As I rapped gently on the guild's door, a voice called out, "Come in." Pushing it open, I stepped into a vast, empty hall where two female monsters were diligently sweeping the floor. "Is Ms. Marvellia here? I have a meeting with her," I inquired. One of them gestured towards the staircase leading to the second floor. I nodded in acknowledgment and made my way towards it.
At the second floor, there was an enormous room. In the center stood a female monster with fox-like features. This was my first encounter with this type of monster . Even after two centuries of existence, I have never ventured through all of the tenth region, so I am not qualified to comment on the appearance of other monsters.
As I strolled towards Marvellia, I noticed her eyes closed, and the magic energy surrounding her intensifying. Suddenly, it dawned on me—she was meditating while standing. Isn't that peculiar? Frostland monsters meditate while standing, not even falling or leaning against a wall. Just standing. If it were a monster from another continent, they would fall during meditation due to the extreme concentration required, eventually causing them to lose control of their bodies. Consequently, meditating while sitting is common among monsters from other continents, but these guys are just built different.
From the magic energy emanating from her, I can determine that it belongs to the rank 4, but I'm unable to pinpoint its precise stage. However, I suspect it could either be the true stage or the extreme stage, as the magic energy surrounding her closely resembles those stages. Of course, I could be mistaken, but I believe my assumption is at least somewhat accurate.
It would be impolite to interrupt her meditation, so I suppose I can wait. So I walked over to the closest chair and decide to meditate as well, not to ascend, but just to check my mind.
Meditation is a multifunctional practice, it serves various purposes, including ascending. It helps individuals organize their minds, learn, and even develop reflexes for their bodies. Interestingly, creating spells also requires meditation. While meditation cannot directly influence will, it can certainly influence it to some extent. Essentially, it involves self-manipulation of the mind, and the body follows the mind. This is why even the fighter-type monsters require meditation.
As for me, I need to organize my mind to prevent memory overload, since my mind lacks the capacity to store 2 centuries of memories. Of course, the determination alternative system will install memory gradually and safely, as that is part of DAS that I have fully completed. However, as I mentioned, that is part other parts are not fully complete, and therefore, it will break other parts of DAS. So, I need to be prepared right now I'm my memory capacity is about 50 years it sounds much but 50 years 20 is this body's mind I only expend it by 30 years and there is 139 years of memory.
Hehe, I feel relaxed right now because meditation has given me complete control over my mind. Naturally, self-doubts and my insatiable curiosity for answers remain, but the crucial aspect is that I am the master of my own thoughts. I have consciously chosen which emotions to experience and which to suppress, effectively blocking them deep within my subconscious.
Expending memory capacity is similar to knitting, and the yarn is intricately woven deep within my consciousness. Currently, I have already unraveled half of it. This is the limit of a monster. Only by transforming into an extraordinary monster can I obtain more yarn to create greater memory capacity. To me, it's like silk cotton that expands like the vast steppe land, but only half of it is dry because 20 years of memory and 6 years of life into the future have already been settled. Now, only 20 years of memory capacity remain unused. Espresmory memories are not mine; they were devoured by my overlord-self mind. To me, her life was like watching a 40-year movie.
Before I knew it it has been half hour to outside world while to me it was like 5 minutes trip
"What remarkably concentrated meditation you're doing! I might even say I need you to teach me," a sudden voice interrupted my meditation, causing me to pause and open my eyes.
Marvellia, with her striking white eyes and a warm smile, gazed at me. Despite the pleasant demeanor, a sense of humor tickled my mind. I recognized this face and had a perfect way of greeting someone like her.
I smiled in response and in position of handshake "name is Sans nice to meet you Marvellia" she also replied and goes for handshake "nice to meet you as well"
Boooop
The sound of a fart echoed in the room. Both of us remained motionless before bursting into uncontrollable laughter. Yes, it was my greeting—the whoopee cushion trick—and it's always with me.
"That was funny, okay. Let's get to work," Marvellia said, her laughter fading but still lingering in the air.
"Sure" that was my reply so we walked to her office
"So, you were assigned to Squad 12, huh? Well, since they're not here, you can head to Noble House Laporde's domain and wait there." Those words resonated with Squad 12, the one I've been with in my previous life. I met them in the Frost Zone and went with them until I reached this city. Later, I decided to join them because they were searching for the Land of Kall, which was also something my past self was looking for. Fortunately, they accepted my request as well. So it was better to go with them
However, the circumstances are different. I possess knowledge and direction, and the ability to manipulate data within the server to my advantage. (Hehe, this is undoubtedly blasphemous behavior, but since it's undetectable, why not try it all? After all, I'll likely need to do something like this more frequently in the future. It's better to get accustomed to it.) As I contemplate this, I also don't like the thought that sooner or later, I'll be doing something like this. Nothing scares me more than my future self. *sigh* Can I at least change myself? Even though it was necessary, it feels wrong, but I guess I can try.
So, I inquired, "I understand, but could I please have the seal of approval? This would simplify the process significantly and save me a considerable amount of time."
