Berut Toad Lv. 95
HP: 1
MP: 1
…
…
…
"What!?"
"It's alive!?"
"But wait…"
Janu kept observing the statue. It was the only thing worth noting and it was definitely strange.
'Is it the same as the snake statue back then? I could use Appraise because it was holding a weapon. But my appraisal skill is locked and I can't use it at will. If a chance arises then I might be able to use it again like back then at the Plaza. Does it mean that there's nothing worth triggering the skill?'
…
…
'If it's a living creature, what happened to it?'
Janu decided to go down to the pond to get closer to the statue.
"It's much bigger than I thought."
He crossed by jumping on the rocks in the pond and he was already in front of the statue. He touched the leg and he couldn't see any difference from the common rock.
'It's undoubtedly rock.'
…
'All of its stats are 1.'
'Is it petrified? Or cursed?'
Bbrrr…
The statue trembled. Janu was shocked and he took several steps back in alert. He was already holding Vajra at that moment. He scanned the area to see what caused the trembling. But soon the trembling stopped.
'What just happened?'
'Is it the statue? Or something else?'
"Let's see."
The moment he touched the statue it reacted. No one would expect that. After it calmed down, Janu was about to touch it again. He took some steps forward and stretched his arm.
Shrrekkk…
Shreekkk…
Something was coming from behind the statue and it was fast. Janu moved back again and was getting ready for combat.
Ziiiinngg….
"Hupp.."
Janu dodge the incoming flying chakram by bending his knees and lowering his head. The chakram flew past him.
'That was close.'
He looked to his left and saw a snake with a red human head. It was similar to the statue from Lamia Swamp dungeon but it gave off a different feeling. It had the head of a woman wearing an ornament and its body, which was about 20 metres in length, was a little bigger in diameter than the size of a fully grown coconut tree. The black colour of its body was in contrast with the red head. It was considered small compared to the monsters he had faced before. It was holding a bow and had some arrows in the quiver on its back.
[Red Bungarus Lv. 95
HP: 35,250
MP: 4,875
…
…
…
Skills:
-Green Mist
-Heart Attack
-Cursed Eye
Drops:
-Rocking Bow
-Snake Eye
-Bungarus' Heart]
The snake pulled the string of its bow and shot an arrow to target Janu's chest. It then did the same thing, but the last shot targeted his head. Reacting to this, Janu quickly took out his shield and protected his body.
Doongg….
He was pushed backward and before he could regain his stance the second arrow hit his shield again.
Doongg….
Janu fell on the ground but he quickly stood and got ready again.
Kkkrrrrr….
The snake was disappointed by its own action. It underestimated the opponent and wasn't really serious with its attack. It was ready again with its bow and now it looked serious.
[Heart Attack]
The arrow on the bow was glowing and when the snake released it, it shot forward with a magnificent speed.
Zhhiiiinngg…
Boomm….
The arrow hit the shield and it exploded. The attack was powerful and it broke the shield. Smoke mixed with dust covered the area and it was impossible to see Janu's condition in that situation. The winner couldn't be decided yet, but it was different for the snake. It was confident that he had won at that moment.
Hmmph..
The snake sneered. Before, it underestimated him and now it felt it had just overestimated him with his ultimate skill. The dust and smoke was still lingering in the air. The snake felt triumphant so it let its guard down. As it was about to search for its prey's remnant in the dust, shockingly something moved quickly towards it.
Tap..
Tap..
Tap..
Janu sprinted and using the sword on his hand he attacked the snake. The snake was surprised but was able to block it using the bow. If the snake could utter sentences, it would say something like, "What!? How can it be? Impossible!" with a perturbed look on its face.
Clank..
Janu's sword was stopped by the snake's bow. He didn't expect the battle to be easy, so he quickly did a combo with the sword and by taking advantage of his agility.
Clank..
Clank..
Clank..
Attacks from various directions were executed and the snake barely managed to block them. It also had difficulties dodging because of the attack speed so it decided to block it.
Without the snake realising, Janu took a dagger from the inventory and equipped it on his left hand. He kept attacking rapidly with his sword so the snake wouldn't realise that he was holding a dagger on the other hand.
'I need to create an opening. Let's see how you block all of my attacks.'
