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Chapter 430 Nature
🕑 Added 2020-02-11 13:38:24 +0000 UTCAuthor's note February 11th: Hello everyone. New chapters up and more hopefully on Thursday.
Have a nice day and let me know what you think :).
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter 430 Nature
Ilea checked her levels from the endeavor, eating another meal as she bathed her feet in lava.
ding Monster Hunter reaches lvl 19
ding Monster Hunter reaches lvl 20
ding Monster Hunter reaches 2nd lvl 1
Monster Hunter 2nd lvl 1
Many times have you faced creatures well beyond your level. You revel in it, seek them out and you prevail. Your presence demands respect. Growl to show your prowess. Effects vary depending on those affected as well as their levels in relation to yours.
2nd stage: You become better at communicating your intent. Infuse your voice with up to 100 mana to increase its range and effect on those that hear it. Fully infused, you may lure even powerful creatures towards your location, depending on your intent.
ding Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 15
ding Veteran reaches 2nd lvl 16
ding Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 2
ding Heat Resistance reaches 3rd lvl 3
ding Lava Magic Resistance reaches lvl 11
ding Lava Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 1
Lava Magic Resistance 2nd lvl 1
An elemental form of molten rock, reserved for those few living in conditions most consider deadly. You have met and fought such a being, its magic opposed by Heat and Earth magic resistance but ultimately something different, more primordial and ancient.
2nd stage: Your body can store heat more effectively, your skin and muscles less prone to melting. Lava has become to you like water is to others, its substance less restricting as you move through it.
ding Lava Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 2
ding Lava Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20
ding Pain Tolerance reaches 2nd lvl 10
ding Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 6
Nearly a day had passed, the Trakorov happily assisting in her training between dozing.
The thing was lazy and Ilea was pretty sure it sustained itself off mana alone. There really wasnt another explanation with how little prey was present in these layers. Some of the monsters hunted and ate, like the Wyverns, Cyclopes and Varass Drowners but to sustain the heat this creature produced, it would have to consume whole towns worth of people.
Ilea was certainly glad that wasnt necessary. Otherwise these monsters would roam instead of simply sleeping in their caves.
She didnt have enough data on the Trakorov to be sure about it but even if it roamed from time to time, it reminded her more of the lizards she knew from earth. Mostly chilling out on a branch or hot stone.
Her Monster Hunter skill felt much more refined and the range was incredible when she charged it fully. The noise however annoyed the Trakorov and she refrained from using it any further.
The second tier for her Lava Magic Resistance coupled well with her third tier Heat Resistance, allowing her to both charge her Heart of Cinder more quickly as well as adding a bunch more power before her body started taking damage.
She was getting closer to her twelfth third tier general point as well.
Even training with the Trakorov, none of her class skills had leveled. It made her feel much more comfortable around the creature, an additional hint that it didnt mean her any harm. Not anymore at least.
Compared to most of her previous training, the past day felt more like a spa to her. She didnt keep her pain perception up throughout the whole thing either.
As soon as she had reached the second tier of Lava Magic Resistance, she left the skill active from time to time to enjoy the heat.
Coupled with other skills, she could definitely understand why the massive creature enjoyed lazing about in its cave all day.
She simply had too many other hobbies she enjoyed but if she would be reincarnated as an animal, it would be a hard decision between bird and lizard.
Done? the Fae sent.
Ilea had noticed it was lazing about as well but for the last couple hours the being had become increasingly restless. Neither did it particularly enjoy the sparring matches with her ashen clone.
Twenty minutes or so? Then we can check out the deeper layers, she replied.
The Fae twirled vertically.
Come on exploring the unknown? Even more ancient and powerful beings to befriend or fight.
It stopped the twirling and looked at her.
Violence?
Maybe, she sent.
Boring
Im sorry. You can send a complaint to our support address. I apologize for being an inefficient activity organizer.
The Fae lifted a pebble of black rock and shot it at her head.
Hey! That could have killed me if I was a normal human.
It giggled into her mind.
Normal?
Monster, it sent with a sarcastic tone.
Oh? Ilea asked and covered her face in ash. Then what does that make you?
Prey, she sent the response and blinked to the creature.
They flew around the cavern, giggling and using spells to fight each other.
A loud roar resounded a moment later, massive eyes open and focused on them as the Trakorov stared at them. It huffed, steam exiting from its mostly hidden nostrils.
Danger
Definitely
Leave?
