Chapter 596: 596
V54C6P3- The way of the desert
Sponsored Content
The burning desert sands split as the ugly desert worm popped out .
A gigantic worm!
With countless razor sharp teeth, the desert worm lunged head first .
– Kuaaah!
Its mouth was wide open as if it wanted to swallow everyone at once!
Weed was already prepared .
“Moonlight Sculpting Blade”
A beam of light extended from the Loa Sword and cut into the eye of the desert worm . The next instant, it passed through the dimensional gate that was floating around .
It disappeared in front of the desert worm’s mouth and reappeared in the rear .
“Heat Strike!”
Weed utilized the skills he learned from the desert warriors and slashed the worm in a flash .
< Scorching impact!
Enemy’s health points decreased by 93,907 .
The heat lingers and applies 3% additional damage per second . >
The desert worm had low defense but a lot of health points .
– Kuaaagh!
The desert worm squirmed, flaking its flaming body .
“Lightning Scar!”
Weed used various attack spells on the worm and worked it down .
Since it wasn’t going to die any time soon, it was a good target for him to use many spells and practice them .
‘Rapid Slash . This is quite useful even though it’s only a basic skill . The burst damage will be very significant against large monsters . ’
He used the skills archived in his head and assessed them in detail .
He was taking his time taking down the worm unlike his usual hunts .
*Creep-creep . Squirm-squirm . *
While Weed was confronting the desert worm, the sands nearby moved closer .
‘I knew it all along . ’
Sensing the prey’s movement, they approach slowly for the surprise attack .
Then all of a sudden, they emerged and struck . This was the trait of a desert worm .
“Haaaaa!”
< You have activated War Cry .
Attack power is increased by 100% for 20 seconds .
Endurance is increased by 80% for 5 seconds . >
It was a warrior-class skill!
Weed roared and raised his attack power . Then, more worms swarmed towards him as they were unable to resist the scent of such strong and tasty prey .
At least a dozen worms that were surrounding the desert warriors broke off formation .
In an instant .
– Kyaaa!
– Kuaaaagh!
The desert worms emerged simultaneously from the front, back and sides with their mouths wide open .
It was breathtaking ambush attack that they’d been waiting for .
“Lava River!”
Sponsored Content
Weed swung his sword and activated his skill . The earth fissured and lava surged within several dozen meters .
The destructive power was incomparable to the time he put the sandstorm to rest!
“Wow… That’s…!”
“That is the skill from the desert’s folklore . ”
It was only for a short moment, but he could hear the awe from the warriors of the Sun Tribe .
‘I guess I have to thank Bard Ray . ’
The force of the skill was more powerful given that he had used Sculptural Destruction Skill to significantly increase his strength .
Though, the real factor was the Goblet of Flames .
< Goblet of Flames : Durability 30/30 .
A goblet instilled with the essence of fire . There are stories of collecting lava flowing deep beneath the earth where no human has traveled and also rumors that the goblet is instilled with flames that survived for a million years .
In other words, it was an artifact instilled with a legend .
Darkness, no matter how big, will be defeated if the power of the goblet is drawn out .
Requirements : None .
Option : Possession increases all stats by 53 .
Maximum health points and mana increased by 70,000 .
All skills related to fire will be 200% more powerful .
Effects of combat skill increased by 35% .
Near immune to fire damage .
The holder can use the ‘Goblet’s Tranquility’ every 10 days .
Special : A legend is sealed inside .
There are 7 options yet to be identified .
Tranquility of the Goblet : Summons a river of flowing lava or an erupting volcano that wipes out all enemies . >
The element of fire was most common among desert warriors .
Warriors did use earth type skills and a rare number of them also used water type skills .
These were skills that increased defense or recovery rate .
The ice element froze monsters and slowed them, thus they were also common . But, when it came to pure damage, fire was the best .
“I will roast everything!”
Weed’s lava river swept away the desert worms, both those that had surged up above the sands and the ones hiding underground .
Like a ferocious current, the raging lava river covered the worms .
< Lava River was activated .
Lava flows in a radius of 86 meters and wipes out all enemies! >
The Lava River sustained for over a minute and applied consistent damage .
Weed got the drop on the worms and exploded with the Lion Roar .
