Chapter 54: Crimson Castle (3)
Standing before the three pathways, Vincent’s party remained locked in a tense debate.
Two disagreed with his decision, one tried to calm them, while another wavered.
The white-haired elder, known as Uncle Gold, who had wielded a golden whip earlier, glanced at Caelius after soothing the two youths.
“We are here to support the young master. You, too, should be grateful that the young master allowed you to be here.”
His words finally silenced Fiona and Karl, though they continued to cast suspicious glances at Vincent. Although skeptical himself, he refrained from voicing his doubts and waited for Caelius’s decision.
Caelius’ expression darkened initially when Fiona referred to him as ‘young master.’
“I told you not to call me ‘young master’ while we’re outside, remember?”
His words left them speechless.
“But we can’t do that, young master…” Fiona replied quietly, causing Caelius to sigh in resignation.
“Sigh… forget it. Anyway, it doesn’t matter which path we choose. We’re here to investigate, so we might as well explore every path. As for trusting him, that decision is mine alone.”
He cast a deep look at Fiona and Karl before turning his gaze to Vincent.
Vincent remained silent, avoiding any argument with Fiona and Karl since he, too, would question a stranger’s words.
Still, his curiosity about Caelius’ background grew.
“Let’s move,” Caelius commanded, following his own suggestion.
Despite their caution and suspicion, Caelius’s three companions respected his command, trailing behind.
The path they chose was a spacious hallway with crimson walls, black and white checkered floors like a chessboard, and dim lighting from crimson lamps mounted on the walls. Large windows on the left gave them a view of the dark outdoors.
Even with their enhanced senses, they could only see a few meters ahead.
A few moments later, faint footsteps echoed from a distance. So faint, one might wonder if they were human footsteps.
“Prepare yourselves.”
As Caelius issued the warning, more footsteps approached from all directions. Even without further instruction, Fiona raised her short golden staff, casting a bright light that illuminated the long hallway!
As the light spread, several dark figures scurried away as if afraid, squeaking as they disappeared.
“Where did they go?” Fiona asked, puzzled.
Vincent raised an eyebrow in mild confusion.
“It seems they couldn’t see them…” he thought, observing the vaguely visible bipedal rats. Each stood nearly 160 centimeters tall.
Covered entirely in black fur, they had thin, elongated limbs.
They weren’t quite rats. However, their faces were unmistakably rat-like, with claws sharp as daggers.
Thanks to his Heaven Eyes skill, he could clearly see these otherwise invisible primals.
Blackrat Scief Tier 2 (1★)
“There are at least ten of them…” he noted after a quick scan.
One Blackrat Scief crept closer, triggering Caelius’s alertness even without clear sight.
“Karl, at your 3 o’clock!”
Without questioning his young master, Karl swung a heavy punch into the empty air.
Bam!
Summoning his golden gauntlet, a black figure was forced out of stealth mode, squealing in agony as it slammed against the crimson wall, cracking it.
Its abdomen was crushed, blood dribbling from its mouth, yet it didn’t die instantly. It slipped back into stealth.
“I don’t have time for this.”
Caelius muttered, irritation lacing his voice. With a mere half-step forward, he tapped his elegant shoes against the checkered floor.
Tap!
A faint light spread across the hallway floor.
“Close your eyes.”
Vincent, though slightly perplexed, shielded his eyes without hesitation. A blinding light burst forth, illuminating everything around them and revealing the Blackrat Sciefs, who shrieked, covering their blinded eyes.
They were surrounded, with some even clinging to the windows outside.
“Open fire!”
At Caelius’s command, the trio in golden cloaks unleashed their skills, striking with whips and slashes.
Vincent joined in, quietly summoning a single Shadow Rat amidst the chaos. He ordered it to lurk in the shadows, targeting Blackrat Sciefs close to death.
The Shadow Rat looked like an ordinary rat, but stood knee-high, wreathed in a misty black shadow.
“Go, finish off anything on the brink of death.”
As Caelius’s skill exposed the creatures, Uncle Gold, Fiona, and Karl attacked the twenty-plus Blackrat Sciefs with ferocity.
One of the Blackrat Sciefs, struck by Fiona’s skill, was nearly obliterated before Vincent’s Shadow Rat swiped its claws, ending its life in a flurry of digital particles.
Vincent heard the sweet chime of a notification, confirming a surge of experience points.
You have successfully killed a Blackrat Scief Tier 2 (1★)
+100 experience points!
Talent Activated!
+1,000,000 experience points!
With a single kill, his experience bar overflowed!
If he didn’t spend it fast, the excess experience would go to waste. Without a second thought, he upgraded two of his rare-grade skills to epic.
