Outside, the time had reached high noon, yet within the deserted dark mine, an emerald green Big Snake lay motionless atop the dirt and stone.
Its body bore white patterns, resembling the slender, non-venomous Tree Serpent, yet it had the length comparable to a python.
The interweaving of white and green was once the symbol of nature and forest, but now it was tainted with the sickly green blood of the Goblins.
But for the Hero at this moment, she could neither see herself in this state, nor would she care even if she could.
For this was the proof of her revenge, only the stench of blood could slightly calm the flames in her heart.
[Hero's Intelligence has reached 15, retaining some sense of reason]
[Hero's next actions—]
4-5. End the Transfiguration
7. Are there male snakes (?)
9. Seek out peculiar smells
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
Even though the Hero's serpentine body still had strength left, after slaying the Goblins, her overly exhilarated spirit suddenly chilled, overcome by an irresistible fatigue.
It wasn't a physical weariness, but rather a mental difficulty to continue.
But, unaware if any danger still lingered here, recklessly returning to her human form to rest clearly would not be wise.
Thus, the Hero curled up just so, maintaining the Big Snake's form as she entered into a deep sleep.
[Hero's Beast Spirit Magic Power can sustain the Transformation for another 13 hours]
[Hero slept for [] hours (If less than 13, she will wake up as human with no penalties. If more than 13, Universal Attributes/2, but reduced metabolism slows the effect of the potion)]
The serpent asleep in the darkness awoke, the eyeless snake eyes saw nothing, with only the perpetual cave surroundings projected into its brain through the sensory organs of a snake.
After instinctively confirming the safety of the surroundings, the Big Snake slowly coiled up, quickly transforming back into a woman with eyes shut tight.
The Hero had returned to her human form.
Her skin bore lingering traces of blood, her soft body lay unprotected on the jagged rocks, yet her strong Constitution spared her from feeling pain.
But the stench of blood in the cave remained pungent, the human sense of smell capturing the odor in the air, causing her complexion to shift slightly.
Then came a surge of heat from within—
Under the influence of this heat, her spirit couldn't find rest, and she was forced to open her eyes.
That potion, left nearly full after the Goblin Shaman's trial, was in fact a potent Magic Potion which could quickly usher animals into breeding season and even had an effect on humans.
Even wearing Armor could not prevent the vaporized drug from invading through the mucous membrane.
That's why the Goblin Shaman, with great delight, headed to the entrance intending to drink it first.
But relying on the body of a cold-blooded animal, she had temporarily resisted the effects of the Magic Potion, and the Hero deprived the self-proclaimed clever creature of even a chance for chanting, crushing the little fool into a bloody pulp.
Outwitted by its own semblance of cunning, a level of Wisdom profoundly unbecoming for a Goblin, led the Goblin Shaman to pay a price.
However, after ending the transformation, the effects of the potion still lingered within the Hero, subjecting her to agony.
In the dark, the Hero curled up, clutching her knees tightly, hands gripping her upper arms.
She bit her lower lip, burying her head in her knees.
The girl's body trembled, experiencing mild convulsions and spasms, as her bare skin exuded heavy sweat,
the sweat formed into beads, tracing unseen and graceful arcs in the darkness, slowly dripping to the ground.
Sweat washing away the bloodstains, damp patches formed beneath her,
the Hero's hair wet and clinging to her neck and cheeks.
Even though she was in her natural form, an unbearable sensation of constraint arose, yearning for release.
[Magic Potion effect (Potion residue at 31, Special Attack against mammals D3, no metabolism reduction, Constitution Exemption at 38, Clarity of mind at 15)]
3d31=d31(21)+d31(19)+d31(6)=46
[Magic Potion effect - Constitution Exemption=46-38=8 < Hero's Intelligence 15]
[Residual effects of the Magic Potion acted]
[Hero resisted the effects of the Magic Potion by willpower]
The effects of the Magic Potion continued, the Hero's heart beat relentlessly, her sweat evaporated by the heat, rising up in a Cloud Mist in the windless cave.
Had there been any Goblin to smell this fragrance filled with hormones, they would surely fall into madness and joy.
But unfortunately, beyond this mist of sweat, lay more gory deaths of Goblins, their vile stench of decomposition masking the scent of the Hero.
The Hero clenched her jaws tight, silently enduring the searing torment within.
The Hero knew, her dear friend had surely suffered the same.
Mentally broken, physically violated, instincts warped by the Evil of the Goblins.
If she were to be defeated, perhaps... no, she would certainly end up in the same state.
The first battle was so harrowing; it was hard to imagine what would come next.
[Hero's Will (Revenge Heart LV3, D3)]
3d100=d100(35)+d100(18)+d100(17)=70
The girl was just a novice embarking on her journey, not a natural-born Hero, nor someone with lofty ideals,
even the object of her revenge, the Goblin, would be laughed at by most Adventurers.
The thought of becoming like her dear friend, even possibly succumbing to the Magic Creatures,
The fear in the Hero's heart, could not help but sprout under the instigation of the potion.
But similarly, the moment she thought of her friend's condition.
That faint yet unquenchable flame, the Fiery Flame of revenge, was quietly ignited.