Faceless Phantom

Outside of Mel'Jarrad's House.

"Alright. To become a Mystic, the first thing you need to learn is about Mana. So today we are going to explore anything about mana. I'll explain it first, of course."

Hearing Mel'Jarrad, Bonnie's eyes were sparkling.

'Oooh... It feels like I'm back at school again! Ehehehe...'

She remembered about her time when she was still a student, sitting in class while listening to her teacher. At her age, the scene was indeed kind of nostalgic. With determination on her face, she smiled and shouted.

"Understood!"

Seeing his disciple was motivated, Mel'Jarrad smiled and continued.

"Mana is the source and the very essence of magic. It is produced by living creatures and objects. Living creatures are producing more mana than objects. However, there is a case where an object can produce a great amount of mana. And that is what us magician researching. Those kind of materials are valuable to us. They are also important parts to make weapons and armors."

"Like this staff?" Bonnie lifted her staff.

"Indeed. It boosts our magical power depending on how good the material is. Anyway, it is still too early for you to learn that now. So, let's back to mana."

"Yes, understood." Bonnie nodded.

"It is depending on how you use mana. Like Gigants for example. Even though they have low comprehensive about magic, it is not like they cannot use magic. They still be able to learn them. Training to control mana is like training your body. Your muscle will eventually remember the move and you will be able to chant the spell. Thus, for you to be able to manipulate mana, you need to train your mind and the flow of mana in your body."

"Ooohh... Will it take long?"

"It depends. But you did it very well when you were fighting Xule. You've learned two spells, right?"

"Yes."

"The problem is... Your mana is low since you are a beast-kin. However, once you understand about mana, your mana growth rate will increase significantly. And trust me, this old man will make sure that his disciple going to be a great Magician. Ohohoho..."

"Thank you! Please take care of me."

The explanation kept going and going. However, Bonnie was listening him intently. She was interested in this topic since her childhood.

Of course, there were stories about magic in real world, but she wouldn't be able to experience it firsthand. They were all just a fantasy, a made-up stories by novelists or people with amazing imagination. But in here, magic was real. And that was why she was happy.

"Here's the real question. Do you want a fast way or a long way?"

"What's the difference?" Bonnie asked as she put her index finger on her chin whilst tilting her head.

"The fast way is that I will pass the knowledge about the spells to your mind. This method is similar for imprinting skill scrolls. However, you're just copying what is already made. It will be hard for further development. And the long way is you learn it by yourself. It takes time depending on your understanding. But, it is adjusted to your own unique growth, talent and potential. So, it has the potential to grow for different paths depending on your traits."


Bonnie folded her arms and sighed. She hid her lips and thought. A few seconds later, she opened her mouth.

"I'll take the long way."

The old man smiled at her answer.

"A very good decision."

"Thank you very much. Please teach me."

"Patience, lass. First, let's learn about the mana that flows within your body."

・・・

<Mining Canyon>

Misty Broodmother

–Phase One

Mist Spiders kept coming at me. Despite their dark element affinity, they were weak against fire. It was probably because they were arachnids. I killed them with only two or three hits. If I was lucky, I landed a critical hit and killed them with only one attack. But so far, I did it only three times. It was hard to spot their weak point.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Slash!

'Ugh... I can't get near her.'

I kept getting surrounded. There was a few of cow-sized one, but I could handle them fine enough. The problem was the cat or dog-sized one. They were actually weak since they were probably a baby. One hit was enough to kill them.

However, they were countless. They kept coming from the web sacs. And there was a lot of web sacs. Like, everywhere.

If I was a mage, I could sweep them in one attack. Unfortunately, I didn't have an AoE. Mirage had some, but I wanted her to use them when we were in a dire moment.

'There should be a limit.'

Animal type monsters didn't instantly spawn, they were breeding in this game. If a full party needed to kill this boss, then it was a challenge for solo players like myself. I tried to think positively and find a solution.

'I see. It's a wave thing.'

I finally figured that the Broodmother sent her children as wave. Each wave contained three adults and ten babies. Once they were dead, another wave would come.

I began to brace myself. Once I stabbed the last Mist Spider, the next wave was coming.

The small ones got near me first, six of them jumped. I swung my sword and cut their body into halves. Then I immediately ducked to evade the rest.

In a split seconds, I saw the three adults spat their webs from afar.

'Oh sh-'

I rolled to the right and successfully evaded the web shots. However, I couldn't stop yet. The four small ones were already close. They jumped one by one.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

I swung my sword four times, and their split bodies fell on the ground. The three adults began to get closer. I had to deal with the last three small ones first. I rushed toward them and thrust my sword.

Stab! Stab! Stab!

'Okay, those three are next.'

Once I was done, I immediately ran toward the three adults. However, they spat their webs again.

