Amber | Chapter 93.  (Patreon)

Chapter 93. 

Amber continued on making her way through the dungeon white accompanied with Velda and Deer. It was a rather calm and leisurely experience, it had screeches, explosions of blood, and harrowing darkness. There was a bit of unpleasant pain from the constant cuts occurring on her arm, but it wasn’t too much problem. 

“You really are durable…” Velda said evidently tired.

Amber turned to the mage. “I’ve been thinking but can you use any type of magic even if it’s not part of your class?”

“Sort of.” She let out a tired sigh. “Depends on the talent of the mage in question, but even being able to use anything is kind of pointless outside of very specific scenarios.”

“Can’t you technically push yourself and get very strong spells of each element?” Amber raised her brow. 

Velda closed her eyes and lightly nodded.

“You can technically do that, but the path to strength is going to take much longer than just not doing it. I do think the advancement from it will be nothing short of amazing, but even the most lauded mages in history did not have such capabilities.”

Amber nodded. So, my Essence works like magic, good to know. 

“If I had been a mage I probably would have gone that path, huh,” Amber tilted her head. “Well, all of that is good to know.”

The blonde girl frowned. “What part of even the greatest mages of history couldn’t, did you miss?”

Amber closed her eyes. “My level 150 advancement required for me to do something nobody else with my class has done. And from what I saw during my class advancement…”

“Yeah?”

She hesitated, thinking about Ishtar, the woman with the horned helmet, of the guards, of the emperor. But finally, she voiced her thoughts out loud. “Those people were most likely… beasts.” 

Velda gave her a strange look. “Didn’t think I’d ever hear you say that about someone else.”

“There were less than ten people in all of history with my current class, so it makes sense.” Amber shrugged. 

The mage’s eyes widened. “Less than ten… that’s…” 

“I was also offered a unique class too,” Amber casually added, then she flicked her hand and sent a small burst of wind. “Interesting, huh.”

“A unique class?” Velda paused. “I thought you had your level 150 advancement, not your level 200 one…”

She looked back, “I did, why?”

“I just thought that classes of such caliber were reserved for the level 200 advancement and above…” Velda said, hesitant. “After all, even across the continent individuals above level 200 are rare. Some are nothing more than rumors. As for levels above that…? Nothing more than legends…” 

And yet Dargon is so high level… There seemed to be quite a gap, and to some extent, it seemed that going above level 200 was going to be quite annoying. Though perhaps, in other lands of Vir levels were higher. She just had to explore. 

Still… is Velda saying I got the equivalent of a level 200 advancement at 150? Amber tilted her head and then had a realization. Well, given everything that I got… it makes sense. Did I skip an advancement perchance? 

“Of course, the Arcane Council is…” Velda swallowed. “If they wanted to destroy Cytel they could, that’s why they have the strength to destroy Empires. Perhaps some empires have level 300s and maybe even 400s…” 

“I see…” 

The power balance of the world wasn’t something she ever considered, but it made sense. However, it wasn’t something Amber wanted to think about or worry about for now, so she placed a hand on Velda’s shoulder in reassurance.

“What are you⁠—”

“Don’t worry about that, because…” Amber grinned. “I’ll become god after all.”

The mage paused, and then snorted. “Yeah right.”

Amber chuckled. She didn’t have that much confidence, but she most definitely wasn’t scared of what was to come. 

“Well, for now, you can have this,” Amber said, laughing to herself. “A gift from a future god.” 

With those words, she shoved the staff that she had picked after her battle with the mages of Ofril inside the dungeon. It was the Staff of Flames that made any flame-related spell 50% stronger. 

Velda blinked receiving it. “Wait this is…”

“For you.”

The mage was awed by the thoughtful gift, and then after recovering herself, spoke. 

“Thank you⁠— wait, why is there blood on it?”

“Dunno.” 

And just like that they carried on, now Amber could use wind but it was surprisingly weak. Then again, it was to be expected. Velda however, was pretty much awed by her ability to replicate it all via “curses”. That said, she would probably learn it from leveling up her core, but she still wanted to understand things as much as possible. 

After all, if she just relied on Essence to give her the skills, she wouldn’t ever truly push her Essence to the limits like she intended. 

So, Amber began to work much more diligently while leisurely strolling through the dungeon.

  *

Hours passed, and eventually, Velda yawned, Deer was wobbly as well. 

