Chapter 114-116

If there's any weirdly placed paragraph/section, please let me know. I wrote these chapters in an inverted order and I was shuffling stuff around.

Chapter 114

The kind of aura that the dead Cultist, Toran, emits is scary to say the least.

Even with the kind of Champions we have on our side, this is not going to be an easy fight at all.

When it came down to destroy Malrik's spell, it was easier than one might have thought. King Baalrek gave me the instructions to follow in order for me to use Blood of the Ancients as a catalyst to absorb, refine, and purify Malrik's magic. Thanks to the Infernal Royalty in my soul and Heavenly Insight, I managed to cast a rather simple Primordial Spell.

"Are you ready to be turned to a bloody mist, Champions?" Malrik laughs manically. "I have been infusing Toran's with curses without his knowledge for so long. This is my strongest puppet yet. But I'm sure my Lord will allow me to keep one of you, perhaps the Heretic, and make an even stronger one."

I activate the Grimoire.

[Grimoire Analysis]

[Puppet of Toran Spearthorne Analyzed]

[Puppet of Toran Spearthorne, Level 380]

I raise an eyebrow.

The puppet fully entered the Advanced Diamond Rank territory, making it one scary bastard.

But let's not forget that the Grimoire is no ordinary Skill. This puppet might be Diamond Rank, but what is that in front of a Rainbow Skill and three members of the three Great Races?

[Eight Primary Flaws detected.]

I skim the wording and then I turn toward Asterion.

"Asterion, the puppet is not infused with curses that can be passed to others," I tell him.

Immediately understanding the meaning of my words, Asterion walks forward. However, the spear in his hand disappears inside the Interspatial Ring. The handsome, freakishly tall young man, instead, opens his arms.

"Aster Nova."

The light around him dims until it becomes almost pitch black. The darkness coalesces into three bulbous spots that suddenly shed the black coating and reveal three blindingly shiny spheres of light.

That's his real power, I hear King Baalrek say. He's from what's commonly referred to as the Tribe of Stars. That's one of the strongest Highblood enclaves there is.

I won't lie, the Tribe of Stars is a very cool name. Much better than 'I come from Shit's Creek' in terms of origin's story.

I do wonder, however, what those orbs do. For a moment, I fear that Asterion might actually be a caster in disguise.

Yet, when I feel a terrifying aura, no lower than Early Diamond Rank, coming from Asterion, he dashes forward.

The Toran puppet moves with the kind of speed I cannot keep up with. I would cast another Seal of Baal, which is what I used to root the Cultist to the ground the first time. But I had already used all the power that had come from Malrik's spell.

Asterion can't dodge the punch from the puppet, which is why he moves the three blinding orbs against it. The impact is heaven-rending. If anyone else at Gold Rank had been on the other side of such an attack, they would have been reduced to dust. Yet, Asterion flies back, as if the orbs were just an extension of his limbs, and there's some blood trickling from his mouth, but that's it. That's the extent of the damage.

I turn toward the other Champions, immediately running schemes and plans in order for them to have a chance against this monster. Sabrina's mana has been exhausted, which means there's no way for her to help.

That's a pity, I grit my teeth. Running the same trick twice could have worked.

"Kai, move forward! Create an opening for Asterion!" I shout to my brother. "Iskara, empower him and join the battle."

"I've got this!" I hear the Highblood roar as he miraculously dodges another blow and manages to slam those mini-stars into the Cultist. They detonate on impact, making the Cultist stagger. Yet, the puppet feels no pain and, beside the ruined leather armor, there's no damage on its body.

Kaelric can inflict more damage, but without an opening from Boomgar or someone with overwhelming power, his Skill won't be able to cut the puppet, I think to myself.

I see Asterion's body being covered in a red aura as Kai moves forward with his giant sword and blocks a punch from the puppet. I half-expect Kai to skid back himself, but I see a white aura enveloping his body as he takes the blow and barely moves.

Asterion jumps off Kai's shoulder and rains blows with his orbs at the Cultist, this time making the monster stagger back several times under a continuous, relentless onslaught. It's like Asterion doesn't need to think in order to fight, as if his attacks were impossible to stop. And that goes on for at least twenty hits before the Cultist simply shrugs them back again as his bloody aura grows in power again.

I double-check with the Grimoire.

