While walking towards the center of the forest I think about this whole soul eater thing. O noticed something strange. It seems that I can only gain EXP by absorbing souls. That gives me some nice advantages, but unfortunately also some disadvantages.
On the one hand, I'm now able to gain huge amount of EXP by consuming a soul, about 8 times more than I’d usually get by killing stuff. I can also gain EXP no matter how weak my victim is.
On the other hand, I'm not able to gain any EXP by killing things that don't have a soul, which makes thing a lot more complicated. Because now the killing of most low-level monsters is absolute useless to me. It Also seems like the power of the person which soul I consumed doesn't scale with the amount of EXP I get.
No, it's the power of the soul that is really important. Souls gain power by maturing or by getting infused with other souls. In conclusion, this means that in order to quickly rise I have to either kill old stuff, or stuff like necromancers. With a bit of luck I'm going to find one of those inside the tomb of Alz-
“Everybody ready? Can we go inside?” (Male Voice)
Will I ever finish one of my inner monologues? Who spoke anyway?
I sneak around and hide behind tress until I spot a small group of adventurers in front of the entrance of the tomb. There is a big human knight with a huge shield, a small female mouse-girl mage, a human male priest and a dual wielding elven girl. Seems like they also plan on entering the tomb. Those guys are all most likely around level 50 which is very low, but impossible for me to fight against right now.
“Seems like it boss!” (Knight)
“Then let's go in and slay some undead scum!” (Priest)
“Yeah!” (The other three)
Now that's just rude. Undead also have feelings! Even if it's mostly hate. Well what now? I can't enter the dungeon while those guys are inside of it.
“Our target Guys?!” (Priest)
“The first Boss!” (The other three)
“When are we going to give up?!” (Priest)
“NEVER!!!” (The other three)
...
Really? You guys think you can beat the 1st boss with your current strength? Well they are pretty much already dead.
Hm?
Maybe I should use this situation to my advantage and follow them. With a bit of luck, I may be able to snatch myself their souls after the boss kills them. Well, I guess it's better than just standing around here and waiting. Seems like they are all ready to go. Let's follow them ninja-style.
After entering the dungeon, I discovered that those adventures are not half bad. Their level is really around 50 but they have incredible teamwork and a great composition. I can see why they thought going to the first boss would be a good idea. But sadly for them and happily for me they are mistaking.
I can't wait to eat their souls! Especially the one of the Knight, since it seems like he's around 50 years old. At first I was kind of worried about following them around but luckily they don't have a scout, rouge or any other similar class that is good at feeling the presence of living things. I'm actually not sure if such a person would even feel me, seeing how I don't really count as a living thing.
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They are killing the other undead in this dungeon pretty quickly and take all of their loot too. I'm really going to enjoy taking this stuff after they died.
“Alright guys we are here! This is the door to the boss-room.” (Priest)
“it’s pretty big, huh…” (Knight)
“There is even a skull on it, really?” (Mage)
“Now, we already talked about it but I'm going to remind everybody again, just in case. The boss of this first floor is a Death Knight, but not just any Death knight, no that would be to easy! It's a Death Knight riding on a great skeleton steed!” (Priest)
Huh? They know that and still want to fight it? They won't be able to land a single hit since this skeleton steed is incredible agile.
“So, in order to slow down the steed, we will use this Scroll of time wrapping!” (Priest)
...
Fuck.
So, they actually DO have a way to kill this boss, huh?
“I’ll use this scroll, after that Celia and Roland will charge the steed and bring it down before the spell ends! Roland will defend Celia against the attacks of the Death knight while Celia kills the steed, then both of you will retreat and Erica will cast a spell, which she is going to charge while we deal with the steed, understood?” (Priest)
“YES!” (The other three)
Shit this is a pretty good plan. What now?
…
I guess I got to help this fellow undead in preparing my meal, huh?
The Group of four enter the Boss Room and I quickly slip inside as well before the door closes. After entering the room, I quickly hide behind a pillar before anyone notices me. I really feel like a ninja right now, maybe I should have chosen Yellow Bones after all?
