Nibbit hides into a crevice in the Dungeon’s walls, which might be a very bad idea if the walls close on him but there isn’t really any other good hiding spots. Not long after he hid into the crevice the footsteps were getting louder with the sound of metal armour clanking accompaining it. Hopefully this doesn’t go to shit…
Should I test something out… No no no, I’ll try that thought out once we reach another room just to be sure. I will just get into stance and activate Nightmare Cloak, hopefully Nibbit won’t be affected by it this time…
Once it’s activated, the ghastly demonic creature once again appears to shield me within it’s ribs while mimicking all of my actions. It’s body barely fitting in the Dungeon’s tunnel, good luck for anything trying to get past me now, but now i’m a larger target. At least I feel comfortable in here. That's a plus.
I start to hear a two voices talking to each other, growing in strength with the footsteps and clanking.
“Did you hear that Drekon? It sounded like a gust of wind came.” A strained groan answered the voice, not sounding amused, “Why would there be a gust of wind in here? Didn’t Master close the Dungeon so the two invaders don’t get out.”
Oh, wonderful. Two intelligent Dungeon dwellers.
“I said ‘Sounded’ like a gust of wind, you nincompoop! I’m thinking one of if not both Invaders are here and at least one can use Wind magic.” The sound of movement stop but they continue to talk to each other. “Does it really matter if they can use it or not, they’ll bow down to our might regardless, brother.”
After that quick exchange the sound of movement begin and they probably right around the corner 10 meters ahead of me.
The first one says something again, unease creeping into his voice. “Do you feel that. Something isn’t right here…” They stop once again and the other answers. “Your right, there is something strange… You’re being a worry wart, just shut up and let's go and finish this.”
Then they all come around the corner looking at me. Seven skeletons wearing a mix of iron armour and leather, wielding moss covered iron shields and aged steel swords. Behind them being five skeleton archers with long bows, wearing leather studded armour, looking weared down with rips or holes. But the most interesting part is the two skeletons wearing grey robes with hoods over their heads, only thing visible under it are two eyeball sized blue fireballs.
What did I do to get this kind of reception! A skeleton formation with two Skeleton mages in the back. Fuck it! I’m testing it out here! Lets see if this idea works and doesn’t screw us over!
The skeleton named Drekon I presume, points at me shouts, “What in oblivion is that! That isn’t any fucking wind magic I ever heard of! Byro kill it before it breeds!” Drekon is just shaking while the other mage Byro just looks at me stunned I think.
While their doing that I start to construct a Hellfire ball but compress it within my palm repeatedly until it’s to difficult to compress anymore. I can feel it angrily try to burst free, this won’t be fun whoever has to deal with this, hehehe…
I raise my hand and start to aim to throw it in the middle of them but before I can throw it Byro grabs Drekon and pulls him behind the corner and continue to run. Once I throw my ‘Hellfire Grenade’ in the middle of the group I curl up in a ball, showing my back to them hoping the Cloak will protect me.
The explosion was deafening would be an understatement. I felt the earth quake, the heat of the fire lick and caress my back. Thankfully Nibbit hid quite far away from me, or else he would be roasted Hobgoblin right now.
After a minute of waiting for the ringing in my ears to stop and the fire to die down on my back, I took a look to see the damage.There was no skeletons left, I can tell you that.
The whole tunnel until you hit the corner, and part of the corner was melted into magma. The walls look like someone used a shit ton of dynamite to excavate them. Where the grenade went off there is the majority of the Magma and I assume it’s probably a deep pool of it.
Let’s see what I gained from my little ball of doom, hehehe...
Congratulations!
You have slain 7 Lesser Skeletal Soldier [Lv 135]
You have slain 5 Lesser Skeletal Archer [Lv 132]
Name
Zxel Alvanchia
Level
13
Race
Demon Lord [Human Sub-Race]
Gender/Sex
Male
Class
Demon Lord
Subclass
None
Titles
[“The Idiot who skipped the Tutorial”]
[Champion of the Prince of Chaos]
[Suicidal Solo Slayer]
[Boss of Twilight Forest]
Magical Affinities
Entomancy, Nightmare, Biomancy, Hellfire, Necromancy, Bloodmancy
Strength
40 (12) [156]
Endurance
20 (10) [90]
Agility
40 (4) [136]
Dexterity
20 (14) [102]
Intelligence
40 (8) [144]
Wisdom
40 (8) [144]
Charm
5 (6) [33]
Luck
5 (2) [21]
Experience Points
11,940/360,000
Stat points
30
Magical Rank
Warlock
Alignment
Chaos [NA] [NA]
Congratulations!
You your Magical Rank has increased, your life span, spell power and spell list has increased!
