Enhancement and Battle
Even though he had anticipated it, Ailin still underestimated the Spiked Fiend's Heart Essence Fluid.
If the Heart Essence Fluid the Rotfiend's heart is like an old, stinky sock covered with rotten eggs, Spiked Fiend's Heart Essence Fluid is simply hydrochloric acid mixed with pure hydrogen sulfide.
Not only was it foul-smelling, but the moment the Essence Fluid entered my throat, a strong corrosive and burning sensation spread from my throat all the way to my stomach.
To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that the Witcher's Handbook, though a bit dark, had never posed any real threat to his life, he would have suspected that it wasn't Essence Fluid, but rather a deadly poison that was not disguised at all.
"Vomit!"
My stomach is churning.
Ailin leaned against the wall, gagging uncontrollably for about two or three minutes before finally stopping.
then.
A scalding heat flowed through his entire body, then contracted back to the Mutated Organ near his heart responsible for storing magic.
Then...
That was the end of it.
"Strangeness?"
Feeling slightly weak, Ailin leaned against the wall, savoring the changes in her body, and felt a sense of unfinished business.
With a thought, he opened his Personal Panel.
Name: Ailin
Age: 14
[Title: Child of Miracle]
[Level: 66]
[HP: 100%, Stamina: 640/640, MP: 800/800]
[Attributes: Strength 73 (+3), Agility 64 (+3), Constitution 61 (-2), Perception 85, Mysticism 84 (+4)]
[Affinity: Water 13 (Magic Source - Water 3%), Earth 13 (Magic Source - Earth 3%), Wind 10 (Magic Source - Wind 0%), Fire 10 (Magic Source - Fire 0%) (+2), Space 2]
An eight-point attribute boost, plus a slight loss of constitution compared to the Essence Fluid of the Rotfiend.
As a superior creature of the Rotfiend, the Spiked Fiend's enhancements are remarkable, especially considering the additional boost to its fire affinity.
only...
"All four elemental affinities have reached over ten points, so why is there no change?" Ailin scratched his head in confusion.
It's not that this is wrong.
He hadn't expected any changes, that he would instantly become a source of magic like Vilgefortz and Hen Gedimidis, and that no change at all was acceptable to him.
but...
Well...
Something doesn't feel right.
Ailin scratched her hair again.
He felt like he had a cold; his nose stung, he felt a sneeze coming on, and he even opened his mouth, but then it suddenly disappeared.
It could be said that it had disappeared, but there was still a slight soreness in the tip of my nose.
It's extremely uncomfortable.
"What happened?"
He paced around the small room, circling the floor worn white by shoe prints, and paced restlessly twice.
"Fine, let's keep improving..." Ailin growled in the room, suppressing his anger.
Although it was unclear whether the lurking sensation within their bodies was one of joy or terror, the army tasked with vanquishing the Evil God had already set off an hour earlier and would soon be heading up the mountain.
He didn't have time to waste on this minor discomfort that didn't affect his mobility.
[Use Giant Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid *2?]
A cold liquid immediately rushed into my throat.
As it slid down the esophagus, it was continuously absorbed by the inner wall, washing away the faint burning pain.
Before it could flow into the stomach, it had already turned into a warm current that spread throughout the body.
[Attributes: Strength 77 (+4), Agility 64, Constitution 65 (+4), Perception 85, Mysticism 84]
[Affinity: Water 13 (Magic Source - Water 3%), Earth 15 (Magic Source - Earth 5%) (+2), Wind 10 (Magic Source - Wind 0%), Fire 10 (Magic Source - Fire 0%), Space 2]
The weakness brought on by the Spiked Fiend's Heart Essence Fluid disappeared, but the vague sense of unease continued to intensify.
"Phew~"
Ailin took a deep breath and gritted his teeth.
[Use Giant Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid *4?]
[Attributes: Strength 80 (+3), Agility 64, Constitution 68 (+3), Perception 85, Mysticism 84]
[Affinity: Water 13 (Magic Source - Water 3%), Earth 18 (Magic Source - Earth 8%) (+3), Wind 10 (Magic Source - Wind 0%), Fire 10 (Magic Source - Fire 0%), Space 2]
The strange feeling intensified again, but I still didn't sneeze.
However, it wasn't all for naught; Ailin discovered the source of the anomaly.
Beside his heart, Mutated Organ unique to witchers beat just like his heart, though very faintly, each beat emanating a subtle magical blessing.
It was as if something was being conceived within this Mutated Organ.
"What is being nurtured?"
Ailin used [Witcher] and the Wolf Emblem to observe, but could only sense the abundant, surging magical power within.
One minute.
Whether it's stimulating with magic, releasing Quen, Yrden, Axii, or the Oterrohp Sign, nothing changes...
"Never mind, it won't affect the normal battle..."
After moving his hands and feet and realizing that there were no other negative effects besides the strange feeling, Ailin decided to put it aside for the time being.
