The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 144

Chapter 18. Mermaid: Enhanced Scoundrel

My Druid skills increased significantly after taking the Golden Branch test.

That’s because Merlin, who appeared in the test, is always at a higher level than me.

To put it simply, it’s like a level 1 beginner getting to control a fully equipped level 99 character in advance.

Through this, beginners can memorize the direction they will grow in the future and gain inspiration for new skills and the development of existing ones.

[The test begins.]

[The clearing conditions are revealed.]

[Defeat the Kraken.]

That’s exactly how I felt right now.

Merlin’s current level was incredible.

It was like fighting as a monster-level Druid.

I decided to make the most of this opportunity.

‘Against a giant monster, respond with a giant golem.’

[Summon Wood Golem]

[Summon Stone Golem]

[Summon Crystal Golem]

Unlike when summoning Wood and Stone Golems, a Crystal Golem was also summoned. The golem, with its entire body made of solid crystal, looked sturdy and strong at first glance.

The number of summoned entities was also large. Compared to me, who summons only ten with acorns, a legion of over 30 was created.

“Go.”

The golems swarmed the Kraken.

The giant octopus thrashed its eight legs and resisted fiercely.

“Hung…ry…”

The octopus’s legs were quite annoying. The surface was covered with mucus, and the golem’s strikes kept slipping, making it difficult to deliver a critical hit.

Moreover, the suckers on its legs had strong suction power, making self-escape impossible once attached.

The Wood Golems were easily destroyed, and more than half of the Stone Golems sank. Only the Crystal Golems were holding out firmly.

‘The golems alone are not enough.’

I decided to use spear-type skills.

[Wood Rain]

[Stone Rain]

[Crystal Rain]

I clearly used spear-type skills, but the system window displayed it as Rain. The firing pattern of the skills also changed.

The spears, which used to fall like icicles, now poured down much more densely and fiercely.

It really fell like a storm.

“Kuaaaah!!!!”

Even the hard crystals were falling, so the Kraken was instantly covered in blood. But it’s still not enough.

Somehow, it was stubbornly repairing its wounds.

Shuaaaah!

The Kraken, wanting to catch me, shook off the golem’s grasp and launched one of its legs towards me.

[Wind Control]

[Haste]

[Instant Step]

I kicked off the air and dodged. Certainly, Merlin and I are at a similar level when it comes to wind-based movement techniques.

The octopus seemed angry that I wouldn’t get hit, and its head turned red.

“Ebebe… what are you going to do? What are you going to do?”

I teased the octopus.

It must have gotten very angry.

It used its hidden card.

Puaaaaah!!!

Ink bombs spewed out from its long, protruding nose.

I reflexively turned my body and dodged, but the clumsy golems were hit head-on.

The effect of the ink was certain. The sticky black mucus obscured their vision.

The ink exposed to the air evaporated moisture and hardened. It was similar to pouring liquid cement.

The golems, already clumsy, stopped moving, becoming hard stone lumps encased in ink.

‘I almost got caught off guard.’

The Kraken was strong, possessing both pure physical abilities and powerful skills.

But its weaknesses also seemed clear. It kept saying it was hungry and showed impulsive behavior.

It was clear that its intelligence was lacking.

‘Should I provoke it more?’

For a creature with unstable emotions, there’s no better tactic than provocation.

“Octopus head! Baldy with no hair! Cutting off one of your legs and eating it as sashimi would be perfect.”

“Uwoooo!! I’m hungry!!”

The enraged octopus rampaged. It fired ink bombs in all directions.

But the first time was dangerous; once I figured out its skills, evasion became easier. I slowly chipped away at its health.

Thanks to its tenacious vitality, my health gradually recovered, and it slowly grew tired.

“Kuwo… Kuwo…”

The octopus was exhausted. It couldn’t even say it was hungry anymore.

It was time to finish it.

[Wood Control]

[Bind]

Kuakwakwakwak!!

Trees also exist under the sea. Tree roots that emerged from the ground tightly bound the Kraken.

The protruding thorns induced bleeding in the Kraken.

“It’s over!”

