Tereza holds up the gem from the fallen Acromantula, showing it to the group.
[Gem of Corruption]
World: Fantasy Realm / Harry Potter / Wizarding World
Quality: White
Effect: Ingesting it will permanently corrupt your body.
Note: Can’t be taken out of this world
Note: Proof of subjugation
“Looks like we could show this to Hagrid or maybe the Centaurs too. Might get us contribution points or sothing else,” Alex guesses.
“Tereza, these Acromantulas are probably everywhere. They can ambush lonely players or suppress anyone trying to enter the forest from above. I feel like they’re the key to getting rid of the corruption, probably weakening the wall of the web if we kill enough of them,” Rishi cautions her.
Tereza looks slightly scared, clearly uneasy at the thought of being ambushed by a swarm of Acromantulas while flying above the forest. “Fine, I’ll stay grounded for now!” she says.
“These gems must be what’s making them so huge—probably forcefully pushing their bodies to their genetic limits. This thing looks more like a damn sub-boss from Hogwarts Legacy rather than the tiny Acromantulas in the movies,” Alex notes.
“Good guess. Let’s move on. And Alex, if you still have so AURA left, keep scanning. We’ll take down as many as we can. If my guess is right, every single kill ans another [Gem of Corruption], along with weakening the forest’s corruption.
“Also, with the three of us working together, a single Acromantula won’t be an issue at all.
Let’s just hope they’re as stupid as video ga enemies and always travel alone. If ten of them attack together…
The group slowly advances through the forest, battling one Acromantula after another.
Each fight follows the sa strategy:
Alex spots them using Gyo.
Tereza transforms into bat form and drags them down from the treetops.
Rishi bombards them with spells.
Alex either supports with spells, his gun, or, against larger, more dangerous Acromantulas, goes in for the kill with Fire Sword lvl 4 and Ko.
“Fire lvl 4!” Alex shouts loudly and casts another fire spell onto the relatively small Acromantula in front of him.
Even though he used to cringe at characters yelling out spells and attacks, he now understands the benefits. Calling them out draws the enemy’s attention and keeps his team inford.
Nimbus Cloak effect activates - Increasing Evasion by 5%, and Movent speed by 40%
You have dealt 46 damage to Acromantula
You have killed Acromantula
“46 damage,” he announces, breathing a little heavier. His MP is nearly depleted, his AURA also drained, but thanks to their flawless teamwork, not a single point of HP lost. Every kill is clean, every strike precise.
Alex Kerber: Lvl 4
HP: 252/252, MP: 34/212 AURA: 87/192
Alex considers using [Superior Dish: (Energizing Shake)], but hesitates. The item is worth at least 3,000 to 5,000 FC on the market.
We have months of ti! I’d rather save these for ergencies instead of wasting them on trash mobs. My MP will naturally recover in a few hours. What kind of idiot burns 5,000 FC just to save a little waiting ti? That would be wasteful and stupid, I’m not playing a video ga and need to go to work tomorrow.
“Okay, so that more or less confirms it. Even the smaller ones have at least 200 HP. The bigger ones? At least 300,” Rishi says as Alex violently rips his fifth [Gem of Corruption] from the Acromantula corpse before stuffing the beast's entire body into his inventory.
“I don’t know if farming these things just for the gems is worth it. We haven’t gotten a single chest from them. I’d rather hunt other creatures if it ans better loot. Maybe their bodies are worth sothing, at least. I rember reading that their poison sells for a lot,” Alex says.
Afterward, he adds, “My MP is getting low anyway. We should find a safe spot and take a break; otherwise, I’ll have to rely on my gun only or restore my MP.”
“Mine’s almost gone too,” Rishi says. “A break it is. Save those MP-recovering items, I don’t see how using them in this situation is worth it. If possible I’d like to keep this up for a few days,”
Alex smiles at Rishi’s response. For once, our thoughts are completely identical… besides the fact that he wants to hunt these creepy things for days… but I guess we’ll have to do it.
As Alex complains about the lack of chests and the creepy appearance of the Acromantulas, the group continues moving, aiming for a clearing in the distance, but Alex suddenly jumps back as an arrow lands right in front of him.
The group imdiately looks ahead and spots a dozen n with half-horse, half-human bodies standing before them. Centaurs!
“Why do these morons shoot as a greeting?” Alex wonders aloud.
“Humans!! You are trespassing on our sacred grounds! You deserve death for this cri!” a huge Centaur shouts at them.
