NOVEL NEXT Chapter 46: Taunting the Goddess
46 Chapter 46: Taunting the Goddess
The Sword became noticeably sharper and slightly longer in Raven's grasp. As he examined it, he couldn't help but feel that something else had changed about the weapon. It was as if the Sword was devouring something from the snake, transferring its essence into Raven's body.
A series of notifications flashed before Raven's eyes, each one indicating a significant increase in his attributes:
[Strength +1]
[Strength +1]
[Strength +1]
[Strength +1]
[Strength +1]
[Strength +1]
[Speed +1]
...
The power gained from the snake's essence coursed through him, invigorating his body and mind. It was a welcome surprise, as if the Sword had unlocked a new ability—stealth.
Raven realized that with each cut of his sword, he could steal the enemy's stats. Although the increase was small, granting only one point per second until the enemy perished, it was a valuable advantage in battle.
As the serpent thrashed and convulsed, its energy gradually waned, its form dissipating into nothingness. Raven delivered one final strike, severing the connection between the Snake of Nirvana and the realm he stood in, banishing it from existence.
Exhausted and battered, Raven sank to his knees, his breath ragged and labored. Elia rushed to his side, her concern etched across her face. Despite his weariness, a sense of triumph and relief welled within him. He had triumphed over insurmountable odds, defying the impossible and emerging victorious.
Moreover, he felt that he had gained much more than a hard-fought victory. The most pleasant surprise came from the Sword itself. It had not only become stronger but had unlocked new abilities. Raven marveled at the thought of his stealthy strikes that could steal his enemies' stats. It was a power that could turn the tide of any battle.
As the echoes of battle faded, the chamber returned to its former serenity. The darkened grass withered away, turning into dust before Raven's eyes. He watched as the entire garden slowly died, no longer protected by its fallen guardian.
But Raven paid little attention to the dying garden. His focus was on the notifications that appeared before him. After killing the snake, he had gained multiple levels at once, his exhaustion gradually receding.
Curiosity piqued, Raven opened the status screen to assess his newfound strength. The comprehensive display revealed his current stats, skills, and equipment, all of which had significantly improved:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Player Name: Hellfire
Player ID: 001
Planet of Origin: Earth
Age: 24
Level: 51
Exclusive Skill: Limitless (Passive)
Exclusive Skill Grade: Unknown
Exclusive Skill Number: 1
Innate Nature: Neutral (Partially Demonic)
Bloodline: [Forbidden Heir]
Title Equipped: [Undefeated Warrior], [Killer]
Coins: 979,876,937
Stats:
Attack: 250
Agility: 290
Defense: 230
Dexterity: 260
Luck: 35 (-5)
Mana: 608
Skills: [Berserker], [Lunar Slash], [Cloud Footsteps], [Shield of Rezen], [Flame Blast], [Lightning Strike]
Bloodline Skills: [Voice of Gods], [Blood Sacrifice], [Curse Resistance], [Limit Break], [Poison Immunity]
Items Equipped: [Forbidden Heir's Sword], [Phoenix Armor], [Boots of Wind's Blessing], [Cloak of Protection], [Ring of Luck], [Ring of Critical Damage], [Ring of Recovery], [Ring of Sanity],[Pendant of Magician Giana]...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
While Raven navigated through the status screen, his focus was abruptly interrupted by another notification that materialized before him, catching him off guard.
[You have gained a new title: Enemy of Nature]
The description of the title intrigued Raven.
[Whenever fighting against Players who have an affinity with nature, all your stats will increase by 5 percent]
Raven scratched the back of his head, contemplating the implications of this newfound title. Now he was considered an enemy of Nature?
As he shifted his attention to the Notification Screens, a multitude of messages relating to the thoughts of the gods flooded his view. An undeniable sensation told him that the Goddess of Nature was far from pleased with him.
As expected, a series of notifications illuminated the display:
[The Goddess of Nature is furious]
[The Goddess of Nature tried to curse you to death]
12:46
[Bloodline Skill has dispelled the curse]
[The Goddess of Nature tried to curse you to death]
[Bloodline Skill has dispelled the curse]
[The Goddess of Nature is stunned]
[The Goddess of Nature tried to curse you to death]
[The Curse has failed]
[The Demon General of Puppetry is laughing hysterically]
[The Demon General of Puppetry is very happy with you]
[The Demon General of Puppetry wants to reward you with a skill]
[You have received a new skill: Puppet Explosion]
[The Goddess of Nature is infuriated. She has taken an oath of revenge]
"You..." Raven stood up, shaking his head in frustration. "You chose to attack me first. And when I defend myself, you are angry at me?"
"Since I have already offended you, why not provoke you a little more!" he exclaimed defiantly.
The majority of the garden had already succumbed to destruction, except for the ancient tree positioned at its center. With his Nameless Sword in hand, Raven advanced toward the Ancient Tree.
As notifications continued to flood his vision, Raven remained resolute, disregarding their persistent chimes. The goddess's initial attempt to kill him and subsequent endeavor to curse him to death did not sit well with him.
One misstep, and he could have met his demise. Their relationship was already fraught with animosity, so why should he concern himself with her feelings?
Summoning all his strength, Raven swung his sword with force, delivering a single strike that caused the ancient tree to topple gradually.
But Raven's assault did not cease there.
"Flame Blast!"
"Flame Blast!"
He unleashed multiple consecutive flame blasts, reducing every remnant of the ancient tree to smoldering ashes until nothing remained.
The entire garden lay in ruins, transformed into a barren landscape devoid of any trace. An unsuspecting visitor would never have fathomed that a splendid garden had once thrived there.
"Now you can curse me to your heart's content!" Raven proclaimed, taunting the Goddess of Nature.
He harbored no concern over the possibility of the Goddess descending upon him. Raven already understood that all the Gods and Demons were imprisoned within Hellfire, unable to escape their confines.
This realm served as both their prison and their limitations. Consequently, they propagated their Bloodlines, aiming to select an Inheritor who could ultimately free them.
Not only was the Goddess incapable of descending, but she also remained incapable of communicating with those who inherited her Bloodline.
No other player possessed the Bloodline Skill that enabled them to hear the gods who paid attention to them, unlike him.
Essentially, the Goddess of Nature could only resort to cursing him—albeit indirectly.