– Attack at once! Fight to your heart’s desire!
The skill increased his commandship and leadership .
“Wahh!”
The warriors of the Sun Tribe that were watching in surprise instantly ran forward .
They struck down mercilessly on the scorching desert worms with their scimitars .
Warriors were indeed simple minded beings .
Even in his days as the Great King of the Desert, he would dash out on a rampage first and the desert warriors with increased morale joined alongside him, displaying the best efficiency in fighting .
The desert warriors had affinity with fire and were bestowed with additional attack power .
Sponsored Content
“Hooorah!”
Teppy focused his attack on a single desert worm .
That moment, more desert worms sprang from all directions with rumbling screeches!
River of crimson lava flowed above the heated desert .
On top was an intense battle where Weed, the tribal warriors and the desert warriors were in one huge entanglement .
As Kaybern roamed and destroyed the cities, a wind of change brewed in the North .
– Can you picture the North after losing Morata? How about the Earth Place? What will happen to us if we lose it?
Someone spoke out in the Bingryong square .
It was a big disadvantage not having one decent metropolis in the vast Northern Continent .
As the Earth Palace reached completion, the downtown area in the vicinity grew exponentially, and Morata was a metropolis unparalleled in history .
In production, trades, population, it dominated over just about any city in Central Continent in all aspects .
– Because of this, Kaybern will target Morata soon!
The Northern users were afraid .
They were just put away down the list of destruction simply because Castle Aren or Free City Somren had higher development .
It didn’t change the fact that Morata was also a city in danger .
Losing Morata meant more for than losing any other city .
Morata was the heart of the North, the hope of countless users and also their home .
The users that grew up ever since Morata was a small village and before Arpen Kingdom even existed, did not want to lose their cherished memories .
“If Kaybern shows up, let us all stand!”
“Of course . We must step up . However, realistically speaking the black dragon will kill us all and turn Morata into ruins . There will be nothing left in Morata when we return . Then, that leaves us with one option . ”
They came up with a solution in hopes of protecting Morata .
– Population Dispersion Policy!
The plan was to scatter the concentrated population of Morata to the outskirts of the North .
“Let’s go . For the sake of our home . ”
“We must leave . ”
The users loaded their luggage on wagons driven by bulls and scattered across the entire Northern Continent .
Many shacks were dismantled and the production facilities were also transferred to other cities and villages .
Roads were constructed, and trade cities formed by the riversides where ships travelled . Ultimately, the functionalities were dispersed well into other locations .
Most users left on their own will, but the fundamental facilities, residing population and Morata’s role as a production and trade hub were maintained .
Furthermore, tourists and users from the Central continent were visiting on a consistent level .
The Earth Palace .
The brightest among the vast human resources of the Grass Porridge Cult gathered .
Several thousands were economic specialists and management consulting in real life .
Only those with a doctorate degree or experience working in a renowned company for over a decade gathered in the palace .
“Much hope lies in our analysis . I can’t stress enough the importance of determining which city will fall under the attack of Kaybern . ”
The elder of the economics stepped forth and spoke .
Since then, all members began a meticulous assessment of information .
They were to analyze the development, population, expansion, commercial facilities, technology, number of artisans, trades, tourism, agricultural production, reputation and influence of all metropolitan cities of the Versailles Continent .
“There must be a pattern . Our job is to find it . ”
Sponsored Content
The cities that were targeted and destroyed up until now, and the cities with high chance of destruction . Many things had to be confirmed, but they soon came up with an estimated conclusion because it wasn’t difficult for these experts .
“We still lack sample data . The data will reach perfection the more progress Kaybern makes, but as of now Morata will be targeted in at least a month, 2 months at the latest .
Probability leans towards a month . ”
The event which the Northern users were most afraid of was soon going to take place .
Weed used the Dimensional Gloves and whipped through the battlefield against the desert worms . The various items including the Goblet of Flames boosted his attack power .
The Sun Tribe being the elites of the desert were successful in holding their own .
92 casualties .
It was minimal sacrifice given the desperate battle above the heated desert .
Tribe Intern Complete .
You have led the Sun Tribe and completed the desert worm hunt
The tribal warriors are in admiration of your power and courage .