[Puppet of Toran Spearthorne, Level 385]

"The puppet is somehow becoming stronger!" I tell everyone.

"Cloud," I hear a voice from behind me and turn to see a scaly face. "What do you want me to do?"

I look at Vyrrak, who's clearly itching to join the fight. "Wait," I tell him, clearly to his discontent.

"You don't want me to join? They won't be able to fight that thing for long," Vyrrak points at the puppet. "This could be the end if you don't let me—"

"Shut it, Vyrrak, you're wasting his time," Zibrek says, walking forward.

I nod at the Goblin girl and then turn toward the fight.

The puppet's magic needs to be disrupted. But there's only one person who could do it and they'd need to get really close for it to work.

I turn to Vyrrak and whisper something in his ear, then I lean back and ask, "do you think you can do it?"

Vyrrak gives me a toothy grin and nods, "it's going to be easy."

*

King Baalrek listens to Jacob Cloud's plan and sees the Dragonkin agree in the blink of an eye.

He has no idea what this means. He has NO IDEA how hard it is to convince someone as proud of a Dragonkin to listen to you in a life-and-death situation.

King Baalrek knows Dragonkins very well, which is why he's so surprised by Vyrrak's simple agreement. The fact that Vyrrak had decided to give Jacob the Guide's role in the group in the first place points to the fact that King Baalrek's suspicions about Vyrrak's identity are most likely true.

Now, from the Infernal King point of view, he can see the Dragonkin disappear with two more Champions alongside him.

But if he wants this to work...

Before King Baalrek can even finish his thought, he hears Jacob bark. "Boomgar, do you have anything that you can use without killing everybody else?"

"A few things, lad!" Boomgar replies, taking out a holster that he puts around his large belly. "Tell your big oaf of a brother to use the sword to shield the others."

Boomgar barely finishes the sentence that he's already throwing vials at Toran.

"Kai! Dodge the vials and use the sword as a shield!" Jacob shouts.

"Got it!" Kai Valemont replies.

Asterion and Iskara rain blows upon Toran which keeps the puppet distracted enough and not able to react until the first batch of vials hits his body. Then, green fire erupts on the Cultist's body.

"You filthy bastards! Don't ruin his skin!" Malrik shouts.

Toran's skin starts melting off until only muscle and bones are showing. Even those are damaged, but they heal back with a creepy sizzling sound.

He can't regrow the skin, King Baalrek realizes.

King Baalrek sees the skin peel off and realizes that something in it, perhaps the fact that the spells were woven into it, makes it much harder to regrow. Jacob Cloud just used the same exact tactic he used the first time to destroy this Cultist and he, against all odds, succeeded in the first step.

But this time, it's not just the skin that is so resistant, King Baalrek thinks. The Blood Mage infused his spells into the flesh. That means that to kill that puppet, they'd have to thoroughly take it apart. Nothing short of obliteration will stop it. The Blood Mage can just will it back together with no trouble otherwise. It's a puppet, a dead body, something that can be sewn together at a moment's notice.

But King Baalrek has learned not to underestimate Jacob Cloud.

Rainbow Skills are famous to choose their users. No one ever stumbles upon one of them. Whenever someone gets their hands on one, it's never by chance—always by design.

"You think that's enough?!" Malrik shouts, summoning magic at his fingertips. "Think twice, because—"

Before he can say anything, as Toran goes berserk and blows back both Iskara and Asterion, cracking Kai's skull with a punch that bypasses his sword, an opening is created.

King Baalrek sees Vyrrak, the Dragonkin, reappear with Kaelric the swordsman and Orrivane, the Void Mage.

"This is moderately disgusting," Orrivane comments as a gigantic spear made of Void Magic suddenly impales the puppet. Yet, the thing barely reacts as it eerily swivels its head in place to look at the trio.

As the Void Magic seemingly fizzles out of existence against the push of Blood magic, Kaelric brings his sword inside the opening and his entire body glows, coalescing the aura on its sword.

"Rend."

Suddenly, Toran's body is bisected.

But even after being cut in two, the two halves barely move aside from each other.

"You think that's going to stop my creation?! HA! YOU WILL ALL PAY FOR THIS!"

However, the next moment, Jacob Cloud shouts, "Vyrrak! It's your turn!"