“Hey, do you think we could… rest?” she asked hesitantly. “We’ve been awake for a day and a half now.”

Velda seemed nervous, but Amber just nodded.

“Sure.”

The mage seemed surprised but said nothing. Shortly after that, they went into a different path, she killed a bunch of monsters and then set up a makeshift camp with her own personal items and the ones she had taken from the Arcane Council, awing Velda in the process.

“That’s… a proper bed…”

“You can use it,” Amber said. “Deer can sleep on the sleeping bags or with you, I’ll just continue to train.”

At that, the blonde mage paused. “You… do you ever rest?”

“Sometimes,” Amber turned to look at the wall. “For now, I wish to grow stronger.”

“That’s… I wonder if I’ll ever manage to catch up with you…”

Amber didn’t answer, but rather than be sad, Velda resolved herself. 

“Well, guess I’ll find out. As soon as Deer and I reach level 100, we will go to the Primordial Spirit tower.”

Amber paused but smiled. “Use my name, and you probably want to go there before your advancement so you can get a Legacy Branch along with it.” 

Velda slowly nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

With that, the conversation came to an end and Amber bid goodnight to the two of them ⁠— even though it wasn’t quite night-time just yet ⁠— then she went to practice her Essence. She didn’t move too far away from the camp, just in case she missed one of the Sapphire Ardrid’s or something. 

And Amber blinked⁠— she knew she had fought these spiders before in Ax’thra’s tower, but why didn’t she use them to level up her Toxin Resistance this time around?! She was quite literally throwing, throwing away her progress and her opportunities; she was being stupid. 

Thankfully, the camp was in a closed alcove, so Amber quickly rushed out, sprinted down the hall, found a poor Sapphire Ardrid, and dragged her back to the camp. The spider, of course, hissed, spitting venom as it helplessly fought back. 

  *

Amber practiced, she refined the wind to cut as hours passed, and eventually mixed them together into something more. 

The invisible wind-enhanced slash hit the Sapphire Ardrid, amputating its leg and causing it to hiss with pain. The monster tumbled before spitting a spray of acidic venom that splashed upon Amber. The sizzling sound echoed in the cave, and along with it the toxic fumes rose to the air joining the other ones. 

But Amber didn’t pay that any mind, instead she focused on polishing her work. After all, the wind lacked sharpness? She frowned, slicing at the spider this time with wind only. The gale immediately slashed through a different leg. 

The Sapphire Ardrid nearly lost balance, but quickly recovered and pounced upon her. Amber meanwhile tilted her head as the spider bit into her shoulder, barely managing to tear her flesh. 

This feels like the time in which I’d ask Asil for guidance, Amber thought as the spider screeched, injecting its venom into her with a bite. But he’s not here… 

She shook her head and then looked over at the spider that was doing its best to kill her. In all honesty, she was quite surprised it had that much energy left. If it were higher level she may have even considered turning it into a mount, but unfortunately, it wasn’t. 

Amber allowed the Sapphire Ardrid to constantly attack her, speeding up the level up of Toxin Resistance even more, and it also allowed her to focus on thinking rather than having to pay attention to it⁠— after all, it could decide it was bored and go after Velda or something.

  *

By the time Velda woke up, Amber was still pondering and trying different things. 

“A-Amber, are you okay!?” Velda called in a panic. 

Deer also was on edge, unsure of what to do.

“I’m fine.” Amber shrugged. 

And the spider on top of her screeched in response, digging into her clavicle for the hundredth time. At this point, Amber was planning on keeping it like that until it either died of exhaustion or her Toxin Resistance hit 4th Rank. 

“Are you sure you are okay?” Velda asked, still worried. “You are all covered in blood.”

Deer whined, adding to that.

Amber nodded. “I am fine, trying to get Toxin Resistance to 4th Rank.”

The blonde mage spaced out. “Uh… okay…”

With that, the issue of the spider that was attacking her was resolved, and a new temporary not-so-friendly companion was added into the mix.

According to Velda, the dungeon was about halfway cleared at this point, so she’d most definitely finish today. And by the end of things, she would have an Essence skill, or two.

And so, Amber continued on her training while Velda and Deer tagged along.

  *

The Grand Sapphire Ardrids did not understand what was happening to their home. There were a total of three of them, but now one of them had died. Slain by the intruder. And while their brethren moved to stop this force of nature, it seemed ineffective except for one, who constantly relayed its success in attacking the intruder.

