"Every property an element has can be viewed differentially by those who control them. For some, fire may be the epitome of destruction. But to some, it will also be a blessing in biting cold. That's how one creates intents… just how they want that element to be," Diamond spoke, breaking his long lasted silence.
My brain worked faster than I expected, thoughts racing as seconds slowed to milliseconds, which further broke down to microseconds and beyond.
No… it wasn't time slowing down. My brain had simply gained the ability to process thoughts at such speed that even the smallest fragment of time became useful. Productive.
"Master, about your element…" Diamond's voice trailed off, seemingly struggling to push out the words.
"Unlike those in the craft, you aren't a mere creation. You are the descendant of an Origin monster, and you possess Origins unlike them. So… the thing about properties—you can do the same with elements too…"
My eyes widened as realization struck me like a tidal wave. The idea that my skill had time as its element… that was just a guess.
But even without confirmation, I'd used it like it was mine. Just like one would use properties to create intents.
That meant… I could control any element, so long as I believed it to be true. So long as I imagined it into being.
Time was racing forward again, even with my brain functioning twice as fast as normal. I had to be quick.
I had already chosen time as my skill element and had become confident in using it. Well… at least experienced.
Switching it now in the hopes of a better outcome would be foolish.
That left me with only one path—using the properties to forge an intent strong enough to help me kill this bunny.
My head jerked toward the future vision I'd seen earlier.
'Yes… that spike monster…'
By imagining time as the element and fusing death as its property, I traced a thread that would lead the bunny to its possible death.
My mind locked onto the red thread—its future—and made it connected to me.
A terrible aura surged from my body as the two threads twisted together, forming a single, thick, dark red thread.
A vision ignited in my mind. Mentally exhausting. I had to split my consciousness in two—one focused on the now, the other absorbed in the vision.
'Spoof.'
My body reacted instinctively, guided by the vision. I shot from the grass, sliding across the ground and bending low just in time to feel a fireball rush past my face.
The fireball followed a perfect arc. It crashed into the hiding spot of the spiky monster.
"Graaaah…"
I heard a guttural, pained scream as the ground twisted violently. A black armoured creature rose up, its head shaped like a massive shovel, no visible eyes.
A multitude of legs writhed beneath its body as it lunged toward me from the flames.
[Spinekrawler: Lvl 5]
It looked more annoyed than hurt. Another spoof echoed behind me as I danced between threads, following visions that gave me the upper hand.
I invaded again—but the Spinekrawler wasn't agile. It wasn't knowledgeable. It took another fireball full in the face.
'Hehe… so fun…'
It was clear now. Despite its high level, the Spinekrawler had no long distance attack skill like the fire bunny had.
It's spikes also came from the holes in its armour, that too in fixed distance. Unless in close range, it couldn't hurt the bunny at all.
The fire bunny noticed, too. It glanced my way for just a heartbeat… then turned its attention to the Spinekrawler.
'Did it just roll its eyes at me?'
I backed away, moving out of range to avoid being caught in their clash. I leaned against a tree and watched.
The bunny was fast, and it had raw destructive power, but it wasn't enough to kill the Spinekrawler alone.
The fire hadn't dealt nearly as much damage as I'd hoped—just a few burns on the exposed parts. The bunny was also bleeding, some of the Spinekrawler's spikes having gouged its sides.
If this went on, the bunny would bleed out first, and the Spinekrawler would be injured—ripe for an easy kill.
But I didn't have the time to wait.
I glanced around as countless new threads flickered into view—thin, translucent strands tearing into the air like warning signs.
More monsters were starting to notice the battle. If they joined in… and mirrored my logic…
Things would turn ugly, fast. Sure, I could defeat any Feral under Level 10. Just… not now. Not until I fully grasped my skill.
"Diamond, you can change into any shape, right?"
"Yes, Master!"
"Then change into a spear now."
"Eh…"
"You can't change into that? How disappointing…"
"No… not because of that, Master…" Diamond panicked. "If I transform now… well, you'll be naked…"
"Is that a priority now?" I facepalmed.
"If you say so…" Diamond responded, and instantly I felt a cold breeze on my skin. A dull spear materialized in my hand. I clenched my teeth and focused, forcing myself not to look down.
'Dragon damn… they're your boobs… YOUR BOOBS.'
Apparently, I'd have to get used to this body soon or risk dying from distraction alone.
Clutching the spear, I projected another vision.
In it, I rushed toward the Spinekrawler, thrusting the spear through one of the chinks in its armour. Diamond shifted in parallel with my move, transforming as I wanted, synchronising for a perfect strike.
Almost everything followed the vision exactly.
The spear pierced through the monster's vulnerable flesh and vanished, Diamond had already sensed what I intended.
The Spinekrawler trembled...then froze.
A spear burst out from both its mouth and its ass.
Gross.
[You have killed a monster in level 5.]
[For killing an adversary above four levels, you have obtained double EXP.]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 1.]
[You have met the condition to unlock your Symbiont skill tree. Do you want to continue?]
Of course I wanted to continue. But only after killing this little bunny too.
I grinned, raising my hand. Diamond followed without hesitation, liquefying into a dark puddle and climbing onto me.
My body trembled as the viscous liquid slithered up my skin. A strange sensation surged from my nether regions. My face flushed, and I bit my lip to turn the heat into pain.
Diamond gathered himself at my right arm, transforming into a three-foot-long sword. I sidestepped, syncing to the next vision, and dropped back, holding the blade perpendicular to my body.
Skrunch.
Blood sprayed over me as I locked eyes with the fire bunny—its gaze now wide with pain… and fear.
[You have killed a Level 1 monster.]
[For killing a monster at your level, you have obtained some EXP.]