《The Adventures of the Mask Maker》Siege Preparations Part 4
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After that was done, I went back to the three katanas I was finishing. Upon completion, I reached over to get the jar of Poison Maggot Slime. Then, I smeared the slime onto the blades in order to both preserve their quality and coat them with poison. I added a few drops of my blood filled with Maker's Essence onto the blades in order to keep the poison in peak condition forever. Next, I set the three katanas to the side and grabbed the eighteen good quality weapons. Similarly, like what I did with the poor quality weapons, I melt down the good quality weapons and began purifying the metal pool. After I completed tempering the liquid metal, I began to form it into a large tower shield. This shield will be given to Minos. I dropped some of my blood filled with Maker's Essence onto the shield in order to keep it in peak durability forever.
Next, I took the eighteen Vampire fangs, the metal knife from a Black Vampire, the Sea Serpent bone and the three Rhino horns. I've decided to use these materials to fashion a sword for Minos to use. Luckily the Sea Serpent bone was rather long and whole - about six feet. I can use it to make the sword. The three Rhino horns are about the same length as the bone - about seven feet long. First, I arranged the three Rhino Horns so that the longest one is on the ground. The Sea Serpent bone had been polished to provide a sharp edge with eighteen small slots and a larger slit at the end. I placed the bone on top of the Rhino horn and then, I attached the two shorter Rhino horns, one on each side of the bone. Next, I insert the eighteen Vampire fangs in the small slots and the metal knife in the large slit. With the toothed greatsword in near completion, I finished with a few touches like adding some blood filled with my Maker's Essence to increase the durability and effectiveness of the sword. As to why I attached the metal knife at the end, it was to not only serve as a handle, but also as a medium between the user and the Vampire fangs. After I appraised the metal knife, I found out that it was used as a sacrificial knife by the Black Vampires (whereas Black Vampires were the priests version of Vampires). When the sword attacks an enemy, the Vampire fangs will automatically suck in the leaking vitality and transmit it to the metal knife. Whoever holds the handle part will naturally get the vitality. Thus, this gives the toothed greatsword a drain-type ability. In addition, the greatsword can not only slash, it can also pierce using the three Rhino horns. After finishing this greatsword, I named it Depletion. Next, I moved on to the weapon I'm going to make for Ranger.
Since Ranger is an archer, I decided to use the Fire sword, the three Yeti skeletons, and the three Cyclops eyes to make a Fire bow. I melted the Fire sword with my Flames of Wrath and tempered it by removing any impurities. Then, I compressed it while steadily decreasing the temperature until a red metal ball was formed. This was basically a Fire orb. I then flatten the orb a bit so that the shape will be more elliptical than spherical. Next, I took the three Yeti skeletons and turned them into bone sheets. I added some of my blood filled with Maker's Essence onto the bone sheets while chanting incantations of flexibility, durability, and strength. Next, I began layering the sheets and compressing them until a large bow was made. I attached the Fire orb at the center of the bone bow. This will grant the arrows that are shot from this bow to be packed with fire damage. Now, all that's left was the string. I heard from a master craftsman years ago that the lens of a Cyclops's eye can be made into glass-like tubes. Then, couldn't I make these lenses into strong glass-like string? I began digging at the three eyes and removed the lenses. The rest of the contents, I discarded as waste. Then, I took the lenses and started finely cutting them into long tube-like pieces. I braided the three long tube-like pieces to make a strong rope-like string. I used this string to attach to the bone bow. Finally, I was able to fashion a large bow for Ranger to use. I added some more blood filled with Maker's Essence to keep the durability and flexibility at its peak condition forever. Then, I tested it out. When I pulled the string, a magical fire arrow appeared. Amazing! With this ability, Ranger won't run out of arrows. I named this bow - Shooting Star.
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Finally, I was done. All that's left are a few hundred jars of essence, the refined Eternal Ice, and the Seed of Flora. I reached over and picked up the golden orb known as the Seed of Flora. Once I plant this seed, I can grow a Treant King. However, the method of incubating this seed is different from planting normal seeds. Instead of earth, I needed pure Earth Essence. And so, I made another crater and poured all 200 jars of Earth Essence into the crater. Then, I dropped the Seed of Flora into the center of the crater. Nothing occurred.... Maybe the process takes some time. I sat by the pool and waited...and waited...and waited. Twenty years had passed by in a flash. Did I do something wrong? Why isn't anything happening? Could it be...a dud? Just when I was having my doubts, a domineering presence erupted out and filled my domain. This! It came from the Earth Essence pool!
A huge whirlpool appeared from the center of the pool as the Earth Essence was ferociously sucked into the center of the whirlpool. I could see a glint of gold from the center. The golden glow intensified as more and more Earth Essence was absorbed. It's here! Finally! In a matter of seconds the entire Earth Essence pool was completely sucked dry by the Seed of Flora. However, just as I was expecting a large Treant to pop out from within the seed, something unexpected happened. The seed cracked and split open, revealing a small bud. What? All that Earth Essence and all those years and all I get is a bud?! No...wait, that isn't right. I recalled something. This bud was only the intermediate stage. I need to begin nourishing the bud with Nature Essence as quick as possible in order to bring out the best results. But I don't have Nature Essence...dammit! I can only use the next best thing. Plants and Poison are all part of Nature. I grabbed the 200 jars of Plant Essence and the 100 jars of Poison Essence and dumped the contents onto the bud. As soon as the essences touched the bud, the essences were immediately absorbed. After a few minutes, the jars were completely empty. The bud had bloomed into a small green tree. It was not enough. What can I do now?
