101-102

Hefting the heavy steel dagger in my hands, I stared at the cluster of chittering Lava Goblins with narrowed eyes.

How should I go about this..?

At least half needed to die in front of me, as I needed to test the lethality of not only my new fighting style but also the dagger.

Though the main reason was so I could see and hear these disgusting monsters final moments up close and personal, to alleviate the twisted desires inside of me.

However, I was also rather curious on how my ice magic, especially now that I had a better understanding of it, would affect these Goblins.

Pair that understanding with a better control over my mana in general, and I had an itching curiosity on how the ice would snuff the light in the Goblins beady eyes.

Nodding to myself, I activated a basic Wind Cloak to increase my speed before rushing forwards, enjoying the way the Goblins shrieked due to my speed.

Their encampments were rather impressive for such a barren plains; they used chunks of stones as walls, various broken weapons and armor from adventurers to fortify those walls, as well as some broken spears and cloth to create tents.

The short, thin, and red skinned Goblins gathered up their own weapons and moved out of the encampment, wanting to meet me on the open terrain of the plains.

This tribe consisted of over a dozen and a half Goblins, and with a swift glance towards the other two encampments I noticed that they were using this tribe as a way to gauge my strenght.

Chuckling, I raised my dagger and sped up, making the Goblins shriek in fear as I appeared before them, catching them unprepared.

The first to fall to my blade didn't even have a chance to squeal as I sunk the dagger deep into its skull, killing it instantly.

Nodding to myself, I marveled at how the increase in weight allowed such an easy and quick penetration of the Goblins skull; they may be weak, but to sink a blade to its hilt from the crown of the skull all the way into the monsters throat was rather impressive.

Pulling the blade from the unlucky Goblins skull, my heart raced as I saw the arc of that beautiful scarlet liquid, which was joined by small shards of white bone and chunks of pink brain matter.

The other Goblins fell silent as they watched their companion die that quickly, while I admired how its blood splattered to the cavern flood, creating a pool that shone in the flickering light of lava and glimmering Fire Crystals on the roof.

Listening to the body thunk to the ground, I grinned as I stared over the remaining Goblins, my heart racing as I received that first rush of adrenaline.

Gazing at the corpse of their fallen companion, the other Goblins remained silent for another moment before letting out shrieks, readying their swords, axes, and spears before charging towards me, their beady eyes shining with hatred, which outweighed their fear.

For now, anyways.

Flicking the blood off the heavy steel dagger, I cast a quick glance onto the wondrous arc of blood it created before smirking at the charging tribe.

Readying my dagger, I decided to try at least this one spell; tracing the runes into the air, my grin widened as the long sequence of runes flared, signifying the completion of my spell.

Although it was a long, complicated sequence, this spell required little of my mana, and what it used…

Feeling the air around me grow colder, I grinned as the Goblins continued their charge, unaware of just how brutal their deaths will become.

Small patches of frost appeared on the ground around me, while the temperature continued to plummet around me.

Frost started to coat my dagger, and when the air become almost frozen around us, the Goblins stopped their charge, the fear returning to their eyes at this unexpected, and unprecedented, change.

Due to my skill [Chione's Blessing (Novice)], I was getting my mana back faster than before, and when [Mana Control (Expert)] was taken into account on top of that…

Well, that meant that the mana used on the spell was lesser than before, and I regained some of what is used due to the area around me being classified as a 'Colder Area'…

And with the increase in frost forming around me…

Before the Goblins could attempt to either rally or retreat, I traced another sequence of runes, using those patches of frost as a base for my spells.

Spikes rose from them, skewering the poor Lava Goblins that stood near any frost, making them shriek in agony as they were first impaled, and then frozen from the inside out.

i𝒏𝐧𝘳𝑒а𝘥.𝐜o𝓶

Those impaled by the spikes had their skin slowly turn blue as my skill [Frost of Despoina (Novice)] took effect, amplifying the freezing effect of my ice magic.

As for the few that weren't currently turning into popsicles…

Putting a little more mana into my Wind Cloak, I launched myself towards them, my dagger rising and falling as I stabbed, slashed, and punched the Goblins, enjoying the spraying of blood as it splattered against my skin, the ground, and the other Goblins.

However, even as I slit ones throat, tore open another's stomach, and stabbed the third in the eye, I found myself growing curious about something.

Just how potent was my healing magic?

Could it replace the blood the Goblins had lost?

Or maybe speed up the recovery and creation of their blood…

What about regrowing a finger? A limb?

Was that possible, or was I only able to clot and cover a severe wound like that in a fresh layer of flesh?

With that thought on my mind, I stared at the remaining Goblin, who was currently shivering as it stared at the carnage around us.

The frozen ground was slick with fresh blood, some of which was freezing over as well.

A dozen corpses littered the ground, various wounds on their bodies, each one placed on a vital artery to inflict both maximum damage and pain.

