Soul Venerable (Re-written)

 

A skeletal mage entered a room filled with bone facilities. “There are a lot of powerful non-kobold hunters arriving on Thunderpeak mountain, what should we do, Kasumi?”

Nyx, the skeletal mage, roused a question towards a petite girl with modest breast and back-length hair. Every part of her naked body was silver with a blue hue around the edges. It was Kasumi, the liquid metal slime who took the form of a small girl.

Her hands were busy weaving metal wire-like muscle tissue onto a skeletal frame burning with purple electric soulfire. Most of the metal skeleton has already been covered by metallic muscle tissue, but it wasn’t complete yet. Due to her action, her fingers were burning under a stream of purple electric soulfire but she didn’t mind at all.

“Perhaps they are the world’s karmic retribution because the Main Soul was fighting against this world’s Hero? Shall we proceed to the contingency plan regarding Sacred Alliance’s holy crusade?” Nyx asked again, after not getting the answer he was looking for.

“No we can’t be sure of it yet, there are too many variables involved. Main Soul was protected by an impenetrable investigation countermeasure designed to fool the world itself; it should hold unless a divine inspected him directly…  This should be a random event, but you’ve already lost a team of hunters; they will be more alerted of our presence.” Kasumi spared a fraction of her concentration.

“Right, I was too paranoid.”  

“Understandable, you were given the form of an undead.” Kasumi paused, “This might be a turning point that our Main Soul need to integrate into human society, we can’t fuck this up. I need you to rearrange the movement of the kobolds and make some plans with the bonelings.”

“Hmm, alright. What else do I need to do?”

“You need to mark Ymir’s truesoul because Main Soul saw a potential in him. After that, make arrangements to sacrifice all the bonelings and I will also alter your soul quality. Also, prepare Kor to act. A tactical deception, so to speak.” Kasumi produced a cloud of purple telepathic thought.

Nyx receives the telepathic thought, “Ah, I get it. I will proceed with your arrangement.” He left the room, rushed.

 

…

 

“Are you finished yet?” Kurogane wields his twin greatswords as he takes defensive position.

“It’s done. Rank 0 fire-path magic spell, [Ashfire Descent]!” Sakuya casted a large-scale magic spell that was prepared a while ago. Like a raging volcano, the magic formation produced a large amount of ash that spread beyond the root walls.

The main material used for this spell was the furnace organs harvested from the smoke hounds, refined by Sakuya’s three [Mage Hand]. It was a rushed spell catalyst refinement, so efficiency of the materials wasn’t the best. However, it was enough because the defensive power of each grass puppet soldier was very low. They were designed to attack en masse; their individual strength was not that great.

As soon as a crimson flame exploded in the Kenji’s position, the ash rain also fell on the wood-path army. Each drop of ash might only have the power to deal 2 degrees of damage, but the damage potential of the spell was over 2000 damage!

It was only possible due to the high quality and quantity of materials used. That being said, it uses a lot of catalyst made from smoke hounds’ furnace organs. The profit from fighting the dog beast group was diminished greatly, but it couldn’t be helped since fighting enslavement-path experts would cost a large amount of resources.

“Wild Savage has taken a direct hit, should we help him?” Kurogane asked as he saw Kenji’s body enveloped under a stream of crimson fire while the falling ash covered the battlefield, igniting large numbers of grass puppet soldiers in the field. He was worried that due to the heat of the crimson fire could be felt even from this distance, it shouldn’t be a simple matter for Kenji to receive it head on.

Sakuya spared her concentration to gaze at Kenji while chugging down expensive mana potions as if it was water. “No, you haven’t truly seen what made him fearsome against mages. He’s… stupidly durable for these kinds of fights.”

Just as Sakuya muttered those words, Kenji’s burning body was still moving towards Ichika and Izanagi. “Your signature fire, the Heartblood Crimson Flame, was deeply scrutinized by Sumire. Due to her intelligence, I manage to create a countermeasure for you…”

The flame was extremely hot. Mortal iron would be melted, or even vaporized after making contact with it for a second. However, Kenji’s body was like an immortal demon from hell. His regeneration and defensive power could hold against the fire-path spell amplified by Heartblood Crimson Flame.

Boom! Another attack shattered the ground, forcing the calm Izanagi to lose his footing. Jumping back to evade the leftover force, he casted another flame saturation spell, trying his best to burn Kenji into ash. In this type of situation, Ichika’s method could not support Izanagi at all due to the conflict of attributes. It would rather help Kenji since the firepower would burn his wood-path method first, it wasn’t wise at all for Ichika to be here.

Izanagi was able to retreat due to his body strength as powerful as an early-stage rank 0 martial artist, but Ichika was a pure mage. Her body was immediately smashed into bloody pulps.

