Chapter 49

Zarda smiled satisfied at Rain’s shock, “Do you know why, Drova, Stagna, and Lafetti were extremely important to the tribe?” she asked with clear amusement.

Rain shook his head.

“That’s because they are chosen…”

Zarda answered.

“They are chosen by a God, bestowing them [Unique Skills] only they have…”

“Chosen…” Rain tilted his head on the unfamiliar term.

Is that the patron-thingy…?

[Unique Skill] are skills owned by a few people in this world.

These are the skills they had ever since they were born.

As for the ones who had possessed this gift, they are often called [Chosen one].

A [Chosen one] has either skills or titles since birth. Skills and Titles that were described as unique only to them, making their strength inconceivable for their level. Though the ability was influenced since birth, it was strange to acquire skills and knowledge from the beginning. That is why; every kingdom prioritizes them and takes good care of them.

Zarda stared at Drova who was madly swinging giant ants left to right like some sort of berserker.

“Drova had a skill called [ Last Stand ], blessed by the Goddess of War. When pushed in a corner, her ability automatically activates, doubling, no, probably tripling her strength and speed. Her battle senses and reflexes skyrocketed… she became a warlord on a battlefield…and it rose her physical attributes almost infinitely, well at least, I still haven't seen her reaching her limit yet. Her physical toughness increases, along with the incredible healing factor that will make her never stop fighting,”

More like a Monster.

A Killing Machine.

Rain looked at Drova and couldn't help but think that she was too cool. Although she didn’t become the incredible Hulk with green skin and stone-like muscles, her movements and actions were like that of a Hulk. Truly incredible. Her strength must have been enhanced by quite a lot, seeing her easily tearing monsters apart with bare hands.

“… still, it probably makes her some sort of berserker with almost no mind about others around her whatsoever...” Rain smiled wryly.

“You’re quite observant,”

Zarda nodded as if she had anticipated Rain’s precise observation.

“What about Stagna and Lafetti, do they also have [Unique Skills]?”

“Of course, they have,”

Rain and Zarda’s sight then turned towards Stagna’s location. She was in the rear guard, shooting arrows one after another – no, it should be called raining down arrows on the battlefield. Even though the distance was only just several meters away, Rain can’t still see her movements clearly. Rain only saw her knocking an arrow once but when it was released into the air, Rain saw three or more arrows flying at their targets.

“Don’t tell me, her arrows multiply when shot?”

Zarda was amazed.

Rain was really smart –

“That’s right. If the target is a group of more than three, her arrows would multiply. It’s called [ Multi-Shot ]. However, it won’t work when the enemies were scattered with quite a distance between them. Furthermore, the more the enemy there were, the more arrows she could fire and stronger each elemental arrow becomes. In simple terms, it's a stacking ability. In addition, whenever she was in a jungle-type landscape, this skill's passive effect will be triggered, increasing her speed and agility and enhanced her various senses…it's truly the blessing of the Hunter Goddess,”

“As for Lafetti, she had the skill called [Blood Hound]. And just like Drova, it's a blessing bestowed by the War Goddess.” Zarda and Rain’s vision went towards the direction of Lafetti’s group. Although due to the chaos, they can’t see her properly, they can still hear the sound of screams and wails, scaring Rain.

“When a certain amount of blood spilled from her body, she can summon a hound made with her blood to aid her in combat. In fact, it's not just her blood alone. As long as there is enough supply of blood around her, she can use it to summon bloodhounds. Furthermore, this ability also helps her recover any injuries or exhaustion by absorbing blood.”

The Medusa patiently explained.

“...and that is the reason why those three are extremely important for the tribe. A Chosen One’s existence is like a striking pillar for a Kingdom, Organization, or even among the small Tribes like ours. They are the bloodline that ensures the group’s survival. That’s how important they are."

Rain listened to Zarda and couldn’t help but feel amazed. However, he noticed something, “All the [Unique Skills] needed some kind of requirements or actions to use…”

But how come he doesn’t seem to have one? Is eating a requirement? Probably, but that doesn't seem to be similar to them. There’s not even a harmful or negative effect on his [Predation Skill].

Why?

