The Nymera vanguard was a wall of cold, shifting scales, and the water between us was already vibrating with the rhythmic thump of their war drums. I could feel the heat of the 'Chaos' energy beginning to simmer in my veins, but I wasn't ready to jump into the meat grinder just yet.
"Leo, Wilong, can you buy me some time?" I asked, my voice carrying easily through the barrier. "There is something I need to take care of first."
"You don't even have to ask!" Wilong shouted back, his face splitting into a wide, adrenaline-fueled grin.
He didn't wait for a second invitation. He launched himself toward the Nymera Warriors like a human torpedo, his 'Green Dragon's Bone' spear leaving a trail of glowing bubbles in its wake. Leo let out a battle cry of his own, scrambling to keep up with Wilong's reckless pace, while Thorvek and his five remaining men followed them with a desperate, renewed vigor.
"Mel... I need you to do something for me as well," I murmured, turning to the teenage-looking patriarch.
Out on the field, the two groups clashed with a violent spray of silt and sparks. Even with their upgrades, my friends were drastically outnumbered, and those three Nymera commanders were radiating a sickening, familiar energy that made my skin crawl.
"What are you cooking up now, Arthur?" Melchior asked, raising a knowing eyebrow. Despite his youthful appearance, that regal, ancient gaze saw right through my tactical mask.
I leaned in and whispered a few specific instructions into his ear. He gave me a short, elegant nod before darting off in the opposite direction, disappearing into the shadows of the ruined palace perimeter.
"[Activating The Exclusive Skill, 'Crimson Constellation Sovereign: Astral Blood Regeneration' Lvl 1!]"
A shimmering field of deep crimson and 'Chaos' energy exploded outward, sweeping across the entire palace grounds. [Astral Blood Regeneration] was a potent healing Skill, mirroring the effects of the high-tier [Sacred Healing] found within the [Blessings of the Stars].
The transformation was immediate. All around the courtyard, the fallen Dokryong warriors began to twitch. Slashing wounds closed, broken scales knitted back together, and the gray, deathly pallor of their skin regained its natural luster. While the Skill couldn't pull the dead back from the afterlife, those who still had a spark of life were standing up within seconds. Without needing a single command, the healed Nagas grabbed their fallen spears and swam straight into the fray to support Thorvek.
I ignored the cheers of the revitalized soldiers and walked toward Grienfield. The King was a mess. As my healing aura hit him, his body became a literal battlefield. His flesh would knit together only to be torn apart again by invisible claws. My Skill and the 'Curse' were locked in a violent, microscopic war inside his body.
"Grrrr... Get... Away..." Grienfield wheezed, his eyes wide with agony. "The Curse... is... infectious..."
I didn't listen. I stepped into his personal space and slowly placed my palm directly onto his chest. Instantly, black, oily Runic symbols began to crawl up my arm, dancing with a foul, unmistakable 'Demonic Energy'. I knew this brand. I had seen it before in the deepest pits of the Tower.
"[Activating 'Absolute Cancel' Lvl 5!]"
The power of the Skill surged through my hand. While [Absolute Cancel] could temporarily disrupt magic just by looking at a target if they are in sight, its true terrifying potential lay in touch. By making physical contact, I could permanently extinguish an active spell or curse if the original caster wasn't there to maintain the flow.
"[Notice: The 'Curse of Decay' placed on the Dokryong's King, Grienfield Dokryong, has been cancelled!]"
"[Notice: The Constellation, 'Mother of Curses' has noticed your presence!]"
I narrowed my eyes. I expected that notification. There was only one entity in the demonic hierarchy associated with that title: the [Demon King {Megicula}]. It seemed she was up to something in the 4th Floor.
With the source of the rot finally extinguished, the [Astral Blood Regeneration] went into overdrive. I watched in grim fascination as Grienfield's missing arm began to sprout from the stump, bone and muscle weaving themselves out of thin air until he was whole again.