[Giant Crystal]

Solid crystals gathered in both hands, soon forming a large fist.

Receiving the force of gravity, I slammed the giant fist down from above.

Puaaaah!!!

The octopus twisted its entire body from the onrushing pain. After that, I repeatedly beat its head.

Just when I was worried it would become an idiot, I finally received the Kraken’s surrender.

“Kuwo… Kuwo… Stop hitting me… It hurts…”

[Congratulations!]

[Cleared the second test – Druid’s Memory II.]

[Acquiring the Golden Branch.]

[Promotion complete!]

[You have been promoted to Advanced Druid.]

I finally absorbed the fourth branch completely.

I rose from mid-high level to high level.

At the same time, several status windows appeared.

———————-

[Congratulations.]

[You have become an Advanced Druid.]

[Buffing existing skills.]

[Acquiring new skills.]

———————-

——————–

1. Wood Control

-Bind (★★★★)

-Wood Golem (★★★★)

-Wood Spear (★) -> Wood Rain (★)

-Giant Wood (★★)

2. Stone Control -> Crystal Control

-Crystal Lance (★★★★)

-Crystal Shield (★★★★)

-Crystal Golem (★★★★)

-Crystal Spear (★) -> Crystal Rain (★)

-Giant Crystal (★★)

3. Wind Control

-Instant Step (★★)

-Haste (★★)

4. Life Control

– Shared Vision (★★)

– Taming (★★)

– Memory Recall (★)

——————–

Overall, the skill level has increased. The skills I initially obtained had become 4-star skills.

In particular, Stone Control had changed significantly, with all skills transforming into Crystal.

Crystal is harder than stone and has physical and magical resistance. In other words, it can withstand even an expert-level master’s mana sword.

It was truly a thrilling upgrade.

The spear-type skills also transformed into rain skills. The skill of summoning and throwing several sharp stone and wood spears has changed to being sprayed like a rainstorm.

What are the advantages of this?

First, you can inflict area-of-effect damage. Also, when fighting against super masters, you can annoy them by grabbing their ankles or blocking their vision.

It has changed in many useful ways.

Wind Control has also improved. Until now, movement-type skills had always been stagnant. Still, I earned a star this time, so faster leaps and movements became possible.

Life Control has also improved compared to before. New skills have also been added. A skill called Memory Recall has appeared, which I should test separately later.

Spaaah!

Light spread and disappeared. I was back in the Holonium Grand Temple.

It felt like I had been on a long journey. Still, I was proud. The improvement in empathy was truly felt.

“By the way, I never expected an underwater city.”

To think there was such a mysterious place in the world. Most people in the Arnia continent probably don’t know about it.

Even when the Mermaid’s Tears were introduced in Liang [a fictional region or country], mermaids were considered legendary beings.

“I should go there sometime.”

As I was about to move, I heard the voice of the Heavenly Demon in my consciousness.

-Hey, brat.

“What’s wrong? Heavenly Demon.”

-It suddenly occurred to me.

“What are you talking about?”

-That Valkyrie you fought. Repli, I think her name was.

“Repli, you mean?”

-Yeah. It seems I annihilated her race.

What is he even saying?

“Please explain in detail.”

-It was a long time ago… When I was resting in the mountains, those guys came in a group and started a fight. They said it was their territory and that inferior races should leave.

“So? Did you leave? Knowing your personality, Heavenly Demon, you definitely wouldn’t have left.”

-That’s right. In a fit of anger, I drew my sword and wiped them all out.

Unexpectedly, I heard the secret history of the Valkyrie race. That powerful race disappeared into the annals of history because of one wrong encounter.

At this point, maybe the Demon King Baal is a fictional being, and the lecherous old man sealed inside the Heavenly Demon Sword is the real Demon King.

Since even the last survivor of the Valkyrie race met her end in the Heavenly Demon Sword, the Valkyrie race and the Heavenly Demon old man must have had a bad relationship in many ways.

Anyway, that doesn’t justify what Repli did. She deserved to die and paid the price.

Now it was time for the aftermath.

* * *

The news of the Pope’s death spread. The Holy Nation was once again in shock. They were disgusted by the wickedness of Lust.

