Chapter 356 - 314: Gestation (2)
Some were even exposed on the surface, like white muscle fibers spread over the ground, pulsing faintly to some unknown rhythm.
A dilapidated Temple came into view.
Although most of its dome had collapsed, revealing the pitch-black ceiling of the cave above.
But the remaining massive graystone pillars and relief-carved pedestals still attested to its former grandeur.
Behind the Temple was an impenetrable wall of trees.
Countless giant trees, thousands of years old, were tangled together.
They were packed tightly together, reaching hundreds of meters high. Like a great green wall, they blotted out the sky, blocking all paths forward.
’It seems this is the end of the first level of the ruins.’
From a crack in the Temple’s huge, half-collapsed stone gate, a faint, deep blue light shone through.
"Look at that beam of light! The curtain of light must be inside the Temple!"
Gray pointed excitedly at the Temple. "We’ve reached the end!"
His words lifted everyone’s spirits.
Zelir’s mood also lightened considerably.
’Finally... We’ve found the curtain of light leading to the second level.’
Crossing a ruined wall, they found a large, open area in front of the Temple.
The hundreds of grayish-white veins extending from the Central Courtyard Garden finally converged here.
They were densely entwined, weaving together into a grotesque, massive sphere.
’Like a tumor...?’
’Or some kind of incubation chamber.’
The tumor was over five meters in diameter. Its skin was a translucent, grayish-white and was covered in veins and blood vessels.
The beam of light passed through the translucent skin, illuminating the shadowy form suspended within.
They could see something gestating inside it. The thing was also massive, curled up like a baby in the fetal position.
It didn’t seem to be fully mature yet.
"If I’m not mistaken..."
Zelir said softly, "The portal’s entrance probably has a guardian, right? This must be it."
"So those Corpse Flowers in the Central Courtyard Garden... they transported their fluids through these veins just to incubate this thing?"
Hill narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Then it seems we got here a little early. It looks like a juvenile, not fully developed yet."
"Isn’t that perfect?"
Zelir drew his Magic Wand and aimed it at the tumor. "Let’s just blow it up first and ask questions later!"
However...
THUMP-THUMP... THUMP-THUMP...
The tumor seemed to sense their arrival.
Its pulsing grew more and more frequent, more and more intense, like a war drum!
The embryo inside began to writhe restlessly.
Zelir’s Aurora Energy Beam erupted, blasting straight toward the tumor!
In an instant.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
As if sensing Zelir’s attack, dozens of thick thorned vines burst from the ground around the tumor.
They converged to form a thick shield wall, blocking the tumor.
BANG!
The Aurora Energy Beam slammed into the shield wall, sending splinters and broken vines flying everywhere.
But this defensive barrier was extremely thick.
Although a large, charred hole was blasted into it, the beam’s power was completely exhausted in the process.
The gray fluid tumor was shaken violently, but its skin was completely undamaged.
"I knew it wouldn’t be this easy..." Gray muttered, drawing his sword.
Marcus kept most of his body behind his Shield, cautiously watching the scene unfold.
Zelir’s attack had completely shattered the calm.
THUMP-THUMP... THUMP-THUMP!
The heartbeat grew so rapid it seemed about to burst!
Inside the gray fluid tumor, the embryo began to move.
And then...
RIP...!
A sound like tearing fabric.
A terrifying giant claw, formed from twisted purplish-black vines and bony spikes, pierced through the tumor’s skin from the inside!
A large amount of grayish-white nutrient fluid with a strong, acrid stench poured out from the opening, flooding the ground.
White smoke rose wherever it flowed.
Before the shocked eyes of the group, the embryo could no longer bear its confinement.
The giant claw ripped violently to both sides, tearing the tumor’s skin to shreds!
As the amniotic fluid drained away, the monster incubated by the Corpse Flowers finally appeared before them!
A reptilian creature over ten meters long!
Its body was like a small, moving hill!
Its thick limbs were planted on the ground, its whole body was wreathed in thorns and vines, and it had a long tail covered in barbs.
It had no eyes, no nose. Most of its head was taken up by a grotesque flower bud.