There were also a few Goblins still standing, however, they were undoubtedly dead, with a long, jagged spike sticking out from their torsos.

Approaching the remaining Goblin, I glanced over my shoulder and said "You can all go clear the other two camps out; I have something I want to try with this one…"

Jahi and the others gave me dry looks as they took in the area around me, before Jahi just sighed and walked away, spinning her sword in her hand.

She was using the steel blade currently, and her custom silver and gold blade was on her back, just in case we encountered something serious.

Anput and Leone gave me a quick look before following the Demoness, curiosity in their eyes as they walked away as well.

The Goblin was trembling, tears streaming from its eyes as I approached it.

Giving it a warm smile, I giggled as I crouched in front of it, whispering "Hey little guy~! I need your help with something, so be good, alright~?"

It tried to crawl away from me, its taloned hands clacking against the frozen ground in desperation.

However, I just tutted my tongue, binding its limbs with ice shackles.

"Come on now little guy~ I asked nicely, didn't I~?"

Bringing the blood soaked blade up, I admired the way the thick red liquid dripped off the pale steel, my eyes going back to the Goblins.

Fear permeated its gaze, which sent a jolt of pleasure up my spine.

Oh how I loved that look~!

Crouching before it again, I gently placed the dagger on its arm, before dragging the blade across its red flesh.

Cutting a shallow line across its arm, I giggled at how it flinched as the cold blade pressed into its flesh.

Removing the blade, I pressed my hand against the wound, my palm shimmered a deep blue as the runes for a healing spell appeared.

Tracing my finger across the thin cut, I watched as it closed up, leaving only the blood from the wound as evidence of what had happened.

Pursing my lips, I placed my dagger back on the Goblins arm and cut a deeper wound, making the Goblin shriek in agony.

"Come on now, it's not that bad~! Just a tiny scratch… stop being such a baby!"

Chuckling at how it shivered from my warm voice, I healed that wound as well, before shifting my attention to something else.

I knew that my healing could close such trivial cuts and scrapes, but I was curious…

Stabbing the dagger into the ground beside me, I grabbed one of the Goblins fingers, which made its eyes go wide.

"Sorry in advance~ This isn't just a tiny scratch anymore~!"

Giggling, I snapped the bone in two, causing the Lava Goblin to let out a scream of pain, its body convulsing as it went through that searing sensation of breaking a bone.

Staring at its now crooked finger, I pursed my lips as I stared at it, admiring how the finger swelled slightly in the next few moments.

Grinning, I traced the healing spell runes again and healed the broken bone, listening to the sound of it resetting in just a few seconds, making the Goblin shriek again.

However, even as painful as it sounded, the finger was back to functioning; I even moved the appendage a few times to guarantee that.

"Oh, I'm going to have SO much fun with you~!"

—

Alright, no longer incredibly sick like yesterday, but I just want to rest a little, so just one chapter again today.

However, I will try to at least update one or two of my other books, so look forward to that!

Also, how do you all like this darker version of Kat? Just a little curious if people like or dislike her.

This'll be a short one, and it's only happening because I realized all my others novels are either 1) smut books or 2) on a smut chapter, so…

Since I'm writing while watching the football games with family, I can't really start writing smut while in the same room…

So yeah, happy second chapter to today, even if it's a shorter one lol~

—

"Oh I'm going to have SO much fun with you~!"

The Goblins beady eyes were shaking as it stared at me, it's high pitched chittering making my heart race with euphoric glee.

My warm, gentle smile dropped for a second, and was replaced by something more twisted.

Seeing that, the Goblin desperately tried to escape from the ice shackles, squealing in horror as I tilted my head.

"Aw~ Come now Mister Goblin~! I need your help; why're you so scared? It's not like I'm going to…"

Grabbing the Goblins wrist, I snapped the thin bone with ease, relishing in the agonized scream that escaped its thin lips.

"Torture you or anything~! I'm just healing you from all these… unfortunate accidents that keep happening to you~! You should be grateful!"

My smile returned to its previous warmth, and I gently laid my hand on its now shattered wrist.

The cracking of the bones as they were mended back together was loud, and with each snap the Goblin shrieked, only to fall silent as it passed out.

However, much to its horror, I woke it back up soon after, wanting to be… rewarded for my 'good deeds'.

Sweat coated the red skinned Goblins body, and I could smell the stench from it body, making me crinkle my nose in disgust.

Washing the thing off quickly, I nodded at its clean appearance, before looking over its body, wondering where the next 'accident' would occur.

I could heal broken bones, shattered bones, cuts and scrapes…

What else could I heal?

Would a punctured organ be the next step up in wounds?

Pursing my lips, I wondered if a Goblins anatomy was similar to a normal human…

Before frowning as I wondered if my organs were similar to a normal human; I think they are…

But what about other races, like Lamias?

