Chapter 262: Blue Maggot! All Systems Satisfied, Triggering [Magic Transcender]
Abelion Hills.
On the Northwest Continent, a land predominantly inhabited by humans, this was the only special region where a large number of demi-human races, and even heteromorphic races, dwelled.
The northern half of the Holy Kingdom, the Abelion Hills, and the Slane Theocracy could be said to lie on a straight line.
It was precisely because of these hills that the Holy Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy were completely separated.
The mountain range to the north of the hills formed a natural barrier with the Re-Estize Kingdom, while the eastern mountain range formed a natural barrier with the Slane Theocracy.
In terms of topography alone.
It was indeed easier for the various demi-human races living in the hills to invade the Holy Kingdom, as the terrain between the two was flat.
Also due to this geographical reason, the Holy Kingdom had built a fortress wall of immense span at the border with the hills, creating an artificial barrier.
*Scree—*
*Caw—*
In the sky, a raptor would occasionally fly past, letting out a sharp, menacing cry.
The uneven, earth-brown ground rose and fell in layers, a unique landscape formed by an accumulation of yellow sand and bizarrely shaped rocks coming into view.
A conspicuous red figure walked through the center of a sunken slope between two hills.
A blood-red magic robe enveloped his entire body, and a loose hood covered his head, revealing only the lower half of his face. Even so, the visible part was covered by a mask that concealed his nose, leaving only his eyes exposed.
At a glance.
Judging from his attire alone, he did not look like a good person.
Tang Zheng raised his arm, which was tightly wrapped in black bandages, and tugged slightly at the black mask on his face. He had just put it on and wasn't quite used to it yet.
That's right.
This current getup was a deliberate disguise by Tang Zheng.
"The terrain here is truly complex and varied," Tang Zheng sighed in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings.
The Abelion Hills contained a variety of different terrains. Besides the normal hills, mountain ranges, and jungles, there were also river valleys, grasslands, plains, canyons, and other diverse landscapes.
It was precisely because of the existence of these various terrains that a large number of demi-human races with specific environmental needs were able to live here.
As early as two days ago.
He had already entered the Abelion Hills.
Meanwhile, the "Free Will" adventurer team, represented by the Green Leaf Witch, Enri, and the Evil Spirit Hound, was heading towards the border city of "E-Ywar".
For this purpose.
Tang Zheng had specifically used a magic item that could change appearances to disguise a male thief of a similar build to look like him.
He then had the Green Leaf Witch use "Human Racial Charm" magic to control him, making him show his face occasionally when passing through villages or towns.
This was to prove that he had been with the adventurer team all along.
In the past, such details were naturally unnecessary, but now that the reputation of Free Will was growing, these details could no longer be ignored.
"According to the tip from that demi-human, I should be close." The red magic robe swayed with his steps, kicking up fine dust.
At the very end of this sunken hillside path lay an oval rock, half of which was buried in the earth.
At this moment.
Behind the rock, two species whose bodies could only be described as bizarre were hiding.
Their upper bodies resembled eels with arms, while their lower halves were like blue maggots. They were a unique race that looked slippery and slimy.
Their pale white abdomens were layered with patterns resembling rolls of fat, exuding a greasy sheen. From a human perspective, it was utterly grotesque; a single glance would likely give an ordinary person goosebumps.
This was the Blue Maggot, one of the top races in the Abelion Hills!
"What is that? Another demi-human from nearby? I've never seen that type before."
"I don't know."
"From its shape, it looks like a human. Only humans would wrap themselves up in thick clothing."
"A human? This is deep within the hills."
The two Blue Maggots conversed rapidly in low voices, clearly surprised by the red figure that had suddenly intruded upon their territory.
Despite their confusion and misunderstanding.
The two Blue Maggots quickly decided to capture the red figure alive.
They should be able to receive a reward if they offered this strange intruder to their king.
The red figure drew closer and closer to the rock where the two were hiding.
After one of the Blue Maggots used its unique perception to confirm Tang Zheng's proximity, its blue maggot-like abdomen wriggled rapidly, and it burst out from behind the rock with surprising agility.
In its sea-blue arm, which was covered in warts of varying sizes, it gripped a spear and hurled it violently in Tang Zheng's direction.
The sneak attack was executed perfectly.
The spear pierced the air, stabbing fiercely toward the red figure's chest.
Faced with this swift strike.
"Magic Arrow."
Tang Zheng's eyelids lifted slightly as he chanted in a low voice.
The identity he was currently using was that of a magic caster who could use arcane magic.
