"Well, that was absolutely exhausting," Zion complained as the group walked back to the branch point. "How can a blob of mucus be so durable?"

"You lot really need to fill in your missing pieces once we're out of here. Either that or you need to recruit new members each time you go on a bigger mission," Jura advised, shaking his head. "You three are powerful in your own right, but power isn’t always the ticket to victory."

"Jura, don’t take this personally, but you sound like my grandpa," Camila said defensively, her tone sharp.

Jura chuckled, the closest he had come to laughing yet. They arrived at the intersection and faced the way to the boss's room, none of them taking the first step down the hall. Camila tightened her grip on the shaft of her spear while Beth plucked the string on her bow rhythmically.

"I’m pretty sure we all noticed the giant holes in the walls," Zion finally remarked to a chorus of agreement. "We’ll need to stay away from them, or we’re gonna become pincushions."

"You’re looking at it the wrong way again, young Herald," Jura told him, waving the other two closer. "Boss fights have at least two stages, usually three. The first is always a straight fight, there is nothing special about it. For the second, you have a few possibilities. First, it could be that they get faster or stronger exponentially, forcing you on the defensive. That one is most favorable for us due to you three being so strong yourselves."

"What’s the other possibility?" Beth asked, laser-focused on Jura.

"That would be an environmental stage," he responded gruffly. "During that type of stage, the boss uses the environment against us, like a wall filled with piercing spikes. There's usually a reason you can’t be near the boss during that point, meaning you have to fight the environment first."

"How do you fight wall spikes? I mean, I could use my shield to block them for a bit, but that’s only a temporary fix," Zion expressed his concern.

"That’s the point, boy. You have to either defeat that part of the fight or last long enough for stage three to start," Jura explained patiently. "Stage three is always, and I do mean always the boss’s ultimate ability. But don’t worry, sturdy Jura has got a plan, kiddos."

By the time Jura had laid out his plan, the nerves had started to settle. It became obvious that they were underprepared for the fight ahead, but his idea at least gave them a chance. He had also made it known he would be joining them in this fight, feeling well enough to cast spells at least.

With their plan in mind and slightly higher spirits, they finally made the trek back to the boss's room. But this time, something was different. As they entered, they were greeted by the sight of a towering skeleton standing in the center, its presence ominous and foreboding.

The skeleton was clad in heavy plate mail the color of mud, its massive frame wielding a six-foot broadsword in one hand and a matching-sized tower shield in the other. Despite its immense weight, the creature lifted both weapons effortlessly, its magical essence making the burden seem insignificant.

However, the creature didn't seem to react to their presence, its movements following a predetermined path around the torches. Zion knew from tales of past boss battles that they would need to enter the room to trigger the fight fully. Once inside, their only options would be to defeat the boss or meet their demise—escape was never an option.

"Okay, ladies and gents, the time has come. Does everyone remember the entry plan?" Zion asked, shaking out his limbs to alleviate the stiffness that had settled in.

“My job is to take out any additional mobs that join the fight. Jura is going to keep track of the boss and let us know when stage two is starting,” Beth began, her mouth pulled into a nervous smile.

“That will allow us to concentrate on taking the boss down as fast as possible. You’ll open up with a channeled mana bolt, and I'll engage as it charges,” Camila finished, earning an approving nod from Jura.

"Perfect. I hope," Zion whispered the last words, his heart pounding with anticipation. He began to charge his attack, the skeleton abruptly turning its gaze towards him, its dark eyes blazing with an unsettling intensity. A shudder ran down his spine, but he continued to channel his power.

At twelve seconds, he called for them all to enter. Their entrance was met with the resounding sound of crashing stone as an unknown stone doorway behind them slammed shut, a billow of dust expanding from the force. The boss wasted no time, its yellowed bones humming with power as it charged towards them.

Zion released his mana bolt, the oversized attack crackling with built-up power. The impact on the skeleton echoed with a loud crack, splinters flying forth from its ribcage. Seizing the opportunity, Camila put on a burst of speed, meeting the oncoming skeleton with her spear thrusting forth.