This was probably because it wasn’t fully developed.
The bud was still tightly closed, not yet in full bloom, with only an occasional drop or two of bright red liquid seeping from its tip.
But even so, the oppressive aura it emanated was still incredibly terrifying.
The Guardian of the portal to the second level of the ruins—the Thorny Giant Beast!
"ROOOOAR!!!"
The Thorny Giant Beast raised its head and let out a soul-shaking roar at the party, a sound wave sweeping over them with its bellow!
The surrounding dead trees were blown askew, and the rubble on the ground trembled and jumped.
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Marcus roared, his facial muscles tense as iron.
The Fighting Qi in his body surged wildly, and the full might of a Middle Level Warrior erupted from him!
Marcus stood like a reef against the tide, bracing himself against the Thorny Giant Beast’s furious roar.
This was a Demon that was not recorded in the "Adventurer’s Association Universal Monster Atlas."
However, based on the presence it was currently exuding and its appearance, a rough judgment could be made.
’A [Challenge] rating... at the very least, a [Challenge] rating!’
’And a very powerful one within the [Challenge] rating at that.’
’The Fog Demon was also a [Challenge] rating, but it was nothing compared to this.’
’And this Thorny Giant Beast isn’t even fully developed.’
’If it were to reach its perfect form, with the flower bud on its head fully bloomed...’
’It might even surpass the [Challenge] rating and reach the next tier: [Cruelty]!’
Zelir had only ever encountered one [Cruelty]-rated Demon.
The Abyssal Evil Vine, which had taken three of his mentors working together to destroy!
Zelir’s robes danced in the gale.
Facing such a powerful enemy, he felt no fear. In fact, his expression was one of excitement.
His will to fight was soaring!
’The greater the risk, the greater the reward.’
’The experience from taking down this Thorny Giant Beast will definitely be enough for me to gain two or three levels.’
’I’ll use it as a stepping stone to break through my Spirit Threshold!’
Several rays of light shot from the tip of the Night Peace Staff, sinking into each of his teammates.
Zelir’s reaction was incredibly fast.
Even before the Thorny Giant Beast had fully broken out of its cocoon, he had already begun to trace the Spell Structures for various Empowerment Magic techniques.
He first cast a Spring Resonance gain on himself to increase his Casting Speed.
Then...
Marcus received the Swift Blessing and Indestructible Body gains.
Gray received the Swift Blessing and Gift of Barbaric Strength gains.
Hill received the Swift Blessing and Gift of Barbaric Strength gains.
Valles received the Swift Blessing gain.
After casting eight Empowerment Magic spells in one go, Zelir’s Blue Bar drained with a sudden RUSH, leaving only about half.
Without any hesitation, he pulled a Source Energy Crystal Stone from his Storage Pouch, held it in his hand, and began to refill his magic.
"Whoa... So this is Beneficial Magic?"
Hill stood in the wind, her graceful figure swaying, her hood having already been blown off.
She felt the sudden surge in her physical abilities and a curious expression appeared on her face.
’This feeling... I’ve never experienced anything like it!’
’Zelir really isn’t half bad...’
The members of the party had excellent teamwork.
Valles immediately put distance between themself and Zelir, searching for another suitable position.
The two main damage dealers absolutely could not stand together when facing a powerful enemy.
Otherwise, they could get wiped out in one fell swoop.
Gray began to move toward the Thorny Giant Beast’s flank and rear.
Hill’s figure was like a phantom, also flashing around at high speed.
She was looking for a weak point on the Thorny Giant Beast, waiting for a chance to strike.
Marcus gripped the handle of his Shield, his expression grave as if facing a great enemy.
He was the team’s first line of defense!
After its roar, the Thorny Giant Beast charged forward on all fours, shaking the earth!
THUD THUD THUD THUD...!
Marcus didn’t even need to use a Fighting Qi taunt; the Thorny Giant Beast locked onto him as its target immediately.
Its incubation process had been forcefully interrupted, and it was furious.
The Thorny Giant Beast wanted only to annihilate every last human here!
’And I’ll start with the one at the very front!’