Leave
The thoughts were exchanged in quick succession as they giggled and flew past the massive creature, sending their goodbyes as they approached the small crack in the wall at the end of the cavern.
No gate blocked the way, simply a small cave entrance carved into the black stone.
Ilea flew down, Fae by her side. The cave was more like a hole, leading straight down for nearly a hundred meters.
She noted that the heat was rising, even with all her buffs and defenses. When they reached the ground, she had to actually heal against the damage.
Ilea included the Fae as well, though it didnt seem overly concerned. Still it accepted the small ash cocoon she formed around it, holding the creature in her arms.
A level one hundred human would literally melt down here, you know, she commented, taking in the layer.
A large cavern, black rock like within the Trakorovs lair. Lava pooled into orange glowing lakes, streams flowing in from cracks in the walls and ceiling. Large stone protrusions, platforms and boulders dotted the area, the sound of slowly moving molten rock the only thing audible.
Ilea had to do a double take, the air shimmering as if twisted and torn by the heat. Many of the rocks resembled half burnt down candles, melting slowly from the top but not quite enough to form another pool of lava.
She coughed, wondering if there was even any air within the layer. Drowning wasnt much of an issue to her anymore which made her doubt suffocation or smoke poisoning would be a lot scarier.
Safe? she asked her little friend.
Safe
How the fuck can it survive this, she asked herself, still not quite able to grasp its body with her healing magic.
Nothing moved in the layer, other than the streams.
Ilea flew around for a couple minutes but nothing showed up. Neither from within the lava or hidden near the ceiling or behind the rocks.
The layer was empty. Perhaps her perception simply did not allow for her to see the creatures or there was no interest on their side to challenge her. With the Trakorov so close by, she could certainly understand the lack of inhabitants.
She took the Fae and made her way towards the next layer, another shaft that led down into the unknown. There was a case to be made about training Heat Resistance here or perhaps gain a skill against the smoke and lack of air but she could tell the Fae wasnt doing so well.
Plus with Avatar of Ash, she could reach the same result inside a small forge with no ventilation.
As they descended, the heat was replaced by something else. Something Ilea couldnt quite place immediately.
Her eyes opened wide a moment later. It was obvious. Mana. Pure unadulterated mana. She had last felt it coming in waves from the Sand Elemental and Trakorov, before and during their battle.
The permanent feeling now was something she hadnt felt in a long while however. To a lesser extent perhaps when she had first flown into the north. Her Sphere was muddled, barely recognizing the walls right next to her.
It didnt exactly feel like drowning, nor the effect gravity magic had on her. It was a little more subtle. Her heart was beating faster, her jaw and fists were clenched. She could feel the hair going down her back, could feel the ash close to her body, her tongue in her mouth, as if all of it was foreign.
Slowly it became more difficult to breathe, her wings barely keeping her up anymore as the controlled descent turned into a free fall. She tried grabbing at the walls. Blink activated but it felt like moving through water, and not water with her second tier resistance, but water from when she was a kid and swam for the first time.
Her healing still worked, informing her that nothing was wrong with her body. And still she could barely move, finally slapping against the stone ground below with a loud thud. The injuries were minimal, quickly taken care of by her regeneration. The rock looked worse off.
Okay? It was the Faes turn to ask, the creature popping out of the cocoon and floating close to her face.
Maybe, she sent back and used her ashen limbs to slowly move her back up into the corridor. She was severely slowed down, any monster could just rip her apart.
Half a minute later, she was hanging ten meters up within the shaft, ashen limbs barely holding her body in place. Something that should have been simple, even for just one of the protrusions.
The Fae seemed concerned, floating around her, asking her if she was okay from time to time.
ding Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 18
I see, she thought. Its that bad, damn. Come on second tier, youre supposed to deal with exactly that.
Magic, she sent.
The Fae looked at her before it nodded in understanding.
Help?
No, she sent back, deciding that she should get used to it herself. The creature could drain her mana so she assumed it had some way to assist her in this but at some point the Fae wouldnt be there anymore. Stuck within the stone shaft, she felt it an opportune moment to get her resistance to a higher level.
The Fae got bored after half an hour.
Ilea suggested eye popping.
An inspection of her arms made her realize that dark blue and purple veins had formed, pulsing with something that wasnt her heartbeat.
Same shit that happened to Elfie, she thought, remembering him passing out after the Praetorian fight.
