Chapter 426: Dark Demon’s Mysterious Journey (54/233)
“Two thousand points of defense, is it really that hard?”
Dark frowned as he prodded the outer skin of the “Greed Slime II.”
But the outer skin of the “Greed Slime II” was just as soft as ever; one finger could easily poke through, even up to an arm’s length.
Yet, surprisingly, the cool sensation felt rather comfortable!
Being enveloped by the “Greed Slime II” was like entering a botanical garden, filled with the scent of fresh grass.
The filth within his pores was absorbed without him noticing, leaving him feeling refreshed from head to toe, beyond anything imaginable.
Overall, he felt invigorated.
Dark gave up on probing the hardness of the “Greed Slime II” and turned to check its ultimate skill information instead.
The “Greed Slime II” was only an orange card, possessing three ultimate skills.
Among these three ultimate skills, Dark could roughly identify the effects of the last two.
Firstly, “Division for Success.” This was clearly a clone-type ultimate skill, but its exact effect required further observation.
[Division for Success: (Greed Slime II) can self-split. Consuming 200 points of mana allows it to split into a [Trash Slime]. Consuming 400 points of mana allows it to split into a (Greed Slime I).]
The stats of the “Trash Slime” were Mana 100, Attack 0, Defense 0.
The stats of the “Greed Slime I” were Mana 200, Attack 0, Defense 0.
This meant that the “Greed Slime II” needed to consume twice the mana to split into a “Trash Slime” or a “Greed Slime I.”
Moreover, according to this description, the slimes it splits out seem to be independent individuals, requiring no magic cards like “Grand Release” to be used separately as sacrifices.
If that were true, it would mean that using a single “Greed Slime II” could create 15-star sacrifices!
Dark had seen plenty of duel matches and longed for the methods the seniors used to increase sacrifices. If he had similar means, he would naturally be very pleased.
However, he didn’t experiment immediately but turned to the next ultimate skill—”Photosynthesis!”
“Photosynthesis” is a biological term, usually referring to green plants absorbing light energy to synthesize energy-rich organic matter while releasing oxygen.
However, the ultimate skill “Photosynthesis” of the “Greed Slime II” seemed to have a similar effect to Pokémon’s “Same Life” move.
[Photosynthesis: Restores 1/2 of maximum mana. If under clear or sunny weather, it can restore up to 2/3 of maximum mana and gain a continuous mana regeneration ability of 4 points per second.
If under sandstorm, hail, rain, heavy rain, or fog, it can only restore 1/4 of maximum HP. It cannot be used at night.]
“This effect… is quite similar to ‘Moonlight’ from the Moon Eevee, except that Moon Eevee excels at night, whereas ‘Greed Slime II’ excels during the day.”
“If it uses this ultimate skill to recover mana, wouldn’t the number of sacrifices it can split out be even greater?”
Thinking this, Dark couldn’t help but feel amazed again.
After all, the “Trash Slime,” originally just an experimental failure, unexpectedly became so powerful under the right “Capital Sin Card”加持!
Moreover, it still had one final ultimate skill—”Greed Addiction!”
From its name, the “Greed Addiction” ultimate skill clearly reflects “Greed,” so it must not be too bad.
[Greed Addiction: Rooted greed gives the Greed Slime an insatiable desire. No matter what treasure, it wants more. And it always finds what it wants.]
“This description… Could it be another treasure-hunting skill?”
“Give it an item, and it can help you find more similar items?”
Dark’s thoughts stirred as he began to understand the “Greed Addiction.”
Unlike the other treasure-hunting skill “Treasure Scent,” the “Greed Addiction” is an ultimate skill that can be used to find specific items.
But it requires having a sample in hand and something that can trigger the “Greed Slime II’s” greed.
If used correctly, this ultimate skill has immense utility!
…
When the “Greed Slime II” regressed back into a “Trash Slime,” Dark had already put away his notebook and other items.
He bid the magic golems goodnight, then quietly placed the sleeping vampire noble into a magic card, before curling up in bed and gradually falling asleep while reflecting on what he had learned that night.
By the next morning, it was already midday.
“Laziness” had slightly increased, but it wasn’t a big deal.
Dark spent some time handling daily affairs before starting preparations for the secret passage adventure.
According to his plan, he would spend the night in the secret passage and return on Sunday afternoon or evening, so there were many things he needed to prepare.
Besides essential food and water, he also brought camping gear.
Additionally, he carried the “Thought Bottle” and “Mana Dropper,” fully prepared.
All of this was for finding the Moon Goddess statue!
Why was he so certain that there must be another Moon Goddess statue hidden somewhere in the secret passage?
It was because the “Flower Card” he held could still absorb “Bliss”!
The “Flower Card” could absorb “Bliss” because of the presence of the Moon Goddess statue.
Under normal circumstances, once the previous Moon Goddess statue disappeared, the special function of the “Flower Card” should have been lost.
But in reality, the “Flower Card” was still functioning properly.
From this, Dark deduced the existence of another Moon Goddess statue.
However, the secret passages of St. Marian’s Castle were full of mysteries, even the professors couldn’t explore them completely. Finding a hidden Moon Goddess statue among them was more difficult than reaching the sky.
Although Dark had asked Professor Kazel to modify a “Flower Card,” relying solely on it would be impossible to track down the statue if it didn’t leak any aura.
Therefore, he never expected to find the statue easily.
Today’s exploration was also a break from his routine academy life.
With the magic golems, he embarked on an impromptu journey.
…
At exactly one o’clock in the afternoon.
Dark arrived enthusiastically at the entrance of the familiar secret passage.
Now, the entrance was resealed, but with his identification card, he had no trouble.
