NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24 - A Strong Body, After All
< Chapter 24: A Strong Body, After All >
A bear can tear a person apart. However, in this place, a spider was tearing apart a bear.
“Is this even possible?”
Eryllion seemed to agree, dimming the light and widening his eyes in surprise. This guy, maybe because he’s a prince, doesn’t know much after all.
No choice then. At times like this, I must use my abilities!
“Growl!”
My eyes shone brightly. This is the state window.
【Venom Spider Lv.15】
I was astonished to see its level. Even though its body was smaller than a bear’s, it was about the size of a wild boar, so I thought it was a mutant spider. But level 15? And it’s not even a named monster?
The Steelhide Bear’s level was 19. No way, was there another monster besides me that could reverse the level difference?
Feeling a strange sense of pride, I stared intensely at the spider.
【Venom Spider Lv.15】
– Characteristics: [Deadly Poison], [Web]
– Skills: [Poison Spray Lv.2], [Web Spinning Lv.2], [Bite Lv.2], [Tear Lv.2]
– State: [Excited], [Gluttonous]
What kind of level 15 monster has such flashy skills? It must be the skills, not the level, that matter.
Only then did I realize why the spider, with its frail legs, could defeat a bear with tough leather.
“Deadly poison?”
No wonder the bear couldn’t even properly resist, flailing around before being completely bound by webs. And instead of having its bodily fluids sucked out by the spider…
Crunch, crunch, snap!
…it was being eaten bit by bit. How disgusting! Is it a spider or an ant?
Looking closely, I saw that the bear’s tough hide was melting from the spider’s venom. I see, that’s why it was getting torn apart.
“Wait a minute!”
Suddenly, I felt a chill. I had recently acquired the ‘Metallization’ skill. Honestly, I thought I could defeat most monsters with it now.
“What would happen if I got hit by that venom?”
Metallization seemed to only affect my claws and bones. So, if I got hit by that venom, my skin would melt away. Without steel-like hide, I would melt even more easily than that bear.
“Damn it!”
A sense of crisis swept over me. Finally becoming an adult, only to find out that I was just a well-geared glass cannon? Did I grow up for this?
But don’t worry. I, a genius tiger, had already prepared a countermeasure.
【Types and Characteristics of Monsters】
After retreating from the spider, I took out Skrillzhak’s legacy in a safe place.
Watch closely! Now I’ll show you how to deal with a venomous spider!
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First, it’s time to read. Strategy guide, sweet!
* * *
“Growl! Growl!”
“Fer!”
A few days later, I confidently revisited the venomous spider’s territory. Unlike usual, my hide was gleaming, resembling that of ‘Steelhide.’ That’s right. In a region free of spiders, I hunted bears to level up and completed my initial preparation against the deadly poison. During that time, I also acquired the ‘Steel Hide’ skill.
【Unknown Night Tiger, Lu-deus Lv.15】
– Characteristics: [Potential], [Spirituality]…[Sensitivity]
But this wasn’t enough. To withstand the deadly poison, I needed one more thing. Now, I was about to obtain it.
“Growl.”
“Fer!!”
Eryllion nodded as if to reassure me not to worry. From now on, his role was crucial. Capturing the venomous spider was important, but what came after was even more vital.
“Grrr!”
I lowered my stance and slowly approached the Venom Spider.
【Venom Spider Lv.15】
– State: [Sleeping]
The spider was asleep, spinning webs between high branches while waiting for prey. Judging by the webs strung between the trees, it was clearly prepared for enemies climbing up the trees. Crafty venomous spider!
But it wouldn’t have known. That a monster capable of attacking without climbing trees existed!
“Growl!”
I canceled my miniaturization and leaped in one swift motion.
Through the black shadows, my large hind legs emerged. As my muscular hind legs kicked off the ground, my body sprung like a spring. The leap was powered by both the strength of an adult tiger and ‘Leg Strength Enhancement.’
In an instant, I jumped five meters high, landing right in front of the spider. Did you know a regular tiger can leap up to three meters? I easily surpassed that record.
“Roar!”
As the spider came within reach, I immediately swung my forepaw. With a primal roar bursting forth, my powerful paw struck the spider’s body.
Thwack!
That was the end of it. The weak spider, lacking steel hide, burst open, spilling its thick fluids.
“Grrr!”
“Fer!”
「‘The Exiled Prince’ is amazed by your jumping ability!」
Hah! This is nothing!
