Digitize: Rebirth of the Silver Death God
Chapter 68: The Snalard King

The cavern only grew darker as Nero descended further into its depths, filled with even more torches that kept the passage lit. Oddly enough, however, no matter how far he traveled he didn't see any more signs of those Snalards or Snalard Elites.

Nero felt a dark feeling in his heart; he not only had to worry about some mysterious thief lurking around him but the danger he was supposed to face in a few moments.

Not long after, Nero saw light coming from ahead, his eyes brightened as he hurried forwards soon after exiting the narrow passage as he arrived at an open space. When he looked around, he noticed that the ceiling was missing as a giant hole was up above, showing massive branches from a dark tree.

Before Nero was a crystal-clear lake with a few flower petals on is surface, a large rock rested at its center, illuminated by the bright god rays that shone from the opening in the rocky ceiling.

___

Ding!

[You have arrived at quest destination, commencing quest in 3, 2, 1...]

___

When Nero heard the system notification, his eyes grew even sterner. He held onto his scythe carefully, switching back to his former stance where his handheld it behind his body while he crouched forward and faced one palm in the direction of the lake.

'I don't know how strong it'll be, but for it to be called a Special Quest, it's almost certain to not be an easy task. I must face it with everything I have while looking out for that darn thief...' As Nero wrapped up his thoughts, the scene before him changed as the ground began to shake.

Rumble! Not only Nero himself, even the hidden figure that stood at the edge of the room looked at the now turbulent water in shock, knowing full well that what was coming wasn't of a simple scale.

Splash! In an instant, the lake formed massive waves that splashed about the open space as a majestic entity had risen from its depths.

It was two times larger than its lesser kin; a giant Snalard garbed in a bit sturdier armor with a big sword that had a chipped edge in one of its arms. It had an extremely long and thick tail that rose towards its face, its end having the head of what seemed no different from a large cobra head.

Its snake eyes shone cold ray as they shone from a strange greenish mist that blew from the mouth of the cobra head, positioned above its body.

"Ssss… human, I hope you're ready to die!" The monster said in a human tongue as it lifted its head and roared sending a wave of energies across the area as if building up its momentum.

Nero said nothing, his eyes shone in a cold ray as he inspected its stats, causing its details to appear before his eyes.

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[Snalard King]

[Level: 5]

[Grade: Common (High Class)]

[Health: 700/700]

[Magic Power 250/250]

[Combat Force: 160 stones]

[Body Tenacity: 60]

[Spiritual Awareness: 45]

[Speed 85 km/h]:

[Skill: Sword Dance, Blinding Chop, Venom Breath]

[Description: The ruler of all Snalards within the Blackfern Hollows, a ferocious creature with extremely dangerous toxin and astounding swordsmanship. Rumors say that those who drink their blood can acquire a special trait, but only a few have ever found out.]

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Nero looked at the beast standing a few meters away with a dark expression on his face as he cursed inwardly, 'I knew it would be strong, but I didn't think it would be to such an extent... darn!'

Adult Nero snorted as he spoke, "Enough blabbering and stay focused, your stats aren't far from it. With the addition of the scythe, you've even acquired Combat Force nearing its own; you should be grateful that it wasn't a Quasi Greater Monster..."

'Hmph! You speak like it will be an easy fight, tch!' Nero inwardly said as his flickered when he compared his stats with the Snalard King's.

____

[Name: Nero Valstine]

[Title - Silver Boy]

[Tier - Novice Rank Digitizer]

[Level 5 | Class: None]

[Next Level EXP: 1400]

[Current EXP: 1202]

[Influence: None | Prestige: 200 - Good Villager]

[Health 180/180]

[Magic Power 180/180]

[Combat Power: 150 | 70 + (50+30)]

[Body Tenacity: 54 | 19 + (25+10)]

[Spiritual Awareness 30]

[Speed 62(+1) km/h]:

[Genetic Trait:]

[Grade??? Inheritance Bit (Mazello(Level 10)) - A powerful Spiritual Being of an ancient era, as you've earned his recognition, you have awakened a small portion of his strength. Your awareness of spirits has risen, you will naturally attract the love and care of goodwill spirits, but those of a dark nature shall view you in a manner no different from their mortal enemy.]