Marvellia pondered for a few moments. While it's not challenging to give a seal of approval, there are always potential issues that could arise later. Therefore, it's better to consider various factors before giving a seal of approval. My experience as a guild member and experience as Espresmory's guild manager have made it easier for me to understand the system and act accordingly.
"Okay, hold on for a moment. I need to log into the server to give you the approval. It might take a while. " Marvellia said as she got into Cos now that I think about it, humans call Cos computer.
Monsterkind network operates quite differently from humankind. Unlike them, Monsterkind utilizes pure magic energy as a means of data transfer, akin to the internet. Furthermore, advanced machines diligently monitor the network, ensuring that the pure magic energy remains airborne, controlled, and securely contained.
Soon, Marvellia sighed in relief and extended her hand toward me, and I did the same. We essentially shook hands, but this time, we were gripping each other's wrists. Not long after, snowflakes began to form around our hands, creating a mini snowstorm that was spherical in shape.
This was a seal of approval, unlike a seal of honor. It signifies a deal and a vow. Essentially, it's employment, giving a monster a job and assigning its duty and responsibility that is permanently sealed on the monster. The monster can negotiate with the one who gave it the seal of approval to change or nullify it, allowing monsters to be trusted with jobs and showcase their identity to make the job easier. However, the seal of approval is a temporary necessity for me. Right now, I desire a seal of bounding, a seal of knowledge, and a seal of promise. Those seals are very crucial, but I have none of them. If I had my seal of honor from my previous life, not only would I be more powerful, but my status in monster society would also increase to the point where I would hold a high sovereign position in one day. It's such a pity that I don't have them. And my current seal of honor is not mine either, but I can make use of it, but it needs true ink right now, which I will soon have.
"Well done!" Marvellia removes her hand as I do the same. Suddenly, a tiny snowstorm of sphere-shaped snowflakes starts to grow denser and smaller until it transforms into a snowball and floats to Marvellia's palm, matching her palm size. She brings the snowball to her mouth and whispers, "I, Marvellia Arengel, accept the term of seal. From now on, I will treat Sans Wing Ding as members of the Homellka guild." Then, she brings the snowball to me, and I do the same. "I, Sans Wing Ding accept the term of seal. Until the terms come to an end, I will work as a member of the Homellka guild. I will be a part of the guild until I find the Land of Kall."
Snowballs began to freeze, transforming into ice balls that goes to in front of Marvellia. Then, I start to experienced a sensation akin to water coursing through my bones, as a seal of approval had been bestowed upon me. Now, my mission is to diligently work for this guild until I discover the Land of Kall. The primary objective of the guild is to locate the Land of Kall, guided by the noble house of Laporde.
After leaving the guild, I relocated to the western side of Moltier City. Unlike city I live , which is divided into three sections: right, middle, and left, Moltier City is divided into nine distinct areas, resembling an eight-sided star with a ninth section serving as the central divide. Monsterkind has adopted this system for their city, instead of using streets or blocks. By dividing the city in this manner, divided areas can develop at a faster and more independent pace. However, it's important to note that these divisions create their own limited domains. This is the reason why Monsterkind's technology was far superior to that of humankind. Unlike humans, who rely on coal and trees as their primary energy sources, Monsterkind's technology requires magic energy. Making Monsterkind's technology has no adverse impact on the environment. While humans require metals through mining and exploitation, the city send countless expedition group of monsters embarks on journeys across the continent in search of specific beasts that provide the necessary metals for Monsterkind's technological advancements.
My city currently operates at the low tier 5 engine, while this city boasts the high tier 6 engine, which is already superior to mine. Every time I think about it, I can't help but laugh. The first city to defend against humanity is barely in the low tier 5 engine yet managed to outperform any other city. Its defense was an impossible feat and that was achieved through me. I was mentally unstable at those times, so I went on a rampage because of they killing innocent monsters. I never imagined I could be capable of such violence while doing them I broke through rank 6 and achieved more fighting success than most extraordinary monsters in the city. However, because of those actions, I was specifically targeted and later captured and send to 9th region then transferred to 7th region
Despite my abhorrence for those times, it was the sole factor that transformed me into the Clownchaos the beacon of hope for monsterkind, the harbinger of mankind's demise.
Soon, I arrived at my destination, which was a mansion that floated in the air due to advanced technology. And has platforms that goes to mansion and came back to ground which is means of transport as I get on one of those square platforms they start to float getting me to front yard of mansion
"The once-residence of the noble house of Leporde has transformed into the headquarters of over five guilds. This peculiar transformation has piqued my curiosity, compelling me to investigate the reasons behind this dedication. I had never encountered such extreme importance that compelled a noble house to take such drastic measures. I am eager to uncover the reason behind this transformation. "As I stepped onto the front lawn of the mansion, I couldn't help but wonder what secrets I would uncover even right now. Countless assumptions were running through my mind, all of them possible but unproven.
