《Garden of Thorns *Lit RPG*》V2 Chapter 11 : The D-rank Dungeon.
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The students listened to Barton's briefing. He said this was a newly made D-Rank Dungeon. So there's no such thing as no surprises. Enemy types were unknown. Everything was a surprise only the map. Silas was going to be placed at the front because of the fact he had Familiars that could do recon. Yrvad was just floating ahead, taking a look at the enemies that they would be facing. Sharing senses with Silas as Silas listed out the enemies they had.
Mainly demons that were lurking about. In this case, Barton, Rayland and Cass were merely observers. Intervening when there's anything else. The Hunters were careful not to cause anything to alert the demons. Julie and Denver were leading the pack, they had 400 Hunters. 300 students and 100 regular Hunters. In case of anything Silas had Coffin Dancer, Alpha and Omega on standby in his shadows.
This kind of trip meant that the Dungeon had restrictions. One of which was to play by the rules of a large number of humans entering. These Special Dungeons have their own rules and limits. Familiars were exempted from the head count but the demons of this place have increased stats. The main thing Barton had highlighted was to never treat this dungeon like a normal dungeon. It's large dungeons like these that tend to have increased casualties because of the mistakes people make.
Silas could see the shakiness in some of them, hearing Barton say that they could die at any time was already scaring them and this was a D-Ranked Dungeon. Most of them are at D-Ranks but the few who were A Ranks were showing signs of uneasiness. Tense shoulders, shaking grips over their bodies. The slouch that they had. Even dragging their feet through this cavern. Silas reported how the demons were leaving the cavern to reach elsewhere. Barton and Silas checked through traps.
"It's odd. Demons normally would attack us all at once. So where are they headed?" Julie's question was a serious one. The other experienced Hunters were thinking about this. Slowly making their way out of the cave. Where the demons had been amassing outside.
"That's a lot of demons right there." Cass said as she swapped to her AR-15, flicking the safety off.
"THe humans are here! Now let's kill them and feast on their bodies!"
Silas readied his gauntlets as Zerx unleashed a roar to stun the demons for 30 seconds. Buying the others time to prepare their spells and ready themselves. Caroline began to sing and Nora prepared her magic.
"Raizel stay with them."
"As you command." Raizel prepared its own magic as Silas went on ahead to engage the demons head on. Multiple demons that recovered had their brains blown out by Barton's precision firing. Relentless aiming while Cass was firing off her rifle, mowing down enemies while Rayland kept them off the mages and healers. His shotgun shells sent most of them flying back. The fast reloads made Rayland a force to be reckoned with. Barton snapped to another target with the offset red dot.
Caroline's song helped the others to calm down as the demon horde made their way over to them. They fought back with the same ferocity, it was Raizel's buff.
'The Grimoire's Blessing : Increases ATK, DEF,SPD, INT and casting speed for the next 5 minutes' Silas was going on ahead with his gauntlets, ripping off a demon's limb, then smashing the other demon's head with it.
'Page of Happy Place- First Build Up- Happy Days. Slash, blunt and pierce damage increased by 2 with each hit. Stacks up to 100. Stacks break if struck by enemy.' Silas's gauntlets took on a more fleshier appearance, this time with the fangs being bones. The demons chanted their magic that struck the Hunters. Blocked by Raizel who took the brunt of the attack, while Nora and the other magic users unleashed their magic.
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Elemental spears and javelins that explode upon making contact with the enemies below. The demons attacking the front lines were trying to break through but the tanks. Led by Denver were doing their best to block the enemies. They had grown, even Hardin was now doing his best. Focusing on taking the hits and using a few skills to strengthen his attacks when he defended against the demons.
Silas was sent flying by a demon duke's attack, a humanoid demon in white armor. Swinging a pair of sabers that had Silas being pushed back.
'Page of Happy Place.-Second Demolish- Regretful Meal- Bleed attacks on enemies recover health but it also increases the amount of bleed needed to replenish health.' The gauntlets changed appearance, this time becoming more fleshed out. It even had a mouth gaping by the palm. Its teeth began to whirr up as if it was like a chainsaw. It needed to feed, Silas went over to counter the Demon Duke's blades with his hands.
"Hm... You're quite strong." Silas headbutted the Demon Duke back, then began to use a melee combat skill.
'Familiar Skill Crimson Werewolf Lugasa- Crimson Tide' Unleashing a thousand strikes in one movement, slashing through the demon duke's armor, then ripping the demon duke's head. Throwing it into the air as the demons paused to look over at Silas who was in the middle of their formation.
'Page of Happy Place- Third Build Up- Happy Memories.- Bleed attacks now recover MP. Increased bleed chance with all weapons.'
'Page of Happy Place- Fourth Build Up- Our happy town- When allies are within range, increase power by 50%.'
'Page of Happy Place- Fifth Build Up- Thank you for visiting- Enemies within range will feel a sense of sorrow when attacking the Page holder.'
