LRAB Chapter 483: Fish in the Desert
Chapter 483: Fish in the Desert
Chapter 483: Fish in the Desert
The revelation that the Luors were related to every overseer in the empire was enough to send chills down anyones spine. However, that paled in comparison to the realization that one of Dallions friends might end up in that position for their own village should it ever obtain a city status. The worst of allthat was most likely the best thing that could happen to them. Given that they had already attracted quite a bit of attention, thanks in a large part to Dallion, they could easily be made overseers of some other city in the province. According to Nil, the practice was all in all rare, and there were no indications that any cities might require one, but the same had been said about Nerosal forty years ago.
Calmly Dallion closed his eyes and recited the names of the Moons. If there was one skill that differentiated hunters from everyone else, it was to compartmentalize pain and fear. Dallions concerns were founded, but they had nothing to do with his current task at hand. When he opened his eyes and finished treating his wounds, he proceeded to explore the floor.
Now that every piece of furniture and decoration had been destroyed in the attempt to turn him into a chainling, the space was completely empty. That presented a curious dilemma. While killing the void insects helped Nox increase his level, it also eliminated any information Dallion could find. After weighing the options, Dallion decided to level up Nox as much as possible. There would be other towers, while having Nox become strong as early as possible was only going to be an advantage.
Floor after floor swarms of insects attacked Dallion, only to be slain. Now that he knew the principle by which they behaved, taking them out was no issue, even if it did cause a substantial amount of pain. It was obvious that Dallions form was lacking. For him to move on, he was going to have to level up a bit. In order to do that, though, hed have to find enough food and water; lately the trials were becoming more and more difficult and he didnt want to gamble that hed end up with a logical one.
Eight floors had managed to increase Noxs level up to seven. It wasnt as much as Dallion had hoped, but he was grateful for it. If things continued at this pace, there was every possibility that the creature got to level fifteen, or even twenty, as he had been in Dallions trial, only stronger. Unfortunately, upon going to the next floor, Dallion found that it had already been cleared. There was no reason or explanation, just a whole lot of emptiness. After checking everything on the floor, Dallion went to the one below. The situation was identical there as well.
Any ideas? Dallion asked, sliding his fingers along the wall.
Nothing that comes to mind. But remember that youre not the first person here.
After a few more floors, the first clue emerged, leaving little doubt to what had happened.
Cutlings, Dallion said, looking at a series of marks on the floor. They must have come from the bottom. I guess thats why theyre so strong here.
It doesnt work that way. Nox and Lux level up because they are your familiars. Normal cracklings dont get stronger by consuming other Star-spawn. Most likely, the creature had a long time to grow undisturbed.
Yeah, thats probably it, Dallion replied, although he couldnt get rid of the uneasy feeling in his stomach.
All the floors were explored, just to be sure, including those that went beneath ground. As expected, there was nothing to be found. The once glorious tower was now nothing, but an empty broken shell.
Getting out of the tower was much easier than entering it. Unwilling to climb all floors, Dallion simply used the Nox dagger to create an opening with one hit. The cracklings new skill, combined with the familiars current level, created a spider web of cracks around the point of impact deep enough to cut through solid stone.
Yay for big bro! Lux chirped.
The crackling just let out a confident meow in response. Normally he wasnt one that sought attention, but was pleased when he got it.
I could have done the same, Gleam said with a note of envy as the whip sword descended from the tower top. She was followed by the shardflies. I could do more if I up my level.
You will. Dallion patted the hilt of the weapon. I promise. There arent many places for Nox and Lux to level up, though, so Im leaving the Star-spawn to them.
You better. The hilt moved up and tapped his forehead. So now what?
Leaping away, Dallion focused on the forming lake, combining his music and zoology skills. At that point he saw themlarge fish and reptiles that had remained invisible up till now. Somehow, thousands of years had managed to have an entire jungle creep over the majority of the lake, holding it hardened sand and earth in the process. Dallion knew of no such things ever occurring on Earth, but clearly here, they did.
Everyone, move away! he shouted as he drew his harpsisword with his left hand and did a line attack strike through the length of the lake.
A line of destructive power sliced through the air, continuing into the water. It was as if someone had drawn upon a picture. There were no splashes, no giant waves, just two tools of water one next to each other with nothing in-between, as if they had suddenly become gelatinized. Moments later, the line disappeared, and parts of large fish floated up to the surface. No alligators, though. Dallion had seen that the attack had annoyed them, probably inflicting some damage, but that was it.
Gleam, get the fish and pull back! Dallion ordered. He wasnt taking a creature of this size today, and using music skills on them was going to be tricky because of all the water.
Great, Im back to being a newbie again, Dallion grumbled as he kept leaping back, using his athletic and acrobatic skills.
The last few months he had always been in control when it came to fightscapturing small creatures, defeating stronger ones, and outright avoiding things he knew he didnt have the skills to face. Here, everything was either impossibly stronger, or on the verge of his abilities. It was a miracle that the seagulls werent monstrous entities that caused hurricanes with a flap of their wings.
Running from crocktiles? Gleam asked with a sigh as she pierced through the large fish parts, like a shish kebab. Thats disappointing. Back in the day, I used to slice them up for fun.
Can you slice them up now? Dallion asked.
There was no answer.
Moving a mile into the forest, Dallion did another point attack on the ground. This time, the only result was a large hole; the land was solid. Even so, he remained on guard for a while.
Not what you were expecting, I take it? Nil asked, which was his version of I told you so.
Not now, Nil, Dallion grumbled. On the surface he was mostly calm, but deep inside, his heart was beating like a drum. A moment ago, he had almost died. If it werent for the warning, he would have been crushed by the jaws of the giant alligator with no option to do anything about it.
For over a minute, he stood there, motionless, contemplating what to do. Given what he was about to face, should he continue on, or move back as Nil suggested and return at a later, when he had increased ten levels or so.
If nothing else, you have enough food to last you a week, Gleam said as the whip blade landed next to Dallion.
The chunks of fish were massive, and not too friendly looking either. It seemed that even the bottom of the food chain had the size and ferocity of great white sharks.
Moments later, the shardflies, led by Ruby, arrived as well.
Be determined, Dallion said to himself. If I cant deal with this, how am I going to deal with things to come?
Gleam, find some wood that would burn, Dallion said. Well need to make a fire. After that, well see.