Chapter 298: The Marble Box

'Parasite could faintly sense the presence of the Tier 6 Skep but was unable to pinpoint its location. So, its aura only lingered around the water surface? Or maybe it is currently occupied with something pressing, unable to divert much attention here? The issue must be pressing enough considering it hasn't sent Crash to probe around. As an Esper, Crash should have an easier time locating the Tier 6 Skep.' Rhachis Ancestor Strongest thought.

His thoughts aligned with the truth. Rhachis Ancestor Parasite was busy suppressing the sea of flames that had erupted on his home, unable to divert much attention elsewhere. Its subordinates were also assisting it in suppressing the flames while trying to think up countermeasures.

'Seeing as how Dawn asked for my presence all of a sudden, he must have been the cause. I am curious how he had been able to achieve it.' He thought, moving through the water to avoid a tentacle that brushed past him.

The tentacle scratched a Tier 4 Frenzy Beast, drawing out copious amount of blood. The Tier 4 Frenzy Beast didn't possess any regenerative power, struggling to move as it continued to lose strength. It activated all its four Skills, bursting with power as it spewed forth a bluish-white beam, only inferior to the one launched by the Tier 5 Frenzy Beast.

The beam landed on a Skep, mildly freezing a small part. The Skep easily resolved the injury in a couple of seconds, brandishing its tentacles in retaliation. The Tier 4 Frenzy Beast dodged for a couple of minutes before its injuries worsened. It was soon diced by a tentacle, the pieces swallowed by a Skep.

Rhachis Ancestor Strongest observed their battle, understanding their battle tactics. He looked around, noticing a tunnel's entrance in a corner of the dome. The tunnel was inclined, its inner surface melted by something that made all solids brittle under extreme cold.

Rhachis Ancestor Strongest swam towards it, noticing the remains coagulated at the bottom. It was a residue from whatever had dug the tunnel. The interior of the tunnel faintly glowed with a blue hue, extending a long way, beyond what he could inspect without giving his position away.

He arrived at the spot and crouched before the residue. His left hand held the box while his right created a container. Scooping out some of the residue, he placed it into the container, watching it hold up without getting damaged.

He pocketed it and swam back, watching the ongoing battle. Soon, he frowned, 'Their exchange is just a volley of attacks back and forth. All their damages are negated by their regenerative abilities. Are they trying to exhaust the energy supply of the Tier 6 Frenzy Beast?'

He then sensed the energy levels of the Tier 6 Frenzy Beast, frowning, 'It barely lost any energy. I fear they have been battling since the moment it finished its breakthrough. At this rate, their battle might span 7-8 months at the very least. Before that, Parasite would definitely be able to pinpoint its presence. And the moment it gains the Tier 6 Skep as an ally, its strength would soar.'

The strength of most of the Skeps was more or less the same, judging by their presence and energy reserves. But, except for physical attacks, they hadn't used any other abilities. Rhachis Ancestor Strongest knew for a fact they possessed quite a few abilities of their own. But for some reason, both the parties refrained from doing so.

As he observed the battle further, he noticed every tentacle attack draw out blood from the Tier 6 Skep. Their tentacles would immediately absorb part of the blood. Similarly, when the Tier 6 Skep attacked the other Skeps and wounded them, it would absorb their blood. But, it only did so in instinct. Consciously, it sought to escape their confinement but was unable to do so.

The tremendous water pressure prevented it from moving fast enough while there were too many Skeps around to constrict its movements. The other Frenzy Beasts, including those that arrived later, were being killed off one by one. So, its situation was getting progressively worse. Moreover, its aura was plummeting continuously.

'These bastards are lusting after the other party's genetic materials! So, that was the reason.'

Rhachis Ancestor Strongest directed his gaze at the largest Skep present, the one that seemed to prevent Rhachis Ancestor Parasite from sensing the presence of the Tier 6 Skep. Energy-wise, it was the same as the other Skeps but, its presence was on a higher level.

'It has stepped into the realm of Tier 6. Its flesh is on the same level as a Tier 6 being that had recovered from the breakthrough damage and had spent a year with the Nurturing effect.' He hovered beside it, probing it at a deeper level.

Even now, it failed to sense his presence. Rhachis Ancestor Strongest took this opportunity to understand it better, noting that both its flesh and presence were in Tier 6 Realm. 'It has achieved this without a Parasite. Impressive! I think this is the first Skep to achieve this level.'