Simply placing the card against the wall made it melt like water, revealing an oval entrance large enough for two people.
Dark glanced inside and stepped in.
The imp beast, ready to lead the charge, hesitated momentarily before flapping its wings and rushing in.
Not long after entering the secret passage, Dark paused briefly, summoning the “Mana Book” first, then using it to summon the “Lion Beast.”
He himself injected mana to activate the identification card, opening the map inside.
Following his suggestion, Professor Kazel had created a simple map system.
Using this “map,” one could record every route taken from entering the secret passage and gradually draw a temporary map.
The terrain inside the passage was varied, and the maps sold in Traveler’s Street were outdated.
Only real-time maps ensured the accuracy of the routes and allowed quick returns when deep inside the passage.
In short, it was much more convenient.
After about ten minutes, the “Lion Beast” appeared under the summons of the “Mana Book.”
Dark handed over his backpack and continued exploring on foot.
Without the influence of the previous night’s ritual, the secret passage returned to normal.
The scenery remained consistent as they walked.
But Dark wasn’t in a hurry.
After walking for about an hour, he chose to rest, then took out the “Bliss III Moon” from his card pack.
Aside from the white mandala “Flower Card,” the item most closely related to the Moon Goddess statue in his possession was this capital sin card made using the Moon Goddess version of “Bliss.”
In theory, holding this magic card and continuously searching, if the passage responded to his wish, there was a chance that the Moon Goddess Temple would reappear before his eyes.
It was precisely based on this thought that he decided to explore the secret passage.
And thus, he constructed a monthly plan for exploring the secret passage twice.
But now he had a new treasure-hunting tool!
“In the name of Dark Demon, come out—Trash Slime!”
…
After summoning the “Trash Slime,” Dark teased it with the “Bliss III Moon” and then used another “Gluttony III” to evolve it into a “Greed Slime II!”
“The value of this capital sin card is self-evident, don’t you think?”
Looking at the giant slime beside him, Dark couldn’t help but smile.
“Goo!”
The “Greed Slime II” nodded vigorously.
Dark placed the “Bliss III Moon” atop its head.
In the next moment, the top of the “Greed Slime II’s” head sank inward, causing the capital sin card to slide into its body and float in the center.
The “Greed Slime II” savored the scent of the “Bliss III Moon,” exerting all its effort to use the ultimate skill “Greed Addiction” to search for similar scents.
But after looking around for a long time, it finally focused on Dark’s card pack.
“This won’t do.”
Dark patted the card pack, smiling helplessly.
This result was roughly within his expectations.
When the Moon Goddess statue was not within the perception range of the “Greed Slime II,” the scent most similar to “Bliss III Moon” was naturally the “Bliss III” in his hand, along with the mana spirits embodying “Bliss.”
“Goo—”
The “Greed Slime II” slowly pressed its jelly-like body against him, carefully rubbing.
Dark, however, turned around, burying his face in the slime, shaking it wildly before lifting his head, feeling refreshed and continuing forward.
The “Greed Slime II” regressed into a “Trash Slime” fifteen minutes later.
Dark didn’t return it to the magic card but placed it on his shoulder, keeping it company.
Rarely receiving such treatment since its birth, the “Trash Slime” happily released small bubbles.
Feeling increasingly useful, it was excited.
After about another hour, the cooldown for “Gluttony III” ended, and Dark let the “Trash Slime” evolve back into a “Greed Slime II,” continuing to utilize its “Greed Addiction” ability to explore.
Finding nothing, they continued forward.
This cycle repeated until evening.
Finally, Dark found a relatively spacious area and first deployed “Paradise,” then summoned the magic golems one by one.
With the help of the “Mana Book,” he quickly summoned all the magic golems.
Then, they lit a bonfire inside the passage and celebrated the weekend together with the magic golems.
In the cheerful music of “Paradise.”
The rarely venturing magic golems danced in circles around the rising bonfire.
Dark watched their joyful faces, his gaze becoming increasingly gentle.
That night, he laid out sleeping bags in the “Ghost House” of “Paradise” and fell asleep without hesitation.
…
Silence throughout the night.
The next morning.
Dark poked his head out of the sleeping bag, opened his eyes, and saw that the magic golems were curled up like kittens beside him, and the dream spirit floated in the air, swaying like ghost fire.
It was obviously awake all night.
Dream spirits are nocturnal creatures, perfectly suited for guarding the night.
After breakfast, Dark packed up “Paradise,” putting the magic golems back into the magic cards, leaving only the imp beast, lion beast, and trash slime with him, then continued his exploration.
By three o’clock in the afternoon, after the “Greed Slime II” searched fruitlessly again, Dark knew that this week’s exploration would end without results.
He didn’t stay any longer in the secret passage but climbed onto the lion beast’s shoulders and returned at the fastest speed.
Relying on the map drawn with the identification card, he found the exit of the secret passage before nightfall and returned to the castle.
Though empty-handed, this exploration experience would eventually become future memories, sprouting into results as they accumulated.
And unknown depths within the secret passage were subtly changing due to his round trip.
Unaware of this, Dark, upon returning to his dorm, suddenly felt inspired and set up a drawing board to paint a “bonfire family portrait.”
Perhaps, it wasn’t a total loss.
…
Until Tuesday night, when drawing “Capital Sin,” Dark always chose “Pride.”
In fact, “Pride” was the only option available.
The “Greed” significantly increased during the duel festival had reached its limit after several days of drawing.
“Bliss” was also below 95 points.
Only the slightly increased “Pride” after winning the championship could still be drawn.
Over four nights, he accumulated 6 points of pride.
Then came Wednesday.
With a hint of anticipation, Dark closed his eyes in bed.
Good night…
