154.2. Blaze of Glory

Defeated [Nightscourer - Lvl. 105]!

Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!

...

Defeated [Nightscourer - Lvl. 104]!

Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!

“No levels? Huh.”

They were far too close to my level for [Daeva Cambion] to reach 101. But I expected something from [Adept of the Fae]. I thought I’d have leveled 10 times in that Class from defeating a bunch of Level 100 monsters.

“Maybe it’s because I didn’t use any of its Skills? I’ll have to ask Edithe how it works later.”

For now, I descended. I had already reached the Plaguelands, but was caught up in a battle. My companions, unfortunately, didn’t see it.

“Took you long enough.”

Daniel grinned as I landed before them.

“Looks like we won. You know what that means, right?”

“I reached the Plaguelands before you! I was just attacked by stupid undead!”

“No one saw it, doesn’t count.”

He shrugged. I sighed.

“Fine— I’ll try one of your dumb Human foods.”

I raised a finger before he could jump in joy.

“However, only after we return from the Plaguelands. I’m not going to be transforming into a Human anytime soon. Especially not just to eat your gross stuff.”

Daniel paused.

“I’ll take what I can get, I guess.”

Edithe shook her head, walking past the both of us, murmuring.

“Both of you are so childish…”

The Human man blinked. Then he sputtered.

“Hey, wait—”

“Heh. You’re such a kid, Daniel.”

I smirked as I followed after the red-haired woman. He stared at me as his face turned red in embarrassment. I waved a hand off.

“Don’t be upset, I’ll buy you some toys, ok?”

—--

Things were different. For me, at least. I noticed how my companions fought. They were definitely improving and leveling, but there was just a jarring difference between Level 90 and Level 100. A gulf, created from an evolution and getting a Class.

I was propelled far beyond each of their individual strengths. While Edithe had always been far behind me in terms of her combat abilities, Daniel was actually close. I was pretty sure I’d beat him each time we fought, even with his [Hero] Skills. However, it would be close.

Not anymore.

“[Banish].”

The glowing arrow disappeared somewhere to my left. I dashed forward, straight at the [Skeleton Archer] as it almost seemed to frantically nock another arrow on its bow. I reached it before it could do anything else. My clawed hands were lit ablaze as I quickly tore it apart with [Barrage of Cinders].

A dozen. I dismantled a dozen different Skeletons, all in under a minute. On the other hand, my companions were only just now finishing off the same number of undead. Daniel kicked a [Skeleton Warrior] back, raising his sword.

“Wait!”

I called out to him, and he paused. I walked up to the last surviving Skeleton. It lay underneath the [Hero]’s feet, struggling to get back up.

“I want to test something.”

Placing a hand on its skull, I took a deep breath and uttered the name of a Skill.

“[Demon’s Mark].”

I prayed— I hoped for the sake of me and my companions— that this was a tracking Skill, something that would let me find Edithe or Daniel if I ever got lost. Alas, it was not meant to be.

A symbol burned itself on the Skeleton’s skull. Then it seemed to expand, covering the entire undead in a red sphere. My eyes widened.

“Get back!”

My companions quickly backed away from the Skeleton. I leapt away with a single faux flame burst. The undead crawled back to its feet, stumbling forward as the translucent sphere followed after it.

Then a spire of fire shot out of the ground beneath it. It incinerated the Skeleton, turning its bones to dust and ashes. It shone brightly, a pillar for all to see, marking the earth with its bright light for an instant.

The flames dissipated, and the flash was gone. Nothing was left of the Skeleton. It couldn’t even try to escape from the attack, because it followed after it.

“Huh.”

I stared at the ground, scorched black despite the blight. I let out a nervous chuckle as I turned to my companions.

“It’s a good thing I didn’t test it out on you guys, right?”

They didn’t say anything. They just silently turned and walked away.

Defeated [Skeleton Archer - Lvl. 101]!

Experience is awarded for defeating an enemy!

…

Defeated [Skeleton Warrior - Lvl. 102]!

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

Class [Adept of the Fae] Level Up!

[Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 10] -> [Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 11]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!

Class [Adept of the Fae] Level Up!

[Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 11] -> [Adept of the Fae - Lvl. 12]

Gained 2 Secondary Skill Points!