I wanted to both explore and potentially set up so traps; however, there was one big issue—Sylvain. I thought of leaving a prid body double behind, but as soon as anyone interacted with it, I'd be exposed.
Once again, I desperately wished my [Sub-Cores] could overco the sli connection limitation, but that didn't an I was entirely without options.
It's a good thing my seafood diet has given plenty of sli mass to work with!
I withdrew sli and coated the entire floor with a thin layer of it that shifted to mimic the stone. After that, I began making an exploratory tunnel with acidic tendrils, even gaining an addition to my [Stone] profile called abyssal stone, which I used to improve my disguised sli layer even further.
Even this rock, which the system described as having epic durability, was nothing before the might of my level seventeen [Acid Sli]!
I still haven't found out what upgrade it's gotten from rging into [Primordial Sli]. With the others, it was relatively obvious to discover.
Of course, I covered my hole with a cork of sli, disguised as the very rock I'd eaten, and began spreading out underground like a growing fungus. Every [Sub-Core] ca with underground, except for Alpha, whom I left behind to manage Sylvain in cooperation with [Roleplay].
This was the closest I could co to being in two places at once, as the slimy floor kept Alpha in contact with . As long as nobody asked Sylvain to jump, he would always have at least one foot on the ground.
Whenever my control of my sli got weaker, I would leave behind a [Sub-Core] to act as a relay point and maintain sufficient control over all my sli. This way, I could create a daisy chain, extending my range far beyond what would typically be possible!
I also ensured that I was deep enough to avoid potential detection, which ant that unless the rn had [Tremor Sense] or [Spatial Sense], they'd never find . Considering they swam everywhere, [Tremor Sense] was out, and I highly doubted they had a Riftmancer lying around, so I was confident in my infiltration.
Let's see… How do I want to go about this? I can leave bombs all around, and as long as I get a few monts to myself, I can renew their prid ti. I probably want to do as much damage as possible… Wait! Isn't this the perfect opportunity for my spell orbs to shine!?
Vee wasn't around to be a negative Nancy, and since regular spells seed ineffectual, magical bombs seed like the obvious solution. I ordered my storage workforce to get on it and start creating the orichalcum sli spheres of doom.
As soon as one was complete, I'd place it in a location and store one of my highest-level spells in it, with one exception—I avoided [Dinsion Magic].
Who knows what would happen with exploding [Rift Doors]? Even I might not survive such a catastrophe!
At the sa ti, I was also looking for targets, trying to find lone rn in their hos to ambush, as there were five new profiles ripe for the picking. If the rn didn't have [Enchanted Fins], then it likely didn't exist!
Biding my ti, I lurked underneath Azulean, and soon found a lone rn on the outskirts. I cycled through various senses to confirm there were no potential witnesses, and then I slowly erged. I was concerned about breaking into the water area, but as long as I kept it plugged up with sli, it seed fine. Azulean's waters appeared to be at a different pressure than the deep outside of their do.
It was a lone rn knight who was doing maintenance on his spear, and he was ripe for ambushing. I slowly surrounded him with sli, and then in one foul swoop, I swelled my sli mass and engulfed him whole. I wasn't sure how quickly I could kill him, so I dragged him underground to do the dirty deed.
He tried to struggle, but my strength with [Sli Mastery] was far beyond him while he was engulfed. Not to ntion with [Acid Sli] and [Poison Sli] working together to kill him as quickly as possible. I avoided [Blaze Sli] and [Cryo Sli] for this, as I didn't want to affect the waters and have soone potentially notice .
He perished in record ti, granting a brand new profile, experience, and sli mass. I hastily covered my tracks, and once I was confird safe, I scrutinized the new profile I had gained. Sadly, he wasn't one of the rn who had the Abyssal mutation, but I had plenty of ti to collect that later.
Still, what I found delighted . Not only were there the coveted [Enchanted Fins], but also [Bipedal Shift] and [Ocean's Might]. The forr allowed them to shift their tail fin into legs, while the latter gave them a boost to their attack and defense when near the ocean, or doubled while subrged.
Hmm… Where is the spell disruption? Or human form?
I also looked through the base rn profile, but found nothing, which could only an that those were exclusive to the other types of rn.
Do they each have a unique trait or two? [Ocean's Might] is likely the unique benefit for rn knights. Well, I guess I just have to collect them all then!
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And thus began my operation, using my slimy infiltration and assassination skills to their maximum. I could have taken out more, but instead I chose to focus on collecting as many unique profiles as possible.
While what I was doing was already risky, as if a huge chunk of the rn population suddenly went missing, it would be pretty obvious. After ensuring my next target was safe, I struck again and again, racking up the benefits.
The hags had two unique traits; one was [Tide Caller], which allowed them to naturally manipulate the water around them, but it was strictly limited to ocean water and seed like an inferior version of [Hydrokinesis] even then.
