Chapter 79: Swamp Hag’s Demise and the One-Element Rule

The revelation of the coded book and the location of the first clue sent a surge of excitement through the group. They were finally making progress in their search for the Keepers of the Flame. But before embarking on their journey to the Silverwood Forest, Drake had a score to settle.

"Hold on a minute," he announced, tapping the book with a mischievous grin. "Before we go gallivanting off into the woods, there's a little unfinished business I need to take care of. Remember that lovely swamp hag who tried to turn me into a fertilizer ingredient? Yeah, I think it's time for a rematch."

Elara and Corvus exchanged glances. "Are you sure that's wise, Drake?" Corvus asked. "The Shadowfen is a dangerous place, and the hag is a powerful magic user."

"Oh, I know," Drake replied, his grin widening. "That's what makes it so much fun. Besides, I have a few new tricks up my sleeve. And I'm pretty sure she'll be *thrilled* to see me again."

Borin, who had remained silent until now, grunted in agreement. "Hag needs killing," he said.

And so, they made a detour to the Shadowfen, approaching the hag's hut with a mix of caution and anticipation. Drake, leading the way, activated Void Embrace and Shadow Cloak, his eyes gleaming with a playful malice.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Void Embrace (Level 4). Health Drain per turn: 1."*

They found the hag outside her hut, stirring a bubbling cauldron filled with questionable ingredients. She looked up as they approached, her eyes widening in surprise and then narrowing in anger.

"You!" she shrieked, her voice like nails on a chalkboard. "You dare return to my domain after your previous intrusion?"

"Of course, we do, you old crone," Drake replied, stepping out of the shadows. "Did you miss me? I know I missed you. Mostly because I had a really good joke about your nose that I forgot to tell you last time. It involves a potato and a particularly unfortunate bird. Want to hear it?"

The hag snarled, raising her gnarled staff. "You will pay for your insolence!" she shrieked, unleashing a blast of swamp magic towards Drake.

Drake used Void Step to teleport behind her, dodging the attack. He then used Shadow Rend, the shadowy blade slicing through the hag's robes and leaving a deep gash on her back.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Shadow Rend (Level 7). Cost: 70 Mana. Damage Dealt: 170. Bleed Status Effect Applied."*

*Notification: "Health Drain: 1. Drake Health: 61/100"*

"Missed me!" Drake taunted, reappearing behind a nearby tree. "Though I have to say, that outfit is even worse than last time. Seriously, where do you shop? The Swamp Fashion Emporium? Because they're clearly ripping you off."

The hag, enraged, unleashed a barrage of spells: Entangling Vines, Swamp Rot, and even a swarm of venomous insects. Drake and his allies, however, were prepared. Corvus countered with protective spells, Elara used her agility to dodge the attacks, and Borin simply shrugged off the insects, his thick skin impervious to their stings.

Drake, meanwhile, continued to taunt the hag, dodging her attacks and delivering swift strikes with his enhanced speed and strength.

"You know," he said, kicking a venomous spider back towards the hag, "I'm starting to think you're not taking this seriously. I mean, where's the dramatic flair? The evil laughter? The monologuing about your tragic backstory? It's all a bit… underwhelming."

Finally, with a combined effort, they managed to overpower the hag. Drake finished her off with a powerful Void Shatter, the chaotic energy shattering her staff and engulfing her in a blinding explosion.

*Notification: "Skill Activated: Void Shatter (Level 3). Cost: 70 Mana. Damage Dealt: 120. Void Corruption Status Effect Applied."*

*Notification: "Health Drain: 1. Drake Health: 60/100"*

*Notification: "Enemy Defeated: Swamp Hag (+5000 XP)."*

*Notification: "Experience Gained: Swamp Hag Encounter (+5000 XP)"*

*Experience: 5400 + 5000 = 10400/11000*

"And that's how it's done," Drake announced, dusting off his hands. "One hag, thoroughly vanquished. And insulted. Because, priorities."

As they left the Shadowfen, Drake turned to Corvus. "Hey, Corvus," he asked, "you ever notice how everyone in this world seems to have only one element attached to them? Like, you're all about that fire magic, Elara's got her wind thing going on, and Borin… well, he's just Borin. But me? I've got Void, Darkness… and apparently, space is waiting in the wings. What's up with that?"

Corvus nodded. "It's true," he said. "Each individual is typically attuned to a single element. It's a fundamental aspect of this world's magic system. Your case… is unique. It's as if you are a nexus of multiple elements, a convergence of different forces. It's… unprecedented."

Drake shrugged. "Figures," he said. "Of course, I'd be the weird one with the multi-elemental system. It's like the universe is trying to make up for my terrible luck stat."

With the hag defeated and their questions about Drake's unique elemental affinity answered, they set their sights on the Silverwood Forest and the search for the Keepers of the Flame.