Chapter 036

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Jack recovered from the exhaustion of healing the previously petrified druid and browsed is notification log. As he had suspected, he had gained two new sub-skills of Shackled Spirit Eater, namely “Grant Life Force” and “Satiate Ouroboros”. His Shackled Spirit Eater skill had finally reached the Advanced Tier due to unlocking these two sub-skills! He checked the details of the two newly gained sub-skills.

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Bestow Life ForceBeginner100.00%Subskill of Shackled Spirit Eater

You subdue and dominate the abomination, forcing it to go against its nature. Instead of devouring Spirit Energy, it grants spirit energy to the target. This causes the target to recover most resources (HP, MP, STA etc.) and cures all status effects. The amount of Spirit Energy used depends on the severity of healing. Your mastery over the abomination also increases your capacity for Spirit Energy.

Current level effects:

Can be used once every 2 days.

Cannot be used during Combat.

+10 to max Spirit Energy

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Satiating OuroborosBeginner100.00%Subskill of Shackled Spirit Eater

You take inspiration from the demise of Ouroboros, to feed your abomination's hunger. You allow the abomination to drink from the wellspring of your soul, recovering Spirit Energy but diminishing your soul and sacrificing experience.

Usage of this skill can cause exp to go below 0% leading to loss of levels and the latest invested stat points. It cannot be used if level is 0.

Current level effects:

Generates 1 Spirit Energy per second.

Costs 500 PP and 5% exp to initialize, costs 1% exp per second to sustain.

Cannot be used during Combat.

After reading the details of the sub-skill Satiating Ouroboros, a vein bulged on his forehead in anger. He was actually sacrificing his experience for Spirit Energy! The higher level he was, the higher was the loss! The Druid had tricked him, knowingly or unknowingly, to lose quite a bit of experience.

Jack: ‘Fuck these Druids. All of them are bitches to the extreme. I took approximately 10 minutes to heal her, so I should be losing roughly 6 levels. I might as well verify it.’

STATUS WINDOWNameJackClassBhikkuRaceHumanGenderMaleLevel66 (53.68%)Fame / Infamy135/ 22TitlePackrat, Vermin Exterminator, Irfit’s Vassal, Corrupted CleanserCONDITIONHP7476/(6776+700)HP regen9.1207/sPP8415/8415PP regen69.0032/sSpirit Energy10/130SE regen- 0.8% current SE/sSatiety / Thirst87% / 87%Weight Limit181/200Active EffectsControlled Breathing (Intermediate lv7)BASIC STATSStrength100Vitality183 + 10Dexterity105Agility115Intelligence300 + 10Willpower215 + 10Free Stat Points25SPECIAL STATSLuck10Endurance113Sustenance85Balance75Flexibility75Concentration140+10Wisdom130+10Indomitable Spirit110Elemental AffinityPhysical24%Soul39%Void27%Fire39%Elemental ResistancePhysical4% + 5%Soul7%Void5%Fire17% + 5%Ice0% + 10%Blight6%Life3%Death3%

SKILL LISTAmbidexterity (Trait)Defiled Husk (Trait)Enigmatic Wisdom (Trait)Iron Stomach (Trait)Spirit Senses (Trait)Dagger Mastery (Beginner Lv 4: 15.38%)

Assassinate (Beginner Lv 5: 05.31%)

Enchanting (Beginner Lv 7: 32.61%)

Bestow Enchant (Beginner Lv 8: 21.73%)

Absorb Enchant (Beginner Lv 6: 43.25%)

Free Running (Beginner lv 7: 10.53%)Leadership (Beginner Lv 5: 12.01%)Mana Control (Beginner Lv 9: 35.15%)

Imbue Projectile (Beginner Lv 8: 85.46%)

Mana Blade (Beginner Lv 4: 25.31%)

Mana Identification (Intermediate Lv 1: 03.13%)

Mana Repair (Beginner Lv 9: 96.13%)

Meditation (Intermediate Lv 8: 16.23%)

Meditative Stasis (Trait)

Controlled Breathing (Intermediate Lv 7: 13.53%)

Shackled Spirit Eater (Advanced Lv 1: 00.00%)

