NOVEL NEXT Chapter 140: The Cruelest Joke
DING
[Talent's daily use available. Use: Yes/No]
The familiar crisp noise of his daily notification woke him as usual.
Upon hearing it, his arms whistled through the air, and his muscles tensed to answer his racing heart and impatience to tackle the day and its challenges.
With a swipe of his finger, he pressed yes, rolled his shoulders and struck his fists against each other.
BAM
A wind blast ruffled his hair backwards, each strand glowing healthily under the rising sun. He passed a finger on his cheek next, feeling the texture of his tough skin covering his jaw and teeth before his lips curled into a satisfied smile.
Then, he raised his clenched fists and leaned back.
"I'm sinfully handsome again!"
Simultaneously, the subtle rattling of his talent wheel stopped, and another notification flashed before his eyes.
However, he swallowed his sarcastic remarks. Instead, his fingers trembled, then clenched into a shaky fist.
[Congratulations on obtaining the legendary weapon: Crystalline magic staff (fused weapon).]
His eyes enlarged, and his smile uncontrollably broadened to reach his ears.
"Hahaha! The wait was long but worth it! I finally got a good item!" He shook his head mischievously. "What good? I destroyed the PvP fields with it in the past!"
Sweet memories of his mage character resurfaced along with the noise of his spells raining on fortresses during guild versus guild events.
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Eager to reunite with the weapon he had farmed for weeks, he summoned it without delay.
Sparks danced around his hand before they condensed into a brillant staff.
Catching the sunlight and reflecting it in colorful hues, he felt its mineral texture and coldness in his palm. Then, he grinned at the spikey arc protecting a crackling gem at its tip before the details of the weapon appeared before him.
Crystalline magic staff (fused weapon)
Introduction:
A rare world boss' loot that only a few ever held. Yet, someone had the absurd idea and determination to get two and fuse them to create a unique aberration attuned to fire and wind. More than a magical tool, this staff becomes a weapon of mass destruction in the hands of a skilled mage.
Rarity: Legendary
Level requirement: 50
Stats:
Vitality +300
Agility +300
Intelligence +950
Special effects:
Fire and wind spell casting time reduced by 90%
Mana consumption reduced by 150%
Mana regeneration increased by 150%
Spells potency increased by 150%
Special skills:
Mana barrier: A magic barrier equal to half the weapon wielder's mana protects him against physical and magical harm.
Dual spell casting: Allows the wielder to cast fire and wind spells simultaneously.
He clapped his hands at the familiar effects and skills, yet his brows raised at the adjusted stats. But since they increased, he shrugged the matter off before an ominous feeling struck him. Like a swarm of ants crawling under his skin, it caused his mind to race and his eyes to dart through the description again.
Ten seconds later, a dull noise echoed as he dropped the staff, the collision echoing in his room.
His pupils constricted, and his mouth opened and closed. Yet his throat muffled the curses he wanted to hurl at the ridiculous situation. Instead, he rolled his eyes, and his voice cracked with disappointment.
"I can't use it without mana... Why?" He turned to the wheel, his knuckle-whitening and his heart throbbing. "Why do you have to troll me every day? What rank must you reach to give me SSR items?"
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he dismissed the powerful yet useless staff without picking it up.
Shoulders slumped and dragging his feet, he left his house like a beggar instead of a triumphant conqueror.
Grumbling on his way about how crueller getting something he couldn't use felt, he sat on his favorite spot before the demonic altar.
The early morning passed as usual: his subjects slowly emerged from their houses and joined him for breakfast, including Garduck, Bart, and Luna, who returned during the night.
Yet, they all noticed with dreamy smiles a negligible difference, but one that changed their dull habits. They now had sea salt to season their bland meat. Even better!
Lilia had woken up before them and baked fresh bread with the wheat they had bought in Foliaris last week.
In a delighted atmosphere, they laughed and ate together before he rose to his feet and clapped his hands to command attention.
Eyes narrowed, and his smile receding to let solemness overtake his expression, he turned to Garduck first.
"How many did we lose?"
Garduck understood the vague question and inhaled sharply before delivering what he considered good news. But with their lord's tender heart, he passed his tongue over his lips and whispered.
"Fifty. I know you wanted everyone to survive. But it was impossible with the archers and scattered mages."
Adam closed his eyes and clasped his hands over his chest.
A soft whisper left his lips next.
"I won't forget your sacrifices. Thank you." His voice and eyes sharpened. "Ask Ozymandias if he can reserve a memorial. Even in death, we'll bring them home."
Garduck lowered his head, promising to focus on the task today.
Then, Adam sighed his mixed emotions out. On one hand, he knew fifty deaths were low, but he couldn't help but value every life on the other.
Still, a steely glint flashed in his eyes. He couldn't stop even if more would die. The gods wouldn't allow him to, either. Therefore, he clenched his fists and pointed west and south as his voice echoed his determination.
"Bart, Garduck, Maven, and Ondine, I want you to form four teams of three hundred demons today. Tomorrow, you'll separate and offer peace to any territory Shadow reports. If they refuse, raze their villages to the ground but limit civilian casualties to the bare minimum."
He crossed his arms over his bare chest, exuding charisma under the green wisps of demonic essence wafting from the altar.
"Don't endanger yourselves either, and always, and I repeat, always consider Shadow's scouting reports. If he deems a place too dangerous to attack, mark it and retreat. We'll return with the bulk of the army later."
Finally, he told them it was his barbarian play style. And with it, he would terrorise his surroundings so much that even the bravest lord would tremble behind his walls as the endless noise of demonic squads passing a few hundred meters from him reverberated.
He scratched his head, a wry smile twisting his lips.
'Well, that's for the few territories we can't one-sidedly obliterate. I trust they'll do fine, even Maven.' He winked and grinned at the shocked kobold. 'I'll give you a chance to shine and show the world that your species is as intelligent as the others.'
Meanwhile, Luna narrowed her eyes at him, a disdainful "Humph" resounding.
"Why am I not leading any team? Or don't you trust me anymore?"
His eyes softened, and a warm smile crept on his lips as he placed a hand on his hip and raised his palm between them.
"The others need to refine their leadership, too. Since Maven is the least experienced, I planned to send you as his advisor because I trust you the most."
He noticed the corner of her lips curl upwards and a trace of relief flash in her eyes before she turned.
"Sorry for yesterday."
Guilt filled her tone as she returned to her house.
Meanwhile, an icy shudder ran down his spine, and John's agonising screams echoed in his mind.
'Never mention it again so I can forget this horrible scene!'
With an inner protest, he bid his other subjects goodbye and walked through his village's street, then left through the southern wall.
He continued to walk, enjoying the forest's fresh scent and the gentle warmth of the morning sun's rays. With each step, his heart pulsed a little faster in his chest to echo his rising excitement... because today, the caravan transporting the specialists, farm animals, and crops he had bought last week would arrive!