What a moron. I recognize that ugly mug, that’s fucking Magorian, the leader of the Centaur tribe. Damn, I’d hoped they’d be a neutral faction and could help us while we’re here… Looks like we either have to run or fight them outright.
Alex glances at Tereza, who just shrugs, and Rishi, who seems deep in thought—probably analyzing the best course of action while intently staring at Magorian.
“Stop this now, Magorian! You are not our leader yet! This decision is not yours to make!” Another Centaur steps forward, looking more like a scholar than a warrior.
“Firenze! I am the son of Magor, and my respected father is no longer in any condition to lead us into battle. I will be the leader soon enough! You better respect , or I’ll declare you a traitor for siding with these foul humans!” Magorian snaps.
Nice. That fool isn’t the leader yet, so we still have hope.
Alex studies the Centaurs. A few stand with Magorian, but the majority seem to be silently backing Firenze.
His [Commander Shepard’s Dog Tag] is ready to activate, but Alex keeps it under control thanks to his calm state of mind and the ditation technique he’s currently mastering. He carefully contemplates the best course of action—and then activates it.
But this ti, sothing unique happens.
For the first ti, Alex fully controls the item’s power, unlocking a new path. The item flashes twice, once red, once blue, indicating a balance between the two approaches.
Without hesitation, Alex takes out all his five [Gem of Corruption], his three [Essence of Corruption], and his [Quintessence of Corruption].
The items emit a terrifying aura, imdiately unsettling the Centaurs. So flinch, others instinctively take a step back.
Then, in a calm but loud voice, Alex declares:
“We have cleansed a nest with thousands of corrupted spiders. We have taken down strong wolves. And we have slain more than a dozen corrupted Acromantulas.
“You… Centaurs, wielding primitive bows. We respect and honor you. But if you take even a single hostile action against us… we will defend ourselves. And the outco couldn’t be clearer.”
As Alex’s voice echoes through the forest, he unleashes his Aura—pouring out as much of it as possible toward the Centaurs.
The effect is imdiate.
So of them instinctively walk backward. Others tremble. Even Magorian stares at Alex with fear in his eyes.
Alex voice then softens a bit as he speaks again:
“However, we can also offer to leave. We respect you, Centaurs. We know you are the rightful owners of the forest, and we are not claiming otherwise. But this forest borders a school full of children. It is our job to protect these children from the corruption that threatens us all.”
“We sought you out for your wisdom, hoping to co to an agreent, not just to avoid bloodshed, but to form a temporary alliance. After that, we will gladly leave your realm forever,” Alex says earnestly, even bowing his head.
As Alex delivers his seemingly simple yet effective carrot-and-stick approach, the Centaurs, unfamiliar with the humans before them, shocked, frightened, and even impressed—look completely puzzled. Now, every single Centaur ignores Magorian and turns to Firenze for guidance.
Firenze steps forward, bows slightly like Alex did, and greets them. “Humans, enemies of the corruption, I welco you and sincerely invite you into our ho.”
He then turns to the other Centaurs. “I have foreseen the arrival of mighty warriors who would aid us against the corruption. I told you all this months ago, yet no one took seriously as the corruption slowly spread. Now, you have undeniable proof of my vision standing before you.”
“We are inviting them into our camp. Our mighty leader will make the final decision.”
Looking back at Alex, Tereza, and Rishi, he adds, “Of course, humans, I guarantee your safety. At worst, you will simply be escorted out of the forest. You can trust ,” Firenze says in a calm, assuring voice.
Alex glances at his group. They all nod at each other, seemingly in agreent.
As they follow the Centaurs, Tereza leans in and whispers in Alex’s ear, “This ti, you didn’t lose control, did you? That was so hot. You are using that Dog Tag on tonight. I’m getting addicted to seeing you like this. I wanna know how it feels when you use it during…”
Rishi shakes his head, and Alex quickly covers her mouth with his hand, so the Centaurs don’t hear it. “I’m getting the feeling the most corrupted being is walking right next to us,” he mutters.
Rishi’s expression suddenly shifts. “So you noticed it too? Impressive! Keep quiet, about it, please. I want to confirm a few things before we take action. Leave it to ,” he says.
What?? What is he talking about? I was only joking…
Tereza looks at Rishi with skepticism, fully aware that Alex was just making a joke about her.
As they reach the Centaur village, more of a small to dium-sized camp with primitive tents, pelts, furs, and crude carvings on the trees, a few Centaurs walk behind the group. Alex decides to stay quiet for now, choosing to trust Rishi.
User Comments
0 comments from readers