Chapter 16: Hardcore Training 2

"What's this Gun thing?" Aurianna wondered as she tapped the option on the screen. Before her appeared a screen with three different kinds of guns.

[ System has realized that you're not someone fit for hand to hand combat, so the system has presented you with 3 basic flying magical Guns skills. ]

[ | Death Magic, Gunner's Despair: 20 pt { A remarkable ability where ten rows of shot guns that encircle the enemy, unleashing a barrage of up to 20 bullets within a span of two minutes. An upgrade option was available for those seeking even deadlier results. } | ]

[ | Sniper Shot: 25 pt { This skill grants you a sniper gun and the power to take down anything within a two-meter radius with a single, well-aimed shot to the head. The upgrade option promised to further enhance your precision. } | ]

[ | Guncicles: 30 pt { An intriguing skill that summoned five rows of rifles around an adversary, unleashing a volley of five long icicles upon them. The upgrade option held the potential to make this frosty assault even more formidable. } | ]

[ …Higher level skills would be available in the future. ]

As Aurianna contemplated her options, a question echoed in her mind, "Which one should I choose?" However she couldn't help but recall Eva's wise words that echoed in her mind, about the importance of preserving her points and not squandering them needlessly.

A mischievous smirk graced Aurianna's face as she declared, "Why settle for just one when I can have them all?" With confidence and a hint of self-praise, she justified her decision, "Eva won't mind. It's a brilliant investment, if I say so myself. Besides there's no way I could turn down something as cool sounding as a gun skill?" Excitedly, Aurianna tapped on each skill, eager to claim them all.

[ You have used 55 skill points, 15 skill points left. ]

[ Congratulations you have received Gunner's Despair, Sniper Shot, and Guncicles. ]

[ You have gotten the Class: Gunner Mage ]

[ A Gunner Mage is a versatile class that combines the use of magic and non-magic arsenal for combat. ]

As the information unfolded, Aurianna's profile took shape, revealing her details:

[ Aurianna ]

Age: 21 ( Physically younger due to time manipulation but retains the same age. )

Class: Gunner Mage

Race: Diamonds

Level: 4

Exp: 700 / 2,300

HP: 50 / 50

Magic power: 150/150

Stamina: 12/12

STR: 5

VIT: 6

INT: 28

Agility: 5

Defense: 7

Charm: 172

Luck: 22

Skill points: 15

Quest points: 158

Skills: Ice magic level 6, Healing magic level 20, Revival <3>, Mind Shatter <1>, Death Magic Gunner's Despair <1>, Sniper shot <1>, Guncicles <1>]

With a renewed sense of vitality, Aurianna emerged from the confines of the tree trunk, feeling the difference in her body. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Ohh, my stats have increased, and I feel so much lighter!"

"Well, aren't I a clever one?" she exclaimed, reveling in her enhanced abilities. Brimming with confidence, she declared, "Now, I ain't scared of you ugly spiders!"

Before she could dash towards a smaller spider she spotted, her excitement quickly turned into a rude awakening. In a cruel twist of fate, she found herself on the receiving end of danger. Her head was ensnared within the menacing jaws of a monstrous creature. The next moment, she jolted awake, disoriented, finding herself in a different part of the mysterious forest.

"What the hell was that? I could barely react!" Aurianna muttered, trembling with the after effects of the terrifying encounter. She turned away, feeling a wave of nausea overwhelming her, prompting her to turn away and vomit. Despite having experienced gruesome deaths before, the overwhelming sensation of weakness washed over her. Gritting her teeth, she clenched the grass beneath her hands and forced herself to get back on her feet, despite her trembling legs.

Casting a wary glance around, Aurianna scanned the surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Hex Weaver that had ended her life moments ago. And there it was, right in front of her. To her astonishment, ahe had respawned at the very same location!

Unlike the smaller spiders she had encountered earlier, the Hex Weaver was collosal and had an intimidating presence, towering over 30 meters in size. Its formidable body dwarfed the others, adorned with countless eyes scattered across its form. As it gracefully maneuvered through the trees, its eight legs left behind delicate imprints, marking its ominous passage through the forest.

Aurianna's throat tightened as she envisioned the Hex Weaver's sharp appendages piercing her vulnerable form. Her gaze remained fixated on the creature, and in a chilling moment, all of the eyes adorning the Hex Weaver's body shifted in her direction. Fear gripped her, causing her trembling to intensify. She desperately attempted to flee, but to her dismay, her body refused to obey her command.

"Why am I not moving?!" Aurianna screamed in frustration, her voice laced with a mix of anger and helplessness. The Hex Weaver, slowly closing in on her, seemed unaffected by her futile struggle.

[ Hex Weaver has attacked you with the skill {curse of Weakness}. Looking at the eyes of the Hex Spider would render your entire body weak. ]

"You certainly play dirty, you stupid spider," Aurianna spat defiantly, mustering a grin despite her trepidation. She maintained her gaze upon the Hex Weaver before her, refusing to succumb entirely to fear.

To her astonishment, the Hex Weaver responded, its deep male voice cutting through the tension. "I wonder what an insignificant human is doing here in the domain prison," it uttered, accompanied by an evil grin.

A mixture of shock and disbelief coursed through Aurianna's veins. "You... a mon...ster... how the hell can you speak?" she stuttered, the revelation of a speaking monster left her astounded, struggling to process the reality unfolding before her.

The creature locked eyes with her, silently staring for a few lingering seconds, before finally responding, "Hmmm, you are indeed interesting."

A whirlwind of thoughts raced through Aurianna's mind. 'Monsters in my world can't speak. And what does he mean by 'domain prison'?' she wondered, her eyes fixed on the enigmatic Hex Weaver.

"Of course, not every monster possesses the ability to speak," the Hex Weaver replied, amusement lacing its tone. It further intrigued by her reaction, posed a question, "Have you tried checking my level?"

As Aurianna attempted to check the Hex Weaver's level, a sudden alert in red flashed across her screen, [ Run away! Opponent is too powerful!! ] The system's nervous voice echoed in her ears, causing her to slump onto the ground, though her gaze remained fixed on the Hex Weaver.

"How is this even possible?" Aurianna questioned, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and confusion.

The Hex Weaver met her gaze, a self-assured smirk dancing upon its face. "I simply exist on a whole different level than you," it replied, oozing with confidence.

Perplexed by the Hex Weaver's behavior, Aurianna couldn't help but voice her confusion. "If you're so powerful, why haven't you killed me yet?" Her understanding of monsters led her to believe that their sole purpose was to seek bloodshed, lacking any semblance of intelligence.

The Hex Weaver's grin widened as it responded, "Because I am intrigued by the possibility of forging a contract with you."

Aurianna's nerves heightened, and she stammered, "W-Why would a powerful monster like you want a contract with me?"

Amusement flickered in the Hex Weaver's eyes as it replied, "Did Eva provide you with that battle suit, by any chance?"

Taken aback by the unexpected mention of Eva, Aurianna cautiously responded, "Y-Yes, I do know Eva. How... How do you know her?"

A surge of uncertainty filled Aurianna, acutely aware that her response carried weighty consequences. Giving the wrong answer might provoke the Hex Weaver, potentially leading to her untimely demise—an outcome she certainly wished to avoid.

"I do, but that's not the point now. If you have the battle suit, she would later come for you. And for Eva to stoop so low to train someone means you're special," the Hex Weaver stated, extending its legs towards Aurianna's chest.

Aurianna eyed the gigantic spider with doubt, feeling a lack of trust towards its proposition. "I've been trapped here for countless millennia, yearning for escape. Moreover, I possess the means to assist you," the Hex Weaver added eagerly, blinking its numerous eyes.

Aurianna maintained her skepticism and replied, "I don't trust you." She regarded the Hex Weaver with a dubious expression.

"Nevertheless, you should give it a try. The contract is designed to benefit you," the Hex Weaver declared, settling down. "If you were to die, I would die too. And I would be compelled to obey your commands without harming you. Furthermore, I see you can revive despite me clearly killed you. But when I tried to eat your soul, it was impossible," the Hex Weaver tilted its head.

Aurianna trembled hearing his words and repeated, "Eat my soul?"

The Hex Weaver tilted its head, acknowledging her observations. "Indeed, if I devour your soul, you would be unable to revive. Strangely, my attempts were futile. However, that is not the crux of the matter. I am awaiting your decision regarding the contract," the Hex Weaver dismissed nonchalantly, waving its lengthy leg.

Aurianna shuddered at the notion of her soul being devoured, her unease palpable. She cautiously inquired, "And if I were to refuse the contract?"

"I'll kill you every time you refuse," The Hex Weaver proclaimed, his voice deepening and sending shivers down Aurianna's spine. He continued, "And once you become my master, I'll permit you to hunt as many of my offspring as you desire. They've been causing quite a nuisance by devouring all the food in the forest."

Aurianna's eyes lit up with excitement. "Having a powerful monster as my pet? That sounds cool," she remarked with a smile.

Eager to proceed, she asked, "So how do we make this contract?"

"Just raise your hand," the Hex Weaver instructed.

[ Do you accept Hex Spider as your contract companion? ]

"Yes," Aurianna said.

[ Unable to accept Hex Spider as your companion due to your level being low. ]

A sense of disappointment washed over Aurianna as she looked at the Hex Spider. "The contract..."

The Hex Weaver reassured her, "I'm a reasonable being. A few hundred thousand years is no biggie for me. I can wait. Perhaps when you reach level 500, you'll be able to form a contract with me. I look forward to that day." With those words, the Hex Weaver got up and began to walk away.

Feeling a mix of frustration and curiosity, Aurianna couldn't help but shout after the departing Hex Spider, "What if I never come back?"

The Hex Weaver turned its head and replied, "I am a spider capable of manipulating people's mental states and reading their intentions. The excitement in your eyes gives you away. I have a feeling you'll be back." With that cryptic response, the Hex Weaver disappeared into the forest.

"Now then, I shall be on my way. Oh! Also, be prepared," the Hex Weaver warned before vanishing into the forest, leaving behind deep marks in the ground.

Aurianna, perplexed by the Hex Weaver's words, asked, "Why should I be prepared?"

"Because all my children will come here to kill you. I need a strong master quickly," the Hex Weaver responded, emphasizing the urgency.

As the Hex Weaver walked away, thoughts raced through his mind. 'For Eva to bestow a blessing upon a human... I wonder who this child is,' it pondered, disappearing into the depths of the forest.

Suddenly, a loud cry echoed through the forest, and Aurianna's excitement surged. Before her stood hundreds of eyes, all fixated on her.

"Death Magic, Gunner's Despair!" Summoning her powers, Aurianna unleashed her new Death Magic. Ten rows of guns materialized before her, ready to fire upon the approaching Hex Weaver. However, to her surprise, the gunshots fell short, only reaching a few centimeters before dropping to the ground. Confusion filled Aurianna's face as she tried to comprehend what had just happened, but before she could react further, her head was bitten off once again.

"What the...?" Aurianna exclaimed in frustration.

A system message appeared, reminding her of an important fact. [ In order to use the gun, you must learn about all its components and know how to use it. The system will now transfer every information about guns to you. ]

Aurianna woke up in a small, empty cave, only to be greeted by an intense ache throbbing in her head. She winced and instinctively clutched her head in pain, attempting to alleviate the discomfort. Visions of herself wielding various guns and comprehending the intricacies of their parts flooded her mind, she was shown the intricacies of various guns, their parts, and their usage until she had a comprehensive understanding of how to wield them.

Seated in a butterfly position within the cave, Aurianna summoned her shotgun in her hands. She carefully held it, placing her right finger on the trigger and supporting it with her other hand on the foregrip. Despite her excitement, she couldn't help but notice the weight of the weapon.

As she rose to her feet, faint smile graced Aurianna's lips as she contemplated her achievement, 'I can finally hold it. But it's quite heavy.'

She took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly trying focus her mind. She recalled the instructions she had been taught, visualizing an image of a person infusing mana into the gun. Her hand emitted a white glow, which was quickly absorbed by the firearm.

With determination in her eyes, Aurianna turned her attention to a nearby rock, a few meters away. She pressed the trigger, and a deafening BAM! erupted from the shotgun. The force of the recoil pushed her back a few centimeters, causing her to cough up blood. Overwhelmed by the impact, she instinctively released her grip on the shotgun, watching it clatter to the ground. Her hands trembling from the powerful impact.

"Aaarrrghhhh!!!!!" Aurianna cried out in pain, her expression filled with discomfort as she settled down and glanced at her trembling hands, then shifted her attention to the shotgun in her grasp.

"Well, this is turning out to be a real challenge," Aurianna chuckled lightly, mustering a hint of amusement. She rose to her feet, gripping the shotgun tightly, and began practicing her shooting skills repeatedly.

"Despite the loud noise, there doesn't seem to be any spiders around. Could it be because of these webs?" Aurianna pondered, her realization dawning as she surveyed the area, now noticing the abundance of spider webs.

Using the webs to her advantage, Aurianna continued her shooting practice in that location, aiming mainly at rocks and trees while carefully avoiding the webs.

[ You have diligently practiced using the shotgun 236 times over a span of 5 weeks. As a result, you have acquired a new skill: {Smooth Trigger Pull}. This skill enhances your ability to handle any gun with ease and enables you to shoot rapidly. ]

"So cool! All the effort I put into this has paid off!!!" Aurianna cheered exuberantly, her excitement evident as she leaped around and materialized her shotgun once more.

"It's pretty convenient that I don't feel hungry and have no need for restroom breaks."

"Now then, it's time to go spider hunting," Aurianna declared with a grin, expertly twirling her shotgun and resting it on her shoulders.

"Damn, I sound so cool saying that. Hehehe," Aurianna giggled, relishing in the playfulness of her own words.

Armed with a stout stick, Aurianna skillfully maneuvered it, causing the surrounding webs to tremble. Unbeknownst to her, a wicked grin adorned her face as anticipation swelled within her. Suddenly, a figure sliced through the veils of webs, unveiling a menacing swarm of spiders fixated on Aurianna.

"Come at me, you big booty spiders!" Aurianna taunted with a mischievous grin, sprinting headlong towards the approaching swarm. Without hesitation, she brandished her shotgun, dispatching the spiders witha barrage of swift on their butts with precise shots, ensuring their immediate demise.

With five spiders already eliminated, the remaining spiders seethed with anger, their fury uniting them in a coordinated attack. They unleashed venomous spittle, ensnaring webs, and lashed out with their menacing legs, assaulting Aurianna relentlessly. Though unable to evade every assault, Aurianna pressed on undeterred, knowing that her demise was but a temporary setback. Each time she died, she would revive unscathed in the same location, ready to resume her spider-slaying spree.

Miraculously, ten rows of guns manifested behind the spider horde. The guns blazed to life, their rapid fire raining down upon the spiders, causing them to screech in agony as their lives were extinguished one by one.

After what felt like an eternity of battle, Aurianna finally slumped to the ground, her body weary and battered. Half of her face seemed to dissolve, consumed by a lingering, inky black liquid, a testament to the hazardous battle she had endured.

"Hahaha, I have done it! I have killed each and every one of you!" Aurianna's laughter echoed with a touch of madness, mingling with her triumph as she reveled in the victory over her eight-legged enemies.

[ You died by Hex Spider's poison ]

Reviving in a new location, Aurianna let out a sigh of relief, grateful for another chance at life. The notifications flooded her vision, recounting the spoils of her hard-fought battle.

[ You've killed 30 level 4 Hex Spiders ]

[ You've gained 1,500xp ]

[ You've killed 28 level 5 Hex Spiders ]

[ You've gained 2,800xp ]

[ You killed 13 level 6 Hex Spiders ]

[ You've gained 1,560xp ]

[ You've leveled up three times! ]

[ Level 4 \=> 7]

[ You've gained 120 skill points ]

[ You've gained 268 quest points ]

[ You've gained Hex Spider skills {Poison Touch}. If skill is activated the target you touch will be poisoned. Cure: Your hair. ]

[ Guncicles have leveled up. 1\=> 2 ]

[ Death Magic Gunner's Despair has leveled up. 1\=> 2 ]

[ Aurianna

Age: 21 ( Physically younger due to time manipulation but retains the same age. )

Class: Gunner Mage

Race: Diamond

Level: 7

Exp: 40 / 8,500

HP: 80 / 80

Magic power: 250 / 250

Stamina: 16 / 16

STR: 12

VIT: 7

INT: 31

Agility: 10

Defense: 9

Charm: 178

Luck: 24

Skill points: 135

Quest points: 426

Skills: Ice magic level 6, Poison touch <1>, Healing magic level 20, Revival <3>, Mind Shatter <1>, Death Magic Gunner's Despair <2>, Sniper shot <1>, Guncicles <2>, Smooth Trigger Pull <1> ]

Aurianna muttered to herself, acknowledging the relatively easy victory she had achieved. Filled with renewed determination, she moved forward.

Observing Aurianna from a distance, the Hex Weaver chuckled to itself, "Foolish human, assuming that my offspring are limited to spiders alone."

As Aurianna continued her journey, she suddenly heard a raucous clash between two formidable creatures. Seeking cover behind a tree, she scanned her surroundings and quickly noticed a Hex Spider engaged in a fierce battle with a peculiar and menacing beast.

This beast possessed an elongated, sturdy neck and a massive mouth in place of its face. With four arms and two legs, it mercilessly seized the wriggling spider, tearing into it voraciously. Its entire body exuded a dark aura, shrouded in blackness.

Undeterred by the sight before her, Aurianna muttered with steely determination, "You're my next prey," as she cautiously advanced toward the shadowy creature. Raising her shotgun, she took aim and pulled the trigger. However, luck eluded her as the agile monster deftly dodged the attack, responding with a menacing growl before hurtling itself towards Aurianna.

Reacting swiftly, Aurianna used her shotgun to block the beast's vicious bite, enduring the searing pain as its sharp jaws pierced her skin. Gritting her teeth in defiance, she refused to succumb.

"Guncicles!" Aurianna bellowed, unleashing her command. In an instant, six rows of guns materialized around the shadowy beast, penetrating its body with resounding force. The creature let out a piercing cry, wracked with agony from the onslaught.

However, in a desperate counterattack, the creature swung its hand with tremendous force, breaking through Aurianna's defenses and plunging directly into her stomach. causing her to gasp in excruciating pain.

Aurianna's body lay still on the ground, blood trickling from her wounds, and the lifeless Shadow Beast beside her. The battle had taken its toll, and she succumbed to her injuries.

[ You were killed by a Shadow Beast ]

[ You killed a level 7 Shadow Beast ]

[ You've gained 170xp ]

Reviving in a different location, Aurianna pondered, "So it's not only spiders in this damn forest. Interesting." the nature of the forest and the creatures she encountered amused her.

"I've never seen all these kinds of monsters in my world! The spiders there are slightly cute in our dungeons, there are also slime monsters, fish monsters, boars, I haven't seen anything relatively scary yet. Maybe it was because I was stuck at the back lines buffing people?"

"Why does it feel like my leveling progress is slow?" Aurianna wondered as she sat on the ground.

"Even as a Saintess, my leveling was faster than what I'm experiencing now as a human. Why is that?" Aurianna wondered, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"The monsters here are unlike anything I've seen before," she continued, acknowledging the unusual and dangerous nature of the forest's inhabitants. "Even a level six creature would pose a challenge to a level thirty knight."

"Well, let me just find some more monsters," Undeterred by the dangers, Aurianna resolved to press on. She understood the importance of gaining experience and growing stronger to overcome the formidable foes that awaited her. With a determined smile, she rose from the ground and ventured further into the forest.

Time passed, and Aurianna dedicated herself to hunting Hex Spiders and Shadow Beasts, steadily honing her skills and pushing her limits and steadily gaining experience. Her efforts paid off as she finally reached [ level 27 ].

Exploring deeper into the forest, she stumbled upon an enclosed area hidden beneath a sense canopy of bushes. Curiosity piqued, she cautiously entered.

"Even though I don't feel sleepy, I want to sleep!"

Aurianna found solace beneath the canopy of bushes, gathering leaves to create a makeshift bed. Exhaustion weighed heavily on her, despite not feeling the usual sensation of sleepiness. As she settled down on the ground, she covered herself with the leaves, seeking a moment of respite.

Closing her eyes, Aurianna expected to drift off into a peaceful slumber. However, instead of finding rest, she found herself plunged into darkness, confronted by haunting memories from her past. In this vivid and painful dream, she was transported back to her seventeen-year-old self, kneeling on the ground, tormented by cruel voices that surrounded her.

Tears streamed down Aurianna's face as she clenched her head in anguish. The faces around her, filled with twisted smiles and bathed in red light, hurled spiteful and hurtful words in her direction. Each comment pierced her heart like a thousand arrows, assaulting her self-worth and dignity.

"Who does she think she is?" an evil voice sneered.

"Just a fake, putting on a show for her image," another voice spat with disgust.

"She's so beautiful, she must be a ****. Hahaha," a mocking voice chimed in.

"She's always smiling at others, as if she's perfect. We see through her, *****!"

"I can't believe she's one of the Vanluad princesses, she's so dumb," a voice whispered with ridicule.

"Pathetic, irrelevant, disgusting, a disappointment!" the voices echoed in chorus.

Overwhelmed by the barrage of verbal abuse, Aurianna's frustration and anger boiled over. She couldn't bear the weight of their words any longer.

"Shut up!" Aurianna's voice erupted, breaking through the cacophony.

But the voices persisted, relentless in their assault on her psyche.

"How dare she rub her riches in my face? Does she think giving us money would make us like her?"

"She's so naive, handing out expensive jewelry as if it's nothing. It's free money for us!"

"Shut up!" Aurianna screamed once more, desperately trying to silence the tormenting voices.

"I hate her."

"She's disgusting!"

"She's not even that pretty."

In the midst of the darkness, Aurianna's past insecurities and the pain caused by others' cruel words resurfaced.

"What a damn shame, wasting such beauty on an arrogant soul like her." one voice sneered, followed by another venomous remark, "She's a horrible person. Look at how she treats everyone else. It's all about her, all the time. She's completely self-absorbed."

Fueled by frustration and indignation, Aurianna rose to her feet, her anger boiling over. With a resounding scream, the voices abruptly ceased, their attention fixated on her. Glaring at the blurry figures, they recoiled in fear, their presence becoming eerie and unsettling. Aurianna's gaze shifted downward, revealing chains tightly bound around her feet. Returning her gaze to the haunting figures, her fury intensified.

"You are all pitiful! Nothing but spineless cowards who hide behind your words, too damn afraid to take any real action!" Aurianna's voice reverberated with seething resentment. "How dare you pass judgment on me when you've contributed nothing to this kingdom? How dare you judge me without even attempting to comprehend the challenges I face? I had sacrificed everything for you parasites, you ungrateful wretches. ungrateful parasites, you worthless bastards. And now you call for my death over some petty crime I didn't even commit? I'll make sure you all pay for this!" Aurianna's words were a thunderous proclamation, a vow to unleash her wrath upon them.

However, it seemed that the voices remained unfazed to her passionate outburst, continuing their spiteful chatter as if her presence meant nothing. Frustration surged through her, compelling her to act.

"Shut up!" Aurianna bellowed, her hands instinctively covering her ears as she squeezed her eyes shut. Desperate to drown out the persistent voices, she sought refuge within herself, attempting to shut out the relentless onslaught of their malicious words.

"We should kill her."

"I want to see her cry in pain, that would be enjoyable."

"Let's humiliate her!"

"She shouldn't die so easily."

"It would be such a waste to burn such beautiful skin. Let's turn her into a **********."

"Shut the hell up, you goddamn bastards!" Aurianna bellowed with seething anger, her voice resonating through the darkness. In an instant, the oppressive realm shattered, and Aurianna jolted awake, her eyes wide with alarm. To her horror, she found three grotesque monsters feasting upon her arms, their ravenous jaws tearing through flesh and sinew.

[ You have broken free from the nightmare-inducing spell of the Dream Eaters. ]

The first beast, a repulsive shade of green, possessed the lower body of a crab and the upper body of a frog. Its razor-sharp teeth extended from its mouth all the way to its waist. Towering at around six feet in height, its cold, vacant green eyes and razor-sharp claws tore through Aurianna's arm, rending it into two pieces before greedily devouring it.

"You disgusting creatures dared to subject me to such a vile nightmare? I'll make you pay!" Aurianna spat, her voice brimming with defiance. With a surge of anger, she summoned her magical prowess, ready to turn the tide of this gruesome encounter.

Before the dream eaters could sink their vile fangs into another one of her limbs, Aurianna unleashed her skill. "Death Magic Gunner's Despair!" she cried out, causing ten rows of ethereal guns to materialize in a circular formation around the dream eaters. A barrage of bullets erupted from the firearms, hurtling towards the abominations at an astonishing speed.

"Guncicles!" Aurianna's command reverberated through the air as six rows of guns manifested, encircling the Dream Eaters. In a blinding display of icy magic, the guns unleashed a barrage of piercing icicles, impaling the bodies of the monstrous creatures, causing them to writhe in agony.

As the dream eaters howled in pain, their grip on Aurianna loosened. Seizing the opportunity, she swiftly retreated, distancing herself from their clutches.

With a fierce determination, Aurianna continued her assault, conjuring a flurry of additional icicles that she hurled relentlessly at the Dream Eaters. The projectiles found their mark, piercing through the creatures' grotesque forms and dispatching them swiftly. As the Dream Eaters met their demise, their bodies swelled grotesquely before finally exploding, scattering blood and remnants in all directions.

"Disgusting creatures," Aurianna muttered, her voice laced with a mixture of revulsion and triumph, as she wiped the blood from her face with a grimace of distaste.

[ You have successfully defeated 3 level 30 Dream Eaters, adversaries surpassing your own level. Congratulations! You have gained 6,000 XP, with a bonus for defeating foes of higher level. ]

[ You have acquired the skill { Enraged }. When consumed by anger, your skill power increases significantly, and you become impervious to pain. You fight with an unstoppable fury, akin to a wild maniac.]

[ You have absorbed the darkness element from the Dream Eaters. ]

[ Level Up! Your progress from level 27 to level 28 has been achieved. ]

[ Aurianna

Age: 21 ( Physically younger due to time manipulation but retains the same age. )

Class: Gunner Mage

Race: Diamond

Level: 28

Exp: 40 / 100,000

HP: 5000 / 5000

Magic Power: 23,000 / 23,000

Stamina: 200 / 200

STR: 45

VIT: 29

INT: 65

Agility: 30

Defense: 27

Charm: 230

Luck: 35

Skill Points: 780

Quest Points: 4,680

Skills: Ice Magic <20>, Poison Touch <1>, Healing Magic <20>, Revival <5>, Mind Shatter <1>, Death Magic Gunner's Despair <13>, Sniper Shot <1>, Guncicles <14>, Smooth Trigger Pull <30>, Enraged <1>

Dark Magic <1> ]

"My arms are healing?" Aurianna exclaimed, her astonishment evident as she witnessed her eaten arm miraculously regenerating before her very eyes. "So, every time I level up, major wounds can be healed! That's incredible!"

Curiosity sparked within Aurianna as she addressed the system. "System, did you just mention that I absorbed a darkness element? How is that even possible? I was under the impression that absorbing an element from a monster was not possible!"

The system responded with valuable insight. [ Indeed, this is a unique bloodline ability bestowed only upon Diamonds. Diamonds possess the extraordinary capability to absorb elements from any source and convert them into usable magic. ]

Aurianna's thoughts raced as she contemplated the implications. "But I always believed that elemental affinity was innate, something one is born with. In my previous life, my affinity leaned towards light,while my affinity for ice was relatively weaker. But now I wonder, where is my light element now?"

The system provided a solution and a suggestion. [ You will likely acquire your light element by slaying a monster aligned with that element. I recommend actively seeking out a light element creature, as obtaining it would significantly enhance the power of your skill damage, aligning it with your inherent strengths. ]

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***