CHAPTER 10: | OBTAINING A MONSTER CORE
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The currents shook as I moved like a fleeting shadow from the darkness, stalking prey that possessed a monster core.
It had already noticed me, following it for hours earlier, as its obsidian plating began to emit a faint orange glow.
Heat was escaping from its form, it was charging up something to surprise me with, but I chuckled as I activated 'Thorn Spittle.'
The currents now took on a faint greenish hue as 'Thorn Spittle' quickly spread through them.
Shiieeeek!
The red-eyed Whark, covered in menacing obsidian plating similar to the 'obsidian hulk' but different in build, shrieked in pain.
Insanity blazed in its eyes as the built-up mana on its throat erupted from its maw.
Orange lights flashed, and wherever those orange lights landed, magma devoured everything it touched, taking its place.
This guy was more troublesome than I'd expected since its magma blast was extremely dangerous.
If it hit me, I'd be in trouble, so I crouched low in the dark as it shook its head everywhere in search of me.
Then it opened its maw and an orange light glowing deep within as it charged its magma blast, or whatever it was, to unleash another hell.
But I waited patiently for it to run out of mana as my form flickered across the surroundings like a shadow, waiting for it to unleash its magma blast.
Its gaze tracked my shadow.
Intellect, sharp and focused, could be seen in its ember-like eyes as it gazed at my rushing figure with the intensity of a predator.
Then it blurred and vanished.
I read its intent and quickly swept my tail swiftly as danger loomed above me.
I gazed above as my tail shot through its face, but it didn't flinch as it unleashed a torrent of magma at me.
I clenched my teeth, reading the intent of the magma flying across me in slow motion as my brain was pushed to the extreme.
The magma would land on my abdomen gills and left fin, so I chuckled with insanity as I opened my mouth then activated 'Sunder Maw.'
As my maw creased againts it's left gill, I then tore its obsidian plating and through its left gill, ignoring the excruciating pain attacking me.
Riiip!
Pain was visible on the superior version of the 'obsidian hulk,' or should I call it the 'magma tyrant' since it could spew magma?
I chuckled as my flesh was devoured by the magma.
I clenched my mouth, then took another bite as 'Sunder Maw' was activated again and again until nothing was left of its left gills.
Life began to seep from its eyes as they lost their glimmer, and its body convulsed into shock before stopping completely.
It was dead, and I was relieved that it was not as tenacious as expected.
Then, shaking my body, the magma that was eating my flesh was removed as I licked my lips and feasted on its corpse.
Minutes flashed as I gazed at the hologram before me with excitement, a smile on my face.
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[You have slain.]
• S: 1 | T: 2 | Level 6 | Volcanic Sentinel Whark [3★]
[You have gained.]
[10,000 - EXP.]
[You have gained a level.] x1
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[You have gained a mana.]
[You've obtained.]
• [A Mortal With Mana?!]
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[You have devoured.]
• S: 1 | T: 2 | Level 6 | Volcanic Sentinel Whark [3★]
[You have gained.]
[+ 17 - Health.]
[+ 7 - Stamina.]
[+ 0.34 - Physique.]
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[Skills Devoured.]
• Igneous Nexus [Tier 9]
• Telluric Skeleton [Tier 8]
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[Grotesque Physique would like to devour this skills.]
• Igneous Nexus [Tier 9]
• Telluric Skeleton [Tier 8]
[Yes] / [No]
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Igneous Nexus [Passive | ▪︎]
A pulsating, molten core deep within the Whark's chest, the Igneous Nexus is its central furnace. It continuously draws geothermal energy to supercharge the Whark's defenses and cataclysmic attacks. If ruptured, it explodes, disintegrating the Whark and devastating the area.
Telluric Skeleton [Passive | ▪︎]
Its skeletal structure is composed of solidified telluric energy, making it denser and more robust than any known material. This internal framework is the source of its immense structural integrity, granting it complete invulnerability to internal trauma or crushing forces.
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I closed my eyes, sinking into the glorious rush of power surging within me.
Ecstasy was the term that I called this situation, and it was the very mutation of my body that was an ecstasy to me, as I felt that I was becoming complete.
My bones broke then reformed into something new before they were coated by a thin layer of ambient mana as I closed my eyes and felt something inside me coalescing.
At first, it was a small ball made of my flesh and bones, but then it began to solidify into a marble.
Then magma erupted from the marble, turning it into a miniature sun before settling inside of me.
But it wasn't a true monster core, it was a false one that couldn't compare to a true monster core, the culmination of that being's existence.
There were two types of monster cores, one was the true monster core that could only be created at Stage 2, and the second was a false monster core that could be created at Stage 1.
Cultivators call the false monster core a 'Foundation Establishment Core,' while the true one is known as the 'Golden Core' that would hold their existence.
Creating a Foundation Establishment Core would allow you to handle mana and cast mana-infused based attacks.
Then there's the Golden Core, which allows you to form a core that holds your existence, and only by its destruction would you die.
And thats the reason why Stage 2 demonic beast possess vitality that cannot be comprehended, even without any regeneration-type skills, they could instantly create flesh by stimulating its growth with mana.
The only method that could be used to kill a Stage 2 entity was possessing a power that could completely destroy its core.
But enough of that information dump.
Let's fuse these skills that I've got.
Flicking my imaginary finger, a hologram appeared before me as I smiled.
I then dragged the skills into their respective partners, pressing yes with my imaginary finger.
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[Would you fuse this skills?]
• Razor Maw + Crushing Granite Bite
• Obsidian Carapace + Granite Shell
• Telluric Skeleton + Adamantine Framework
[Yes] / [No]
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Adamantine Carapace [Passive | Ascension I | ▪︎]
The Whark's hide ascends to an extraordinary level of resilience, forming an incredibly dense, interlocking shell of nigh-indestructible material. This Adamantine Carapace grants the Whark exceptional resistance to all forms of physical damage—bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing—and renders it completely immune to poison.
Shatter-Rip Maw [Passive | Ascension I | ▪︎]
The Whark's jaws are transformed, now possessing a devastating combination of crushing power and shearing sharpness. Its teeth are exceptionally numerous and rock-hard, allowing it to effortlessly splinter stone and shatter steel while simultaneously ripping flesh from bone. Any creature grappling with or constricted by the Whark suffers continuous bludgeoning and grievous tearing damage.
Terra-Core Skeleton [Passive | Ascension I | ▪︎]
The Whark's skeletal structure ascends into a truly formidable internal fortress, composed of an incredibly dense, virtually unbreakable framework imbued with solidified telluric energy. This grants it unparalleled structural integrity, making it completely invulnerable to internal trauma and any crushing forces. Its immense weight is effortlessly supported by this internal bedrock.
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The fusion commenced without giving me the chance to read the descriptions of the new skills.
Ecstasy shot through my nerves as my body was in an equilibrium of ecstasy and pain.
My teeth hardened as my exoskeletons fused, then overlapped, pushing impurities out from my flesh as I took on a more lean posture.
I smiled with arrogance visible on my face as I muttered internally.
'Perhaps with these skills, killing a Lord-class Whark should be possible...'
But my body went still from the extreme fear that I felt that day, as I recalled that terrific moment inside my mind.
I shook my head.
'No...'
This won't be enough, for I am far too weak, and just tbe despairity of our skills are too much for me to handle at this moment.
I needed more 'Aacension' skills to polish my strength, to push it to its absolute limit, to truly fight a Lord-class.
I closed my eyes and listened.
The faint rustling of the cliff face, the distant, percussive sounds of their clash, a symphony of power.
I would not hide as a mere coward.