I wonder...
Can I store items in my storage? I mean, it would make sense since it is a storage...
So I tried depositing the cup-shaped stone in my storage, and it worked.
...
I feel like a caveman. Using stone. But once I get out of this cave, I'll probably be able to find a town nearby. If there is one. I mean, what other world doesn't have a town?
Anyway, I was walking down the left path and I felt an ominous presence. Well, I am going up against a Lich after all.
I brought up my stat window.
---
[Stats]
Strength: 37
Resistance: 36
Agility: 47
Perception: 37
Aura: 24
(Available stat points: 19)
---
I have 19 available points. Maybe I should distribute some into my perception. Instincts are important, after all. I think I'll put 5. I think I'll do the same for strength and agility and put the remaining in resistance. For aura, I'll do it once I know more.
---
[Stats]
Strength: 42
Resistance: 40
Agility: 52
Perception: 42
Aura: 24
(Available stat points: 0)
---
For a while now, I've been walking down this tunnel and there were bones on the ground. The deeper I walked in, the more bones I saw. Eventually, the walls, the ceiling, and the floor were all made of bones. I'm starting to get goosebumps.
"Haaaaaa~"
I heard a voice from the other end of the tunnel. I must be close.
When I exited the tunnel, I entered an enormous cavern. It was dark so I couldn't see anything, but I heard bones rattling.
I used light magic and made a glowing orb. Then I threw it up to the ceiling and the entire room lit up. The interior of the tavern was more visible now. And now that it was, I could see what was around me. Those noises from earlier, the bones rattling, they were coming from what looked like walking skeletons. No, they were walking, walking like they were alive. There were corpses on the ground, some of them still retaining their flesh and some who had their bones revealed. As I walked past the skeletons, they all jerked their skulls at me. The dark void in their eye holes gave me the chills. Then I noticed another skeleton who was sitting on something that looked like a throne. It was wearing a ragged cloak and holding a long stick.
This must be the Lich.
I could tell by just one glance. It was emitting a stronger and darker aura than the skeletons. This Lich must be controlling these skeletons. Since they have nothing to do, he probably lets them roam around or something.
"You..."
It muttered, pointing its bony finger at me.
This thing can speak the human language? That's a relief, and here I thought I wasn't going to understand anyone.
"You... must be the presence I... felt... 2 days ago..."
It felt my presence? 2 days ago? Is that how much time has passed?
"You... you are dangerous. I... must get rid of you..."
The Lich said as it raised its stick. The end of the stick started glowing and suddenly, I felt two bony hands grab onto my arms. I turned my head to see the skeletons had gotten ahold of me. Then when I turned my head towards the Lich again, a skeleton wearing knight armor and wielding a sharp sword was approaching me.
When I noticed how sharp the sword was, I already knew that it could kill me with just one stab in the heart. I started panicking and started struggling. Well, not really struggling. Surprisingly, the skeletons we're pretty light, but their grip was that of a human.
Lucky for me, I'm not a human anymore, so I easily shook them off. The skeleton knight had gotten closer to me, and it raised the sword above its head. Then it drove it down, and it collided with my arms. Luckily, due to my new [Iron Skin] effect, all it did was go pass through my scales. Since it only resists 10% of physical attacks, I lost a bit of health.
[Health: 287/300]
I got ahold of the sword and sucker-punched the knight in the face. It didn't have a helmet on, so I easily shattered its skull. Holding the sword, it was pretty light. I guess I can use this while I'm at it.
I looked back at the skeleton that I just punched, and its body was already getting up.
"What the hell?"
The headless skeleton stood up straight, and it faced me as if it knew where I was. A few seconds later, it leaped into the air. Was it trying to tackle me in the air?
"How dumb can you be? No one can dodge in the air!"
[Lacerate]
I split the skeleton into pieces using my claws. All its bones clattered onto the ground. I think I can say that I'm getting used to my claws.
I retracted my claws and stared at the Lich. The Lich looked back at me and he tapped the ground with his stick. Later, I sensed a cluster of dark presences behind me. I heard multiple sounds of bones rattling.
When I turned around, the corpses on the ground were slowly rising. The first thing that flew past my head was zombies. Zombies and skeletons, these undead creatures. The Lich must be controlling the zombies as well.
Good thing I have a sword. One thing I know about zombies is that they die when their brains are impaled or their heads are cut off.
One zombie came from my right and it tried scratching me.
I slashed the zombie's head off, and the corpse fell onto the ground. Heh, this is easy.
As I was fighting off the horde of zombies, I wondered...
Can I use [Lacerate] with the sword?
I tried out [Lacerate] and the results were surprising. Once I activated the skill, the weight of the sword became that of nothing and I could use it without resistance. My damage was also increased as the attacks I did were more efficient.
Maybe I could do the same with a heavier weapon.
[Level up!]
[Lacerate level up! (Lv5)]
Once I finished destroying the horde of zombies and skeletons, I had leveled up and my lacerate skill had also leveled up. Now that I had taken care of all the zombies and skeletons, the only one remaining was the Lich.