"My pleasure," the Dragonkin says, pushing back Kaelric and stepping forward. "Void Mage, do your thing."

Orrivane sighs and nods, "domes and shields are not my specialty. I hope I won't embarrass myself."

A trembling dome appears around Vyrrak and the puppet.

"You think that your puny Void Magic can destroy my creature?!" Malrik sounds insane by now.

"Not destroy," Jacob Cloud slowly explains. "It will simply cut your link to it. Even if it can operate independently, it still cannot be directed by your Blood Magic under these conditions. Which means that his regeneration will be slowed. And it will be slowed enough for Vyrrak to finish the job."

Suddenly, even through the cover of Void Magic, golden flames erupt inside the dome.

"Vyrrak! You're consuming all my Mana! I'm not a Shield!" Orrivane groans as he has to increase his Mana output for the dome not to collapse on itself.

A few seconds later, as Orrivane's Mana finally is exhausted and the dome disappears in motes of Void Magic that look like tiny black sparkles, Vyrrak reappears alone, covered in ash.

Toran is nowhere to be seen.

The puppet's link with Malrik causes the Cultist to suffer a strong blow to his Mana, which knocks him out cold. Malrik falls to the ground like a puppet whose strings have been cut.

"Iskara," Jacob says. "Take the Blood Mage. Don't hurt him. His blood is cursed."

Chapter 115

We all went back to the city, it's called Sunrock City.

Not unlike the Tomb of Fate, it's surrounded by rocky mountains that are made of many jagged edges. Yet, unlike the scary Dungeon, it's blessed by the warmest sunlight I've ever witnessed in my entire life.

"You've not traveled much, lad, have you?" Boomgar asks as I gawk at the place, at the way the light plays off buildings and windows.

"No, not really."

I've been to Shit's Creek, Clearwater, and the Academy. That's pretty much the extent of my traveling experience. And I know very well it's not much.

"We're going to see a lot of things for our Special Quests," Vyrrak says from behind me. "This is just a minor city. It matters nothing in the great scheme of things. The Capitals of larger kingdoms are much, much more spectacular."

"You should come to Florealia," Kai says. "Our family has reigned over the country for four millennia and it has the most beautiful cherry blossoms."

"I will never understand flowers," I hear Zibrek, the Goblin girl, say. "They are useless."

"Just because no one gifted any flowers to you, lassie," Boomgar snickers under his thick beard.

"Shut up, Boomgar," Zibrek growls. "Flowers just die. Why would I want someone to gift me any?"

"I had swarms of suitors leave flowers under my balcony in my courtyard every single day," Sabrina Margrave says smugly.

"I had suitors duel each other to death," Iskara says, raising an eyebrow in an I'm-not-impressed-at-all expression.

"I've never had suitors—suitresses? Whatever they're called."

"That is because you never were a desirable mate. Now that you're a Champion, I wouldn't be surprised if minor kingdoms and nobility started sending you marriage proposals," Vyrrak says pensively. "You might want to wait before accepting any unless you plan on getting more than one wife, however."

"We don't do multiple wives," Kai replies. "It's against our customs."

"I'd be fine with one, eventually," I say, "at least to start with." I add the second part jokingly but I see Iskara looking at me with an interested gaze.

"I didn't take you for someone to fall so easily to the pleasures of the flesh," Iskara says. "I should take advantage of it."

"Iskara, stop provoking him," Asterion, who's been unusually silent for the entire duration of the trip back to the city, interrupts. "He's not used to dealing with Great Races or nobility."

"He's been doing remarkably well for a commoner," Iskara shoots back. "Maybe I'm just training him." The way the Infernal woman says that, licking her lips to punctuate the statement, makes me choke on my own saliva.

Finally, we arrive at the inn that they set up for us. Iskara and Vyrrak themselves gagged and tied up Malrik with magical restraints that I checked myself. They have him in a box with a few holes for air.

Now, we have to wait until Academy officials come to question Malrik back at Ytrial.

Apparently, despite the fact that we threatened Malrik ourselves, it's against the rules to torture him. No one would mention anything if we did run some mild torture on the Cultist, but the Academy is very strict when it comes to the Cult of Asmodeus. Even Asterion doesn't seem keen on breaking their rules. And if a Highblood fears the retaliation of the Academy, who am I to object to Malrik being interrogated by professionals?

