Book Eater

Chapter 49: Uh, This is Eating? (1)

It was truly a prideful declaration. The Elder Lich resembled a reaper ready to take them to the underworld. Any ordinary person would have panicked. However, this particular trio wasn’t overwhelmed.

Randolph jeered, “Ha, you bark well!”

Sylvia turned to Theo. “What do you want to do, Theo?”

Their opponent was a top ranked monster who could use 6th Circle black magic, but they weren’t weak either. They had an expert aiming to become a sword master, the disciple of the Blue Tower Master, and the owner of a grimoire. They definitely had the combat strength to battle this monster.

Randolph raised his two falchions as frost started to form on the end of Sylvia’s staff. The trio radiated their own aura and magic power as the Elder Lich’s dark magic power flowed over them.

Wuooooong!

Neither side was pushed back as the collision between their energies formed a boundary around them. It almost seemed like the trio had the edge in power over the Elder Lich. The Elder Lich would also have to deal with attacks from three sides.

The Elder Lich realized the disadvantage instantly.

[Hrmm... It will be hard to adapt to your trivial power in this unfamiliar body.]

However, his voice still sounded confident.

[Lab rat… You have a unique power, but in the end, you’re just a 4th Circle magician… I’ll deal with you later.]

Theo felt a wave of nervousness pass over him as the Elder Lich pointed at him again and a spell circle formed around him.

[Disappear!]

“Wha―?” Theo’s figure disappeared without a sound.

“Theo?!”

“Employer!”

Sylvia and Randolph cried out in alarm as Theo disappeared. Sylvia quickly realized that the Elder Lich had casually cast one of the most difficult 6th Circle spells.

“Space Transformation...!”

[That’s right.]

The Elder Lich, who had broken the balance of power with a single spell, seemed even more relaxed.

[This cave is already my domain, but it seems you have lost your one opportunity to beat me. Lament your fate when you rise again as my servant!]

An intimidatingly giant knight in broken armor and an old fashioned helmet rose out of a pool of dark mana. The skull knight’s eyes shone crimson, but Randolph’s eyes were immediately drawn to the two swords in its hands.

“... It can’t be!”

He recognized the howling wolves that formed the hilts of his heirloom swords. When the skull knight dropped into a familiar offensive stance, Randolph’s face went blank before it was overcome with controlled rage.

“I’m gonna kill you, you bastard!”

[Hoh? Do you think you can beat the blades your ancestor couldn’t?]

“That doesn’t matter.”

Randolph dropped into the same stance as the skull knight. It was like looking into a mirror as the skull knight started to exude a light gray aura. The Elder Lich almost seemed amused as he watched the two swordsmen square off. He glanced over at Sylvia.

[A prized disciple of this era’s Blue Tower Master, hmm? My host seems to feel rather inferior to you.]

The Elder Lich, or rather, the grimoire, was rather pleased with this turn of events. The host’s negative feelings would only accelerate the rate of the erosion. This encounter had given him two specimens for future experiments as well as an opportunity to accelerate his devouring. The swordsman would make an excellent dullahan, and the woman a ferocious banshee.

[Come play with me.]

“What if I don’t want to?”

Sylvia’s reply was wintry as she raised her staff. Frosty mist started to form around her staff as her magic power started to pulse.

“I will get Theo back.”

The unbelievable tag match between Randolph and Sylvia versus the skull knight and the Elder Lich required no more words.

***

On the other hand, Theo had fallen into a dark unknown space after being forcibly transferred by the Elder Lich. He instantly activated Light, but the density of dark mana around him reduced its efficacy to a dim glow. However, it was enough to reveal where he was.

“... Where am I?”

He was in a room similar in size to the ones back at the academy, but it lacked windows, or even a door. The dark red walls met seamlessly at every corner. It didn’t look like there was a way to leave the room.

But Theo’s attention was caught by the glowing red crystal in the center of the room. He realized that he had been transported to the Core Room, the heart of the dungeon. However, there was another startling revelation about the crystal. It was radiating dense dark mana.

He turned the core of the dungeon into his Life Vessel! That’s how he could use Space Transformation so easily!

