[TRAIT: PARALYTIC NEEDLE — PREVIEW]
« Analysis »
A rare offensive trait derived from creatures that fire venom-coated projectiles. Allows the user to grow and launch barbed needles from their own body, carrying a paralytic toxin that slows and disables targets.
Effect at Completion:
· Grants a new active skill — [Spine Volley]. Launch a spread of paralytic needles at up to 5 targets within 12 meters. Each needle deals physical + poison damage and applies [Paralyze] for 1.5 seconds.
· Passive: 10% increased poison damage from all sources.
’Paralytic Needles... that’ll be useful for controlling groups.’ Gray said.
Cindy’s voice came, lighter now that the fighting had stopped.
"With the monsters gone, we can make a shelter here."
Gray turned toward the largest urchin corpse, its shell split open from the inside. Pale, faintly sweet-smelling flesh glistened in the green light.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "That was the plan."
He drifted down and began prying the shell further apart with his tentacles. The spines broke away easily, brittle after death. Inside, the urchin’s flesh was soft and creamy, nothing like the jagged exterior.
’And while we’re at it,’ he added, ’we’ll keep looking for a body that suits you.’
He pressed his feeding surface against the exposed flesh and began to absorb.
The taste hit him.
It was... good. Delicate, slightly sweet, with a clean, briny finish. The texture dissolved on his feeding surface like soft custard, and the aftertaste carried a faint mineral richness that reminded him of raw scallop.
He paused, genuinely surprised.
’...What?’
"What is it?" Cindy asked.
Gray took another taste, It was still good.
’It’s delicious,’ he said, his mental voice almost disbelieving. ’Better than anything I’ve eaten in this ocean.’
Cindy let out a disgusted sound.
"Ugh... you’re eating one of those spiky things raw right now, aren’t you?"
’Freshly killed and still warm,’ Gray replied, not hiding his satisfaction. ’If you could taste this, you’d understand. It’s almost sweet.’
"I’ll take your word for it," Cindy muttered. "I still can’t believe you find that appetizing."
Gray continued feeding, slowly this time, savoring the flavor. The flesh was rich enough to fill the ache in his body and soothe the lingering sting of the fight.
After a while, he floated back and let the empty shell drift to the seafloor. The grotto was quiet again, the silver fish slowly returning to the glowing plants, their tiny fins brushing against the fronds.
"This place is also strategically valuable. The Spirit Moss Fern here will let me recover faster," Gray said.
"It’s beautiful," Cindy said. "It reminds me of the gardens in Varenth’s estate. There was a greenhouse full of glowing plants like this."
Gray let out a soft, amused pulse.
’Well, of course it’s beautiful. It’s a noble’s garden. Everything there was probably chosen to impress.’
Cindy’s voice carried a faint smile.
"True. But I’ve never seen plants like these before. Maybe they only grow in the deep sea, where humans can’t reach. They’re too far down for anyone to study."
Gray glanced at the glowing ferns around him, their green light pulsing gently against the stone.
’What a waste,’ he said. ’If only I could carry some of this with me... but I don’t have an inventory.’
Cindy perked up.
"Wait. You know what an inventory is, Gray?"
Gray tilted slightly, a thread of caution in his voice.
’Of course. Is it something rare?’
"Of course it is!" Cindy said, as if it were obvious. "Inventories are extremely practical. You can store items without carrying them, and merchants use them to transport goods safely. Not everyone can afford one. Even among mages, only those with real backing carry that kind of artifact."
’I see... So in this world, magic items like that exist and they’re rare.’
"Very rare," Cindy confirmed. "Even my old superior, Marquis Julius, only kept a few inventory artifacts in his house. And those were reserved for important missions."
’Then this place... really is a treasure... too bad we can’t bring it with us.’ Gray said.
"When I was still alive... I had one," Cindy said softly.
’You had an inventory?’
"A small one," Cindy said, her voice touched with old memory. "Only a few slots. It was a gift from my friend before I left for the mission. I used it to carry potions, rations, spare clothes..." She paused. "When the Sun Eater swallowed the ship, I lost everything."
Gray didn’t say anything right away. The locket felt heavier against his bell.
’...Then when we get out of here,’ he said at last, ’we’ll find a way to get you another one.’
"You say that like it’s easy."
’I don’t say it because it’s easy. I say it because we’ll need it.’
Cindy let out a small huff.
"Yes, yes... but before that, I want a body first."
’Be patient. I can’t just find a suitable body lying around out of nowhere.’
Cindy’s voice softened a little.
"I’m being patient. I know finding a body that suits me in this dark ocean isn’t easy."
’But isn’t it safer if you stay in the locket? If you get a new body, I’ll have to protect you all over again.’ Gray said.
Cindy’s tone sharpened instantly.
"Do you think I’m weak?"
’I didn’t say that.’
"Good. Because for your information, I am a genius mage. If I get a new body, I can adapt quickly and i won’t be a burden."
Gray let out a slow, thoughtful pulse.
’That was before you died.’
"That doesn’t matter, my knowledge is still here and my mind is still intact. The moment I have a body, I can start casting again."
’Can you even use magic without mana?’
Cindy hesitated for a fraction of a second.
"I’ll manage."
Gray turned slightly, his bell tilting toward the locket.
’Alright. Then prove it! When we find you a body, you’ll show me what a genius mage can do.’
Cindy’s voice came with full confidence.
"I’ll prove it. I can do it just like I recited the barrier spell earlier."
’Yeah... we’ll see about that later,’ Gray said, still not convinced.
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