Hellfire [Wizard Level]
Greater Hellfire Ball: [Active] It’s a Hellfire Ball but bigger and more dangerous. It now explodes in a 5 meter diameter. Lesser version has been absorbed.[100 Mana]
Greater Hellfire Bolt: [Active] It’s the same as a Hellfire Bolt but now has the length of 2 meters, better speed, piercing power and now it spins like a drill. Still doesn’t explode, sad day. Lesser version has been absorbed. [50 Mana]
Greater Hellfire Wall: [Active] It’s the same as the Hellfire Wall but larger by width and height. It now reaches up to 10 meters length and 5 meters height. Lesser version has been absorbed. [250 Mana]
Hell’s Embrace: [Active] Once cast the castor’s body is enveloped by Hellfire like a cloak, shielding the castor as well as warding off anything that wouldn’t want to become BBQ. [200 Mana Per Minute]
Hellfire [Warlock Rank]
Hellfire Grenade: [Active] Somehow you created a ball of Hellfire so condensed it exploded violently enough be considered a stronger and different version of Greater Hellfire Ball. Congrats. Explodes in a 7.5 meter diameter, leaves residue like Napalm after explosion and turns stone into Lava/Magma. [500 Mana]
Summon Lesser Hellfire Elemental: [Active] Summon a Lesser Hellfire Elemental to do your bidding. Being the size of an average adult male. Weak against Abyssal Ice. [1,000 Mana]
Devil’s Lighter: [Active] Hellfire erupts wherever the castor wishes upon their own body into a flamethrower like stream. Reaching up to 20 meters away from the user [2,000 Mana Per Minute
Pyro’s Touch: [Semi-Passive] Whatever the User touches can combust into flames if the User wishes. Anything larger than the User by 5 times mass will be unaffected.
Heat Sensing: [Semi-Passive] Gives the User the ability to sense heat signatures of objects if the User wishes. Can be turned off and on as stated above.
Hahahaha! I gained two levels and unlocked new spells! I dare them to throw more stuff at me! Wait, no, please don’t! Don’t want to jinx myself, calm down and relax. That grenade could’ve gone really wrong. Especially since it was entire two ranks higher than I should be casting.
Okay, what am I going to put my stats. The main two contenders are either split between magic use or dodging potential. To put them into Wisdom and Intelligence so my skills deal more damage and to be able to cast more of them. I am not underpowered at the moment, or at least how it seems.
To put them in my agility and dexterity will be useful to dodge anything something throws at me. Something you can always use in my opinion, it’s better to dodge it then to take a hit after all or to dodge all attacks rather then give hits but also take them.
Dexterity would also probably help me with throwing my grenades perfectly. I should’ve tried baseball when I had the chance. Just throw a grenade screw ball at the sorry bastards and watch them explode like magma filled pinatas.
I’ll go for agility and dexterity, don’t need the extra firepower and more dodge potential will be extremely useful if I need to deal with those two mages
Name
Zxel Alvanchia
Level
13
Race
Demon Lord [Human Sub-Race]
Gender/Sex
Male
Class
Demon Lord
Subclass
None
Titles
[“The Idiot who skipped the Tutorial”]
[Champion of the Prince of Chaos]
[Suicidal Solo Slayer]
[Boss of Twilight Forest]
Magical Affinities
Entomancy, Nightmare, Biomancy, Hellfire, Necromancy, Bloodmancy
Strength
40 (12) [156]
Endurance
20 (10) [90]
Agility
55 (4) [177]
Dexterity
35 (14) [147]
Intelligence
40 (8) [144]
Wisdom
40 (8) [144]
Charm
5 (6) [33]
Luck
5 (2) [21]
Experience Points
11,940/360,000
Stat points
0
Magical Rank
Warlock
Alignment
Chaotic [NA] [NA]
There! Now that this is all done let's go see how Nibbit is holding up.
Ignoring all of the Magma behind me, I’ll go check up on Nibbit’s hiding spot. Which I can almost say for certain (Maybe?), that he wasn’t roasted at all by the heat of the explosion or perhaps loose dungeon rocks falling in his crevice.
Or perhaps a random squad of skeletons spawning right outside of it.
My mind hates me...
With those thoughts I pick up my speed to check on him and thankfully I see him peeking out of his hiding spot, a little shaken but visually unharmed. Once he sees me he sighs and wears a wry smile and gets out of the crevice.
“Sire, if I don’t mind me asking… Were you the one who caused that…” He asks me which I merely grin and pat his back saying. “Would you like to see?”
The distressed and concerned look on his face is all the answer I ever needed to bring him over to a lovely hot tub I should really use before we leave. I wonder if I should use another one of these grenades somewhere secure near the village to make my own local hot tub… Nah to much of a fire risk…
Nibbit could feel the suffocating heat coming off of the magma pit before he could see it, and I know since I could feel it before seeing it again. The sound of him deeply inhaling beside me gave me a sense of accomplishment to get that reaction from him. It’s like when a little kid is doing a prank and their parent finally noticed the aftermath of such prank.
Thankfully the kid isn’t going to get spanked this time however…
His teeth clenched, eyes bulging out while he stares at the pool of magma. His body slightly shaking and knuckles turning a light shade of green. The only sounds being made is the crackle and pop of the magma and Nibbit slowly breathing through his teeth and nose.
Nibbit finally breaks his silence after his fifth long drawn out breath, looking at my smug face waiting with bated breath for his thoughts upon my ‘gift’ for the undead. I must control myself more, it is unkingly to get such childish joy from this. Right?
“What. Did you do.” His voice low and shaky with a sense of shock. I cackled while trying to make myself stop smiling. “I just gave them the ‘Honour’ of receiving my newest spell I have created. It’s called Hellfire Grenade, isn’t it such a devilish thing?”
