DRAGONBORN SORCERER-Chapter 15: The Quest in the Dark Forest pt—2

"Flash" Skyler commanded, clinching his left fist up high. An yellowish light emanated from it , making the dim surroundings much more visible to him. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

[Notice: Light Element has been used under the effect of ’Element Lord’ (MP cost: 10/minute)]

Skyler, as to complete the quest, ventured into the notorious ’Dark Forest’ where lingered the malevolent beasts and monsters.

The forest was almost a labyrinth of towering trees, their dense and long branches prevented the sunlight from entering the depth of the eternal dark-gloomy environment. Strange noises from unseen creatures echoed through the darkness, amplifying the eerie atmosphere as he passed on.

"Man!" He murmured, "I can feel the eyes on me. I hope they don’t jump on me out of nowhere."

However his mission was clear— looking for ’Muddy Swamp’; lair of the Black Serpent. He knew, it was a tough quest to accomplish. Hellen already informed him about the requirements. She said ’At least six members of stage-3 or higher’ was necessary to complete.

Yet here he was, taking the quest all alone— not out of arrogance or overconfidence, but a desire to level up as fast as he could. That went without saying, facing a higher monster on the journey meant gaining more experience to level-up.

"Now that I think about it, I should take up on Hellen’s request." He said, continuing his journey towards the ’Muddy Swamp’, "It’s a win-win situation for me. Not only will I get my travel expanse from them, I’ll be able to level up as well. Who knows a bigger threat might be waiting in my way, better to get stronger as fast as possible. Hee-hee."

Crack!. He halted. The sound of breaking twigs snatched his attention. The bushes nearby rustled ominously. He was ready for an attack as his right fist started burning in crimson flames.

"Come now. Show yourself." His voice echoed through the forest, "If you don’t, I’ll burn you to ashes."

The bush rustled again. A small figure emerged from it— a pink rabbit. Looking innocent, it stared at him with curious eyes.

He sighed in relief, "It’s just a small little rabbit."

[Alert: Flame Wolves detected]

A sharp jaw emerged from the following bush, eating the rabbit within an instant. Skyler jumped back as more wolves appeared, and surrounded him.

Multiple wolves came from all directions. Their fur coated in blaze, gazing at Skyler with their drooling mouth left wide opened.

The pack leader— the one that ate the rabbit earlier, stepped forward, soaking its fangs in blood of the rabbit. On its signal, the pack roared, unleashing their menacing aura that created a small shockwave.

[Notice: Your defense is too high. ’Prey Domination’ has been cancelled out]

Apparently, wolves had the skill called ’Prey Domination’. When they hunt, they use their skill to paralyze their prey with sheer terror. Since they were Flame Wolves— more powerful compare to typical ones, their skill could even work on human.

Yet Skyler reminded unfazed, calm and compose. Their skill had no affect on him at all.

"Is that all you’ve got?" Skyler chuckled, removing his mask as his lips formed a grin, "Now, it’s my turn to show what actual domination looks like."

[Passive skill ’Wrath’ has been activated. Stats of the Flame Wolves are now in affect]

Skyler’s oppressive draconic aura exploded outwards, ferocious and overwhelming. The wolves faltered. Their ferocity turned into hesitation.

"Lightning Chains." He roared. The thunder surged from his hands, binded all nine of the flame wolves with electrified shackles, "Now perish, Icicle Shots."

Sharp and spear-like ice crystal formed around him, pierced the wolves through their heads, and led them to their death.

[Notice: ’Lightning Chains’ have been used. MP cost: 500]

[Notice: Icicle Shots have been used. MP cost: 900]

[Congratulations! You have defeated the pack of Flame Wolves]

[Level up]

[Rewards: Max HP has increased from 4100 to 4900. Max MP has increased from 5600 to 6100. Strength stat +10; Agility stats +15; Defense stat +10. AP gain +1; EP gain +1]

[Reaming MP: 4600/6100]

"I guess that wasn’t a half bad." He chuckled looking at the System screen, "Let’s see what they have more for me— Scavenge]

The bodies of the wolves shimmered as they turned into drop loots.

[Received ’Flame Orbs’. Using the orb increases the fire elements spells by 10%. Usage: 9 times]

[Received ’Flame Fangs’; crafting material. Weapons made from the fangs of flame wolves increases fire resistance by 5%]

"Hmm." He stood still for a moment, "Compare to the drop from that salamander, these don’t hold any values at all. But I’ll take these. Maybe I can sell them back at the clan. Inventory." He shrugged the items into his system screen.

For the next few hours, he walked without any sense of direction, hoping to encounter the swam, but didn’t. Feeling tired up, Skyler put on a fire to eat something before heading out once again. The stocked wyvern-meat from his first battle, he pulled out one of those from his inventory, and started roasting it.

The aroma from the meat, as usual, spread around the forest. He could already feel the multiple gazes from various beast, even the monster-birds that halted their positions in the tree-branches.

However, none of them even dared to come near him as his passive skill was still in effect. The monsters halted not because to attack him or anything, but they were too scared to move. Skyler laughed at their pathetic sweating look as he savoured the meat.

From the monsters’ perspectives, they witnessed an unknown figure, resembled to a furious demon, eating and gazing on them with his predator eyes. What else could they do instead of remaining frozen?

"Now that I’ve released from my exhaustion, might as well look for the swamp." He said confidently as he stood, "With this stamina I’ll cut them into pieces. But before that, Full Status!."

***********

[Name: Skyler]

[Level: 12]

[Class: Dragonborn Sorcerer]

[Protection of Azrathos]

_____________

[HP: 4900/4900]

[MP: 4600/6100]

[Strength:220]

[Agility:215]

[Defense: 225]

[AP:2/10]

[EP: 1/10]

______________

[Active Skill: Element Lord (Lv 2)]

[Passive Skill: Wrath (Lv 2)]

______________

[Equipped Magical Item: Mask of the Dawn]

***********

***********

It didn’t take him long to find the swamp. It was enormous, in size of a small village or so. Skyler didn’t anticipated this to be that massive. However, he was shocked and surprisingly concerned about what he found at the massive, dirty, creepy, poisonous lake— the Muddy Swamp.

"What the hell!!" He remarked, seeing the preposterous event.

**********

Back at the clan, Hellen was still working on the desk, while a man, about six-feet tall, approached. His jade green hair shined as he looked at Hellen with his gentle yet piercing eyes. His body, however, contained countless wounds— honours of the battlefield, perhaps.

"Fa.. I mean, Clan Leader." She stammered, referring the individual as clan leader, "What brings you here out of the blue?"

"No need for formalities." He replied, looking generously at her, "You can call me father whenever you want."

"I beg pardon, sir." She bowed a little, asking forgiveness, "However, I cannot mix-up my personal life with my work."

"Still disciplined as ever, eh?" He laughed, patting on his daughter— Hellen’s head, "Anyway, I’m here for a small correction." He looked at the quest chart.

"Correction? What do you mean, sir?"

"About collecting the Fangs of the Black Serpent, there’s an additional warning to be added." He looked thoroughly, but couldn’t find, "Strange! Where’s the quest flyer?"

"Actually, it has been already taken." She replied.

"Who?" His expression darkened, "A party with High stage adventurers? Weren’t they on standby for tomorrow’s quest?"

"Umm..." She stammered again, feeling uncomfortable, "Actually, it was a single person. But don’t worry. He’s lot tough than he looks."

"What?" the clan leader couldn’t hep but getting stunned.