Chapter 82: Monster Claws

Arthur's current mentality was that of a goblin's chief. It was a side-effect of the skill Goblin's Bond, as it went two ways. Of course, he could have decided to leave the goblins to their demise but it would have left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Another reason was that he realized the goblins village would be attacked if it was found, and Kira was still there. He had to get to the village and hide it before they were found.

As he felt the dagger tear through the back of the man's back, Arthur retreated in a hurry when he felt the other person coming to attack him. He dodged in the nick of time and used his latest offensive rune, Fire.

This rune was like a gate that would turn his mana into a fire and manifest it into the world. He could command this fire, that was originally his mana, as he wished. He could condense it, spread it, increase it, or decrease it.

With a swing of his hand, fire needles condensed and attacked the other cloaked person while the injured one fell to the ground. The man raised his hands and the fire needles deflected in front of him. However, Arthur was already sending a spear of fire in his way before he could counteract.

"Dammit," The man shielded himself with his cloak expecting for the fire to explode on his body. However, Arthur had the fire spear make a turn and target the injured man who was still lying on the ground. He wanted to finish him off before he attacked the other one.

However, it seems he still had some strength left in him as he dodged last second and the spear exploded on the ground. The fire raged next to him as he breathed heavily in relief but this was not the end of Arthur's attack. Using the rune that linked him to the fire, he ordered the already exploding fire to move and engulf the man. Although it has lost its destructiveness after exploding, it was still enough to have the man scream in agony.

"Kakan! Kakan!" The goblins finally reacted and started cheering. They were the group that had accompanied Arthur earlier and some of the weaker low-tiered ones.

"Bastard, die!" The cloaked person, who was left, bellowed full of anger as he dashed toward Arthur. The protection rune he had cast worked to deflect the attacks of the person for the first few rounds. It was enough for Arthur to use fire again to attack the person.

The cloaked person seemed to realize that the distance between them would kill him, so he dashed through the flames as he used mana to deflect them. Arthur felt a gravitational force pulling him toward the man as his body staggered forward. However, in the next second, Arthur began flying toward the man against his will.

Realizing this was the work of the man's ability, Arthur gritted his teeth and braced himself. The man had his sword directed at Arthur, ready to slice through his body.

In the last second, Arthur used his skill Shadow Swap and appeared behind the man. Caught off guard, the man turned around but it was too late. Arthur placed the fire rune on his dagger and stabbed the man, causing fire to explode within him and end his life.

"Hah!" A gasping sound penetrated the proceeding silence and Arthur turned to see Amelia, standing there in a daze at the sight of him covered in blood. Ignoring her, Arthur turned to the goblins who were frightened a distance away.

Looking at the ground, Arthur saw three goblins, dead. One of them was Nero. Arthur clenched his fists hard as he bit his lower lip. He had no idea why he felt this way, but it hurt to see one of his followers die. It was because of him.

"Are you okay?" Amelia walked over and patted his shoulder consolingly. Arthur nodded his head and turned toward the other goblins.

"We'll leave this place now and go back to the village."

The goblins nodded their heads as they picked up their wounded. As they were leaving, Arthur absorbed the two cloaked people and stripped them of their cloaks and masks before taking them with him.

[Mana stat increased by 1.]

[Mana stat increased by 1.]

[Mana stat increased by 1.]

[Mana stat increased by 1.]

There was nothing else, and Arthur watched the bodies turn to ashes under the flames of his rune. He then looked at Nero, who lied on the ground and sighed. Arthur then watched as his body turned to ashes as well.

The group then headed toward the location of the village, relieved that it was still undiscovered given the sheer size of the mountain range. Arthur walked into it, greeted by the goblins and Kira, before using his ring to hide the village altogether and replace it with groves.

[Scholar Guardian's Legacy]

[Level: 18 (49%)]

[Strength: 85] [+10]

[Agility: 80] [+10]

[Stamina: 72] [+10]

[Perception: 60]

[Mana: 40/91]

[Abilities: Beginner Runes Wordsmith (27%), Useable Runes: 14]

[Skills: Lesser-Mana Breathing Skill (F), Poison Strike (F), Camouflage (F), Earth Manipulation (E), Bladeless Wind Slash (E), Shadow Swap (E), Monster Claws (D), Goblin's Bond (Unique)]

[Insignia: The Breaker.]

His current stats were after his level up, absorbing Dimon and the two cloaked masks, and using the permanent runes to strengthen himself. To be honest, it was thanks to these armor pieces that Arthur survived until now.

His mana has become his highest stat of them all, making Arthur sigh at the difference when his mana was a pathetic 1 point. It was then that he absorbed the skill of Dimon, Monster Claws.

"What are we to do now?" Amelia came and sat on the bedrock next to him in the hut. Arthur pondered over it for a while and expressed his opinion.

"The royal family shouldn't be able to stay here for long, we need to hide until then."

Amelia nodded and looked like she wanted to say something. Arthur was tired and just wanted to rest for now, since his mana was being drained even now because of the illusion. However, it was to the degree that he couldn't handle keeping it active.

"What is it?" Arthur asked at last.

"Um, where am I sleeping?"

"Just sleep wherever," Arthur waved her off and lied on the bedrock. He could hear a sigh before the sound of something lying on the floor. He opened his eyes and found Amelia sleeping next to the flat bedrock, on top of a comfy looking bed.

"Rich,"

"I'm not rich."

"Sure."

"… I have another bed."

"Not rich, not rich." Arthur coughed in embarrassment and Amelia simply laughed and took out the other bed from her storage artifact. Arthur lied on the bed as well. It was then that it occurred to him this was the first time that he slept with a girl in the same room other than his mother.

"Um… Are you sure you want to sleep here?" Arthur asked. However, there was no response. He turned around to find Amelia already sleeping. It was then that he realized how tired she was for being dragged into this mess, having to take care of the injured Arthur, and then being almost killed by him. He felt slightly guilty, but it couldn't be helped.

Lying on the bed as well, Arthur used his skill Monster Claws. His hands started morphing and before he knew it, they were covered in fur and his nails turned into sharp claws. Arthur had no doubt these claws were able to slice through the skin of a high-tier monster.

"Looks weird, though." Arthur mused to himself as he was turning more like Kira. It seems as he got stronger, skills would be more bizarre and unrealistic.

"No!"

Arthur was startled by the sudden shout that his heart almost leaped out of his throat. It Amelia having a nightmare as she clenched her fists until they were white while sleeping.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Amelia seemed to be deeply asleep but also traumatized by something that didn't allow her to wake up. Arthur had no idea what to do. He stood up and placed his hand on her forehead, caressing her hair as he used his heal and dispel runes.

"It's okay,"

He didn't know which of the three, his runes or his words, that calmed her down. Her sleeping started to become more peaceful the longer Arthur watched on. He realized how petite she was when he placed his hand on her head. Her hair was a mixture of azure and white, making her quite the beauty.

After making sure she was okay, Arthur also slept.