NB: The technique demonstrated in the
third stage can only be used because the
specialists are at the 3rd stage of
Crimson Rot (Rotwalker). Further
explanation will be provided upon the
MC's admission to the academy.
*****
Current Crimson Rot stages.
First stage: The Infested
Second stage: The Blight
Third stage: The Rotwalker
*****
Rafe clenches his hands around his
daggers, releasing his water aura from
his body.
"Water aura: Aqua surge, Riptide
Velocity." A midsized mana circle
beneath his feet, drawing in the water
aura. It flowed seamlessly around his
body, creating a continuous stream that
drastically reduced air resistance and
friction.
Allowing him to move at incredible
speeds, akin to a fast-moving riptide. He
dashed towards Larry, who was also on
the move.
Larry swings his shield, pushing through
the air. "Crimson Rot: Heavily shield (3rd
stage)."Dark fluid flows from his right
hand sleeve, wrapping around the shield,
increasing its weight. He swings his
shield at Rafe but realises he only struck
an afterimage created by the rapid
movement.
Rafe instantly appeared in the air behind
Larry, aiming for his neck. But just as
he's about to strike, an arrow coated with
contaminated fluid shoots towards him,
forcing him to retreat his attack.
Ben (Rotwalker) shoots another arrow
coated with contaminated fluid at Rafe,
who's still regaining his balance after a
hasty retreat. Before the arrow reached
Rafe, Gumi, an archer from Maximus's
crew, fired an arrow, deflecting the
contaminated fluid.
Rafe decided to weaken their long-range
combatant, hoping to bring advantage to
their side, but it's too late. Larry arcs his
shield, enhanced with contaminated
fluid, through the air at Rafe. Rafe,
unable to cast his velocity spell in time,
forced him to block the attack with his
dagger to avoid contamination, the
impact flinging him away with an
immense force.
Ben nocked an arrow to his bow, aiming
in Drake's direction. "Crimson Rot:
Multiple Quiver." Dark fluid flows from his
body, wrapping around the arrow. He
releases the arrow into the air, sending it
hurtling towards Drake and the other
crew members positions. Gumi nocked
his arrow to deflect it again, but suddenly,
in the midair, the fluid around Ben's
arrow launched itself, forming multiple
dark fluid droplets in the midair that
transformed into several arrows moving
towards Gumi and the others at an
incredible speed.
They're all cut off guard; even Maximus,
engaging in a battle with Sam, gets
distracted. As the arrows are about to
pierce them. This is the time for Drake to
shine." Water aura: Aqua shield (1
circle). He creates a water barrier,
bringing down the arrows. Drake
continues to maintain the shield.
"You don't need to get distracted.
Everything is okay." Drake called out to
Maximus and encouraged him to focus.
Rafe stumbled back to his feet,
continued his fight with Larry, Binter
(Rotwalker), who was once an Arcane
Amplifier before contamination,
slammed the bottom of his staff against
the ground, and released dark fluid that
flows towards their Crimson Rot
underlings (infested stage).
The fluid penetrates their decayed body,
temporarily granting them the power of
the Blight stage. Binter directed the
empowered horde towards Drake and
the other members, who are hiding
within the water barrier.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the
battlefield. Maximus grabbed his spear
with both hands, charging towards Sam.
"Ice Aura: Ice Spear Barrage." A mana
circle blossomed at the spear's butt; his
water aura materialized around his spear.
Multiple ice spears formed and lunched
simultaneously. Sam raised his colossal
sword.
"Crimson Rot: Blade Fluid (3rd stage)."
Several fluid swords materialized around
the main sword, mimicking its
movements, with a slight delay. With the
aid of these fluid swords, Sam deflected
all the ice spears.
"What? How is that possible? He only
has one hand yet deflected all the fifteen
ice spears easily." Maximus muttered in
disbelief. Sam leaps into the air with
incredible force, which made Maximus
faintly lose track of him.
"Crimson Rot: Amplified sword." He
transferred most of the dark fluid to the
upper tip of his blade, releasing rotten
waves that amplified the impact. Sam
cleaved through the air, leaving no traces
of resistance, aiming for Maximus.
Maximum barely managed to leap back,
avoiding brunt of the impact, but a
gaping hole was carved into the ground
where he stood.
Sam darts towards him, not giving him
time to cast his aura spell. He swings his
sword, aiming for Maximus's chest. To
avoid the attack, Maximus leaped on a
branch of a nearby tree.
Maximus inverted towards Sam.
"Ice aura: Frosted spear (2 circles)". A
mana circle materialized at the spear's
base and infused it with cold energy.
Frosty mist surrounded the Spear,
capable of freezing.
He thrust his spear continuously at Sam,
who deflected each strike with the dark
fluid swirling around his sword; the fluid
frozen upon impact, but Sam replaced it
with more.
Back in the water barrier. Drake,
sweating profusely, his body nubbed,
and his head tingling.
"What's happening....." He collapsed
before he could finish his words, and the
barrier automatically dissipated.
******
(There is a human saying when they are
approaching deaths: Had I known...
A Crimson Rot creeped towards the
slumbering Drake, its tendrils reaching
out. Just as it's about to touch him, a
fiery explosion eruptes, engulfing the
Crimson Rot around Drake in a searing
blaze. The sudden inferno forced
everyone to halt, stunned by the
unexpected turn of the incident.
Their eyes swiveled to the tree where
Maximus had inverted instinctively.Their
bodies trembled, sweat beaded from
their foreheads as they caught sight of
the figure responsible for the explosion.
A lady, standing on the tree branch. She
has a height of 4.7 feet, with long
crimson hair cascading down her back,
marching her sparking crimson pupils.
She wore a flowing crimson-red gown
that accentuated her 42DD bust.
Her hands rested on her hips and frowns
etched on her face.
"Ahyoooo, humans, they can never do
things properly without us interfering.
Weaklings: we always remain weak."