Chapter 20
Adam was thinking how screwed he was but checking his notification let him inspect it again this time for more information.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Inspect [Active] level 5
Becomes Inspect level 5
Inspect Level 5
Ability Name: Inspect
Effect:
Inspect allows the user to analyze creatures, items, or surroundings with a deep, insightful gaze. At Level 5, the ability significantly enhances the detail and depth of information provided when inspecting targets.
Passive: You can gauge the level of someone by just looking at them based on a sense of danger you receive back from this skill.
Checking out the siren again gave him some hope.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Inspecting Boss Monster: Siren of the Abyss
Creature Type: Abyssal/Water Hybrid
Level: 15
Patron: Nemain
Rarity: Legendary
HP: 4550/4550
Weaknesses:
Weak to FireWeak to Damage Over Time (DoT) Effects
Effects:
Emotional Manipulation: The Siren can influence the emotions of her target. The larger the level gap between the Siren and the target, the stronger her manipulation. If you fall for her emotional influence, she can take full control over your physical body.
The Siren of the Abyss was a towering figure, her body a nightmarish blend of sleek, aquatic grace and deadly predatory intent. Her eyes locked onto his; her eyes were darker than almost anything Adam had seen. It might have affected him more if not for his brief stay in an actual abyss. Before he could react, the Siren's voice rang out again, sharp, a melody that sliced through his thoughts like a blade. His vision blurred, and his body seemed to hesitate, a creeping numbness crawling up his spine.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
You are being affected by Emotional Manipulation.
Adam shook his head violently, forcing himself to escape her influence. It wasn't easy—something was intoxicating about her, something that made him want to surrender. But he couldn't. He wouldn't.
He summoned his [Shard of damage], the jagged crystal pulsing with raw energy. He aimed and threw it with everything he had.
The Shard cut through the air like a lightning bolt, streaking toward the Siren with terrifying speed. She turned her head, eyes widening in surprise just before the Shard struck her chest with a violent burst of power.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Damage dealt: 2700 HP.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
HP 1800/4500
Her confidence and demeanor faltered briefly, and her energy visibly cracked under the assault. But the moment was short-lived. Her eyes flared with fury as she twisted her body, and a low, guttural growl escaped her lips.
Before Adam could react, the air around him thickened once again, and her voice rang out in a commanding, otherworldly melody. Her gaze locked onto him, and he could feel the familiar pull of Emotional Manipulation wrapping around his thoughts, trying to tighten its grip.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
You are experiencing Emotional Manipulation. Resistance required.
A wave of dizziness hit him, his senses beginning to blur as her influence crept through his mind, threatening to drag him under once more. His heart hammered in his chest. He could already feel his limbs growing sluggish, his willpower slipping. The feeling was suffocating, and he would lose himself to her control if he didn't act quickly.
But Adam wasn't about to give in. He used his ring of purity, gaining his sense of self back, and decided he would wait for her to think he was still under her effects and wait for her to get near.
She moved in closer, her tendrils swaying gently behind her as she drew near, unaware that Adam was pretending to remain under her control. This was the moment he'd been waiting for.
Adam's hand shot out the instant she was within striking range, drawing his Toxin: Sedative Venom of Ember-coated blade with lightning speed. He slashed across her chest, the blade cutting deep into her watery, abyssal form.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Toxin: Sedative Venom of Ember activated.
Fiery Ignite: The target takes 30 Fire Damage immediately. The fire causes severe pain for 2 seconds and deals 1 HP per second for 10 seconds.
Damage: 30 Fire Damage immediately.
Burning effect activated—1 HP lost per second for 10 seconds.
The Siren screeched as the fire erupted across her body, flames licking at her skin as the toxin began its work. Her graceful form jerked back, the agony of the fire momentarily overwhelming her. He used the chance to swipe a couple more times, dealing 90 more damage and getting the sack up to 4hp lost per second for 10 seconds.
Her movements became erratic, her tendrils flailing wildly as her concentration fractured under the toxic venom. Adam grinned; his plan was working.
One of her tendrils lashed out and hit Adam in the chest. Dodging at the last minute helped mitigate most of the damage, but it still sent him across the room; he quickly drank another HP Postion and stamina potion. Using Leap, he got back in the fight, making sure to keep dodging her tendrils while keeping her infected with the toxin. When she got below 500HP, Darkness surrounded her, and he couldn't see anymore. His instincts kicked in. She couldn't be far, and he needed to remain on alert. He could still hear her movements—her tendrils dragging along the floor, the soft water ripple slithering through the air. The Darkness pressed in, heavy and oppressive, but Adam's senses were sharpened, his body bracing for an attack. A faint disturbance in the air to his right caught his attention. Adam pivoted, slamming his shoulder into the side of the nearest pillar for cover. The Siren was getting closer. He waited, listening intently for the faintest clue of her next move.
