Chapter 97 - A storm in the making

I was still relis.h.i.+ng the excitement of moving in an 8-meter tall body as I floated a few miles away from Skypeak Nest.

The three powerful presences were most likely some of the powerful EPIC ranked beasts that almost always stayed in the center of the nest. I was told that a possible reason the beasts continue to stay in the nest was due to the deterrent of the powerful individual that was the king of the Frozen Kingdom.

The common knowledge currently was that only after more EPIC ranked beasts were born in the nest or the momentous rise of one of a higher rank beast occurred would they grow courageous enough to lead their packs out of the nest again.

Even though I was pretty confident of coming out in one piece even while taking on all three beasts, I would still over prepare if I can. I looked through the loot from taking down the disproportionately sized white-furred beast. I found EPIC ranked cores to start absorbing as well as two skill books.

One of the skill books was the spectacular [Iceberg] that the beast was casting. It manifested a freezing and nearly solid ma.s.s of ice that was more than 30 meters. Such a skill was already tremendously powerful in the hands of the beast, but to me who could cast it multiple times?

I couldn't wait to use this as soon as possible as I looked towards the next skill. It was [Absolute Zero- The heat near you is sapped away as ice elements reinforce your body and attacks. When active: All attacks carry the Freezing Touch effect. +100% Ice Element Resistance]

I had a wide grin as I viewed the two skill books disappear into particles of light. With even more editions of EPIC skills, I wanted to badly go back and have a go at the 3 new EPIC beasts that popped out, but there were still too many unknowns. I would find out more about just how many beasts of high rank were in each nest before finding myself surrounded. I had already taken down one of them, they wouldn't make it that easy for me to continue taking down more.

Another point was that I received the first EPIC skill that I could activate at all times and would continue to grow stronger as time pa.s.sed, or so I thought. The moment I activated [Absolute Zero], the surroundings of 5 meters became deathly cold with ice being condensed all around visible to the n.a.k.e.d eye.

Soon enough, a storm of ice elements could be seen rotating around me as just the outward effects of this skill were this powerful. I stopped myself from rus.h.i.+ng back into the nest and went back to the Frozen Kingdom. I had to find out the new developments that occurred, as well as prepare for big moves soon.

I deactivated [Corrupted Sword Saint's Incarnation] and [Absolute Zero] as I neared the kingdom, and looked at the grim looks of guards that had vastly increased on the large fortress wall as well as the closed doors. Things seemed to be moving along as I pa.s.sed the fortress wall and thought about the first EPIC skill I received.

The 'corrupted' in the skill name made me think quite a while as I replayed the scene of the mercenary swallowing that menacing red jewel, but I would solve the mystery in due time. My figure covertly pa.s.sed through many buildings below, pa.s.sing by the moving humans and beastmen as I went towards Snowy Peak.

Even the EPIC ranked beastman standing guard at the entrance of Snowy Peak was not able to catch a glimpse of my aura with the many covert skills I had active. It didn't take too long until I came across the huge manor at the center of the floating landma.s.s and I found the Princess giving out commands to a few Shadow Guards.

I smiled at the fact that even with many skills that made it so that an EPIC individual wouldn't notice me, she was still able to see me the moment I came in through the use of her unique skill. This made me look forward to when I met the individuals who held such skills and they stood against me.

The Shadow Guards were quickly sent away with my appearance, and I got the chance to hear about the developments after she went to meet with the king. One of the major takeaways was how King Roark finally seemed to be acting against his c.r.a.ppy son after all this time. Being given clear proof didn't allow him to use the excuse of fatherly love anymore, and he had to bring to account everything else.

The other takeaway was the Grand a.s.sembly that would be convened in a soon. The princess had an inkling of what things would be mentioned as she talked about her aging father, and the toll the war was taking on him. My mind was filled with curiosity as I thought of this man who was a rank above anything I have met so far.

LEGENDARY.

That was the rank that many of the top powers had in this large continent. The type of strength that they held made me extremely hopeful and excited to reach it myself. The only issue that presented itself was the Demon Kings that were running rampant across the continent of the Beast World currently.

Their powers were most likely LEGENDARY, or even worse, along with their strength being boosted by their Unique and sometimes Ultimate Skills for those that are of higher rank.

I was looking forward to possibly matching their strength with my continued stacking of many skills that have worked well to allow me to defeat people of the next rank so far. Would it be the same when they are of the next rank and also holding powerful categories of skills and magic?

This brought us to the other takeaway today, a Demon Legion that was slowly making its way towards the kingdom was now advancing at full force. This was why fear was in the air, with the battalions of the kingdom being put on standby, soon set to be sent to the defensive positions across the cold mountains to hold back the advancing demons.

I had to continue to move faster with this new information, and ama.s.s as many EPIC skills as I could before the clash. I thought about how I might not be the most powerful figure taking the role in this fight as the King himself would be moving, but only time would tell.

My blessing of nearly endless energy to work with made it so I could skip ranks, but I didn't know how wide the gaps were as I continued to rise higher and higher. So, while people are preparing for war by convening a.s.semblies and troops, I would prepare by obtaining more loot from EPIC beasts.

The talks and discussions about possible ways everything could go continued as I found myself roasting a few types of meat to enjoy at the same time. The day finished like this, fairly fun and eventful.

The skills combined today were:

Guardian's Light + Healing Light ~ A+ Paladin's Blessing

Infernal Purge + Arc Lightning ~ A+ Pursuing Infernal Lightning

[Noah Osmont][Occupation: Hunter]

[Vitality: 375]

[Focus: - ]

[Strength: 388]

[Skill(s): [F][E][D][C][B][A: Flight-100, Instant Transfer-100, Area Expansion-22, Pain Resistance-100, Recorder-100, Language Comprehension-100, Lion's Roar-23,Water Barrier-100, Pierce-100, Executor's Speed-100, Sense Heat Source-100, Silent Communication-55, Regal Archer's Eyes-66, Cook-33]

[A+: Arctic Zone-100, Relegator's Spear-23, Immutable Regeneration-100, Abstruse Cover-23, Barrier of Illusion-23, Paladin's Blessing-1, Pursuing Infernal Lightning-1]

[S: Protection of the Wounded-100, Flash-18, Aura of Belligerence-31, Enfeeble-22, Phoenix Arrow-1, s.h.i.+eld Slam-1, Obfuscation-45, Rune of Defense-11, Dragon Scales-11, Budding Farmer-8, Ricocheting s.h.i.+eld-1, Bear's Fighting Style-1, Archer's Gamble-1, Lion's Heart-8, Speedster-8, Smouldering Sword Strike-, Earthen Spears-1, Thought Acceleration-8, Crisis Avoidance-8]

[S+: Saint's Return-69, Devastation-51, Plague Bearer-65]

[EPIC: Corrupted Sword Saint's Incarnation-8, Iceberg-1, Absolute Zero-3]

[Equipment: (3x B-Ring of Storage)(A-Ring of Storage)(S-Storage Pouch)(S-Veiled Suit)(S-Legion Armor)(S-Viridian Boots)(EPIC-Kingslayer]