My frown deepened, before I just shrugged; I'd learn eventually…

Starting with my first, extremely willing volunteer, Mister Goblin!

Taking up my dagger, I placed the tip against its chest, before slowly sinking the blade into the monsters flesh.

As the steel blade cut into its flesh, the Goblin let out shrill screams, shuddering as it grew closer to death.

Gauging the depth of the blade, as well as noticing the Goblin cough out a little blood, I took that as a sign that it had a punctured lung.

I couldn't be sure; not yet, but when I healed it I could tell 'what' I had healed, so I would know in a few moments…

Removing the dagger, I was transfixed by the gushing blood that seeped from the wound, remaining motionless as I watched the pool of blood that formed below the Goblins body.

Licking my lips, I felt a rush of pleasure flood my body at that sight, before jolting back 'awake' as the Goblin started convulsing.

"Nuh-uh~! Not yet…"

Placing my hands on the Goblins wounds, I let my mana pour into the Goblins wounded body, stimulating the growth and healing of the flesh it touched.

I also felt my mana enter the Goblins lung, draining the blood from its interior before closing the slitted tissues.

Grinning slightly, I then watched as the entry wound was healed as well, but…

Tapping the Goblins unconscious face, I frowned in annoyance as I realized that I was, apparently, incapable of replacing, or stimulating the growth of, blood, meaning the Goblin was suffering from the effects of blood loss…

And mental trauma…

Sighing, my frown deepened further as the Goblin remained unresponsive after being slapped twice.

"Well… fine… guess I'll continue on alone…"

Annoyed that I was now deprived of the wondrous sound of the Goblins tortured screams, I set about to more experiments, like…

Slicing off large chunks of flesh, which let me know that I was capable of, with enough mana, regrowing missing flesh.

However, it was only flesh; when I removed a finger, skin grew over the exposed muscle and bone, meaning that, as of now, I was incapable of regrowing limbs.

Out of curiosity, I removed one of the Goblins fangs, which let me know that I was potentially close to being able to regrow bone, as the fang grew back.

The same occurred when I removed a claw, wondering if I could regrow those as well.

I could.

Besides that, I then tried the same thing with an ear, which was a partial success; the entire thing didn't grow back, but after a cursory scan I was able to determine everything it needed to hear was in place.

Then I tried to regrow an eye, but sadly I was also incapable of that, meaning Mister Goblin was down a finger and eyeball.

Flicking the fleshy orb away, I began my work anew; this time, I wanted quantity of wounds over the quality of them.

Scoring multiple deep gashes on the Goblins body, I then broke a few fingers and toes, and tore out another claw.

Laying before me was a horrifying looking 'corpse', though the rapid rising and falling of its chest and the beating of its heart belied that idea.

Tracing the runes for my healing spell again, I watched as most of the cuts closed up, however only a few of the bones mended back together, and the claw grew halfway back to normal.

Frowning, I poured a little more mana into the spell, watching in fascination as everything grew back and snapped into place.

However, moments later the Goblins heart stopped, likely from the combination of repeated trauma, blood loss, and more…

Sighing, I stared over the Goblins corpse before clasping my hands together in mock prayer, muttering "Thank you for your help Mister Goblin… may your soul rest in pieces…"

Getting up, I then turned my attention to the system notification, letting me know that a skill had advanced.

[Skill: [Healing (Adept)] -> [Healing (Expert]]

[[Healing (Expert): Healing Spells are much more potent, and require less mana; additionally, when (1/3rd) of Hosts total mana is pooled into a single healing spell, there is a chance for a full recovery]

Reading the [Healing (Expert)] skills new additional perk, which made me rather excited.

Now I was tempted to attempt this on a new, completely willing subject…

"You done Kat? Huh… seems more… whole than I thought it'd be…"

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Jahi and the others walking back, their bodies speckled with splotches of blood.

Leone was panting, Jahi's extra sword in her hand.

However, when they saw my normally pale skin stained crimson, they all blinked before shrugging.

"What? I just wanted to practice my healing…"

"By torturing a Goblin?"

Hearing Jahi's exasperated tone, I chuckled before asking "Would you prefer I go hunting for a mortal?"

The Demoness sighed as she shook her head, before gesturing towards the expansive plains around us.

"Come on Murder Puppy… we got some Coal Serpents to hunt."

—

I want Kat's power ups to be exponential, meaning that, for now, while she is 'strong', she isn't OP MC 'will utterly decimate the world with a sneeze' strong.

Which is why things like the [Healer] skill will continue to grow more and more broken…

Resurrection anyone?

Blanket healing an entire Empire perhaps?

Sounds rather fun, no?

Anyways, yeah, that'd be a long, long ways away, but for now, we have a lovable, blood soaked puppy who is just that; a 'puppy' compared to the Demoness and mysterious Empress…

—