Chapter 35: Exterminated
An adult Green Plume pecked at the ground with its massive beak, plucking a strand of fresh moss.
The two large circular openings on its beak expanded as it drew in a deep breath.
However, the crisp and invigorating taste of the moss no longer held its interest.
Instead, its focus had shifted to another enticing aroma that had just wafted its way.
The adult Green Plume suddenly let out a sharp and rhythmic cry.
Upon hearing its call, several other Green Plumes turned their gaze in its direction.
Being magic creatures, a species more advanced than ordinary stray beasts, Green Plumes demonstrated a higher level of intelligence and the capacity to work cohesively as a group.
Most intermediate magic beasts would wisely avoid direct conflict with a group of over twenty adult Green Plumes.
Only the strongest among the intermediate magic beasts, such as the Giant Saltwater Crocodile or large magic beasts covered with thick scales, were capable of preying on Green Plumes.
Yet, even a formidable adversary like the Giant Saltwater Crocodile that Sein had vanquished before, would beat a hasty retreat when confronted by over forty adult Green Plumes or a pair of King Green Plumes.
The situation where a multitude of lesser creatures overwhelmed a stronger one was not rare in the Underworld.
Despite their impressive intelligence and effective group dynamics, the Green Plumes remained creatures at their core.
They could not possibly match humans in terms of intelligence, let alone skilled mages who wielded elemental power.
When Sein saw six Green Plumes lured by the sweet berries he had planted in the soil, he knew that he was halfway to completing his quest.
Instead of immediately acting when the Green Plumes entered the area, Sein continued waiting patiently. Embark on a quest to the commencement at n0v#lbin★
Patience was a virtue innate to mages, honed through hours of tedious routine tasks at their experiment tables.
During his encounter with the Giant Salt Crocodile, a magic beast far stronger than himself, he also patiently waited for an opening to strike.
After witnessing the incredible power of magic, these inhabitants’ fear and reverence for black mages grew even more.
The inhabitants here were uneducated and illiterate, making it impossible for them to distinguish between a full-fledged black mage and a black magic initiate.
They only knew that any black-robed figure in Mystralora City was not someone they could afford to offend.
Sein was immensely satisfied with the effectiveness and power of the Fire Wall spell. The addition of iron phosphate powder had substantially increased the potency of this offensive area of effect spell compared to normal circumstances.
The only minor flaw was Sein’s incomplete mastery of the Fire Wall spell, resulting in a slightly slower casting speed.
In battles, those few seconds could mean the difference between life and death.
While Sein reflected on the quest and the casting process, a mournful, shrill cry echoed from the sea of flames.
A large bird, nearly a meter long, leaped over the flames amidst the sweltering waves, followed by seven or eight smaller Green Plumes.
Regrettably, Green Plumes could not fly. Their movements were also restricted by the blazing flames and thick smoke.
Only three of the strongest among the smaller Green Plumes managed to follow the King Green Plume out of the flames.
Upon exiting the fire, their once green feathers had turned charred, and the faint aroma of roasted meat filled the air.
Rather than fleeing in its wounded state, the King Green Plumes’s rage mounted as it witnessed the deaths of many of its kind and felt the excruciating pain coursing through its body.
Upon detecting Sein’s presence, the King Green Plume charged toward him.
Such impulsive behavior was not unexpected given its low intelligence as a low-level magic beast.
Typically, an injured black magic initiate would prioritize escape over retaliation in this situation.
Accompanying the King Green Plume in its charge were three other adult Green Plumes, all severely wounded.
Furthermore, four Green Plumes, unscathed as they had stayed away from the sea of flames, also joined the assault.
With only a handful of magic creatures and a low-level magic beast on their side, the group before Sein were no different from a colony of puny ants.
The chant of incantation echoed once more, and this time, a massive hand enveloped in flames materialized in the darkness.