He kept attacking from the right side and the snake focused mainly on that direction. Janu waited for an opportunity and when there was an opening he used the dagger to cut off the snake's left arm.
Krieekkk…
The snake screamed as it lost one of its arms. Janu didn't waste a second and he continued attacking using both of his weapons. When his sword was blocked he used his dagger to attack on the opening. It was much easier now that the snake had lost its left arm. Blocking attacks from two weapons using a bow with one hand was nearly impossible. Soon, its body was covered with blood from the wounds.
Krooeekkk...
The snake was in a rage. Not wanting to die easily, the snake went berserk and ignored its defence. It used the bow as a melee weapon and it also used its tail to distract him. Janu had to avoid the attacks even though they weren't well managed. He had to save the effect of his newly obtained belt.
Previously when the ultimate attack from the snake shattered his shield, he was saved from a critical moment by that effect.
Booommm...
The shield was shattered but he was still standing. His body was covered with a transparent layer of light. It was the effect of his belt.
'Gosh.. I almost died. Thanks to this belt.'
With the belt all attacks could only take his HP by 30% at maximum. It was a cheat, but if he got massive damage then he only had three chances and the fourth would kill him. For this reason, he knew he had to be careful not to waste his chances.
[Cursed Eye]
The snake's eyes became pitch black and it acted like it was about to release its hidden power.
"Ati-ati! Meremo! Mlayuo!"
/Be careful! Close your eyes! Run!/
Janu instinctively followed the warning. He ran away from the snake with his eyes closed.
'What was that?'
'Who's speaking?'
He didn't remember anyone was there except for himself and the toad statue. He was curious but he had a monster to face so he kept running. He somehow remembered the surroundings, so he got a rough idea where he should head. The snake followed and before he could go far, it screamed.
Kuaarrr….
As it was screaming, Janu knew that there was a blinding light coming from the snake's eyes. His eyes were closed but he could see that the surroundings became overly bright. He felt the air become heavy and his movement became sluggish.
'Is it what petrified the toad?'
The snake was chasing him from behind and after some seconds it was already behind him. Fortunately, the snake's skill lost its effect in time and Janu dared to open his eyes. He spinned his body and stretched his right arm to slash the enemy with his sword.
'Hupp.."
The snake was shocked by the sudden attack. It tried to dodge that but its speed didn't allow it. Its belly got another cut and blood flowed again.
Kueerr…
It was desperate. It had lost one arm and its body was full of wounds. It was losing the fight but it chose to keep fighting.
[Green Mist]
'It's so beat up but still manages to activate its skill, huh?'
'Is it not surrendering?'
Thick green smoke came out from the snake's mouth and it filled the area. The smell was so bad and it forced Janu to cover his nose and hold his breath. Moreover, it was almost impossible to breathe in that situation as the smoke was too thick for humans.
[System Prompt
Poison nullified]
'It contained poison, huh!?'
'Luckily I've got a poison immunity. What a coincidence!'
At that moment, Janu felt grateful and glad. So far, if he recalled, many events were in his favour. It was as if the gods were watching over him.
The snake was still there without moving but it was still on alert. It was like waiting for something to happen.
'Is it waiting for me to die from its poison?'
'Keep dreaming!'
The thick smoke made everything not visible. Janu exchanged his weapons with his spear. He held it with both hands and he ran as quickly as he could towards the snake. He could see its silhouette because its upper part was above the smoke. The snake could hear his steps but it couldn't pinpoint his exact position. It was still on alert, though. When in range, Janu jumped and struck it with all his strength.
Sleep..
Krieekkk…
Blood spurted from the wound as his spear pierced its neck. It moved frenziedly. Janu pulled his spear and sought another chance to strike again. The snake's head went down on the ground and this movement dispersed the smoke. Seeing his target clearly Janu jumped and struck the snake's head from above.
"Haaah..'
The spear pierced the head and the snake died.
Level up..
[Received:
-Rocking Bow x1
-Snake Eye x1
-Bungarus' Heart x1]
[Rocking Bow
Type: Bow
Rarity: Heroic
Attack: 205
Penetration: 35%
Skills:
-Heart Attack, deals 350% attack and has a 35% chance to slow the target.
Bonus:
-If the attack is critical, it has a 35% chance to petrify the target.]