Multiple elegantly dressed monsters tended to the flowers in the front lawn. Each one harnessed Magic energy to infuse dying flowers with the vitality to endure, much like beasts. Magic energy, possessing both benevolent and malevolent qualities, can bestow life and healing, while also causing death and corruption intoxication. The nature of Magic energy depends on the monster using it and the one receiving it.
Soon, I arrived at the mansion's door. As I opened it, a pristine, elongated hall greeted me. With confidence, I walked forward, knowing exactly what to do. Suddenly, light emanated from the ceiling, illuminating me and scrutinizing me whenever I had permission, which was the seal of approval. Once it found the seal of approval in my body, the long hall began to shrink until the door at the end, which was hundreds of steps away, transformed into a few steps away. This was the creation of an extraordinary monster, only they are capable of crafting something like this. And I was about to face its creator. As I walked to the door, I felt immense pressure as magic energy that had spread into the surrounding area, as if they are looking at me with curiosity. And to me it was like pressure. Just as I expected in such environments not normal monster can withstand and Those monsters at the front lawn were rank 5 monsters. If I were to fight one of them, they would annihilate me without difficulty, even if I had figure's help.
"It's becoming increasingly challenging for me to maintain my footing. This could be attributed to my current rank 3, even though I can match the abilities of most rank 4 monsters. However, I am not actually rank 4. Each rank grants monsters new traits and bodies that are capable of enduring harsh environments. Consequently, I can only withstand environments that rank 3 monsters can live in, not rank 4." . I sigh slightly and step through the door, pressure rapidly dissipate and I feel its disappearance. As I get room I saw office filled with countless papers floating chaotically yet it rather controlled and in office there was numerous tables. Pencils float in air and start to write words on paper like it has mind of their own but I know those pencils are controlled by telekinesis , and paper that scribbled on the themselves by pencils fly off to another corner of room creating pyramid of paper. In center of it all, there stands a fox-like monster, just like Marvellia
He was engrossed in a book, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. However, I knew better. I recognized him as a rank 6 monster, a fact I had acquired through my previous life's knowledge and the extra sense I had gained upon entering the hyper state. I could sense his presence, emanating the aura of a rank 6 body, which appeared to be upper rank 6. Unlike the stages of rank 1 to 5, extraordinary monsters goes by sub-ranks to rank 6 to 9. Remarkably, he was simultaneously engaged in multiple activities, including reading a book, while maintaining this extraordinary multitasking ability. This was a unique advantage of being an extraordinary monster, allowing them to perform tasks with remarkable efficiency and precision, as if they possessed multiple minds executing different functions. If I were to reach rank 9, I would be more than capable of defending against an invasion of humanity, even repelling it.
"If I hadn't been careless, I would have my soul. With my utmost dedication and effort, I would have undoubtedly achieved rank 5 by now." a sudden wave of regret washed over me, but it quickly dissipated as swiftly as it had arrived.
It's been a while since I experienced regret, ever since I regressed. I was able to feel it again, but I didn't need to dwell on it right now. My primary focus is on ascending and doing everything I can. I acknowledge that I had hindered my own progress, but crippling myself doesn't necessarily mean the end of the world. As long as I'm alive, I have other options available to me.
With this in mind, I face the monster standing before me. Soon, he gazes at me with a surprised expression, which I can only guess at, but I'm not entirely certain.
"How the heck are you here? Are you an illusion? No, you're not an illusion. What are you?" He was questioning me with curiosity tone I can understand
"Why did you think that, I'm just rank 3 monster, how can I create illusion" I decided this was best answer I can give
He gazed at me for a few moments, grappling with his thoughts. His senses conjured an image of a skeletal monster, accompanied by the sound of a physical voice. However, his extraordinary monster perception and extra senses revealed that the monster was merely a figment of his imagination, devoid of any physical presence. There was movement, but it was not the result of any external force. This was what he was perceiving
"Let's put this aside for now. I'm quite confused about the entire situation, but I'm certain you came here with a purpose." He walked to his table and sat down, inviting me to join him.
I sat across from him, my gaze fixed on his eyes. Initially, we remained silent, but I decided to break the ice. "Well, I'm quite new here. I joined the guild just two hours ago, and I thought it would be better to familiarize myself with the guild's rules and regulations before completing my job. So, I came here to learn more about the guild." To be fair, this was the truth, simply presented differently. Once words are spoken, there's no way to undo them, so I don't want to lie when is unnecessary.
Soon, a flurry of papers came flying towards me. As I glanced at them, I noticed they were a list of rules that I wanted to know. Then, I turned my attention to the monster standing before me. Despite his initial confusion and curiosity, he gradually regained control of himself and decided to assist me, much like other monsters.
"Well, shall we begin then?" he smiled, but it wasn't a wide smile. He was trying to suppress his confusion and curiosity, which were overwhelming his sense of responsibility as a manager.