The existence of the Life Vessel was why Theo and Sylvia’s hearts had sunk when they saw the Elder Lich. They may have been able to battle the Elder Lich, defeat him, or even burn him into cinders, but the Elder Lich would always be able to reform as long as his Life Vessel was intact.

It didn’t explain why the Elder Lich had been so kind as to transport one of his opponents right next to his greatest weakness. However, the reason was simple.

“Blaze Shell!”

A massive crimson fireball shot out of Theo’s hand as he completed the 4th Circle magic in a flash. It was the mainstay of the Red Tower’s war magicians that could kill even trolls famed for their regeneration abilities. However, as soon as it approached the Life Vessel, it disappeared without a trace.

He had expected it, but Theo still cursed, “... Dammit.”

This mysterious defense that nullified all attacks below a certain level was why the Elder Lich had been so confident in sending Theo to the Core Room. According to historical records, only the aura of a sword master or firepower equivalent to the 7th Circle could break through it.

In other words, Theodore Miller had no way of damaging it.

It would be difficult to rejoin the others. I don’t know which direction to go in, and the risk of the ceiling collapsing is too high.?

His comrades would die if he couldn’t do something about this Life Vessel. However, it was also too risky to try and find them again. He would waste too much magic power trying to figure out where they were.

“... Should I try one last hurrah?”

Common sense dictated that he was checkmated. He couldn’t escape nor destroy the Life Vessel. However, if common sense was coming up empty, he might as well try something outside the bounds of common sense.

I might be able to break through the barrier if I use up all my remaining magic power and sacrifice an arm to fire the most powerful Magic Bullet I can cast.?

Theo’s arm began to glow blue as he started to push all his magic power into his arm. Alfred had managed to break through 7th Circle defensive spells with his Magic Bullet, so all Theo had to do was replicate that feat. He might lose his right arm, but that was better than dying.

However, another thought occurred to him. “... Wait.”

A memory floated through his mind as he dispersed the magic power building in his arm.

- Undead only move using magic. They aren’t made of magic power or wisdom.?

But Gluttony had said something else.

- There are some exceptions, but…

.

Theodore’s mind started spinning. Gluttony couldn’t eat zombies and ghouls, but it had eaten specters. What was the difference? The presence or absence of the flesh? No, that wasn’t it. If that was the case, spirits should also be fair game, but Gluttony had never shown any interest in Mitra. The key must be the presence of magic power or wisdom!

Theo’s lip curled upward. “Is that right?”

The Life Vessel which contained the Elder Lich’s immortality should fit that condition. Theo walked forward cautiously and raised his left hand. The Life Vessel only negated attacks, but not objects. That would prove to be a fatal weakness.

The primordial predator in Theo’s left hand instinctively extended its tongue as it felt prey in its vicinity.

“Appraisal.”

Indeed, Gluttony didn’t betray Theo’s expectations.

[+13 Giovanni’s Life Vessel (Magic Tool)]

[This is a seal created using evil wisdom containing the soul of Giovanni, a magician who was corrupted by black magic. A negative resource contract protects this seal. It invalidates all attacks below a certain level and can’t be targeted by spatial magic spells. As long as this seal exists, Giovanni will acquire limited immortality.

* The rating of this magic tool is Treasure.

* When consumed, a large amount of magic power will be absorbed.

* When consumed, the digestion time will be three days.

* When consumed, some of Giovanni’s knowledge and proficiency will be absorbed.

* When consumed, a hostile relationship will form with ????.]

The first Treasure-rated item had appeared! The fact that Gluttony’s Appraisal worked was proof that the Life Vessel was suitable for consumption.

Theodore recognized this fact and quickly said, “Eat it right now!”

There was no choice. Sylvia and Randolph were fighting the Elder Lich in his absence. If he didn’t hurry, they might be placed in an irreversible situation. It seemed the tongue recognized the urgency of its owner when it moved quicker than it ever had to swallow the crystal.

Gulp.

Notifications flashed in Theo’s head the moment that the Elder Lich’s Life Vessel was consumed.

[You have consumed Giovanni’s Life Vessel. The amount of magic power it contains is huge.]

[You have absorbed some of the knowledge and proficiency of the warlock Giovanni.]

[It will take three days to completely digest.]

[......]

[An unknown person is interested in your existence.]