Chapter 164: A Chance Encounter! (1500 Monthly Tickets for Extra Update!)
2014-12-31
Author: 诸生浮屠
In this brief moment, a lot happened.
First, Vivian approached silently, but was still noticed by the half-blood serpent people. This was due to their talent specialty, [Serpent Sense], which, combined with their average attributes being about six points higher than that of ordinary people after adulthood, made them quite perceptive. The little girl was frightened by the appearance of the serpent people and immediately turned to run, but unfortunately, they caught up with her.
Vivian had little experience in battle; although Gloria had taught her a lot, when faced with real combat, the little girl still panicked and instinctively cast her most proficient spell.
A first-level Arcane Missile!
It was a very useful low-level spell, fast to cast and not weak in damage.
Vivian’s Arcane Missiles could be cast instantaneously because she was a spellcasting prodigy, capable of instant casting all spells within one second. However, unlike her last casting, the Arcane Missiles she unleashed this time came in five projectiles appearing simultaneously. This first-level spell can increase by one missile for every two casting levels, reaching a maximum of five projectiles at profession level 9. This meant that for some reason, Vivian had suddenly raised her profession level to above 9.
One casting resulted in five Arcane Missiles.
So just how many Arcane Missiles could Vivian remember?
Her profession was a wizard who also dabbled as a sorcerer, and their spell slots were calculated separately. Even without counting attribute bonuses, based on a level 9 wizard and level 9 sorcerer, Vivian could unleash at least 12 first-level spells. Wizards could not cast spells without preparing spell slots in advance, but sorcerers could increase their casting frequency simply by raising their profession level. Because sorcerers cast spells based on the number of uses, as long as they had mastered the spell, they could use any of them freely, though the total number of uses remained the same.
The little girl was evidently scared.
Thus, she instinctively threw out all her Arcane Missiles. Each instantaneous casting released five Arcane Missiles, leading to a volley of over 60 projectiles being fired in an instant!
What kind of concept was this?
Even if Soren stood before her, he would be instantly killed by the overwhelming barrage of Arcane Missiles.
And this did not account for the penetrating bonus from spell energy.
Arcane Missiles cast by high-level wizards could penetrate thin iron sheets. Vivian’s Arcane Missiles were similar, directly smashing through the armor of the half-blood serpent people in front of her. In a sudden burst, a massive number of Arcane Missiles instantly annihilated the four half-blood serpent people, rendering their racial innate [Weak Spell Resistance] completely ineffective. They were shot in close proximity before they could even dodge, their bodies riddled with holes as they fell lifelessly to the ground.
In about a second’s time.
Vivian had taken down five half-blood serpent people, all around profession level five.
The remaining female serpent person was nearly scared out of her wits!
Seeing her companions’ mutilated bodies and looking back at Vivian, her eyes were filled with terror. Although the little girl appeared so beautiful, completely harmless and adorable, in her eyes, she seemed like some existence of unspeakable fear!
It was a kind of fear that came from the soul.
The fear had almost enveloped her heart, causing her to completely lose any thought of resistance.
“Fear Aura [Divine Domain]: All creatures within a 100-foot radius centered on myself must make a forced will save, or they will fall into an inescapable fear. Any creature that has even the slightest inkling of fear while within the Fear Aura must make another will save against a difficulty of +1, and if they fail, they’ll suffer effects similar to the spell Fear.”
This was the divine domain of Vivian, the Demon Son of Fear. Compared to this, Soren’s ‘Gaze of Fear’ could only be used to intimidate civilians.
…
The little girl seemed to be a bit frightened as well.
She had not expected to eliminate so many enemies in one go; in fact, it was purely an instinctive reaction since she had never experienced real combat. However, the blood-soaked scene before her did not make her panic. Vivian had previously lived in the most chaotic slums, where gang fights often left people missing limbs, and her experiences from childhood made her more accustomed to such scenarios. However, what left her feeling a bit at a loss was the woman kneeling and trembling on the ground, who, in her confusion, began to call her “master.”
But she also was not without means; she tried to put on a serious expression, imitating the tone of the [Fear Witch] Lilian. Looking down from above, she said, “Lift your head! … Are you truly willing to serve me forever? … Devote your life and soul to me! …”
“Willing!” The female serpent person before her was already scared silly, nodding repeatedly.