His only answer is a whimpering noise as he covers his eyes with his hands. His shaking starting to worsen as if he was in a snowstorm. I give him a light smack on his back to snap him out of it as I start walking closer to the pit.
My hands behind my back as I peer into the bubbling magma. The ravaging heat smashing in my face and pores, it is a nice feeling, just pleasant bordering on painful. The sound of movement behind doesn’t disturb my gaze at the pit but gives me a quick thought of Nibbit pushing me in. Just as quickly as I thought of that action, I crushed it within my mind.
“Uhm… Sire, how shall we get across from this magma pool? Since this is the only way towards the core, what will we do?”Nibbit asks, with laboured breaths due to the smoldering heat.
I bring my right hand to my chin as I start to stroke it, as I ponder how we will get across. I smile as I think of carrying Nibbit over my head as I traverse the pit or throw Nibbit across it. I even chuckle imaging a cartoon version of Nibbit screaming as he is thrown across the pit. When I chuckle I swear I heard him move away from me, I don’t blame him.
“I have a couple ideas however I doubt you would like either of the ideas.” I look back at Nibbit with a smirk and he smiles wryly back at me.
He gulps and rubs his hands together nervously. “R-really Sire? I doubt I would dislike one of your ideas. Give me some credit.” I chuckle and he winces. Looks like he is pretty scared of me now again. Hopefully that’ll go away in a bit.
“I’m pretty sure you will decline them and they also have a high chance of getting you hurt so I will not be actually suggesting them to be put in practice.” I state firmly, closing my fist which he sighs in relief. He then straightens himself up instantly after, looking more composed.
“Due to not having any good idea for getting both of use across the pool safely anytime soon. How about we sit down till the magma cools down? It won’t take long, right?” I suggest to Nibbit as I also point to some spots on the pool that seem to be hardening at the surface.
“Understood Sire. But I have two questions.” He sighs then looks me in the eyes. “The main question is how much longer do you think we will be in here and when will it start to cause a problem at the village.”
Well that was a damper on things. I haven’t really thought about that. How long will we actually be in here before we get the hell out. WIll it be a few hours, a day. God forbid a week! And what about the village…
The formation of a frown on my face starts to form as I stroke my chin ones again as I walk over to Nibbit. “I don’t honestly know, your guess is good as mine considering we both have never done a dungeon before, correct?”
He shakes his, his brows knitting together. “This was the first time I have entered in one but I have heard that they can be quite long. Usually several floors however they gradually get stronger instead of just having the strongest at the start.” He states and shrugs.
A groan escapes me as I scratch my head. “So it would seem there is no accurate answer for that question. We’ll just have to try to finish this dungeon as soon as possible.” Nibbit nods with his eyes closed and rubs his fingers together.
“So what is the second question?” I raise my eyebrow at Nibbit as he nods a few times at me before speaking. “Yes, yes. Since we are going to have to wait a bit and relax like you suggested. Could we perhaps talk about your parents? I have talked about my father, how about you?”
I sigh as I go sit against a wall to wait for the Magma to cool down. Nibbit gets the cue and walks over to me and sits beside me. My knees rest up, back against the wall while Nibbit clearly sits comfortably and shifts on his rear.
“You know I don’t really belong in this world, right?” Nibbit smiles at my question, so I continue. “Hmph, well back in my world my parents were… ‘Opportunists’ you can say, and quite ambitious. They control a city by pulling the strings of the mayor.”
“I’m assuming that your parents aren’t the law abiding citizen types, sire?” Nibbit asks, tilting his head to the side, while looking quizzically at me.
Laughter erupts out of my chest and Nibbit winces. “You can say that all right! They both came from different kinds of criminal organizations as kids. Even today I’m surprised they actually got together instead of killing each other outright when they first met each other!”
“They couldn’t be that different right Sire? They did get together after all like you said. Perhaps even if they are so different, that could be brought them together.” Nibbit suggests and I tap my chin at the thought.
“Ehhh, your probably right about that I guess. They are very different, almost opposites in a way. My father quite a large man, a glutton, and very loud and outspoken person. While my mother on the other hand is petite, talks little and rarely eats however is way scarier then my father, even when angry.”
“And why is that?”
I chuckle nervously and look away from Nibbit. “Unlike my father who will usually kill the person who angered him out right, and you know it’s coming. My mother will always have a calm and collected face, when you fail or succeed. She just smiles sweetly and thanks the person in question…” I shiver remembering poor ass Jonathan.
Nibbit looks at me confused at me when I turn back to him. I shake my head and continue again. “The main thing is that you don’t know when she will exact her payback or when she is actually angry with you. The victim always is paranoid about when she will come and when she does…” I gulp remembering the screams throughout the night.
I give Nibbit a strained smile. “Let’s just say It’s better that the person never lived. Anyways, I think the magma has cooled off by now.” I stand up and brush myself off anything that could’ve gone on me.
Nibbit nods and does as well. We go to the now cooled and hardened magma pool, or at least the top of it is for our knowledge. Hopefully it will be able to hold our weight.
The hardened magma looks smooth to the touch, a dark obsidian colour. Which I guess it possible is due to the circumstances. It tooks sturdy enough and I test it out by putting some pressure on it with my left leg. It didn’t budge so I walk onto it and feel it slightly crack and cave in, like on ice. Nothing bad enough for me to fall in or magma to come out but slightly concerning.