Their other trait was [Ocean's Flow], which was identical in premise to [Ocean's Might] except that instead of attack and defense, it boosted Mana regeneration and spellcasting speed. If I combined this with everything else I had, and I was in the ocean, then my spells would be practically unstoppable!
Well… Assuming they aren't disrupted, which I still haven't found out how that works yet.
The peasants only had one trait, [Ocean's Bounty], and to be honest, it might have been the best one yet for . It gave a minor proficiency experience bonus to professions and their skills. If those professions were ocean-related, then those bonuses were upgraded to major.
While it was vague since I had no idea what the difference was between major and minor, I personally didn't mind, as I felt every bit of experience bonus always mattered!
There you are!
The prince also had two unique traits: [Ocean's Authority] and [Disrupting Echo]. The first one gave all nearby rn a bonus to all of their stats and attributes! Attack, defense, speed, the works, with the only restriction being that it didn't work on princes or princesses. Naturally, just like the other "Ocean's" traits, it was further boosted while underwater.
Their second trait was the source of their terrifying rumor. It disrupted nearby spells within their radius of their wail by causing their constructs to waver and unravel. The effect was not enhanced while underwater, but the radius was, which arguably made it even more ominous.
As for the Abyssal mutation, it granted a trait called [Fathomless], which improved defense in direct correlation to water depth, while also removing all adverse effects from water pressure.
This was all surprisingly rewarding, especially the evolved prince, and I even gained a level! Which was sowhat expected, considering all the work Vanessa had do beforehand.
My next race level still hadn't arrived, much to my disappointnt, but my sneaky skills did, after quite so ti of being relatively dormant.
Hmm… I'm just missing the siren profile, but those are exceedingly rare. Considering their scarcity, I might only be able to get that one last.
I looked around a bit, and while I did find a siren or two, they were in no position for to ambush them. So I gave up for now, and returned to my ho, hoping that the rn were none the wiser of my outing and the bombs I'd planted under their noses.
As for Alpha and [Roleplay], they did a great job, and nobody suspected a thing. A prince did co this ti, also asking for a "gift," and he was also given a gold bar, except this ti with an explosive surprise in the center.
I'd apologize to Vee later for giving away so of her gold today, but from tomorrow onwards, all my "gifts" would be nothing but [Nitro Sli]. Yes, tomorrow Sylvain was going to open his coffers to the rn and give them their just desserts.
And now we wait…
***
While Syl was in the abyssal depths of the ocean, Vee had returned to Volcano Isle and was quite surprised to see that her slimy friend was missing.
Vee thought nothing of it and cautiously slept the night away. In the morning, when there was still no sign of Syl, she got to work by trying to listen to so of the murmurings around the settlent.
That was where things got weird. The people who were usually so friendly and jovial were now deeply concerned, and soon she discovered that Vanessa and Sylvain had left the day before and hadn't returned.
What have you gotten yourself into, you silly sli!
Vee would have left things alone, but sothing was bugging her. Syl had gone out of the way to leave a note in a dinsional space for her last ti, but now there was nothing. The fact that the island's residents were also concerned contributed to her worries.
Okay, let's follow the bond just to be sure. Although wow, Syl's far away this ti.
Vee quickly began moving, following the vague trail that the [Companion Bond] had left her. Thankfully, [Veil Step] allowed her to move a considerable distance, and soon enough, she could sense Syl straight below her. What was also below was a large island, with a considerably sized volcano in the center.
Is Syl on that island? Wait, did that damn sli steal my job!? This island is way better than the ones I found.
Silently fuming, Vee teleported onto the island, but the bond still put Syl at a considerable distance away. Vee frowned, realizing that Syl was deep underwater.
Okay, let's refill the storage space and go diving.
Using her [Dinsion Magic], Vee opened up a large rift which violently expelled its contents. After that, she swiftly opened up another one, except this ti it created a vacuum effect and sucked up fresh air.
Let's go!
Vee first saved the coordinates of this impressive island and then promptly started using [Veil Steps] in succession. However, the deeper she went, the more she realized how far down Syl truly was. Vee began increasing the range of her teleports, but the further down she got, the worse she felt.
Eventually, Vee reached the trench, and by this point, her body was screaming at her. Despite her spider silk armor, enchanted rings, and her own relatively good fortitude, it was rapidly becoming too much for her.
Shit, I can't handle this, and Syl is even further down!
Vee briefly considered doing an all-in for a bumrush towards Syl, until her imagination caught up and put the fear of violently exploding in her head. Shuddering to herself and not wanting to go pop, Vee teleported back to the safety of the island.
Well… That didn't work, Vee sighed. Okay, I'll wait for Syl here, and since there's this fantastic island, I'll start getting to work! I'll first confirm that there are no inhabitants; otherwise, clear them out if they are hostile, and then proceed with clearing, setting up a web, and doing the usual.
ntally nodding at her plan, Vee decided to get a good lay of the land. She teleported up high and gazed out at the island waiting before her. The volcano was the most prominent landmark, so that's where she ultimately decided to go.
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