It was confident that it would eventually be brought down, but the two Grand Sapphire Ardrids weren’t so sure. After all, their soldier had been attacking the intruder for more than a day straight at this point. The other brethren upon encountering the intruder also relayed that one of them was indeed attacking it, yet the others would die shortly after.

And now, after a long and hard battle, they truly were cornered. The intruder was on the way to the main chamber, the place where all of them were born and their home. Unlike the others, the two Grand Sapphire Ardrids had some intelligence, and while they were resolved to fight for their lives, they knew that this was the greatest challenge that had befallen their colony.

The soldier that had been fighting the longest — if they survived — would surely be praised as a hero by the two of them, but for now, they had to survive.

The first Grand Sapphire Ardrid scanned the main chamber. She saw the lain eggs, the fifty remaining Sapphire Ardrids prepared to pounce and the mana crystals in the ceiling that brought them strength. While their victory wasn’t guaranteed they weren’t going to fall here.

The second Grand Sapphire Ardrid meanwhile, was steadfast and resolved, his eyes glued on the entrance. The intruder was going to come up any minute, and he was going to ensure it died before the damage done was too much.

The two Grand Sapphire Ardrids were no strangers to adventurers, but they rarely ever had to face a single one of them, but now the two of them were going to fight— even if their sister had died at the hands of the intruder.

And footsteps resounded; echoing across the vast chamber. One. Two. Three. They loomed closer as every Sapphire Ardrid in the vicinity tensed.

It was time, the intruder was finally upon them. While there were other intruders, they weren’t a threat, the only one that mattered was the intruder. The one that had slaughtered all of their kin.

Relaying their commands the two Grand Sapphire Ardrids waited as voices reached.

“What have you even been doing all this time?” a young voice asked.

“Getting a new skill, and I’m quite close to it now,” the other replied. “Rather, I think I got it, just have to test it. Bunch of spiders ahead to do so too.”

Soon…

The first Grand Sapphire Ardrid, readied herself to spit venom, perched low and the second Grand Sapphire Ardrid prepared himself to pounce, legs ready. The two of them listened as the footsteps reached a new crescendo, and finally, after grueling seconds of wait, the intruder and its companions entered.

Now.

Over thirty Sapphire Ardrids pounced, the second Grand Sapphire Ardrid led the charge, and the rest spat their venom. It was the perfect strategy, one that would kill anyone—

“Dismantle.”

And a wave swept through the chamber; blood exploded everywhere, the crystals in the ceiling flickered, and the cave walls were cleaved right through. Blood rained as a deafening silence took place. The first Grand Sapphire Ardrid paused, and then she saw the second Grand Sapphire Ardrid hit the floor, heavily injured.

“Oh you are still alive.” The intruder waved its hand and also killed it.

Just like that, over half of the spiders were dead. The survivors shuddered, and the first Grand Sapphire Ardrid didn’t know what to do. The intruder moved to kill the rest, but one of its companions spoke.

“Actually, it’s better if you leave these alive, otherwise the dungeon will be empty for a while and will piss off the Guild even more.”

The intruder tilted its head. “Huh? Really?”

And after a silence, a resolution seemed to be reached as the intruder touched a corpse. After that, it looked around the room and sighed in disappointment.

“No loot, huh—”

And the intruder blinked.

“And there it is.”

With those words, the group departed, and the first Grand Sapphire Ardrid was left behind. All the while she wondered what had just happened.

  *

[You have defeated a [Sapphire Ardrid. Lvl. 122].]

…

[You have defeated a [Grand Sapphire Ardrid. Lvl. 160].]

[All your attributes have increased by 25.]

With her core level up, she had gotten the amount of six level ups worth of attribute points, and that was only because she had a very good Legacy Branch, otherwise, it would be worth a lot more level ups.

Amber stared at her core, it was now bigger than before, slightly bigger than a tennis ball. It seemed that level ups didn’t do all that much, but advancements in comparison would change her core a lot more, from expanding her Essence capacity to granting her other things. Core level ups in comparison, gave attributes and slightly increased her Essence reservoir.

But they also brought something else, a new skill. From the level up she had learned Wind Manipulation as its name implied it let her change wind. But she had also learned another skill, all on her own.

Wind Cleave.

And it had a lower cooldown than Fulminating Slash it also, however, had a much stronger cutting power. And with the Curse of the Vanquished— she could do what she had done back in the dungeon.

