“Lesser Abyssal Wyrm,” Lucavion repeated, the name rolling off his tongue like a challenge issued to the world itself.
Vitaliara glanced at him, her eyes narrowing with concern. [Are you certain about this, Lucavion? The Abyssal Wyrm isn’t just any monster. It’s a peak 3-star creature at the very pinnacle of power in this part of the forest. Even with all the progress you’ve made, this fight will be different.]
Being one of the mythical monsters, Vitaliara had recovered a part of her strength. But it was only a fraction of it as they had yet to find any life-concentrated locations.
But there was something that she could provide even without her strength returning. It was her knowledge of monsters.
With how she had lived in the forest, she was exceptionally knowledgeable about the monsters with life and death attributes.
Especially the monsters of Abyss.
Lucavion nodded, his expression resolute. “I know, Vitaliara. I’ve been avoiding the Shattered Vale for that very reason. The creatures there are on a different level, most of them rumored to be at least 4-star strength. But this area… I’ve pushed myself here, but it’s no longer enough. I need a true challenge if I’m going to break through.”
He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he continued. “I’ve cleared out most of the monsters in this part of the forest. The fights have become too predictable, too easy. I don’t want to get arrogant, but I need something that will push me to my limits. The Abyssal Wyrm is that challenge.”
Lucavion’s eyes gleamed with determination as he added, “The Abyssal Wyrm is a creature of the abyss, Vitaliara. If what you’ve told me is true, then there’s a chance I can absorb its energy—or at the very least, the death energy in that place must be stronger. The Abyssal Wyrm might be exactly what I need to complete the [First Vortex].”
Vitaliara remained silent for a moment, her gaze sharp as she assessed Lucavion’s words. [You’re right about that,] she finally said. [The Abyssal Wyrm’s connection to the abyss means it’s surrounded by powerful death energy. If you can survive the battle and absorb that energy, it could provide the catalyst you need.]
Lucavion nodded, feeling a sense of anticipation building within him. “That’s what I’m counting on. I’ve been preparing for this, and now it’s time to put everything to the test.”
[Sigh…..] A heavy sigh echoed in his head. As expected, Vitaliara did not want him to force himself to do such a thing, and that was understandable.
After all, knowing that she had once lost her contractor, she would not want the same thing to happen again.
But at the same time, Lucavion was not someone that would back away.
Once he made the decision, that would be the end of it, especially after learning that the monster there was Lesser Abyssal Wyrm.
“Anyway. Let’s not think about that for the time being. I need to fill my stomach first. You are also hungry, no?”
Deciding to lighten the mood a little, Lucavion smiled.
“What do you want to eat? I will treat you what you want.”
Vitaliara looked up at Lucavion with a gleam in her eyes. [If you’re offering, then I’d like to eat a Stormclaw Hare.]
Lucavion blinked, a chuckle escaping his lips. “A Stormclaw Hare, huh? You don’t make things easy, do you? Those are tricky to catch, and they live quite a distance from here. But if that’s what you want, I’ll get it for you.”
Stormclaw Hares were known for their incredible speed and agility, making them difficult prey even for seasoned hunters. They were also quite rare, their habitats usually being deep within the forest’s most treacherous terrains.
The effort required to capture one was considerable, but Lucavion wasn’t one to back down from a challenge, especially not when it came to fulfilling a promise to his companion.
[You asked for it,] Vitaliara responded, her tone teasing yet appreciative. [But you should know, they’re delicious. The energy they contain is refreshing, even for a being like me.]
“Alright, alright,” Lucavion said with a smile, “Let’s get moving then.”
They made their way through the forest, and Lucavion’s steps were quick and deliberate as he navigated the terrain.
He had become intimately familiar with the layout of this part of the forest, and it didn’t take long for him to find the area where the Stormclaw Hares were known to reside.
As he approached the dense thicket where the hares were most likely hiding, Lucavion closed his eyes and allowed his mana to flow into the wind.
Over the past weeks of intense training, he had honed this technique to near perfection. His mana merged seamlessly with the breeze, spreading out like a fine web, detecting the slightest disturbances in the air.
The forest seemed to come alive around him as his senses extended; the rustle of leaves, the scurrying of small animals, the subtle shifts in the wind—all of it became part of his awareness. And then, he felt it—the faint but distinct presence of a Stormclaw Hare, its rapid heartbeat and quick movements giving it away.
‘There you are,’ he thought, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
Moving with the stealth he had painstakingly perfected, Lucavion approached the hare’s location. He kept his presence low, his mana barely a whisper in the air, ensuring that the creature wouldn’t sense him until it was too late.
When he was close enough, he stopped and focused on his core, drawing upon the energy within.
He channeled it into his estoc, the blade beginning to glow faintly with a soft, silver light.
「Void Starfall Blade: Starlight Needle」
–SWOOSH!
