Taunt was the second innate body-type spell I learned by consuming the last primordial item I found in Mage's Throat…
I should have saved this item as a gift for Zhang, but now that I had a flawed body and a terrible weakness like "Corrupt," I had to find ways to become stronger…
Taunt came exactly as I wanted, but it had many limitations. The first was that I could only use it twice per day. The second weakness was that I could only use the second spell after a 10-minute cooldown after using the first. The third weakness was that I would lose my voice for 5 minutes after using the spell. And the fourth and final weakness of this innate spell was that I couldn't control who heard the voice.
It was a spell that affected enemies and allies, forcing everyone to attack me.
It was a dangerous spell, causing chaos, and putting me in extreme danger by drawing all the aggro on a battlefield toward me. After all, unlike Blood Armor, I wasn't that resilient.
But why did I use such a spell?
I needed to know who would be affected by it, and who wouldn't. What would the attack pattern of each Master on this battlefield be like if they were under the influence of rage? And what would happen to the people controlled by Master Baron Bones?
It worked perfectly… too well.
Master Blood Armor and Master Baron Bones were immune to the taunting scream, which was normal due to their stronger souls, lifespan, or hidden talents.
Master Atrium, Master Golden, and Master Greed immediately attacked me in melee, but I shouldn't count on that a second time, as they were all known in the city for being well-versed in ranged spells.
Master Zima also rushed toward me, but still opted for an advanced ranged spell. I avoided him using a basic spell called "Subterranean Escape." But not before locking the two apprentices of the Order in stone coffins. Another simple basic spell that could restrain them for a while...
While fleeing underground, I activated Shadow Lock, using primal magic.
Primal magic only allowed me to store a total of 30 additional spells through offerings and self-sacrifice. The spells were 50% weaker than normal. But some spells were unaffected, as they were either activation or passive spells. This was the case with Shadow Lock.
The so-called "forbidden" spell rendered the artifacts of anyone within range of the caster useless. Despite the range being reduced from 5 meters to 2.5 meters, it still worked perfectly to fulfill its function of preventing life-saving artifacts from prolonging this fight any longer than intended.
Each self-sacrifice made would allow me to keep this spell active for 1 minute; with all the available sacrifices, I could keep it active for almost 30 minutes.
As soon as I escaped the mist cast by Master Zima, I attacked the mysterious altar with two basic spells to test its defenses, and began timing how long it would take Baron Bones to regain control of Zima with his strange Relic.
I engaged Golden, Greed, and Atrium without worrying about defense, and with a stroke of luck, thanks to Shadow Block, I managed to kill him. I also took the opportunity to test whether even the powerful fire breath would be restricted within the barrier, but to my surprise, this spell was still strong enough to partially melt Master Golden's golden skin…
I felt the life essence of the Shadowmancer Atrium flow into my ritual jewel on my forehead, increasing its energy collection percentage above 80 percent. At that moment, Master Blood Armor pulled the two out-of-control masters away from me using tentacles that emerged from within his armor.
I smiled at them and used the two ritual gems on the back of my hands to perform a sort of primitive transfusion, replenishing some of the blood I'd lost from the fatal wound inflicted by Vitarys, who had finally stopped bleeding again after casting my innate spell.
It seemed the side effect of being unable to cast advanced spells after failing to cast Earthquake still lingered, so I'd have to make do with my sword and buy more time.
I used Spatial Control and brought the Red Fang that was embedded in Atrium's skull back into my hand, and just as I was about to reach Blood Armor, I was possessed by Baron Bones's subordinate Soul.
"Damn, fighting so many people at once is really too difficult..."
As I lamented, my vision darkened, and all I could hear were the system messages...
[You have been possessed by a Senior Vengeful Soul!]
[Your right arm has been severely injured by a cursed sword!]
[You are under the restraining effect of the basic Bone Binding spell!]
[You have suffered severe damage to the ligaments and bones in your knees!]
"A mere Senior Vengeful Soul dares to possess me. If it were a Lich, I would even have had some trouble…"
Rafael was blinded by the Soul's possession, but he was still able to observe everything around him using his gravity control and decided to use the situation he was in to his advantage again.
"First, let's get rid of this basic restraining spell…"
Even bound by the bones of the Lich's spell, Rafael used sheer force to break it.
***
When Baron Bones finally freed Golden and Greed from the effects of Rafael's "Taunt," he witnessed an absurd scene unfold.
His Senior Lich was beginning to chant a powerful, advanced spell that could put even dragons to sleep for a few seconds. But he failed miserably…
Rafael, who seemed to be finally restrained by all his subordinates working together and about to receive the sleep spell, broke the Bone Binding restraints with sheer physical strength. He then used an invisible power to hurl the Senior Lich away, causing him to interrupt the chanting of the advanced spell and suffer the consequences.
But the Red Sage didn't stop. A ring on his right hand, emitting the aura of a Relic, glowed, emitting a small sea of fire that covered 10 meters around him. The sea of flames wasn't large, and it didn't last long, but it set his armored giant ablaze, who ran in terror, trying to escape the flames. It also burned the Undead Knight's horse, which, in its desperation, threw its rider to the ground…
Then, Rafael's boots glowed with green energy, sending him flying. His uninjured hand turned transparent and entered his body, removing the Senior Vengeful Soul while holding it by the neck. Alma despaired and couldn't break free from his grip. Rafael whispered a basic, common spell, transforming the powerful Alma into a spirit stone. Before Alma could free herself from the stone, he devoured her in front of everyone and then smiled sinisterly at Baron Bones…
****
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