Looking back at Nibbit I see him slightly shaking, his skin slightly pale and face twitching while looking at the Obsidian. I gesture to him, he gulps and nods while coming to me.
We crossed. Thankfully nothing bad happened.
We continue into our descent of the Dungeon, hardly talking after that, paying more attention to any sounds or suspicious objects such as oddly shaped holes in the walls. Such as those that like to shoot out or stab people with arrows.
The dungeon is quite boring besides the occasional trap we trigger or a skeletal corpse we see. However they actually aren’t reanimated, and also have some pretty nice armour! They are engraved with symbols, most likely an alphabet as the symbols are put into sentence structures. They also had symbols of a sword with wings on the breastplate with a circle around it.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
Only sad thing however is that I couldn’t peel it off of the skeletons… Not only did they not want to budge like their glued to the bones, it also burns my fingers once I touch it, like it’s searing hot. But when Nibbit touched it, it didn’t hurt him so It might have to deal with me being a ‘Demon’, which might also explain why they weren’t reanimated.
When I asked Nibbit about it, he suggested that they are probably Clerics and Paladins, as apparently their armour is bestowed with an enchantment to prevent their corpses being turned into that which they fight, if they shall fall in battle. Also burn any demon that wants some good lootz.
I’m also tempted to try to raise them but that would be pretty arrogant of myself to be able to do it, even if I am the ‘Demon Lord’, I am a novice in necromancy and I am also quite afraid of potential backlash if there is such a thing if I casted on the corpse. Even worst, get smited by a Good Aligned God/Goddess, and worst, their God or Goddess.
Better to be safe than sorry, am I right. I know I am. Except when I’m wrong, then I blame the voices in my head.
The way soon turns from natural rock to stone bricks and torches lit with ghastly blue flames. The flames curling and licking the air, looking starved, giving off a aura of hunger. I swear I something in the fire or the fire itself smile when I was looking at it…
I’ve been in here to long for my liking.
Minutes of continuing we soon reach a stairwell flanked by two suits of armour, each holding a long sword with a wicked edge and a tower shield in the other hand. The traditional blue fires within the helmets visor showcase that they either possessed armour or an undead wearing the suit.
Groan escapes my throat as I gesture to Nibbit to get somewhere safe as I start to twirl my Scythe in preparation. The two suits don’t stand idly as they make creaking and clanking sounds when they move, edging towards me with a defensive position, shield out and sword pointed.
My mouth warps into a feral grin as they try to circle me. Even If I had my eyes closed I could still be able to tell their position due to the loud noise they make when moving with that suit, probably not taken care of in centuries!
I make two rapid slashes back to back on the one to my right before they get into optimum position for themselves. My slashes skid right off of the “Dread Knight's” shield, earning me a guttural growl before it comes in for a stab with it’s sword.
Thankfully due to my agility and dexterity stats, and their undead nature and rusty joints, I was able to easily dodge to the side, while the other also tried to slash at me. A quick dodge roll towards the stairs got me a few breaths of reprieve before they can attack me again.
Their growls echoing throughout the tunnel, the crunching sound of their gauntlets tightening and their ‘eyes’ growing brighter means they aren’t that happy I dodged. Life isn’t fair, nor is unlife.
No matter how much fun it would be to test myself against something that can actually block my slashes and not get instantly cut in half, I am pretty partial to not getting hurt. So they will have to just forgive me with what I am about to do.
With a flick of my wrists 12 Greater Hellfire Bolts from around my shoulders and head. Their heat a comfortable one, like having your hands near a calm campfire. Their black coloured flames however are not as inviting looking and not at all friendly as the two dread knights take a step back when their formed.
Mad chuckling escaped my lips when I watched the bolts spin and then shoot right through the poor bastards. 6 Bolts per Dread Knight, I was really hoping to have a good luck at their body being full of the spear sized Bolts but sadly (or not), the hellfire just consumed them as if they never existed.
The only thing that would make me not want try that out on them would be the horrifying wail they generated when the Hellfire consumed them… It was blood curdling, filled with pain and despair.
I wonder if I just sent their souls to hell? Just see two black flamed covered hands come out of the ground and drag them into the ground would be also a good indicator but I would honestly not want to see that.
Doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things though, I got better shit to worry about then wondering if I just sent two souls to hell. That came out worse than I wanted.
Congratulations!
You have slain 2 Lesser (Elite) Skeletal Knights [Lv 150]
Eyyy every little bit helps to contribute, please come again! That actually reminds me, I need to ask if Nibbit gets any Exp from me killing these or if he’s to far away or other restrictions. Just have it like some video games where you allow your party member give one weak attack in and they get a portion of the exp, and just catapult in levels.
“Oi, Nibbit, I got a question for you!” I hollar and wave at nibbit to get over to me after I see him come back into my view. I see him look at the two scorched marks and flinch before he comes directly to me.
“What is it you are wondering Sire?” He raises his eyebrow, and his nose twitches.
Stroking my chin I ask him, “You aren’t getting any of the exp from these kills are you Nibbit?”
The frown he gives me is a good indicator of what he’s going to say. “Your asking this now Sire? No sire, I am not getting any of the Exp from the kill, as I have done nothing that has warranted me helping kill anything in here, or the Shadow Wolves in the past.”