I would have liked nothing more than taking Malrik for a spin myself after what he did to those puppets—and we still have to explore the base where the Cultists had hidden away. I fear what we might find there.

Anyway, we all get individual rooms with our Squires for some rest and then, around dinnertime, we all sit at the same table.

Up until now, we mostly ate with our subgroups. I usually ate my meals with Kai, Fatty, and the Elves. Yet, something about the battle we had with the Cultists pushes all Champions to sit at the same table tonight—it very much feels like the banquet we had after the champion's exam.

Everyone is looking a bit stiff and the atmosphere is not exactly relaxed.

Even Boomgar, the most rambunctious member of the group, is staring into his mug of beer.

"If I may ask," I say with a touch of genuine curiosity, "all of you guys are very strong."

"That's not a question," Orrivane deadpans and then yawns.

"My question," I clear my voice, "would be, given how powerful you all are, what's the main problem you face now? Like, you've got the name, the power to back it, and the title. What even is something you struggle with?"

It's something that's been on the top of my mind for a while. I'm aware that becoming more powerful doesn't mean you get less problems. I could easily squeeze half of Shit's Creek to death with one finger as of today, but back then it felt like a veritable feat to get away from those bastards. So, I wonder what bothers someone like Iskara, Asterion, or even the stone-cold Vyrrak. They're strong, they come from the highest of lineages. What are their problems, what are their concerns?

It's also sort of a deep question that I tossed in because I am trying to build more reciprocal trust and camaraderie between us. I want us to be closer, to be able to trust each other. I've talked to Zibrek about this and she told me that the role of a Guide hardly ends in battle.

What I don't expect, however, is for everyone to look at each other and start laughing.

"Huh? What did I say?" I ask, confused.

Every single Champion, or every single high born person, really, has the same problem, Jacob Cloud

Even King Baalrek snickers in my mind.

And that is? I ask the Infernal.

"Money," Zibrek replies.

"Money?" I look back, confused. "Why money? If you're all this strong, why doesn't your family provide more coin?"

"Karma," Sabrina Margrave sighs.

"Karma?" I ask, pretty much as lost as I was before.

"Karma is not a concern for someone with Common Veins, and often even for those with Noble Veins," Asterion says. "From Iron to Silver, or from Gold to Diamond, Karma has virtually no importance."

"Wait, what are the Common Veins and the Noble Veins? I've never heard of that definition."

"It's a very old classification," Vyrrak interjects. "The Common Veins are Iron, Bronze, and Silver. Whereas the Noble Veins are Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. After that, you have the Heroic Veins."

"The higher you go in level, the harder it is to close the gap between the start and the end of a Rank. Platinum has twice as many levels as Gold. The distance keeps growing and growing. At some point, it's so great that without Karma, there's no way for you to grow."

"Karma?" I ask again.

"Karma is influenced by how much you received from those around you," Iskara says. "If you were helped to a ridiculous degree by your family without having to prove anything, you will suffer later on. The more you received, the more you'll have to sacrifice. In part, being a Champion and partaking in Special Quests is a way to offset the bad karma people like us accumulate by being born into very wealthy families."

"So, if you're rich you have bad karma?" I frown. "Who made this rule?"

"Gods? Fate? The System?" Vyrrak replies and then shrugs. "It doesn't really matter. Time and time again, Karma has been proven to exist and have a large influence on people."

"So, if your family gave you too much spending money..." I frown. "They'd be making your life too easy and therefore you'd have to take on more risks in order to balance this karma? But how does that influence leveling?"

"Several ways," Asterion is the one replying, still with a dark expression on his face. "The first is that you will gain less experience per kill. That's how strong the influence of Karma is. Negative Karma can even negate the experience from monsters. That's how bad it can get."

"Then, you will be less likely to find what you need in this world. Let's say you need a Platinum Skill in order for you to get a Gold Rank Class, right? Then, there'll be a smaller chance of you finding one if you have negative Karma. Skill Crystals are one of the few things that our families keep in store and hoard for this very exact reason," Iskara explains. "They're too important to be left to chance and that's why even nobles and royals are willing to accumulate great negative Karma in order to provide their children with the best Skills possible."

"So, the worse one's conditions, the greater the chance of having better karma?" I ask. "Does this mean that someone like me, who grew up as a commoner and ended up as a Champion..."

