Chapter 56 - Baptism of Blood and Shadows_Emperor of Midnight

'Open Status Window'

[Status Window]

[User: Vecna / Class: Caine's Reincarnate / Race: Low-Grade Vampire]

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[Health: 11,370/11,370 | Mana: 7200/7200]

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[Strength: 643 | Stamina: 407 | Agility: 478 | Persistence: 128 (From Lumberjack)

Intelligence: 900 | Charm: 360| Dignity: 165 | Composure: 208 (Novice Adventurer)

Regeneration: 180| Indomitable: 250 | Insight: 204 (Avid Explorer)]

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Available Stat Points: 0

He began distributing all of his available stat points for this Mini-Boss fight. Not wishing to be killed by accident by those Goblin Shamans that had some quark in wielding magic.

He felt a sense of achievement as he stared into his status window, it overshadowed his previous achievement in Satisfy beyond comprehension. This was the power the Mysterious Caine's Reincarnator had shared with him, and for certain he wouldn't give it to anyone.

Over the days, he adapted to the playstyle of a Vampire, which was a mix between Swordsman, Berserker, Warlock and Magician.

And right now facing the Goblin Shamans, Bosses themselves, which usually took a whole party to handle, felt at ease. He wasn't pressured by the spells casted by the Shamans, managing to have a counter for them in his Defensive Spells.

Vecna's predatory grin widened as he advanced toward the now bewildered goblin shamans.

His activated 'Soaring Leap' controlling the amount of distance he jumped with a small kick on the wooden floor, while mid-air activating 'Golden Flash' boosting his agility and movement speed.

As Vecna advanced toward the Goblin Shamans, his Blood Shield absorbing the fiery onslaught of their spells, one of the Shamans decided to unleash their most devastating attack, the 'Fire Nova.'

"Fire Nova! Perrish into ashesh insolent human!"

This spell was a high-level area-of-effect ability, and they hoped it would overwhelm the intruder.

The shaman, Griznak, raised his gnarled staff high above his head, channeling the volatile energies of the flames. His eyes gleamed with determination, for he knew that this was their last chance to defend their Chieftain and their tribe.

With a guttural incantation that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it, Griznak released the pent-up power within him. The very air in the room seemed to ignite as waves of intense heat and fire surged outward from his position. Fiery arcs of energy cascaded in all directions, forming a blazing tempest that engulfed the hut.

The flames roared, creating a dazzling and terrifying spectacle as they approached Vecna, who had used his 'Soaring Leap' to advance quickly in their direction. The heat was scorching, and the pressure from the explosion threatened to push him back.

But Vecna was not so easily deterred. As the fiery onslaught closed in, he activated another ability, 'Split Second.' This ability heightened physical reactions and granted him enhanced agility and reflexes for a brief moment.

'Traversal' Vecna activated another ability mid-air, knowing that the description given by the System wasn't the whole story.

Akin to seeing the flames moving in slow motion, Vecna maneuvered through the searing inferno. He leaped, twisted, and rolled with the grace of a predator, narrowly avoiding the cascading flames. His body seemed to blur as he evaded the fiery onslaught.

The Goblin Shamans watched in disbelief as their most potent spell missed its mark, their expressions a mixture of shock and fear. Griznak's staff trembled in his hands as he struggled to regain his composure.

Vecna closed the distance between himself and the shamans in a matter of seconds. His monstrous agility allowed him to engage them with terrifying efficiency.

With a swift, precise motion, Vecna slammed his foot into the ground, channeling his dark mana into the earth beneath him. The forceful shockwave radiated outward from the point of impact, creating a powerful concussive wave.

Griznak and Zul'kara, the Goblin Shamans, were caught off guard by the sudden and violent tremor. Their attempts to maintain their spells were shattered as the ground beneath them quaked. The shockwave knocked them off their feet, sending them sprawling onto the hut's rough-hewn floor.

[You have dealt 948 damage.]

Vecna wasted no time. He knew that speed was of the essence in this battle. As Griznak and Zul'kara struggled to regain their footing, he unleashed his 'Swift Strike' ability, an attack that could follow up after crowd control moves like 'Earthshock.'

His vampiric instincts guided him as he focused his assault on Griznak, the shaman who had cast the devastating 'Fire Nova' earlier. With a blur of motion, Vecna's clawed hand sliced through the air, aimed directly at Griznak's exposed throat.

[Critical!]

