Limits
"The essence of the Limestone Armor you consumed retained distinct properties that originally defined it. A small portion of those properties now dwells within your individuality. Focus on that and additional information should be provided." Doing as Ember directed I called upon my individuality and focused on the Essence of Limestone armor.
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[PASSIVE]
Aurora's Inheritance LV: 1 (Mastery 0.1/100.0)
-Essence of Limestone Armor 10.0/100.0
—Created to guard the crystalline castle, denying entry to all trespassers. Manufactured with basic mastery of weaponry and imbued with high defense against physical and magical attacks.
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Expecting some more substantial information of some kind I shook my head dejectedly and focused my attention on the Limestone armor standing closest to me on the right side of the hallway. It was built slightly leaner than the previous armor almost feminine in appearance and held a dagger in each of its gauntlets. Cracking my knuckles and neck I stepped forward revealing my daggers as well. I looked down at the flames dancing in the reflection of their blades as I reminisced about everything that transpired, leading me to hold these daggers. By the time the Limestone Armor had its weapons at the ready, the demonic energy was already flowing through my body and weapons. I'll use this one to test what my current limits are when using essence, demonic energy, and my skills.
Lowering my center of gravity I matched the stance of the Limestone Armor. It dashed towards me attempting to pierce my skull but I barely dodged it leaving a trickle of blood flowing down my cheek instead. My heart pounded as I retaliated with a right diagonal slash that was easily countered. The battle erupted in a flurry of slashes, stabs, and sword lights that sent shadows dancing around the hallway. I was gradually getting better at handling the daggers after exchanging numerous blows and at this point, in the fight, it didn't feel like I could win. The Limestone Armor wasn't faring any better as it was incapable of delivering a finishing blow. After blocking a dual downward strike, I broke away, creating enough distance to cause the Limestone Armor to return to its previous statue-like poster.
Calling upon my individuality I noticed that there was 15.0/50.0 demonic energy remaining. I noted that It might be possible more energy was burnt than in the previous fight due to the use of 2 weapons. I stopped circulating demonic energy and began to focus on the essence core instead. A cool embrace seemed to wash over me as strength poured out of the core and spread out the veins in my body. While using demonic energy it felt like I was an incomparable entity that could destroy anything in its path. It felt exhilarating and I was beginning to enjoy using it in combat. When using essence, however, a wave of cold serenity crashed into me and time seemed to slow down as I watched the flames on the wax candle now wave lethargically.
Suddenly everything went back to normal and a sharp pain gripped my chest. Rough gasps of air escaped my lungs as I tried to figure out the origin of the pain. When the pain subsided and I wasn't hyperventilating Ember began to speak. "Your body could not inherently contain the essence or make use of it. At your current level, you can maintain its use for 5 Essence per second and the rebound will be harsher if you move. You should feel honored, it took my master ages to comprehend the existence of essence and its uses. You will likely be hunted down as well if you reveal it to others."
I sat down and began to focus on recovering before moving on to face the Limestone Armor once more. Essence is too dangerous to use so for now I'll have to go all out with my demonic energy and demon's rage. Focusing on my dantian the demonic energy began to swell, immersing my body and daggers. My blood began to boil as I dashed toward the armor with a left diagonal slash that was easily blocked. This, however, was calculated as I activated the demon's rage right before impact.
Due to the sudden increase in strength, the dagger was knocked out of the Limestone Armor's gauntlet. Continuing the assault I swung down with my right dagger which was blocked successfully this time but left the armor wide open. As our blades collided, my left fist smashed into the unguarded rib cage of the armor. The armor stumbled, allowing me to take the opportunity to tackle it down to the ground and straddle it. I began to rain down a barrage of fists, causing the ground beneath us to crack as dust and dirt scattered into the air.
As the dust cloud cleared, in its place could be seen the indented remains of what used to be a suit of lustrous armor fused into the hallway floor. This fight was easier than the last in some ways but it still took almost everything I had to bring down the impregnable armor.
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Limestone Armor Defeated
10+ exp
Essence detected within Limestone Armor corpse.
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I looked down and could see those beautiful monochromatic lights floating lazily above what remained of the armor's torso.
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Consume Essence?
YES NO
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I focused on the yes and the radiant lights shot into my chest, propelling explosions of relief through my system.
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+10.0 Essence
+0.10 Mastery
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It looks like for each Limestone Armor I defeat I will receive 10 exp, 10 essences, and +0.10 mastery. The essence is quite powerful but with such a severe rebound it makes me wonder if It is worth it to invest more into the essence core despite that. I groaned a sigh knowing that I will have to use it in combat to even determine if it is worth the risk or not. My gaze swept across what remained of the exquisite castle hallway and the eighteen Limestone Armors. Before I make it back to the village I'll make sure I have the strength to make those men pay!