Actually, it was her body double that got blown off into blood and gore. By using a higher version of enslavement-path method that received physical modification so it looked like it was Ichika, she was able to fool Kenji. The real her wouldn’t be that braindead to be seen by the wild savage himself. That was like giving your neck to the enemy’s butcher blade.

The actual trap wasn’t Ichika, but the elite grass puppet soldiers protecting Izanagi and Ichika. They were Scorch Talon members disguised as grass puppet soldiers! As they took off their disguise, 11 members of Scorch Talon made their move.

“Captain, fall back for a bit!” One of Izanagi’s team members who wore heavy armor shoved a heavy shield onto Kenji’s face. With a loud bang, Kenji’s burning head shook but it wasn’t repelled like how it was supposed to be.  

“With this, I have tied down the whole Scorch Talon team. Sakuya, I leave all the rest to you.” Kenji muttered silently.

Behind the root wall.

“It is as you expected, Wild Savage has tied down Scorch Talon by himself. Shall we deal with the grass puppet soldiers?” Yamamura asked, his two blades unsheathed.

“No, the [Ashfire Descent] is good enough for Maya’s Green Lake to fight Undying Forest. We should deal with Blue Wave instead.” Sakuya led the remaining Violet Sword Blaze members towards the opposite side of the battlefield. “You’re all here, why bother hiding anymore?” She said.

Just as Sakuya’s words resounded throughout the battlefield, several figures popped out of the ground. Most of them have blue hair, they were led by someone who Violet Sword Blaze members wouldn’t forget even if she reincarnated: Moriko.

“So Sumire is absent, right? This would be a breeze.” Moriko said as her sapphire eyes shone in deep blue light. ‘If I kill her teammates, she’ll have no team and that will be the chance for me to recruit her…’ she thought. She had a warped obsession towards Sumire, it was a miracle that she could function as a human being.    

“Careful, she’s activating a supportive lightning-path divine spell, most likely one that amplifies thinking process. Proceed with caution!” Alanis reported behind Sakuya.

Her team members raised their eyebrows as Alanis managed to gain intel from that exchange alone. “I am currently activating a transformation-path method that allows me to sense the change of elemental particles in the environment. I sense a concealed divine spell undulation centered around her head just now.” Alanis added an explanation as she pointed towards her glowing wolf-like amber pupils.

“I see.” Sakuya nodded as she planned the battle ahead. “Then, let’s proceed to the usual battle plan. Alanis, can I ask you to show us your method, please.”

“Understood.” Alanis nodded as her arms shuddered. They released sounds of bone breaking, flesh tearing, and veins rupturing.

“Are transformation-path methods always this… disturbing?” Kurogane asked while showing high interest.  

Alanis’ arms grew large amounts of fur; her claws became elongated, enough to be considered as small blades. Most importantly, she managed to transform a poison gland beneath the root of her claws. It has an ability to produce a type of blood poison that could rot metal called Bloodbane poison.

The cute wolf beastman was no more. With her wolf claws and arms linked by elegant black fur on her shoulders, she turned into a warrior.

“Vice-captain Sakuya, I will follow your arrangement.” Alanis reported, her glasses no longer on her face.

“Captain Sumire brought you without explanation. I am against a new member suddenly joining in, but she must’ve a reason why you’re in our team. I have no standing order for you yet, but you can try showing your worth.”

“Understood.” Alanis replied loyally.

Sakuya was implying that she can’t be too bothered with her, but she should try doing her best. It was like telling Alanis that her existence does not matter in the grand scheme of things, but Alanis was not offended at all.

She became a team member of Violet Sword Blaze because of her relationship with Sumire. The opinion of her teammates matters little for her goal. That’s why she doesn’t hesitate to show her method: Bloodbane wolf transformation, [Contaminated Claws].

“Blue Wave’s captain seems to be casting an AoE spell. Should we intercept?” Alanis asked.

“Heheh. Violet Sword Blaze, initiate combat!” Sakuya immediately prepared a spell of her own.

“Sister, let’s go.” Kurogane charged with his two greatswords. Although he didn’t cause a large commotion with every step, it was filled with resolve no less than Kenji the Wild Savage!

Shirogane wordlessly followed her brother’s footsteps, every trace of her movement is elegant. Her cold eyes were sharp, only ruthlessness could be seen from her expression.

She always brought three weapons during the expedition: a small blade, an extremely durable and heavy yet blunt katana for practice, and her signature giant katana for battle. The small knife was concealed; it was never shown to others but her practice katana was well-known to others.

This time, she wields her main weapon on her left hand and the blunt katana with his right.

“Sister, you…” Kurogane shivered in excitement. It was finally time to see her sister’s true might.   