Should I teleport up and get out. I could just chain blink, even if it feels muddled.
There was no immediate danger however. The elf had survived and so would she. She trusted her ash to keep her hanging in the tunnel. Already her limbs felt more in control, sturdier.
ding Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 19
The difference was minimal but she did feel it.
Heat so intense it melted her skin even through her armor was something she could deal with, something she was pretty used to by now actually.
It was obvious that a human shouldnt be here but that was exactly why it was important to stay, to get her resistance up and to the third tier.
Arcane lightning and now this. Nothing else seemed so hell bent on killing her while being incredibly effective at it.
Can you explain? she asked the Fae with strained words. At least she could speak now, her body slowly taking in the surrounding power, helped by her resistance.
Human, it sent and pointed at her before it popped one eye. Even with the suggested training it kept her right eye unharmed, perhaps concerned.
Uncomfortable
She smiled. I can feel that, little one, she thought.
Is it.. just more dense?
Much
You dont mind?
The Fae shook its head.
Like
I see, Ilea said.
Is it normal?
Rare
Mountain
Cave
So just high up or far below the ground? Ilea thought. She wasnt sure about the exact meaning but at least it wouldnt be something that just randomly happened.
It really shouldnt come as a surprise that there were insane natural forces at play here after the last couple layers. She just didnt expect it to be something other than another creature.
Third tier help?
Maybe.
Human.
Different, the Fae sent.
As we are as we are.
Finally, the message she was waiting for popped up. The veins on her arms were already a little less visible, her ash even stronger now. It seemed her body had overcome the initial shock.
ding Arcane Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 20
ding Space Magic Resistance reaches 2nd lvl 7
- Arcane Magic Resistance
Magic, a force mysterious and powerful. It fuels both deadly spells and incredible creation. You have seen and felt it in its raw and chaotic form. It has coursed through you, has permeated your very core. Few live through what you have. Not just in general that too but just the Arcane itself. The recommendation to visit a psychiatrist is still something you should consider. Really.
Got it!
Joy, she sent, watching the Fae twirl in place.
Thats a point Ill gladly spend.
Arcane Magic Resistance 3rd lvl 1
Wielding the true arcane is a rare and powerful talent only accessible to few. The raw energies tear at not just flesh and bone but at the magical structure and minds of whomever faces them. Its red glow turns purple the more refined it is. This skill shall help you counter masters of the arcane.
2nd stage: Your flow of mana has been ruptured many times by the raw form of magic, making it substantially more resistant to both adept mages and natural occurrences of the true arcane.
3rd stage: You have survived both arcane storms and immeasurably dense pockets of mana. Your body has changed and adapted, both able to walk within mana sparse as well as highly saturated areas. Constructs made from your mana become more resistant and substantial.
Ilea immediately unclenched jaw, the power in her limbs returning, increasing even compared to before. A breath left her before she filled her lungs again deeply.
Whoa, this is fucking weird, she murmured. The first part of the bonus was obvious, the result immediately felt.
I can move in mana dense areas now, she said to the Fae, giving it a thumbs up.
Nice
No shit. Hmm would I have died had I been weaker?
The Fae pointed at itself.
Savior!
I mean if you hadnt been here. Im aware that youre my shining knight.
Dark
Dark Knight, whatever, she said with a smile.
Yes
Death
Damn pretty fucked up if you ask me. What if I walk into an area thats even more dense? I mean the description of the skill now suggests I could do that but do you think it would be a problem?
Dangerous
Maybe
Death, it said and shook its head after the last word.
What about the Trakorov for example Im sure it wouldnt give a shit to come down here just like you. Would you die if you went south? Where there are no arcane storms? Or even out of a dungeon wait no, there was a Fae I met in the south.
Uncomfortable
Death, it again shook its head.
So it just applies to weak as shit species like mine?
It nodded with a giggle.
Fucking busted. Is that why shit like a Trakorov doesnt just waltz around in the south, stomping down cities?
Possible
It could though, right? Itd just be uncomfortable as fuck.
Likely
Youre very vague.
World
Varied
It sent with an annoyed tone.
I know, I know. Sorry. They can just get resistances too hmm maybe not. Or can you train Arcane Magic Resistance in a mana sparse area? Maybe Mana Starvation would be a skill one could pick up, she suggested.
No
Now youre absolute again.
It giggled into her mind.
Maybe
Ill go with maybe. Maybe if I ate the Trakorovs kids and it really wanted revenge.