[You have dealt 7203 damage]

But the Goblin Shamans were not without their own defenses. In their desperation, they invoked a protective spell known as 'Fire Ward.' Flames erupted around their forms, creating a scorching barrier that absorbed the initial impact of Vecna's attack.

The flames danced and crackled, creating a temporary shield that saved Griznak from the full force of Vecna's blow. The shaman coughed and wheezed, his throat scorched by the residual heat, but he remained alive.

[You attack has been absorbed by the Spell 'Fire Ward']

'Tsk, so I was right on killing this roach first. He uses tricky CC abilities that are in synergy with the other goblin with mastery over Earth Spells.'

Vecna's eyes narrowed in frustration as he saw his intended victim, Griznak, still breathing. The Goblin Shamans had managed to buy themselves a precious moment of respite with their defensive spell.

As Griznak recovered from Vecna's 'Swift Strike,' he saw an opportunity to unleash another devastating spell in his arsenal, 'Inferno Burst.' With a malevolent grin, he began channeling immense fiery energy, conjuring flames that swirled around him.

"You'll not be forgiven. Trying to take my neck? Inferno Burst!'

Vecna, recognizing the impending danger, quickly made a tactical decision. He decided to maintain his 'Blood Shield,' a prudent choice given its residual absorbing effect against incoming attacks.

'My Shield could tank it, but it's not worth it. I'm still under Golden Flash buff. I can evade this spell and counter-attack.'

As Griznak unleashed 'Inferno Burst,' a torrent of searing flames erupted from his hands, forming a scorching wave that surged toward Vecna.

The fire roared with an intensity that threatened to overwhelm him, but Vecna's used the 'battleground' to his advantage and akin to a monstrous spider, he landed on the ceiling moving quickly to a safe spot.

[You have been touched by the flames. 'Burning' Debuff has been triggered on the user.]

[You will lose 60 HP per second for 12 seconds]

'I thought I evaded the flames…'

He wasn't yet losing any health points, because of his defensive blood spell.

The crimson energy of the 'Blood Shield' shimmered and rippled as it absorbed the fiery onslaught. Vecna could feel the intense heat, but he remained unscathed. The flames were devoured by the shield's insatiable appetite for destruction, leaving only a smoky residue in their wake.

However, as this fiery assault continued, Vecna couldn't ignore the telltale signs that his 'Blood Shield' was weakening. The shimmering crimson symbols that constituted the shield flickered and dimmed, symbolizing its diminishing capacity to absorb damage.

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Griznak, his eyes burning with the intensity of his flames, couldn't hide his satisfaction at the sight of the weakening 'Blood Shield.' With a wicked grin, he taunted Vecna, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"You thought that pitiful shield of yours could protect you forever, outsider? The flames of the goblins are relentless, and they shall consume you!"

Before Vecna could react, Zul'kara, the Earth Shaman, seized the opportunity. He stepped forward, his gnarled staff raised high, and channeled the power of the earth into a devastating spell known as 'Stonefist.'

"Your tricks won't save you, intruder. The earth itself shall rise against you, and the goblins shall triumph!"

"Stonefist!"

With a resounding crash, a massive stone projectile hurtled toward Vecna. It struck the weakened 'Blood Shield' with tremendous force, causing cracks to spiderweb across its surface. Vecna staggered back, his blood magic barely holding the shield together.

The impact of 'Stonefist' sent shockwaves through Vecna's body, and for the first time, he was angry at his own blunder of not thinking that the Goblins could do that to him.

[You have suffered 12,325 damage]

['Blood Shield' has absorbed the damage (28,291/40,000)]

The 'Blood Shield' had protected him well, but its capacity to absorb damage was nearly depleted.

Nonetheless, Vecna, despite the weakening 'Blood Shield' and the powerful attacks, remained eerily composed. He looked down on both Goblin Shamans, his crimson eyes filled with a chilling indifference.

"Is that all you have to offer? Your flames are mere embers, and your stones are but pebbles. You underestimate the darkness that stands before you, goblins."

"Continue using your Mana while you can. Your reckoning is approaching."

As Vecna recovered from the forceful impact of 'Stonefist' against the wooden wall of the Chieftain's Hut, his crimson eyes blazed with dark intentions. The goblins had proven more resilient than he initially anticipated, akin to cockroaches, but that only fueled his desire to stomp on their heads.

'You want a war of attrition with me you fools? You've got your wish.'

