Emery and Klea followed the spiraling path, made their way down below, and found themselves arriving at the second layer of the forest.

As soon as they arrived, both of them felt a sensation as if dozens of eyes were waiting for them from beyond the dark treelines within the unknown shadows. It felt uncanny.

Due to the eerie atmosphere, the two of them subconsciously drew closer to each other.

"What are we facing this time?" Klea asked Emery to check the data given by the magus guard they met earlier.

Doing as asked, Emery scanned the data before saying, "It should be a Marrow Gnawer."

Klea's eyebrows rose slightly at the name. "What kind of creature is that?"

Before Emery could explain, one of the creatures they were talking about appeared among the trees. It was a hunchback figure with dirty gray fur and spikes at the back of its body. The sight of its gruesome face would certainly make goosebumps for those who see it.

Klea caught sight of it, and instantly a deafening sound resounded in the area.

"IT'S A RAT!!"

[Marrow Gnawer]

[Magical Beast - level 70]

[Battle Power - 190]

Shrreeikkkk

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Emery had fought hundreds of high-level magical beasts before in the past, but this time these creatures came in quite a number given their strength.

"1015 18 of them surrounding us," Emery said calmly, his eyes swept across every hunchback figure seen in the area.

On the other hand, Klea seemed to be losing her confidence. "Why does it have to be a rat?! I hate rats!!"

"Stay close to me then," Emery said calmly as he activated [Immortal Gate]. His body also gradually turned furry as his [Fey Transformation] took effect.

As if offended by his words, Klea said, "Huh? No, I can take care of them myself!"

She swiftly started chanting a string of words to cast the powerful ice element spell [Ice Shard - Tier 5].

A moment later, a huge shard of ice materialized and shot forward at breakneck speed, blasting all the trees in front of them. It impaled the creature that had just shown itself and turned it into a block of ice.

At the same time, she also aimed the same spell at the area around the two of them, creating an icy field of bone-chilling spikes as an obstruction.

With sharp ice spikes surrounding her in all directions, Klea felt much safer. Knowing that she was well protected, for the time being, she began to let loose and unleash destruction, hurling several blasts of ice shards at the disgusting creatures.

"Good spell, Klea!"

Klea's sudden rampage of ice spells was enough to startle the creatures and freeze a few ones. However, it didn't manage to kill any. Instead, it made them gather into one group and charge towards the two of them, their deafening screams shaking the air while their fangs and claws brandished ready to strike their prey.

Fortunately, Emery was ready to welcome their arrival.

[Jade Root]

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The icy field around them suddenly glowed in green, and in the next moment numerous green roots the size of an adult's arm rose from the ground, blocking the horde's ferocious charge.

While the horde of Marrow Gnawers tried to extricate from the roots and ice shards, Emery channeled the spirit energy within his cores and cast the new spell he comprehended.

[Primal Flora]

In a matter of seconds, a dozen flesh-eating flowers emerged from the green roots that stopped the horde of gruesome creatures. Before the latter could notice their existence, the flowers moved in a flash and gobbled the nearby creature. At the same time, the roots also took action and ensnared those who were not caught.

As the plants he created wreaked havoc amidst the Marrow Gnawers, Emery released Twik that had been attached to his arm from the start, telling him to stay behind and protect Klea. Meanwhile, he prepared himself for his second purpose of coming here.

He cast [Slipstream] to boost his speed and then brought out his [Blade Claw]. After that

Howwllll!!!

Emery's eyes quickly swept around him, and as soon as he found his first target he shot out with incredible speed, directly thrusting his sword into one of the creatures. Crimson liquid splattered all over as a set of three holes appeared on the Marrow Gnawer's chest.

Spallllltt!!!

[Spirit Devour]

Spirit energy started to flow from the creature towards his body, and a wide smile bloomed on Emery's face when he confirmed that the energy devoured from these creatures was indeed the darkness element the best kind to repair his Devour Pillar.

Unfortunately, to completely devour the Marrow Gnawer whose body was pierced by his claws, Emery needed at least several seconds of time, making him a vulnerable target for its other kin who immediately turned their attention to him when they heard its miserable shriek.

Seeing the five gruesome creatures rushing towards him, he clicked his tongue.

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"I'll be back for you later!" Emery said before his figure suddenly disappeared from the sight of Marrow Gnawer who pounced on him and appeared behind it. A glint appeared and blood splattered into the air.

Splllaaatt!!!

Realizing that he couldn't just devour them one by one like he usually did, Emery quickly came up with another strategy.

Spllaattt!!!!

The forest soil was dyed red as Emery cut off the legs of the creature with his claws, and he then jumped to the next Marrow Gnawer then to the next one and the one after. Without exception, they were all liberated from their legs.

In just five minutes, all high-level magic creatures either had their limbs cut off or their legs were broken. All of them had fallen to the ground, squirming while shrieking in pain. After confirming that every Marrow Gnawer had been taken down, Emery quickly made his next move.

He started a round back to them, stabbing their bodies and devouring their spirit with [Spirit Devour]. One by one, the creature's body lost its strength and turned into a decrepit mummified state.

Klea, who was still standing in the middle of the ice and plant field with Twik, only watched as Emery devoured the creatures with such ease.

When he finally finished, the girl narrowed her eyes and said, "You don't really need me, aren't you?"

In response, Emery chuckled. "No, of course, I do.. Aren't you my bodyguard? I will need you to protect me now." He said with a smile.

After saying such words, Emery sat on the ground and assumed the lotus position. He just devoured 18 high-level magical beasts in one go, and as a result, it created a massive mist around his spiritual core.

It took Emery roughly fifteen minutes to finish using [Spirit Absorption] to neutralize all of them. The moment the mist disappeared, a series of notifications bombarded his mind, telling him that his spirit force had increased. This of course made Emery happy.

When he was finally done, Emery didn't forget to collect the four yellow spirit stones dropped from the creatures before turning to Klea, smiling while saying, "Let's go find those plants."

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