282. Protector of the Haven

“Did you feel that?”

Centina hurried out to the central chamber of the Land of the Lost. The monsters gathered looked worriedly about, having felt the ground shake as she did. Her gaze snapped towards the [Will O’ Wisp] who stared only at the ceiling.

“What’s going on?”

She approached him, and he remained entirely still. He spoke not a word, even as another tremor washed over the earth and knocked a few of the crustacean over. Finally, he turned to the [Krokodis] standing next to him who was still wearing the Breastplate of Alexander.

“Run.”

Both Centina and the [Krokodis] exchanged confused glances, but the earth shook once more, this time, like it had been swept over by a powerful wave during a storm. The stalactites hanging above rattled before breaking off, one by one crashing into the earth. Bits of the ceiling drizzled down as the monsters backed away nervously.

The [Evolved Centinel] opened her mouth—

“What is—

But the ceiling finally broke. And down came a rain of red.

The Sage Centinel’s eyes blazed red as he shrugged my clone off. Raising a hand, he pointed at me, whispering something that sent a chill down my spine.

“[Against All Odds, I’ve lived—”

“That’s…”

A Grand Skill.

What did I expect? What could a Grand Skill entail?

“[Through Bloodshed, I’ve Survived—”

I had only seen two examples of a Grand Skill before. The first was when I dueled Zix, back in Unarith. He’d transformed into the shape of a deformed, bloated Dragon. One that I couldn’t hurt. One that withstood all my attacks like it was nothing.

The second time I’d seen a Grand Skill, I managed to escape its effects entirely. The Lich had been so distraught, he wanted to destroy everything he could, including himself. It was thanks to his insanity I could even flee in time.

“[To Cleanse the World of All that is Vile].”

I couldn’t teleport away. I didn’t have the Breastplate of Alexander. I braced myself for it. For the glow that came from his hands. The Sage Centinel clenched a fist—

And my clone grabbed him by the arm. Before the Skill could fully activate, she threw herself in between me and the Grand Skill. His eyes widened as he snapped out of [Zealous Call]’s effects, but it was too late. My clone was shining brilliantly. Brighter than the sun.

I watched as she erupted into a giant golden cross. One that incinerated everything it came into contact with. It scorched the earth, sending a tremor through the nearby crevices, and killing hundreds of Centinels.

A deluge of notifications inundated my mind. I found myself sighing in relief, glad that I wasn’t completely overwhelmed by a Grand Skill.

“I’m alive…”

The whisper left my mouth. And from the smoke, another voice spoke out.

“No. Not for long.”

I blinked and looked up as the Sage Centinel ascended, his hand still shining red. He was flying. Previously, he had used different Skills to help him keep up with my flight, but he couldn’t actually fly. Now, he hovered there and flew higher and higher.

“You survived?”

I stared at him— at his ragged and injured body, his side torn open due to [Salvo of Vanity]’s explosion, but still alive. The ocean above the Bloodied Gulf changed colors, turning into a dark crimson. Droplets of this red liquid rained around me, and I felt my skin burning and freezing at the same time. I quickly cleaned it off with a quick blast of blue flames, but the damage had been done.

Some kind of acid? No— it wasn’t. I didn’t see any melted flesh. Instead, the wound inflicted felt familiar. Like it was, fortunately, lessened by something. And as more droplets rained around me, I realized what it was.

General Skill [Title Skill: General Curse Resistance] has leveled up!

[Title Skill: General Curse Resistance - Lvl. 2] -> [Title Skill: General Curse Resistance - Lvl. 3]!

Experience is awarded for the leveling of a General Skill!

A curse. The Sage Centinel had inflicted a curse over this entire area. It had to have caught at least a quarter of the Bloodied Gulf in the effect. Not the entirety of it, but a significant portion. All under the effects of its Grand Skill.

I looked down as the red rain continued to pour down, washing over the dwindled-but-still-massive swarm of Centinels below. And they were revitalized. Those that had been painted with the red liquid moved with more vigor than before. Some kind of boost.

Compared to this growth in power, how many of them had been killed? It had to have at least been half their numbers. And yet, it seemed like this red rain attracted quite a significant number of Centinels to join this battle. These ones were higher-leveled, too. The ones that the Sage Centinel hadn’t been able to command, until now. They came for the power, and they followed the mass moving for the hole in the ground.

Well, there was one thing to look at that was on the bright side. It wasn’t exactly a net positive, but I leveled up from that.

Subspecies [Daeva Cambion] Level Up!

[Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 123] -> [Daeva Cambion – Lvl. 124]

Gained 5 Stat Points and 3 Skill Points!

I also leveled a few times from my Class, but that was less important.

Class [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] Level Up!

[Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 78] -> [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 79]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

…

Class [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] Level Up!

[Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 84] -> [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus - Lvl. 85]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

Salvos (Liberator of the Plaguelands)

Species: [Archdemon of Pride]

Subspecies: [Daeva Cambion] - Lvl. 124

Class: [Grand Mystic of the Nexeus] - Lvl. 85

General Skills:

[Advanced Mana Manipulation] - Lvl. 8

[Identification] - Lvl. 6

[Racial Skill: Universal Language Comprehension] - Lvl. 2

[Racial Skill: Demonic Essence] - Lvl. 4

[Racial Skill: Partial Mortality] - Lvl. 6

[Rest] - Lvl. 5

[Lesser Enhanced Wisdom] - Lvl. 6

[Title Skill: General Curse Resistance] - Lvl. 3

[Title Skill: Recall Skill] - Lvl. 1

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 145 (+25)

[Strength]: 132 (+25)

[Endurance]: 143 (+25) (+3)