His Unique Skill; [ Predation ] seems to be too good to be true. Besides, he even chooses his skill personally...

“Chief, are you also a Chosen?”

Rain doesn't why so he just set aside that question for now. Sylphy didn’t answer, meaning she didn’t know as well, or it’s something she cannot reveal. Either way, his [Predation] is an unfair, game-changing ability already.

“Of course… ah!”

At this moment, Zarda’s expression suddenly changed.

“A good timing, there should be no problem to use it now,”

Her countenance changing confused Rain but he kept his silence and only watched. Zarda suddenly slither forward, pulled a horn from her waist, and took a deep breath, she blows the horn.

Hooong~!!

A deafening sound immediately resounded, startling the warriors and monsters alike.

While Rain was bewildered as to what was happening, he suddenly noticed all the Lamias were rushing towards them. Lafetti, Drova, Stagna, Granite, Gretia, and all the Lamians that he was closely acquainted with came over to him, surrounding him protectively.

As Rain was still confused, she was suddenly hugged by Lafetti and pulled towards the back. Then some Lamian Mages encircled the group and chanted words he couldn’t understand. After they finished, a transparent barrier like-thing had enveloped them, in a dome-like formation.

However, something caught Rain’s attention.

The Barrier’s covering didn’t involve Zarda who was standing far in front of them.

“What is –”

Rain wanted to ask but Lafetti cut him off.

“It’s fine, don’t worry…” she said with a faint smile, reassuring him.

“Since all the monsters had been reduced to the bare minimum and gather together…this might be a good time to use it. I was actually planning to fight without using this but since you want to see my ability, I don’t mind showing it for you,”

The Medusa said with a gentle voice.

In Zarda’s eyes, there was not the previous kind of seductive obsequious look, leaving only a smile that was as tranquil as clear water. She then started walking, no, slithering forward. Many giant ants started attacking her but from the ground; Icicles appeared, stabbing the incoming monsters and freezing their bodies, turning them into Ice sculptures. Zarda’s actions were nonchalant, when she reached a certain distance, away from the group, she muttered; [Ice Wonderland: Cocytus]

Boom!!

Rain couldn’t believe what he was seeing. From where Zarda standing, the ground started to freeze and it then spread around her… and in just a short time, even the transparent barrier that was protecting them froze blocking their vision.

F*ck!

Rain almost cursed out loud…

Just with this alone, anyone can imagine what had happened next.

--- ---

Like a chick breaking its own egg, Lafetti and the others broke the ice that was covering them like a cocoon.

When they finally managed to get out, Rain couldn’t help but suck a cold breath, yeah Cold! Icy cold everywhere. Because, everywhere around here was like a world of white ice, cold and freezing. Everything around them was covered by bluish-white ice, giving the usual dim and dull-looking forest a magnificent view.

Just what the heck!?

His eyes trembled, in fear, in shock, in amazement, and in awe…

If this was Zarda’s [Unique Skill] just how possibly was it to be this strong? It's already balanced breaker to the point that he wanted to call the GM immediately to report a bug.

How can this be this strong…?!

Rain surveyed the entire frozen area with wide eyes,

[Master,] at this moment, Sylphy’s voice rang out inside his mind.

[Now I’m certain, her patron was the Goddess Prim; The ruler of the World of the Dead! This kind of power is not something a simple magic spell could do. Cocytus, the realm of the Ice Lord. Ice-type mages tried to imitate this kind of power. However, they could only use an inferior version. Weaker and limited, unlike this. This is the true Cocytus. Everything will be frozen in ice, endless eternal ice! If humans know about this, she would surely be hunted. She is as strong as any other Amcient Monsters already!]

Goddess Prim, Rain repeated that name as if engraving that name in his mind. Such strong power, anyone who experienced it would feel terrified. And of course, somewhat envious.

“The Chief is here!”

As Rain was in deep thought, a voice woke him from his daze. Not far away from him, Drova and Stagna were holding an unconscious Zarda in their hands. Shock, Rain immediately runs along with the other Lamians.

“What happened to her?!” Rain asked, anxious.

Lafetti came and put her hands on his shoulder. With a smile, she answered, “It's fine. It’s just the usual…”

“Usual?”