You have successfully upgraded, Earthshaker Gauntlet!
Name: Stoneheart Gauntlet
Grade: Epic
Effect: Delivers a reinforced strike that adds 180% of the user’s base physical damage. Reduces target’s physical and elemental defenses by 15% for 10 seconds. Encases the user’s arm in an unbreakable stone form, enhancing physical defense by 20% and providing an 8% block chance. This form can be sustained with a moderate Origin Energy cost for prolonged encounters.
Damage: +180% of base physical damage
Defense Reduction: 15% for 10 seconds (physical and elemental)
Defense Increase: 20% (maintainable) with 8% block chance
Duration: 40 seconds (extendable)
Consumption: 45 Origin Energy per minute
Skill 1: Rock Smash
Effect: Delivers a 220% reinforced strike, creating a shockwave of earth energy that deals AoE damage within a 10-meter radius. Staggers enemies, slowing them by 20% for 5 seconds.
Damage Multiplier: 220%
AoE Radius: 10 meters
Slow Effect: 20% for 5 seconds
Cooldown: 8 seconds
Consumption: 35 Origin Energy
Skill 2: Stonebound Guard
Effect: Summons a dense rock barrier, reducing incoming damage by 50% for 12 seconds. Strikes trigger a shockwave dealing 60% base physical damage within a 2.5-meter radius, with a slight knockback.
Damage Reduction: 50% for 12 seconds
Counter Damage: 60% as earth damage
Cooldown: 14 seconds
Consumption: 45 Origin Energy
Skill 3: Earth’s Resilience (New)
Effect: Fortifies the user’s body with stone armor, granting additional attack and defense
Attack and Defense Boost: 50%
Duration: – –
Consumption: 10 origin energy per 120 seconds.
“Another insane upgrade!” he thought, exhilarated.
You have successfully upgraded Severing Blow!
Name: Rending Strike
Grade: Epic
Direct Impact: Cleaves armor and shields, adding 60% of base attack as pure physical damage, bypassing defenses.
Shockwave: Deals 50% base attack in a 5-meter radius, knocking back enemies and staggering them for 2 seconds.
Hemorrhage: Causes the target to bleed, taking 15% base attack every second for 5 seconds.
Skill 1: Earthsplitter Cleave
Effect: Unleashes a 10-meter fissure, dealing 80% base attack as earth damage and reducing affected enemies’ movement by 20% for 6 seconds.
Consumption: 80 Origin Energy
Cooldown: 10 seconds
“These skills are out of control!” he marveled, quickly spending his experience.
His Shadow Rat killed another Blackrat Scief before the trio finished off the rest.
“My experience bar is full again!”
He dismissed his Shadow Rat.
“Clean up and move on.”
No one noticed the Shadow Rat as Caelius ordered the group forward after collecting the loot.
After several minutes, they reached the end of the hallway without encountering another primal.
At the end of the hallway stood a towering, open iron door.
Sounds of battle echoed from beyond.
Clang! Boom!
“Kill them!”
“Behind you!”
“Look out!”
“Argh!”
Voices filled with pain and struggle resounded.
Caelius didn’t rush in. “Uncle Gold, scout ahead.”
“As you wish, young master.”
Vincent watched as Uncle Gold stepped forward, eyes closed, sending a wave of faint energy toward the battle beyond.
A moment later, he opened his eyes and reported to Caelius.
“What did you see?” Caelius asked.
“I saw groups surrounded by Blackrat Men. —
Among them are Birdmen, Lyards, Vyrmins, and Thrygians.”
Caelius paused, processing the information.
“Did you spot anyone familiar or suspicious?”
Uncle Gold shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment shadowing his face.
“No, young master. None of them stood out in that way.”
“It’s fine. Let’s stay alert. We’re going in.” Caelius nodded firmly before turning to Vincent.
“And you? Are you ready?”
Vincent gave a calm nod, his expression unwavering. “Don’t worry about me. I’m prepared.”
“Good to hear.” Caelius’s reply was brief, reflecting his confidence in Vincent’s capability.
“Move out!”
Without further delay, they advanced through the doorway, emerging into a vast chamber where the chaotic battle unfolded. Various groups were locked in combat, their desperate cries echoing through the grand, dimly lit space.
Around them, Blackrat Men swarmed with relentless ferocity, their dark forms weaving through the crowd like shadows. Beasts with feathered wings, known as Birdmen, fought alongside the Lyards, Vyrmins, and Thrygians, each species using their unique abilities to fend off the wave of attackers.
Gifts and Golden Tickets are greatly appreciated!