< You have accomplished the combat achievement ‘Bloody battle against the desert worms’ .
All stats are increased by 2 .
Strength is increased by 5 .
Agility is increased by 1 . >
< Reputation is increased by 5,000 . >
Quest completion!
Weed did not forget to apply bandages and medicinal herbs on the wounded .
“Ugh!”
“Endure the pain . ”
Unlike his words, he wrapped the bandages roughly around them .
He could bind down wounds with his eyes closed and was even capable of reviving them from the brink of death .
Then, Teppy approached Weed and said:
“Our tribe overcame a difficult battle with your aid . I represent the tribe and pay respect to you, the warrior of warriors . ”
The Sun Tribe warriors in mild condition had also gathered around him .
These warriors did not have courtesy like the knights in the Central Continent . However, these warriors of the Sun Tribe will join Weed when he calls for battle no matter where it may be .
That was the way of the desert!
Teppy handed another scimitar that he carried on his back .
“You are qualified to be the warrior acknowledged by the desert . You shall be free above the vast sands . ”
*Blink!*
< You are able to advance into the class ‘Desert Warrior’ . Special skills will be unlocked upon advancement .
Strength and stamina will improve quickly while roaming in the desert .
You will acquire simple, but deadly sword techniques .
Movement speed will increase while riding on camels .
Desert Warrior is an advanced class of the warrior .
Will you advance now? >
Weed got the chance to advance but was very disappointed .
‘Such difficulty on a quest, and all that for just the Desert Warrior?’
Desert Warrior was already a class that was obtainable within cities such as Metafeia once the qualifications were met .
He was bound to do many things in the desert and had to equip himself with higher strength, but this wasn’t what he expected after saving an entire tribe .
‘No . I shouldn’t be disappointed . The Desert Warrior class is only the basic title for working in the desert . ’
The Warrior of the Sun was only a class given to the champion of the desert, so this definitely was not the end of his journey .
‘There will be more to offer . ’
Weed decided not to think too deeply about it .
“I appreciate it . The desert is an honorable place for the warrior . ”
< You have advanced into the Desert Warrior .
You have obtained a higher class of the warrior .
You are now able to learn combat skills specialized in fire .
Maximum health points increased by 25% .
Maximum mana increased by 10% .
News of your combat achievements spread further across the continent .
Effects of faith decreased by 5% .
While roaming the desert, maximum health points is increased . Strength and stamina develop rapidly . >
The job was an excellent combat type class .
They are often compared to the Martial Artist class that allows a wider range of skills, but extensive growth in the desert will lead to huge accumulation of strength and stamina .
A small side effect was the dark skin tan due to the blazing sunlight .
Weed snuck a question .
“Is there something else that you might want to tell me? Perhaps job classes… Or job classes . A worthy job class . ”
“There is . The way I see it, you are the most skilled warrior in the desert . Too big a presence even for our tribe to bare . ”
His senses that he developed through the years of Royal Road hit the mark .
Teppy pointed to the east with his scimitar .
“Ride the camel straight in that direction and you will come across the Altar of the Sun . ”
“I’ve never heard about the Altar of the Sun . ”
“It is a place held sacred by our tribe . Take this . You may only enter if you possess this Fragment of Sun . ”
*Blink!*
< You have obtained information about the Altar of the Sun .
The vast southern desert .
This is a place where the warriors that uphold the sun conduct their sacred ceremonies .
The most powerful warrior in the desert can be reborn into the Warrior of the Sun through this ceremony . >
< You have acquired Fragment of the Sun . >
Weed grasped the fragment with his hand . The stone fragment was hot with peculiar symbols drawn on the surface .
“Identify!”
< Fragment of the Sun : Durability 13/40 .
This is fragment said to be a part of the sun .
Unknown power is sleeping within . >
‘Hmm . It’s different . I did advance into the Warrior of the Sun in the past, but it wasn’t like this . ’
During his days as the Great King, he battled to become more powerful without a moment to spare in looking over quests and findings .
He used fire skills as a Desert Warrior, and one day the advancement occurred all of a sudden with a notification saying that he had been enlightened about the power of the sun .
‘A ceremony to become the Warrior of the Sun . This is the real way . This feels like inheriting an official class with full fledged powers . ’
(To be continued…)