274. Risk and Reward

[Evolved Centinel - Lvl. 131]

“What doing? Run!”

I heard Kron’s voice echo in the back of my head— illusion magic. She was making herself audible to only myself and Willy, but inaudible to the Centinel army approaching us. I simply floated there.

“Fight?”

Willy asked with a mix of conflicting emotions. I could tell he was nervous— that he thought I was an idiot. I shrugged.

“Yep.”

The ground shook as the Titan Centinel lumbered its way towards me. I could see the movement of the earth from my vantage point in the air; this was a localized earthquake. Those in the main section of the Bloodied Gulf probably couldn’t feel it, but those around the peripheries like where we were would definitely notice something was amiss.

Not like there were anything but Centinels out here. And they all heeded the call of the Titan Centinel. They encroached on us from all directions. Soon, we wouldn’t be able to flee without fighting our way through the hordes of monsters.

“Stupid.”

The [Will O’ Wisp] spoke up once more as he flitted up to my side. My eyes flickered, and a scythe appeared in my hand. A Nebular Scythe. I had stored it with [Dimensional Pocket] so I wouldn’t need to keep creating Nebular Weapons whenever I was about to fight.

My breastplate shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow as I descended, bathed in flames.

“I can’t be stupid. I go to one of the best schools in the entire world!”

Willy watched as the flames around me shifted in color. Just like him, I had a few tricks of my own. One of them involved turning blue fire into a more brilliant gold.

“I’m a genius, after all.”

And I activated [Salvo of Vanity]. An image of me emerged from the flames, made entirely out of the golden fire. She smiled as she held up a replica of my scythe, although it was not made of Nebular material. It was simply a gold flame— and perhaps that was even better.

I gave my clone a nod.

“I’ll take the ten thousand on the left, you take the ten thousand on the right.”

She cocked her head, and I scowled.

“What? No— the Title Centinel is mine.”

I looked over at the huge creature skittering its way, leading the charge. My clone crossed her arms, harrumphing without a sound.

“Well, that’s too bad for you. You’ll just have to settle for those [Senior Centinels] over there.”

There were at least a dozen [Senior Centinels] joining this small army. The rest were mostly [Infant Centinels] or [Junior Centinels], so the larger, higher-leveled ones stood out by sheer size alone.

The others were far less of a threat, although they would be pretty annoying. I sent wave after wave of flames down at them, diminishing their numbers by as much as I could before I dove closer. A blinking spark zipped around me and forged weapons out of fire. Flaming swords, spears, arrows—

It was a hail of fire. Literally. The salvo tore apart the hordes of Centinels with ease. A flaming sword crashed between a group of [Junior Centinels], exploding and blasting them into bits. Not all of them exploded on impact. A zipping fiery spear pierced through the shells of [Older Centinels] and danced between the battlefield in search of another target. And with the broken bits of shell and rock that littered the battlefield, I commanded with [Scattering Displacement] to quell the lower-leveled tide.

I spotted my clone doing a similar thing on the other side of the battlefield. Although, she wasn’t as efficient as me. Of course not!

The Titan Centinel roared a challenge at me as it swung one of its mighty claws my way. I dove out of the way in time, and it ripped apart the earth like a walking natural disaster.

In the distance, Willy could only stare as I took on this army alone.

Well, I was with my clone. But she didn’t really count.

I shot the [Will O’ Wisp] a smirk as I ran up the claw of the Titan Centinel, landing a few superficial hits with my [Barrage of Cinders] powered Nebular Scythe before flipping and landing on its face. The gray metal shone with a black light as I struck down with a [Radiant Slash].

The Titan Centinel reeled, letting out a screech of pain and anger. I hopped off it, winking as I raised a hand.

“[Demon’s Mark].”

And crimson flames engulfed the Titan Centinel in its entirety. The heat incinerated the Centinels closest to it, and I could even see the ocean high and far above bubbling from the intensity of the flames alone.

I watched as [Demon’s Mark] burned for a moment longer before dissipating into weak streaks of roiling embers. My first instinct was to beam in victory when I saw that the Titan Centinel was gone. However, amongst the flurry of notifications bombarding my head, I realized one thing—

None of them informed me of the Titan Centinel’s defeat.

The ground beneath me exploded as the Titan Centinel crawled its way out of the ground. I didn’t even know how it dug down without leaving much of a hole behind. Somehow, a Skill allowed it to escape into the earth and cover its tracks in mere seconds.

It knocked me back, sending me flying across the small ravines and into a cliff wall. The Breastplate of Alexander protected me— its aura shimmered from the hit. I peeled myself out of the small crater.

“You—”

I blinked when I realized the Titan Centinel was nowhere to be found again.

“Huh?”

This time, however, I was more on guard. Perhaps that was why [Passive - A Hunter’s Sense] flared, letting me know that something was about to explode from the cliff behind me.

I teleported out of the way as the Titan Centinel took a massive bite out of the earth. I spun around, unleashing a wave of white flame at its shelled body. But it sank into the ground, disappearing once more.

How was it doing that?

It had to have some sort of Skill that let it manipulate and navigate through the earth. Was that how it managed to find me earlier?

