“Here is everything you need to know about the dungeon,” Merlin told him, “it is time for you to go on your own sometimes. You’re strong enough now.”
Max stood at the entrance of Grimhal, a once-thriving city now reduced to ruins filled with the stench of death. The cursed flames flickered in the remnants of what used to be grand buildings. He was alone, except for four strangers who had been assigned to him by the Adventurer’s Guild.
Merlin had sent Max on this mission with a simple message: “I have other matters to attend to. You’ll have to handle this one without me.”
Max knew better than to question him, aloud at least. If Merlin wasn’t here, it meant this was something Max had to figure out on his own.
Max gave a quick glance at the other members of his party. Their stats popped up in front of him, a helpful feature that Merlin helped him develop.
* Elias - Paladin
* Level: 42
* HP: 320
* Mana: 100
* Vigor: 150
* Strength: 130
* Dexterity: 85
* Intelligence: 75
* Faith: 180
* Arcane: 60
* Abilities:
* Holy Smite (Level 3): Deals 40 holy damage. Mana Cost: 30
* Divine Shield (Level 2): Makes user invulnerable for 5 seconds. Mana Cost: 50
* Healing Aura (Level 1): Restores 20 HP to all nearby allies every 10 seconds. Mana Cost: 40
* Seraphina - Ranger
* Level: 39
* HP: 220
* Mana: 80
* Vigor: 120
* Strength: 90
* Dexterity: 160
* Intelligence: 60
* Faith: 70
* Arcane: 80
* Abilities:
* Multi-Shot (Level 2): Fires three arrows at once. Mana Cost: 25
* Trap Mastery (Level 1): Sets up a trap that deals 50 physical damage. Mana Cost: 30
* Camouflage (Level 2): Turns invisible for 10 seconds. Mana Cost: 40
* Vera - Priest
* Level: 38
* HP: 200
* Mana: 200
* Vigor: 100
* Strength: 50
* Dexterity: 70
* Intelligence: 110
* Faith: 190
* Arcane: 70
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
* Abilities:
* Healing Light (Level 3): Restores 50 HP to an ally. Mana Cost: 40
* Holy Shield (Level 2): Creates a barrier that absorbs 60 damage. Mana Cost: 50
* Blessing of Strength (Level 1): Increases an ally’s strength by 20 for 10 minutes. Mana Cost: 20
* Darius - Rogue
* Level: 40
* HP: 250
* Mana: 50
* Vigor: 140
* Strength: 100
* Dexterity: 170
* Intelligence: 60
* Faith: 50
* Arcane: 50
* Abilities:
* Backstab (Level 3): Deals 60 physical damage from behind. Mana Cost: 20
* Vanish (Level 2): Disappears from sight for 5 seconds. Mana Cost: 30
* Poisoned Blade (Level 1): Deals 20 damage over 10 seconds. Mana Cost: 15
Grimhal was split into two main sectors: The Crused Quarter and The Cursader’s Remnants. Max’s team decided to start with the Crused Quarter, where undead filled the streets and cursed barracks.
The first wave came suddenly—skeletal warriors, their hollow eyes glowing green, charged at them from the shadows. Elias stepped forward, his shield raised as he called out to the Light. Holy Smite burst from his hand, destroying a row of undead, but more kept coming.
“Fireball!” the explosion scattered bones across the cobblestone.
Seraphina was already firing off arrows, each one finding its target. Her Multi-Shot sent three arrows into the skulls of approaching skeletons. Behind her, Vera’s Healing Light kept everyone’s health in a good spot.
Darius disappeared from sight, only to reappear behind a ghoul, his Backstab dropped the creature instantly. He fused once again with the shadows, leaving only the sound of his daggers behind him.
The fight didn’t take long. The ground was covered with undead remains, and the team moved forward. Max wiped the sweat from his brow, he hated the sweating but he couldn’t help it.
They pushed deeper into The Cursed Quarter.
“Stay focused,” he told himself, clutching his staff tighter.