Three non-elemental arrows shot out from in front of Tang Zheng. One magic arrow collided with the spear, knocking it away.
The other two magic arrows shot rapidly toward the Blue Maggot.
The Blue Maggot's abdomen quivered as it rolled comically to the side, trying to dodge the two magic arrows. However, the arrows seemed to possess a tracking ability, turning in mid-air to follow its movement.
*Pfft!*
*Pfft!*
Blood with a faint blue luster spurted from the Blue Maggot's chest.
"It hurts!"
The Blue Maggot let out a painful shriek. The tearing and agonizing sensation of the arrows piercing its body allowed it to clearly feel its internal organs being perforated.
Its tough, greasy skin, which could normally resist weapons, was utterly incapable of even slowing them down.
Meanwhile, the other Blue Maggot also rushed out from behind the rock. It was both shocked and enraged by its companion's death. Despite not visibly opening its mouth, it emitted the hoarse voice of a middle-aged woman:
"Erliel!"
"I'll kill you!"
"Charm Species," Tang Zheng said faintly.
The Blue Maggot that had been screaming about killing and fighting stopped in its tracks. It even dropped its spear on the ground, standing stiffly before Tang Zheng.
Looking at this creature, which was half a head taller than him.
Tang Zheng's eyelids twitched, and he subconsciously took a step back. Even though he had been mentally prepared, seeing its appearance still elicited a sense of horror rising from deep within him.
Setting aside dwarves and elves, creatures like goblins, lizardmen, frogmen, and even the Twin Witches, while their appearances might be terrifying to ordinary people, still shared some similarities with humans.
But the Blue Maggot before him bore not a single point of resemblance to a human. It belonged entirely to the heteromorphic races.
"How far is this from your territory?" Tang Zheng asked the Blue Maggot.
"Through the underground cavern, it's about a kilometer away," the Blue Maggot's hoarse female voice replied robotically.
The Blue Maggots were a rather unique race. Males were extremely rare and were considered part of the royal family from birth. Therefore, the entire tribe consisted almost entirely of females.
"I almost forgot, the Blue Maggots live underground." Tang Zheng frowned. He had no intention of venturing underground.
"I need to find a spellcaster in your tribe who has mastered a mental-type job," Tang Zheng spoke again.
"Our captain... our captain can use strange magic."
The Blue Maggot continued its dull report.
Tang Zheng's eyes lit up. This was going much more smoothly than expected.
The two Blue Maggots served as the outermost sentries and needed to be relieved at regular intervals. When the next pair of Blue Maggots came to change shifts.
Tang Zheng cast magic and killed both Blue Maggots.
The anomaly in the shift change immediately alerted the Blue Maggot captain.
Before long.
A small squad of Blue Maggots, led by that captain, surged out from another underground cavern exit.
One by one, the Blue Maggots appeared from all directions, surrounding Tang Zheng.
Seeing their companions' corpses on the ground, the Blue Maggots let out angry roars, and an intangible killing intent filled the air.
Tang Zheng glanced dispassionately at the Blue Maggots surrounding him. It was impossible to discern any emotional changes from their eel-like faces; he could only judge by their voices.
"A human?"
"It's actually a human!"
"How could a single human appear deep in the Abelion Hills?"
"What in the world is going on?"
"He killed Erliel and the others, I'm going to kill him!"
"…...!"
A cacophony of angry voices rose from all directions.
Tang Zheng raised his head. "So noisy. Where is your captain? You all look the same, I can't tell you apart."
The cold, taunting voice rang out!
The air suddenly fell silent. All the Blue Maggots stared deadly at Tang Zheng. This human had not only killed their companions but also dared to be so arrogant while surrounded.
"In that case, you can all just die!" Tang Zheng displayed an extremely vile and arrogant attitude.
The identity he was currently disguised as was that of an evil magic caster.
"Lightning Ball!"
"Lightning Claw!"
*Boom—*
A ball of lightning the size of a basketball shot out, colliding with a claw-shaped bolt of electricity, creating a violent electrical explosion that spread outwards.
Seeing this.
A smile formed on Tang Zheng's lips under the mask. He looked at one of the Blue Maggots; a notification for a mental-type job had already appeared on his stat panel.
The last basic job class has been successfully acquired!
In less than a minute.
The only ones left standing in the field were Tang Zheng and the Blue Maggot captain. This was only because Tang Zheng had intentionally held back.
"What do you want, human?" The Blue Maggot captain trembled all over, a look of fear flashing in its fish-like eyes.
"Tell your king that I will return here in three days. You will either defeat me or submit to me!"