Bad
Idea
Are you sure? I already thought about stealing some scales.
No, it bumped her head with a stumpy arm.
I was kidding.
Would be pretty powerful armor though
Another bump.
Just saying.
The second part of the skill talked about magical constructs. Ilea could feel that her ash was included in that. The difference was noticeable but nothing spectacular. Perhaps equal to five or ten percent in her Avatar of Ash third tier. A difference still, one that would make a fine addition to her collection.
She jumped down and looked around the dark cavern. Her sphere was still a little muddled but not quite as much as before.
Sense any creatures?
The Fae shook its head.
Both of them watched as a sudden spark of purple energy flared up in the distance, zapping through the cavern before it vanished into the ground.
Is that a creature? Another Elemental? she asked with an excited voice.
The Fae shook its head.
Natural
Dangerous
You think so. Who would have thunk.
Ilea charged up Monster Hunter and roared into the cavern, trying to lure anything out that might be lurking within. Huh, should have done that earlier as well.
She waited a minute and blinked up a couple times, repeating the same within the Lava layer.
The Fae shook its head.
What? she sent.
It didnt say anything.
Hey, Im a human. I could only laughably imitate a roar before. Let me have my fun.
Dangerous
Why?
Proud
Thats the whole intent of the skill. I piss off powerful creatures and they come and fight me.
Comments
Tommy Littlefield
Hell yeah huge defensive power up and awesome she got pain resistance upgraded for ‘free’ if you don’t count the almost insanity causing amount of pain haha
Robert Mullins
Give me another hit man. I'm going through withdrawals.
Thanks for the chapters!
tibbish
Seems like Ilea should chill in either the lava or mana saturated areas to lvl her 3rd tier resistances some. She'd probably max them out in a day or 2 most likely. Same thing with heat resistance too probably.
Arcanes
I for one is in favor to keep things the way they are right now. Editing is a lot of work by admission of several authors. One even said looking back he should've just kept writing his web novel. Not our decision anyway. Obviously, the author has my support. The money I give is my way of saying please keep writing. Not really expecting anything other than that.
Knyko
Lightning is for basilisk, which was mentioned to have strong lightning attacks iirc. Agree tho poison is probably the most grindeable of any skill.
Knyko
They have lost integrity or something IIRC, so something like arcane storms and lava environment makes sense
Songy
This went from -dere to yan- very, very fast.
Michael C
On the flip side. Death should be your only excuse to stop writting about Ilea. If you ever stop, I will hate you forever. F.O.R.E.V.E.RRRrrrrrrrr.....
Michael C
Hey G. 1500 Subs on Patreon. You have been over a 1000 for months. People love your story more than they love money. Think about that. You are a professional writter. Imagine if each $5 a month sub was counted as a book sale. You have sold 1000s and 1000s of books. Congratz man. Hope you stay motivated. Maybe hire someone to edit and release this on Kindle Unlimited for you? Hell. I would buy the damn thing on amazon just to have it in my library. Love this story buddy.
Raven
Hope she'll find a way to train ash resistance somewhere, should be fun 2e and 3e tier abilities.
Matthew Robinson
Poison makes sense as there was the dungeon near Hallowfort, Penumra, that had those Drop Saurian that could poison and overwhelm her. Not to mention how easy it is to grind just by drinking high level poisons with her resistance off. Lightning makes a little less sense, the Arcane Storms do Arcane damage (chap 317 for confirmation). I suppose Lightning will be fairly common in the South, but I'm not certain how long it would take Trian to get her even 1 level. Arcane makes sense between that Mana Level and the Arcane Storms it was a good call. Looking forward to what's on level 25 of The Descent. Also, getting Lava doesn't make sense as this is the first time she's encountering it. Same with Sand. The Wind 3rd Tier would make sense though. I want Veteran 3rd Tier, not sure how I feel about Monster Hunter yet.
David Cohen
Lightning is useful on the surface for the stoms
carebear90
If I remember correctly from the interface of this whole laboratory-dungeon... shouldn't these last 5 layers be empty or nearly empty? Didn't it say like n/a for them when it came to the chance of being infected?
Idiot Pigeon
Her poison resistance was a good choice, because we all forgot about the plant dungeon. Which is probably filled with venomous monsters. And other nature based monster.
tibbish
That skill shes got that allows her to turn off her resistances is a treasure trove for her. She should be able to get a lot of them maxed within a few weeks. The harder part will be finding Dark Ones/monsters who have some of the rarer powers.
