a wild animal resisting a leash. A voice, cold and mocking, echoed in my mind
You are not worthy.
Seraphina, her face pale with horror, raised her hands and began chanting. A wave of purifying energy washed over me, as I felt a bit of relief.
Seraphina, her face pale with horror, raised her hands and began chanting. A wave of purifying energy washed over me, incinerating the spiders on contact
The infection had already spread, and I could feel my control slipping away."[Mind block]"
I said as I created Dark magic conjuration to shield my mind from the mental pain and damage. I will break down physically but I can heal it. But I can't heal mental pain so.
My mind raced, searching for a solution. Could I use my own conjuration magic to create a counter-agent? Or manipulate the water within my body, flushing out the parasites before they could do any more damage?
No it was risky
Suddenly I got a sparking idea, it makes sense. I got it, why chole wasn't much attacked?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone