First Outer World Story Series: The Black Mist that Devours - Chapter 2
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
To put it bluntly, there were many things I didn’t grasp, but it would be appropriate to ask Help-kun for clarification at every step.
“Therefore, first of all, ‘Status Open.’”
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Name: King of the Devouring Black Mist
Class: Demon King
Race: King of the Devouring Black Mist
Level: 1
HP: 1600/1600
MP: 1850/1850
SP: 1750/1750
Status
Strength 40
Dexterity 55
Agility 55
Perception 45
Intellect 60
Spirit 70
Luck 8
Skill
?Dungeon Create?, ?Monster Create?, ?Devouring Black Mist?
Title
?King of the Devouring Black Mist?
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I found the identical status as earlier in front of me.
And then I touched one of the skills that I possessed, ?Devouring Black Mist?.
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?Devouring Black Mist?
Combined skill of ?Misty Body? + ?Devouring Blackness?.
?Misty Body?
The user’s physical form would be converted into a mist-like condition. When in a misty state, physical attacks are almost wholly neutralized, however physical intervention by the user makes it more difficult.
If the user is conscious, the atomization can be lifted.
?Devouring Blackness?
The following effects are applied to any target in contact with the user’s body.
For living creatures: Absorbs HP, MP, SP in 1/sec.
For non-living things: If it is solid or liquid, it can be scraped off.
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Isn’t this a cheat? Aside from physical nullification, I hardly believe the absorption ability would be a reasonable skill for a level 1 Demon King to possess. Ah, but then again… What is ineffective is physical attacks. To put it another way, only swords, spears, and firearms can be nullified, but fire and other forms of energy might do the trick? Maybe Help-kun can enlighten me on that…
[That is absolutely correct. The ‘King of the Devouring Black Mist’. The body of the mist is limited to neutralizing swords, fists, bows and arrows, etc., so scientific or skill-based attacks such as fire cannot be negated. Moreover, please be aware that skills that are generally classified as magic can inflict damage even if they are physical in nature.]
“Thanks for the foresighted response… Or, to be more precise, you emerged just as I was about to inquire.”
This is heartbreaking on so many levels. Since you apparently can read minds, I guess there would be no privacy for me at all.
[You’re right, including the mind-reading part.]
“You’re like Satori[i]. And I have one more question. When you mentioned before about the fire generated by skills, isn’t it only the Demon King and those created by the Demon King that possess the skills?”
This is an essential question. In all honesty, if the humans out there are capable of utilizing skills, it would most assuredly be a doomed interception battle that would await me after the dungeon is liberated in a year’s time.
The explanation behind this? Consider this: within here, I must contemplate and perfect a skill from one to ten on my own, but on the outside, individuals can collaborate with tens or even hundreds of others. In a year’s time, the gap between the two groups would have widened to a catastrophic degree.
[You are half wrong and half right.]
“Half? What do you mean?”
[At present, those humans on the outside do not possess any skills, nor are they compensated for their occupations or stats. However, once the labyrinth is released, they will acquire the skills and professions in the same way as the Demon Kings. If you desire to obtain a new skill, you must advance your level. For every one level you gain, another skill will be awarded to you.]
“I see.”
That would mean that right after the dungeon is released, I would have the advantage of a year’s worth of knowledge and competence, and only have to deal with people who will practically be amateurs. And as for subsequent accumulations, will the humans here and there be working together? Although they may be amateurs, can both parties let their guard down given the presence of the latest weapons at their disposal?
[That is exactly the point. Furthermore, the labyrinth may be restricted to only the designated entrances you specify, as well as modified to allow entry for only a certain number of individuals at a time. In addition, the latest weapons, which you are concerned about, are ineffectual. Even if the latest missiles, for instance, are employed, it is impossible to destruct the outer walls of the labyrinth or indestructible objects, hence there will be no straight road to your position by breaking through the walls.]
“That would be most appreciated.”
As a result, he had complete control over the tempo and number of combatants.
[This concludes my answer to your question.]
“Uh-huh. Thanks for your hard work.”
Given that I had no notion of what the present state of my dungeon was like, perhaps striving to develop the dungeon itself rather than creating creatures would be a wiser choice?
My plan was… yes. There was one that struck my mind. As the King of the Mist, it should be something along those lines.
“Now, shall I get on with it, ?Dungeon Create?!”
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T/N:
[i] Mind-reading monkey-like yokai in Japanese legends
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Check out other Outer World Story series in order: Outer World Story: The Black Mist that Devours (First series), Outer World Story: Pumpkin Sorcerer (Third series), Outer World Story: Basilisk of Ice Sculpture (Fourth series)