18 Chapter 18
The Crimsons are resilient. More so than Lavinia thought they'd be given how quick she's subdued them. Though, perhaps the outcome would have been a lot different if the Trirax wanted to fight, if she'd missed the first shot with the GroveStaff and had to confront all three instead of two startled demons.
The last Trirax trudges ahead of Lavinia, her long legs and splayed feet dragging against the dirt as her arms hang limp beside her. Her lethargic movements are the only lasting consequence from Lavinia's blood drain, no matter how much more blood she sucks out, the Trirax refuses to die— resilient.
Lavinia's own lethargy from absorbing one of the Crimsons passed before the Trirax woke from its bloodless slumber, giving Lavinia time to decide a new course for the hunt. As the Crimson crystal rewarded her with three levels right off the bat, Lavinia debates whether to devour her hostage now and reap yet another 12ESQ or keep her alive so she leads Lavinia to this city they spoke of, Corym.
Lavinia glances at the ring she swiped off the Trirax she devoured, a gem sits on the crown, gleaming an array of colours. She's ready for Corym, with the ring and the small pouch of Essence tokens, Lavinia figures she'll fit right in.
"Where are you taking me?" the Trirax pants, nearly tripping over her feet.
Growling, Lavinia slams the GroveStaff and the Trirax surrenders to her wordless demand. Turning her attention inwards, Lavinia reflects on her current abilities. As meagre looking as the Trirax are, their single eye acts as the helm of their offensive capabilities and from what she's seen of the grey-skinned and the brief battle it would be prudent to keep ahead of her prisoner.
While there's no competing with the depth of Essence the Trirax hold claim to, Lavinia's pathways have stretched to accommodate a greater pool of Essence. It would be possible to use {Crimson Blink} a second time or even third time if she doesn't exert too much beforehand.
[Available Essence Points— 10]
Faith:30
Agility: 19
Intelligence:10
With 10EP left to spend since the Trirax forced her to use some on [Faith], Lavinia mulls spending even more on the Attribute. It is the governing Attribute after all, with it she can reduce the cost of using her Perks and could entertain a fourth use of {Crimson Blink} if she uses up all the points.
However, Lucy triggered a new Attribute, [Intelligence] and its Perk, {Inspect}. It's become glaring how much she doesn't know since she got the Perk, most things have their names and even use.
Intelligence (INT): Intelligence governs mental acuity, analytical thinking, and knowledge. Enhances aptitude for magical pursuits.
As it says nothing about helping her hunt, Lavinia's reluctant to spare precious EP on the Attribute— it also reminds of Lucy and carries the weight of the best and worst of her. Through gritted teeth, Lavinia sacrifices 4EP to [INT], dedicating the remaining 6EP to [AGI], a far more important Attribute ensuring her {Crimson Blink} as well as herself move quicker.
Name: Lavinia
Race: Demon
Class: Vampiric
Age: Immortal – 67days.
Crystal Essence: [Pink]- Lvl.8— 43.41ESQ
[Available Essence Points— 0]
Faith:30
Agility: 25
Intelligence:14
Perk: {Reais Smite}, {Blood Rush}, {Wave Shot}, {Crimson Blink}, {Inspect}
Soul Bond: Curse Marked; Master Henry Vanavil
Satisfied with what she's improved, Lavinia turns her full attention to the lazy walking Trirax ahead of her and asks, "Who are you?"
She looks over her shoulder and Lavinia uses the GroveStaff to poke her head away. Groaning, the Trirax huffs, "You should release me…while you can."
Brows knitted, Lavinia demands in a full breath, "How did you know I understood?"
Again, the Trirax tries to look over her non-existent shoulder only to meet the GroveStaff ready. Resigning she mutters as she trudges ahead the desolate landscape, "Everything that comes out of there comes out the wiser." She says bitterly.
Blinking, Lavinia found herself agreeing with the sentiment. The wild demon she was sniffed out blood on a trail of sightless feeding continues to exists within her as an abstract experience, barely visible in the self-awareness Vampiric Demon she exists as now.
"What is it?"
"Hm? Don't you know?" The Trirax sounds surprised but weakly lifts her arms in a shrug, "Still Pink so your ignorance isn't unreasonable, I'm sure you're very confused. Must be why you're doing this, you're confused."
Lavinia frowns unimpressed by the attempt to manipulate her with words, she narrows her eyes and pokes the Trirax's side with the GroveStaff, her patience wearing thin, "Not confused, explain."
Breathing deep breaths, the Trirax nods, "The Dungeon tests humans for their worth in another world, some humans mine its gems and resources for their settlements here but mainly…it's a test of might and right."
To an extent Lavinia's experience confirms what the Trirax says about the place. Satisfied with that answer, Lavinia presses on, "Hunted that demon on beach. Didn't eat. Why?"
It was something that confused her all this time. She understood killing the grey-skinned for the pouch of Essence tokens but whatever value they have couldn't be enough alone to ignore a perfectly good meal.
"Haha, couldn't have a snack while you were crushing our heads" The Trirax says with a bitter laugh.
Her answer doesn't satisfy Lavinia so she rephrases, "Why keep only Essence tokens?"
"Same reason you'd be better off letting me go once we get to Corym. You let Jonn escape...he'll have told everyone by now, told Prime. He knows what you've done."
Lavinia whacks her side with the GroveStaff and demands, "Answer."
Nursing her side, the Trirax lets out a soft growl as the two past the crack in the ground where Lavinia threw the GroveStaff. "It was all that mattered. That demon stole from Prime thinking he'd travel somewhere with those riches. We were after him, blasted him but he ran off faster than we could keep up. Guess he died from the wounds, serves him right."
Riches.
In the vast expanse of desolation, parched earth and red dirt, life and all living collects into the dense forest of trees ahead. Even at a distance, Lavinia's sharp senses catch a symphony of sounds emanating from the forest, as if calling out in a chorus that beckons all who can hear.
Jonn, the Trirax's leader escaped into the forest; Corym must lie within it. Lavinia leers at the thought of Corym, a city full of demons plausibly as vulnerable and Essence rich as the Trirax. Moreover, getting there means she can finally eat her ear grating prisoner and absorb her for all she's worth. With a grunt she urges the lethargic demon forth, closing the distance one step at a time for now.