Devour Soul (Beginner Lv1: 01.00%)

Eternal Rest (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)

Grant Life Force (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)

Insatiable Manifestation (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)

Satiating Ouroboros (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)

Sword Mastery (Beginner Lv 2: 80.23%)Survival (Beginner Lv 7: 35.83%)

Opportunistic Striker (Trait)

Danger Sense (Beginner Lv6: 99.81%)

Poison Resistance (Beginner Lv 5: 35.12%)

Survival Cooking (Beginner Lv 8: 74.05%)

Survival Stealth (Beginner Lv 7: 51.13%)

Thrown Weapon Mastery (Intermediate Lv 2: 74.20%)

Improvised Missile (Trait)

Axe Throwing (Beginner lv 5: 87.34%)

Boomerang Throwing (Beginner Lv 9: 12.25%)

Chakram Throwing (Beginner Lv 6: 67.34%)

Dart Throwing (Intermediate Lv 2: 27.89%)

Javelin Throwing (Intermediate lv1: 29.54%)

Knife Throwing (Intermediate Lv 1: 27.78%)

Unarmed Mastery (Intermediate Lv 3: 33.45%)

Mana Claws (Beginner Lv 4: 67.52%)

Mana Fists (Beginner Lv 9: 15.23%)

Mana Gloves (Beginner Lv 5: 26.81%)

Entropic Leech (Beginner Lv5: 01.63%)Hateful Touch (Beginner Lv1: 00.00%)Mana Breath (Beginner Lv6: 61.53%)Spiral Mana Bolt (Beginner Lv8: 81.74%)Soul Scream (Beginner Lv6: 57.84%)Soul Strike (Beginner Lv9: 41.42%)Spirit Pact: Irfit (Unique) (Trait)

Summon Charlie (Beginner Lv4: 53.67%)

Soulfire Shift (Beginner Lv3: 14.38%)

Looking over his status window, he was frustrated to no end. His level had reduced to what it was before he had started this quest! All the exp he had gained with the slaughter of the hobgoblins had been lost.

Jack: ‘I think I am behind the average level in AO. But I did get some levels in a few of my skills. Big Fucking Yipee. Bah.’

Jack: *glancing at the Druid in frustration* “I hope the damn reward for freeing you is worth it. I lost a lot of power permanently, healing you.”

Druid in beginner clothes: *sneers* “You think breaking Divine Curses is cheap? The fact that you managed it is impressive of itself. As for the rewards, you did free me so I will influence the coven to grant you something of value.”

Jack: *annoyed* “Alright, let us get going. It is a long walk anyways.”

After they left the “prison”, they made their way towards the Mysterious Clearing. It took almost 3 days in Real Life to reach the clearing with the statue. The journey itself wasn’t eventful.

Jack: ‘I feel like the hobbit with the ring, walking and walking and walking some more…’

Jack: “So what do we do now? Last time, I channeled some mana through the statue to signal them. I was drugged and kidnapped as a reward.”

Druid in beginner clothes: “That won’t be necessary. Give me some time to attune to this coven, and I can take you there.”

The previously petrified Druid placed her hand on the statue and closed her eyes. In his spirit senses, he could see flashes of green mana pulsating on the statue. After a few minutes, the druid opened her eyes and gestured Jack and his companion to come closer.

She held each of their hands and he felt a comfortable hum pass through him. Around them, creepers grew in a circle and covered them. His spirit senses were blinded by the green mana permeating it. When it subsided, he found himself in the Druid Coven!

They were surrounded by large, tall trees, with dwelling in them. Huge animals, which appeared to be sentient, and had been referred by his companion as “Awakened” noticed them. An awakened wolf gave a chilling howl, which resonated through his bones. The druid in beginner clothes seemed relaxed and waited patiently. Soon, a cloaked and hooded figure approached them.

Hooded Figure: “Welcome Spirit Eater, we didn’t expect you so soon.”

Jack: *sneers* “You didn’t expect me at all! Take us to your Eldest, as I have fulfilled her request!”

The hooded figure seemed annoyed at Jack’s tone, and was about to respond when there was a mild cough from the Druid in beginner clothes. The hooded figure gave a slight bow, and instructed them to follow him. They had climbed a huge tree and entered an alcove in it.