Shwop! Shwop! Shwop!

I slashed the webs with my sword which coated in Fire Blessing. The webs burned in an instant.

Once I got closer, they readied their palps and fangs.

I swung my sword forward and they instantly backed off. Then I did the same to the left. They backed away further. And one more time, I did it to the right. They were now split away. It was my chance to attack them one by one.

The first one got near me was the left one. They crawled toward me and tried to push me down.

Thump!

A barrier blocked them, and their body was thrown backward. Mirage's assist was good as always. I jumped toward the Mist Spider and thrust my sword.

Stab! Stab! Stab!

'One down.'

"Watch out!"

I heard Mirage's warning. I immediately turned my head, but it was too late. I didn't expect it at all. Another one already got near me and pushed me down.

I fell on the ground with my sword on their mouth. Their legs kept kicking me whilst their sharp teeth were trying to take a taste of my flesh. It was obvious that they were trying to inject their venom inside me. Glad I blocked it. However, their saliva dropped and almost hit my face.

'Ugh...'

It was disgusting. I had to do something before the other one got closer. But it was a hard thing to do. I only had two arms, and they had eight legs and two palps which kept pushing me down.

Even though I kicked them multiple times, they were persistent. Then I heard a song.

[Mirage used Song of Fire]

[Song of Fire's effect can be felt]

Shriiiiiiieeekk!

The Mist Spider immediately jumped back. I smelled something was burned. The Mist spider was down and their legs were dancing, wriggling in pain.

"Thanks!"

"Do your best!"

Song of Fire.

The buff was granted me a fire armor and fire resistance. It absorbed a certain amount of fire-based damage and burned anyone who attacked me. Of course, the burn only worked for close combat attack, not on ranged.

I attacked them when they were still down.

"Let me help you to get rid of the pain."

I cut all of their legs.

Slash! Slash!

Shrieeeeeeeeeeeek!

I turned my head to see where the last one was. When I spotted them, they were going to spit their web towards me.

Shwop!

I evaded and rushed toward the Broodmother.

'Good. I hope there will be no more wave.'

I swung my sword onto her legs.

Slash!

[You have inflicted 137 damage on Misty Broodmother]

Her legs were unexpectedly hard. Even with Fire Blessing enchantment, I could hardly deal any damage.

Then I tried to aim her abdomen and thorax. However, it would be really hard.

The Misty Broodmother was in defense position, waiting for me to charge towards her.

'Fine then.'

I rushed and swung my sword.

Clank!

[You have inflicted 114 damage on Misty Broodmother]

She parried with her legs, but I kept swinging my sword and I also had to dodge the Mist Spider webs shot. This kind of fight would improve my combat. It was a good training.

[You have inflicted 284 damage on Misty Broodmother]

'Okay. Let's keep this up.'

・・・

–Phase Two

The Misty Broodmother shrieked as her HP down below 75%. No more baby spiders came out, yet something bad was definitely going to happen.

And I was right. Suddenly, more Mist Spiders were coming. Furthermore, they were multiplied! One spider was becoming two separate beings. Then the other followed one by one.

'They're cloning themselves!?'

The very scene was familiar yet I couldn't put my finger on it. Sadly, it was not the time for me to be amazed.

"I'll take care of them." Mirage said.

"Are you sure?" I asked in doubt.

"Don't worry, you can count on me." She replied and smiled.

"Alright."

I was still worried, but I had to trust her. She wasn't weak like before. She had grown into a dependable woman.

Mirage began to run towards them, she was luring all the Mist Spiders by herself. She moved away from where I was and tried to not get surrounded by them. Eventually, she was cornered. Mirage turned her gaze toward me. She nodded as she pointed at her ears.

I understood what she meant. I immediately covered my ears shut.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

It was like a shockwave, the thin mist around her was cleared in an instant. And her scream travelled through the Mist Spiders and came towards me.

Though I closed my ears, I still could hear her scream. I pressed my hands harder against my ears as I witnessed every Mist Spider wriggling in pain. Some of them ran away from her. Some of them down on the ground. And some of them dispersed into mist. It seemed the ones that turned into mist were their clones or illusions. In just ten seconds, they were all dead.

I opened my ears again once she closed her mouth. My ears were ringing for a moment, then everything was silent.

'That was a strong AoE.'

///////

Scream of Devastation

Level Max

Active: Release a lethal scream for anyone around ten meters radius.

*It doesn't affect Sound Immunity or Sound Nullification.

Channel duration: 10 seconds

Damage per tick: 250

Mana Cost: 950

Cooldown: 30 Minutes

///////

The mana cost was pretty high, but it was effective against a mob.

Shrieeeeeek!

Seeing what happened to her children, Misty Broodmother was angry. She began to move faster. In an instant, she already on top of the cliff and vanished within the mist. Out of nowhere, she reappeared and dealt a sneak attack behind me.