[Inventory: Giant Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid *1, Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid *32, Rotfiend Heart Essence Fluid *33]
Along with the border of Kedwen, he has already used eight portions of the Giant Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid. The original two portions of Essence Fluid increased his strength and constitution by six points each, but now they only increase it by one point.
For small monsters like the Water Ghost, the maximum attribute boost from Heart Essence Fluid is twenty units.
The large monsters should be ten portions.
However, Ailin did not intend to verify it now. Instead, he left the Giant Ghoul Heart Essence Fluid to Vesemir, even though he would likely still be able to hunt a few Giant Ghoul tonight, whether he liked it or not.
He had already used up twenty portions of the Ghoul's Heart Essence Fluid.
As for the Heart Essence Fluid of the Rotfiend, which lowers physical constitution and increases fire affinity, it is clearly not suitable for use now.
"Knock knock knock~"
There was a sudden knock on the wooden door.
"Commander Ailin, the time you asked me to remind you is up." Ernie's voice came from outside the door.
"Understood!" Ailin replied.
He had never used the Spiked Fiend's Heart Essence Fluid before, and he was worried that it might cause dizziness and fainting, delaying things.
"It's time to go!"
He checked Elsa, Balmor, and the Sword Oil and potions in the reagent bag one last time before opening the door.
Not only did Ernie warn them, but they also didn't leave.
The other young witchers, all dressed neatly, stood at the door, looking at Ailin with a hesitant expression.
"Not this time!"
Ailin's gaze swept over the seven witchers, and he gently shook his head.
"Captain, we've already corrected the mistakes those treacherous wizards made last time," Kray anxiously, squeezing in from behind. "We've been practicing swordsmanship and signs very diligently lately, and we certainly won't let Ghoul escape our swords again..."
"Kray, shut up!" Klar's face darkened, and he pushed the little head that had squeezed in back down.
Everyone's here to volunteer for the fight. You can just say the first part. Why bring up the escaped Ghoul?
Can we still go together?
"Only you and Aias let the Ghoul escape," Spencer quickly interjected. "Captain, I really can kill Ghoul."
Smack!
Even Ernie, the young witcher squad leader who had always been in charge, couldn't help but slap his forehead hard.
Following carelessness and lack of strength, now there is also internal strife and disunity.
"This time it really won't work." Ailin shook her head firmly again.
Neither of these battlefields is something the current seven young Witchers can handle.
There wasn't enough space on the Greater Griffin to carry nine Witchers, and besides, the intensity of the battle near the Descent of the Evil God was beyond their capabilities.
As for Ianna, without Ailin and Vesemir by her side, it's uncertain whether the young witchers will have a greater positive impact or a greater negative hindrance. Moreover, for these young witchers who are not yet mature and are prone to impulsiveness, it is equally dangerous.
However, saying things like refining Necrophage Oil for the front lines is definitely useless.
These young witchers are only twelve or thirteen years old, and they don't have that kind of big picture perspective.
Seeing Ernie and Klar's gloomy expressions, and Kray and Spencer's little eyes darting around, Ailin thought for a moment and said:
"The monsters spawned by the Monster's Nest can't all be wiped out in one night, so..."
"If you can refine three hundred portions of Necrophage Oil tonight, I'll persuade Vesemir to let me lead you to exterminate the ghouls tomorrow..."
"What's the point of cannibals? The Evil God has been killed by the captain and Vesemir ..." Spencer muttered loudly.
"So much confidence in us?" Ailin was both amused and exasperated.
"The King of Ice, the Greater Griffin, the Witcher, the Cat Witcher, the Despicable Sorcerer... the Captain has never lost!" Spencer said, head held high, his right hand cleaving through the air with unwavering resolve.
It seems that Ailin's mere presence on the battlefield signifies victory.
Then he opened his Little Eye, as bright as a puppy's, and looked at him ingratiatingly, his face clearly showing that he wanted to be taken out for some fresh air.
The other young witchers nodded vigorously in agreement.
I wasn't even that confident I could survive the Evil God, even with all the preparations I'd made, even with the help of the temple, the Sorceress, and the Arland army... Ailin sighed inwardly.
"That won't do either," he said, and before the demon hunters could complain, he added, "If I don't see three hundred portions of Necrophage Oil when I come back, your trip down the mountain is over."
"Don't doubt my abilities. Dean Tissaia of Aretuza is a friend of Lady Vesemir. I will ask her for help to open a portal to Kaer Morhen..."
After speaking.
The seven witchers instantly erupted with immense resentment.
"Alright, go on," Ailin waved his hand and walked out of the house. "Three hundred portions of Necrophage Oil is no small amount. If you keep bothering me, I'll add another fifty portions."
Ernie and Klar then led the other witchers away.