"Sure" I replied instantly it was better to speed up progress
Then, we both walked out to the office, passing through the mansion. He introduced me to various rooms and explained their functions. To be honest, I had never been in this mansion before, so I diligently took notes, remembering even the smallest details. Then he bring me to my new room
"This will be your room until the 12th squad returns from their search. Feel free to use it whenever you like." Marliris introduced me to my new room during our tour of the mansion. We had already exchanged information, and his name was Marliris. It was surprising to me that he was Marvellia's brother, as I had assumed he would be Marvellia's uncle or something similar. I gave him my job and a few other related tasks, and that was the extent of my involvement.
I also find him quite reasonably monstrous. While it would be nice to talk to him, I need some time alone right now. The magic pressure of Frostland has already taken its toll, and I need to move on to the next stage, the true stage.
"But first," I begin, meticulously scanning the entire room for any potential source of trouble. While I trust Marliris, he might not be fully aware of everything in the room, even if he knows everything he doesn't know about my condition. This isn't fear; it's a cautious approach. I've already paid the price for being careless, and I intend to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
It appears that there are no obstacles hindering my progress in reaching the true stage, as I find nothing that can impede my meditative.
So, I sit on my bed and begin meditating. Since I'm not a frostland monster, I have no choice but to sit down during meditation. Those guys are truly built differently. Before meditation, I already wear my five rings from my backpack and plan to craft my armor tomorrow. I intend to spend the entire night meditating, fully immersing myself in the true stage. However, I must admit that I enjoyed this silence. My figure is quite busy, so it just does its job and doesn't talk at all. It seems like he is having a beef with the great machine.
Filling the true stage ended much faster than I had anticipated, so since there was still time left, I decided to make the most of it and start crafting my armor.
"It's been a while since I crafted armor like this in my previous timeline. After reaching ascension level 14, I stopped crafting armor and began creating armor based on my magic to match my strength. This method is quite efficient and easy to repair, but now, as a true rank 3 stage monster, I must craft armor the only way possible." I've already spent two hours crafting armor, but it demands a substantial amount of magic energy to mold it. Magic energy, can be akin to a knife, can shape metals and other materials. Its applications are numerous, but most monsters are unaware of all of them. Even I am not fully acquainted with them, but the key distinction lies in the fact that most monsters are limited to 13 ways of utilizing magic energy, while I possess 45 distinct methods. This is the defining characteristic that sets me apart from others.
Armor bending and melting were heard throughout the room, but it was so subtle that it went unnoticed. However, I don't believe it for a second. Rank 5 monsters have heightened sensory perceptions beyond those of normal monsters. I think they're hearing it.
As I continued doing it repeatedly, something profound struck me, almost causing me to faint. I'm not sure what it was, but I know it's not fatal. "What the…" I helplessly groaned, unsure of what to do. But I remained calm, trying to comprehend what was happening to me. Then, I heard a figure. "Dude, are you serious? Why does every time I go away, you get into trouble? This is ridiculous!"
Soon it stopped then it clicked in my mind what happened
"Damn it!" I want to scream right now, but I suppress this impulse.
"What are you cursing about, and what happened? Wait a second, is this about hyper state?" Damn he right. So, I just nodded. I really don't want to talk.
"… it came more sooner than it was supposed to come." The figure seems to be surprised. Well, I can't blame him. I too was caught off guard.
"Espresmory's memories… their consequences are arriving far too soon." I sigh deeply, comprehending the implications. The mind and memory are incredibly intricate and perilous, and I absorbed Espresmory's memories, which are not mine. As they reside within my mind, they will gain stability and clash with me.
Although I acknowledge that these are extraordinary monster memories, they were supposed to manifest two weeks later. It would develop a sense of self, forge its own will, and exploit my mind as its own. Naturally, I can utilize Figure, but I must consider that this is my mind, and it will function as a battlefield, where each damage is fatal.
Great! I had let my overlord-self into my mind, and to buy more time, I had severed my soul from my body. Now this what am I supposed to do?
I sigh once again, "Ever since regression, my journey has been filled with countless prices. Even though I considered this happening, it was supposed to be a two-week process. Damn, two weeks later, I would have reached the peak rank 3 stage, which would have given me time to solve this."
Then, slowly but surely, the rage that once consumed my heart begins to fade away. What's the point of harboring anger when it's futile? I need to calm down and consider things.
"In the Land of Kall, there exists an opposition mind artifact that has the power to refresh my mind and erase the traces of Espresmory. Yes, that's right! This is exactly what I needed." Just moments ago, I was feeling utterly despondent, but now I'm filled with an overwhelming sense of joy. Visiting Frostland was undoubtedly the best decision I've ever made.
This time credits goes to my luck I can attribute my good fortune due to the fact that I had completely forgotten about the opposing mind artifact until this moment of despair.
"Hehe… this is ridiculous. I need to sleep." I stop crafting my armies although they are halfway finished, I need rest. My mind is in a dangerous position. There might be something that will come for my mind. I need to prepare my mind at all costs.
