The two adventurers pressed on, the road before them still clear of any threats. There were no enemies in sight as they navigated a path that seemed to exude an eerie, deathly ambiance. The once-lush forest was now a desolate landscape, with dead trees scattered around, their skeletal branches reaching out like bony fingers. Merlin, overwhelmed by the bleak and oppressive atmosphere, felt a shiver of fear grip his mind, causing his complexion to pale.
In stark contrast, Xian was in high spirits. He hummed a cheerful tune as they jogged along the winding road towards the cave. Their journey took them through a serpentine path that eventually straightened out, leading them directly to the mouth of the cave.
As they approached, they could hear a faint, rhythmic chanting in an unfamiliar language even from outside the cave. A soft, mysterious glow emanated from within, adding to the ominous yet strangely inviting aura of the cave.
Xian's mood had noticeably brightened, having consumed some bread earlier with Merlin. The sustenance had replenished his energy, preparing him for the imminent battle. He shared some of the bread with Merlin, ensuring that both of them were well-prepared for whatever lay ahead. The food would likely sustain them for another day, bolstering their stamina for the challenges they would face.
As they neared the cave entrance, Xian decided to review the skills he had acquired from the Necromancer's wand. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he examined the details:
Skill Name: Soul Fire
Level: 1
Description: Cast an exploding soul bomb on the enemy. Upon hitting enemies, the Soul Fire skill will gain an additional +1 damage with each use.
Effects: Deals 20 magical damage to the enemy.
Cooldown: 1 second
Duration: Instantaneous
Damage Type: Magical
Skill Type: Active
Mana Cost: 2
Skill Name: Bone Armor
Level: 1
Description: Conjure bone armor that protects your entire body.
Effects: Provides 10 physical and elemental defense.
Cooldown: 20 seconds
Duration: 1 minute
Skill Type: Buff
Mana Cost: 20
Skill Name: Raise Skeleton
Level: 1
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Description: Summon a weak skeleton militia to do your bidding from a corpse.
Effects: Summons 1 skeleton militia wielding worn-out weapons and a shield, dealing 1 to 5 damage with slow attack speed, and possessing 50 health.
Cooldown: 1 second
Duration: 1 minute
Damage Type: Physical
Skill Type: Active
Mana Cost: 30
With the skills reviewed and their plan set, Xian and Merlin entered the cave. To their surprise, there was no guard stationed at the entrance, allowing them to proceed smoothly. Given their situation, a stealthy approach or a small skirmish would not be time-efficient, so they opted for a full-blown assault.
Upon entering, they noticed a blood-red star marked on the floor and small tents scattered around the cavern. Barrels were haphazardly placed throughout the area. Small, sinister creatures known as devil spawns danced near a bonfire, their eerie movements illuminated by the flickering flames.
Xian whistled to get their attention, and the devil spawns looked up in shock. It was surprising that these creatures would face two intruders so boldly. Drawing his sword with a determined flourish, Xian signaled that he was ready for combat. He equipped the wand in his other hand and cast a spell.
"Soul Fire!" he declared.
A burst of magical fire shot forth from the wand, striking the devil spawns with devastating effect. The spell’s impact was so powerful that it felled several of the creatures with a single hit. The sudden chaos caused the remaining devil spawns to scatter in panic, their initial shock compounded by the realization that their opponents had ranged attacks.
Despite their disarray, the devil spawns quickly gathered their courage and charged at Xian and Merlin. Xian smirked at their futile efforts, knowing that their choice to engage in close combat was a mistake. He activated his Bone Armor, encasing himself in a protective shell of bones that covered him from head to toe. The armor provided him with substantial physical and elemental defense, rendering him nearly impervious to their attacks.
With renewed confidence, Xian charged forward. The devil spawns’ attacks, which dealt 2 to 4 damage, were almost entirely negated by his Bone Armor, which could block up to 10 damage. This realization brought a smile to Xian’s face, alleviating his earlier concerns.
He unleashed his full offensive capabilities, slicing through the enemy ranks with precision and speed. Heads flew from their bodies as he slashed left and right, his expert aim ensuring that every attack found its mark. He struck one devil spawn, triggering an Ice damage effect that froze the enemies in place. Merlin seized this opportunity, launching a magic missile at the frozen targets.
Although some of the devil spawns managed to resist the freezing effect, the brief slowdown of one second proved to be enough for Xian to deal further damage. The battlefield was quickly dominated by the two adventurers; within mere seconds, most of the devil spawns were either frozen solid or shattered.
Despite their swift victory, Xian was mindful of the toll it had taken on his stamina. He realized that while his speed and combat skills were formidable, his stamina was a significant drawback. He panted heavily, recognizing that his lack of stamina made him less effective in prolonged engagements. This was a critical issue, as it could render him ineffective in extended battles.
"Damn, I’m doomed," Xian muttered to himself, reflecting on his predicament. "I need more stamina. Focusing solely on speed has left me vulnerable." The realization that stamina, not health, was his weakness was troubling. He knew he had to be more cautious in future encounters.
Understanding the value of having minions to support him, Xian decided to summon a skeleton to assist in battle. Using the body of a defeated devil spawn, he cast the Raise Skeleton spell. A skeletal warrior emerged, brandishing a sword with fiery eyes that glowed with an otherworldly light. The sight of the summoned skeleton was impressive and awe-inspiring, reminiscent of the power Dread must have felt when first commanding a skeleton.
Xian marveled at his newfound power, grateful to have inherited it from the Necromancer. He recognized that this power had once belonged to someone who had defeated numerous heroes. Now, it was his to wield, and he felt fortunate to have gained such abilities from the old Necromancer.
As the battle concluded, Merlin finished off the remaining enemies, bringing an end to the skirmish. Xian, reflecting on the encounter, realized that he was not just a glass cannon but rather cannon fodder in the long run. His stamina issues made him less effective in extended battles, and he needed to consider more viable options for his build.
"Perhaps I need to rethink my strategy," Xian mused. "Maybe a warrior build or something else might be more effective." He contemplated his future path and what role he would assume in the battles to come.
"Sword-wielding Necromancer!" Xian declared aloud, testing the name for his new role.
"That’s a great name!" Merlin responded, clearly impressed.