NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: Gorgon
"Hahahahahaha!!!" Tuco roared with laughter but this made everyone around him lower their heads in fear.
His laugh went on for more than a minute before he calmed down, "If someone did say something like that, I would be burning them alive. I permit the fight to death and I hope to see you win, young shaman!"
Lukas nodded as he sighed inwardly, 'The fight's been permitted but I don't know shit about this guy's stats or skills…'
The masked man glanced at Lukas and passed him a small wooden piece. On it, were words written in Hentic, a common language of Murent Kingdom — the place where Lukas originally was from.
He silently read the words on the wooden piece.
'His stats are concentrated around Endurance and Dexterity, around 90 to 100. Speed should be around 80 to 90 while the rest of his stats are below 60. No mutations and his Jobs are Womaniser and archer. He calls himself the One Thrust Man by the way.'
Lukas looked up at the ring that was being set up. It was a 20m x 20m square and the workers silently built a tall fence around it.
'His archery will not be too useful here but it's still better to maintain a close distance… if only my stats were better…' he brooded as he opened up his system screen.
[Stats]
Strength: 60 (+52)
Speed: 29
Endurance: 20
Durability: 72 (+63)
Vitality: 24
Dexterity: 42
Perception: 36 (+30)
Mana: 296
The buffs were thanks to him eating half of a crimson viper for breakfast. He silently recalled the effects the meat provided and let out a soft sigh.
[Cooked Crimson Viper Meat]
It's a Crimson Viper that's been sliced and cooked. Has a little bit of salt and pepper, making a little more than just regular cooked meat.
Effects: +52 Strength, +63 Durability. +30 Perception
Additional Effects: +70 instant mana regeneration
Permanent Effects: +1 Perception, +3 Strength, +3 Durability
'Even with all these boosts, me and that guy are completely different. My speed and endurance is in twenties while his is endurance is close to a hundred and speed, eighty. I'm probably fucked.'
Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself, 'No, I still have my transformations.'
His mind seemed to have gone on an over drive as he silently stared at the ground in front of him. He barely noticed Nina holding his hand beside him. It was only when she shook him hard, did he finally look at her.
"Don't die." she said. Her voice was soft but it Lukas could sense the shakiness within it.
Before he could respond, she looked up at him with a look of pure determination. It was similar to when she threw a tantrum to join him in this mission.
"It's better if I… if I…" she said, frowning as she tried her best to say the vulgar word.
Lukas shook his head and chuckled, "Mom told me to keep you safe no matter what. Just wait here and watch as your big brother teaches that idiot a lesson."
Saying that, he walked towards the ring that was mostly finished. The other guy was thrown inside too while Tuco gave out a signal. It didn't mean that the fight had begun, no. It was a sign for a shaman, one who was well known throughout the island.
Lukas watched as an old man with multiple tattoos on his body place his hands on the tall wooden fences. He began chanting and after a few seconds, he walked back to his position, beside the Red Giant on which Tuco was sitting on.
The man in front of Lukas spit out his saliva as he glared at his opponent, "Bastard, if not for your foolishness, I would have shown your sister the best time of her life. Damn siscon!"
Lukas said nothing as he took deep breaths to calm himself. He hoped to be in the best mental state before the fight began.
"Heh, Even though I got here just a few months ago, I still managed to get one of the strongest tribes under me. At first, they'll all resist but once they get a taste of my thrust… heheheh."
Feeling annoyed by his constant blabbering, Lukas opened his eyes and frowned, "So you're basically saying that you're a rapist. No wonder… I was thinking how any woman would fall for such a face. Even pigs that look similar would run from you. I was thinking that you had some charm skill but looks like I was wrong."
"Y-you!! How dare you! I'm not a… a… I DON'T RAPE PEOPLE!! I just give them a free sample! yes, a free sample."
The corner of Lukas's lips twitched as he close his eyes again, 'It's those who think that their actions are right…. tch.'
"Brother." a familiar voice said from behind and Lukas turned to look at the masked man. He tossed a set of chainmail and armor along with a few weapons.
With a nod, he put them on. A chainmail for his torso that went down to his thighs, shoulder pads, knee pads, shin guards, elbow pads and gloves. Everything except the chainmail, shoulder, knee and elbow pads were made of hide.
As for the weapons, Lukas received two gauntlets.
"Chief Gorgon and Shaman Lukas, are you two ready?" Tuco asked as he leaned forward.
With a nod, Lukas activated his mutation and at the same time, used his SSS Rank Scales. His vision went greenish blue as he brought out a bunch of Crimson and Ash Vipers that slithered over his limbs to act as both live armor and extra means of offense.
While Gorgon equipped himself with a short bow, a handful of arrows and a short sword, Lukas checked his stats.
[Stats]
Strength: 132
Speed: 49
Endurance: 40
Durability: 155
Vitality: 44
Dexterity: 62
Perception: 86
Mana: 296
With his transformation giving him a boost of 20 points in every stat except mana, Lukas felt slightly more confident as he faced Gorgon.
'I wonder what Lightning Augment does… maybe another stat boost?'