So, I slept like a kid until morning today. I need to take something because I don't have time to meditate for ascending, as I'll be putting most of them to my mind. I decided to use something different, something only I know, something that will gamble, but even in loss, it was acceptable. It will slow down my advancement, but it has become inevitable that I will stop my ascending, so why not gamble then if I succeed? I would be peak rank 3 stage in two days. If I lose, then I won't be able to ascend for a month.
I need to find the elusive 'it,' the mysterious beast that ranks 4. It's incredibly difficult to locate, but fortunately, I have records of its location and can be certain that it originated from a specific server. Having a figure within the network is incredibly helpful. My current prowess is easily comparable to other extreme rank 3 stage or peak-stage monsters because figure pushed my body to its limits making far more progress,
Rank 3 monsters could never compete with rank 4 monsters, not because of a power gap, but because each rank grants monsters unique traits and skills. A rank 3 beast or monster might be significantly stronger than a rank 4 monster and they can far more supply of magic energy, but they would never surpass a rank 4 monster. The reason is simple: rank 4 monsters are immune to the presence of rank 3 monsters, rendering their attacks ineffective. However, physical damage can be inflicted with proper preparation and weapons.
I can defeat a rank 4 monster, but that's not the most challenging aspect. Each breakthrough grants monsters new traits and skills, but I currently lack any. The reason for this is quite simple: I have a wall between my soul and body. Only by removing this wall will I be able to acquire traits. If I consider the traits I'll gain, they'll be the same as in the previous timeline.
In that case, I'd gain bone-bending abilities, which would allow me to create bones with significantly less magic energy expenditure and shape them more accurately. To be fair, I shouldn't be able to create bones right now, yet I can do so. Why? Because I've been using this magic for 160 years, and it's become a reflex, just like how extraordinary monsters cast magic.
So my shot at killing 'it' is about 60% but with my preparation I can make it around 80% but things is I'm running low on time so right now my shot it 65%
"If there was a chance to use DAS, I would gladly take it. One mistake, and everything would fall apart." So, I leave the mansion with my backpack and the new sword I bought yesterday. Well, here we go. In moments of inevitable failure, I would use my teleportation device in the inheritance to escape. So, there's nothing to worry about. Well, considering my track record, I don't believe my assumptions.
Since there was no mission to complete, the managers simply allowed me to leave. It was better for them, even if they blocked my path. I can pursue them using their responsibility and situations, but that would take some time.
Soon, I'll leave Moltier City and face snowstorms that nearly drain an entire ring. To return, I'll need to use another ring, just like before. Each snowstorm still hit me hard, but I managed to escape its reach.
"And here we go to my sweet Frost zone " I have walked for hour and reached my destination the frost zone 'it' has been recorded even without need to reach peak rank 3 stage I would gladly hunt this beast
The frost zone is an area where the cold is so intense that it feels like frostbite all over my body. My elixirs's effect already worn out, and I can do nothing but endure the harsh conditions. Although I have potions, they are intended for combat, not for surviving extreme cold.
Unlike the previous frost zone ice trees, which were all transparent ice currents, the frost zone I'm in is filled with non-transparent ice trees. These trees are covered in a striking blue color, and their branches spread chaotically and thinly. As a result, the area they cover has expanded to the point where it is connected to other ice trees, forming a unique rooftop structure.
Those structures gave the impression of an ice cave, so I entered without hesitation. Not out of carelessness, but because I have countermeasures for most beasts here, especially rank 5 beasts. Therefore, I didn't need to worry. I also possess 43 rings, all fully charged with magic energy.
Even now, I'm wearing two rings. While this allows me to cast magic and manipulate magic energy, it also attracts other beasts. They essentially detect magic energy. However, if it had been 10 days before me, right after my regression, I would have had a magic concealment technique to remain invisible to my surroundings. Unfortunately, I don't have that option now.
My presence attracted all rank 4 and 5 beasts, making me essentially the perfect bait for them. Especially 'it'
As I venture deeper into the frost zone, my vision becomes increasingly obstructed by the towering ice trees. At this point, I can only see the ice trees, and the most bothersome thing is that their branches spread not only horizontally like the ceiling but also vertically like walls, resembling thorns that form a partially covered wall of branches. Consequently, I can't move in any direction I want to; instead, I have to walk through those path-like structures. These structures are really bothersome because they mean I can be ambushed at any point. So, I need to move slowly, but that means more and more beasts will come to me, wearing me down until I'm out of shape to fight against 'it'.
So, I decided to take a risk and consistently go fast-paced. I'm nowhere near territory of 'it' but I don't need any specific body part of 'it' at all. My goal is simply to find the home of 'it'
Soon, I began hearing multiple howls and the sound of footsteps on snow that weren't mine. It seemed like I was about to be ambushed. Unlike Motherland beasts, Frostland beasts specialize in ambushing and fighting in hordes. While the number of higher-rank beasts in Frostland is more consistent than in Motherland, their fighting style made it challenging for monsters to defend themselves. This is why Frostland is renowned as the most perilous monster continent.