'Let's see who got more mana in our reservoir. Me or a pathetic Goblin Shaman.'

With relentless precision, he launched a barrage of 'Blood Missiles' at the Goblin Shamans. The crimson projectiles streaked through the air, seeking out their targets with deadly accuracy. Each impact sent ripples through the goblins' protective spells, sapping their mana reserves.

"This isn't normal magic! Quickly cast your Earth Shield Zul!"

Griznak and Zul'kara frantically chanted incantations to maintain their defensive spells, their faces contorted from the exerted effort. The fiery aura around Griznak flickered, while Zul'kara's earth-based protection showed visible cracks.

Vecna's relentless assault forced the goblins to draw upon their mana reserves at an alarming rate. They exchanged desperate glances, realizing that their energy was depleting rapidly.

Griznak: "He... he won't stop! Maintain the defense, Zul'kara! We can't let him break through! We need to buy the Chieftain enough time for the Ritual."

Zul'kara: "I... I'm trying, Griznak! But our mana won't last much longer!"

'I see. They are buying time for their Chieftain? I guess this is why I haven't seen its mutt around.'

Vecna, aware of their predicament, pressed on without mercy. He wasn't just drawing upon his mana but also sacrificing his own vitality points to fuel his attacks. It was a gamble, a risky strategy that pushed him to the brink of exhaustion, but he was determined to break through their defenses.

[Health: 8,872/11.370 | Mana: 3.894/7.200]

'Let's consume some more health, this could be a set-up for 'Bloodlust' in case the Boss shows up when I'm about to be done with the Shamans.'

He decided to mix up his attacks, introducing the 'Blood Shard' into the fray. As the crimson shards struck the goblins, they siphoned a portion of their health, adding to Vecna's own vitality.

[You have sacrificed 4% of your Vitality.]

[You have dealt 1,487 to the target.]

[The Syphon Effect of the Spell 'Blood Shard' has triggered]

[You have healed for 743 HP]

The Goblin Shamans were now caught in a deadly cycle. Their mana was draining rapidly to maintain their defensive spells, and the health they lost only fueled Vecna's onslaught further.

Vecna could smell the despair in the air, and it made his malicious grin widen further, as his fangs revealed themselves for the Shamans who finally understood they weren't dealing with a Human.

It was beyond impossible for a human to wield the magical powers of Blood, only those demonic creatures of night, the Vampires of Old could achieve such a feat.

However, it was too late to appease for peace and beg for mercy since this battle turned into one of attrition, and Vecna was determined to emerge victorious.

The goblins' chants grew more desperate, their defensive spells showing signs of faltering. Beads of sweat formed on their wrinkled brows as they struggled to hold on.

Vecna pressed his advantage. He knew that he had the upper hand, and he was determined to exploit it to the fullest.

Signs of mana depletion became increasingly evident in the haggard appearance of the Goblin Shamans. Their labored breaths and trembling hands betrayed the toll that Vecna's relentless magical assault had taken on them. As their defensive spells faltered, desperation filled their eyes.

"That's all you could muster? Too bad, I would give you a guide on how to conserve your mana."

Vecna reveled in their suffering, his malicious laughter echoing through the dimly lit room. He had won the war of attrition, and now it was time to put an end to their sorry lives.

'Shadowstep.' Vecna activated a legendary skill that would make any Assassins or Rogues for that matter droll at its sighting.

The Abyssal Ring on his index finger began to pulse with dark energy, a sign that his legendary artifact was activating. Shadows coiled around Vecna, shrouding him in darkness as he invoked the unique ability of the ring: Shadowstep.

In the blink of an eye, Vecna teleported in front of Griznak, the Goblin Shaman of fire magic. With a sadistic grin, he thrust his hand forward, fingers piercing Griznak's chest and driving straight into the heart. It was a deadly and precise strike, enhanced by Vecna's vampiric strength.

"Blood Requiem."

[Critical!]

[You have dealt 15,428 damage to the target.]

The Goblin Shaman's eyes widened in shock and agony as his heart was pierced. Blood gushed around Vecna's hand, staining the floor beneath them. Griznak's life force rapidly dwindled, and he gasped for breath, his fiery magic extinguishing like a dying ember.

But the battle was far from over. Vecna, driven by a bloodlust that knew no bounds, unleashed 'Uncanny Grip.' His fingers tightened around Griznak's throat, pinning the old and haggard shaman in place. Griznak's feeble struggles were in vain as Vecna's inhuman strength held him captive.