"Fake Champion," Sabrina Margrave says with a smirk.

"Fake Champion," I say, rolling my eyes. "But does this mean that, in theory, I have a greater Karma than the rest of you?"

"Without the shadow of a doubt, lad," Boomgar says, gesturing for the waitress to bring another mug of beer. "You don't even need to spend any point in Luck, you lucky bastard."

"Wait, what? Luck? I've always wondered what Luck does."

Everyone looks at me like I'm stupid.

"You really haven't spent anything in Luck, have you?" Iskara asks with a sly smile.

"He wouldn't need any," Asterion replies in my place. "He's not incurred any negative Karma."

"Luck negates negative Karma?" I frown.

"Luck makes it easier to earn Karma," Vyrrak corrects me. "It's not a matter of negating the Karma, it's more like, it enhances your acquisition of Karma. It's a special Attribute."

Why didn't you tell me any of this? I ask King Baalrek.

Because as they said, King Baalrek laughs, you're one lucky bastard, Cloud. And I imagine your Grimoire told you how to distribute your Attributes already.

"You really have spent your Free Attributes on anything but Luck?" Kai looks at me in admiration. "Wow. Your body must be really weak."

"Huh?" I frown. "What do you mean? If you guys spent so many points in Luck—"

"Not many. All of them," Vyrrak corrects me. "It's the praxis. Only commoners don't put all their Free Attributes in Luck."

"So, how are you guys so strong if my Attributes..."

"Attributes don't really matter at lower Levels," Zibrek sighs. "There are so many levels in higher Ranks that even if we spend all of them on Luck right now, it doesn't really make a difference. And our bodies were enhanced with Elixirs, natural constitution from strong parents, and all manner of treasures."

The rich get stronger and the stronger get richer I hear King Baalrek say, even though it doesn't make much sense.

"Incredible," I mutter. "Well, so when do you start putting Attributes in anything else?"

"True Diamond, usually," Asterion replies. "By that time, we have enough Luck that we should have started balancing our negative Karma. Also, haven't you wondered how we're still all Gold Rank in Level?"

"I thought you wanted to be Gold Rank or something," I say, confused. "So, it's because you gain way less experience?"

Everyone nods.

"And that's why we put everything in Luck," Vyrrak sighs. "It must be nice to be a nobody who spends their Attributes so freely."

"Would it matter if I put my Attributes in Luck?"

Vyrrak shakes his head, "no. Luck helps negating the side-effects of our lack of Karma. Your Karma is probably already pristine. Luck doesn't enhance Karma—that would be unfair. It's just a stopgap. For example, even our parents get negative Karma by gifting us too much. Many things will negate your Karma."

"What about Cultists? Don't they have terrible Karma?" I ask, frowning.

"No. Karma doesn't work exactly like that," Orrivane is the one answering. "It's not about killing innocents. It's more about... imbalance. And in the great scheme of things, people must die anyway at some point. You can still... it's complicated."

"Alright," I raise my hands seeing that my question seems to have upset many people. I file a mental note to ask King Baalrek about this later. "So, you're all kind of broke? That's... funny."

"It's really not," Zibrek looks away. "My creations cost a lot of money to maintain."

"And my explosives too," Boomgar nods, perhaps agreeing with Zibrek for the first time since I met them.

Wow, they must really be craving coin, huh?

"I've been lucky with money so far," I say.

Thanks to the Runic Notation, I've made pretty much exactly as much money as I've needed.

"That doesn't surprise me," Vyrrak says. "With Karma so good as yours, you might as well stumble into a gigantic pot of gold tomorrow."

"That could be cool," I say, scratching my chin. "I'd share, though."

Even though I meant it as a joke in reply to Vyrrak's own joke, everyone turns sharply toward me, even Asterion.

Wow. They're REALLY broke.

Chapter 116

The Champions have walked back to the entrance of the Tomb of Fate in order to deliver Malrik to people from the Academy who have been warned about Cultists' presence.

Later, they entered the Dungeon again to finish clearing it and found the cave system where the two Cultists had hidden and Malrik had performed his Blood Magic rituals.

*

I see Asterion kneeling in front of a giant pile of corpses. There must be hundreds left in a giant pit which is overflowing to the point that the pile is still taller than the Highblood.