The room resounded with the clash of weapons as Camila's spear met the undead's parry, the tower shield slamming into her side with bone-jarring force. But Jura reacted swiftly, conjuring a slim golden barrier that enveloped Camila like a second skin, absorbing the impact and nullifying any harm.

Meanwhile, Zion closed the distance, his sword Onyx slashing forward in a powerful arc aimed at the knight's broadsword. The two blades collided with a resounding clang, bringing Zion to an abrupt halt as if striking a solid wall. Within range, he quickly assessed the boss.

Knight of Odalin

Rank: Boss

Level: 20

Zion's mind raced. He had never encountered anything with a boss rank before, nor had he been briefed on such creatures. But there was no time for contemplation as the knight swung its sword down towards him. Zion dodged narrowly, unleashing a mana bolt and countering with a swift slash of his own.

As the battle raged on, Camila managed to land a solid blow on the creature's side, her phantom spears peppering its chest plate with fractures. But the knight retaliated, its huge blade slashing through the phantasmal attack.

Seizing an opportunity, Zion launched a series of rending slashes toward the knight's weakened leg armor, gouging deep into the plate. He noticed that the leg armor was less intact than the chest piece, and a plan began to form in his mind.

While the knight was distracted by Camila, Zion focused his attacks on its legs, sending bursts of mana bolts to weaken them further. With relentless determination, he burned through large sums of mana until the left leg finally shattered, causing the creature to collapse to its knees.

A shrill shriek emitted from the knight's fleshless mouth, sending visible sound waves rippling through the air. Zion glanced around the room and saw the dead corpses beginning to stir, their rattling bones echoing with moans of anger.

As the rattling escalated, the room quivered with an ominous energy. The once motionless corpses scattered across the chamber began to walk, their skeletal frames rising from the ground with a bone-chilling grace.

Amidst the turmoil, he noticed Beth spring into action. Swiftly, she unleashed a barrage of icy missiles toward the approaching horde of undead, her bow thumping with each release. Each shot found its mark with deadly accuracy, sending shivers through the bones of their targets as they shattered upon impact.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Zion watched in awe as Beth displayed her newfound combat prowess, her movements fluid and precise as she dispatched the advancing skeletons with ease. With each successful shot, her confidence seemed to swell, a determined glint shining in her eyes.

Trusting in his friend to handle the minions, Zion continued his assault, launching another series of rending slashes at the knight's last good leg, supplementing his attacks with mana bolts. But the creature was prepared this time, launching a bone projectile that slammed into Zion's chest with full force, driving him to the ground.

Coughing up blue fluid, Zion quickly raised an arcane shield to deflect the incoming bone projectiles, each attack draining a significant portion of his mana. He reached for the mana from his Ring of Continuance, knowing that this battle was far from over.

"To me! The second stage is starting!" Jura's voice thundered above the chaos of battle. Without a moment's hesitation, Zion sprinted toward Jura and Beth, his eyes scanning the room. Behind him, Camila retreated, her face a mask of determination as she faced the swirling vortex of bones.

The bones erupted from the ground in a frenzy, creating a lethal cyclone of white around the room's center. Zion could feel the raw power of the vortex, knowing that even a single touch would mean certain death.

"It's just like you said, Jura. The boss is pushing us towards the walls. There's no way we can withstand that!" Zion shouted over the cacophony of snapping bones.

"I don't just talk to hear my pretty voice, Zion. Stick with the plan." Jura's eyes met Beth's, silently communicating their plan. Beth's nod was resolute, her hands steady as they bolted towards the nearest wall.the closet wall.

As they approached, jagged pikes erupted from the holes in the wall, their tips stained with dried blood. Beth reacted instantly, conjuring a thick layer of ice to shield them from the deadly spikes. Her brow furrowed in concentration, beads of sweat forming on her forehead as she maintained the icy barrier.

"Great work, Beth. Keep it up as long as you can," Camila encouraged, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. She placed a reassuring hand on Beth's shoulder, offering silent support.

