Epic of Caterpillar

Chapter 2426: The New Frank



Ding!

[You have slain a large quantity of [Lesser Yokai] and a powerful [Great Yokai: Gashadokuro]

x1!]

[You earned a large quantity of EXP!]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

[Your Level has increased from Level 11 to 17!]

[All your Stats have increased!]

[You earned 2.500 Bonus APP Points!]

[The [Great Yokai: Gashadokuro] has dropped a [Gashadokuro Skill Book (? Rank)] x1!]

[You have temporarily recreated a lesser version of a Mythical Treasure with your power of Naming.]

[You have learned the [Magic Naming: Lv1] Skill!]

[Your ability over naming objects has increased. You can draw more of a name's power with this skill.]

"Oh nice!"

Frank felt stronger right away, as he gained six levels, and he even found the giant skeleton dropped a Skill Book! Without even waiting, he rushed down the pit. He floated using the {Gravity Sphere} Spell.

"There it is!"

He grabbed the Skill Book and decided to immediately use it while Harumi and Matsuo glanced from above whatever he was doing.

FLUOSH!

He suddenly felt a part of the strength of this titanic skeleton engulf him, encompassing him with its deathly powers, he felt slightly suffocated, but resisted the sensation until it ended. Ultimately...

Ding!

[You have used the [Gashadokuro Skill Book (? Rank)] x1!]

[You learned the Skill: [Giant Skeleton Guardian Aura: Gashadokuro: Lv1]!]

[By spending Mana, you can summon forth a phantasmal form of the Gashadokuro to battle, who will protect you and attack foes with his giant ribs and skeletal claws, with a chance to breathe phantom flames against foes randomly.]

"Oh, this will definitely be useful..."

Frank felt much stronger with that battle alone, this sensation, he somewhat missed it, and also felt it was quite nostalgic. To just fight monsters and slowly grow step by step.

He returned with his friends, apologizing for scaring them a bit.

"Sorry for jumping like that, I'm back."

"Why did you just do that though? I saw you grabbing something," said Harumi.

"Ah yeah, Frank has the power to sometimes manifest items from mosnters he defeats," explained Matsuo. "He must have gotten something good from a Great Yokai! What was it?"

"A Skill Book, I used it to learn a new ability," Frank said. "Check it out."

He quickly released his Aura, surprising Harumi and Matsuo as a smaller version of the Gashadokuro, now phantasmal, materialized from within it.

Its ribs protected most of his body while the long claws and arms could be used for attacking!

"It's a skill that'll protect me and deal damage, but it costs quite some Mana to keep up," Frank sighed, as he quickly deactivated the Skill.

"Huh, you're more special than I imagined, Frank," Harumi said. "Anyways, if you're so strong, then this shouldn't be so hard... Also Matsuo, what was that Spell you used? I had no idea you had that."

"Ah, it is a new Spell I learned from the Clan Head!" said Matsuo. "She said I could only use it when fighting giant threats, and absolutely never against people. It borrows a small part of our Clan's Ancestor divine power to unleash a destructive attack. Even then, it seemed not enough to finish the Gashadokuro. It was much stronger than I imagined..."

"Yeah, it was just bones, but the bones were as hard as steel," said Harumi. "My Blood Explosion only blew up its jaws when it should had blown it up entirely like usual... They have incredible durability. Well, it makes sense, seeing how ancient and strong these beings are, and not easy at all to create within a Corrupted Domain, which brings a lot of questions about what this house even is. Have some cultists been doing sacrifices for this place to turn into such a huge labyrinth?"

"Yeah, I've been wondering the same thing," nodded Matsuo. "Usually Contaminated Domains are made up over time, but even if that was the case... Gashadokuro most of the time aren't born at all naturally. They're usually Familiars of powerful Sorcerers. Born from dozens or hundreds of sacrifices."

"Hm, if that's the case we might end up confronting a person, not just more Yokai," said Frank. "Let's be careful then."

"Yeah, let's go, we can't waste time after all," Matsuo agreed.

The party quickly advanced through the labyrinthian ancient Japanese house made of wood and paper, from room to room, they battled more Lesser Yokai.

Sometimes, they confronted Gashadokuro "Pieces" their skull, or a large arm, or even their hands or foot, but never a complete one.

"This is ridiculous! How long does this goes for?" wondered Harumi. "We've already swept through over ten more rooms with Yokai inside! And those Gashadokuro Pieces are unnerving! It is as if many are being made at the same time... What's going on in here?"

"This is strange..." Matsuo nodded. "Not something normal when conquering Corrupted Domains... Perhaps we should go back and report to our superiors about what's happening here. They might send people more qualified and stronger to deal with this problem."

"Wait a moment. I don't want my mother to keep treating me like a child," said Harumi. "I came here because she said this was my test of adulthood... I can't just leave."

"But Harumi, it's dangerous even for you..." sighed Matsuo, and then he glanced at Frank. "Frank, what do you think?"

"I..." Frank was thinking. "I guess it is better to stay, if Harumi will be adamant about it, we can't really stop her, knowing her personality."

"Hah, you're not wrong... It wouldn't sit right with me to leave her abandoned while we run away either, I've a man after all!" Matsuo smiled.

"So you're coming?" Harumi felt a bit surprised over Frank's support.

"Yes, let's go. Let's complete this together," said Frank. "However... if we end up confronting

a sorcerer beyond our power, we'll escape. Okay? promise us." "I..." Harumi was going to argue but ended agreeing. "Ok. Fine..."

"Alright," nodded Frank. "Let's go then, we can't waste time."

As Frank led the trio, Harumi and Matsuo were surprised of the maturity Frank was showing,

his way of talking and everything, he had definitely changed in the past days.

Unknowingly to them, what awaited them at the top floor of the labyrinth was something way

beyond their expectations.

"Ah, they're here... Fufu. It's time for you to wake up, Frank~"