Surprised, I barely evaded her attack. Still, her attack hit me and it made me spinning. I took a bit of the damage, yet it was still a good amount of damage.

[You have received 942 damage from Misty Broodmother]

I would definitely immediately in critical condition if I took it directly.

I was about to lose my balance from the spin, so I thrust my sword downward to support my body from falling. I tried to fix my stance and once I was stable, I looked around.

'Shit.'

The Misty Broodmother was already gone.

Mirage immediately buffed me with Song of Fire. However, I saw Misty Broodmother was behind her.

"MIRAGE!"

Gasp!

Mirage was surprised. As if everything was in slow motion, she tried to parry with her staff. However, it was pointless. The Broodmother bit her staff along with her hand. Then, she pulled her up on to the cliff side.

'Fuck!'

I ran as fast as I could. I saw Mirage was struggling to get free from the Broodmother's grip. She kept punching her face and mouth. However, the Broodmother also attacked her multiple times with her palps and lifted her higher. And they almost reached the top.

'Fuck.'

I buffed myself with Wind Blessing whilst kept running. When I look at them again, I saw Mirage was falling. I didn't know how she got freed, but it didn't matter. I fastened my steps.

'I have to save her.'

Once I got closer to the cliff side, I jumped. However, the Misty Broodmother tried to grab Mirage again. Seeing that, I looked for a stable edge and used it as a footing to jump. I kept jumping and jumping.

"Mirage!" I looked up and shouted.

The Broodmother got closer, but Mirage used Barrier to hold her movement for a second. Still, she didn't give up and kept moving down. She got closer and showed her sharp teeth towards Mirage.

Mirage turned her head away and closed her eyes.

STAB!

I thrust my sword towards Broodmother's face.

Shriiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeekkkkkk!

I pulled my sword whilst kicking her face as hard as I could. Using her face as a footing, I jumped downward.

"Mirage!"

Mirage turned her gaze towards me, then her hands tried to reach me. I reached her and successfully grabbed her, and then I carried her as we were falling down.

'Fuck. Will it hurt?'

I just realized we were falling from a really high place. It was scary, and it made me recalled a memory within me. I was once jumped down from two meters wall, and I had to say that it wasn't a pleasing experience for my feet. However, I faced a way higher fall.

I heard Mirage began to hum. She was singing a spell.

[Mirage used Song of Earth]

[Song of Earth's effect can be felt]

BOOM!

I landed with my two feet, creating a crack on the ground around me. My feet didn't hurt at all. Though I was still in a thought of expecting the pain. I also kept my position of carrying Mirage while half-squatting.

I saw Mirage was looking at me expressionless.

"Are you okay?" I asked her as I put her down.

"Unh..." She nodded and smiled at me.

"Alright, drink the potions. I'll protect you."

Mirage took out HP and MP potions from her bag and began to drink them one by one.

I looked around, looking for the Misty Broodmother. She was nowhere to be seen.

'Shit. Where is that bastard?!'

"I'm fine now."

"Okay, stay near me. We don't know where the Broodmother will appear."

"Unh..."

Five Mist Spiders appeared on top of the cliff. The crawled down and moved towards us.

"Haahhh..." I sighed.

I had to deal with them again. Since Misty Broodmother was gone, I had no other choice and moved forward. Mirage followed right behind me.

Once we were closer to them, I turned around and I saw Misty Broodmother behind Mirage.

'I knew it! You piece of shit.'

I jumped whilst using Fire Blessing on my sword. Then I thrust my sword right on her face.

Stab!

Shriiiieeeeekkk!

She began to swing her palps towards me. I pulled my sword and parried.

Clank! Clank!

It was then something hit me from behind.

"What the-"

Spider webs!

The Mist Spiders aimed their web shot towards me. In an instant, I got wrapped by the webs. I fell on the ground and the Broodmother thrust her palps towards me.

Thump!

They were stopped and sprang back by a barrier. Then I heard a song.

[Mirage used Song of Fire]

[Song of Fire's effect can be felt.]

The webs wrapped my body was burned in a second. I stood and readied myself to attack. However, the Broodmother was already gone.

'Motherfucker.'

I turned my head to Mirage. The Mist Spiders spat their webs towards her. Then she fell on the ground, wrapped by the webs. My feet instantly moved, rushing towards them.

"Fire Blessing!"

My sword turned red as it was becoming hot.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The last two were trying to run away. I pursued them and used Back Slash.

Slash! Slash!

I immediately ran towards Mirage and released her from the webs.

"Ah, thank you..."

"Hey, no need. You saved me too. Let's watch each other back."

"Yes."

The Broodmother sneaky attacks were not stopped anytime soon. So, we kept cutting her HP a little by little. Until her HP was already down below 30%.

