Alvaric stood holding the Crimson Sworn Demon in his left hand and Vapper's Dagger in his right. He was ready to fight. However, when he faced toward where the giant serpents were, he was shocked to see five huge snakes moving toward him and Niva.
He swallowed hard. "Are we going to fight?"
"Isn't that what you said earlier, Master?"
"Hehe." Alvaric laughed awkwardly. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, I've decided."
He raised his sword. At that moment, a moon appeared in the ceiling of the place, casting a red light around them. It was the skill from Crimson Sworn Demon. It consumed all of the user's Mana. Of course, Alvaric's Mana was immediately depleted. He didn't have much Mana to begin with. So, it wasn't much of a loss.
[Bloodmoon Eclipse activated]
Alvaric glanced at Niva. He nodded at her. Niva was still amazed by the magic her master had unleashed, but she didn't have much time to admire it. In front of her were five giant serpents. If she made a mistake or got careless, she could die there.
"I'm ready, Master," Niva said determinedly.
Alvaric nodded once more. They both immediately ran toward the five giant serpents. Their movements were agile. They ran in two different directions. The five giant serpents chased them separately. They kept running while searching for an opening to attack.
One of the snakes opened its mouth and, a second later, spat a fireball. Alvaric was surprised, but he managed to slash the fireball with his sword. Then, he ran toward the back of one of the giant serpents. The serpent turned around but unaware of Vapper's Dagger thrown from an unseen angle.
"I thought you guys were like Giant Sandworms. Turns out you have no brains," Alvaric taunted.
He quickly pulled back his Vapper's Dagger. The blade flew swiftly and pierced through the head of the large serpent. Just one strike, and it was successful. This was beyond Alvaric's expectations. The giant serpent was weaker than he had assumed. He thought the attack would be deflected.
"Are they not as strong as my shadow?" Alvaric frowned.
Vapper's Dagger was back in his hand. The blood thread he had tied to the dagger, he stored again. Now, he lifted the Crimson Sworn Demon. Alvaric wanted to create blood spears with the sword, but he failed.
His Mana energy had already been drained earlier. He sighed. There was no choice but to fight using normal physical methods. That was Alvaric's specialty.
"I'm not a magic caster. That's why my Mana pool is small," he complained. He ran toward the two remaining giant serpents. "But it doesn't matter. Physical combat is my expertise."
With the sword and dagger in his hands, Alvaric moved very fast. He could also manipulate blood as a shield or rope to aid himself.
That made him very skillful at dodging the serpent's attacks. One of the serpents got caught, tied to a tree after chasing Alvaric.
"So stupid." He raised his sword and made a slash. "Two down..."
CRAAACK!!
Until his body was shredded by a bite from another serpent. That serpent opened its mouth again. Alvaric dropped his body and rolled into the roots of a tree.
"Damn. I was careless," he cursed.
His body started to heal, but it would take some time. Luckily, he had activated Bloodmoon Eclipse. The effect of the spell was to reduce the attributes of all creatures under the fake moon.
Alvaric stood again. From between the roots, two serpents tried to enter. Luckily, the gap was small and the tree roots strong. The two serpents couldn't get inside.
"How's Niva?" Alvaric felt a bit worried.
***
Niva was a little far away, but she was fine. She had no wounds, but she was exhausted. Her opponent was agile and fast. Niva's advantage was that she could fly, but the serpents could climb trees.
"They're not as strong as I thought, but they're troublesome," she said while looking at the two serpents staring at her from below.
Niva took a deep breath and immediately descended. The fight started again. She didn't want to lose; she had to protect her master.
She didn't want to be a burden to Alvaric. As a subordinate, that was very embarrassing.
***
Alvaric had fully recovered. He was ready to fight again. He ran out from between the roots and at the same time threw the Crimson Sworn Demon. The throw was something even Alvaric hadn't expected.
The sword pierced through one of the serpents' bodies. He was the one who did it, but he was also shocked.
"Hah?"
Alvaric was still surprised, but when the other serpent attacked, he refocused. This was not the time to be stunned. The battle continued.
The last serpent opened its mouth wide, revealing a row of sharp teeth. Alvaric dodged to the left, then jumped onto a large tree trunk beside him. The serpent followed, snapping at empty air. Alvaric spun in the air and threw Vapper's Dagger at the serpent's eye.
SRAAK!
The serpent roared loudly. The poison from the Vapper's blade quickly spread throughout its body. Its body writhed, rampaged wildly, smashing the surrounding trees. But that only hastened its death.
Alvaric didn't waste the moment. He landed, rushed forward, then took the Crimson Sworn Demon still stuck in the body of the previous serpent. With a decisive move, he pulled the sword out of the serpent's body, then turned and stabbed it into the lower jaw of the last raging serpent.
TUSSSHH!!
Blood gushed out from the wound. The crimson demon sword greedily absorbed the blood. Like a thirsty beast, the sword's energy pulsed stronger.
The last serpent flailed and then fell motionless.
[Level up]
[Level up]
He had defeated three giant serpents alone. It was indeed an easy victory for Alvaric. But he was a little disappointed because it was too easy a fight.
"I've reached level 12," he said.
***
[Name: Alvaric Zorvok]
[Race: Human (Outsider)]
[Class: Human Hemomancer]
[Level: 12]
[HP: 20,800 / 20,800]
[MP: 71 / 71]
[Stamina: 2,550 / 2,550]
[Strength: 630]
[Agility: 85]
[Intelligence: 32]
[Luck: 1,732]
Looking at his stats, Alvaric scratched his head. He felt like he was already too strong for someone still at level 12. It was strange, but it was a blessing for him.
"Where's Niva?" He looked around and finally saw Niva, who was exhausted from just finishing her fight.
She almost fell, but Alvaric quickly moved and caught her body. He carried Niva. She was surprised and tried to get down. But Alvaric didn't let her.
"Quiet! This time I'll carry you," he said.
"But Master, I am—"
"You're not my servant. You're my family," Alvaric said firmly.
Niva fell silent, her face blushing.