'Woww.. It's Heroic but the attack exceeds 200. It's so powerful.'
'It also has Penetration. Is it the ability to ignore defence or what?'
[Snake Eye
Type: Crafting Material
Rarity: Heroic
Effect: When used in crafting a weapon it gives a 35% chance for the weapon to petrify the target.]
'Cool. It's definitely useful.'
'If my opponent is petrified in a battle it's definitely an easy win. Against multiple enemies will also be easier."
[Bungarus' Heart
Type: Artefact
Rarity: Special
Effect: Cancel petrification]
'Can I use it on the statue?'
'The snake is definitely unusual. Its drops are no joke.'
"Slamet yo."
/Congratulations./
Janu was startled by the voice. No one but him was there.
"Who is it?"
When Janu got the warning he felt curious, but now he got a goosebump from the voice. He scanned the area, but only saw the toad statue and nothing else.
'Iki aku.'
/It's me./
"The toad statue?"
"Iyo. Sopo maneh, goblok. Jenengku Berut. Ojo undang aku kodok."
/Yes. Who else, you dumb. My name is Berut. Don't call me toad./
"I see. Thanks for the warning."
Janu was cautious. A talking statue was undoubtedly weird and suspicious. He didn't know the statue's background and he wanted to avoid any troubles it might bring. If it was possible he would go out from there.
"Hmmph. Saiki pulihno wujudku nganggo Ati kui."
/Hmmph. Now revert my body using the Heart./
'Is it talking about the Bungarus' Heart?'
"Nunggu opo maneh? Cepet."
/What are you waiting for? Hurry up./
Janu held the heart but he hesitated for a moment, after which he put it again in the inventory. He wasn't sure about what to do.
"Opo!? Piye karepmu kui?"
/What!? What are you doing?/
"Why should I trust you? Now tell me who you really are."
"Wis tak kandani to. Aku Berut."
/I've told you. I'm Berut./
"I know that. Now tell me all about you."
"Kowe pengen reti opo?"
/What do you want to know?/
"Anything. All."
"Aku ra reti sing mbok karepke. Sing pantes tak sebut gur jenengku. Berut Agung."
/I don't know what you mean. The only thing worth mentioning is my name. The Great Berut./
"Stop toying with me."
"Tell me where you are from. What are you doing here? Why were you petrified? Who…."
"Whoa..whoa.. Wis..wis cukup. Pitakonanmu siji siji wae."
/Whoa..whoa.. Stop it right there. One question at a time./
'Now I really want to smack its head.'
"Where are you from?"
"Kui wadi. Aku ra iso wangsulan."
/It's a secret. I cannot tell you./
'As expected. There's no use getting angry. Calm down, Janu.'
"What are you doing here?"
"Mbuh. Aku lagi mlayu seko ulo kui lan reti-reti wis kegowo ndene."
/I don't know. I was running away from that snake when we were suddenly brought here./
"Why did that snake chase you?"
"Opo maneh? Ulo kui pengen mangan aku."
/What else? It wanted to eat me, of course./
"Yeah, right. Look at your size. The snake wanted to eat you? Don't make me laugh."
"Ngono aku ngapusi? Ngopo maneh ulo ngoyak kodok? Jelas nggo dipangan. Wis gamblang, goblok."
/Why would I lie? Why does a snake chase a toad? To eat it. It's obvious, you dumb./
Janu's head was about to explode. It was useless for him to talk with the toad.
"Ok, the last. Can you give me Underwater Breathing skill?"
It was a random question. Janu was wondering if the toad could hand the skill to him. Under normal circumstances, he had to kill monsters, at boss level, to get a skill stone. He had no expectation from the toad, but at least he might get a clue.
"Bwahahaha… Mbok pikir kowe ki opo? Nek kowe pengen iso ambegan neng njero banyu dadio iwak opo penyu. Opo kodok?"
/Bwahahaha… What do you think you are? If you want to be able to breathe underwater just become a fish or a turtle. Or a toad?/
"Fine. I'll just leave, then."
Janu clenched his fist to suppress his anger. He turned around and started to walk away.
"Tunggu.. Tunggu.. Yo.. Yo.."
/Wait..wait.. Fine.. fine../
Janu stopped and looked back. He smirked.