Everything in the alcove, even the furniture, seemed to have grown out of the tree itself. The Eldest, along with two Elders waited for them there, seated in chairs made of twisted branches growing from the huge tree. In front of them there was a table which too seemed to grow from the tree. The Eldest maintained her façade, but the two Elders seated beside her had expressions of shock on their faces

Eldest Druid: “Welcome back Spirit Eater. I see you have been successful.”

Jack: *disdainful tone* “Yes, Yes. Let us skip the pleasantries and go right to the reward shall we?”

Elder Druid 1: *with cold fury in her voice* “You impudent brat.”

The Elder received a stern glare from the Eldest at her outburst. In response Jack didn’t pretend to be polite and sneered at her with a mocking look in his eyes. No matter what he did, accepting the taint of the blight in his body had made the whole coven irrevocably butthurt, even if he had rendered great services to the coven.

Jack: “I have the qualifications to do so. I not only helped you eliminate the seed of the blight, I awakened an Afflicted Warrior to fight the blight and freed the Ancient Petrified Druid from her prison.”

Druid in Beginner Clothes: *chuckle* “Now Jack, no need to be irritated on this fool’s raving. You will get your reward.”

Elder Druid 2: *furious* “You may be ancient, but you have no right to call her a fool…you traitor!”

Eldest Druid: *in a panicked tone* “Enough you fools, don’t disgrace our coven further.”

The Druid in beginner clothes gives a cold chuckle. In a moment, an imposing aura flared around her lighting up Jack’s Spirit Senses. The aura was cool brownish grey in color with flicks of lime green and purple black flickering in it light lightning. One of her eyes was shining with a dim lime green light, while the other one was glittering with a shade of purple black.

Except the Eldest, the other two druid elders had eyes popping out of their heads and their jaws hanging open. Even Bob was gasping is surprise, thoroughly flabbergasted. Jack’s Danger Sense was haywire and he was shivering in fear, his previous insolence gone.

Druid in Beginner Clothes: *icy cool tone* “Mind your tongue youngling, lest you offend your elders.”

Bob: *gasps in shock* “Impossible! You are channeling Gaia’s sublime gift of Equilibrium and her cursed gift of Hatred at once! Furthermore, the hatred I feel from you is far stronger than mine. How…”

Druid in Beginner Clothes: *sorrowful tone* “My act of betrayal wasn’t without a price. Fortunately, a millennium of petrification allowed me a lot of time to comprehend Gaia’s dreams and come to terms with it.”

She withdrew her oppressive aura and immediately everyone relaxed visibly.

Eldest Druid: *glares angrily at the two Elders at her side* “Not a word about this to anyone else. Get out; now.”

The two elders without protest meekly complied with the wishes of the Eldest and ran out of the alcove in haste. The Eldest stands up and bows deeply to the Druid in Beginner Clothes, who waves her ahdn dismissively.

Eldest: “Since you have revealed yourself, we have no need for maintaining appearances anymore, Ancestor.”

Druid in Beginner Clothes (Ancestor): “Indeed. Now give this Spirit Eater a bit of the Primordial Spores as a reward and send him on his way. We have much to discuss.”

A momentary glance of shock passes through her eyes, before her face quickly regained her usual indifferent façade. Jack had regained his bearings after the Ancestor withdrew her oppressive aura. He watched the exchange intently, gleeful at the reaction of the Eldest.

Jack: ‘So the Eldest bitch gets shocked at the mention of “Primordial Fungus”. This is going to be good. Pay-time is here bitch. You could have avoided it all if you hadn’t sent me on what was supposed to be a fool’s errand.’

Eldest: “Of course, Ancestor.”

The Eldest then waved her arms and lime green mana emanated from it. On the table in the alcove, dark green sapling grew rapidly. In a few seconds, they had intertwined to form the shape of a small Chalice, which could hold around half a glass of water. She then addressed Jack.

Eldest: “Fill it with your blood, Spirit Eater.”

He nodded and manifested Mana Claws in his right hand. He slashed his left wrist with a Mana Claw enhanced finger, and dribbled blood into the chalice. Once it was almost full, he cauterized his bleeding by manifesting a small flame over the wound.