In the midst of the difficulties, Merian’s performance was remarkable. She quickly stabilized the country. Her divine power shone brightly anytime, anywhere, and people gradually began to trust and rely on her.

Before they knew it, Merian had become the new Saintess of the Bellanus Order.

Currently, I am in the Holonium Grand Temple. Sion and Campbell were next to me.

Sion and Campbell formally apologized to me after the battle with Repli.

“Young Master, I’m sorry. I couldn’t be of any help when you needed it most.”

“Hehe, Vice-Captain, this is embarrassing, isn’t it? Who knew Lust would have such fraudulent abilities.”

“It’s okay. Anyway, Lust is dead. Consider it a good experience.”

I patted my companions. In front of me was Repli’s corpse. The fallen Valkyrie was a being consumed by magic.

And among my companions, there is a cute child who is obsessed with and crazy about magic.

“Kkyuu!!”

Coco came out of the subspace. Coco, who had been spinning around in the air, saw Sion and immediately hugged him.

Come to think of it, the two hadn’t seen each other in a long time because Sion was training in the Empire.

Hugging and rubbing against each other was quite a nice sight.

“Tch! Looks like I’m going to get beaten 2-on-1 again.”

Of course, Campbell grumbled. After enjoying the reunion for a while, Coco fixed her gaze on Repli’s corpse.

Coco’s mouth was already full of drool.

“Kkyuu?”

“Yes. Eat it.”

When I nodded, Coco rushed towards Repli’s corpse and absorbed the magic to her heart’s content.

Next, the status window appeared.

[Coco – Hatchling II -> III]

[Evolution Rate – 75%]

[Evolution Rate 100% = 성룡 [Seongnyong – Divine Dragon] Evolution]

Already 25% to 성룡 [Seongnyong – Divine Dragon]. That’s how dense the magic contained in the Valkyrie was.

When Coco became a Hatchling level 3, she began to emit light from her entire body.

Spaaah!!!

Once the light faded, a dragon with an unfamiliar appearance was visible: glossy black scales, sharp claws and teeth, strong-looking wings, and even a long tail.

Sparkling electricity crackled from the towering horns.

“Could it be… Coco?”

“Kkyuu?”

The large size filled the chapel. It was almost the size of an African elephant. It was embarrassing to call her a baby dragon anywhere.

That’s how extraordinary Coco’s growth was.

“Coco has become cuter.”

“She’s going to poop a lot, isn’t she?”

Sion and Campbell also said a word each. Coco, who was proud to hear Sion’s praise, glared at Campbell with narrowed eyes after hearing his taunt.

Then Campbell subtly averted his gaze.

“Oh? Is Campbell scared right now?”

“There’s no way. I haven’t lived such a pathetic life that I would feel fear towards an ignorant dragon… Keheok!”

“Kkyuuuu!!!”

Even though Coco bumped into him slightly, Campbell rolled and rolled and crashed into the wall.

Her strength is amazing. It seems Campbell’s future will be even more difficult.

As for me, I was relieved. Coco is a descendant of the guardians who protect the sealing place of the Demon King Baal.

The sooner she grows up, the less burden I will feel. Also, now that she has grown so much, it seemed okay to actively use her in future battles.

* * *

After talking with my companions, I received a call from Merian. She demolished the chapel that Repli had used and built her own chapel.

It was much smaller than before, but it was a neat and cozy chapel. While I was looking at the sacred objects that filled the room, the door opened and Merian came in.

“I’m sorry. Did you wait long?”

“No. I just got here. I should be considerate since you’re busy.”

“Thank you. What should I call you?”

“Now you know my real identity, right? Call me Henon.”

“Yes. Henon.”

Merian paused for a moment.

“The reason I called you personally is because I wanted to express my gratitude. The Holy Nation was saved thanks to you, Henon.”

“Don’t worry too much, as my actions were in line with my interests.”

“No. I’m really grateful. Above all, Bellanus [the god of the Holy Nation] is grateful to you, Henon.”

A god is grateful to me. This was a little interesting.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. So Bellanus [the god of the Holy Nation] wants to give you some useful information.”