He touches the ground beneath his feet, feeling the smooth rock, and bowing his head.

"I'm sorry," the man mutters. "I should have been here."

The others are patrolling the other parts of the cave. I told them that there shouldn't be anyone left here after using the Grimoire to track any strange Mana which might point out the presence of more Cultists.

Yet, no one is feeling good about the slaughter that happened here. People died. And not just Adventurers, apparently the Cultists had taken villages around the city that lies beside the Tomb of Fate. In the commotion about the Dungeon, few had noticed. Now, patrolling helps the others stay busy.

I get it. I feel like doing the same. And the reason why I walked with Asterion is because I want to know more about the relationship between the Cult of Asmodeus and the Highbloods.

As soon as I see the man rise from the ground, I ask, "why did they call you a Heretic?"

Asterion summons his white spear and holds it in front of him.

"Do you know who the Titans were?" he asks, looking at me.

"Creatures who fought the Gods?" I say, unsure.

Asterion nods. There's no trace of bother on his face when confronted with my ignorance.

"This might be common knowledge among Royalty of other countries, especially among Infernals and Dragonkins: those two descend from immortal beings. Titans were not immortal. They had very long lifespans, so long some of them might have very well be considered immortals. But not one Titan has ever lived as long as a God did. And that's by design."

"By design?" I ask curiously. "Whose design?"

"Devils and Dragons have always existed as long as there's been memory of the world. They existed alongside Gods. Titans, instead, were made by the Gods as their ultimate servants and enforcers. Each of our enclaves descends from a Titan whom, in turn, was created by a God."

The revelation hits me quite strongly. I never knew this piece of lore about Gods. But that makes it very clear why the Highbloods are very angry with the Gods.

"Among the Highbloods, everyone remembers which Gods they descend from. It's in our first name, so that we might never forget the slavery we were born into. Our very ancestors were the ultimate slaves who decided to kill their masters. But in turn, most of them were slaughtered because of their rebellion. They all spawned descendants, however. And while some enclaves have been annihilated by the wars with the Gods, many have hidden and been thriving, waiting for the next battle, Jacob."

"I still don't see why you feel so responsible for these people," I frown. "They were killed by the Cult of Asmodeus. Not by you."

Asterion looks at me with sad eyes, "Aster, the Titan of Stars, was the Evil God servant and creation—my ancestor was birthed by Asmodeus. I am the flesh and blood of the most powerful and Evil God there is, the God of Monsters."

My breath catches in my throat as I look at the Highblood with wide eyes.

"For those descending by Evil Gods, your last name, which usually is only given after great deeds, is given at the age of five based on the weapon of your choice. It's a sign of mockery among my people. You carry a fake name until you're able to earn a new one. It's a mark of shame."

I look at Asterion, not sure what to say in response to this revelation.

"I don't look for your compassion, Jacob," Asterion says, looking at me meaningfully. "There's nothing I'm asking you. I'm simply informing you of why I hold myself responsible for things such as this. My people have never managed to kill Asmodeus for good."

I see his face darkening.

"But I intend to put an end to this cycle of slaughter. I will be the one killing the strongest Evil God."

I nod slowly.

"Would you like some help?" I say, extending a hand.

Asterion looks at my hand, taken aback for a moment before nodding. "Of course."

*

We finally make it back to the fourth ground where we fight the fourth regional Boss. There are still loose monsters to clear out. Even though Malrik is not influencing the monsters anymore, they're still corrupted and they must be purged.

After the fight, however, I don't join the rest of the others and take a look at the great increase in levels and Skills that I have gone through after fighting non-stop for so long.

Name: Jacob Cloud

Class: Infernal Architect - Lv. 142 > 169

Core Skills:

Hellbane's Sword - Lv. 40 > 60 (Platinum - Offensive)

Flame Slash - Lv. 61 > 78 (Gold - Offensive)

Flame Shield - Lv. 65 > 85 (Gold - Defensive)

Flame Armor - Lv. 70 > 93 (Gold - Defensive)

Infernal Veins - Lv. 74 > 88 (Platinum - Constitution)

The Grimoire Extraordinaire (Rainbow - Support)

Class Skills:

