Chapter 402 River Monsters! So Many River Monsters!

"I know it's late, but congratulations on reaching the peak of the weapon master stage, Delilah. You've made remarkable progress tonight," Roy said as he suddenly hugged her. She felt warm and fuzzy inside when his body pressed against her. "But now, it's time to take it to the next level. Do you know what you need to do to enter the aura master stage?"

As far as he knows, when an awakened reaches the peak of the second stage, they undergo a spiritual awakening. It's like a divine revelation that shows them what they need to do to level up their class. And once their class level up, they will see aura meridians sprouting out of their energy nucleus. Think of it like veins that exist on the skin, but mages use the term aura meridians to describe them.

With the appearance of the aura meridian, one would be able to pressure others with their aura, and that's what makes an aura master so powerful!

Roy was an anomaly who could use aura pressure without reaching the aura master stage or possessing aura meridians, but cases like his were rare and unheard of.

Delilah's face fell as she shook her head in denial. "No, I don't have a clue," she admitted, feeling discouraged. "Maybe it's because I used a damaged awakening stone to awaken," she said, pouting, looking cuter than ever.

"Don't feel down," Roy said, patting her slim back, making her feel comforted. Everywhere he touched was warmed. "I can help you with that," he said to her reassuringly

Delilah's eyes widened with hope and curiosity.

As she raised her head, meeting his confident black eyes with her smiling red ones. "Really? How?" she asked, eager to know.

Roy deepened the gaze with which he was looking into her eyes as he said, "I promise you that you'll reach the aura master stage if you follow my guidance. Firstly, you will need to kill an aura master. It won't be too hard as I will help you with that. As for what comes after, we don't need to worry about that for now. Are you ready for the challenge?"

Delilah listened intently, absorbing every word with rapt attention. "I trust you. I'm ready to do whatever you say," she declared, her eyes gleaming with determination. Then she felt embarrassed, and the way he was looking at her made her blush harder than ever. Her words could be easily misinterpreted. "… to reach the aura master stage," she added hurriedly as she broke free from the hug.

Shadowless looked at the two and felt amused. 'If I didn't know that she is his servant, I would have mistaken her for his wife.'

The monster's blood had long pooled on the ground. The scent of its blood carried across the river and drew the attention of other creatures lurking in the depths.

"Get ready for a battle," Roy warned them as he sensed something was wrong before the creatures emerged.

A few moments later, the water began to churn as hundreds of river monsters emerged, their eyes fixed on the trio standing on the shore.

Roy summoned his rare collection of swords. Fire, Lightning, and Thunder were flying around him, patiently waiting to be ordered. He could also be seen holding Moonlight and GhostChaser in his hands.

Swoosh!

Suddenly, one of the river monsters lunged out of the water, aiming for Roy's leg. He dodged it quickly, swinging his sword in retaliation. The monster's seven pairs of eyes almost bulged out of their socket as it saw the sword drop toward its neck. It spat out of its sturdy tongue that was as thick as a bull's calf in the direction of the sword. It was questionable how a 1 meter tall with the physique of a young boy had such a huge and thick tongue. Maybe magic was involved.

The sword sliced through its tongue but was slowed slightly, giving it enough time to save its head.

"Yeeeeeaaaaargh!"

The water monster let out a piercing cry as it lost its tongue, but it didn't let the pain overcome it and hurried back to the water. It was wounded but not defeated. As long as it was alive, it would be able to have revenge.

Roy's eyes narrowed as he wasn't going to let it have its way.

"Lightning, strike it asunder!" he ordered.

『The special effect of the Host's self-created sword, Lightning, has taken form!』

『The special effect of the Host's self-created sword, Lightning, has been released!』

Ear-piercing noise filled the air as a thick bolt of darkness manifested at the tip of the sword hovering in the air instantly, shooting forward.

Just as the humanoid fish with a missing tongue and a bleeding mouth were about to rejoin the group of river monsters, the black bolt crashed into its back.

Bomb!

The humanoid fish exploded into smithereens. A mess of blood and flesh flew around.

『Ding! Congratulation. You have killed a low-level humanoid Fish. You gained 1000 EXP.』

『As this is your first type of killing this type of monster, you will gain an additional reward.』

『You have gained the first shard of water.』

『Gain 100 shards of water to create the water manipulation skill!』

'Water Manipulation skill? Maybe it woll be as good as the fire control skill. I should aim to get it.' Roy thought to himself.

The river monsters were enraged when they saw their pedigree being killed.

How dare a human kill one of their own?!

"Chuuuugaaaaa!"

The river monsters exposed their razor-sharp teeth as they began to close in, shortening the small distance between them rapidly.

Delilah called upon her class weapon, and a pair of daggers appeared in her hands. Shadowless stood silently at their side, his mysterious and enigmatic figure wrapped in a cloak of darkness.

"I'll take the lead," Roy bellowed, his normally calm voice echoing across the battleground as he charged forward, ready to submerge himself in the enemy's ranks.