“Move!” Shirogane’s eyes turned sharper. Despite her steps maintaining elegance, each of her footprints are as deep as Kurogane.

Yamamura and Alanis followed suit, but they spread out to cover the flank. As for Seraphina and Sakuya, they stayed put in their position casting spells while Ramiel supported the frontlines with his crossbow bolts.

Just as Kurogane and Shirogane traveled halfway towards Moriko and her team, water and lightning-path energy undulations spread out from Moriko’s teammate. “Careful, it’s not an AoE but single target augmented spells!” Kurogane has yet to report his analysis before the ground he stepped on froze. His footings were disrupted, before he has a chance to recover, a lightning spear penetrates his chest.

Kurogane became unable to participate in the battle further as his internals were fried.  

“This is troublesome.” Shirogane gazed at her fallen brother. The tank that should be hoarding the agro and damage fell first after boasting his defensive capabilities. However, sparing a glance was the only thing she did to her brother. She left Kurogane behind while she closed down onto Moriko’s position under the support of Ramiel’s crossbow bolts.

Moriko saw the incoming bolts but she wasn’t raising any defense. The spell she prepares takes a lot of concentration, if she’s distracted, it will fail. That’s why her allies use their method to create a wall of thin ice to stop them.

“Captain Moriko, we cannot stop the Elegant Blade. You must hurry!” Blue Wave’s second-in-command, Takeshi, urged as he raised multiple obstacles to buy time, but any and all disturbances were swept away by her blades.

Ice spears were sliced into two by her large katana, while thick layered ice walls designed for anti-sword cultivators like her were destroyed by sheer blunt force under her practice katana.

“This is bullshit; how can she have such strength!” Takeshi complained, but his spell activation was not disrupted in the slightest. “Those shield walls should be enough to defend against Wild Savage’s attack once! She…” he couldn’t utter the next part as he couldn’t imagine if a sword-path warrior like her had the raw power of a strength-path cultivator like that freak Wild Savage.

Of course, it wasn’t because of brute force but Takeshi wasn't aware. Shirogane was able to attack twice with her two weapons in succession so the wall looks like it crumbled under one hit.

“Vice-captain Takeshi, you mustn’t be distracted!” his comrades pulled back his distracting thoughts.

During the last few seconds before Shirogane reaches Moriko’s position, she activates the spell that she had prepared. “Torn asunder under the power of my goddess’ might. Rank 0 lightning-path divine spell, [Thunderous Hymns of Lightning Goddess’ Apostle]!”

Deep azure lightning elemental particles were mixed with divine force, shrouding Blue Wave team members in an aura of blue. Shirogane increased the speed of her steps, not allowing Moriko to finish her spell, but it was too late.

Suddenly, Moriko changed the way she moved. The blue aura on her body was a lightning-path acceleration force field that granted her an all-round amplification. Not only does she have the ability to move as fast as a martial artist of the same realm, her spellcasting speed and power rivals even Sakuya herself.

This is the power granted to the priestess of one of the Twelve Main Divines!

“Amplifications are useless!” Sumire attacked with two Incisive sword lights, aiming towards Moriko’s neck.

Actually, these aren’t true sword lights. They were merely the projection of her attack, the kinetic force, so to speak. Only rank 1 martial artists and above can use external energy to form attacks, therefore they are merely capable of sending the kinetic force from their weapon several meters away. These ‘sword force’ distort the lights around them, so most refer to them as sword lights. Despite being mere sword force however, these attacks weren’t light at all!

Without the protection of a defensive spell, Moriko won’t be able to defend herself from these attacks but she wasn’t weak enough to be defeated in one hit! “Activate delayed spell, [Mage Armor: Battlepriestess Lightning Garb]!”

The spell weaves lightning elemental particles and its catalyst into a type of magical armor on Moriko’s body. Mage Armor is the basic of the basics for mages to protect themselves from harm, therefore it’s development was widespread and mature. Moriko’s Mage Armor has the form of metal pieces that were strewn together magically, covering her priestess’ garb. The Mage Armor makes her look like a combat oriented clergywoman.

Augmented by Moriko’s methods and divine force, the Mage Armor wasn’t a mere protection spell, it possessed retaliation measures.

Strong electric current was discharged at Shirogane. She could not defend against something that is not material, therefore she stabbed her practice sword onto the ground. The practice sword was stupidly durable; it acts like a lightning attractor that protects her from Moriko’s electric discharges. However, it wasn’t able to completely fend off her attack since Shirogane herself wears half-plate metal armor.

The electric shock stuns Shirogane for a brief second, allowing Moriko to equip her battle staff. “Activate delayed spell, [Effulgent Weapon: Lightningpiercer]!”