I really am stupidly strong now, huh? Amber wondered.

And another notification finally came.

[Toxin Resistance has ranked up. Toxin Resistance is now 4th Rank level 1.]

Oh finally. And with that, she grabbed the spider and threw it, not bothering to kill it. It hit a tree and fell into a bush with pained hisses.

[Toxin Resistance has reached 4th Rank ⁠— level 1.

You’ve lived an unfortunate life where poisons seek you⁠— except you’re actively looking for them. Please stop. Poisons and other toxins are considerably less effective on you now

2nd Rank ⁠— All toxins are 30% less effective on you, this is stacked with the main effect of the skill

3rd Rank ⁠— Toxins will be cleansed out of your body within one hour.

4th Rank ⁠— You can now sense toxins and how strong they are.]

The 4th rank was pretty good all things considered. She smiled, walking alongside Velda and Deer to complete the other quests she had taken. She had taken the corpse of the Grand Sapphire Ardrid as proof she cleared the dungeon— or something, according to Velda it would be sufficient to complete her quest.

“I’ve been meaning to ask, but… what was that back there?” Velda asked, unsettled.

“The slash?” Amber raised her brow.

“Yeah, aren’t you supposed to be a berserker?” she said, a hint of fear in her voice. “That… that compares with mages of a higher level than you.”

“Well, I am a berserker.” Amber shrugged in response. “I heal, I build up momentum during battle, and I have incredible physical prowess. And I also prefer fighting strong things with my sword as well. But now, also have long-ranged attacks, and when I’m feeling lazy I can just do that.”

“That still doesn’t answer my question,” Velda said, a hint of annoyance in her voice, but also nervousness. “It’s just… not something I’ve seen before.”

“After you go through everything I’ve gone through, I’m sure you’ll be able to do similar things,” Amber reassured. “In the end, that’s the result of everything. As for explaining it to you? I cannot do that. But eventually, I think you’ll figure it out if you continue like this.”

“Right…”

Velda went silent as they headed to collect some berries that came from a specific monster, growing within its hide.

It took an hour or so to find it, but Velda easily killed it and helped her pick the right ones for the quest, which Amber appreciated. After that, they went off to some lake to kill some invasive species of fish that Deer easily took care of.

And on their way to complete the fourth request she had taken, Amber finally remembered what she wanted to ask about.

“Velda, you mentioned the Guild being angry earlier, what do you mean?”

The blonde mage scratched her cheek. “It’s complicated, but the summary I can tell you is that they don’t take kindly to foreigners now.”

“Is that why they asked if I was from the capital?” Amber raised her brow.

“Probably,” Velda continued. “Ever since the demon summoning, they are wary of new arrivals, but the main problem is that the summoning brought a lot of adventurers, so they don’t want outsiders taking their work. And now with the war and refugees coming in, they are even more on edge.”

Amber blinked. “So, there are other refugees aside from the ones I brought?”

Velda paused. “You brought refugees?”

She nodded.

The mage sighed. “Well, either way, the Guild isn’t taking kindly to those from faraway lands, those that are from the kingdom get some okay treatment but if they are from the Great Desert there are… problems.”

“Problems?”

“Well, adventurers getting beaten up isn’t out of the question…” she said awkwardly. “The capital hasn’t exactly been stable in the adventurer department for some time now. So more people coming has made it even worse.”

“Huh…”

That seemed troublesome. Maybe I’ll have to tell Kaz and Riya to not take jobs? Amber wasn’t sure what to do with that information, but for now, she figured she should focus on completing whatever she had taken and act after that.

So, she focused on that.

  *

The last two jobs took, an hour each given they were close by, and the return took a couple of hours given Deer was nowhere near as fast as Amber. By the time they arrived at the manor, it was around 5pm in Earth’s time, at least that was what Amber estimated.

But she didn’t stay around for long, instead opting to immediately go to the Guild in order to turn in her requests and be done with it. After that, she intended to go find the adventurers in the refugee camp and maybe give them the money she made off the requests after the fact.

So, with a plan in mind, she headed towards the Guild, but upon arriving she couldn’t help but pause.

There was a ruckus happening inside, and while at first Amber didn’t care too much and walked to enter. Something immediately happened after that made her feel very differently.

Cecile blasted through the door, bloodied, injured, and unconscious.

And as she heard the familiar voices of her acquaintances arguing with the adventurers inside, she felt something she hadn’t felt in a very long time.

Anger.