Seed Of Speed

Finding the caravan proved easier than he thought it would be, but that did little to soothe Diego's concerns. If he could find them so quickly, so could the demons, and he had a better understanding of just how strong they could be. His ascension did not even take an hour, yet three legions had already attacked with even more closing in before they fled. Tirano had taken a beating, more because he was restricted defending Diego, but those Lesser Demons were strong, even on death's doorstep.

The pair touched down on the edge of the group while the beastmen were resting. There was a small group of wounded be tended to by Nala in the center, but less than what had been predicted. Celita and Horsin met them with complicated expressions on their faces which all but confirmed Diego's fear that things had been going too well.

"And here I was hoping for a pat on the back and congratulations, but those don't look like happy faces," Diego said with a yawn. It had been over forty-eight hour since he had last rested, and while his body could keep going, the mental fatigue was catching up with him.

"Well, we both wanted to see what those formations could do and it looks like we'll get the chance," Celita replied.

"Ya…" Diego paused for another yawn, "...ay."

Tirano rolled his eyes and looked to Horsin then asked, "What's the situation?"

"The old snake was smarter than I gave him credit for, he isn't going to confront us here. He has split his army and sent a full armada towards the tree. I can't confirm it, but the Fog Reapers seem smarter than normal as if they are being led by an alpha, so we have been moving slowly and carefully," Horsin explained.

::Ask for the numbers of the armada::

"How many are we talking about?" Diego asked.

"Roughly a thousand demonspawn and eight Lesser Demons," Horsin replied.

::As long as you reach the valley, I can activate the formations which will make up for our lack of numbers::

(Just me, right?) Diego asked silently.

::You can't just fly in, you have to be in contact with the ground::

"If they are ambushing us in the valley of the tree, the formations will balance us out. I can rush ahead and start the chaos while you lead your people through," Diego said. "But I want a nap first."

"We still have a few days, so there is no problem giving you the chance now with everyone else. Hopefully with you both here, we can pick up some speed without risking as much," Horsin agreed.

"Point me somewhere dry," Diego said as he took a bedroll out of his storage ring.

Celita shook her head with a sigh and said, "Come on."

Diego followed her without much thought and into the makeshift campground. No one bothered with tents, sleeping in small piles scattered about on every bit of dry land and there was. Finally, she found an empty stretch and he could not wait to roll out his mat.

"You actually have a hint of danger to your scent now," Celita remarked.

"Just wait 'til I've rested and we can have a rematch," Diego said as he laid down.

"I'll beat that c.o.c.kiness out of you when we get back where Rozama can piece you back together."

"You'll have to catch me to hurt me," Diego chuckled, shutting his eyes.

She shook her head, but smirked as she walked away. She could sense the change in his strength and the strange, dueling energies now contained within his body. The potential was certainly there, but just like Tirano, it still needed to m.a.t.u.r.e before it could become a real threat.

Horsin let everyone rest until Diego awoke before setting off once again. As planned, Diego stayed in the center using his [Speed Clone] to spread throughout the main group. Of course, he was not happy just walking quietly, so he pulled out his instruments out and played for everyone, using his weaker skill {War Song} to refill everyone's stamina. With this, the group was able to move much faster until they hit a large, dense pocket of mist where they gathered in a tight chain just outside its boundary.

"Diego," Celita shouted from the front.

Condensing back down to a single body, Diego dashed to the front of the caravan with a white flash. Horsin chuckled at the prompt arrival, but he just smiled with a shrug. Now that he had rested his mind, his body brimming with energy from his advancement. He was dying for a chance to blow off some steam and judge the difference between this advancement and his past strength.

Katalina had promised that his Hell Flame would be stronger than before, but even Heavenly Thunder was slightly different. The golden lightning carried a slight crimson hue and, where it had felt like 'judgment' before, now felt like 'wrath'. His Hell Flame had taken on an even darker color than he remembered, like a burning abyss.

"Settle a debate for us… How many do you see?" she asked, since she knew he had a strong second-sight.