"Your minions didn't stand a chance. Maybe you are just as weak as them."
I said provocatively. Obviously I know that if a Lich was able to summon servants like these, it would obviously be stronger. But I've read some novels where the summon could be stronger or equal to its master, so maybe it might be just at the same level as them.
The Lich responded to my taunt. He got up from his seat and slowly walked forward. As he did, I saw a looming shadow rising behind him.
"Those... were the weakest of my servants. My strongest servant... never appeared until he meets someone that could prove a threat..."
The Lich said with a scratchy voice. Then the large shadowy figure slowly emerged. It appeared to look like one of those Nordic Vikings. It's even wearing armor that looks like it belongs to a villain. It was carrying two axes, one of them half broken. While I was inspecting it, I caught a glimpse of what looked to be like rotting flesh. Under this armor was a corpse. I wouldn't say it was fragile since it was carrying two heavy-looking axes.
"Kill... this demon..."
The Lich ordered and the viking figure followed.
A blue message popped up in front of me.
[Objective: 0/1 Draugr]
This thing is called a Draugr. Well, I don't know what those are, but if I hear the name Draugr, then this is what I'll think of.
The Draugr began stomping towards me. I could feel the vibrations in the ground shaking harder as it came closer.
I charged at it and used [Lacerate]. The Draugr swung its axe, and I used my sword to block it.
Shatter!
Its axe easily shattered the sword. The blade of the axe was nearing my face. I ducked and managed to avoid it. Then I back away and regained my posture.
If that thing had managed to hit me, my [Iron Skin] would've had no effect and it would have easily chopped me in two. I can take on any swords made with Iron and punches but I don't think I can take that axe head on. It's probably not even made of Iron. Probably something stronger.
I extended my claws and started grinding them against each other, tiny sparks sliding off. Judging from the sound that my claws just made, they might even be as hard as metal. So just to test it, I tried cutting a bit of my arm. As I guessed, I was correct. The [Iron Skin] was unable to resist against my claws, so they might be stronger than Iron.
The cut I made began closing up. I then faced the Draugr as it had thrown its half broken axe away. Maybe it just realized that it was going to be useless in a fight like this.
As we closed our distance, I had activated [Lacerate] again. But then a red window popped up.
[Mana: 135/275]
I almost forgot. While I was facing the horde of zombies and skeletons, I had rapidly been using [Lacerate] while forgetting to check my Mana. If I run out of mana before fighting the Lich, I'll definitely be killed.
I guess I'll have to finish this thing fast. I quickly checked for any vital spots where I could physically damage the Draugr, and I found a few places. The holes in its helmet, its arms, and its legs.
I dashed towards it and aimed for its legs first. The Draugr noticed, and he swung his ax down, attempting to chop me in half. I dodged, running to the side, and I slashed both of its legs, causing the Draugr to fall onto its knees. In its struggle, it swung its ax around and the ax managed to hit me by the side of my abdomen.
!
[Health: 49/350]
Sh*t! That's bad! Just from one hit, it managed to take a huge chunk of my health! Just one more hit and I'll be done for.
As I was blown over to the walls, I suddenly felt a surge of energy but also pain at the same time.
I remember! This is the effect of [Rehab Tenacity]. Once my health goes below 30%, then my stats are doubled!
That means... my attacks will be just as effective.
My health was slowly regenerating. I don't have much time until my health goes above 30% so I'll have to act quick.
I dashed quickly and appeared in front of the Draugr. Since it was like 25 feel tall, I was unable to reach towards its head. But I remember that I have a leap ability. I haven't used it yet, but it'll probably get me to the height of its shoulder. That's enough for me.
I used [Leap] and I checked my mana.
[Mana: 135/275]
So [Leap] uses no mana, huh? Well, that's a relief.
Using [Leap], I was able to land on top of its shoulder. I quickly checked my health.
[Health: 79/350]
So it started. The healing effect of [Rebah Tenacity] doesn't activate for a few seconds. Looks like those few seconds were up and if I did my math, I only have about 3 seconds left.
I need to act fast.
I jumped onto its helmet and I used [Jab] along with [Lacerate]. The Draugr roared in pain as my razor-sharp claws had sunk into its face.
It screamed and roared and wailed, until it gave up and dropped onto the ground, dead. Before I was going to get crushed, I jumped away, avoiding what could have been my death if I didn't notice that it was falling face first.
Crash!
[Objective: 1/1 Draugr (Completed)]
[Level up!]
[Lacerate level up! (Lv6)]
[Rewards: 5 stat points]
Whew, I did it. That stupid thing is dead.
"No... way. You... defeated my strongest summon?"
The Lich stuttered as it watched the Draugr slowly turn into dust. As I got up, I glared at the Lich.
"Now that I've taken care of your minions, my original task has returned. And that is..."
I pointed my claw at the Lich.
"To kill you!"
[Objective: 0/1 Lich]
"I hope your ready..."