---

[Reaper's Eye - A talent that allows one to see the origin of nature. It enables the living to see those that exist between both realms of reality.]

…

[Skills:]

[Passive Techniques:]

High-Grade Skill:

[Core Body Refinement: Stage 5 (5/600) | 9 Stages]

[Effects: Technique is limited to 9 Stages, and current stage can increase Combat Power and Body Tenacity by +25]

---

[All Weapons Mastery Skill- Stage 5 (5/600) | 9 Stages]

[Effects:]

[Technique is limited to 9 Stages, and current stage can increase the skill and Combat Power used by +25]

---

[Combat Techniques:]

High-Grade Skill:

[Four Point Unity Steps - Stage 5 (5/600) | 9 Stages]

[Description: This is a speed-boosting art that can increase speed allowing graceful movement and superior reaction capabilities. The current stage can grant the user and increase of 30km/h.]

[Effects: MP Consumption: 30]

[Requirement: User must at least have Stage 3 fitness.]

....

[Myriad Spector Cut: Stage 1 (10/50) | 9 Stages]

[Description - This is a scythe style that allows the host to use Magic Power to condense two phantom clones with the host's body. Both phantoms can attack their opponents or change positions.]

[Effects: MP Consumption: 35]

...

Low-Grade Skill:

[Flash Cut: Stage MAX (100/100) | 3 Stages]

[Description - This is a sword style that allows the wielder to rely on the momentum of the sword, leaving its sheath and furthering it with Magic Power, allowing it to cut apart its foe in merely a flash.]

[Effects: MP Consumption: 25]

…

[Items:]

[???Special Gift - Item locked (Level10)]

[Furry Ape Martial Robe: Body Tenacity: 10 / Durability: 4/4]

[Simple Wooden Sandals: +1 km/h, Indestructible]

[Grezolor's Cursed Sythe: Combat Force: 30 / Durability: 35/35]

....

[Judgment Cuff]

[Grade: Common]

[Type: Weapons]

[Subtype: Treasure]

[Usable by: All]

[Close Range]

[Requirements: Level 1]

[Description: A treasure with the power to bind its foes for a fixed duration based on power difference.]

[Effects: MP Consumption: 20, 15 seconds duration, 1-minute cooldown.]

____

While Nero was comparing himself with the Snalard King that had only just appeared, a distance behind him, the mysterious thief looked at this in shock as the beautiful pair of eyes that stared at this direction showed traces of fear.

Not even hesitating for a second, the person began to escape from the cavern, but sadly it would seem that they would never have this chance.

BOOM! The pathway behind was blocked by a sturdy boulder that spawned out of nothingness with an explosive sound. Soon after, a dust cloud formed which vaguely formed an outline of the mysterious thief, showing a slender figure with a catlike tail that wore thief's clothing with a curvaceous form and long hair.

"Nooo!" A pleasant but somewhat sad female voice cried out as the outline now stat before the closed exit in a pitiful manner.

As if they were disturbed by the strange cry, both Nero and the Snalard King turned their heads to the side with the same expression, raising one eyebrow as they carried a curious look.

'Hmph! So now you show yourself, serves you right!' Nero inwardly sneered as he saw the girl behind him, but as for the Snalard King, it's attention immediately turned back to the distracted Nero.

Swoosh! In a flash, its body swayed, moving as rapidly as the wind as it charged towards him with a sinister glint in its eyes as it raised its large chipped sword.

Nero sensed that death was only a few steps away, without even wasting time, he took his mind away from his previously hidden nemesis and focused back on his target.

By this time, the sword of the Snalard King had already struck him. It made a strange but graceful series of arcs in the air, leaving behind a blinding series of sword rays that chop from all angles.

"Hmph! I won't fall so easily!" Nero said as his face grew solemn, his body glowed in silver lights as his red eyes flashed brightly. Ushering the start of the Blackfern Hollow's climactic battle...