Suddenly, my extra sense and my rank 3 body's sensory perception detected a sudden movement above me. A scream of Figure echoed in my mind, "Dodge!" Instinctively, I moved to evade the incoming attack. I executed a five-time backflip, narrowly escaping the assault.
The wind howled fiercely, forcing me to shield my head with my hand. Once I regained my balance, I looked at my attacker, but the snow obscured my vision. Soon, the snow in the air dissipated, revealing my attacker. From its landing, I could tell it was a rank 3.
The chattering sound of rocks colliding began to emanate. This sound led me to speculate about the various creatures it could belong to. My initial assumption is that it's a snow drier snake beast, which seems plausible given its active attack and other factors. However, it's possible that my guess might be incorrect. I'm not entirely certain.
"If it truly is the 'snow drier snake beast," I draw my sword and employ my sharpening technique, enveloping the blade's edge in magical energy. As I had predicted, over a dozen colossal snowballs, so dense they resembled rocks, are hurled toward me at incredible speed.
I stood firm and swung my sword, effortlessly cutting them in half. However, the momentum in those colossal snowballs pushed me back despite my successful cuts. Perhaps it was because I didn't swing my sword them at the optimal angle.
"On second thought it is safer to dodge"
"Skill issue"
"…"
When the next snowball came to me, I jumped on it and leaped to other snowballs, effectively reaching the beast. Due to my rank 3 body I was quite athletic enough to pull this
Then, I heard the sound of stones shifting, which made me summon a large bone mid-air and place my foot on it. I quickly leaped away, making sure to maintain a safe distance. Suddenly, I saw the white stone snake head biting and crushing the bone.
On mid-air, I summoned two large bones from the ground and struck the snake beast's head from both the left and right sides. As soon as the bones made contact with the snake beast's head, a thunderous sound reverberated through the air. In reality, it was a clash between my bones and the snake beast's stone armor. The impact was so powerful that my bones began to splinter. Despite the apparent that my bones are no match to armor of snake beast, the parts that were struck by them were driven deep into the snake beast's interior. This disoriented the snake beast, providing me with the perfect opportunity to strike.
I swiftly turn around and sprint towards the ice tree, climbing its branches in seconds. Then, I launch myself towards the head of the snake beast and, with all my might I thrust my sword into its top of head with utilizing the momentum gained from propelling the magic energy from behind.
"Damn it"
My thrust was insufficient to completely penetrate its armor, as it only managed to penetrate halfway through and stuck.
The snake beast roared with fury, its movements becoming increasingly erratic as it tried to shake me off. Despite its relentless attempts, I stood firm, refusing to let go of my sword.
"Okay, gripping technique is best shot I have. Figure you know what to do"
"On it"
I began drawing more and more magical energy from my body, and it wasn't long before I had exhausted half of my magical energy reserves. Now, it was the figures' job to do as a will of magic.
Soon, the magic energy starts to move violently yet in a controlled manner. From the end of the sword, the magic energy flows towards the handle through the edge, and then from the handle towards the end of the sword without touching the edges. This was now cycle of movement in my sword
The sound of my sword grinding against the stone armor intensifies as it penetrates deeper into the armor on its own. Soon, blood splashes from deep within the armor where the sword reached, and some of the splashes reached my skull. But I wasn't satisfied with it so
"Figure create small blades on the edges that goes with the flow of magic energy, hurry!" I screamed in my mind in order to command figure
"Understood!"
Soon, the blue aura surrounding my blade intensified, causing it to spin faster. Simultaneously, small, blue-tooth-like blades began to sprout from the edge that would eventually came to my handle. However, with each blink, these small blades transformed into sharp, little, bigger blades. It start to dig into stone armor like nothing
The snake beast roared, losing all rationality. It began smashing everything around, even hitting its head against the ground, trying to throw me away. But I felt fear as I saw head of this beast was about hit ice tree
"Uh oh"
"Fuck"
I released my sword from my hands then jumped away right then it hit ice tree which start cracking everywhere moment I landed I created multiple layered wall of bones at directions of snake beast and ice tree that is about to explode
Then ice tree exploded so loudly that I almost lost consciousness and impact of explosion throw snake beast at me but it hit my wall
Groan escaped my mouth as I tried to get up but failing
"It hurts"
After multiple attempts, I managed to rise. My surroundings were devastated; all the snow had been blown away, and the branches that had served as rooftops were also blown away. However, other ice trees remained intact; their branches were destroyed, but they remained on the ground. I couldn't hear anything, but my ability to listen began to return gradually. Without much thought, I walked around my walls of bones. Although the main body of the snake beasts was covered in stone armor, it was evident that the explosion had hit it squarely at first. As I observed, there were cracks on them everywhere. Those stone armor were far more durable than diamonds, yet they were shattered by the explosion. But the moment I tried to see its head, it was smashed deep into my walls of bones, to the point where I couldn't see its head. Most of my layers of bone walls were broken, and the head of the snake beast had been pushed into my wall of bones so forcefully that it resembled crushed flour.