Moriko’s battle staff become imbued with large amounts of lightning elemental particles. It turns the fragile-looking metal staff into Lightningpiercer, Moriko’s magical spear!

Lightningpiercer was laced with electric current, it wasn’t wise to parry it with Shirogane’s Katana since she would receive lightning damage. However, she has no other choice. It was that or having new holes in her body. Shirogane activates all of her defensive measures while looking for an opening in her defense. Unfortunately, Moriko’s teammates were supporting her just as she supports her teammates.

It was at this moment that Alanis and Yamamura arrived on Blue Wave’s flank. They intercepted Blue Wave’s support for Moriko. The two’s combat effectiveness are higher compared to Blue Wave’s but the two were overwhelmed by numerical disadvantage. They could not deal effective damage just as Blue Wave’s combatant could not fend off Yamamura and Alanis.

Alanis’ poisonous claws should be the trump card in this exchange, but Blue Wave team members have already drunk an antidote for Bloodbane poison. Her poison was rendered ineffective. However, Alanis’ combat ability truly surprised Blue Wave’s ace tank, Gin, who intercepted her as her attack was coming from strange angles. Her claws aimed at his eyes, thigh, armpits, and even his crotch, it was frustrating for Gin to fight against her.

Gin’s body stature was the largest in Blue Wave, that’s why he was confident in repelling Alanis. However, Alanis needs to be repelled by two combatants.

What Violet Sword Blaze lacks in number are compensated with quality. It was an irrefutable fact. Blue Wave’s two aces and captain are not in the same level of Violet Sword Blaze’s three crazies. Fortunately for Moriko, Sumire was not present. Moriko showed her talent as a combat priestess with her Lightningpiercer.

Shirogane was being pushed back slowly and surely since Moriko’s ability to read her movements were amplified by divine blessings. Not only that, every attack she dealt on Moriko’s body could be brushed off since she was a priestess whose faith-path healing methods are inherently far superior than any other paths.

She was such a frustrating enemy to fight against. In fact, all priests, paladins or other faith-path divine casters are very annoying to fight against. Moriko was especially so due to her CQC talent, background that supported her physical body foundation, and divine favor she received from her goddess are far more superior than the typical clergywoman.

It was all combined to make her someone that is almost at the same level of Kenji.

She was unstoppable, unless two of the three crazies of Violet Sword Blaze acted together.

Behind, Sakuya almost finished her preparation as she assessed the battlefield. “I see, Moriko also improved tremendously since our last meeting, but that’s not merely enough. Rank 0 fire-path magic spell, [Mage Armor: Sword Blaze]!”

Fine red particles were produced from her spell. The red gas-like substance formed an arrow that traveled toward Shirogane. After being enveloped by the red particles, Shirogane’s armor got shrouded by magical armor. The half plate became a full plate armor of blazing red and silver, not a single inch of skin could be seen.

The spell also grants Shirogane acceleration and protection force field, allowing her to fight Moriko on even ground.

“You’ve run out of time.” Shirogane started gaining ground as Moriko’s lightning attack got repelled. Despite being a priestess and a spear user, Moriko’s experience in close combat is actually lower than a true martial artist. After all, Shirogane was a pure sword-path cultivator whose technique was honed under countless trials.

Now that their spec has become equal, it was about time that Moriko learnt her place.

“Hahah, you think I’m running out of time but I’m the one who buys time for my team.” Moriko revealed an enchanting smile.

Just as her words ended, a strong water-path spell undulation could be felt from Blue Wave’s position. A torrential amount of electric water was produced from the spell, sweeping the ground clean. This spell was aimed towards Sakuya in hope of crumbling Violet Sword Blaze’s backline.

“Tsk.” Kurogane clicked his tongue as his unconscious body moved. “I was waiting to surround any fool who approached Sakuya, but it seems that Moriko is slightly more competent than I thought.” The brute inhaled large amounts of air as his fried internal organs healed rapidly. “Rank 0 strength-path martial art, [Power Overwhelming]!”

Pure unadulterated brute strength filled his body, every breath he took produced wind snakes. “Rank 0 strength-path martial art, [Ground Splitter].”

His two blades were instilled with internal energy and brute force. Despite lacking technique for sophisticated combat maneuver, Kurogane excels at causing artless destruction. He slashed down his sword, creating an elementary form of sword force. However, his sword force was dull, it’s only good points were the strength behind him.

But this dullness helped in destroying the momentum behind the torrential electric water. The spell’s trajectory was rerouted, granting Sakuya a brief respite to prepare a countermeasure. Of course, Sakuya has prepared one already, she only needs that one moment for last-minute adjustment.

“Rank 0 fire-path magic spell, [Burning Prairie]!” a wave of flame engulfs the area.