Zachary Smith
Damn the power up express is still going!
sharkattack
No lava unlock? Would've thought she'd take it for the class synergy
Rip Woodham
She may have something coming up at 350. An evolution or third class. Her resistances have been a big part of her classes so far, so she should be thinking about that, but she seemingly hasn't considered it. Also, holding on to points only makes sense to a point (hah). They take a long time to level, and opportunities to level them are rare. Something like Wind should obviously be more useful than Poison. If she's going to start being frugal, it would have been better before she got Lightning and Poison, but alas. The author probably has something in mind where picking them helps her, but it makes little sense to me in the here and now over other choices.
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Alan McBrayer
For the humans, sure. However the dark ones might have gotten a significant power boost.
Alan McBrayer
I was bothered that Ilea was being so frugal with the third tier points, but after thinking about it waiting makes perfect sense. She can’t unlock more that 40-70% of her skills (I’m assuming the max of third tier skills is level 30). She doesn’t know which magic the next uber powerful enemy is going to use and if comes across a wind elemental without a fae friend she can unlock the resistance during the fight.
Rip Woodham
I'm actually a little surprised and disappointed her body doesn't count as a construct of mana at this point. ;) Her keeping her powers if she went to Earth is a huge confirmation, cool. I was becoming peeved in the way only a self centered reader can when she picked poison and lightning of them all and then decided not to pick more to level or go outside for Arcane Resistance. But these new floors, the lava bath and the 3rd tier of Arcane have simmered me back down and have me smiling beatifically again. :-) Lava Resistance is even better than I expected. Dying to see 3rd tier now. :-( Primordial Resists seem much more rewarding than most others. Such a damn tease, what happened to the window that tells her she's eligible for 3rd tier?! :-p
BladeTytan
It does, Ilea even days as such in this chapter.
Han Pol
I wonder if we see what the 3rd tier of lava resistance will do. Also does the ash she created with ash creation count as being a construct of her mana.
Alexander Dupree
Naw it isn't like she has fought a bunch of creatures that can completely melt her whole body in one shot. She got this....
Vin Reisling
I think screaming a challenge to an entire layer this far down is s bad idea...
Atlas Dwarf
Well it looks like when the Avatar said the layers below 20 were unstable they weren't kidding. Looking forward to some like dark, crystal, spacial, earth, or time magic layer, especially the latter three since she'd probably pick up those 3rd tiers. Also it probably isn't the best idea to use monster hunter when the last two layers have had a ???? in them. At least there's a chance she'll have something to fight again.
Solarlancer
its because she can turn of the ressistance and you need to take certant amount of dmg to get it to next lvl and she is training with 500+ creatures so that is probably the reason for the speed
Theron Schamle
They already get regular paintings of her adventures. Though I am hoping that they got one of her standing on the Trakorov’s head while heading to fight the sand elemental. Would be a truly wtf moment for them.
Keifru
Ilea is leveling really weirdly fast. The story had no problems with doing a timelapse when she was fighting the Knights for a quick 'and a couple months pased while she trained', essentially, but now she's going from T2.1-20 in the span of a day in mulitple areas. Not to mention its just passive resistance training rather than an actual fight- which should make it far far slower to level.
Alan McBrayer
I do want to see the actual end of the dungeon, but yeah I also want to see her go back south. I’m hoping for an army to be approaching ravenhall or Riverwatch and Ilea using her 2nd tier monster hunter skill to freeze it in order to get them to back off.
Alan McBrayer
I was Thinking the same thing. I’ve seen it happen in 2-3 litrpg book series thus far
Worldknower
i do hope she leaves the dungeon soon. Going south to interact with humans would be nice too
Jeff091
hi, thanks
Ardenn Eriksen
I can totally see her starting some kind of System Apocalypse by introducing magic to a normal Earth.
PloofDoodle
And with the 3rd tier of arcane resist she can now chill in low magic areas, like Earth!
Emma Carlin
Here's to going South soon and utterly freaking out all her friends with her progress, knowledge, and adventures! 🍻
Tony Gilbert King
Imagine if the expedition got one or two levels deeper instant kill thanx for the chapter hope to see 3rd tier veteran soon
Valter Anunciação
I need so much more it's not even funny
Torbjørn Nilsen
Ty for the chapters! Great as always :)