"This is why attempting to fight in the frost zone is suicide. Each ice tree has great amounts of nature energy flowing through them, which can be easily extracted. But, when it encounters sudden overwhelming kinetic force, it explodes with a burst of nature energy. Even as a rank 4, if I were struck by it, I would die." I can't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards myself for believing it will explode. That's why I've surrendered my grip on my sword. Although there's a high probability that it won't explode, there's still a chance of it doing so. So, I decided that it was better to be safe than sorry.
A small chuckle escaped my mouth as I approached the head of the beast to retrieve my sword. Not long after, I managed to pull out the snake head from my bone wall, and my sword was still attached to its head. Without a second thought, I took it out. Its handle and barrel were almost broken, but the blade was not damaged. It might have been due to my magic energy being infused with it before I let go of my hand from it.
Seeing this little uncomfortable thought begin to surface, I couldn't help but frown at my own thoughts. "If we continue to make swords like this after every single fight, it won't be long before we exhaust our financial resources."
However, the figure made me feel even worse. "It's more likely sooner than you think if we need this type of quality sword for every fight and replace it constantly. Considering the number of fights we intend to have, it will cost over 3 million Tana after just 7 years. Isn't that a short time?"
I groan at the figure's words and my thoughts until something hits me. I look at what hit, only to realize that snow is falling on the area.
"The explosion of the ice tree might have scared away most of the beasts around here, which will give me peace to recover. However, among those scared beasts, there might be 'it' i need to get to territory of 'it' as fast possible" with such thought I walk away not wanting waste time
After this, I ventured into the west, finding myself in a frost zone without a map. Relying solely on my spatial awareness, I became a lost monster, clueless about my whereabouts. During my wandering, I was ambushed by rank 2 beasts other than that nothing significant happened. As a result, I managed to reach my destination without sustaining any injuries.
"This is it!" I groan, barely able to contain my excitement as I finally reach my destination. When figure hack into the network of Moltier, he find countless pieces of information on servers. Among them, he discover records of a beast that exclusively hunts monsters. This alone is enough to convince me that it was 'it' in the previous timeline when I was a peak rank 2 stage. I was part of a group of monsters searching for the land of Kall, but during one of our expeditions, we were attacked by 'it'. I was the sole survivor of that massacre and managed to kill the beast at the cost of my entire group. After killing the beast, I found the land of Kall. What I learned from 'it' is that it resides in eight different frost zones, depending on the number of monsters that pass through.
"If I recall correctly, that beast was on the verge of achieving a breakthrough to rank 5. However, to reach rank 5, it required an enormous amount of magic energy, and monsters were the ideal targets. Unfortunately, those targets happened to be our group." As I try to recall the previous timeline, multiple memories of me and others fighting against the beast start to appear.
With minimal introspection, I've stopped those memories right there. I must locate the nest of that beast and set traps to weaken it as much as possible. Afterward, I can recall those memories to my advantage and fight against 'it'.
As I continue traversing the cave-like structures formed by ice tree branches, a profound sense of tranquility washes over me. However, this tranquility is abruptly shattered as darkness descends upon me, severely restricting my vision. Shortly thereafter, I find myself enveloped in an overwhelming state of serenity, which hints at the presence of a formidable rank 4 or rank 5 beast.
Ruk ruk
I glanced down at the peculiar sound that had come from my foot earlier and found the bones of a beast that had been devoured. If I had to guess, these are the remains of a rank 3 ice killer bear beast. This discovery also suggests the presence of a rank 4 or rank 5 beast.
How many traces of battle have been left here, and how many ice trees are regrowing their branches also indicate the presence of a rank 4 or rank 5 beast as I venture more deeper I become sure it was nest of 'it'
"Hmm, but there's one thing missing—why is there no dust of a monster here? I'm pretty sure it doesn't instantly kill the monster but instead sucks the magic energy from it. So, it needs to do this while the monster is alive, and to do it safely, it needs to be in its nest. Since it wants to reach rank 5, it must hunt monsters, which is inevitable. Can I be wrong that this is the nest of 'it'? It might not be 'it', but there's still a possibility that it is. So, it would be ideal to see whenever this is its nest or not."
"Right, since I can monitor it. Why not monitor it at all? Whenever I take out my ring, I basically become invisible, even a rank 6 monster can't detect me. This was a kind of benefit of having a wall between the soul and the body. It makes the body's magic motionless, and motionless magic is basically non-solid like air. So, I hide my presence enough to fool rank 8 beasts, and the rings as long as I don't wear them. It's impossible to detect magic energy in them. With those factors, it costs me nothing but a few hours to wait so I can try to see whether I was right or wrong."
I'm intimately familiar with this situation. In a previous timeline, when I was a wandering monster in the 7th region, I constantly dodged danger, much like a cat avoiding a bath. However, the catch was that if I touched water, I would die. But there's a crucial aspect to risk: it's like that sudden cure for a disease that appears in a city plagued by it. Initially, it may seem unreliable and risky, but in reality, it's simply an opportunity to heal from the disease. It can either save one or kill one, so they do it based on their luck. However, they can prepare themselves by doing everything possible to increase their chances of healing.