While I was locked in this one-on-one battle with the Titan Centinel, I hadn’t realized that I left my clone to deal with the bulk of the Centinel army. And, well, it seemed like the [Senior Centinels] paired with the thousands of other lower-leveled monsters was too much for her to handle.

A golden explosion erupted behind me. More powerful, but far more contained than [Dermon’s Mark]. It took out half of the remaining [Senior Centinels] with that, but left the rest to hound me from behind as I clashed with the Titan Centinel.

“Ugh, are you serious?”

I groaned and activated [Haste], diving between the snapping mandibles of the monsters while the Titan Centinel occasionally burst out of the ground to take a swipe at me.

The Breastplate of Alexander flashed as I was knocked around by a combination attack from a [Senior Centinel] and the Titan Centinel. I swung once again for the latter, but it disappeared once more.

It was weak. I could tell. The combined damage I’d inflicted on it earlier had left it badly injured. If I could just get to it, I’d be able to take it out without the need of even my strongest Skills.

The problem was that I couldn’t get to it. The [Senior Centinels] and the other lesser Centinels threw themselves at me, stupidly dying one after another whenever the Titan Centinel fled.

“Come back here!”

I yelled as I chased after the Titan Centinel. I swung with my Nebular Scythe, only to dig up dirt as it phased through the ground once more. I clicked my tongue, annoyed, and struck the earth out of frustration.

“Come back here!”

Obviously, the Titan Centinel didn’t return. However, something else came in its sead. Behind me, there was a hiss.

A [Senior Centinel] lashed out at me with snapping mandibles, spraying its acid in a deluge at me. My eyes grew wide as the ground over me shadowed over—

And a blue light overcame the acid. A flash of flame. Blue flame. But one that froze instead of burned.

“Stupid!”

“Willy?”

I blinked as the wave of acid was turned to ice in an instant. The [Senior Centinel]’s legs were caught on the ice too, and the [Will O’ Wisp] flew down to me.

“Hey, wait, why are you still here?”

He fluttered around me as the ice wave cracked and shattered under its own weight. I placed a hand on my chest.

“Aw, do you actually care about me?”

“No!”

Willy sounded indigent. He unleashed red flames at the [Senior Centinel] as it broke free from the ice, keeping it back. I could hear his strained voice, even if it was a soft buzz to someone without [Universal Language Comprehension].

“Prove!”

“Prove?”

In the distance, the Titan Centinel resurfaced from the earth. Willy seemed to turned to face it, speaking insistently.

“Promised— prove”

I paused.

“You can speak more than one word at a time?”

He made an angry buzzing sound that held no meaning other than indicating that he was annoyed. I tapped a finger on my chin.

“Ah! You want me to prove that I really can defeat it?”

The [Senior Centinel] writhed on the ground, dying, only for another [Seniior Centinel] to take its place. This time, accompanied by [Older Centinels] too. I gave Willy a thumbs-up.

“Alright! Just distract them for me for a minute. No— less than a minute.”

“Hurry!”

“Yep!”

A single flap of my wings sent me cutting through the air straight for the Titan Centinel]. Without the disturbance from the other Centinels here, I had a lot more freedom to operate. I let the Nebular Scythe vanish back into [Dimensional Pocket], and my body shifted without interruption as I bared my teeth. Three extra pairs of arms grew out from my back as my face protruded out like a skull. My body grew longer, cracking with strength— power that surged through my body.

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 145 (+25) (+10%)

[Strength]: 130 (+25) (+10%)

[Endurance]: 140 (+25) (+3) (+10%)

[Wisdom]: 250 (+25) (+10) (+10%)

[Agility]: 300 (+25) (+5) (+10%)

[Demonic Essence]. And also, [Faux Limbs] in tandem. I grinned, pointing all eight of my arms at the Titan Centinel before it could escape into the earth.

“Stay!”

My voice reverberated throughout the cavern. Then I activated [Warp Time], extending the period the Titan Centinel would stay under the effects of [Intimidation] as well as slowing its movements.

I crashed against the Titan Centinel’s chest a mere moment later, grabbing onto its shell with all six of my limbs as it finally snapped free from my Skills. It tried to escape, but it brought me with it. Together, we phased through the ground as the dirt parted like muddy water. I began to pry into its carapace with all six of my clawed arms, ripping the Titan Centinel apart.

As we glided through the earth, it was like I could see everything around us. The floor and walls of stone were practically invisible, mere outlines that could reveal intricate layers and levels of tunnels and cave systems throughout the Bloodied Gulf.

I finally tore my way to the Titan Centinel’s fleshy skin and began biting and clawing it with everything I had. When I was down to its innards, I just had to burn it from the inside and incinerate its organs.

Finally, we exploded out of the ground, sending rocks and debris into the air. The Titan Centinel tumbled and rolled beside me as I landed with all ten of my limbs, still in my [Demonic Essence] form. I turned to the body, giving it a sidelong glance. It twitched once— and stopped moving.

Defeated [Evolved Centinel – Lvl. 131]!

More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 10 levels above you!

The corpse laid there as I basked in my victory. An army of Centinels had been reduced to mere hundreds. The Titan Centinel? Defeated. And there was a flurry of notifications resounding in my head.