Vivian made an effort to keep her face stern and said in a slightly childish voice, “Alright. From today onwards, you will be my servant. Once you prove your loyalty, I will grant you the rewards you deserve.”
Time seemed to pause for a moment.
As Vivian said this, an invisible spell light manifested. Gradually, the fear on the female serpent person’s face began to dissipate, and her expression turned vacant and dazed. It was as if she had been broken, remaining dumbfounded for a while, and then she gradually returned to clarity, humbly kneeling on the ground and kissing Vivian’s shoes, murmuring, “Master! Your servant will forever be loyal to you! …”
This scene was utterly astonishing.
It looked as if some evil god’s followers were conducting a decadent ritual, followed by a blasphemous priest using [Blasphemous Words], then implanting a mental suggestion in all the believers.
Vivian slightly shook her head, seemingly feeling a bit mentally fatigued.
Vaguely, she thought she heard a voice that she found annoyingly familiar, as if that fool who called herself ‘Lilian’ was triumphantly saying, “Haha! … So you will become weak when you consume power! … You idiot! … Hurry up and let me out! …”
Vivian shook her small head, seemingly wanting to ignore that annoying voice, muttering, “You are the idiot! … You’re so crazy! … I won’t let you out! …”
For some reason.
Ever since she learned of the existence of this self-proclaimed ‘Fear Witch’ Lilian, Vivian did not reject her as much as she had imagined.
Because she knew that everything she had experienced, seemingly starting from the moment she gained her memories, Lilian was present. It felt like another version of herself, or perhaps, a twin sister who simply did not exist. Vivian was actually a very kind little girl; as long as it didn’t involve her brother, she was naturally very kind and friendly. But if matters turned concerning her brother, no matter who was right or wrong, she would definitely stand by her brother’s side.
Kindness and justice were not important to her; the world in her eyes was upheld by her brother, so he was more important than anything.
She did not particularly like Lilian, but she also did not hate her.
Perhaps, deep down, she felt that disliking Lilian was like disliking herself, because their memories were shared, and Lilian seemed to have the natural ability to control the powers of the Demon Son of Fear.
She represented the mortal Vivian; she was the true embodiment of the Demon Son of Fear, Lilian.
If Soren had not appeared, or if the original Soren had completely died, given the deep emotions the little girl had for Soren, it was very likely she would have entirely given up on herself and followed Soren into death once fear descended! Because her brother was everything in her young heart, and her only family in this world, who supported her entire existence with blood and sweat. Soren’s death would likely make her lose hope for survival, because during her first deep sleep against fear, it was indeed because she believed her brother would come to rescue her that she could hold on for so long!
She was not particularly strong; in fact, she was a bit timid.
But as long as Soren was alive, she would not give up hope, because her brother was hope.
She believed in Soren.
She believed that no matter the circumstances, Soren would stand in front of her, creating a world for her!
This was her will.
As long as Soren was alive, her will would never crumble.
Vivian was Vivian.
Lilian was Lilian.
If Soren had not come, Vivian would have likely died in Amber City, with only the Fear Witch – Lilian, surviving.
Back then, Lilian would probably not be the same as the Lilian now.
…
Ice River City.
Soren noticed the tall tower in the distance; it was Gloria’s Wizard Tower.
This was a relatively prosperous city, and one could see that the people here were quite wealthy and looked healthy. The lord of Ice River City was actually an official, not an inherited noble, but someone elected by the city council every ten years. The true ruler here was the Northern Witch, Gloria from the Wizard Tower; the lord was merely her spokesperson. The witch did not have the energy to manage too many trivial matters.
This city was not large, but had many shops, and there were quite a few merchant caravans coming and going.
Soren did not stay in the city long; after eating a little, he headed towards the direction of the Wizard Tower. It was a special territory where generally no one went, as disturbing the Northern Witch was taboo. Even Ice River City merely delivered an annual report on city finances and handled some matters according to the Northern Witch’s directives.
Soren approached the range of the Wizard Tower.
However, just as he was about to enter, a disheveled figure suddenly appeared nearby, looking very familiar: it was a stunning enchantress.
As soon as she noticed Soren, she immediately gritted her teeth in anger, for she was Gloria’s mother!
It was indeed a case of enemies crossing paths! (To be continued ~^~)
