Chapter 7: Victory and Rewards
With the battle nearing its end, both parties are now preparing their last stand. This moment shall determine victory and defeat, or rather, life and death.
The mutant snake was the first one to make a move, breaking the stalemate. Its eyes were burning a bloody red light, and its whole body was emanating a crimson glow.
With a quick, powerful movement, it launched itself at Shawn, head leading the charge with killing intent.
Compared to its prior strength, this strike was substantially faster and more powerful, its power and speed seemingly doubled.
He tightened his grip on his sword, knowing there was no avoiding this and that he would have to face it head-on.
As the mutant snake closed in, Shawn slashed with his sword, shifting his intended use of Precision Strike from offense to defense. Despite the change, the enhanced power of his defensive maneuver managed to neutralize the snake's attack, but the sheer force of the charge still propelled him backward, sending him crashing into the cavern's wall once more.
Without giving him a time to rest, the mutant snake continued its attack, launching its tail this time.
He immediately slid to the side, evading its tail strike by a hair's breadth. He quickly rose to his feet, ready to begin his counterattack, when he suddenly felt his body being entangled.
Without him realizing it, the snake managed to get close and coiled its entire body on him. Because of its power-up, albeit obviously temporary, it squeezed him with bone-crushing force.
Shocked and flustered, his face was pale and devoid of any blood. The snake's strangulation deprives him of the ability to breathe as his chest and diaphragm are compressed, making it increasingly difficult to inhale and exhale.
Although his body was strengthened by origin energy and was about five times stronger than that of normal people, he still had the need to breathe.
Additionally, he was still wounded while currently being entangled with great force, doubling the pain he felt. He's feeling dizzy and out of breath. His heart was pumping blood with all its might, his heart rate increasing because of adrenaline.
Sensing the threat of death approaching, he suddenly felt as if time had slowed down, akin to moving at a snail's pace. Every second feels like an eternity, as he struggles to think clearly on how to escape this predicament. Through the haze of pain and lack of oxygen, his mind raced, driven by an unyielding will to survive.
That's right, there's no recollection of memory or any flashbacks of the past, his thoughts all focused on how to kill this mutant beast. He knew he would not just survive this time but also survive in the future.
He shall swing his sword in every challenge and every foe that he meets. Sword in hand, calm but desperate, his determination unwavering.
As if sensing his thoughts, the Antler Sword gently trembles in his hand.
Falling in an enlightened state, he let out a powerful roar, all his origin energy surging to his sword.
"Kill, kill, KILL! "
With his sword emitting a white silvery light, Shawn managed to free his right hand holding his sword from the snake's body.
With a twist of his hand, he stabs the sword at the nearest spot he can reach, easily penetrating the snake's body. He even pulls back the sword, aiming to directly slice it vertically.
Letting out a wail, the mutant snake loosened its hold to Shawn, feeling deeply hurt.
Discerning the frailty of the snake, he wrestled his way out, finally freeing himself from the entanglement.
He hardly has the ability to stand up, feeling weak after being trapped by that mutant snake for a period of time.
Gritting his teeth, he forces himself to attack once again and kill this opponent once and for all.
He dashed straight to the mutant snake and unleashed his strike. By some coincidence, the snake wriggled its body, unexpectedly dodging his strike.
The strike, although it managed to cut its lower body, still didn't trigger the notifications for killing it.
His sword still covered in white silvery light, he launched a follow-up blow, successfully killing it this time.
[You've successfully killed Level 25 Mutant Snake]
[You've leveled up to Level 15]
Ultimately winning this battle, Shawn lay across the floor, finally able to relax his tense body.
His body is currently strengthening itself once again, due to the origin energy he got from killing the Level 25 Mutant Snake. The wounds in his body are healing, partly due to the origin energy and partly due to his regeneration speed being faster now.
Time passes slowly, as he sleeps for some minutes, evidently exhausted from the battle. Knowing that this is not a safe place, he reluctantly opens his eyes once again.
Standing up, his face regains a bit of vitality and his eyes are also shining quite brightly. Even his spirit is recovering relatively fast.
Shawn then proceeds to pick up the spoils of war, which include one equipment orb and a skill scroll.
Saving the scroll for last, he first inspected the equipment orb.
