Published at 4th of December 2021 04:31:35 PM

463 To the Source of the Fog

I decide to leave everyone behind in the waterfall cave and explore by myself. I need to find out what sort monsters live in this area, what ranks they are, and where they can be found.

The visibility is terrible here, so Id like to gain a general idea of the terrain too.

Of particular importance is the summit of the mountain, which seems to be the source of both the river and the fog. I get the feeling there might be some sort of particularly dangerous monster near the source of the fog.

My plan had been to take things slow and steady, but I need to change my approach. At the rate Ive been going, I might not be ready in time for Lilixiras attack. I need to accept some degree of risk.

Its possible that the only reason this island is said to be so dangerous is because information on it is so scarce, and that its actually inferior to the the Giant Tree Island that had the adams. If thats the case, well need to move to one of the others.

I scamper up the cliff at the back of the cave and continue to follow the river upstream. The flow of the river seems to be a bit calmer above the waterfall. I should reach the source if I keep following it.

The slope alternates between gentle and steep as I walk. I cant tell for certain because of the fog, but this mountain seems to be fairly large. From what I can see, it seems to be mostly exposed rock with very little vegetation.

Hmm. Id like to try flying around to look, but I wouldnt be able to see the ground from the sky.

As I continue walking, I suddenly feel as though Im being watched. However, my [Presence Perception] isnt picking up on anything.

These sorts of intuitions are important. Besides, it feels like my perception is being dulled by the fog.

I tensely scan my surroundings. Suddenly, a huge shadow looms out.

GuuOOOOOOOOh!

I [Roar] to stop its approach and spread my wings to leap backwards.

Th-that scared me. Whatever that was, it was dangerous. It didnt react at all to my [Roar]. Its probably a fairly high rankhuh?

Feeling that something is off, I stealthily walk towards the huge shadow I saw a moment ago. As I get close, I see its a giant human face Or rather a clay statue of one. Its about five metres wide. It kind of looks kind of like a moai head of a gruff old man.

D-dont scare me like that. But whys there a statue in a place like this? People are meant to have basically never set foot here.

If I check its status, I might find out when and why it was made. With that knowledge, I might be one step closer to understanding the mystery of this island.

[Clay Guardian]: B+ rank monster

An earthen guardian bestowed with a will.

It draws strength from the immense magic power kneaded into it, and from the depths of its hatred.

It was once a monster made to pull down a god, however

I leap up and kick the face. Using the recoil, I launch myself away and enter a battle stance.

That was dangerous. I had fallen back, but then let myself be lured back in. Though no matter how I look at it, it looks just like a statue. Is it really a monster?

Species: Clay Guardian

Condition: Normal

Lv: 85/85 (MAX)

HP: 714/785

MP: 255/255

Attack: 544

Defence: 881

Magic: 364

Speed: 241

Rank: B+

Characteristic Skills:

[Golem: Lv-] [Earth Attribute: Lv-] [Soft Steps: LvMAX] [Automatic HP Recovery: Lv9] [Automatic MP Recovery: Lv9]

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Resistance Skills:

[Physical Resistance: LvMAX] [Magic Resistance: LvMAX] [Poison Nullification: Lv-] [Instant Death Nullification: Lv-]

Normal Skills:

[Bite: Lv8] [Transformation: Lv8] [Autoregeneration: Lv9] [Sandstorm: Lv9] [Heat Ray: LvMAX] [Rope of Regret: Lv9] [Clay: LvMAX] [Clay Wall: Lv8] [Clay Sphere: Lv7] [Gravity: Lv8] [Gravidon: Lv9] [Physical Barrier: LvMAX] [Float: Lv9] [Curse: Lv7] [Death: Lv7] [Direct Burst: Lv1]

Title Skills:

[Lump of Earth: LvMAX] [Former Demon Lords Subordinate: Lv-] [Final Evolution: Lv-] [Obsession: LvMAX]

Wh-whats with this guys status My kick might have been light, but even so, it hardly took any damage. Both in terms of appearance and numerical values, this isnt a normal monster.

From the explanation earlier, was it the subordinate of a divine skill holder? It seems its true that Demon Lords have been visiting this island over the millennia. At the Giant Tree Island, I had thought it was a coincidence that I just happened to fly somewhere so historically important, but I suppose that, in some sense, its inevitable that whenever a Demon Lord is driven out of human countries, theyre forced to hide in the remote Four Great Monster Domains.

Either way, Im relieved that its a max-level B+ rank. I might be able to gain two levels from this. The worst-case scenario of not being able to evolve before Lilixira arrives has been averted.

To be honest, alarm bells are ringing in my head right now. All of my body is telling me I shouldnt tangle with this monster. I shouldnt go beyond this fog. If anything, I should leave this land entirely.

This easternmost Strange Land probably isnt the ideal levelling ground that also hides me from the flies eyes I thought it was.

Normally, I would never dream of touching such an obviously dangerous guy. But right now, I cant let such an appealing catch slip by.

GuuOOOOOh!

I run in a straight line across the ground towards it, then swing my claws at the clay guardian.

Its body shines with light. This must be [Physical Barrier]. It has raised its physical resistance. Its starting to make this genuinely annoying.

But I wont fall behind an opponent thats this slow. I slam my fist into it as hard as I can. Its huge body flies up, tearing off the ground.

If you make yourself solid, Ill just knock you flying however many times it takes.

I look down at the earth in my claws.

Alchimias Magic Earth: Value: B+

Five hundred years ago, the alchemist Alchimia, who gained the power of the Demon Lord despite having a human body, produced this clay with an immense amount of magic power.

It is thought that memories of beastly forms were imparted to the earth, resulting in the formation of a great many monsters.

After Alchimias death, most of the magic earth beasts were subjugated and returned to the ground, but some can still be found in remote regions.

As I thought. Its the same kind of species as the clay bear. Though the strength is completely different.