New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live

Activating Thousand Thoughts, Astaroth recreated the process he had used to create the Cyclone of Blades spell. Firing his Magnetic Bullet spell repetitively, aiming them at the sky, he burned through his mana like crazy in the ten seconds of Thousand Thoughts.

·ƈθm Once the skill deactivated, he watched as the bullets flew upward for a while before losing their momentum. Now came the true test.

As the bullets fell back toward the ground, their magnetic property started pulling toward the foes Astaroth had hit previously, giving them a burst of acceleration.

They reached maximum velocity in mere moments, and when the hundreds of magnetic bullets reached their targets, it was like a mini-gun had rained hell from above, piercing holes in the enemies, and transforming them into strainers.

Damage numbers started appearing in Astaroth's eyes, passing by insanely fast as the damage piled up. Not a single creature he had hit survived the onslaught.

But another thing made him happier than just the Exp or the kills.

*Spell Learned!*

*Your ingenuity has formed a new spell; Magnet Stone Storm. Stone Bullet mastery level gained. Congratulations, player Astaroth.*

With this, his stone bullet was already at mastery level 2, and it made him grin.

All the monsters he hit with the spell received at least one projectile, as the smaller targets died instantly, with just one more bullet and the larger ones needed more hits. The aftermath of his new spell was immediately apparent.

So many monsters who were fighting the corrupted ones were suddenly free to attack other enemies. This tilted the tables in a more favourable direction for the regular monsters.

It also allowed Astaroth to focus on a more pressing combat.

Looking over to where Genie was fighting once more, Astaroth saw she was in awful shape. Her sides were drenched in blood, and two additional sets of claw marks were visible, along with a massive bite mark on her back.

Although Genie hadn't called out to him for help, he knew she wouldn't be lasting long. It was no longer a winning fight for her.

So he decided he had helped enough on the smaller skirmish, and dashed to the giant red bear.

Using Wind Steps, he arrived on its flank faster than it could react and morphing his Ad Astra into a giant hammer, he slammed it into its ribcage.

Astaroth felt something give under the impact of the weapon, and he was certain he heard some cracking, too.

*6,554!*

The critical damage was a surprise for him, since he didn't think the ribs would be a weak point. But given the strength of the impact he did, he guessed that was more pertinent than the place he hit itself.

The bear skidded sideways for a few meters, grunting in pain, before throwing the most menacing death glare it could. Astaroth scoffed in response.

He scanned his foe, wanting to know what he was against.

*Giant Blood Bear (Corrupted)*

Level: 49

Grade: Special (Zone Boss)

Health: 124,400/124,400

Mana: 1,740/1,740

Astaroth clicked his tongue in disappointment.

'That was some good damage, but it's already back to full HP… I'm going to need to hit it like I mean it.'

Genie stepped to his side, snarling at the red bear a few meters away. The bear seemed less crazed than the other monsters that were corrupted and looked at its new opponent with calculating eyes.

"I guess this one isn't like the other mindless monsters, huh? Good work on holding him Genie. But why are you fighting it on your own? I don't think you have the strength to kill it alone."

Genie huffed next to him.

'He would be dead if I could have a bit of time to channel my abilities. But every time I stop to charge an attack, he rushes at me and cancels it out,' Genie replied in his mind.

Astaroth was still acclimating to the wolf replying to him. Her voice was that of a mature woman, and it was destabilizing to have a woman's voice suddenly in his head.

But he would have to get used to it.

"In that case, I will buy you time. Show me how strong you have become in the last ten years."

Astaroth slid his hand on Genie's neck, passing his fingers in her damp fur. Genie closed her eyes for a second, enjoying the human touch, before locking her gaze on the foe again.

She had fire in her eyes, and was determined to show her master she hadn't lazed around.

'Yes, Master!'

Astaroth grinned as he felt mana well up inside her. He was ecstatic to see what new ability she had developed over the time he was gone.

The Giant Blood Bear, feeling the wolf charging up an attack, went back on the offensive, determined to not let her go through. But something jumped in its way, brandishing a massive hammer.

"Don't forget me, pal!"

Astaroth slammed the humongous hammer on the side of the bear's head, this time having enchanted the weapon with magic. The uptick in damage was visible.

He had used Enhance Weapon at maximum strength, giving the Ad Astra one hundred percent bonus damage, bringing the weapon to a staggering five thousand points of damage, plus his own damage of one thousand one hundred and seventy points.

*11,019!*

Although he critically hit again, and the bear seemed to lose focus for a second, due to having its brain rattled violently, the damage was still not enough to make a difference.

Astaroth knew that a second later, it would heal the full amount again. But he wasn't done.

He kept the hammer's momentum going with Propel, all the while using sky steps to reposition himself, changing the angle of the hammer mid-air, and slamming it down on top of the bear's head again.

*11,019!*

The attack did the same damage as before, but since it was done inside a second of the first one, the uptick of regen hadn't hit yet. But it didn't make itself wait much longer.

Scanning the bear again, Astaroth focused on its health.

Health: 114,802/124,400

He smiled.

'As long as I keep hitting it without reprieve, it will go down. I can do this!'