[Serpent Scale Vest]
[Defense Rating +30]
[Speed Enhancement +15]
[Rank - Rare]
[Quality - Exquisite]
[Effect: Light and flexible, it provides moderate defense with an added bonus of faster origin energy recovery. It also grants the user resistance to poison.]
The Serpent Scale Vest is a light armor that glimmers with an enthralling blend of deep greens and iridescent blues, looking like the scales of the dead Level 25 Mutant Snake. The vest is form-fitting, allowing the user maximum flexibility and agility.
It is adorned with intricate patterns that bear a resemblance to the natural scale arrangement of the snake. A supple, breathable material that is lined inside the vest adds to its comfort and makes it possible to wear it for extended periods of time without experiencing any irritation.
Holding the vest in his hands, Shawn exclaimed, "It's actually an Exquisite Rare item with two effects! The effect is even a boost to origin energy recovery added with poison resistance effect. This Mutant Snake is a good snake after all that happens."
Usually, Rare items would only have one effect, getting two would depend on what level of quality that item is. This vest is an Exquisite Rare item which means that it will definitely have two effects. Items at and below Excellent Rare items would only have one effect.
He immediately wears the vest, feeling safe and secure.
Moving on, Shawn takes a look at the skill scroll.
[Blood Frenzy (Tier 0)]
[Level: 1 (0/10)]
[Rank: Rare]
[Effect: Upon activation, consumes the user's blood as a resource, thereby temporarily boosting the user's attack power by 50% and speed by 30%.]
[Cost: 75 Origin Energy]
[Note: Significantly weakens the users' after the skill's effect ends. Each level up decreases the drawbacks and increases the duration and cost.]
After reading till' the very last word, the scroll then turns into a crimson mist that was then absorbed into his body.
"I have to reserve this skill as a trump card and not use it thoughtlessly. This skill will render me weak and feeble after use. Although I don't know how much it will weaken me, it will definitely be enough to eliminate my ability to fight. "
He analyzes the pros and cons of the skill, knowing that he can't use this skill carelessly. The skill, though, can definitely turn the tide of battle.
Images of the Level 25 Mutant Snake flashes in his mind, remembering the crimson glow emanating from its body.
Overall, this skill is definitely a good skill, a fitting addition to his arsenal.
He stretches his body, already feeling the effects of the origin energy recovery that the Serpent Scale Vest provides him.
Looking around the cavern, he realized that his fight with the mutant snake had taken its toll on the surroundings. The fierce struggle had left the area covered with rubble and strewn with rocks.
Despite the state of the cave, Shawn felt a sense of accomplishment. He had survived, leveled up, and gained powerful new tools.
Not to mention that there's still the main course, the Two-Colored Treasure Chest, left untouched. This treasure chest will definitely be the most precious loot he obtains from this battle.
With a face full of anticipation, Shawn approached the Two-Colored Treasure Chest. This golden treasure chest, still radiating two colors—green and yellow—seemed almost otherworldly in its allure. Its ethereal glow was enough to tempt even the most disciplined adventurer.
He crouched down to the chest and ran his fingertips over the elaborate patterns engraved on the metal.
He inhaled deeply before carefully raising the lid, which opened with a faint squeak from the hinges. The treasure chest opened, revealing the treasures concealed within, each more magnificent than the previous.
The first thing he saw was a ruby-hued elixir that was shimmering and brightly colored throughout the bottle. He carefully picked it up, examining its use.
[Elixir of Vitality]
[Rank: Rare]
[Quality: Exquisite]
[Effect: Restores 50% of the user's health and significantly boosts stamina for a short period.]
"This will be incredibly useful in future battles," Shawn muttered to himself, placing the elixir safely into his bag.
Next, his attention was drawn to a radiant necklace. It glowed with a soft, pulsing light that seemed to resonate with his heartbeat.
[Necklace of Fortitude]
[Defense Rating +20]
[Stamina +15]
[Rank - Rare]
[Quality - Excellent]
[Effect: Increase health regeneration.]
A simple and very practical effect. The attributes are also quite good, just a shame that it's only an Excellent Rare item and not an Exquisite one.
Laughing at himself for being greedy, Shawn puts on the necklace and feels an immediate surge of vitality, his body feeling stronger and more resilient.
Digging deeper into the chest, he found an ancient-looking scroll. Its cover was adorned with mysterious symbols that seemed to pulse with hidden power.