章 82: Black-Ringed Swamp Carp
"Gabe is living a solitary lifestyle as a fisher. But recently messages arrived for him. Sent by someone named Sentrav.
Gabe asks for your assistance in locating the latter."
"Sentrav? Another name I haven't heard in a long time. Should I really help them?"
Alotrs appeared to be lost in thought. But after a few seconds he sighed, nodding at Liam.
"Alright, I will do it. But in order to locate Sentrav I need a medium. Something dear to him. Something which has been with him for a long time."
"Where could I find something like that?"
"There is a place we call Sentrav's swamp. That weirdo has been living there for so long that people named the swamp after him.
You should find a hut there. You will definitely find something."
Finishing his words Alotrs sighed deeply before turning back to the tree sapling.
Liam took his updated quest as a sign, leaving the priest and strolling down the hill. It didn't take long for him to navigate the streets of Duabalis City, exiting the core are and soon arriving before a moldy swamp.
Fog spread over the wet ground, leaving a faint watery layer on the reeds growing within the muddy water.
Patches of pine trees were scattered, some of them looking dried out and sick. The buzzing of insects sounded unceasingly in Liam's ears.
The veteran scrunched his face, reluctant to advance.
Now that no people watched him Liam didn't need to keep a positive expression, showing his dislike for the environment.
"Here goes nothing…"
Liam stepped forward carefully. Fortunately, the game had some pity on the players, creating some path which allowed one to traverse the swamp without sinking into the water.
But other obstacles excited on or rather above this path.
Liam furrowed his brows as a mosquito the size of his fist spotted him, dashing through the air, hungry for delicious blood.
[Black-Winged Mosquito
Rank: Common
Level: 17
HP: 1200/1200]
The agile insect was quite fast in the air. Liam squinted his eyes, raising his swords slowly.
Maybe it felt the threat, but the mosquito suddenly began flying in crisscrossing lines. Its wings moved faster than the eye could see. Its long mouth twitching in anticipation.
Suddenly Liam's left sword flashed. The fog churned lightly as the sword left a clear trajectory behind.
Liam felt the tremble traveling through his hand, telling him that he hit the mosquito. The fragile mob lost close to a third of its HP as the buzzing of its wings intensified.
After being forced to stop for a moment the mosquito sped up, aiming for Liam.
The monster's speed made it difficult to dodge but Liam already anticipated its actions. He bent his upper body, watching the mosquito pass right before his eyes.
With a quick turn of his body, Liam used the momentum to send an attack with his other sword.
The mosquito was instantly brought close to death. But it didn't think of running away.
One might've praised its honor if it wasn't mindless mob in the game.
Thus, the mosquito attacked again, presenting itself to Liam's readied sword. It died after another hit, its lifeless body tumbling to the ground.
Liam looted it quickly knowing that the mosquito's body was used as a material to craft poison potions.
Just as he was glad that the insect was dead, a shiver ran down his spine. Loud buzzing entered Liam's ears. The young man sighed as a group of three insects entered his eyes.
Another fight followed inevitably. Liam did his best to maneuver on the narrow path.
The first mosquito fell quickly but Liam had to trade its life for a hit.
Apart from the damage a stack of poison appeared in his status. Frowning helplessly Liam had to watch his HP tick down. While the other opponents died soon enough it took a full thirty seconds for the poison effect to end.
Liam was annoyed with himself noticing that he lost almost 10% of his HP during the fight, forcing him to stay in place and allowing his passive regeneration to kick in.
Back at full health Liam advanced slowly through the swamp. He had to be careful of the poison, which posed a real threat.
After a while his eyes lit up. Not far away was a patch of trees. Long bones were scattered before it, barely sticking out of the swamp.
I remember this place. Fighting that carp was quite fun.
Liam grinned as he veered from the path, entering the deeper swamp. His steps grew slower and more difficult as muddy water soaked his pants.
Liam passed the few grey bones, the light dimming between the trees, creating an eerie atmosphere.
