36.1. City Under Attack

For the next week, Daniel, Edithe, and I helped Hazelbury fend off waves and waves of monster hordes. They didn’t attack the city every day, however it was frequent enough that it kept us busy in between trying to gather information on Lucerna’s location and abilities. The experience gained wasn’t nearly comparable with what we gained in the Dungeon, however it was at least something.

In fact, it was thanks to fighting a pack of angry Stonedomed Beetles, Mistshard was able to reach her evolution. She became a Greater Spirit after having reached Level 40, her body morphing into that of a large four-winged bird, becoming slightly bigger than her almost-Human form of before. Her feathers were icy— prickly to touch— although they looked just like snow. Or at least, that was what Daniel told me.

I knew what snow was. I didn’t need him to explain the concept to me. However, even though I could comprehend what it was, I couldn’t visualize it. Despite the Human man’s best attempts at giving me a vivid description of what it was, I just couldn’t see it. All I knew was that snow was white, soft, and wet— only the first of which resembled Mistshard’s new form.

Realizing how close I was to becoming a Greater Demon however, I spent more time fighting the hordes of monsters than helping my two Human companions walk around the city and talk to people. It was only when a small group of Dusk Wolves attacked the city— something the city guards should have been able to handle themselves from their walls— did I finally level.

I ran out of the broken city gates, ignoring the cries of a few Humans standing on the walls with their bows calling for me to go back. I intercepted the mere ten monsters as they were felled by arrows from afar, although they still insisted on taking the city.

Two [Fire Strikes] instantly brought down the injured [Alpha Dark Wolf] before his pack surrounded me. They came at me from all sides, leaping at me at once. A [Fire Blast] knocked a few back while I easily dispatched the ones that avoided the attack.

I spun around, slicing the monsters into pieces, and was finished before the group of spear-wielding Human guards even reached me.

Defeated [Alpha Dark Wolf - Lvl. 34]!

Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!

…

Defeated [Dark Wolf - Lvl. 16]!

Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 10 levels below you!

Subspecies [Zelus Imp] Level Up!

[Zelus Imp - Lvl. 35] -> [Zelus Imp - Lvl. 36]

Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!

I grinned victoriously at the notification, and casually strode past the group of staring Humans. They couldn’t see my face, of course. However, they did recognize me from my participation in all the battles in the last week.

“Did you see that? She took out the whole pack.... by herself.”

“She has to be a Gold Rank, at least. There’s no way any Silver would be able to do that— let alone dare to do that.”

“But she’s only Level 36!”

“She might have a special Class. Or she got an advancement at an earlier level.”

“Is that even possible—”

I simply nodded in their direction, immediately shutting them up. I frowned. I didn’t ask you to stop talking about me. I quite enjoyed hearing their chatter, even if I knew it was all untrue.

I continued past the group and entered the city, no longer interested in their conversation as it abruptly shifted to dealing with the dead Dusk Wolves. I focused on managing my Status instead, specifically my Skill Points.

I had, of course, spent my Stat Points mostly between [Wisdom] and [Endurance], leaving the remainder to [Agility]. Things became interesting however, when I got to my Skills. Because with this most recent level up, I finally maxed my [Basic Fire Creation].

I wasn’t really sure what I was expecting. I thought something would happen once it got to Level 30. However, that didn’t happen. What happened was what usually happened when I maxed out a Skill.

I could no longer raise its level.

That was it.

Salvos

Species: [Lesser Demon]

Subspecies: [Zelus Imp] - Lvl. 36

General Skills:

[Basic Mana Manipulation] - Lvl. 5

[Identification] - Lvl. 4

[Racial Skill: Universal Language Comprehension] - Lvl. 1

[Rest] - Lvl. 2

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 37

[Strength]: 24

[Endurance]: 42

[Wisdom]: 49

[Agility]: 72

Skills:

[Available Skill Points: 3]

[Basic Fire Creation] - Lvl. 30 (Maxed)

[Double Step] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Fire Strike] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Fire Blast] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Flame Coat] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - General Tool Proficiency] - Lvl. 7

[Unused Skill Slot] x1

I tried messing with the Skill as I walked through the city. There weren’t very many people about, however those that were around stared as I formed various weapons with my red fire. I could even create a fire sword now, although it consumed too much mana for it to be useful currently. I could always just use a regular sword after all.

“There you are.”

I turned around and glanced up at Daniel as he stopped right behind me. He was panting, bent over and catching his breath.

“Oh hey. I was just going to return to the inn. You don’t have to worry, I was not going to cause any trouble!”

I paused.

“...unless Blake wants to try something. Then I wouldn’t mind getting into trouble. But I won’t be the one causing it.”

The Human man sighed, not bothering to respond to that.

“You ran off the moment you heard the city was being attacked. I was just worried about you, that’s all.”

“It was just a bunch of Dusk Wolves. I took care of them easily.”

I grinned, but he couldn’t see it.

“Well, I’m glad you’re safe. But come on. We were just about to head to the temple.”

“The temple? You mean the Fauna one, right?”

“Yes, the Sanctuary of Fauna.”

I cocked my head.

“Why’re we going there?”

“That was the last place Lucerna attacked. Before he was forced to escape Hazelbury. Edithe thinks we might find some clues about his goals or where he went there. Then we can pursue him.”