Monster Jousting Book 3 - Chapter 17 (Patreon)

Noah sighed. It seemed as if he wasn’t given an option. The only thing left was to embrace the power that the king offered. He was right. He couldn’t refuse. He might as well use it to become strong. To be free. To protect those he cares about. Krall, Gluttony, Thraz. That was what he wanted.

“Okay, then what do I need to do?” Noah asked.

“Accept my powers. Don’t block them. You will feel it enter your Pathways. Let it run free.” The king moved, green clouds billowed around him.

“Wait,” Noah said, interrupting him. “Jumping Pathways is a good way to get yourself killed. I assume you know this?”

“Don’t worry. I will be using my own lifeforce to bolster your Pathways. They won’t break.”

“Alright, but which one will it overwrite? I have 3.”

“Only time will tell,” He said, shaking his head.

It seemed even he wasn’t certain what it would be. But Noah could theorise. The strength he had was obviously from the warrior path. The shadows he used – the Hallowed Mist – were capable of creating physical beasts to protect him in a ring. He didn’t use stealth, either.

Noah deduced that it would overwrite his Might Pathway. He was happy about that. Might was still only an Uncommon Pathway. He didn’t know how powerful this King's powers were going to be, but they had to be at least of the Epic tier. If it was Legendary… A smile crept up on Noah’s lips.

Maybe being forced a Class wasn’t such a bad thing after all? Maybe he could forgive him for hurting Krall. Maybe…

“I’m beginning,” The king said.

The green mist billowing around the king shot towards Noah. He tried his best not to flinch, but from his fight before, he found himself flinching anyway. He took a single step back as the Hallowed Mist seeped into his nose, ears, and mouth. Noah choked as the mist pervaded every inch of his body, to the very core of his being.

Looking inward, he witnessed the sight of the green mist surrounding his Might Pathway. Beasts appeared of various shapes and sizes. Some of them resembled dragons, others hounds from hell with large horns and dagger-like teeth. And then they attacked. It was violent, and sudden. His Might Pathway didn’t stand a chance as it was obliterated in a single blink of an eye. Noah felt like something shattered within his body. It was an indescribable sensation.

It was like cardboard boxes going against an industrial bulldozer.

Just what Tier is it going to be? Noah thought in shock. Even when his Epic Pathway - Shadow of a Monstrosity took over his previous Pathway, it wasn’t so simple. It happened slowly, and the pain was unbearable. This happened so fast that there was no pain to even register.

And then it became apparent as to why in the next few moments.

Destroying his Might Pathway, the Hallowed Mist took its place. At first, it was just the same old mist. Hazy, and without form. But it changed. From vapour, to a solid. It rotated in a circle, and finally, the image of a winged-serpent eating its own tail formed

Ouroboros?

The beast looked at him. Not directly, but in his consciousness. Its eyes told Noah that it was looking down on him. As if he didn’t have the bloodline worthy of carrying its might. It didn’t last for long.

From deep within his soul, a small, but mighty growl rumbled through every part of his being. The serpent lowered its head. As if in fear for its life.

***

Pillow watched in fear as the overpowering green mist attacked Noah’s body. Entering through his nose, mouth, and ears. Pillow winced. And then Noah’s body vanished from sight. All that remained was a dance of monsters as they howled and raged within.

He could feel the terrifying might waging war within Noah’s body. Pillow nudged closer to Thraz. He had never experienced anything like it.

And that was only the beginning.

Noah’s eyes shone a vivid green. He looked ahead, his piercing eyes shining. From Noah’s stomach, a small, but mighty growl trembled Pillow’s soul. He stumbled, falling to the ground in fear of his own life. It was like an apex life form was breathing down his neck. It wasn’t something he was meant to be near. He could feel it. He felt… small, and insignificant in front of such a presence.

Then he saw it. Noah’s body, shrouded in dark-green mist. Grinning teeth emerged from his stomach. They vanished half a second later.

“What the hell–”

***

Your Pathstone - [Might] has been destroyed.

| [Might] -> [Hallowed Conqueror]

Legendary - Hallowed Conqueror: In the realm of shadows, the Hallowed Conqueror once commanded the ethereal forces of the Hallowed Mist. Masters of necromancy and mist manipulation, they raised shadows from the afterlife, concealed monstrous entities, and, surrounded by the mystic mist, became unstoppable in their pursuit of conquest and power.
| Added Stats Per Level: 4 Str, 4 Will

Unique Legendary Effects:

| When fighting amongst your Soldiers, you are 25% extra stronger.
| Increase Strength by 10%.

Skills have evolved!

Legendary?! Noah thought in excitement. But that excitement died down when he noticed something happening from outside of his body. He returned his consciousness to the land of the living. The king had walked over to his queen. By the second, his body was transforming into a hazy remnant of once was. He stroked her head as his body disappeared.

Without looking over at Noah, his words flowed.

“Once you find your partner,” He said, his words dripping with sadness. Human-like expressions returned to his icy visage. They were steeped in melancholy. He continued, “Learn when to let go. Your powers come with a curse. Do not use them on other people. I made that mistake once. Never agai–”

His last words vanished alongside his body. His wife – the Queen – crumbled into dust.

Shadowed Body -> Hallowed Body.

Epic - Hallowed Body: Empowered by the mystical essence of the Hallowed Mist, the Hallowed Body transforms the user into a formidable force. As the mist envelops them, muscles surge with supernatural strength, reflexes sharpen, and endurance heightens beyond regular means.

Beastly Aegis -> Ring of the Hallowed.

Legendary - Ring of the Hallowed: A swirling mist ring hovers around the user, an arcane manifestation of the Hallowed Mist's power. Within this ethereal circle, lurking monsters await. As foes draw near, the mist surges, unleashing these spectral entities to assail intruders and forming a defensive barrier against incoming attacks.
| From the power of the Hallowed, raise the dead. You have to have personally killed them. Current Class Limit: 1.

Noah’s hands trembled as he gazed at the description of his first Legendary Skill.

Not able to resist, Noah called upon the Ring of the Hallowed the moment he finished reading the description.

From his shoulders, where wings would usually emerge from, the Hallowed green mist seeped into his surroundings. Just like the King, a ring of fog encased Noah’s body. He could feel the monsters hiding within. With a thought, a hound from hell emerged. He could tell it was a lot weaker compared to the kings, and it wouldn’t be able to defend against an attack of his calibre, but as a Legendary Skill at his current Level – it was incredible.

He couldn’t wait to test out its power.

Noah thought that the ring of mist would obstruct his vision. But that wasn’t the case. He could see through it as if it wasn’t there. It shrouded his body. But not only that, he could feel the raging torrent of strength bubble within his muscles.

It was the power of his Hallowed Body.

“What the hell–”

Noah looked at Pillow. Sitting on the floor, he was fear stricken. It was as if he had seen a ghost. Or something much worse…