A conditional covenant. A specific mission. This was the first time Yanaki had such a clear combat objective. A mix of excitement and anxiety welled up inside her. But she did not rush. Recklessness had nearly killed her once; she wouldn't make that mistake again.
"We need to rest first," she said to Elara through their link. "Both of us."
She led Elara, who was clearly exhausted, into the most structurally sound stone house nearby. It was empty and dusty inside, but at least it was safe and sheltered from the wind. While Elara floated in the middle of the room, slowly absorbing the memory-energy of Erathos to recover, Yanaki sat down and took stock of herself.
Reaching Level 2 had added 2 points to each of her stats, a not-insignificant boost. She tried focusing on her [Appraisal] skill. At a new level, perhaps it had grown stronger.
[Appraisal (Lv.2)]
Description: Allows you to view basic information about a target.
New Feature: Can now see a target's basic [Resistances] or [Weaknesses].
This was a critically important upgrade. Knowing what type of damage an enemy resisted or was weak to could decide the outcome of a battle. Yanaki felt a bit more confident.
After about an hour, Elara looked much better. Her form had become distinct again. Yanaki knew she couldn't let Elara recover completely; time wouldn't allow it. They had to act.
Together, they walked up the dry creek bed. The closer they got to the source, the more grotesque the scenery became. The ground was no longer dry gravel but a black, viscous sludge. The air was cold and thick with the stench of decay and dark magic. On the rocks, black veins twitched weakly like diseased blood vessels.
Soon, they saw the entrance to the cave the Treant had shown them. It was a gaping black maw, dark and foreboding, like the mouth of a beast. And blocking the entrance stood a creature of utter hideousness.
It had the form of a merman, but its entire body was covered in dark brown scales and a thick slime. Its head resembled that of a catfish, with two long barbels, and its white eyes had no pupils. It stood on two webbed feet, and its hands were sharp claws.
Yanaki immediately used [Appraisal].
[Sludge Fish-Fiend]
Level: 4
Description: An aquatic creature mutated into a humanoid form by magical corruption. Its body is slippery and it can spit poisonous sludge.
Skills: [Poison Sludge Spit], [Vicious Claw].
Resistance: Physical Damage (Minor).
Level 4, and resistant to physical damage. Her dagger would be nearly useless. A direct confrontation was suicide.
"Resistant to physical damage..." Yanaki murmured. "But it's a creature of sludge and filth. Could it be..."
An idea sparked. She turned to Elara. "Can you do it? This stream, it was once pure. Can you 'summon' that water again?"
Elara looked at the monster, then down at the dry creek bed. She nodded with great effort. This would be incredibly draining.
Elara floated to an open space in front of the monster and placed her ethereal hand on the ground. She closed her eyes.
The Sludge Fish-Fiend spotted them. It let out a piercing hiss and spat a glob of black sludge towards Yanaki. [Poison Sludge Spit]!
Yanaki agilely stepped back, dodging the sludge. Where it landed, the ground sizzled and smoked.
While Yanaki drew the monster's attention, the ground under Elara's hand began to change. From the black sludge, a stream of pure, clear water began to seep out, slowly forming a small pool that shimmered under the moonlight.
The Sludge Fish-Fiend seemed to detest this water. It growled, backing away from the pool.
The plan was working!
"Over here, you ugly fish!" Yanaki yelled, waving her hand tauntingly.
The enraged monster charged, raising its claws for a [Vicious Claw] attack. Yanaki waited for the right moment, then sidestepped. The monster lost its footing, and one of its feet stepped right into the pool of pure water.
"REEEEEEAAAAA!"
It let out a scream of absolute agony, as if it had stepped on hot coals. The skin where it touched the water sizzled with white smoke. Yanaki glanced quickly at the appraisal panel. The text [Resistance: Physical Damage (Minor)] flickered and then faded.
Its weakness was purity!
Taking advantage of its pain, Yanaki lunged. The monster swung its claws wildly, but its speed had slowed. Yanaki slid under its arm, aiming straight for the gill opening—the weak spot of most fish.
She plunged her dagger into it. This time, the blade sank deep. The monster thrashed violently, but Yanaki didn't let go. She twisted the blade with all her might.
After a few seconds of struggling, the Sludge Fish-Fiend's body went limp and collapsed, dead.
[You have slain the [Sludge Fish-Fiend]. Received 80 EXP.]
[You have obtained: [Poisonous Fish Scale (Material - E-Rank)] x3.]
Yanaki panted, her body covered in filth. Elara was also exhausted, and the pool of pure water gradually vanished. But they had succeeded. The gatekeeper was down.
She looked at the dark, deep entrance to the cave. The stench from within was even stronger. She knew that this Sludge Fish-Fiend was just an appetizer. The main course of corruption was still waiting for her up ahead.