"Heh, I guess that even in the game you've become braver… Alright then!" Rita smiled at my words, as we confronted the enormous army of monsters rushing toward us.
This time they were not just small fries like the snakes were, each one was a powerful behemoth of their own. Only the bats, perhaps were less of a threat, but their agility and ability to fly was still a big threat. And if they're like Rita's bats, then they also might have Blood Sucking Skills… Wait, I could check them all in detail using the System and see what they have.
[Giant Crystal Turtle: Lv40] [Status: Infected with Miasma, Brainwashed]
Description: Giant Crystal Turtles are enormous Turtle monsters that moved into the underground to feed on the crystals rich in Mana. Because they feed on crystals since they're infants, their shells absorb these crystals nutrients and minerals, and grow enormous and colorful crystals that fuel the monsters with great magic aside from their amazing defensive abilities.
They rarely have any predators and work on packs, protecting the young from predators, as they lack the hard crystal shells they possess and are easier prey. This monster has been infected with Miasma; all of its stats have increased.
Skills: [Crystal Fortress] [Elemental Crystal Projectiles] [Fireball] [Slicing Wind] [Earth Bullet] [Water Spear] [Great Defense] [Spinning Shell]
Title: [Guardian of the Pack]
The Turtles seemed very powerful, and they had- Wait, elemental magic?!
FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!
Suddenly, the Turtles stopped advancing towards us, making a row of over thirty of them, as their shells began to glow with bright magical essence and elemental auras, and then, a barrage of fireballs, water spears, earth bullets, and slicing winds attempted to crush us before we could even get to them!
BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!
Countless elemental explosions happened. The entire surroundings became pure hell as we were surprised and forced to step back a few meters as we were being relentlessly attacked by elemental spells.
"Wait those things can conjure elemental spells?!" Rita asked.
"I was about to tell you guys that!" I sighed.
We had conjured our defensive Skills, as I wasn't the only one with an equivalent of the Spiritual Shield, and many already had it at level 10 or evolved, so they could protect themselves rather well.
"Okay! Here's the plan. We have to divide and conquer. We cannot remain in a single place or they'll keep pushing us. If we let them all surround us as a group, we'll end up getting crushed. We have to divide our group and attack from all sides. The more they disperse, the higher the chances we've got of winning this. Count on my buffs!" I quickly conjured several Spells that buffed the stats of my allies. "[Accelerated Growth]! [Spirit Enhancement]! [Geomancy]! [Blessing of Spirits]! [Spiritual Connection]!"
FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH! FLASH!
Suddenly, several colorful auras reached all my friends and our summons and tamed monsters, as their stats began to increase through the roof and even the amount of EXP earned temporarily. I wasn't going to waste all these buffs I had if I couldn't conjure them! With that, everyone quickly grew several times stronger than before, and with their own buffs as well, we were able to level the playfield a little bit better against Level 40 Monsters.
"Now let's go!" Titan roared, as everyone quickly dispersed in small groups. My Familiars remained with my, guarding me from the front, the back, and the sides. While Acorn accompanied Titan, Achlys went on her own with her summons, and Lily accompanied Nieve and Fiere.
"I shall also bless you with my strength!" Titania said, as her Spiritual Projection flew into the ceiling and unleashed a wave of spiritual essence, reaching our bodies, yet another layer of buffs quickly hit us. She helped in the fight conjuring her [Fairy Queen's Divine Protection] and decreasing enemy stats through her [Fairy Queen's Divine Authority], her specialties.
FLAAAASH!
Suddenly, we felt even stronger than before, as if it wasn't enough already. Now the monsters I had to fight were tougher than steel itself, and I had to somehow break through their shells to kill them. Using high level magic would be effective, but against so many foes, it will quickly lower all my MP faster than I naturally regenerate it.
This all feels like it was obviously set up by that Jeremias guy to delay us from reaching him as much as he could. I have to combine low-cost magic and skills with physical blows or other passive effects that trigger through physical attacks so I can keep getting through. Although this cave is beautiful as it is, I'll have to cleanse all the Miasma around, which seems to be powering up the monsters.
And I'll do it with both Farming… and Mining!
Ding!
[You have exchanged 18 Skill Points]
[The [Mining: Lv1] Skill has Leveled up to Level 10!]
[Mining: Lv10 (Max Level)]
A Skill that allows the usage of Mining Tools and the power to Mine through Ores, Crystals, Stones, and shape the World around you. Mining is dependent of your own STR Stat and DEX Stat. When Mining, you can acquire a variety of materials to process item valuable and useful items.
Additionally, while Mining, increases Damage Dealt by +10000 and Enhances Mining Proficiency by +10000. Targets of the Mining Skill have their maximum defenses lowered by -50%, so Mining can become faster. Mining Speed is enhanced by +300%, and there's a 50% chance of increasing the quality of the materials you mine using the Mining Skill.
There it is!
And now… Plant Manipulation!
FLASH!
My weapon quickly changed its shape, turning into a pickaxe! I was able to shapeshift my weapon's shape as its base was using the wood of the Branch of the Forest of Beginnings, of course.
Pickaxes also are often used by farmers to break the ground and reveal the richer soil beneath, so it counts as a Farming Tool as well!
And when I combine Spiritual Farming Tool Mastery and Mining together…!
CLAAAASSSHH!!!