"Manifest." Silas said as the demons stopped to turn at Silas. Whose entire body was covered in a skin tight suit made of flesh. Blades portruded out from the elbows, knees and feet. Silas's back opened up, with a large gaping mouth unveiling itself. Then followed by eyes that started to gaze upon the others. Silas's face plate opened up revealing the rows of teeth within.
"Welcome to our town." Silas said as the entire battlefield had changed, as trees appeared. Opening its eyes as the demons were frozen. Unable to move. Silas's back had tendrils that began to seek out their victims. Silas was now on all fours. More of them came out. Piercing the demons then pulling them in.
"What!? What is this!? What is th-" The voices of demons panicking polluted the air as Silas's back began to consume them. Forming a layer of armor over the flesh suit. An armor made of demon bones.
"Our town is a happy place. Why don't you come join us and be happy?" Such words were being uttered by a hundred voices as Silas leaped into the air. Landing on a demon knight, where the face plates devoured the demon knight right before their eyes.
The Hunters paused, they could not do anything. Frozen by the what they have seen. It was like an awakening of another sort of monster. The demons were already disturbed, they were being consumed as if they had no significance. Merely to satisfy the hunger of this abomination that came from a human. Some of them were already breaking mentally but Raizel kept their spirits up.
"Oh calm down. That is Silas. It seems that he's testing out his new equipment.It looks tame compared to what I've seen. Or perhaps none of you has seen such monstrosities? Then you must not have seen enough. Now, Mister Cold Cage. Why don't you stop hiding and come out already?" Fitz leaped out into view.
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"Hey, you're that new Hunter!" Julie spoke, then looking at Fitz who was yawning.
"Sup." A casual greeting as Fitz walked on over with his gunblade. Then casting a few magic spells to keep their sanity.
"That looks like something I created once."
"Back when you were the Cold Cage?"
"Yeah. Transforming other people into monsters was easier but this looks a lot more... Human. He's keeping the humanity instead of tossing it like what I did." Fitz said as they continued to watch Silas tear through the demon army. Effortlessly terrifying the demons. Proud and prideful yet here they were. At the mercy of a human being. Silas then leaped back to Raizel and Fitz.
'Manifestation off.' The environment returned to its usual appearance, the green meadows that had been filled with cadavers but Silas was not done. There was still more of them coming and he was not done yet. He swapped the gauntlets for a katana, and began running straight ahead.
'Page Build Ups and Page Demolishes are kept. The effects carry over as you use other pages.' Silas read the pop up as he began his attack. Serrating through the armor, leaving the demons to profusely bleed out.
'Page of Joshua Gates Build Up- The Green House- Fire, Wind,Ice and Earth skills cost is halved. All four elements will be imbued and randomly combined to create synergy in weapon attacks.' Silas used the katana combat skill. 'Second Movement: Azure Tide' sending dozens of demon army soldiers into the air. When their bodies got into contact with one another, they created explosions and a thick mist of red was seen. Fitz snapped his fingers as the mist of red created chains that began to tether the demons together into easy pickings for Silas. It was an all out buffet waiting for its turn. The demons continued to fight, their magic was ineffective as Silas would cut through their magic. Their sword skills rendered useless because of Silas's speed. Slashing a demon general's head off, letting the blood spray all over the rank and file.
'Page of Joshua Gates Second Build Up- The Forest of Ice-Increased freezing formation over enemies struck by the blade.' Silas tapped a demon knight's arm with his blade. Watching the demon knight's entire body freeze in mere seconds. Elbowing it as it shattered into large chunks of ice.
However a demon's lance pierced into Silas's shoulder, where he punched to break it. Then driving the katana into the demon's head. A jerk of the wrist to free his hand.
'Page of Joshua Gates Third Demolish- The Thorns. Damage taken by enemies are stored. When enemy attacks are parried, it doubles the damage returned upon next strike. Failure to injure an enemy at all will cause wounds on User's body. Afflicted by Thorns.'
Silas swapped the katana for a long sword. Taking heavier swings at the cost of speed, but the sight of red was enough for him. No time to confirm the kill, as Silas parried a blade away but he missed as the demon was pulled back.
'Thorn: Bleed chance increased by 75% Stack up to 10 which increases bleed chance by 750%.' Silas was going to need to work through this. Power slashing through the demons in a fast succession, he glanced over at the Hunters. They were back in the fight and Fitz was striking the demons with his gunblade. Slashing through the characters, tearing through everything. Where Silas watched Rayland kick a demon back, firing off the heavy revolver into the demon's head. Watching a spray of scarlet into the air, while Barton shoved a demon baron back. Emptying the entire magazine into the demon's chest. Following it up with a knife to the throat. Glaring into the demon baron's eyes as Barton freed the demon's insides.
Cass was making quick work of the many demons with her shotgun. Instantly reloading multiple shells at once with the grip of the shotgun shells in her palm. The demons were increasing by the numbers but the Hunters were already showing signs of slowing down. They were holding on their ground. The numbers were going to whittle them down. This was a battle of attrition.
