[112] Shrink Spell

The dark wave unleashed a shadowy curse energy, imbued with the negative effects of "fear" and "weakness curse."

These effects combined to impose a debilitating state, forcing the opponent into "action restriction."

This explained why the petrified lizard stood rigid, unable to move.

"No curse resistance."

Adam eyed the petrified lizard before him, its foul odor and viscous secretions wafting from just half a meter away. He reached out, grasping at the air.

An iron sword materialized in his hand.

"Quick Slash!"

A chilling gleam danced across the blade, black curse energy coiling around it. With a swift swing, Adam struck the petrified lizard's protruding head.

In an instant!

The dual negative states enveloping the lizard reacted with the sword's curse energy, forming a dark, misty aura that wreaked havoc at the point of impact.

The "Dark Wave" triggered another property, dispelling the negative states and inflicting double damage.

Pfft!

Half the petrified lizard's head split open with ease.

The sheer destructive force startled even Adam. He quickly glanced at the creature, worried his strike had slain the demi-human disguised as the lizard.

He still needed to extract valuable information from it.

Crack!

No blood or grotesque fluids spurted from the cleaved head; instead, a sound like shattering stone echoed from within the lizard's body.

Gurgle~

The massive petrified lizard began to shrink rapidly, visible to the naked eye. In moments, it reverted to the demi-human's form, collapsing to the ground from midair.

Crack!

Another breaking sound rang out, this time from the iron sword in Adam's hand.

Eroded by the curse energy, the blade crumbled after a single attack.

"Curse..."

"Pain, pain..."

The demi-human writhed on the ground, agony etched across its form. Black spots dotted its tree-bark-like brown skin, squirming as if alive.

"What is this?" Adam's eyes narrowed.

The myriad black spots weren't mere markings or natural traits, they resembled the corruption curse afflicting Leinas, though less severe.

"Enemy, enemy!"

The demi-human struggled to its feet, green, bloodshot eyes glaring through matted fur, brimming with hatred for Adam.

"Ah ri wa!!"

A sharp, oddly pitched scream erupted from the demi-human, amplified by magic and echoing through the forest.

Despite the world's automatic language translation rules, the strange cadence rendered the words unintelligible.

[Discovered second-tier magic "Summon Allies", requires faith-based caster level (8-14), current conditions met]

[Would you like to consume 1 skill point to learn?]

Rustle rustle!

The dense forest stirred with countless fragmented noises. Spider-like creatures with lobster-like shells, varying in size, surged through layers of branches and underbrush.

"Blood Boiling"!

The demi-human cast another spell, this time targeting the swarm of insectoid monsters.

"Hiss!"

"Hiss!"

"Hiss!"

From creatures over a meter long to those mere centimeters in size, the insectoid monsters glowed blood-red, their scuttling pace visibly quickening.

"Outnumbering me?"

Adam glanced at the teeming insectoid monsters closing in from all sides. From his sleeve, he drew and activated several magic scrolls.

Blinding white lights flashed in rapid succession!

Adam summoned ten Archangel Flames in one go, depleting half of his stockpile of over thirty Archangel Flame scrolls.

"Kill them all!"

With a wave of his hand, the Archangel Flames dove toward the surrounding insectoid monsters.

[Gained experience: 17]

[Gained experience: 3]

[Gained experience: 56]

...

[Gained experience: 12]

The attribute panel flickered, experience points updating in a steady stream.

Adam surged forward, planting a foot on the shoulder of the Principality of Observation and vaulting into the air. Another iron sword appeared in his grip, aimed at the demi-human as he swung.

"Magic Slash!"

A blue flash shimmered along the blade, unleashing a translucent slash from its tip.

Crack!

The iron sword shattered once more.

Unfazed, Adam landed smoothly, flipped his palm, and summoned yet another iron sword.

He had purchased a stockpile of these inexpensive weapons.

Boom!

The translucent magic slash carved through obstructing branches and trees, leaving clean, polished cuts in its wake.

Yet!

The demi-human dodged the slash with astonishing agility.

"Such speed, is it a racial talent?"

Adam noted the creature's remarkable flexibility, recalling how it had effortlessly evaded two Archangel Flames earlier.

"Stealth!"

Thief skill!

Adam's form flickered, vanishing into the dim jungle's shadows, eluding the demi-human's sight.

Spotting Adam's disappearance, the demi-human panicked, scanning its surroundings. At that moment, a figure emerged from the shadows, materializing beside it.

"Enemy!"

The demi-human shrieked, its nimble body darting backward.

"Fourfold Slash of Light!"

Adam's iron sword blurred into four afterimages, slicing through the air.

At such close range, with four consecutive strikes, even the demi-human's agility allowed it to dodge only one.

"Shrink Spell!"

The demi-human bellowed, its already petite sixty-centimeter frame shrinking to a mere thirty centimeters.

Its diminished size caused all four of Adam's slashes to miss!

"This guy." Adam's eyes twitched.

This was, without question, the most vexing opponent he had ever faced.

"Instant Reflection!"

Adam growled, a blue aura enveloping him, forcibly resetting his stance to pre-attack. His gaze hardened. "Fourfold Slash of Light."

Four icy slashes materialized once more, enveloping the demi-human!

Yet!

The demi-human evaded them with speed twice as swift as before.

In a single breath.

It had already put two meters between itself and Adam.

"Plant Entanglement!"

Rustle rustle!

The forest's weeds erupted into frenzied growth, transforming into vines that surged toward Adam.

Buzz!

A bone magic item on Adam's arm, imbued with the "Forest Rift" ability, glimmered faintly.

The encroaching vines halted before Adam, unable to advance further.

"Curse, enemy!"

"Enemy!"

The demi-human's screams persisted, desperately urging the plants to attack, but they couldn't breach the "Forest Rift" barrier.

Adam stood tall, his gaze heavy as he studied the shrieking demi-human.

"Not only did it shrink, but its speed surged dramatically?"

The creature's newfound velocity made pursuit impossible. Fortunately, it was a caster, not a warrior.

Otherwise, at this speed, Adam would be the one in peril.

A thought stirred, and Adam's attribute panel materialized before him.

[Discovered occupational skill "Shrink Spell", requires basic occupation "Wizard", current conditions not met...]

[Genius occupation activated, successfully converted, meets learning conditions, would you like to consume 1 skill point to learn?]

"Learn!"

[Skill Points: 36 → 35]

...

[Skill: Shrink Spell]

[Consumption: (2/day)]

[Introduction: Can be used on oneself and companions, reducing body size by half, doubling agility value (maximum increase of 100 points)]

***

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