Chapter 111: The Search

10 Days after the separation, I finally found the first dungeon of the 5 artifacts. I have been far too weak. I stood there frozen while he ran to that monster to let us escape. I will never let that happen again. I will retrieve the artifacts.

I entered the dungeon and I already knew my around it. The entrance is small and difficult to see but when you enter the dungeon you'll feel that you're in a different world. The layout is just one big area of grassland but the poison will gradually make you hallucinate.

All I could see in this beautiful grassland filled with flowers were the dead bodies of unfortunate adventurers that didn't have any counter to the poison.

I simply walked straight since the artifact is sitting at the middle of the whole dungeon. To give scouts a false sense of security and bring in more adventurers here.

I finally arrived at the artifact. "It's still here. Grasp of the Void." I grabbed the upright severed hand on top of the pedestal. Its appearance is a mixture of black and violet while the mysterious violet essence seems to be moving inside. It doesn't really look like a hand since the fingers look like bones. It isn't curved but just spiky over all. It looks like a ghoul's hand.

"Time to use this. Gazer Armor. Come, Deathdance." I grabbed my sword on my right arm. I then grit my teeth and cut my left arm cleanly. "Dispel." I removed my armor and sword and attached Grasp of the Void on my left arm."

[Grasp of the Void]

[Additional Properties Found]

[Reap, by using this skill that can only be used while this is equipped, the tips of each of the fingers will extend as sharp claws while the extender are the chains. If an enemy is hit by a chain, they'll lose 30% speed for 0.3 seconds. This can stack for 3 times. If an enemy is hit by the tip of the finger, the blade, the enemy will receive a debuff called "Bleed" wherein they'll lose 2% HP in the span of 2 seconds. This consumes 50 mana per second. You can't use or control Reap if Void's calling is active.]

[Void's Calling, drag nearby enemies to you while dealing gradual damage to those being pulled. Those who are the closest at the middle except you will take 100% more damage. You can't control or use Void's Calling if Reap is active.]

"Who... who are you! How do you know how to use that artifact!" A voice was heard behind me.

I looked back and it was a teddy bear. But I knew it wasn't any ordinary teddy bear. With no hesitation, "Reap." The Grasp of the Void's tip of the fingers suddenly detached, extending to absurd lengths. The chains and the tip of the finger which were the blades, I could control it by using mana.

I used this newfound power and tried to sneak attack the teddy bear by attacking it with quick succession. The Grasp of the Void attacked one by one as if snakes reaching for their prey. But the teddy bear knew this and jumped back.

"Hey there mister! I'm just a cute little bear. Why would you do that?" The teddy bear looked at me with puppy eyes.

"Cut the crap."

"I see. I've had some fun with some adventurers but..." The teddy bear ripped its own skin and revealed its true form, a Troll.

"A troll? Alone? This is new."

"Kekeke." His high pitched voice before changed into a more deeper one, inflicting fear to those who hear it. But it'll not work for me. "This place is simply survival of the fittest. I had to use them as rations since less and less adventurers are heading at this place."

"Let yourself be my guinea pig."

"Heh. Young, handsome and has a cheeky mouth. Eating you will be fun."

"Gazer Armor, come, Deathdance. Duel Initiate, lock on that Troll!" A big window message then appeared revealing our HP level and names. "Let's do this."

The troll grabbed a weapon on its back, it was a greatsword and then swung it. I stepped back but it managed to hit me and knocked me back a couple of meters. I didn't understand what happened but I knew I judged the distance correctly.

He readied his sword again to swing an overhead.

He swung it again three times and it hit my body somewhat.

"Dimensional Swing." The troll menacingly said. "I can reach through everything."

"Barrier!" With no known information about the enemy, I could only defend myself.

"Naive." He swung his blade again and the next thing happened surpassed everything I anticipated.

"Uguah!" I was sliced while I was inside my own barrier.

"HAHAHA! This is the best! Another food coming in this dungeon thinking he could steal that artifact."

"I didn't want to use this but... I have no choice." I didn't use this form because it was too hideous. Disgusting and downright creepy. But this is not the time to be selfish. For him I'll become a monster. Far more scarier than anyone will know. "Come, DANCE WITH THE DEVIL!"

This is not the same form I used against the battle with Zieglind nor at the war. This is my true nature. This is the thing I inherited from my father. I finally remember who my father is. I'm a goddamn hybrid. I'm a demigod.

My bones creaked the moment I finished my transformation. "Hey troll... What's with your face? Are you scared? Confused? Tell me. Do I look ugly?"

He fell down to his knees and dropped his weapon. "W- wait... No... No please... NO!"

"You all have the same look when you see this true form of mine."

[Conditions met.]

[You have regained your memories.]

[Gained new skill, Eye of Cthulhu, inflict fear on enemies.]

A simple one sentence skill. But it's enough. If my form doesn't scare you. Then how about my father's?

I used Grasp of the Void and grabbed the troll.. Before he looked so huge but now I'm carrying him with one hand."Come. Be the stepping stone for me. I will become a monster."

"No... no!" His whole body was covered by darkness with my humongous size overshadowing him. And as I opened my mouth, he followed into the unending darkness, that is, my stomach.