"Silas! Just try to keep thinning them out! Don't worry about us!" Silas continued on fighting as he heard Denver's roar. Caroline was still singing. Raizel used a skill to create a barrier, while Fitz gave Silas a nod. An affirmation that Silas would not need worry yet, despite fighting all these demons. Silas could not help but look back at the Hunters. Seeing Nora who was drinking mana potions by the dozens while Caroline was leaning onto her microphone.
Jenny was still rousing the others to fight as Xiao readied the arrows for his bow. The army swarming around them, attempting to break the barrier where they can. The other Hunters were still fighting as the layers of the barrier allowed their attacks to go through but nothing to go in. Raizel floated down to Nora.
"I need you to chant this spell."
"Okay!" Nora didn't bother questioning it as she began to chant the spell.
"From the cold winters that harm the flowers, to the cruel fall that leaves nothing in its wake. To the harsh flames of summer. To the kindness of the wind in Spring." A few other mages headed over to read the chant as well.
"Radiant Seasons!" A large shockwave of elements pushed the demon army back, whereby they watch Raizel falling to the ground.
"Ah, it seems that I need to take a break. I hope I've bought you all enough time to fight back."
Silas returned back to the fight as his three Stygian Beasts joined the fray to aid the Hunters. Keeping a triangle formation in front of the barrier. Easing Silas's worries but the blade pierced through Silas's right arm from the Demon Lord that looked down on him.
"You're nothing but a human. I'll be sure to invade your world and leave nothing left." Silas chuckled as he pulled the blade out, then kicking the demon lord off the horse.
'Page of Joshua Gates- Fourth Demolish- Risk it All. Defense drops to 20% of base stats. Every other stat is increased by 70%.' Silas went over to strike the demon lord. Intercepted by the demon swordsmen that blocked Silas. Constantly pushing Silas on the offensive as the bleed out was stacking. A scream in the distance as Silas turned to see Hardin's arm fly into the air. A demon had broken through the lines, watching Barton take it on with a knife, only to be pushed back.
'Page of Joshua Gates- Fifth Demolish- Vengeance of Thorns.- Allies injured or dead increases power by a 1.5 multiplier.' Silas then put his power to push the swordsmen back, a single swing the long sword was enough. Silas then leaped back to the barrier.
"Raizel. I need you." Raizel flew by Silas's side.
"Manifestation!" Silas said as the environment changed once more. A beautiful garden of roses was present.Silas put on a mask that belonged to the Lord of Thorns. Brilliant Ash appeared by his side.
"Blade Shift." Transfiguring the katana into Ashen Sirius, Silas took his stance.
"Garden." Silas said as they see vines wrapping the demons one by one. The thorns began to pull, tear and rip whatever that was present from the demons. The vines brought Hardin's arm over to Hardin, where they see the vines wrap around his shoulder joint. A gentle push to link the limbs together as rose petals began to scatter to his arm. A bright blue glow as it reattached it.
"Silas?" Caroline called out, only to see Silas vanished, hundreds of limbs flew into the air. The ones who had been trapped by the vines of thorns? They had been wrapped so much that flowers began to bloom from their bodies. Slowly dying from the intense bleeding from the thorns that pierced their skin and flesh. Barton, Cassie and Rayland stopped fighting. Rayland lit a cigarette while they watched Silas tear the enemies apart with the katana. Four cards began to glow, representing the Seasons entirely.
"Hey?! Why are you stopping?" Julie shouted.
"There's no need, he'll be finishing up soon." Fitz spoke in a lazy tone, even yawning again.
"And how do you know that!? Isn't he suffering?!" Jenny said as she pointed her blade at Fitz.
"He's not suffering. He's just letting that chaos he kept to go wild for once. I have to say. This does look interesting." Fitz said, looking a
Silas grabbed the cards, sheathing his katana. As he shattered the card of Winter. Unleashing a snow storm that turned encased the legs of the demon army in ice. The card of Spring was next, as the gentle breeze chimed its way in. An invitation to the upcoming chaos it would bring, turning into a Violent Gale that began to lacerate the bodies.
Shattering the card of Fall, as the tremors from the ground caused them to fall off. Snapping their legs off, as they looked up to the sky. Seeing the stone being molded into spears that rained down upon them with a force great enough to rip off their limbs. Tearing their bodies apart. The finale? Was the Card of Summer, that scorched the ground with its flame. Burning the demons until all that was left was nothing short of skeletons.
Silas took off the mask as it faded along with the garden, where the battlefield was now empty. Void of any threats. Silas fell where by Fitz caught him.
"I got ya."
"Thanks... Seems like that was more difficult to use. I need to put more stats into my will power. Know about the archive?"
"The Page combat system right? I'm using it right now. My system's a bit different, if I mastered it. Then I can use it indefinitely, it helps with my ice." Fitz said as he shouldered Silas.
'Dungeon Completion confirmed. Granting EXP bonuses to all Hunters. Enemy type difficulty X 2.0. Flawless victory X 2.0. Special stats awarded to Silas. The Stygian Emissary.'
Silas looked at the pop up window.
'Choose between three random pages out of the 10 shown before you.'
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