With a swift, precise motion, he released the condensed beam of starlight, a thin, almost invisible ray of energy that shot forward like a needle.
THUD!
The beam struck the Stormclaw Hare before it even had a chance to react, piercing its heart in an instant. The creature collapsed, lifeless, before it even realized it was being hunted.
“Huuh…”
Lucavion let out a breath, lowering his blade as he approached the fallen hare.
“That was easier than I thought,” he said with a grin, picking up the creature and examining it. The hare’s body was still warm, its fur soft and unmarred by any visible wound.
[Impressive,] Vitaliara commented, her voice carrying a note of approval. [You’ve gotten even better at this.]
That was quite expected. After all, he had all the time to focus on his [Void Starfall Blade] and his swordsmanship.
Lucavion shrugged modestly. “I’ve had a lot of practice. Plus, it’s nice to see that the techniques Master taught me are really paying off.”
With the techniques that his master left behind, with his old companion beside him, it was easy to get feedback.
“What do you think of my performance? How was it compared to master?”
Vitaliara finished her meal and looked up at Lucavion, her eyes filled with a mix of nostalgia and critical analysis. [Your performance was good, Lucavion, no doubt about it. But if you’re asking me to compare you to Gerald… well, you still have a ways to go.]
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, curious but not surprised. “Oh? How so?”
[Gerald,] Vitaliara began, her voice tinged with a mix of admiration and fondness, [could have taken down that Stormclaw Hare without even drawing his blade. He had a way of using his mana so efficiently, so precisely, that his presence alone could overwhelm creatures like this. He could manipulate the air, the earth—everything around him—until his target had no choice but to surrender.]
Lucavion chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s something only someone at the 4-star level could achieve. I’m not quite there yet.”
[No, Gerald would have done it even while being a 3-star.]
“That means he was a mage?”
[Kind of.]
“I see….Then does that mean Master did not teach me the complete technique he had used?”
[Most likely. He has a talent for using mana. No, it was not a normal talent. He was the greatest genius that I had ever seen.]
‘Not that you are too much different.’
She thought but did not say it outright.
[Because of his talent, he was able to use such a different mana that nobody in the world had used. But you….your condition is unique just like him, so most likely he had altered the technique to teach you.]
Lucavion considered Vitaliara’s words carefully. “So, Master modified his technique for me? That makes sense. He always had a way of tailoring his teachings to fit the individual.”
[Indeed,] Vitaliara responded. [Gerald understood that no two people are the same, especially when it comes to mana manipulation. His ability to adapt most likely results in his ability to teach you. He knew that your reversed mana meridians made you different, so he adjusted the techniques accordingly.]
Lucavion nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. “I’ve always wondered why certain aspects of the technique felt like they were tailored just for me. Now I understand why.”
[But don’t think that means you’re lacking in any way,] Vitaliara added quickly. [On the contrary, it means that Gerald saw something in you—something special, just like he had. Your unique condition might be challenging, but it also gives you the potential that others don’t have.]
‘Especially that sword in your hand…..Even Gerald would never win against you if you just clashed swords…..’
She looked at the sword. There were countless different marks on it, showing countless battles it had endured.
Yet the sword stood there.
Lucavion smiled faintly, the weight of his master’s teachings settling on his shoulders. “I know.”
After all, his master was the first person to start believing him for the potential he held.
“That is why I will not disappoint him.”
With that, he stood up. After all, he had already filled his stomach as well.
“Let’s go. You have already finished your meal.”
[You really are eager to go.]
“I am.”
As Lucavion and Vitaliara began their ascent toward the peak where the Lesser Abyssal Wyrm resided, the atmosphere around them gradually shifted, becoming darker and more foreboding. The path was rugged and treacherous, lined with jagged rocks that jutted out at odd angles, forcing them to navigate carefully to avoid slipping or cutting themselves on the sharp edges.
The air grew colder, the wind sharper, carrying with it a sense of dread that seemed to intensify with every step they took. It was as if the very mountain itself was warning them of the danger that lay ahead.
As they climbed higher, Lucavion’s sharp eyes caught sight of something scattered along the path—carcasses and skeletons of various monsters, some fresh, others little more than bleached bones. The remains were strewn across the rocky terrain, a grim reminder of the power of the creature they were about to face.
Vitaliara, perched on his shoulder, gazed at the scene with a mix of wariness and recognition. [The Abyssal Wyrm’s territory…] she murmured. [It’s marking its domain, warning others to stay away. These creatures were likely foolish enough to challenge it and paid the ultimate price.]
Lucavion nodded, his expression serious as he surveyed the display of strength. But then he smirked.
“A mere beast dares to create a territory…..I can’t wait to trample on its neck once I kill it.”
His smirk was wide.
‘Sigh…..He really changed personality once again….’
Vitaliara couldn’t help but cringe.
———————–
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