“When the Chief used his [Unique Ability], she will hibernate for quite some time and when she woke up, she will lose half of her strength temporarily,” Drova answered Rain. "It's because the skill lowers her body temperature,"

“Isn’t that bad?!”

Rain exclaimed.

The side effects of that power were quite enormous – Though it should be normal judging by the power her [Unique Skill] possess.

"It's fine... the Chief will recover a day after, so there's no real risk about it," Stagna assured him.

“Well, we’re finished here. The Queen shouldn’t be able to survive –”

Lafetti muttered but before she could finish, a sound of cracking resounded from somewhere and seems to be saying ‘Lafetti, thanks for creating a Flag!’ and ‘I’m Alive!!’ with that seemingly appropriate description, Boom! Something exploded and the part where a huge mountain of ice was located broke apart, revealing a very distressed and haggard woman with a lower half that of an ant.

Unlike normal Antmen, she has a proper beautiful face and curvy body.

The beaded eyes on her face glinted a very cunning, and intelligent light.

She has short, red hair reaching her shoulders and a pair of antennae standing at the top of her head.

That should be the Ant Queen…

“Good job for the Flag, Lafetti,”

Rain gives a thumb up.

He then immediately went towards the unconscious Zarda and took her from Drova and Stagna while the other Lamias immediately surrounded them. Rain knows that he wasn’t strong enough to contend against these monsters yet so he choose the best option, which is to step back and protect Zarda while the others fight.

As Lafetti and the others are prepared to engage, suddenly, “Wa, wait! Wait, I surrender!! I give up!” The supposed to be dreadful Ant Queen, waved her hands in front of her, flustered and pathetic. Her entire army had turned into a block of ice and sculptures and she was left alone.

She could only stare at the Lamians with fear, horrified.

When she saw Lafetti and the others walking towards her, she almost looked like a cute hamster, stumbling down, panic-stricken, and afraid. However, no matter how much she begs, Lafetti, and the others wouldn’t spare her.

A predator wouldn’t let her prey escape…

Lafetti and the others rushed towards the Ant Queen – giving the latter a scare of her lifetime. She hurriedly tried to run away but she was already surrounded – she was even rained down by arrows and magic, like a rat surrounded by cats – she has nowhere to run. The Ant Queen grabbed a giant ant that had turned into a Popsicle stick beside her and throws the almost doubled her sized corpse towards a group of Lamians in fear.

“Wait, wait, I really give up!”

She begged but the Lamias were still shooting at her with arrows and magic and even the others were still hot on her tail, intending to kill her.

Rain looked at her, feeling a bit of sympathy.

[Master, this is the law of the world. Monsters like that had also killed many beings, they are all murderers…] feeling Rain’s conflicted emotions, Sylphy comforted him.

[You can feel pity but never go against the rule now, Master… or you will be hurt one day… All the strangers around you, even those who you see as friends and family, can kill you without batting an eye. This is unlike your original world, free of violence and feared the law…]

I know, Rain thought with sadness. Of course, he understands this. This isn’t only human nature but also that of every being. Evil lies deep in the hearts of every living thing.

The Ant Queen, right now, looked like a pathetic and pitiful being but she too has her own share of evil.

Blood spilled on her hands and her throne standing above of bones –Rain looked down at Zarda in his hand. She was sleeping with a sweet smile on her face. Peaceful. If only the people could set aside their differences and live peacefully.

But that is only a dream within a dream, and could never happen. Rain rubbed his thumb against her soft, cold cheek. Lamians have so much power. They have the power to establish themselves in any part of the Continent. However, they choose to be here… to be in this hell-like place.

Hiding from the world.

They choose to live in peace, rather than continue fighting. And to him, it’s not cowardly—but rather, a very courageous decision. Humans had given them so much suffering, and yet they still choose to protect him, to take care of him. Just how can he repay this debt?

Rain raised his head and watched how the Lamians run around, chasing towards the Ant Queen who continued crying for mercy. He wanted to help, but it would only cause trouble for the Lamians. And it’s the last thing he wanted.

He hugged Zarda’s body and let out a sigh.

… …