ACT 3 Sacred Soil

Okay, with this training is over.

Clack.ClackClack

Deimos jaw trembled with his overwhelming joy. Why did it end so quickly? While a vampire was born into debauchery, Deimos was different and relied on willpower. In addition, his loyalty to Ark was higher than Dedrics and he obeyed his commands. Therefore the violence and food torture ended earlier than expected. When monsters revealed a bone, he gasped but listened to Ark.

Now its back to the old system.

Although the day started badly, he was quite satisfied with the results. Once he decided to invest the day in training, the discipline of his pets was like it was in the beginning. There was also a rise in stats thanks to the food torture! Dedric and Deimos had both reached level 100 stats.

The death penalty also disappeared while hunting the minor monsters..

It was now time to continue his original purpose of searching for the Sacred Soil.

Before Ark left Lancel Village, Hanson gave him a few ideas to search. The point where the power concentrates. In order words, a valley. After he had visited around half of them, he still hadnt found the Sacred Soil. Instead, the valleys had twice as many magic ingredients compared to other regions. Unless..?

Ingredients growing faster compared to other regions are the main point. Hanson said that valleys were a gathering place for large amounts of power. The power concentrated in the ground turns the soil fertile until it eventually becomes a Sacred Soil.

Ark looked at the map and moved to the next valley. The forest gradually became wetter and darker. At that time there was a strange sight. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Even in New World that didnt change. Then why was there light gathered on the east side of the valley when the sun sets in the west?

Something is there!

Ark hurriedly ran to the valley and descended.

Huk, what, what the? Is that?

Whats the matter Master?

Whats the matter? Cant you see it without me telling you?

Isnt it just a valley? Should I be seeing something?

Dedric looked at Ark in bewilderment.

He doesnt seem to be joking. Then only I can see it?

Ark looked at the valley with bemusement. An incredible sight was developing. Nestled deep in the valley, an extravagant brilliance was slowly rising. Dedric and Deimos couldnt see what Ark was looking at. If so, the answer was simple. He was able to see the light because of Magic Detection! Whenever he found a magic ingredient, he only saw a small light bulb flickering at most. However, the light he saw rising from the valley was completely different. The whole valley became hot from the light rising.

That light isnt coming from plants or ores. The ground itself inside the valley has a magical aura! Then this place.!

The Sacred Soil! There was no doubt.

Ive found it. Dedric, Deimos! Follow me!

Ark immediately followed the gentle slope and entered the valley. However, rare magic ingredients werent the only things present when power was gathered. Rare Monsters were also gathered there.

Roaaaaar!

As soon as Ark entered the valley, a huge shadow emerged. It was a large, green muscular monster over 5 metres tall. It was an ogre. The ogres level was 150. It was the strongest monster in the Argus Mountains. They preferred acting along so it hadnt been a huge problem so far, but 5 ogres had appeared while dragging large stone axes! Arks current level was 151. It would be difficult to deal with five level 150 ogres. But when he checked the information window, he saw that his dark attribute bonus had been applied. His revised level was 211! At that level he could attempt it.

But I cant be careless. An ogre is much stronger than other monsters with the same level.

Just like a NPC or user, a monster couldnt be judged by its level. The physical damage and defense of a level 150 monster depended on the species. Among them, he had to be particularly careful of the ogre. The ogre had strength. While it has low agility and intelligence, it could do a lot of damage with just one blow.

Dedric, Plan C. Lure two of them. Because its movement is slow, it shouldnt be difficult for you to keep your distance. Deimos, you assist from the side. You dont have to forcefully attack. If you see a situation where it is needed, prepare your defensive stance.

Okay!

Clack clack clack! Clack clack!

Both summons moved quickly according to the strategy.

Over here. You stupid green monsters! Woo-hoo!

Grrr!

Dedric had smacked the ogres cheek before flying in the opposite direction. The ogres mouth curled back to reveal its fangs before raising its axe, but the attack couldnt hit Dedric. He quickly flew out of the ogres range as it started wildly chasing him. Two ogres left while three remained.

Now shall I get started?

Ark plunged through the ogres. Stone axes attacked him from three directions. Ark ran before sliding through an ogres legs. When the three axes struck, the ground shook like an earthquake was occurring. At the moment Ark got up and used a skill.

Cancel Magic Detection, Eyes of the Cat!