But it was too early to celebrate. There was a specific reason why I struggled to hunt the level 15 venomous spider, even though it didn’t increase my level.
“Growl.”
“Fer!”
I carefully lifted the fallen spider’s head from the ground…
Crunch!
…and bit into it without hesitation. The taste was awful. What mattered was the sharp pain that came even before I could fully taste it.
「You have been poisoned by ‘Deadly Poison’!」
“Grrr!”
I collapsed, my mouth agape. Eryllion hurriedly shoved the prepared ‘Antidote Herb’ into my mouth. The book containing information about monsters also included effective countermeasures! Indeed, a tiger needs to use its head to become stronger.
「‘The Exiled Prince’s’ [Nature Affinity] enhances the effect of the Antidote Herb!」
「The ‘Deadly Poison’ has been neutralized!」
Unexpected fortune accompanied me. I quickly regained my senses and recovered from the poison-induced collapse.
“Growl!”
“Fer!!”
Are you beginning to understand what I’m trying to do?
I had decided to create an ‘Antibody to Deadly Poison’ in my body.
—
In my previous life, when I considered writing a martial arts novel, I researched immunity to poisons. During that time, I came across an article about a foreigner who had achieved immunity to a hundred poisons, even if not complete immunity to all poisons.
This person regularly allowed venomous snakes to bite his arm, training his blood to develop resistance to the poison. Is it possible? Apparently so.
Who would have thought! The Poison King was not an Asian but a Westerner! Inspired by this, I began this extreme experiment. The result was…
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「‘Potential’ reacts to the ‘Deadly Poison’! You have acquired [Poison Resistance Lv.1]!」
A huge success. I had finally obtained immunity to the venomous spider.
“Growl!!”
“Fer!”
Eryllion, don’t you want to try it too? It’s the path to becoming the Poison King!
「‘The Exiled Prince’ demands you get rid of that spider immediately!」
No way. This is a real delicacy.
“Growl.”
Crunch, crunch!
He doesn’t understand the taste.
—
“Growl! Growl!”
Pat, pat, pat.
Behold this majestic tiger! Claws and hide of steel. Resistance to poison flowing in his veins.
Is this what true ‘strength’ feels like? I finally felt like a real tiger.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t remain immersed in this sense of fulfillment for long.
“Growl.”
I took out the broken eggshell from one of the two eggs stored in my subspace.
The small egg I had emerged from as I evolved. Inside, I could see a dark crimson trident stained with the same color. Upon closer inspection, the dark crimson energy seemed to flow like blood, from the handle to the tip of the trident.
The slowly rising blood had now passed halfway, gradually creeping toward the tip of the trident.
Indeed, soon the ‘Mark of the Demon’ would summon more monsters.
‘But this time, there’s a lack of people to help me fend them off.’
Last time, I had the unexpected assistance of Lia. However, it was inconvenient to visit the Count’s estate again just in time for the summoning.
I decided to think differently.
Would the summoning of monsters necessarily be a bad thing for me?
It is said that the one who enjoys it is the true master.
I looked at the blood-filled trident with a peculiar smile.
‘Good. It’s decided.’
It was time to head to a new hunting ground. I decided to venture deep into the Verdant Grove, a place I had not yet explored.
—
“What could Lu-deus be up to?”
Lia sighed as she recalled the image of Lu-deus. Thinking she might never see that soft, elastic creature again drained her motivation.
‘Still…’
It wouldn’t be a permanent farewell. Lu-deus was the mysterious animal that had revealed to her that she was part of the ‘Hero’s’ lineage. She believed that one day she would reunite with Lu-deus. For now, she needed to gather strength to become a worthy hero.
Lia’s strength came from knowledge. Thinking of Lu-deus, she picked up a book about the Verdant Grove.
『The Verdant Grove, part of the Seven Great Mystical Places of the Continent of Aiden, becomes increasingly dangerous the closer one gets to the mountain range. Judging the danger of the forest solely based on the monsters appearing near the kingdom’s secured territories would be a grave mistake.
If you venture to the area where the ‘Earthquake’ sounds begin, it’s best to turn back immediately. The monster making that sound is called ‘Terravore,’ a gigantic worm-like creature that reaches tens of meters in length. Its body is covered in a hard exoskeleton with sharp spikes along its back. It has powerful jaws filled with numerous teeth and several pairs of legs with claws. If you feel the earthquake, retreat at once…』
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At that time, I was,
Boom, boom-boom!
Standing still with my ears perked up at the strange sensation.
‘Is this the earth shaking?’