Published at 12th of January 2022 02:39:54 PM

489 Atlach-Nacha

After resting overnight in the waterfall cavern, the first thing we do in the morning is to take a light stroll to hunt for a solitary fenrir. Before facing the exploding clay guardians or the ball of fleshy tentacles shub niggurath, I want the newly-evolved nightmare (now atlach-nacha) and the glittering-gold magiatite-jii to be out of the early levels.

Since we have a clear objective, everyone other than the atlach-nacha and magiate-jii hangs back and sticks to a support role this time.

I end up helping a little from the side, but the battle is over almost instantly. As expected of an monster, even though the atlach-nacha is only level 1, shes already a match for the nearly max-level fenrir.

Her new magic skill, [Abyss Field], strings up a web in a sphere around her. I was a little worried by the name, so it was a relief when it didnt summon a swarm of abysses. The web it creates covers a wide area, so it was even able to catch the speedy fenrir. The [Magic-Draining Sticky Thread of Darkness] is as sticky as the name suggests and it easily absorbs physical impacts, so the fenrir was unable to break free. The thread also continuously drains HP and MP as long as its in contact, so its an excellent technique.

The fenrir ended up burning it off with [Scorching Breath], but the web more than fulfilled its purpose by temporarily stopping the fenrirs movement, and it even caused it to take some backlash from its own flames. The skill can already cause a lot of trouble in its current state, and its only going to get stronger from here.

It was a tough matchup for magiatite-jii due to the level difference. His new [Stealth] skill allows him to bend the light around himself or around anything with a coating of his metal. Had it been a one-on-one fight he would have been spotted immediately, but as the fenrir was distracted by the atlach-nacha, he was able to attack from a blind spot.

Another of his new skills, [Metal Balloon], allows him to create low-density gasses in his body and float up like a balloon. He can also apparently combine it with other skills to create remotely detonated grenades, or bombs that blow up after a set amount of time. It can even be combined with [Stealth] to create invisible floating mines, apparently.

From what I can tell, [Metal Balloon] is an excellent attack skill, but against the evasion-specialist and higher-level fenrir, its wasnt able to do much damage. Still, it was enough to gain some of the experience.

The battle only lasted a few moments. The atlach-nacha has risen toLv: 29/102, and magiatite-jii has risen to Lv: 24/92.

That siingle battle has given me high hopes for the altach-nachas future. At this rate, she might surpass Aro soon. Her stats are excellent, but her skills are even more impressive. Shes only going to get stronger from here.

Good work, both of you. Especially atlach-nacha, that was incredible!

I call out to the atlach-nacha. She glances at me, then looks away.

So?

After responding curtly to me, she looks away again. C-cold Now that she has a more humanlike body, I can understand her gestures better, so seems even more cold-hearted than before. Oh partner, what should I do?

After the battle, magiatite-jii again transforms into sword form at Volks request. His sword shape is unchanged, other than his blade perhaps getting a little longer. But now hes emanating a brilliant golden glow.

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O-ooh! This sublime radiance, how magnificent!

Volk seems more than happy by the upgrade. He appears almost in a trance as he touches the blade. The sparkling gold seems a bit gaudy to me, but its probably best if I dont say anything. I suppose I should check the new status.

[Golden Magic Steel Spirit Sword]: Value

[Attack: +104] [Magic: +65]

A sword made of the even more valuable [Gold Magiatite] variant of [Magiatite].

It is so valuable that a price cannot be attached, and is easily national-treasure class.

[Gold Magiatite] possess the best magical conductivity of all extant metals, and so this sword has the effect of strengthening the wielders magic.

In addition to being able to cut through magic to neutralise it, any who are cut by it will have their mana stolen away, so it is suited to act as a mage killers weapon.

In addition, this sword is alive.

The effects have also evolved a lot The attack boost has almost doubled. Its even grown beyond the boost provided by Volks [Moon Sunderer Leral]. Thats before even getting into the new anti-magic effects.

Were probably strong enough now. Its finally time to climb up to the summit of the mountain of this Easternmost Strange Land. By challenging those guardians, well raise our levels further.

We dont have the leeway to take this any slower. Its already been several days since I fought the ruin and entered hostilities with Lilixira. It wouldnt be strange for her to attack any time now.