Asher and Liam were cornered. The tight confines of the corridor left them with little room to maneuver, and the onrushing zombified brute blocked their only path forward. Walls hemmed them in on every side, and retreat was not an option. Their dire predicament left Asher with one bold solution. He would pit his guardian's shield charge against the zombie's ferocious momentum.
"Guardian! Use Shield Charge!" he commanded.
Heeding Asher's command, the guardian surged forward, its target clear. The monstrous zombie, muscles bulging, also barreled onward, its right shoulder prominent and ready to clash with the guardian's spike-guarded shield. When the two collided, the force sent both of them reeling backward. While Asher expected the brute to be repelled due to the guardian's 100% knockback effect, he hadn't anticipated his guardian to be thrown back as well.
'The zombie must have used a similar skill,' Asher mused, noticing the similarities in movement and charge between the two. Unlike the guardian, however, the zombie had relied on its massive shoulder as its medium of choice.
Seizing the opportunity, Liam unleashed a barrage of bullets, each one finding its mark on the massive zombie. The monster's health diminished, albeit at a gradual pace.
'Having a ranger like Liam helps a lot,' thought Asher. 'Those shots took away some of its health. If I was alone, I wouldn't have done any damage in this short time.'
"It's getting back up!" Liam exclaimed.
The zombified brute, now on its feet again, took a deep, rasping breath, its chest expanding unnaturally. With a guttural roar, it suddenly spewed a stream of foul-smelling liquid directly at Asher, Liam and the Guardian.
Both of them tried to dodge, but the sheer volume and speed of the liquid made it nearly impossible to evade completely. Droplets splattered onto them, immediately sizzling upon contact and releasing a noxious gas. The exposed areas of their skin began to burn, and they could feel a painful sensation creeping through their veins, signaling that they had been poisoned.
You and your 'Animate Guardian' have been affected by the 'Poison' ailment status. You will suffer a 1% maximum health loss per second for 10 seconds.
https://i.imgur.com/BLleTev.png [https://i.imgur.com/BLleTev.png]
"Asher!" Liam choked out, clutching his arm where a large splatter had hit him. "I'm losing health fast!"
"Soulful Restoration!" Asher immediately chanted, bathing Liam in a soothing light that mended his injuries and restored him to full health. The spell, designed to heal 10% of the recipient's maximum health, perfectly counteracted the damage from the poison. Instead of using another cast on himself, Asher opted to conserve his remaining mana for any unforeseen challenges ahead. Meanwhile, he relied on his guardian's innate healing ability to recover gradually.
"Liam, we need to bolt for the exit! I'll have the guardian use Shield Charge to topple him, then Provoke to hold his attention. Once we're at the entrance, let loose with your explosive shot. It should pack a punch and likely set that rotting flesh of his ablaze," Asher rapidly laid out his impromptu plan.
Without a second thought, the duo sprinted for the exit. Every step echoing through the vast corridor, mixing with the growls and roars of the zombified brute.
The guardian, steadfast and devoted, clashed with the zombie. With a powerful Shield Charge, it caused the ground to shake upon impact. The sheer force of the guardian’s attack knocked the brute off its feet momentarily. Using this brief window, Asher and Liam leaped over the fallen behemoth. This act further inflamed the already enraged brute, prompting it to rise swiftly, hot on their heels.
To protect its master, the guardian employed Provoke, drawing the monster's full rage onto itself.
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Liam and Asher used this diversion to their advantage, making their way closer to the exit. The echoing sounds of the monster's roars grew louder as they neared the entrance. Asher glanced back to gauge the distance between them and the brute, while Liam prepped his explosive shot.
As they finally reached the doorway, the air grew tense. The brute, having shaken off the guardian's attempts to stall him, barreled forward, narrowing the gap between them at a terrifying pace.
"Now, Liam!" Asher shouted.