The spiraling vortex of white continued to push out, moment by moment. The floor was swept clean with the force it produced, and Zion was aware they might have died without Jura's wisdom. Beth stood firm the whole time it moved, sweat drenching her clothes from the strain. It got within four feet of them, and Zion had the dreadful thought they may have been wrong, and it was going to spread all the way to the wall, killing them despite their plans.

The wall of bones relented at the last possible second, drifting back in a flurry of speed toward the room's core. The bones slammed down with a magnitude of force that hadn't been displayed yet, moving like a mound of earthworms.

From within the crawling mass came a howl of dread, two large hands pulling from under the pile. The knight appeared again, this time armor wholly missing, replaced by gyrating bone spikes. It glared at the group as it stood, bony mess finally going still. Then, with another shrill shriek, it launched at them in its stride, loping the ground in huge bounds.

Zion moved forward to meet its rush, electric arcs of mana pouring off him as he activated surge. The increased power flowed through his body as he bounded toward their incoming foe. He finally added an arcane edge to Onyx, seeing the green hue gleam from his dark blade.

The knight got within range, and Zion used kinetic dash, driving within striking range. His blade swept towards the surprised undead, a rending slash leading the way. It carved through its left arm, and he used another dash, appearing behind its back.

Rippling orbs of mana shot forth around him in a series of impactful explosions, shattering bones within the formidable body. A chunk of condensed ice struck the center of the boss as his aether storm ate away at its body. The large chunk burst apart, ice shards lancing throughout its chest, freezing the already brittle bones.

Camila appeared above in his vision, the tip of her spear glowing that bloody hue. She launched it forward, the force of the throw creating a whoosh as it flew toward the undead's skull. The shot was perfectly placed, impacting its forehead. Bone caved in as shaft, and all pierced through. Barreling straight through its frame until it dug into the hard stone.

It stopped moving then, the entirety of it creaking wearily. Finally, it imploded into a cloud of bone dust as if time had finally reclaimed that which belonged to it.

"YES!" came the hoarse chorus, each of the young adventurers exhausted but overjoyed. Zion smiled broadly, taking in his teammates. He caught a look from Jura, one of elderly approval.

"We did it, guys! We beat our first boss!" he exclaimed between gulps of air. "Let's collect the loot and get some well-earned rest."

"Easy there, young'uns," Jura said sternly. "The boss looks dead, but you shouldn't get in the habit of jumping straight into looting. It's rare, but some bosses' third stage involves reviving."

Hearing that piece of valuable advice, the four of them held vigil over the unmoving dust. Nothing happened, but the break gave all three of them time to recover their stamina, no longer panting like overheated dogs.

"Looks like we're good, everyone, but again, before we go looking for treasure, I want all three of you to go through your notifications," Jura instructed, noticing their eagerness to rush toward the possible treasure. He gave them a wry look and a disapproving frown. "You three really are children."

"Listen, you never know when things will go sideways. Always check your status before moving on. You never know when you'll get your next chance."

Seeing the wisdom in his words, all three of their eyes went unfocused as they checked their notifications. Zion was ecstatic to see yet another level, taking him to level seven. But what excited him most were the next two notifications!

Skill Upgraded:

Skill: Short Blades (Apprentice) has improved to Shortblades (Journeyman).

Upgrade Effect: Moderately improved accuracy and agility when wielding short blades.

Ability Upgraded:

Ability: Mana Bolt has been upgraded to Burst Bolt.

Upgrade Effect: Mana Bolt now fires three bolts instead of one. Mana per second ratio increased to 15:1.

Zion's heart raced as he executed a little dance of excitement, earning hearty chuckles from his companions. Camila couldn't resist letting out a whistle, adding to the jovial atmosphere. "Haha. You'd be bouncing around too if you just powered up an ability and skill!" Zion proclaimed proudly, his words infused with contagious enthusiasm.

"Holy Creation, Zion! That's fantastic. I thought hitting level six was a thrill, but I'd gladly swap for some upgrades!" Beth remarked, her tone tinged with playful envy.

