The focal point of the fight was Harmony, who remained nimble just outside the bear’s attack range. She provided ranged support with her lightning arrows, proving to be a significant source of damage.
Bones couldn't help but comment, expressing his feeling that Harmony was somewhat cheating by staying safely out of the attack range while Skully and Murdok faced the brunt of the bear's assault. Hugo chuckled in response, acknowledging the truth in Bones' observation and quoting, ‘such is the life of a ranged damage dealer.’ The first fight served as a test of the golems' fighting capabilities, and witnessing how swiftly the team dispatched their foe, Hugo suggested they maintain the same pace until they cleared the woods. He estimated it would take approximately three more hours.
As the golems continued their battles, Hugo pointed out various plants, insects, rodents, and slithering reptiles that might pique Bones' interest. Additionally, Hugo advised Bones to consistently use Identify from this point onward to level the much-needed skill. The forest, upon closer inspection, teemed with life, and Bones identified some of the creatures, such as Abyssal Critters - tiny, malicious critters with chaotic patterns in shades of red and black; Shadow Rodents - small, shadow-infused rodents scuttling through the forest floor; and the enigmatic Umbravine Trees.
In the twisted landscapes of the Nether Realm, the Umbravine Trees stood as eerie sentinels of darkness. Rather than leaves, these ancient trees boasted needle-like protrusions that extended like dark spires into the corrupted sky. The bark of the Umbravine Trees was as dark as the void, with a texture resembling coiled tendrils spiraling around the trunk. The gnarled branches seemed to writhe in unnatural patterns, as if infused with the very essence of chaos mana. The air around them hummed with an otherworldly energy, making them the focus of the Nether Realm's twisted flora.
During the crimson-tinged nights of the Nether Realm, the Umbravine Trees underwent a peculiar transformation. Vivid shades of purple flowers, imbued with an ethereal glow, blossomed along the sinuous branches. These blossoms exuded an intoxicating fragrance that mingled with the dark energies, creating an eerie allure that could both attract and unsettle those who ventured too close.
As the party emerged from the twisted forest, Bones experienced a surge of growth in his skills. He gained a level in Identify, one in Golem Mastery, and another in Create Bone Golem. Satisfied with the outcome of their hunt, Hugo proposed continuing their journey, assuring Bones of another promising hunting spot later on. In the interlude between stops, the two engaged in conversation, exploring various topics and exchanging ideas. Eventually, Bones broached the subject of his training.
Eager to progress, Bones expressed his readiness for further training, but Hugo advised caution, deeming it too soon. Instead, he suggested Bones focus on recuperation for the time being and proposed a practical step in the meantime - establishing a Soul Link with his golems and practicing the transition between them. This would serve as valuable practice, especially considering Bones' inability to link with all of them simultaneously.
After hours of travel, the party arrived at the ruins of the city. The larger structures retained a faint semblance of their former architectural grandeur, while everything else lay in ruins, reduced to the foundations. As Bones surveyed the desolate scene, he questioned whether this was their next destination. Hugo affirmed, indicating that they were setting camp there.
Curious about the nature of this training location, Bones inquired if they were entering the ruins. However, Hugo clarified that while his golems would explore the ruins, he would remain at the campsite and observe through the Soul Link connection. Understanding the plan, Bones watched Hugo amusingly unpacking a tent, two chairs, and even a brew of his own concoction, preparing for their stay.
After the meticulous camp setup, Hugo beckoned Bones to join him, signaling the golems to enter the city. With a gentle caution, he advised Bones against issuing commands or interfering with the golems' training. The objective was for the golems to adapt to new challenges and progress independently while Bones observed and gained experience from the safety of the camp.
As the trio traversed the silent streets of the ruined city, only the sounds of their footsteps and the gentle whisper of the cool breeze accompanied them. Bones, uncertain of what awaited them in this forsaken locale, trusted Hugo's judgment, resisting the urge to command his golems to explore. He adhered to the initial instructions not to intervene, embracing the role of a silent observer.
Surveying the silent ruins, Bones commented on the lack of activity. Hoping for a different perspective, he looked to Hugo, who simply nodded, absorbed in his own thoughts while tending to his drink. Sensing Bones' growing agitation, Hugo inquired about the golems' location. After a moment of scrutiny through Skully's senses, Bones reported that the party was nearing the central square.
“Right on cue.” Hugo commented. Just as Bones was about to ask him what he meant by that, the ground trembled.
"Earthquake?" Bones questioned, puzzled by the unexpected disturbance. Hugo, however, chuckled mischievously, dispelling any notion of a natural disaster. In his most sinister tone, he declared that it was no ordinary quake and ominously hinted that the training was about to commence. The effect was amplified by the skeleton's peculiar attire—monocle and cylinder hat—that made his words sound even more foreboding.
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“In the meantime, we should continue our conversation from before,” Hugo proposed, seamlessly transitioning from ominous to casual. Despite Bones' inclination to delve into various topics, he expressed a desire to focus on his golems. Hugo, ever understanding, suggested Bones try multitasking and acclimate to splitting his focus, no matter how challenging it might seem. Bones agreed, determined to give his best effort, and urged Hugo to pick up where they had left off.