Furnace Core (Passive) - Lv. 100

Flameform Blueprint (Active) - Lv. 100

Infernal Thread (Passive) - Lv. 100

Ember Keystone (Active) - Lv. 1 > 42

Architect's Insight (Passive) - Lv. 100

Hellspire (Active) - Lv. 100

Ignition Array (Active) - Lv. 2 > 52

Attributes:

Strength (STR): 315 → 342

Dexterity (DEX): 344 → 398

Endurance (END): 215 → 242

Vitality (VIT): 344 → 398

Intelligence (INT): 660 → 768

Spirit (SPI): 660 → 768

Wisdom (WIS): 545 → 626

Charisma (CHA): 18 → 18

Luck (LCK): 10 → 10

Unassigned Points: 110 → 245

Other Skills:

Minor Cookery - Lv. 34 (Iron)

Minor Night Vision - Lv. 32 (Iron)

Light - Lv. 67 (Bronze)

Pickaxe Mastery - Lv. 81 (Bronze)

Minor Mineral Sense - Lv. 72 (Bronze)

Mana Well - Lv. 24 > 78 (Gold)

Echolocation - Lv. 84 > 100 (Silver)

Heavenly Intuition - Lv. 53 > 62 (Platinum)

Silver Grip - Lv. 42 > 100 (Silver)

Advanced Endurance - Lv. 87 > 100 (Silver)

Advanced Strength - Lv. 56 > 100 (Gold)

Infernal Wings of Ash - Lv. 80 > 100 (Gold)

Web of Withering - Lv. 79 > 100 (Gold)

Diavolo Draw - Lv. 53 > 76 (Gold)

Black Flame Lv. 15 > 34 (Fusion Skill - Platinum)

Blood of the Ancients - Lv. 1 > 55 (Platinum)

Tribulation of the Damned - Lv. 1 > 25 (Platinum)

First Step of Mephistus - Lv. 1 > 20 (Platinum)

Sigil of Baal - Lv. 1 > 15 (Platinum)

??? - Lv. 1

The question marks are for the last of the Five Deadly Arts that I learned from the Infernal Manual. From what King Baalrek said, I have fulfilled the energy requirements for it thanks to Malrik, but I can't exactly use the spell because of my understanding of Infernal magic. He also told me that I should wait before I try to use the Grimoire on it. He says he knows the Skill and that it's going to be a nice surprise. For now, I decided to listen to the Infernal.

But the most important thing is that all my Skills are encroaching on level one-hundred, and that's mostly thanks to my Heavenly Intuition Skill. That's what's been bridging the gap between the kind of knowledge that the Grimoire is able to give me and the practical know-how I need to actually evolve them.

However, the most interesting thing as we move forward and we make way for the last region where the Dungeon Boss is waiting for us, is that I suddenly get a ping from a Skill I hadn't felt anything from in a long time.

"Wait," I say to everyone present, turning to my right.

The fourth region is a sort of rocky marsh with small bodies of water that were riddled with Stone Alligators.

I turn right and left. The feeling is extremely vague, but it's the unmistakable ping of one of the Skills I grew up with.

Grimoire, I suddenly summon my most powerful Skill to come in aid of the other one.

Everyone is stuck watching me curiously while I upgrade an old Skill in secret. Half an hour later, thanks to its low level, I have maxed it out.

Minor Mineral Sense - Lv. 72 > 100

I feel the presence of a very large mineral deposit somewhere nearby and, step by step, I get close to one small, unsuspecting pond.

"What's up, Cloud? Monsters?" Vyrrak asks.

"I'm fed up with the humidity here," Sabrina Margrave complains. "Can't we just move the hell forward? I'm done with this Dungeon. I just want to get out."

"No," I say under my breath. "Not monsters. There's... minerals in here."

"Minerals?" Zibrek looks bored. "So what?"

"If they tripped my Skill..." I explain slowly. "There must be a lot of them. But I can't see anything."

Then, when I activate the Grimoire again, looking straight at the pond, hoping to get any information out of it, I get a message I wasn't expecting.

[Grimoire Analysis Successful]

[Portal of Rafnov - True Diamond Rank Portal Spell]

[The kind of portal which often leads to Secret Dungeon Rooms left behind by the Great Miner Rafnov.]

King Baalrek, I speak internally, who's Rafnov?

DID YOU FIND A DAMN RAFNOV VEIN? the scream is so loud that despite it coming from my soul I feel like I've just been deafened.