novelraw Chapter 81: Ember's Touch
Chapter 81: Ember's Touch
Chen Qi held the diamond-shaped blue gem in his hand, observing it as a flash of azure light passed through his eyes.
[Ember's Touch
Affinity: Blade
Equipment Requirement: Constitution 25 (Minimum Threshold)
Description: A supernatural artifact crafted from Blade-affinity calamity entities.
Ember's Embrace: When equipped, tendrils of black appendages extend from the inner lining of the garment, coiling around your limbs.
These tendrils will overdraw your body's potential, drastically enhancing your agility, strength, and explosive speed. The appendages possess limited autonomous counterattack capabilities, automatically intercepting incoming attacks from all directions.
Additionally, in this state, your resistance to liquid-based attacks and mental assaults from deep-sea creatures is significantly increased.
Ember's Bloom: For a brief duration, eight translucent tendrils wreathed in blue flames can extend from the garment's lining, serving as extensions of your limbs.
Note: Using this equipment rapidly depletes stamina and mental fortitude while inducing intense fits of rage.]Ember's Touch...
Chen Qi examined the equipment's description.
A supernatural artifact that would heavily drain one's mental energy.
Equipping it would essentially mean donning a garment of black tendrils.
Though outwardly, it appeared as nothing more than a tattered, ordinary robe.
Chen Qi envisioned a scene as he gazed at the azure gem.
During a fierce fistfight or blade clash, suddenly, a small black tendril would emerge from beneath his clothes to deliver a surprise attack.
The stat boosts from this equipment were substantial—exceptionally rare in magnitude.
If a mere skeletal remnant could be so formidable, equipping this should propel him to new heights.
Chen Qi chuckled:
"Though, I never expected the Deep Sea Hunters to be this kind of people."
In this nation that worshipped the Hammer affinity, most still preferred armor-type equipment.
In the Witch Sea, supernatural artifacts adorned with tendrils and affecting the psyche were typically only used by those who worshipped the deep-sea entities.
Common knowledge held that the Deep Sea Hunters were warriors who relied on sheer physical prowess to carve their way through the ocean—certainly not the type to wield such bizarre equipment!
But now, it seemed the Deep Sea Hunter might have worn this very garment daily before death, its true nature concealed beneath an unassuming exterior.
Chen Qi opened his Backpack Card and carefully stored Ember's Touch inside after confirming its safety.
Given his current battered state, he lacked the capacity to don this garment.
"Time to leave."
Chen Qi brushed the dust off his clothes and stood, glancing at the unconscious female wyvern.
But the female wyvern's health had already dropped below half; once awakened, it would depart the island.
Slaying it would yield greater rewards.
Yet its health pool was absurdly thick, dissuading any thoughts of further combat.
Obtaining Ember's Touch was already a remarkable haul—no need to greedily chase after the rift's clearance rewards.
The risks far outweighed the gains.
"It's alright, it's alright, let's go."
Chen Qi soothed the panicked Deepsea Water Spirits.
These spirits possessed higher intelligence and were thus more prone to fear.
Their earlier charge had required considerable courage.
Chen Qi headed to the dragon's nest at the mountain peak, plucking the Dragon's Breath Grass.
Ten whole stalks.
This quantity should please the Flower Witch... He stored the herbs and began descending along the original path.
Thanks to his balance skills, the rugged mountain trails proved manageable.
Suddenly, the sound of beating wings echoed overhead.
A realization struck him.
Where was Little Red Riding Hood?
From the battle's outset, the brash girl had served as the primary distraction.
During the fray, she and the male wyvern had clashed fiercely toward the mountain's base.
Had she won?
Chen Qi wondered silently.
Though the male wyvern was significantly weaker than its female counterpart.
Facing one alone remained an arduous task.
Chen Qi looked up to see a severely wounded wyvern laboriously flying toward the summit.
Not bad, Little Red Riding Hood—you held your own!
A flicker of relief warmed Chen Qi's chest.
This was good. Once the injured male returned to the peak and found its slumbering mate, it would likely deliver a couple of furious slaps.
With both wyverns wounded, they would leave, fulfilling the rift's clearance conditions.
Then, heavy panting reached his ears.
Chen Qi took a few steps toward the sound.
Amidst shattered rubble, Little Red Riding Hood lay drenched in blood, her golden hair disheveled beneath her hat, chest heaving violently.
She had fought valiantly, her strength matching her earlier bravado.
But for a second-tier supernatural combatant, soloing a wyvern exacted too heavy a toll.
Chen Qi adjusted his hunter's hood, ensuring his face remained hidden, and stole a glance.
In the throes of her life's memories, Little Red Riding Hood gasped weakly, murmuring to herself:
"I'll return... to marry you... my beloved... wife..."
"??"
Chen Qi's brow arched.
Wife?
He had just stumbled upon an earth-shattering secret.
His mind raced.
In the Witch Sea, a proper and courteous gentleman must never assume another's gender, species, or preferences.
Nothing unusual here.
No need for shock... Chen Qi told himself.
Her injuries were healing, albeit slowly—she needed no aid.
Besides, she likely still had trump cards unplayed.
Unlike other players, he lacked masochistic tendencies and had no desire to further engage with the temperamental girl.
The Blood Blade Pirates' troubles were too convoluted for his current involvement.
He still had to find the Flower Witch.
Chen Qi tossed her a healing potion before continuing downhill.
The moment he left, a glint of terror flashed in Little Red Riding Hood's bloodied eyes.
"Who... was that...? Is the battle above... over?"
She seemed stunned that anyone could descend from the summit alive.
She wanted to call out, but the searing pain in her throat rendered her mute.
......
Four hours later, Chen Qi finally reached the shoreline once more.
Ten boats were missing—only ten hunters had cleared the rift.
"Fine scenery."
Exhausted, Chen Qi sat by the sea, cradling the Deepsea Water Spirits as cool waves lapped at his feet, savoring the ocean breeze.
The spirits nuzzled against him, massaging their weary master.
After a moment, he slowly looked up.
At last, the two wyverns circled overhead like twin stars before vanishing beyond the horizon.
"Finally gone..."
Chen Qi gave the spirits in his arms an affectionate squeeze.
[Wyverns successfully expelled. Rift cleared.]
[Rift instance settlement in progress...]