“Ahh… I see, so It is like pokemon…” Turning away and murmuring to myself when I hear that. “So if I were to give you a rock and let you hit one of the Undead in here and I killed it afterwards, you would get Exp?”
The look I get from him is enough of an indicator that is not how it works. He actually looks disappointed in me. Ouch…
Snorting and crossing my arms and turning away from Nibbit I ask him, letting a bit of fake irritation into my voice. “Oh, so what would you have to do specifically to get some Exp from the kill then?”
“I-I-I would have to cast a spell that have disturbed the Undead such as C-casting [Nature’s Grasp] which would prevent the Undead from moving, or cast [Root Spear] which would at least annory or distract it for you to finish the job!” His voice slightly high pitched, worried I’m angry at him, most likely.
Without turning around, I gesture to the stairwell as I start my descent further into this cold unfeeling beast that is a dungeon. Our only current companions the sound of cackling flames of torches, and the sound our footsteps smacking on the chilled ground.
Once we finally reached the bottom of the staircase which took surprisingly long. I dread having to going back up… Anyways we must continue forwards, it has taken long enough, we must finish this n- Oh thats a big door.
A finely stone carved double doors meet me at the end of the short hall. Reaching the top of the ceiling which is double my height, and I’m a tall dude, being around 6’6 ft tall, without these boots on.
Looking back at Nibbit his face solemn while looking at the doors. Eyes locked right on it, face unmoving. I don’t know if I should be scared to what is to come or just throw caution out the window and throw like five Hellfire Grenades in there.
In a way that is being cautious considering I’m going to fucking annihilate anything that is within that room. I wonder if the explosion of them would stack, creating a larger one? Food for thought within another time.
“Come on, let’s show the Dungeon Lord who’s the boss around here!” I guffaw as I put my hands on the hips, trying to impose the image of ‘I LAUGH IN THE FACE OF DANGER!’, hopefully Nibbit took it that way.
“ Yes! For the Glory of the Verum peccatum!” Nibbit roars out, the last two words somehow invigorating me like I was just pumped full of adrenaline!
With that shout I charged towards the doors shoulder charging them and watching it them fly off, soaring into the next room and revealing the denizens within.
The room being built with the image of a Omega symbol, the ceiling being kept up by Greek columns, being built from black and white stone, doing a dance symbolizing life and death. The centerpiece of the room presents a throne of granite occupied by a robed skeleton.
Magical runes orbiting around it’s robe scream their presence to all who see them, chills go up my spine witnessing them. They mean nothing to me, but to those who know what they truly mean would not be as calm as I am right now. The purple flames within the pearl white skull shows it is not like the other Undead I have met in this area.
Tearing my eyes from the Elite Skeleton Mage, I notice the two Skeleton Mages I saw earlier who I tested my Grenade on. They don’t seem happy I’m here, but it’s not like I really care, I wasn’t asked to be locked in here with them. This reminds me of a quote, “I’m not locked in here with you. Your locked in here with me!”
What were their names again… Byro and Drekon, I think? Doesn’t really matter as I won’t remember their names as the world won’t even recognize their existence after what I do with them.
They begin to enter stances, one foot forward and arm outstretched towards me. The one with the deeper voice, Drekon shouts, “We will remove this filth from your sanctum Father!”
“It will be a trivial matter father!” Bryo states extending his arm towards me as well, generating a ball of darkness. It’s inky black form generating a sense of unease within me.
The high I got before entering into this room stays strong, showing up on my face as I smile viciously and without fear. My scythe ready to reap what is hasn’t sowed, the delicious experience that will only allow me to further get power to protect.
“Enough! Stand down you two, I will not watch my two children die for my idiotic mistakes!” The ancient voice of the Skeleton on the throne booms out. It’s hand smashes against the armrest, cracking it.
The two mages falter at the command looking back at their ‘Father’. Clearly irritated and frustration clear within their voices.
“We won’t just watch idly as that thing comes and destroy you!”
“Like hell, I would rather suffer another millennium within this horrid place, just sit back and let us do the work, Let us prove we were not a waste of your time to teach and save Father!”
“You Will back down you morons!” The skeleton roars out, the torches flickering at the shout and the mages instantly cancelling their spells and flinching. The look of a scolded child is a perfect description of them.
They back off, but glare towards me, hatred wafting off of them. If they had a skill to hurt someone with hatred, I would probably be dead right now. Nevertheless, I am still standing.
My eyes meet the Skeleton’s purple flames within it’s eye sockets. My grip upon my Scythe tightens as I feel a spike of danger from it. It feel as it would be greater if it wasn’t for the tired looking posture it was in. it also looks…. Defeated?
“So… Are we going to do an old fashioned one v one, Mr..?” I ask the Skeleton. The feeling of hatred coming off of the mages increase which I ignore, but the Skeleton gives off a deep sigh.
It waves it’s head as a dismissive gesture. “There is no need for such a thing, Demon. My time has come it seems, and there is no reason for my name to be uttered. I only have one wish before you send me to the void.” It’s voice filled with melancholy and acceptance.
Uhm…Well this is interesting. What would he want to wish for? “And what would that wish be then?” I ask.