Diego activated his {Heaven's Celestial Eye} and scanned the mist ahead of them. The mist practically vanished with only a faint blue haze in the air and twinkling lights of blue in the distance. There was a chaotic bolt of red that would flash across the blue orbs occasionally and all but one was identical. The special one was not only larger, but it also pulsed with a strong red light.

(Safe to assume that red isn't for fire this time?) Diego asked silently.

::It is likely the method the alpha uses to control them, but I would need to study them to be sure::

"That's enough for me, Kat," Diego said aloud then answered, "Twenty-nine plus the alpha… huh, they are gliding on the mists."

Although he could not see its physical body, he could see the outline of one of the Fog Reaper as it came within fifty meters of them. The water vapor seemed to wrap itself around the creature's body and carry it through the air in defiance of physics. Its two massive arms hung limply at its as it slithered through the air, it did not seem injured.

::The alpha is trying to test if you call see them::

"Heh, cheeky bastard is toying with us," Diego chuckled.

"Told you, and you got confirmation," Celita chuckled.

"How do you know there is an alpha?" Horsin asked.

"Well, the core is twice as big and he is giving off some kind of power reflected in the others that Kat thinks is how he controls the others," Diego replied.

"Fine, you were right, Celita. It will save us a lot of trouble."

"Let's go, Diego," Celita said as she walked into the mist.

"Going to fill me in?"

"One of the beautiful flaws of Fog Reapers is that if you kill an alpha, every remaining one will go into a frenzy in an attempt at revenge. I've seen you with your bow, so it won't hard for you to kill it since you can see it. I'll handle any that get close," she replied.

"Who said I'd leave any for you?" Diego chuckled as he summoned his bow.

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Special Mission Acquired!

- Kill all of the Fog Reapers before Celita can engage! Reward value will drop for each attack she lands!

- Restrictions: Cannot tell Celita about mission or to not fight.

- Reward: Specialty Archery Skill, rank dependent on completion valve.

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::It's been awhile since you had a mission, and your archery isn't bad. You talk big, now prove it::

(I was wanting some activity,) Diego chuckled silently.

When they penetrated a hundred meters into the mists, Diego stopped them and drew his bow with a metal arrow knocked on the string. Normally, he would use an ice arrow, but only a metal arrow could channel his lightning. It crackled with golden electricity that had a tinge of red before he released his [Shooting Star] skill. Thunder rang out as a golden explosion erupted and a pleasant alert rang in his ears.

::Alpha Fog Reaper killed! 50 Experience points awarded, 10 Mastery points awarded! 1 Skill point awarded to [Shooting Star]::

Diego smiled and activated his [Speed Clone] ability. He had made a point to always have multiplies of any weapon he used with his style of combat, so pulling out five bows was not a big deal. His arrows were limited until he met another smith, but the occasion called for something special.

"Oh? It's like that, huh?" Celita asked with a smirk.

"I just feel like having some fun, I missed this strength," Diego replied.

"You'll have to earn it then!" she laughed.

She fired out a [Spine Shot] towards the nearest of the Fog Reaper, but Diego reacted instantly. One body shot down her green spine while the next aimed for the creature and fired. Again laughing, Celita started releasing her [​Spine Shot] at a rapid fire pace, forcing two of his bodies to focus solely on stopping her attacks.

Thankfully, Fog Reapers were only dangerous as ambushers, so it only took a single arrow charged with electricity to bring down each one. The sound of thunder constantly rang out with each of his attacks, but notifications constantly rang in his ears, making him smile.

::Fog Reaper killed(x28)! 30(x28) Experience points awarded, 5(x28) Mastery points awarded! 1(x28) Skill point awarded to [Shooting Star]::

In the end, Celita managed to kill a single Fog Reaper towards the end as her frustration mounted. She released a volley of fifteen spines when they were charged by the last eight, focused solely on a single target. Diego had to abandon that one entirely to ensure that he could kill the others since she took aim at the rest, but he had still succeeded in the end.

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Mission Complete!

- Kill all of the Fog Reapers before Celita can engage! Reward value will drop for each attack she lands!

- Restrictions: Cannot tell Celita about mission or to not fight.

- Awarded: [Nine Nova Arrows] skill

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