I thought and pondered. Wait! What if.... I've decided. I will feed the sapling my Maker's Essence. Maker's Essence is a special form of essence that can be used as a substitute for anything. Although it isn't pure Nature Essence, it can at least produce similar qualities. There was nothing left to lose. If I didn't feed the sapling, it will become a tree. If I feed it with the wrong kind of essence, it will lose its form and self-destruct. Either way I will not obtain a young Treant King. That's why, I rather take the risk instead of doing nothing. I placed my hand on the sapling and began injecting my Maker's Essence into it. Thankfully, I have a surplus of Maker's Essence or else...whew, don't want to think about the consequences. Anyways, the greedy sapling seemed to like my essence. It's a good thing the Maker's Essence was compatible with Nature Essence. As the sapling continued to drain my essence, it began to mature. This process went on for a year or two.
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Finally, the sapling finished sucking away my Maker's Essence. Its skin began to change - from green to brown and finally to dark blue. Because of my essence, the color of the sapling deviated from the original black hue to that of a dark blue color. The sapling grew into a young tree. The roots stretched out and began to intertwine. They began to resemble legs. The changes were quick and apparent. The young tree quickly became a human-like Treant. It was the birth of a new Treant King. I shall name him Fior. Fior had dark blue hair, light blue skin, dark green eyes, and looked like an early teenager. He wore clothes made from leaves and bark. A wreath of leaves perched on his head. I marked Fior with the Mark of Servitude and linked my mind with his. Then, I appraised him:
Name: Fior
Titles: Child of Nature
Race: Treant King
Affinities: Nature/Earth/Poison/Plant
Abilities: Summon Nature's Warriors, Earth Bend, Poison Mist, Plant Snare
The skill weren't bad for a young Treant King. I can't wait for him to mature and see what new and better skills he will acquire in the future.
After finishing growing the Treant King, I dismissed Fior and stored him in my storage bag. Then, I deactivated the Maker's Domain. Once outside, only a few seconds had passed. I could immediately sense that my other supporters have already arrived and are waiting outside. I grabbed my bag along with the leftover materials on the ground and headed outside. I looked at my supporters - Blackie, Kabuto, Ranger, Minos, Morgal, Tyn, Agaricus, and Sulnu. I approached Tyn and gave him the jar of Frost Essence and the refined Eternal Ice. I told him to consume them and absorb their strength. Tyn obediently complied and began cultivating the items. While he was busy meditating, I gave Ranger the Fire bow - Shooting Star - and one of the poison katanas for him to use. I gave Minos the towering shield and the toothed greatsword - Depletion.
Next, I approached Kabuto and gave him the blood pill. He immediately consumed it and after a few minutes, he was able to fully absorb the contents and boost his overall strength. Now, he is strong enough to eat the flesh pellet. So, I gave him the flesh pellet which he quickly consumed as well. Because the flesh pellet was refined from a few tons of meat, the processing of this pellet would take at least an hour. While Kabuto cultivated and absorbed the flesh pellet, I brought out the other subordinates I had in my storage bag as well as the 763 monster army. I gave the two poisoned katanas to Stein for him to dual-wield. Then, I took out the jars and potions of Morian's Essence and handed them to Morgal, who immediately understood my intentions. He quickly opened the containers and consumed the contents. Being a clone of Morian, Morgal was able to quickly absorb the essence with no incompatibilities. Once he finished absorbing the essence and increasing his powers by two-fold, I glanced towards Tyn and Kabuto to see if they had finished as well. It seems that Tyn and Kabuto had finished. That's good.
Finally, I headed over to Kabuto and commanded him to stay still. Then, I reached towards my pouch and pulled out a long acupuncture needle. I jammed the needle into Kabuto's neck, sealing off any pain receptors from the neck and above. Then, I took my scalpel and etched the Mark of Transformation on Kabuto's forehead...right above his horn. I carefully poured the last vial of Heavy Refined Demon Metal into the cracks and spread the liquid until the indented pattern was filled. As the Demon Metal solidified, I placed my hand on the mark and chanted many incantations to increase Kabuto's stats. Gradually, the Demon Metal shone a dark luster that enveloped Kabuto, covering him like a thin layer of metallic armor. When the incantations came to an end, the light dimmed and revealed a transformed Kabuto - his exoskeleton now a dark, iron-like color. Satisfied, I removed the needle and withdrew it back into my pouch. Kabuto gazed at his transformation and grunted happily at his sudden increase in power. I appraised Kabuto and was satisfied with the results.
Name: Kabuto
Race: King Beetle
Affinities: Earth
Abilities: Piercing Horn, Earth Stomp, Roar of Titans, Gigantification
Not bad! I'm surprise Kabuto's rise in ranks from D-rank to A-rank allowed him to unlock the abilities Roar of Titans and Gigantification. After everything was completed and prepared, I sent out a widespread mental transmission to everyone. It was time to set out! I jumped on Blackie and we marched towards the North Mountains.
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Artisan
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