The Skeleton relaxes within it’s throne, a small smile somehow forms on it’s skull. “My only wish is for you to leave my two sons, out of this. As long as you promise that, I will gladly accept my death at your hands. I just do not wish for them to join me, after wasting their lives and potential for me.”
The two mages start to shout out in distress but the skeleton just waves his fist to silence them. “What is your answer, Demon? Please do not keep me in suspense…” It groans tiredly.
I nod my head, smile gone. “I will agree to your final wish. However I have a question for you then.” It’s head cocks to his side. “Why do you trap me and my companion in here if you were to do this?”
It expels a Self-loathing chuckle. “Idiotic mistakes and desperate choices made me believe it would be best to trap you in here with me. Do you know how Lich’s are made Demon? I was once a Archmage of Necromancy, and I was buying a soul gem to use as my phylactery, however…” It sighs, opening it’s robe, revealing a glowing fist sized purple orb. “I bought a dormant Dungeon Core instead…”
Oh… I don’t like where this is going…
“Me and my apprentices,” It gestures to the two mages. “Commenced the ritual to bring me to Lichdom, sadly without knowing it was a Dungeon Core, my soul was savaged attacked by it’s will. Long story short… It badly damaged my soul, leaving it cracked and ‘bleeding’.”
My eyebrows furrowed and I frowned. “What do you mean by, your soul was bleeding?” I asked, which he sighed. “The soul just like the body can bleed. The body loses blood and the Soul slowly dwindles in size, losing soul force.”
It slowly gets up, walking over to me just as slowly. “With my soul damaged and the ritual being disrupted I was dropped to the rank of a Lesser Lich instead a full Lich. Not only did that drop weaken me, but the attack of the soul greatly hampers my magical casting abilities as well as Mana, being used as a Soul Force substitute to increase the time to stay alive”
My eyes lit up hearing that. “Is that the reason why there wasn’t a lot of traps or undead roaming the halls, or this place being larger?” My question makes him flinch as it seems to hit the mark.
“Yes, that is the reason. Every spell I cast it brought me closer to true death. There was plenty of ideas to try to help me, such as attacking villages to gather souls to help repair my soul, but that would easily get me eradicated as I was being hunted around the time. You probably saw some of their corpses within Dungeon, have you not?” It stops five feet away from me, not moving any closer.
I nod my head in agreement and he continues. “My moronic, but eternally loyal and loving sons, decided to join me in undeath, earlier then I wished. Deciding to join me by allowing me to raise them as Skeletal mages instead of waiting to become Lichs. Since then… We have been in this cave, turning it into a Dungeon and Hibernating until something, or someone unknowingly enters.” It takes a deep breath and kneels down to me, showing his neck to me. “Please take the offering of my life, to allow my children to live… They do not deserve to die with me after what I have done to them…” It… He croaks out.
Looking over towards the two mages who are shaking. The fear of me ending their father right here and now a possible reality that may unfold any second now. Them being allowed to do nothing to help save him due to this being his wish to save them. A Life for a life. Or two in this case.
A series of unfortunate events for them. This may be karma coming to get him. As he did say he was willing to go kill a village to get souls to heal him as well as him being wanted. But has he done enough for me to warrant to kill him off right now. He may have tried to kill me and Nibbit but the worst they achieved was stabbing my foot with a trap...
I did after all enter their territory as well. Which in some cases would be considered an act of war… Why am I thinking of this? Why not cut him down and reap the benefits, a nice and easy kill...There is probably a better way then just ending him… His sons will not be happy ending him and will probably act on revenge either now or in the future if they grow in strength…
To kill them right after their father, prevent any threat of a future attack. But live with myself of breaking a promise… We broke promises all the time. But a dying man, err… Lich’s wish. Aughhhh! Fuck!
I grimace and scratch the back of my head as it starts to feel prickly from the stress. I am putting to much thought into this. Just decide already!
Oh. I got an idea… Will it work is the question? Eyy, worst comes to worst I bring up his hopes of surviving just to rip it apart. Lets see.
“I have another option for you.” I grin at him. He twitches at the sound of voice but I continue. “There is a chance that for repentance you may swear fealty to me. As I am a Descendant of the Ancient Demon Lords afterall!” Laughter erupts from me, echoing through the room.
The mages and Lich look at me clearly shocked at this revelation. Reason being their heads snapping to me ridiculously fast as well as the fire in their eye sockets grow three sizes. Quite comical looking in my opinion.
“I, Erilan Osso pledge my undying fealty to you if you give mercy to my children!” The lich shouts before banging his head into the ground in a kowtow, making a large crunching noise and leaving behind a large depression the floor.
Right after that I see the two mages also doing kowtows now and shouting at me. “We beg for you to allow our fealty to you, so we may serve you with our father!” Their shouts both being in perfect sync.
I see no reaction to Erilan when his sons, declare their… Average attempt at fealty. He stays undisturbed in his kowtow so I look over to Nibbit to gauge his reaction. I almost not even surprised by his reaction.
He has the most smug face I have seen. So smug that it feels like he is giving off an aura that is just saying ‘Took you long enough to see how great Sire is?’ Or something along those lines. I feel sort of weirded out by how highly he thinks of me sometimes.