Then—whoosh! A sharp tendril whipped through the space where he had been standing a moment before. Adam dove to the left, narrowly avoiding the strike, and he sprang to his feet just in time to see the Siren's massive shadow flicker against the arena's walls. He could see her now, just a silhouette, her body writhing through the shadowy mist. Adam's grip tightened around the hilt of his blade. She was weakened, her physical strength halved by the toxin, but her speed was still a threat. He had to land the finishing blow before she could recover fully.
He cast Leap again, propelling himself through the Darkness and launching himself high into the air. His heart raced as his eyes scanned the dark void, looking for any sign of movement. Then, from below, the telltale whoosh of her tendrils slashing upward caught his attention.
He twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike, and landed with a roll to soften the impact. His Shard of Perception guided him as he sprinted toward where he had felt the most potent concentration of movement.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
The toxin effect continues at 4 HP per second. Remaining time: 7 seconds.
He could hear her gasping now, her once-steadfast breath ragged, barely able to hold her form together as the venom slowly drained her strength. Adam didn't hesitate. He knew the window was closing fast.
He drew his blade again in one fluid motion, his body flowing like water, a deadly dance. He struck before she could react—a precise, diagonal slash across her abdomen, the Toxin: Sedative Venom of Ember flaring to life once more as it cut deep. The Siren screamed a high-pitched wail that echoed through the arena, but it was not one of power this time. It was a scream of agony, one that rattled Adam's bones. He had her. Her health was almost gone, but she was still dangerous, her form shuddering violently in the wake of the hit. The last of her strength began slipping away with every second.
The abyssal Darkness around them grew restless, tendrils of shadow swirling erratically. Adam barely had time to react as one of them lunged toward him, nearly catching him off guard. But his Leap skill was still in cooldown, and he dodged out of the way, rolling to avoid the strike.
That's when he saw a final, fleeting glimmer of light from her darkened form. She was vulnerable. She was losing her hold on the abyss. Taking a deep breath, Adam charged, his blade raised high. He closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. As the Siren's tendrils lashed out one last time, Adam dodged and, with a roar of determination, plunged his blade deep into her core, the poison burning through her body with one final burst.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Critical hit!
Siren of the Abyss defeated.
The Siren's scream died out into a strangled gurgle, her form dissolving into nothingness as her essence was consumed by the abyssal waters. Her body disintegrated, vanishing into the dark depths as the echoes of her wail faded away.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Boss Monster: Siren of the Abyss defeated.
For slaying a legendary creature, all loot increased.
Loot: 10,000 XP Book Subclass Legendary Abyss Ranger, Necklace of the Abyss
Excited to be done, once she died, a door appeared—it was the exit. While he was safe here, he decided to start looking at his messages and inspecting his loot, first the book.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Inspect: Legendary Abyss Ranger's Tome
Item Type: Legendary Subclass Book
Rarity: Legendary
Effect:
This tome, bound in blackened leather and filled with cryptic runes, is an ancient artifact containing the teachings of the Abyss Ranger. Upon use, the user is infused with abyssal powers, unlocking a path of shadow and Darkness that grants them unparalleled stealth and control over the shadows.
Subclass Information:
Subclass Name: Legendary Abyss Ranger
Prerequisite: Level 10 or higher
Effect:
Upon opening this tome, the user will be inducted into the Legendary Abyss Ranger subclass. This grants the user access to unique shadow magic and abilities tied to the abyss, including enhanced stealth, mobility, and manipulation. This subclass emphasizes agility, precision, and the ability to control the battlefield by remaining unseen or manipulating enemies with the Darkness.
He was excited to use the book but had to wait until level 10, so he moved on.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Necklace of the AbyssI
tem Type: Rare Accessory
Rarity: Rare
Effect:Shadow Cloak (Active):The Necklace of the Abyss allows the wearer to cloak themselves in shadows, becoming invisible in dim light or Darkness for a short duration. While cloaked, the wearer can move without being detected, but actions like attacking or using abilities will break the cloak.
Duration: 10 seconds
Cooldown: 1 minute
Mana Cost: 20 Mana
Restrictions: The effect only works in low-light or dark environments (the user must be in a shadowed area or a place with little light for it to activate).Eternal Darkness (Passive):While wearing the Necklace of the Abyss, the wearer gains a passive aura that enhances their ability to hide in shadows. This aura grants them a 25% increase in stealth and evasion when in dark or shadowy areas. Enemies have a harder time detecting them unless they are very close.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
LEVEL UP
Remember, Herbs are used to heal, kill when needed, and continue to grow.
Done here now, he exited the dungeon appearing in the forest where he was sucked in. After taking a deep breath, he sprinted towards the village. He wanted a beer and a bed, but he also needed people.
When he left the village, the guards saw him running, pulling weapons, and making it to the gate. Adam, assuming they didn't recognize him after weeks in that dungeon, slowed and yelled, "It's me, Adam, the herbalist. "Yeah? We know you didn't stay in the forest long. What's chasing you? "
Adam, confused, asked, "How long was I gone."
"Around 12 hours," the guard responds. Adam throws them a silver. He jogs to the inn, ignoring the strange looks and people trying to talk to him. He runs to his room and goes to sleep. He will deal with this in the morning.