Raising his vigilance the young man advanced slowly. Suddenly he glanced over his shoulder. But the water remained calm.
Bubbles popped up to his right, but when Liam turned his eye, nothing seemed to be there.
"Craw!"
A crow could be heard from somewhere up in the trees. Liam refrained from looking, keeping his eyes on the water.
Suddenly Liam pushed heavily with his legs, jumping forwards through the sticky water.
A creature shot out from the shadow of a tree, splashing water in all directions, lunging at Liam with sharp teeth.
Liam evaded the attack in the nick of time. He managed to turn his upper body, landing an attack of his own.
[-157!]
Just before the opponent could return to the water Liam hastily checked its status.
[Black Ringed Swamp Carp
Rank: Elite
Level: 17
HP: 2343/2500
Status: Holy mark x1]
Liam's breath was flat as the environment fell silent again. It was as if the carp only existed in his imagination.
After a few seconds the young man continued to advance, all his focus on the water.
Suddenly he felt something stir around his legs. Liam didn't hesitate, immediately grabbing onto a sturdy branch and pulling himself up.
A viscous bubble, black and lethargic like oil, formed in the water below his feet. It exploded with a low bang, splattering poisonous liquid in all directions.
Liam made use of his great agility to swing from the branch, landing a short distance away.
Instantly he spotted a shadow swimming before his feet. Liam flourished both his swords, stabbing into the water.
But despite the damage numbers plopping up the elite didn't seem to notice the attack at all. The carp turned its dog-sized body swiftly, its tailfin slamming against Liam's leg.
[-288!]
Liam felt a heavy weight pressing against his leg. If he fell here in the viscous swamp, it would be terrible. He did his best to offset the momentum, tumbling a few steps backwards awkwardly.
Inwardly cursing the swamp, which slowed down his movements, he watched as the carp turned around. Some of its brown scales decorated with black patterns were revealed on the surface.
Liam pulled his feet from the mud, staying in motion. A moment later the carp was upon him. It jumped out of the water, aiming for Liam's chest.
The veteran was prepared. He turned his body, narrowly avoiding the opponent.
[Stance -12]
With the carp before him Liam quickly made use of the opportunity. A [Cross Slash] ripped open some of the sturdy scales, quickly followed by a [Double Slash].
The holy marks exploded, burning the carp with their magic.
The elite was badly wounded. A few brown scales glided on the water surface as the carp dove deeply.
The mud began to stir. Low ripples spread in the area. Liam furrowed his brows. He didn't recall such a situation.
Hell difficulty…?
The veteran wasn't granted much time to ponder. Suddenly a splash could be heard. Not far away form Liam a small version of the Black-Ringed Carp jumped straight out of the water.
More enemies?
Liam was alarmed. But when his [Inspect] didn't return any information, he understood that this was the result off the elite carp's skill.
Feeling a movement right below him, Liam abruptly pulled his foot away, turning his body swiftly.
A small carp jumped out next to him, almost gracing his body.
But this wasn't all. More and more attacks appeared. After a while even Liam didn't manage to dodge all of them anymore.
Despite performing a skilled flash step he appeared in the trajectory of two other attacks.
[-50!]
[-50!]
Liam frowned heavily. The damage wasn't too bad, but the two stacks of poison he received were quite threatening.
At least the skill ended.
Liam cleared his mind, waiting for the carp's next attack. But even after a few seconds there was no movement.
Apparently, the carp was intelligent enough to wait for the poison to do its job.
I can't waste time like this!
Liam knew he needed to get the initiative. He quickly used his skill, sending out a wave of holy magic. It spread through the water. Liam watched it closely, noticing a ripple at a certain spot close to a tree.
With a grin on his face Liam dashed towards the side, using [Inspect] on the water.
[Black Ringed Swamp Carp
Rank: Elite
Level: 17
HP: 1299/2500
Status: Holy mark x1; Weakened]
週次パワーステータス
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