The Elemental Relics

The start of the climb was largely uneventful so Ali was able to gather more information on the hell grind. The grind was broken into five stages with each successive stage becoming more difficult than the last. Each stage had a safe base at the start of it where the participants could rest without having the worry about the need of constantly fending off creatures. The members at the base of the mountain could contribute by getting supplies to the safe bases to ensure those doing the grind could keep going. Supplies could be food, water and anything the members could get their hands on. According to Kamis, no teams, with the exception of the top five teams, reached the top without supplies. Therefore, both Svenne and Umaru were still doing important work for the group's success.

“Can groups attack each other to hinder the competition?”

“No, this isn’t the combat gym so combat between groups is forbidden.” Kamis had a short pause. “I heard the creatures starting in the third stage are dangerous enough as it is.”

“Heard? You’ve never reached the third stage?”

“The third stage was too much for me alone. I managed to enter it once but the creatures then ripped me to shreds easily.”

Three stages we know nothing about? I don’t like our odds then…

The duo covered a bit more ground before they encountered a creature. Initially, Ali thought they were dealing with wild creatures that made the mountain their home. From the first encounter, he learned that the creatures were all summonees. It made sense that the proctors wanted more control over the difficulty.

“Do you want to take a crack at the golem?” asked Kamis.

Ali wasn’t going to turn down the opportunities. He learned earlier that defeating the creatures did provide XP to the abilities if applicable, though individuals didn't get XP as a character. In other words, he wanted to use his offensive abilities as often as he could. Raising his left hand, Ali released an air slash at the golem while he kept an eye on his prompt. He learned a neat trick from Umaru where, if one positioned the prompt a certain way, one could observe the numbers without the prompt getting in the way of combat.

If the level for my air slash increases, then I’m actually damaging the golem.

As soon as he saw the XP for his ability increase by one, Ali could no longer suppress his smile. He fired his air slash in rapid succession until the golem was defeated.

That took 5 air slashes? On par with the golems I faced on the airship.

The duo resumed their climb and only encountered the golems for the rest of the first stage. They divided up the golems evenly between them so Ali defeated 5 golems in total. Along the way, Ali got his air slash to level up.

<

Air Slash Level has leveled up to Level 2!

Ability info updated…

[

Ability: Air Slash

Level: 2 ( 1 / 36 XP to Level Up)

Level Up Requirements: Inflict damage or kill foes of equal or higher level

Type: Attacking (Blade)

Description:

A blade forms in a hand and is released where the hand is aiming.

Cost: 1 MP per use

Cooldown: None

Damage: 2 (+2)

]

Air slash ability leveled up.

( 10 / 50 XP to Level Up)

>

When he asked Kamis if this difficulty was normal, his companion stated that they would be in a rude awakening in the second stage. Both the quality and quantity of the creatures would improve. The bulky teenager stated that he narrowly got through the second stage but, at that point, he no longer stood any chance in the third stage. The duo then rested for a few minutes in the safe base of the second stage. Once they set out, Kamis suggested that he take the lead to deal with incoming attacks while Ali focused on attacking at a safe distance. The suggestion was soon put to the test when two minotaur creatures charged them. While Kamis held them back with his shield, Ali focused down one of the minotaurs until it was finally defeated.

That took 15 hits from my level 2 air slash? Those minotaurs either have a lot of HP or they have high defense. I better deal with the other one before Kamis falls.

Ali was relieved to have Kamis as the frontliner. He doubted he would have the time and space to cast 15 air slashes if he had to face the two minotaurs alone. After defeating the second minotaur, his prompt was updated.

<

Air Slash Level has leveled up to Level 3!

Ability info updated…

[

Ability: Air Slash

Level: 3 ( 1 / 50 XP to Level Up)

Level Up Requirements: Inflict damage or kill foes of equal or higher level

Type: Attacking (Blade)

Description:

A blade forms in a hand and is released where the hand is aiming.

Cost: 2 MP per use

Cooldown: None

Damage: 3 (+2)

]

Air slash ability leveled up.

( 12 / 50 XP to Level Up)

>

Same as the previous minotaur, the second one took 15 air slashes. Luckily, his ability leveled so it should take fewer hits in the future. Ali had a concern about the increase in the MP cost as that had always been a limitation he had to deal with. The teenager then checked on Kamis who looked like he didn’t even break a sweat.

“How is there not a single scratch on you?” asked Ali.

“I’ve fought in the second stage for so long that my defense ability is now strong enough to negate all the damage from up to two minotaurs.”

Two minotaurs? Kamis is a really strong tank.

Ali could also see how Kamis was able to reach the third stage all by himself. He could dodge what he could, use his ability to negate a fair bit of damage and heal the remainder through his HP regen. Seeing the value of leveling his skills, Ali shared his thoughts with Kamis.

“That’s fine by me,” said the bulky teenager. “If you aren’t at your best, we won’t survive the third stage.”