After all, three hundred is relatively easy, but three hundred and fifty is really close to their limit. They can refine Necrophage Oil, but not every demon hunter can skillfully refine a batch of Necrophage Oil in half an hour.
"Phew~"
After seeing the young witcher off, Ailin breathed a sigh of relief and walked out of the house.
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, its cool light filtering through the clouds and illuminating the buildings that rise and fall.
The temple was unusually quiet tonight. Except for those priests who had to stay to care for the wounded and pregnant women, most of them had been taken away by Ianna.
Perhaps it wasn't just priests.
After news of the Evil God's descent spread, the noblewomen and wealthy merchants who were recuperating in the temple were probably busy fleeing Arland.
Thinking of the people who had fled, Ailin recalled Spencer's words from earlier.
In fact, it wasn't just Ernie and Spencer who had strong faith in him.
otherwise.
Why did Lyra give him the amulet?
Why did Ianna ultimately compromise but refuse to listen to his and Vesemir's plan?
Even Vesemir was the same.
At least when he first came down from the mountain at the beginning of the year, he would absolutely not have allowed Ailin to participate in such matters.
Later, after the Witcher attack by the School of the Cat, it took him a lot of effort to convince Vesemir to let him go alone to pursue the clues found in Viscount Hudson's castle.
Now, Vesemir is even going against the arrangements of Ianna, the High Priest of the Temple of Melitele, and is actively helping him to realize his dangerous ideas and plans that require him to risk his life.
Even those ordinary people he didn't know, but who might have chosen to stay because of his deeds and the goddess's favor...
"Phew~"
After traversing steep and rugged mountain paths, Ailin arrived at a forest clearing backed by massive rocks.
Another enormous, pitch-black object stood on the open ground.
"Let's go, Good Girl."
He stepped onto the Greater Griffin's broad wings and gently patted its neck.
The strong wind whipped up sand, gravel, and mud, making the birch forest rustle.
As the dark blue-black Mahakam Mountains, resembling a crawling giant, receded into the distance and grew smaller and smaller.
Ailin had a thought.
"Ding! Consumed 20 Experience Orbs. Your skill: School of the Wolf Two-Handed Sword LV5 has been upgraded to School of the Wolf Two-Handed Sword LV6 (0/50,000)"
"Ding! Consuming 50 Experience Orbs, your skill: Quen Sign LV6 has been upgraded to Quen Sign LV7 (0/10W)"
[Name: Quen]
Type: Sign
[Level: LV7]
[Active effect: Consumes mana to absorb physical damage.]
LV7 Additional Effect: Enhancement: Increases Quen Shield strength by 10%.
"Ding! Consuming 33 Experience Orbs and 10 Lesser Experience Orbs, your skill: Magic Flash LV1 has been upgraded to Magic Flash LV6 (0/50,000)"
[Name: Magic Flash]
[Type: Fire Element Beginner Spell]
[Level: LV6]
[Active Effect: You can use the Magic Flash to create a dazzling flash above your head. All individuals within a radius of 18 (+2*2+3*3) meters have a high probability of being blinded. This flash is visible at a maximum distance of 30,000 meters (+2).]
"Ding! Consuming 14 Experience Orbs, your skill: Blind Dust LV1 has been upgraded to Blind Dust LV5 (0/2W)"
[Name: Blind Dust]
[Type: Earth Element Beginner Spell]
[Level: LV5]
[Active Effect: You can use Blind Dust to shoot a cloud of magical dust into the eyes of three (+2) targets, blinding them until the spell's duration ends.]
"Ding! Consumed 4 Special Skill Points. Your Special Skill: Demon Hunter LV4 has been upgraded to Demon Hunter LV6 (Conditions not met, further upgrades are not possible at this time)"
[Name: Demon Hunter]
[Type: Special Skill]
[Level: LV6]
[Active Effect: Consumes 450 (+200) stamina points, focuses the mind to enter a 450 (+200) second Demon Hunting state, and after the conditions are met, launches a fatal blow (guaranteed to kill the monster).]
LV4 Additional Effect: Consumes an additional 250 mana; when switching between four (+2) targets, the demon hunting progress is calculated separately for each target.
The massive influx of information came in wave after wave, giving Ailin a splitting headache.
A long time passed.
He finally came to his senses from the throbbing and dizzy state in his brain.
A worried cry came from the Greater Griffin.
"Good Girl, I'm fine," Ailin reassured her, opening the Witcher's Handbook.
Special Skill Points: 3
[Experience Orbs: 2 Experience Orbs, 2 Lesser Experience Orbs]
"We're penniless again..."
Ailin gave a wry smile, closed his eyes, and after the throbbing pain in his brain had completely subsided, he glanced to the side.
On the vast expanse of pitch-black ground, a long dragon of torches meanders along the rugged mountain path.
He stared intently at the wondrous sight of humans on the ground, murmuring:
"I can only win, and I must keep winning!"