Chapter 206: Weaknesses
Azaroth eyes glinted with excitement! After two and half month they are going to start their journey of hunting again by taking in essence from monsters they intend to kill!
With essence warped around every inches of their bodies like oversized cloak they blurred into the air. Single, casual steps on the ground or tree branches was enough to propell them several pace into the air like shot cannon.
But while they do that they also spread their essence sense around the forest like a rader. They caught different types of monsters and animals but none of them are Acolyte rank but they know they are close, the air was suble changing and the natural essence getting stronger.
Suddenly Azaroth shot downward like a diving eagle, his hand lurching forward in a chop. The monster he was targeting looked up almost too late but before Azaroth could touch it, yellow energy gathered at the creature’s open mouth and blasted out a bolt.
Azaroth gathered all his essence in front of him and took the hit that drove him backward but didn’t even touch a single part of his body with the way he’s heavy covered in essence.
Others also touched ground beside him, their landing as gently and graceful like a falling wind. Alex grinned. "A proper Acolyte monster right here in front of me!"
The monster in question is shape like a pig with dark red skin and head full of yellow horns. The monster growled and they saw fangs that flashed as the monster turned to them.
Stallus nodded. "Do you see the attack earlier? Even the weakest Acolyte rank monster will be able to use skill now. We should watch out for....."
He didn’t finish speaking as Catena shot forward like released arrow, he was on the monster in a blink and brought his chain around on the monster’s head with a crack! But instead of the monster to go down, it turned and lashed out with its hind legs that’s tipped with hoofs as sharp as Iron.
Catena jumped away but not fast enough and the monster cut through his essence found and sliced a bit of flesh on his right leg. And at the same time some of the unbroken horn on its head glowed with energy that blasted out.
The attacks were too fast and sudden but Catena was still holding a formation in his mind, the very simple and upgraded Earth manipulation. Now that he’s Acolyte he doesn’t have to actively touch the ground to manipulate it, although it’s cost extra essence.
He grabbed hold of the earth around them, quickly hardening them and then sent a large rock up in front of him to take the hit from the energy bolt and at the same time earth spikes took the surprise monster out.
Everything happened in seconds and Catena dusted his robe with a grimace. "That monster is definitely fast, faster than I thought and it’s casting speed is even faster."
Azaroth nodded. "But you cast just as fast. Doing up to three things at once." Azaroth haven’t done much with his fire core so he didn’t know how his fire manipulation have changed as well, maybe he has some control over it that just fire wave now.
The essence rose and settled on them, with Catena taking the largest share. They all released a breath as they quickly draw it into their cores. How long has it been since they’ve cultivate essence?
Alex got out his knives and got close to the monster, then began cutting it up.
Catena looked at him. "Of course I’m hungry for Acolyte rank meat too but you can feel the rest of the monsters come here right?"
Alex grunted out an answer as he found out that the body of the monster is almost as tough as the metal he’s using to cut it, and once he managed to cut out a part he used his two hands to tear the chest apart. He dipped his hand into the still hot monster’s chest and yanked out the whole heart.
Azaroth was curious at the point, is Alex trying to eat the heart? But the smirk on his face told them to wait. Finally, after a bloody check he brought out a small yellow stone the size of a chicken egg.
"Essence stone!" Alex said proudly.
Azaroth raised his brows and sent his senses to check it and yes, the small stone is filled with essence. It’s like holding a small ball of concentrated essence. "What’s that now?’
"Essence stones are found in some monsters from the Acolyte rank and above. Just like enchanted tool it’s not something that happens often but this is the backbone of every Great power organizations now." Alex with excitement.
When he was asked why he was only too ready to provide answers. "This is a source of power, pure essence that can be used to power thousands of things. Enchanted tools! Not only in the use of creating the enchantments but also in using it."
Catena looked at him in surprise. "I thought enchanted tools are only found in the Crypts."
Alex frowned at him. "Haven’t Kael told us this before? Enchanted tool found in the crypt are just better, stronger and more powerful. They are the original while our Ghostwriter Enchanters copy that.
"Anyway. This essence stone can be used to power enchanted. It’s the new source of energy. And its expensive, more so as it’s level increases. Also those who don’t want to risk coming to crypt to advance buy it and consume it to cultivate their core."
Azaroth nearly sneered at that. "That’ll only breed weakness."
Alex shrugged. "The rich people don’t care about that. Anyway, now that we are Acolyte we should be seeing more of this stones! We’ll make a fortune with this!"
Stallus looked at him doubtfully. "Not to be like that or anything but we’re under the chains of the Inferno Legion. And the monsters are here, we have to fight for now."