"Absolutely, two levels up is a major win. It means we're all nearly on par now. Better balance means better chances in a fight," Zion replied, tweaking his stats by adding two points to affinity and one to spirit as they chatted.

"Alright, let's not lose sight of the bigger picture here. It's another reason why it's crucial to take care of these things before moving forward," Jura reminded them, casting a fond glance at each member of the group. "Now, let's search for the boss, and then we can grab some food and rest."

They wasted no time and hurried over to the fallen boss, eagerly sifting through the bone dust. Each scoop revealed potential treasures, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. As they dug deeper, the excitement mounted.

Finally, Camila's excited shriek cut through the air. "I've found it!" With nimble fingers, she pried the lid open, revealing the contents within. Zion and Beth crowded around, their faces lighting up as they beheld their spoils. The chest had delivered in spades.

Inside, they discovered a trove of treasures: a generous stash of gold and silver, along with two remarkable items. A magnificent longsword lay nestled among the coins, its hilt adorned with intricate black designs and a rustic brown guard. Its blade shimmered with a yellow-white hue reminiscent of the surrounding bone dust. Beside it rested a solitary bracer crafted from dark metal that bore a striking resemblance to the knight's armor.

Bonemeal (Uncommon): Bonemeal, an enigmatic longsword, boasts a hilt adorned with intricate black designs and a rustic brown guard. Its blade, forged from the remnants of Odalin's foes, hungers for the flesh of its enemies. Effects: Harnesses the wounds of its foes to restore its durability. Durability: 100/100

Bracer of Bone (Epic): The Bracer of Bone, often dubbed a curse, bonds with the wearer's very bones. In exchange, it imbues the wearer with increased strength, drawing from its own formidable power. Effects: Absorbs 5 health per level, granting the wearer 1 point in Strength per level. Durability:100/100

"Woah, that's an epic…" Beth began, her voice trailing off as excitement hummed through her body. The gleam in her eyes spoke volumes, reflecting the rarity and value of the item before them. Zion couldn't blame her. Epic-grade items were highly sought treasures in the realm of adventurers. Items that grew with the wearer even more so.

"Zion, I know you could use this too, but please, please, can I have it?" Camila pleaded, her voice a mix of longing and anticipation. Her eyes were fixated on the bracer, her desire palpable in the air. "I'm willing to give up my share of treasure for the rest of the dungeon. This is just too perfect for me."

Was he really ok with this? The item might benefit him more than Camila. The health drain might be bypassed, allowing him to get free stats that would turn into greater magic damage. The perks of that would be insane if he reached the fifth tier! Still, looking at her face, he knew what he would be, what it already was.

"Of course, Camila. Not only can you have it, but you deserve it!" he replied with a warm smile, his decision made. "And I won't hear anything about you giving up your portion of the loot. We're a team, after all! What makes one of us stronger makes us all stronger!"

Beth chimed in with a playful shove, her gesture expressing her support for Camila's request. Camila's grin widened at the approval of her friends, radiating joy and gratitude. With eager hands, she reached for the bracer, her movements eager and enthusiastic. As the item settled onto her forearm with a soft, almost reverent hum, she couldn't contain her excitement, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Thank you both!" she exclaimed, bowing deeply in gratitude.

"No need for thanks; we're friends," Zion replied, his own grin mirroring Camila's joy. With a sense of satisfaction, he retrieved the sword from the chest, holding it out to Jura. "This is for our new companion."

Jura hesitated, his expression a mix of surprise and humility. "No, Zion, I can't accept such an act of kindness. I have not earned it," he protested, his tone sincere.

Zion's gaze met Jura's, his conviction unwavering. "Without you, Jura, we would be nothing but fodder for this dungeon. You've more than earned it," he insisted, his voice filled with gratitude and respect.

With a nod of acceptance, Jura received the blade, his silent acknowledgment a testament to the bond forged between them.

"Now, let's get some well-deserved rest!" he declared, a hint of relief evident in his voice.