Destroyed statues of long-forgotten heroes were placed randomly on the streets. The flames flickered in the corners of Max’s vision, making him paranoid.
“Keep your eyes open,” Elias whispered. Max could see their health bars flickering slightly. The streets were filled with danger, every step could be fatal.
As they rounded a corner, a loud creak echoed through the air, and everyone stopped. The sound was coming from a large, half-collapsed building ahead. It looked like it had once been a barracks, now just another relic of the past. But something was wrong—Max could feel it in the pit of his stomach.
The Ranger disappeared into the shadows as she activated her Camouflage ability, and went to scout ahead. The air seemed to shimmer slightly where she once stood, and then she was gone. The group waited in silence.
Moments later, Seraphina reappeared next to Max, her face serious. “Undead. A lot of them, and something bigger—couldn’t get a clear look, but it is in there.”
“Alright everyone, get ready,” Elias spoke up. “We’re going in, but stick together. Darius, take point. Vera, stay close to me. Seraphina, you and Max will provide range support.”
Darius nodded and slowly readied his daggers. The Rogue moved swiftly, slipping into the shadows as they approached the building. The rest of the group followed, staying low and moving quickly. The air grew colder the closer they got, and the cursed energy in the area grew thicker.
The first thing Max noticed when they entered the barracks was the sheer number of skeletons lying. They were arranged in rows as if still waiting for orders that would never come. At the far end of the room, something massive moved in the darkness.
“Holy Shield,” Vera whispered, casting a protective barrier around the group. A faint golden glow enveloped them, giving them some protection.
“Go!” Elias gave them the sign to attack.
“Fireball!” the spell shot from his staff with a loud roar, slamming into the nearest row of skeletons. The explosion sent bones flying in every direction. Elias immediately stepped in front of Vera, raising his shield to intercept the first strike. His Holy Smite followed, and a burst of energy destroyed several skeletons that ran toward them.
Darius was ahead of them, moving between the enemies at a speed that seemed unnatural. His daggers flashed as he cut down skeleton after skeleton, each strike more precise than the last. He vanished and reappeared behind another enemy, his Backstab going deep into its spine before it even realized he was there.
Serapthina’s arrows moved precisely through the air, each one finding its mark in the empty eye sockets of the skeletal warriors. Her Multi-Shot fired rapidly, but still precise.
Max launched another Fireball, clearing a path through the horde as they pushed further into the room. He could feel his mana draining with each spell.
Suddenly, a loud growling made everyone stop. The shadows at the far end of the room seemed to move out of the creature’s way. It was a giant mass of rotting flesh and bone. The creature let out a deafening roar, and the remaining skeletons rushed forward.
Max could see the monster’s health bar. It was a massive red bar that barely seemed to move as they unleashed their attacks.
Elias threw himself into the way of the creature, blocking the creature’s path with his Divine Shield. The monster’s claws hit against the barrier, but the Paladin held his ground, gritting his teeth as he took the full force of the attack. Vera quickly followed up with a Healing Light, keeping Elias in the fight as he held the line.
Max and Seraphina unleashed a barrage of spells and arrows, destroying the remaining skeletons and now focusing on the giant creature. Darius slipped around the monster, aiming for its weak points, if it had any. But even his Backstab seemed to do little to no damage against the creature’s thick hide.
The fight dragged on, the group slowly wearing down the monster with everything they had. Max’s mana was dangerously low, but he couldn’t afford to hold back now. He cast Solar Flare, hoping to blind the creature and give the party at least a second to rest.
The burst of light filled the room, and the creature let out a loud and painful howl. Max took the opportunity to focus all of his remaining mana into a powerful Fireball. The spell shot forward, hitting into the creature’s chest and exploding with a force that shook the building.
When the light faded, the creature stood still for a moment. It collapsed to the ground with a loud crash.
Max took a step back, breathing heavily. The monster was finally dead.
“Good work, everyone,” Elias said. “Let’s take a moment to rest, then we’ll move on to the next sector.”
Grimhal was full of dangers, and they still had a long way to go.