I put away my Scythe and walk over to him. My footsteps slow and cautious. Each sending out a echo into the room. Once I reach him, I place my hand on his shoulder, feeling a slight tremor coming off of him and a hint of chill reaching into my fingers. I shouldn’t be surprised a Lich would be cold to the touch…
Also thankfully those floating runic writings did not react to me. Or if they can at all for that matter.
Unconsciously a smile blooms on my face as I gain new followers. “I accept your vow of fealty, as well as your children. May you and them grow powerful, wise and live happy lives while under me.”
When I finish my sentence a soft glow appears upon their foreheads as they rise their heads. After a few seconds the glow recides and what is left behind is my symbol on their forehead.
Congratulations!
You have gained three more followers! Keep up the great work and maybe one day you will conquer the world with your loyal minions!
So it does work for undead as well, huh? I wonder if will work for the good races as well… Consider they were once humans. But it could also not work as they have ‘Forsaken’ their humanity. Further thought of this can be for later.
Erlin bows his head to me once more. “Th-thank you for accepting, Master. I promise you will not regret giving us mercy. I will do everything in my power to help you grow in strength and power”
Waving my head I chuckle at his response. “It is no problem, I’m quite happy that I did not have to end this in violence..” Still good lose of delicious Exp but that's nothing to worry about… “And let me introduce myself… My name is Zxel Alvanchia, a pleasure to meet you Erilan”
He nods his head and stands while his sons slowly come over to me and bow. “Drekon Osso, I am sorry for how me and my brother here have treated you… I just didn’t want to lose what I have left.” Drekon says slightly shaking which his brother Bryo puts his hand on his shoulder.
“Byro Osso, sorry about everything as well” Byro chuckles nervously. “You understand why we would be so aggressive against someone wishing to kill your only two loved ones left, right?”
I nod my head a few times sagely with my eyes closed. “I completely understand, don’t worry about it. Fear and anger can make people do some stuff they wouldn’t normally do.”
With that said, they both blew sighs of relief and Erilan mutters a thank you under his breath.
I start walking out with my hands linked together behind my back. Nibbit quickly follows with his smug look still plastered on. “Let us hurry and get out of here. I think I have been away from home for to long now.” I declare to them.
“Right away Master!”
“Your the Boss!”
“We can finally leave!? Oh right, right away Boss!”
The walk back to the entrance was not the most exciting. We just found out about how Byro and Drekon were adopted by Erilan when they were five years old after their mother and father died from a Biomancer who created a disease. Apparently the disease was horrific and was this world’s ‘Black Death’ equivalent to ours.
It’s almost funny that the world dislikes Biomancy more then the use of necromancy. While Biomancy can be used to help heal people and make them stronger, it can also mess with life in many ways. Creating new life forms, manipulating them and rewriting peoples brains.
With a Necromancer you can assume they will just be killing people and raising them, doesn’t really change in how they work. Master Biomancer can have many avenues to cause death and destruction while also keeping safe and growing in power.
Erlian has been quite animated (No pun intended) within the conversation, explaining everything with details. I believe this might be due to enjoy spreading information, which could explain why he adopted his two sons, or he is just excited to leave.
Byro and Drekon seem to not harbour anger to me anymore, joking around with each other, not having a care in the world. I would think they would be still angry at me about the grenade, but nothing. Maybe it has to do with the brand. Causing them to not be aggressive, but that wouldn’t make sense with Mibbit who is just a little shit.
Nibbit is however very close to me, physically speaking as he hasn’t left my side since our trek to the exit. He has also been quiet seemingly in thought. His brows are furrowed and has a frown on his face, the one you get when your thinking hard about something.
I wonder what it is. Fortunately, or unfortunately I do not have an ability to read people's minds. It is probably for the best that I never get that power, even though it can be very useful, I might see what I didn’t want to see, for better or worse.
Erlin also talked about how he can be useful back at the village. Being able to activate his dungeon domain there, so he can build walls and buildings amongst other things, which will help greatly! He could make enchantments and summon minions to help guard and protect it, this will immensely help out! All we need to do is stay within his domain to give a percentage of our mana regen to him, so he can that.
I don’t think many of the goblins are using their mana anyways, and few hundred of goblins can probably easily give him quite a bit of mana to play around with. Not including me or Nibbit who will be able to boost it higher.
I wonder what they will think of the Shrine I have. Hm…
“We are almost out, Master.” Erlin says, kicking me out of my thoughts. His tone light and free. The skeleton grin on his face filled with hope. I don’t know how I see it, but it’s there.
I nod my head and breath out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “You three are not forgetting anything are you? It would be a pain to come back here, if we can just grab everything we need right now.”
Byro is the one answer me, his fingers curling and uncurling repeatedly as he speaks, something I believe to be a nervous tic. “We never really had anything to begin with, so there wasn’t much stuff to pack up, Boss.”
My gaze lingers on him for a few seconds before his brother awkwardly coughs and states. “He means we got everything, Boss.”
I chuckled, causing the two brothers to flinch which I ignored as I continued moving towards the exit. My nose picking up different scents signalling we are getting closer, less damp and decayed flesh and more earthy plant smell. There was also the fresh air, but that was secondary stimuli…
The entrance comes in sight, and shortly after we cross and I meet this message.
Congratulations!