From my cover, I have full view of the current situation. I’m able to see the group of adventurers that stand in front of the boss. Man, this guy looks a lot cooler than me. The death knight wears a sinful black armor and rides on an armored horse made out of bones. This guy is pretty strong. You would usually need a group of level 100 adventures at least to take him down.
“Alright guys, here we go! I summon thee o demon of space and time! wrap the time of mine foes and slow them down: Time Wrap!” (Priest)
Why do I get hungry while listening to this words? Well the time around the steed indeed slows down and they continue with their plan. The mage starts chanting a pretty powerful spell. The knight tackles the slowed down horse, which gives the elf enough time to get a few atacks on it.
Whenever the Death knight tries to attack the elf, he gets blocked by the big Knight. Then, the elf finally gets a really good hit on the horse. After the elf slayed the steed they ready themselves to retreat and the mage fires her spell while the Death Knight falls of his dead steed. Now comes my chance!
*Clack clack clack*
“Huh? Behind us?” (Priest)
I cast Frost Cage and long spears of Ice pierce the legs of the mage while she readies herself to cast her spell. The sudden pain and surprise causes her to lose control of the fully charged fiery spell and shoot it into a random direction, which unluckily for them means directly at the elf.
The dual wielding girl was not prepared and the spell hits her perfectly! She falls to the ground, burning and screaming while the smell of cooked elf meat fills the room. The other adventures look alternately towards me, the screaming elf and the crying mage.
Man, they seem confused and shocked. A bit to shocked for their own good. The Death Knight strikes his sword against the knight that didn't pay attention to him. What a fool. You should never forget your enemy, no matter what happens. The scream seems to wake the priest up as he turns towards the knight.
“Damn it! Goddess of light ble-” (Priest)
I quickly run towards him and slash across his back with Ron’s sword. Yeah, as if I'll let you finish your little healing spell.
*Clack clack clack*
I grab him by the neck and use ‘Cold Touch’. This spell is really useful. It basically freezes the mana of the person I'm touching, which results in him being unable to cast any spells. Luckily this guy here is a full Priest and not a cleric or a paladin, otherwise he would just smash my skull in.
The Priest looks at me scared as he realizes he can't use his mana anymore. While keeping a strong grip on him I bite into his throat. Yeah, I know that's a rather barbaric move, but I don't really have any other options right now, do I? Ron’s sword is very dull and I can’t let go of the Priest or he will start casting again. Swinging this sword with one hand is impossible for me.
He screams loudly in pain and fear while I bite myself though his throat, which is pretty annoying seeing how he is practically screaming into my ear, even though I don't have ears I guess. After a while he stops and I look up to see that the fire consumed the elf fully and that the Death Knight finished the old Guy of as well. The mage is kneeing on the ground and begging some god for help. I look at the Death Knight as he ignores me and slowly walks towards the mage. Rising his enormous blade, he prepares for a strong attack. Meanwhile the mage is still praying with her eye closed.
Fool.
The Death knight strikes and splits her body in half, which looks pretty nasty to be honest. Ten seconds later I start gathering the four souls and absorb them. Thanks for the meal.
Level up! (x6)
+3 STR; +3 DEX; +27 INT; +9 VIT; +3 END
Huh? Only 6!? I thought I would get more out of it... I guess since my level has risen pretty nicely already, I need more EXP to level up. Well I also got 4 Gold and a pretty nice staff from the mage!
Staff of Change +10% Spell Power; -5% Mana Consumption; +10% EXP gain
This staff is going to be really helpful! I'm surprised such a low Mage even had something like that, I guess you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. This was certainly worth it! Meanwhile the steed that was dead just a few seconds ago, revives by himself and the Death Knight climbs on it. Afterwards they return to the middle of the room and stop moving.
Damn. I really hoped those Undead in the tomb would be able to communicate with me or something... but it seems like they can't do anything besides standing around and attack those who dare to enter. So, this kills my plan and I'm back to zero...
Guess I leave and search somewhere else. I turn around, ready to leave as I realize something of utmost importance.
They ignore me.
THEY IGNORE ME.
Doesn't that pretty much mean I can just walk all the way down into the deepest part of the dungeon and claim whatever is mine to claim down there? Should I try it? Best case scenario, I get a great treasure, worst case scenario I die...
That doesn't sound too bad, let's go!