Liam took aim, his fingers steady, and fired. The bullet erupted from the barrel with an ear-splitting roar, racing toward the massive target. Upon impact, the explosive shot detonated, sending a blinding burst of flames enveloping the beast. The inferno clung to its decomposed skin, setting it ablaze. A deafening scream echoed from the brute as it flailed, the searing pain consuming it.
"Guardian! Use Shield Throw!" Asher ordered.
Without hesitation, the guardian flung its shield with all its might, aiming to deal additional damage to the monster.
The two adventurers paused for a moment, catching their breaths and watching as the monstrous figure crumpled to the ground, its final cries of agony fading into silence. The immediate threat neutralized.
You have participated in the elimination of 'Zombified Brute'. Experience point earned have been divided by the amount of participants. You have earned 153 EXP! EXP (160/500)
Liam, still catching his breath, pointed towards the smoldering remains of the zombified brute. "Hey, Asher, look at that!"
Asher squinted and approached the spot, discovering a gleaming object amidst the ash. He carefully picked up the shimmering item, its purple hue reflecting the ambient light. The crystalized heart, despite its gem-like appearance, bore an unsettling resemblance to the face of the zombified brute. It was cool to the touch and pulsed with an almost imperceptible energy.
https://i.imgur.com/MtpimYd.png [https://i.imgur.com/MtpimYd.png]
"A crystallized heart!" Asher declared.
"We're lucky to have found this," Liam mused, "but how do we split it? It's not like we can just break it in two."
Asher pondered for a moment. "How about we hold onto it until we've cleared the dungeon? Once we've gathered everything, we can decide how to divide our findings. Does that sound fair?"
Liam nodded in agreement to Asher's suggestion.
With their newfound item safely stowed away, the pair approached the lever, its presence highlighted by the ceiling lights. Asher reached out, gripped the lever firmly, and pulled it down with a determined force. The sound of grinding gears echoed throughout the corridor as the caged gate began to slowly rise, unveiling the next part of their perilous journey.
Following the activation of the lever, Asher and Liam retraced their steps back through the maximum security section. The once-caged gate that had barred their way forward now stood open. The iron bars, formerly an impassable barrier, had lifted to grant them passage. Beyond the gate, a dimly lit path stretched out, promising both unknown dangers and the potential for escape.
Liam hesitated for a moment, taking in the now-accessible path. "That's it then. We've opened the gate. But be on your guard; who knows what awaits us further in."
Beyond the gate, an ornate door presented itself. Its detailed carvings and gold trimmings were in stark contrast to the cold and dreary design of the prison. The door almost seemed out of place, like an artifact from a different time. The plaque above it read, "Warden's Quarters."
Asher glanced at Liam. "This has to be the main event, the boss room" he whispered.
With a deep breath, Liam pushed the door open. The sight that met them made their blood run cold.
Before them stood an enormous zombie, dwarfing even the zombified brute they had encountered earlier. The zombified warden, evident by his uniform, towered over them. His jet-black pants and jacket, crisply tailored, gave him an air of authority even in his undead state. The warden's hat sat askew on his head, casting a shadow over his hollow eyes. But what was truly terrifying was the overwhelming aura of power that radiated from him, an oppressive force that seemed to fill the entire room.
His musculature was unlike anything they had ever seen, bulging in ways that defied anatomy, making it evident that this creature was not just any zombified entity. It was the culmination of whatever dark force had taken over the prison.
The warden's gaze slowly fell on the intruders, his eyes locking onto theirs. A low, guttural growl emanated from deep within him, echoing around the ornate chamber.
Involuntarily, Asher retreated a step, struck by the sheer, undeniable might of the creature before him.
Liam readied his gun, taking careful aim. "We have to be strategic here," he said, voice low, "This won't be like the other fights. We need to use our skills in tandem and be precise."
The duo prepared themselves, knowing that the battle ahead would be their toughest challenge yet.
https://i.imgur.com/iwJvA73.png [https://i.imgur.com/iwJvA73.png]