While the conversation continued, the situation in the square took an unexpected turn. The once quiet and desolate streets suddenly swarmed with hordes of zombies emerging from the ground, converging on the square where Bones’ golems stood. Observing the unfolding spectacle, Bones remained silent, confident that his golems could handle the zombie onslaught as efficiently as they had dealt with Chaos Bears.
Engaging the slow-moving zombies, Bones couldn't help but wear a smirk, indicating his satisfaction with the current state of affairs. Mid-conversation, Hugo, seemingly unperturbed by the undead uprising, inquired about the progress.
“Everything is going well, I take it?” Hugo asked, prompting Bones to confirm that his golems hadn't encountered any problems so far. However, he hinted at an expectation for an increase in difficulty, given the resilience of the Chaos Bears they had faced earlier.
After an hour had passed, Bones noticed two significant developments. The number of zombies in the square showed no signs of diminishing, and a new, more formidable type of zombies had joined the horde - faster, stronger, and becoming increasingly prevalent.
Two hours into the training, the square became a battleground for three types of zombies. While the slow-moving ones posed little challenge, the faster, frenzied zombies proved to be a threat. The most dangerous, however, were the hulking zombies. With robust bodies, gleaming yellow eyes, and wielding giant clubs, they surpassed the strength of Murdok, delivering bone-crushing blows.
“What is that?” Bones whispered, referring to the imposing figure within the crowd.
“The monstrosity you’re referring to is a second-tier zombie identified as Hulking Zombie. They’re nasty creatures and will make for a proper challenge for your golems. How is their core capacity?” Hugo inquired.
“Skully and Murdok, down by a third and Harmony by half. Her lightning arrows seem efficient for crowd control, capable of stopping frenzied zombies and dealing with a large number of opponents. But the Hulking Zombie seems unfazed, easily shaking off the paralysis effect of the arrow.”
“She’s doing better than I thought, considering her weapon isn’t stable enough to support prolonged battles. Have your golems focus their attacks on taking down the hulking zombies for now.”
“Sure, before that, you said Harmony’s weapon isn’t stable? You’re referring to the Mana Bow, right?"
"Yes, the bow your golem manifested incorporates lightning affinity, which is the reason she was able to use lightning arrows. However, her lightning mastery is insufficient for the Mana Bow skill. The Mana Bow is typically a skill learned by mage archer stereotypes in the second tier, requiring higher mastery than the advanced lightning proficiency your golem currently possesses."
"If that's the case, how was she able to summon the Mana Bow in the first place?"
"That is the question, indeed. Let's attribute the reason to Princess Avril's unique constitution. As Harmony's skills advance in levels, possibly even in tiers later on, the efficiency of her arrows will increase. There's also a chance of developing new skills, contingent on the 'growth-type' status your golems benefit from. I require more time for research before making conclusive claims. For now, focus on your golems. If the situation demands it, feel free to give instructions to your golems, and report immediately if they become overwhelmed."
"Alright, the streets are getting quite crowded," Bones commented, his expression tightening in concentration. Hugo didn't lie when he said the hulking zombies would prove to be a proper challenge. Attacking from range was ineffective, and getting in melee range turned out to be too difficult and risky. Bones started instructing his golems to split up, find cover within the ruins, and force the zombie horde to spread out, leaving their targets, the three hulking zombies, exposed.
The golems followed the instructions, the zombies spread, and the opportunity arose. The three golems circled and converged back on the square where they ambushed their first target. Their attack was swift, with Murdok dealing the most damage while Skully moved playfully, delivering strikes too small and precise to significantly impact the zombie's resilient, rotting body. Harmony's previous attempts had been futile, so she changed her tactic and waited until Murdok's blows tore chunks of flesh off the zombie's body, leaving it vulnerable to the outside elements.
Harmony, pulling the string on her bow, crafted a tightly condensed mana arrow infused with lightning. Releasing it, the arrow swiftly traversed the distance, resembling a bolt of lightning as it penetrated the zombie, wreaking havoc on its insides. The zombie collapsed, its body singed and smoking, only to rise again moments later, frenziedly rushing the nearest zombie and beginning to feed off it.
Bones, rendered speechless, spared Hugo, engrossed in a book, a brief glance. He then instructed his golems to persist in attacking their target. After several rounds, Bones acknowledged that dispatching the hulking zombies was proving challenging, and his golems were running out of maneuvering space. Closing his book, Hugo declared it was time to conclude the first round, urging Bones to call off his golems and have them return to the camp.
The horde of zombies pursued the golems until the entrance of the ruins, where the Reaper stood in silence, like a guardian warding off intruders. As Skully, Murdok, and Harmony passed the enigmatic entity, a wave of energy swept through the ruins, causing the zombies to halt as if encountering an invisible barrier. Moments later, a distant shriek echoed from deep within the city, prompting the zombies to turn and vanish into the depths of the ruins.