Some people say, "Oh, that's too risky!" But let me tell you, there's no such thing as a risk. It's just the probability of success and failure, like paying for a fancy meal and hoping it doesn't give you food poisoning. The trick is to look at that risk, understand it, and make contingency plans. You can say, "Hey, I can turn this into a low-risk, high-reward situation!"
Only the foolish jump into high-risk situations without considering the potential consequences and making contingency plans. I, on the other hand, am all about turning that risk into something manageable. My fear of danger stems from a lack of strength to solve trouble. But hey, that's a risk with the potential for a big reward. So, I want to take the chance and manage it. Because, let's face it, life is too short to play it safe all the time. After all, a monster's 500-year lifespan is not long compared to the vastness of time.
A smile appeared on my skull as I embraced a blend of excitement and apprehension. The excitement arose from the potential rewards, while the apprehension was rooted in the myriad ways things could go awry, as my mind meticulously considered countless scenarios. These emotions are not born of impulsivity; they have been honed to serve a purpose. I have long since let go of any emotional elements that do not contribute to my goals. After 169 years of enduring hardships, I have learned that while this time may seem brief, it has been sufficient to master them
and with my will being almost uninfluenced my emotions will stay same as my overlord self.
With those being said I turn back into those darkness I need to prepare and explore
After hours I've meticulously scoured every corner of these challenging environments, always on the lookout for the perfect hiding spots, and I've memorized every possible escape route like the back of my hand. I've even crafted a few clever escape tactics, just in case things ever get out of hand.
No it will definitely get out of my hand ever since I regressed, it's become a recurring issue. This has become the norm for my reality.
During those hours, I remained vigilant, my senses finely tuned, ready to teleport at a moment's notice, as a rank 5 beast was expected to appear. Yet, no beast materialized, which only deepened my unease. I knew patience was key, so I chose to stay for the following hour, setting traps with a calm facade, though my mind raced with plans and possibilities.
That was until…
Boom boom boom
The sudden sound jolted me, halting my trap-setting. I turned towards the source, but it was far away. Climbing the tallest tree, I sought to understand the commotion. In the blink of an eye, I reached the top of the ice tree, the highest in the area. Its dense branches formed a rooftop structure, and I doubted I'd see much. But as soon as I reached the highest point…
"What the! How are they here!" Fear and anxiety surged through me as I lay eyes on the scene before me. Those fears quickly transformed into caution, and anxiety morphed into a desperate need for observation.
In my vision, I saw four rank 5 beasts locked in battle. Though they were distant, I could see them clearly. The rank 5 shadow hunter wolf beast, with its four red eyes, was enormous enough to dwarf the ice tree. Its black fur made it appear as a living shadow. Then there was the rank 5 land devastator crocodile beast, as large as the shadow hunter wolf but longer, dwarfing even the wolf beast. Its mouth was a grotesque display of teeth, jutting out as if there was no room for them, and with its longer limbs, it moved with terrifying speed for its size. As if this wasn't dreadful enough, there were two other rank 5 beasts: the death descender eagle beast and the power tanker bear beast. Just one of them could kill me, and I had no way of fighting them off.
"I believe it would be best if we retreat. Who knows, this nest might be one of theirs, except for the eagle beast." Figure said this to me without hesitation or fear, just boredom. However, they were logical. Although I can hide from rank 5, who can say I wouldn't get caught if I did? Then, it would be over.
If I followed logical mind and heart, I think that retreating was not just a choice but a necessity. The undeniable conclusion was clear: our safety was paramount, and the best course of action was to leave the area and seek a safer place .
A deep, weary sigh escaped my lips, a sound that seemed to echo through the shadows of my secluded hideaway. Despite the figure's voice in my mind urging me to withdraw, to vanish into the obscurity from whence I came, I found myself unable to silence the incessant chatter of my own thoughts. Yet, with meticulous preparation and a cunning plan, I was confident in my ability to remain concealed, even if they dared to venture into this area.
Suddenly, a mysterious phenomenon streaked across the sky, a fleeting apparition that left me momentarily surprise and made me breathless. Though its form eluded my sight, it left behind a trail of ethereal ice particles, shimmering like ghostly whispers in the frigid air. These delicate fragments, however, seemed to possess a something familiar to me, binding me in place with an invisible grip as a chilling grin began to unfurl across the hollow expanse of my skull.
In the stillness that followed, a haunting laughter emerged, resonating with an eerie, otherworldly quality. "Hehe hehe hehehaha," it echoed, a sound that seemed to seep from the very walls around me. "I found you, 'it.' So this nest wasn't yours, wasn't it?" The voice, filled with an unsettling mix of triumph and malice, lingered in the air, leaving me ensnared in its enigmatic grasp, as the mystery of my predicament deepened with each passing moment.
I realize now that thinking staying here wasn't a choice but a necessity was a mistake. Right now, I must stay here at all costs.