Chapter 77: Salamander

Chapter 77: Salamander

While continuing down the tunnel toward the scent and my ultimate goal, I did manage to come across a single rock elemental. It didn't notice me, and I managed to land a fully boosted [Permeable] on it. Now that it was primed and ready for my assault, I cast and held [Torrent] with Alpha while the rest paired up and held two empowered [Water Orbs].

We coordinated our attack, but the [Torrent] was far faster than anticipated and blasted through the rocky hide of the elemental. Chunks of rock were blasted under the high-velocity water, rapidly eroded into crumbled rock and mud when they struck against the walls. When the orbs hit, what little remained of its body was thoroughly soaked, and the orb's detonation from opposite ends rapidly crumbled what remained of its rocky hide into a muddy slurry.

I could see the elemental trying to reconstitute its form with [Mana Sight] as it desperately tried to flood the earthen slurry with its own mana. I could see the water interfering with its attempts; it was a rock elemental, not a mud elemental, after all. Combining [Sneak Attack] with a Debuff and another attack spell was a deadly combination. It was great to see my skills interacting, bringing back fond memories of when I combined multiple of my slime traits.

Speaking of my slime traits, I regretted hardly using them in this excursion. I had evolved and gained new strengths, but with my low skill levels, I had prioritized them. I could have simply engulfed the rock elemental and assaulted it with [Acid Slime], but then I'd gain experience, further advancing my class without allowing my skills to catch up.

I approached the elemental, rapidly burning through its mana, grabbed it with a pseudopod, and began to work on the [Dissection]. Any more spells risked shattering its valuable crystal, and if I wanted to purchase slime cores for myself, I needed all the money I could get.

'Still, I wonder what the salamander is even doing in a silver mine?'

Sneaking through, I eventually found a giant red lizard monster lazing on a pile of unrefined silver ore. It was currently snacking on the charred remains of a spider. Blackened bones and a few random weapons and tools surrounded the pile. I noticed four significantly melted remains of an elemental crystal.

'What, do you think you're a dragon or something sleeping on a treasure hoard?' I questioned.

The salamander was mainly red except coated in an outer layer of blackened scales that seemed to pulse a deep orange in tune with its breathing. It was about the size of an overgrown horse, definitely one of the most diminutive evolved monsters I'd ever encountered. I assumed it must be on par with the Earthshaker bear and myself regarding monster tier, although I also had almost twenty class levels to rely on.

'Not to mention, I'm basically immune to fire. I think I'm this thing's worst nightmare.'

I'd be taking full advantage of my skills here by starting the fight by laying down all the available debuffs and landing a major [Sneak Attack]. I started off with [Permeable], then [Erode], and finally [Flammable] just for the extra experience.

When I emerged unharmed from the flame, I could see the despair in the creature's eyes. Its blackened scales were no longer accented by the fiery glow but instead looked like the last coal embers. It tried to retreat, but I was far too fast for it as I promptly blocked off its retreat paths with tendrils. It tried lashing out with its front claws and even biting with its maw, which probably still held some threat to ordinary creatures; I'd give it a personal rating of more potent than the wolves but weaker than badgers.

It was straightforward for me to grab the creature by its limbs and lift it up so it was helpless. It flailed and tried launching some weakened flames, but nothing I couldn't handle. I engulfed the entire creature in slime; its natural body temperature was very high, and in desperation, I could feel it briefly flaring to some extreme temperatures. Compared to its hide, internally, it was fragile, and it died shortly after I invaded and turned up the acid. [Dissection] happily pointed out all the valuable parts.

I was a little disappointed I didn't gain a class level, too, but that was short-lived when I looked over the new profile of the creature. It had two traits that were both juicy targets for mimicry: [Inferno Sac], which was the improved version of [Fire Sac], and [Draconic Scales (Lesser)]. Being able to breathe fire was very impressive, and I couldn't wait to try it out, but the scales were fascinating.

Provides high defense and minor resistance to most elements, scaling with trait level.

Unlike true dragon scales, however, it does not provide magical resistance as your draconic lineage is far too distant and inadequate.>

I applied the scales to myself and admired them. Most surprising was that I could apply the trait to myself even when in a human or elven form, hinting that both races could have a bloodline with a dragon. I was just happy I had another trait I could use while adventuring without creating some elf-salamander hybrid form.

As for harvested goods, its flame organ, scales, claws, and fangs were all identified as valuable. I could feel [Dissection] proudly showing off the work of the preserved flame organ, which was by far the most valuable part. Despite being extracted, the organ still pulsed with a dangerous level of heat, definitely not for unprotected hands.

After depositing it all, I formed my own organ, filled it with mana, and let out a small belch of blue flame. While an immediate thought was creating a hydra of salamander heads, all belching fire, my freedom of form meant I could also, in theory, just place the organ in my arm and create my own channels to let it erupt from my hands.

I let my mind wander happily while scavenging what remained of the salamander's small treasure hoard.