[Wisdom]: 260 (+25) (+10)

[Agility]: 310 (+25) (+5)

Skills:

[Available Skill Points: 0]

[Barrage of Cinders] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Demon’s Mark] - Lvl. 10

[Haste] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Intimidation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Faux Limbs] - Lvl. 8

[Nebular Construct] - Lvl. 6

[Radiant Slash] - Lvl. 15 (Maxed)

[Salvo of Vanity] - Lvl. 14

[The Primordial Spark] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Wings of the Netherworld] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - A Hunter’s Sense] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Passive - Blue Flames] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Passive - Weapon Mastery] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Unused Skill Slot] x1

Secondary Skills:

[Available Secondary Skill Points: 2]

[Dimensional Pocket] - Lvl 5

[Mass Particulate Modification] - Lvl 10 (Maxed)

[Mystical Projection] - Lvl 15 (Maxed)

[Long Range Teleportation] - Lvl 20 (Maxed)

[Planar Navigation] - Lvl. 10 (Maxed)

[Scattering Displacement] - Lvl. 20 (Maxed)

[Warped Time] - Lvl 10

I quickly distributed everything I was given— maxing out [Scattering Displacement] and [Mass Particulate Modification], as well as bringing [Salvo of Vanity] to Level 14. All my Stat Points went into [Wisdom]. I had to end this. Now.

TheSage Centinel came down to face me. His carapace glistened as hovered right beneath the blood-red ocean, arms spread wide as more of the crimson rain fell, flooding the crevices. His broken body knitted back together as a red aura overcame him— he was somehow healing in this cursed zone. Just like how his Centinel army was strengthened. He laughed a terrible, cackling laugh and spoke in a clearly enunciated voice.

“This is my world! You shall suffer! You shall feel my pain!”

I gritted my teeth, ready to unleash everything I had against him. But just as I was about to move, I heard the ground crack.

A rumbling ran through the earth, and I switched to my clone’s perception. And through her, I saw the dirt break. A massive cave chamber was revealed beneath the Bloodied Gulf, with terrified and familiar monsters gathered around, staring up with wide eyes.

The swarm of Centinels fell upon them, their crimson carapace sheening when mixed together with the red rain. Ice-blue flames blasted up at the Centinels, Willy leading the monsters in holding back the swarm.

I have to help them— the thought crossed my mind as I swooped down.

But a spray of acid struck me from behind as I was pelted with more of the red rain. My skin sizzled, and my arms grew heavy from the curse.

“No— I will not let you! Your people will die, just as mine have!”

The Sage Centinel bellowed. He faced me as I narrowed my eyes. I wreathed myself in flames, nodding.

“Fine.”

Then my body cracked. I grew taller as another set of arms protruded from my sides. My jaw elongated, and dozens of deadly fangs stabbed down from my mouth. I glared at the Sage Centinel with golden eyes, furious as I took only my [Demonic Essence] form.

“But you’ll regret making me stay.”

I lashed out at him, like a reverse comet soaring through the blood-red sky. Covered in pure white fire.

Even as we clashed in battle, I thought of Willy and the others in the back of my mind. I had promised I would get them out. And I was going to do it, even if the Devil himself interfered.

Centina could only look on in horror as hundreds of her kin fell from the now-exposed sky. The ceiling had caved in, letting this swarm of red fall upon the Land of the Lost. It was her Lair— her territory. Yet, it was now being overrun, the haven no longer safe.

“No…”

Her mouth moved, uttering that single word. It was all falling apart. This was the end of it all. Centina knew that this was how she died. She snapped her eyes shut, accepting her fate.

“Fight.”

But a voice called out to her. A singular word, spoken by the spark of hope even now. The [Will O’ Wisp]’s words reached the monsters of the haven. He was a tiny ball of flame— no bigger than Centina’s head. And yet, all by himself, he charged headfirst into the swarm of Centinels.

He sent waves of different-colored flames at them, slowing their approach.

“Live!”

He spoke louder this time. It drew the attention of even the [Talonflayers]. The maggot-like creatures moved at his command— the meaning clear.

The [Storm Crustaceans] aided them, all heading to fight off the falling Centinels. After all, they were the strongest here. They would fight.

And the others? The others would flee. The ones who were weaker. The ones who couldn’t fight.

Centina understood what the [Will O’ Wisp]... Willy, meant. He called for aid from those who were willing, asking the rest to escape from the myriad of tunnel exits around.

She couldn’t just stand around, accepting ther death either. She turned to the [Krokodis] standing next to her.

“Kron, I need you to hand the Breastplate of Alexander to me. You’ll lead the others out… Kron?”

But the [Krokodis] wasn’t quick to respond. She just raised a hand, pointing at the collapsed exits. The tunnels that led out had all fallen, collapsed into themselves from all the shaking.

Centina clenched a fist.

“That’s…”

She shook her head.

“Just give me the Breastplate of Alexander. I’ll hold them off. If I face them alone, the others will be able to help you dig your way back out.”

The [Krokodis] slowly nodded, sort of hesitating for a moment, before finally handing over the Mythical Grade artifact. Centina wore it, feeling power surge over her. She heard the notification of having a set of temporary Skills bestowed upon her, but she brushed it off quickly enough.

“Get the others out. Use your illusions to keep them safe, alright?”

Centina skittered past the other monsters, her body glowing with magic. Willy was starting to grow exhausted from leading the charge when she stepped up next to him.

“Stay back, Willy.”

“What do?”

He turned to her, flames flickering. And she smiled.

“I’m the protector of this haven. It’s my job to keep you all safe.”

With that, she leapt into the fray, falling into the snapping mandibles of hundreds and hundreds of Centinels all at once.