Read Novel Full Chapter 169: State of Things
Chapter 169: State of Things
A weird dynamic had settled in...
After their fight, Awilix looked depressed, as if she were ashamed of her victory. While maybe it was due to how close the fight was, Vale couldn’t help but feel there was another reason.
And if there was a reason, the cat seemed intent on keeping that to herself.
Plus, Toy and Salome had not forgotten the disrespect Awilix showed them.
Toy wasn’t entirely angry or mad at Awilix, but she distanced herself from the cat, and Salome seemed to enforce her rule with more authority.
But if Awilix had a complaint about the treatment, she gave none.
As for Toy, she had indeed become Emergent and unlocked a Trait called [Sixth Sense].
It was pretty straightforward, but very versatile. It gave her senses a boost and even let her anticipate her opponent’s moves.
Combining that with her Aspect, she became a hard target to hit.
Vale leaned back in his throne and threw his head to the side, staring at the Crystal Prison.
A lot about Vale’s entire situation had changed in the recent week of calm...
First was Awilix’s evolution into Champion, which brought with it an unexpected boon and curse.
It seemed that Awilix’s status as Champion had now tied her rank to Vale, so she was now stuck at Nascent for as long as Vale was.
However, she was no longer Charmed.
Meaning, Vale could now Charm another beast...
Vale had contemplated whether Salome could do the same thing with Toy, but Salome said something about it being a curse she didn’t want to put on the goblin.
In any case, Vale was sitting on his throne because he was about to enact Level 8 and attempt to use Charm.
Though, sadly, Vale didn’t even know if Charming was possible, seeing as all of his opponents would be Emergent...
Beyond a potential new member, Vale had made zero progress in freeing Ximena from her entrapment.
Salome still seemed ever in her ways of hate, and it was a non-chance Ophelia would heal her...
’Plus, flower girl is still knocked out.’
A small, shameful part of Vale hoped she wouldn’t wake up at all, but that was unlikely, especially with Mias looking after her.
Right now, Mias was still traveling south, exploring more of the Scar while waiting for Ophelia to wake up or find a way to wake her up himself.
’That little traitor...’
Vale sighed as he looked away from Ximena.
He could think about saving her when he was allowed to. Right now, Vale’s forces were barely allowed to leave the dungeon.
’It’s worse than I thought it would be.’
Tides of Emergent beasts had made the Scar their home. But that wasn’t all...
’Dungeons...’
Vale hadn’t had to sense them this time; in fact, he’d been given a very straight-up message two days ago.
[Champion, Salome, has slain Nascent Draco Warrior]
The same type of message that played when they’d killed the chameleons.
But there was more...
[Warrior, Edith, has slain Nascent Mutant Alap, Champion of Aleryia]
[Champion, Salome, has slain Nascent Loco Warrior]
Vale couldn’t draw anything completely conclusive from this information, but it was clear that at least one other dungeon had spawned, most likely multiple.
Vale still didn’t know how or why dungeons manifested. What mattered was this: non-Vice dungeons spawn already saturated and strong. Even a Nascent Aberrant Dungeon wasn’t something trivial.
With all the factors, finding out what to do next seemed to be a tall ask, but thankfully, or maybe not, each individual dungeon didn’t seem too strong from what Mias had learned about when scouting.
’These new neighbors do mean I’ll have to postpone my excursion to the waterfall...’
After all, Vale would need to not only become Emergent now, but make sure he wasn’t ambushed by the other dungeons.
Meaning, he’d have to find them first, and maybe even take them out.
For now, however, they each seemed to be doing their own thing; their scouting parties only coming across Vale’s from time to time.
And each time a battle did happen, Vale’s forces were winning.
The final thing was the Council of Vice, which would be in a few days.
It would also be the first one Vale would skip.
’I’m not going to be alone with her again!’
He didn’t know Envy’s situation, but it was unlikely she’d be there.
Greed would undoubtedly not be there.
It was highly unlikely Wrath or Pride would show up.
Even if those two did, Vale didn’t want to get between them.
’I guess it’s about time to start it...’
Vale looked over the prospect of Level 8.
Level: [8]
Enemies:
[Emergent Aberrant: 20]
[Emergent Mutant: 20]
[Emergent Monster: 10]
Scary...
That was the simplest way to describe it.
The force was not only numerous but strong. To the point where it was possible to outright lose.
Vale would once again have to rely on his Demons, but even then, he could still lose if his forces lacked.
As for what they’d consist of...
Seeing as the past few Levels had been stronger, mix-matched versions of previous ones, this one would be of the serpents and wolves.
As for who between them Vale would try to Charm, if his guess were right...
’It would have to be the snake.’
His choice was obvious, if for no other reason than that the female Vilkas were too beastly in appearance. It broke his rule number one.
’Even dad wouldn’t have looked those beasts’ way...’
The only difference between the Vilkas and normal wolves was their bipedal gait...
As for the serpents, called Nagas, they were either blue or green, with scaly skin, but otherwise human-like...
From the waist up at least.
They slid along their tails, lacking legs, yet they had a human-like torso and face.
The only thing Vale worried about was getting a face full of venom.
Vale let a soft smile escape his lips as he said:
"Yes..."
[Level 8 will begin in 10 minutes, good luck!]