Slowly, the Skep turned around, causing the radiance on a part of its body to flicker. This flicker was exactly in the direction Rhachis Ancestor Strongest hovered. A moment later, without causing any other disturbance, it gently moved back.

The glow on its body intensified, solidifying the barrier in the dome that blocked Rhachis Ancestor Parasite's senses. Seeing its actions, Rhachis Ancestor Strongest smiled, following it. Soon, the two of them had arrived at a spot beyond the range of the other Skeps.

The Skep hovered in silence, gazing at him in alarm, feeling threatened. It dared not express it back there, only deciding to do so now. Rhachis Ancestor Strongest smiled, transmitting his voice, "You have devoured enough beings from Terra. So, don't stay silent."

"Yes," A voice resounded from it, faint to the extent only he could sense it. It was a method of communication using their auras. When his body sensed its aura, a word formed in his mind. That was how they were able to communicate.

"No wonder," Rhachis Ancestor Strongest's eyes turned serious, suffused with killing intent. He looked at it in anger, but his opponent didn't feel anything amiss. After all, his anger wasn't directed at it, but at the Frenzy Beasts it had swallowed and managed to learn the language from.

While communicating, the Skep had used their language, Modern Rodawri, something that ought to have been exclusive to humanity. 'Not only the elites among the Floating Spiders have learned Modern Rodawri, but they also taught it to their lower cadres. That is how even the Skeps have managed to learn it.'

He sighed once, 'I can now say Modern Rodawri has been completely compromised.'

He gazed at the Skep, "Your objective?"

For a moment, the Skep gazed in silence, staring at Rhachis Ancestor Strongest without moving. Its six large tentacles continued to move about, affected by the undercurrents, floating in the waters. It then replied using its aura, "Usual."

Rhachis Ancestor Strongest didn't say much, knocking once on the box he carried. Followed by a faint fluctuation, the Skep was able to notice it. For some reason, its desire grew unabated as it stared at the box. If not for the fact that the being hovering beside it was someone that caused it to fear, it would have jumped at it immediately.

It resisted its urges, its gaze focused solely on the box. Rhachis Ancestor Strongest unleashed a sliver of his aura, prompting its gaze on him. Rhachis Ancestor Strongest spoke, "A trade; the Frenzy Parasite in it for this box. I don't need its body, only its Frenzy Parasite."

"Belongs to us." The Skep replied, showing its stance on the matter.

Rhachis Ancestor Strongest laughed, looking at it with a smile, "Shall I kill everyone and get what I want?"

His aura condensed into a needle, shooting into the Skep, burrowing into its depths. Based on his earlier probing, he aimed at the energy source in its body. His aura needle burrowed into its energy source and vanished. The Skep's body trembled, producing many currents in the surrounding water as a result.

As its trembling continued to increase, Rhachis Ancestor Strongest continued, "Based on what I could infer, you will at most be able to block Parasite's senses for a couple more days. Don't underestimate it. We both have the same enemies, so helping each other is beneficial."

"It must have taken you a really long time to achieve your current power. But, to go against Parasite, that is not enough." He pushed the box towards it, "Contained within is a wing of Spindle, an eye of Web, a spine fragment of Earth, the sperm of Coral, and the hair of Light. I'm sure the genetic material in them would be enough for you to grow stronger."

He smiled, his expression one of interest, "The box is made from Marble's famed Unranked Skill. You can dissolve it in your body and absorb the contents slowly, without alerting the owners. Though, how soon you can dissolve it is up to you. I ask for the Tier 6 Skep's Frenzy Parasite. Deal?"

The Skep's trembling stopped as one of its tentacles wrapped around the box, pushing it into its mouth, showing its stance with its action. It swallowed the box, slowly floating back towards the battle area. Rhachis Ancestor Strongest accompanied it, not feeling alarmed in the slightest.

Even if it were to go back on its word, he could deal with it. Before they reached the battle area, Rhachis Ancestor Strongest said one last piece to the Skep, "When you achieve your objective and decide to withdraw your forces, wait for me here. I'll bring you another box."

"If you are not present here at that time, it would mean you are unable to digest this box. This would imply you are lacking in capability and humanity will no longer invest in you. With the presence of Sheep, it wouldn't be long before Parasite starts targeting the Skeps."