Tang Zheng let out an arrogant laugh. With a flick of his red magic robe, his figure flashed and disappeared.
Left behind.
Was only the terrified Blue Maggot captain. A feeling of weakness from having her magic power drained washed over her, and her eyes rolled back as she fainted.
Lava Zone.
Scorching heatwaves baked the surroundings.
The moment Tang Zheng's figure appeared, he quickly looked at his stat panel, a thought flashing through his mind.
…
『Skill Points 49→48』
[Five Elements Master] · "Gold Arrow" (Second Tier): Creates a metal-attribute arrow with physical destructive power.
…
Mental Type: Wizard, Witch, Monk, Follower of the Buddha God, Diviner, Five Elements Master
…
Seeing that the number of mental-type basic caster jobs had reached six.
"It's now or never."
A look of anticipation appeared on Tang Zheng's face. He then activated the passive of [Mad Mage], converting it to the Mental Type.
As this condition was successfully converted!
*Whoosh—*
The roaring sound of the magma crashing and churning in the nearby magma sea gradually faded from Tang Zheng's ears.
In that instant!
Tang Zheng felt his entire mind enter a wondrous state. He could seemingly perceive the flow of all the elements in the air.
The scorching fire element in the magma.
The flowing wind element in the air.
The stable earth element within the mountain range.
And even in such blistering heat, the water element that still lay hidden deep within every corner.
In a trance.
Tang Zheng could even perceive the derived elemental energy bursting forth in his senses, born from the fusion of various elements.
It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it also felt like only an instant.
Tang Zheng suddenly awoke, his eyes regaining their clarity. Four-colored phantoms flashed past his body.
This wondrous and unique state immediately reminded Tang Zheng of when he had obtained the [Valkyrie] job, a similar situation had occurred.
"I actually guessed right!" The moment this thought appeared in Tang Zheng's mind.
*Buzz—*
The stat panel vibrated.
『Triggered Special Job acquisition condition!』
『Magic Type has satisfied the Tenth Tier casting condition!』
『Faith Type has satisfied the Tenth Tier casting condition!』
『Mental Type has satisfied the Tenth Tier casting condition!』
『Other Type has satisfied the Tenth Tier casting condition!』
『All systems satisfied—possessing prerequisite job [Mad Mage], Job build complete.』
『Triggering Special Job construction · [Magic Transcender]』
『Do you wish to acquire this job?』
"Acquire!" Tang Zheng's voice held a slight tremor.
『Job Acquired!』
*Boom!*
Tang Zheng's vision blurred. The four-colored energy elements that had just flashed past his vision suddenly became crystal clear. Before he could react.
A large amount of information had already appeared on the stat panel.
…
Class: Magic Transcender
Level: Special Job
Passives:
[Magic Master]: Your understanding of magic has reached an extremely high realm, allowing you to easily master all kinds of complex and superb magical arts.
[Super Magic Master]: You are proficient in the four major magic systems and have comprehended extraordinary magical talent, possessing spellcasting abilities different from ordinary magic casters—all effects with a variable quantity in magic are changed to their maximum value.
[Mana's Blessing]: You have received the blessing of magic power. In a non-combat state, you can recover magic power at a faster rate.
[Elemental Blessing]: Using elemental magic will cause greater destruction and effect.
[Magic Power Cost Reduction]: For each level gained in this class, reduce magic power cost by 3 points (PS: A minimum magic power cost of one point for spellcasting is retained).
[Power of the Magic Transcender]: MP, Magic Attack, and Magic Defense are increased by 10% of your highest stat.
Class Skills:
1Lv · [Transcendental Technique]: You can use regular Tier Magic with no magic power cost by consuming (Tier Level × 50,000) experience. (No Cooldown)
3Lv · [Word of Elemental Collapse]: Choose one damage type from the four basic elements of fire, wind, earth, and water to ignore an opponent's resistance to that element. Must be used in conjunction with Tier Magic. (Cooldown: 100h)
5Lv · [Kali Goddess's Sigh · Day of Elemental Annihilation]: From this moment on, centered on the user, all magic, skills, creatures, etc., related to elements and derived elements can no longer be used and will cease to exist. The user will also be affected by this. (Cooldown: 10 days).
PS: The Kali Goddess created the four elements with the four syllables of mana. Her prayer reads: 'You are water, you are fire, you are wind, you are earth, you are the void... At the end of days, all returns to chaos, until you create again.'
(All base stats increase by 20 points for every level up)
Description: To step into an impossible domain with the body of a mortal, is this a blessing of knowledge or...?
…
(end of chapter)