The Eldest bit her index finger with her sharp canine tooth and dropped a single drop of her blood infused with green mana into the chalice. Then she pulled out a small crystal amulet from around her neck.

She carefully opened the small lit and a single miniature grain of what looked like dust fell into the chalice. The grain of dust seemed to multiply incessantly, and in moments the chalice was full of what looked like some viscous slurry full of lime green algae.

Eldest: “Drink your reward Spirit Eater. And be honored to partake of it. I hope you prove worthy.”

He grabbed the chalice from the table and drank the viscous fluid in it. It tasted like a paste of spinach with a gentle flavor of avocado. As he drank it, he felt a gentle surge of energy spreading through his body.

When the wave of energy receded, he felt a foreign presence in his body. The presence was more particularly concentrated in his blood and near his heart. Having disregarded his surroundings, he focused on this new change in his body.

He tried channeling some void mana from his mana centers to the cluster of foreign presence in his heart. Immediately, he felt a refreshing wave of invigorating energy passing through his entire body. He was bathed in a persistent mild green glow, and the cauterized wound on his left wrist started healing rapidly.

Ancestor: “So you have figured out the utility of the Primordial Fungus already? Good, but remember Spirit Eater that that is just the beginning. As you synchronize more with the Primordial Fungus colonizing you, you can unleash more abilities.”

Jack: “Thank you. This gift seems to have the potential to be very powerful.”

Eldest: “Indeed. I was apprehensive whether the Primordial Fungus would accept you or no as you have the taint of the Blight. But it seems to have deemed you acceptable. It is time for you to leave now.”

Ancestor: “Feel free to return here anytime you wish, Spirit Eater. Our doors will always be open.”

Ancestor: *whispers to Jack* “My name is Ensiyeh, Spirit Eater. I hope to meet you again.”

Jack: ‘Don’t these druids get iffy about their names? She told me hers… so at the very least I have a powerful ally in this coven even if the Eldest doesn’t seem to like me much.’

Ensiyeh then flicked her arms and green mana surged around Jack and Bob. Living tendrils grew from the wooden floor and enveloped them. When the mana dissipated, they found themselves in the mysterious clearing with the statue. He browsed his notifications to see his gains. He had gained a new trait ‘Symbiote: Primordial Fungus’ and its sub-skill ‘Regenerating Infusion’. He summoned the information window for his newly acquired skills.

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Symbiote: Primordial FungusTrait----

A number of ancient fungi have colonized your bloodstream. These Fungi from eons ago carry primordial power. A symbiotic relationship exists between these fungi and you. Your maximum PP (and future PP increases) is permanently reduced by 10%, but it grants you powerful abilities, with the potential for more abilities to become available when certain special conditions are met.

Current Effects:

-10% max PP.

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Regenerating InfusionBeginner100.00%Subskill of Symbiote: Priomordial Fungus

The Primordial Fungus colonizing your body releases a wave of natural energies, causing you to rapidly regenerate health for a while.

Current Level Effects:

Self-Regeneration of 1.05% HP/s for 10 seconds.

Costs 150 PP.

Can be used once every minute.

Jack: *grinning* ‘Nice. A healing skill! Sure I can’t heal others and had to sacrifice 10% max PP but it will only heal 10.5% of my max HP over 10 seconds now at Beginner lv1! That is around 780 HP of heal every minute. And the more HP I have the more valuable this skill is. I must grind this skill diligently!’

Jack: “I got a healing spell! Hahaha I am on my way on becoming an Unstoppable Juggernaut.”

Bob: “I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but I could kill you easily in less than 15 seconds. That’s nowhere near an ‘Unstoppable Juggernaut’.”

Jack: *shrugs* “Haters gonna hate. Let us start our long walk back to Rotang City. I hope Master Janus gives me some good rewards…”

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A/N: Sorry for missing a chapter last week, but I had to run around many hospitals before a doctor gave me some decent treatment.

Anyway hope you enjoyed this chapter.

Also, my most active proofreader (Mecani) seems to be MIA, so please PM me if you wish to PR AO.

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