Victory was mine. I proved myself, just as I said I would. The remnants of the small Centinel could be dealt with by Willy alone, although I was ready to help her. Without the Titan Centinel, there’d be no more coordination, so there was going to be a lot more Centinels killing each other.

Yet, Willy flew away from the remaining Centinels and towards me, speaking in a hurried voice. I spread all eight of my arms wide, smiling.

“Hey, did you see that—”

“Run.”

“Huh?”

I stared at him, puzzled. But he didn’t elaborate, flying off back to Kron. And that was when I felt a stronger tremor run through the ravines. One that was familiar. I glanced back, eyes growing wide.

“Oh.”

It was still far off, but I spotted the enormous goliath that was the [Ancient Centinel], exiting the network of ravines of the Bloodied Gulf, heading towards us.

“That’s a good idea.”

—--

I followed Willy as we returned where we came from. Kron was no longer in the ravine, but in the little hidden tunnel that led back to the haven. While the [Krokodis] wasn’t anywhere in sight, her illusion had taken over the whole ravine, hiding us from the pursuing Centinel.

I could hear her annoyed voice pestering us to hurry.

“Death! Death! Me run if you no run.”

We entered the tunnel and rolled the boulder over the entrance. I found the [Krokodis] hiding a little bit further back, and I raised a few placating arms.

“There’s no need to panic, we’re already—”

And she yelped. Kron backed up, pointing at me and screaming.

“Who? Who? Where Salvos?!”

I blinked and looked down at myself. At my [Demonic Essence] form.

“Oh, right.”

With Willy’s help, I managed to explain the situation to her and calm her down. Although, it would take a lot more than just that to appease her for what I did.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid! You stupid!”

Kron pointed up above as the ceiling shook.

“That death! That kill all!”

“I know, I know.”

I waved a hand off, chuckling.

“If the [Ancient Centinel] was there from the very beginning I wouldn’t have even thought to fight. I’d be the first one out of the Bloodied Gulf like that.”

I snapped six of my claws simultaneously to enhance what I meant.

“But it wasn’t. It was just the Titan Centinel and its weak goons. So, I taught it not to mess with me ever again.”

Kron still looked annoyed.

“Still stupid.”

“Yes!”

Willy agreed with her, flying around me. I scoffed.

“If you think it’s stupid, why’d you help me?”

“Because...”

The [Will O’ Wisp] seemed to trail off rather than having an abrupt-cut single-word sentence. His colors changed rapidly and he zipped off.

“Stupid!”

That was all he said as he left Kron and I alone in the tunnel. I smiled, watching him go.

“I think I made a friend.”

Unfortunately, I wasn’t done being interrogated.

“Why do?”

Kron fixed me with a slightly-annoyed but also slightly-no-longer-caring look. I raised my chin in thought. Why did I do it? Why did I risk my life challenging an army of Centinels, especially if it could attract the attention of even stronger Centinels?

After all, it was quite a bold move. I used up all of my best Skills just to bring down the Titan Centinel and most of the other lower-leveled Centinels. If the [Ancient Centinel] had somehow caught me before I escaped, I’d have nothing left to face it with. No [Long Range Teleportation], no [Salvo of Vanity]— no nothing.

It seemed ridiculous. As though I’d have a non-answer to Kron’s rightful interrogation. Yet, I responded without hesitation.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

I looked over my notifications— at the progress I’d made in such a small amount of time compared to the slow progress as of late. And I thought of Willy, who kept insisting he was better than me. Even if I liked him, I wouldn’t let that stand if it wasn’t true.

My body transformed back out of my [Demonic Essence] form as I patted the confused Kron on the shoulder.

“I need to get stronger. That’s it.”

Subspecies [Daeva Cambion] Level Up!

[Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 119] -> [Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 120]

Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!

…

Subspecies [Daeva Cambion] Level Up!

[Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 122] -> [Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 123]

Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!

Class [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] Level Up!

[Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 73] -> [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 74]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

…

Class [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] Level Up!

[Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 77] -> [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 78]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

Defeated [Gallias Lobster - Lvl. 141]!

Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!

He had to get stronger.

He knew he had to get stronger. It was a risk. Death was a possibility. Very much a possibility. And yet, he fought. Through the depths of the ocean, he swam. Against sea creatures far stronger than him, he struggled. Against all odds, he won.

Defeated [Astrida Starfish - Lvl. 137]!

Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!

But why? Why was he doing this?

It was because he’d seen what those land creatures did to his kin. Again and again. Throughout the ages. He’d seen her suffering— from the loss of her children.

The giant tentacled creature fell, painting the sea a crimson mixed with the black of its ink as he felt himself grow stronger. He bathed in this blood— in his vengeance.

Defeated [Ceph of the Deep - Lvl. 149]!

More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 10 levels above you!

He wouldn’t stand for it. Perhaps he could’ve acted earlier. But he was complacent. However, the encounter with that winged thing had made him realize he was weak. Too weak.

Stronger.

The Sage Centinel grew stronger.

Grand Skill [A—

Abundant experience is awarded for learning a Grand Skill—