Vecna's golden hair cascaded around him like a macabre halo, and his eyes burned with an insatiable hunger. He leaned closer to Griznak, his elongated fangs bared and gleaming in the dim light. With a swift and savage motion, he sank his fangs into Griznak's neck, drinking deeply of the shaman's lifeblood.

The room bore witness to the gruesome spectacle as Vecna's vampiric nature took over. Griznak's feeble cries were silenced by the merciless predator who drained him of every drop of blood. It was a macabre feast, and Vecna revealed in the taste of the shaman's essence.

As the life faded from Griznak's eyes, Vecna released the lifeless husk, letting it fall to the ground with a sickening thud. But the battle wasn't over, for Vecna still had one more adversary to deal with: Zul'kara.

[Vecna has defeated 'Goblin Shaman, Griznak' and gained the following rewards]

[You have received 652,250 EXP]

[2 Gold received]

['Goblin Shaman Staff' has been acquired]

['Fire Essence Crystal' has been acquired]

[You have leveled up!]

Vecna's crimson eyes shifted to Zul'kara, the remaining Goblin Shaman who had watched in horror as his comrade met his gruesome end. The room was filled with a palpable tension as Zul'kara realized he was now facing the true monster of this tale.

Zul'kara's voice quivered with both fear and rage as he shouted at Vecna, condemning him as a heartless monster. He had witnessed Griznak's gruesome fate and knew that he was now facing the same merciless adversary.

"You heartless fiend! Our tribe will not be undone by the likes of you!"

Vecna's response was chillingly calm. He drew his longsword, 'Corrupted Knightsblade,' its dark blade seemingly responding to its master's emotions, humming with anticipation.

"Your tribe is just the first pawn that I've decided to shallow in my darkness. Rejoice, soon the fate of your kind will turn for the better. I will treat your race with impartiality."

"NONSENSE! You're only a MONSTER!"

As Zul'kara began channeling his remaining mana to cast a hex that would turn his enemy into a helpless frog, Vecna advanced with slow, deliberate steps. To the goblin shaman, it seemed like he had trapped the intruder in his spell, and he shouted the incantation for 'Polymorph' with gusto.

"Prepare to face your fate, outsider! Polymorph!"

But Vecna's reaction was not what Zul'kara had expected. The vampire remained unchanged, his crimson eyes locked onto the goblin. Zul'kara's confidence swelled, thinking he had ensnared Vecna in his trap.

'From this chanting, it should be a Goblin Hex.'

However, what the goblin failed to grasp was that Vecna possessed a passive boon granted by the Black Ring, an eye of demonic origin adorning the unmatched jewelry piece. This boon, known as 'Cursed Immunity,' rendered Vecna impervious to curses, hexes, and other forms of magical afflictions.

As Zul'kara exhausted most of his mana on the futile hex, Vecna saw his opportunity. He lunged forward with blinding speed, slashing with 'Corrupted Knightsblade.' The sword sang as it cut through the air, a deadly dance of death and darkness.

"Your spells are feeble, and your tricks, meaningless."

Vecna's techniques flowed seamlessly. 'Swift Strike' was followed by 'Blade Dance,' his movements a macabre ballet of blood and steel. In between his swordplay, he launched 'Blood Missiles,' crimson projectiles that added to the onslaught.

In a flash, the health gauge above Zul'kara dwindled to a perilous level. His feeble attempts at resistance were futile, and he found himself cornered by the relentless predator before him.

With a sarcastic remark that dripped with sadistic amusement, Vecna delivered the final blow. 'Corrupted Knightsblade' descended, its dark edge severing the old goblin's head from his shoulders. Zul'kara's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, his severed head rolling a short distance before coming to a halt.

"Your fate is sealed, and your kind shall be reborn in darkness."

[Vecna has defeated 'Goblin Shaman, Zul'kara' and gained the following rewards]

[You have received 625,750 EXP]

[135 Silvers received]

['Goblin Shaman's Staff' has been acquired]

['Earth Essence Crystal' has been acquired]

[You have leveled up!]

[You have reached level 101]

[You have achieved the first Awakening. Your Stats will improve further.]

Vecna stood amidst the remains of the Goblin Shamans, his crimson eyes reflecting the eerie dance of the flames in the dimly lit room. The battle had ended, yet it was just the first boss fight, in another chamber was waiting, the final boss.

Chapter 56 - Baptism of Blood and Shadows

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