TBATE - The Help of a Certain Being

The First Move

It must've realized what I'd just done, considering its somewhat fearful expression.

But it's still standing its ground. Terrified yet still mindlessly guarding something.

I didn't think this fight would be anymore interesting, so I just dashed toward it and cut it up a few more times as it made its attempts to escape.

As I searched through the corpse's body, I grabbed the black horn from the head.

This might be good for use. I can feel a bit of mana from this.

As expected, there was no beast core to be found.

"They're corrupting our mana beasts. Boosting their power in exchange for their lives," I reported as I surfaced from the corpse.

"Despicable," Ren growled.

Looks like they're just giving reason after reason as to why Agrona deserves all the hate.

"So not only did these guys kill Sylvia, they're trying to do... what, corrupt our mana beast? For what?" Arthur fumed.

I could understand why he was pissed.

"To take over the continent. They're gonna corrupt our mana beasts, take over the Glades, and then make their move by raiding every last damned city on this continent.

There's no telling how many dungeons are like this already, but I need to relay this to the Council. Give them a head start while I deal with Xyrus Academy's matters."

I got up from the ground and walked over to the Basilisk Serpent's mouth.

I knelt down and grabbed the fangs, tightening my grip as I ripped it from the jaws.

I handed the horn to Arthur. "Here. See if you can absorb the mana in this horn. It'll help you for sure."

He grabbed it hesitantly. "Are you sure you don't need this?" He asked.

"Are you seriously asking me this even after seeing me absorb this thing's abilities?"

God, dude. You need to start thinking deeper.

"Right. Yet another ability that helps you gain the strength and abilities of other animals. Do I even wanna know how you do that?"

I shook my head. "The most you need to know is I eat it and feel the changes happen. It hurts like hell."

"Good lord. At this point, I feel like you'd do anything just to get stronger."

I put away my daggers and stood back up.

"Speaking of strength, wanna learn this new thing I picked up?"

He gave me a suspicious look, as if he was trying to weigh the pros and cons.

"Are you really that skeptical right now? There aren't any side effects and you'll get stronger, but you need a shitton of mana to do it. Do you want it or not?"

I was nearly about to give up on him when he accepted.

"Alright, I'll bite. What is it?" He crossed his arms as he gave me all ears.

I willed some mana into my hand and brought it up to his head.

"Hold still. I'm gonna do something. Don't reject it, don't deny it, don't do anything but let it flow."

As I let my mana flow to him, I imbued some of my memories of Layered Assimilation into it as well.

He flinched at first but didn't do much after.