・・・

–Phase Three

As if the Misty Broodmother was frustrated, she was throwing tantrum by shrieking and stomping the ground with her legs. She began to attack me frontally this time, but I already prepared and evaded her every attacks.

It was then something unexpected happened. She bit her own children and she ate them alive.

Crunch! Crunch! Crunch!

The scenery wasn't really pleasant to watch. She grabbed her children using her palps and ate them again, one by one. Some of the Mist Spiders were fight back. However, it was futile. Their attacks were nothing to her. So, some of them were running away.

When I thought I could take a breath, I saw her HP was healed. She had an ability to Lifesteal.

And that was when I threw my disgusted feeling away.

'Oh no you don't!'

I instantly rushed forward to attack her.

'Don't you dare back to full HP!'

I rolled under her big body when she was eating. Once I was below the Misty Broodmother, I cut her abdomen down to her spinnerets.

Shriiiiiiieeeeeekkkkkkkkkk!!!

By targeting her joints, I tried to cut one of her legs. It was hard, but I kept swung my sword until her leg was dismembered.

She began to move and looking for me. However, she was kind of slow. Perhaps, it was because she was in pain. Noticing that, I followed her movement and stayed below her big body.

She knew where I was because of her spider's sense. She tried to attack me with her legs and body slammed me. I barely dodged and kept behind or below her.

Suddenly, she stopped. She gazed Mirage at the distance. I knew she was going to after her, so I thrust my sword into the cut on her abdomen.

Shriiiiiieeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!

She was staggered. It was an opportunity to cut one of her legs again.

Gkhwaaaaaaaahhhhh!!

Everytime she spotted Mirage, she stopped and tried to catch her. It was then I thrust my sword into her abdomen.

Shriiiiiieeeeeeeekkkkkkkk!!!

Once again, she was stunned. And I cut one of her legs again. At some point, she also tried to run away. But, of course, I didn't let her to get away.

I did it again and again until she had no legs left.

Shriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiekkkkkkk!

Kyaaaaaaaaahh!

Gwaaaaaaaahhh!

She kept screaming, and her scream became gentle and soft as if she wanted a mercy from me. Even though she was a monster, I felt sad somehow. So, I immediately put an end to her suffering. I thrust my sword into her head until my sword pierced through. Blood was gushing out and her scream slowly faded.

///////

Congratulations!

You have defeated Misty Broodmother.

Amazing Achievement!

All your stats increased by 25!

///////

Soul Cubic appeared and a soul came out from Misty Broodmother's body. The Soul Cubic absorbed her soul, and it was also the same for all the Mist Spiders body lying around the area. Their souls were absorbed.

"Wow that was fun. Teehee..." Mirage approached me while wiping her sweats and chuckled.

"We're almost dead." I sighed.

"But it's thrilling and fun! Just like you said!"

"Well, yeah I guess." I smiled at her. "Anyway, how's your hand?"

"Oh it's fine. I already healed it." She showed her hand and smiled back at me. "See, no scratch! Hehe..."

"Good th-"

Ba-dump!

I was startled by the voice, the Soul Cubic was pulsating. It was the first time I was seeing it behave like that. The Soul Cubic was always disappeared again after it absorbed souls. It was like it was communicating or some sort.

"Why is it pulsating...?"

"Maybe it's detecting something nearby."

I looked around and used Astral Eyes to see if there was an invisible threat nearby. However, there was nothing.

"There's nothing." I sighed in relieve. "Let's just loot these spiders first."

"Okay."

After we grabbed enough loots, we began to walk deeper into the canyon. I cut the webs which was blocking the way and went through.

A few meters later, we found a cave full of big web sacs. They were a meter tall each. Once we got inside, the Soul Cubic was pulsating even faster. Therefore, I tried to open them one by one.

Most of them, as expected, were eggs. There were also developed baby spiders in different kind of shapes. Some of them dead and released unpleasant smells. It was morbid, but I had to keep going to see if there was a loot or two. Until eventually, I found something interesting.

A chunk of rough transparent blue gem. And there was an egg-shaped rock as big as my fist inside the gem. I used Astral Eyes to see its description.

[Fossilized Spider Egg]

An egg of unknown spider specie which has become a fossil.

After that, my Soul Cubic was shining and something was coming out. An orb of soul was flying towards the Fossilized Spider Egg. And the soul was absorbed.

I checked it with Astral Eyes again.

[Phantasmagoria's Egg]

An egg of unknown spider specie which probably has become extinct. Perhaps, the egg can be hatched.

Status: It's cold.

'What?'

I looked at Mirage with my eyes wide open. Confused, Mirage looked strangely at me.

"What?"

Just as much as confused as her, my mind was still unable to comprehend what had happened.

'What?'