Magic Detection and Eyes of the Cat couldnt be used at the same time as the magic was applied to the same eye. Arks eyes changed from blue to gold and red spots immediately appeared on the trolls back. Eyes of the Cat had detected the weak point!

I have to reduce the number as quickly as possible. Dark blade!

The ogres skin was similar to a high defense armour. However, Dark Blade ignored the defense and dealt a critical hit! There was a flash as his sword struck the weak point and enormous damage was dealt. If it was a normal monster, it would stagger and become off balance. However, the ogre just swung its axe without even flinching. It was an immediate counterattack before Ark could even lift his sword.

If I get hit by the counterattack then it would be a critical hit!

This monster was the most difficult opponent. The most effect part of Arks combat skills was his critical hits. A normal warrior would invest more in strength than in agility. It was in order to use their basic attacks and wear heavy armour. However, Arks agility was currently higher than his strength. When compared to a warrior, his strength was probably two times lower. Therefore his general attack was quite low but his chances of striking a critical hit were many times higher. Since Eyes of the Cat identified the weak points and he used taekwondo principles as well, the chance of a critical hit was 50%! When he struck two times, a critical hit would occur. That was one of the reasons why his hunting speed was a lot quicker even though his general attack was lower.

However, there was one weakness to that fighting style. He lacked defense since his stats were invested in critical hits. He also didnt have a defense related skill which would give him additional points in defense. Therefore, Arks lack of health was stressful during a fight. Since Ark would become stiff for a short time after dealing a critical hit, he raised evasion to compensate for that. But if it didnt even flinch at the critical hit, the counterattack would be dangerous since the power of the ogre was unimaginable.

There was the sound of blowing wind as the axe was raised!

Teteng!

However, the stone axe was blocked by a shield. Deimos had taken a defensive stance behind him.

Okay, thats it.

Ark nodded in satisfaction. The effect of the training was showing. Before the battle, he had ordered Deimos to keep an eye on the ogres from the side. He was probably interested in the ogres bones. The old him would have blindly ran to it, but after the mental training he focused on the battle. Dedric was the same. Blood flowed from the sides of the ogres that were fighting Ark. Dedric reflexively turned his head at the fragrant smell of the ogres blood. But when he saw Arks face he turned around and swallowed his drool.

Huhuhu, the one day of training was clearly effective.

He no longer needed to worry about bone collecting and vampirism having an impact on the battle.

Then should I turn up the heat? Snake, unequip your bags and make the paralysis poison.

Dedric and Deimos were not the only ones who grew. Snake had also steadily developed new abilities. Wandering alone to pick up items or memorizing the necessary ingredients for a recipe were some of the abilities it learnt. Unlike Dedric and Deimos, he didnt demand it of Snake. But Snake wanted to be helpful to Ark and developed it due to its voluntary efforts. And not long ago it had developed another ability. When Ark ordered it, Snake crept up and entered the bag. After it climbed into the bag, it could manually switch from item storage to poison manufacture and create the poison itself. He didnt have to make it do so.

Saek saek saek!

After Snake finished manufacturing the poison, it looked up with blue eyes. It really seemed beautiful! That was why Ark couldnt be weak to Snake.

Surururung, chaking!

The sword turned a deadly blue colour after the poison was applied. If there wasnt enough paralysis poison then the critical hit would apply! Ark unleashed a barrage of attacks on the ogres with the poison coated sword. He quickly continued with a series of kicks and defeated two of them down. Meanwhile, Deimos health fell by 80%. The attacks from the ogres were too much even with his high defense. If it was the same as before then it would have been unbearable.

Dedric, target Deimos with you vampire skill!

Ooh, I got it!

Dedric activated his vampire skill with glee. The present skill saved was the trolls Revival. Ark also retreated from the ogres until Deimos recovered his health using the buff. Then Ark called in the two ogres lured by Dedric.

Deimos, during the battle you can search the dead ogres for their bones. Dedric, when the skill slot is empty then I dont care about your vampire habits.

Clack clack clack! Clack clack!

Hahaha, I waited for this. Blood! Give me your blood you green monsters!

Deimos and Dedric cheered and enjoyed their hobby.

-Deimos has reassembled the ribs using his Bone collector skill. He has replaced it with the bone of an ogre and gained a more durable body.

<Strength +1, Attack and Defense +1>