Not only have you survived and escaped the dungeon, you have recruited the Boss/Dungeon Master into your fold! Due to this momentous achievement, you will get bonuses! (Note: Any Dungeons it makes will not be able to be conquered for rewards)
1. For clearing a Lv 100-125 Dungeon and being severely underleveled, you will gain 10 levels!
2. For clearing a Sentient Dungeon and being severely underleveled you will gain 10 Levels!
3. For clearing the dungeon with one almost severely low leveled person, you both will gain 5 levels and [Champion] Buff for a week!
4. For defeating/Surviving a Sentient Dungeon you gain the title [Hardcore Explorer]
5. For defeating/Surviving a Sentient Dungeon while severely underleveled your title [Hardcore Explorer] is upgraded to [Suicidal Explorer]
6. For branding the Boss/Dungeon Master you now gain Dungeon Master sight while within any Dungeon the Dungeon Master makes.
7. For branding a Lesser Lich Boss/Dungeon Master you gain knowledge of Necromancy spells of your rank and one above! (Note: This will not increase your rank!)
8. For doing the Impossible from all above, you are given the choice from three items for loot. Choose Wisely.
A. Demonic Grimoire of Sin
B. Ring of Eternal Corruption
C. Gauntlet of Foul Domain
Necromancy [Wizard Rank]
Raise Undead: [Active] Raise undead if their is any suitable corpses nearby. Allows creation of Undead Castors such as Skeleton Mages and Rot Knights. [100 Mana per Undead raised]
Create Lieutenant: [Active] Allows the option to gift One undead under your control sentience and intelligence, allowing them control and help you manage the strain of controlling more Undead then you should be able to. [1000 Mana]
Life Leech: [Semi-Passive] Able to siphon the life force out of the living, repairing any damage to your body as you wreck havoc upon theirs. Any creature killed by this will turn into a Zombie under your control.
Necromancy [Warlock Rank]
Raise Greater Undead: Allows the creation of Greater Undead if there's any suitable corpses nearby. Allows for the creation of Higher tier undead such as Lesser Vampires and Dullahans. [1,000 Mana Per Undead Raised]
Command Undead: [Semi-Passive] Enforce your will on Undead not under your control, commanding them to do as you wish or to potentially be subject to your new rule. Stronger willed Undead will resist while mindless will crumble without resistance.
Damned Contubernium: [Semi-Passive] Upgrades all Raise Undead spells to be able to raise multiple corpses at a time, but tripling the cost for each undead raised this way, to a maximum of Eight (8). Also allows the ability to summon Eight Elite Armoured Undead from the earth to serve you. This can only be used once a day. [5,000 Mana]
Aura of Undeath: [Semi-Passive] Able to exclude an Aura of Undeath, draining the lifeforce of living creatures nearby, debuffing and dealing DOT. All friendly undead will be buffed and regenerate damage over time while nearby the Castor.
Necromancy [Sorcerer Rank]
Animate Lesser Undead: [Active] Animate lesser Undead if there's any suitable corpses nearby. Allows for even higher tiered undead to be animated such as Lesser Lich’s and Ghast Drakes. [5,000 Mana Per Raised Undead]
Create General: [Semi-Passive] Allows the option to bestow an Undead under you sentience, greater intelligence and strength then a Lieutenant. A General is able to rule over Five (5) Lieutenants under you, and if you wish to be able to create their own as long as you are not at the new cap of Five (5) and have your permission. [15,000 Mana]
Damned Centauri: [Semi-Passive] Upgrades all Animate Undead spells to be able to raise multiple corpses at a time, but tripling the cost for each undead raised this way, to a maximum of Eighty (80) [New max cap for Raise as well.] Allows you to summon Eighty (80) Elite Heavily Armoured Undead from the earth to serve you. Can only use this once a week. [30,000 Mana]
Holy shit… Holy shit!
I got 25 fucking levels!? Hahahahaha! Freaking perfect! That’s just what i need with some of these ridiculous mana costs. 30,000 freaking mana!? I shouldn’t be complaining though since I get fucking eighty Elites~! And it says nothing about them disappearing or needing corpses.
All these goodies… Not including the option for an item which all seem to be very ominous. A Grimoire of Sin, Ring of Eternal Corruption and a Gauntlet of Foul Domain. Are any of these good for my health? Not like any of the other shit I know, seen or done recently isn’t…
The grimoire probably has spells, which I have quite a bit of them. A lot which I haven’t even used, but more options for conflicts are always good. The gauntlet sounds more tyrannical, acting like a commander or boss, buffing those under my or perhaps like a cleric from DnD, giving spells from a Domain. The ring… I have no clue what it does and I get a bad feeling that it would be a horrible idea to pick it.
Hmmm… What to pick… If the gauntlet does buff up those following me it would be very beneficial considering all the spells I just got about having a shit ton of undead minions as well as the future of having more followers if I am to go by that I’m a bloody demon lord!
However if it is just spells in the Foul Domain it will be less beneficial than a grimoire which will have more spells. Which is better, a few spells or more spells? My decision is made.
I wish for the Demonic Grimoire of Sin!
Congratulations!
You have decided on the Demonic Grimoire of Sin! An ancient artifact lost ages ago when the Demon Lords used to walk and rule on this world. This Grimoire was given to the Demon Lord’s Champion and advisor, as it gives spells and passives to those who wield it.
These spells and passives are usually specifically racial abilities for the seven different Demons but while holding this book, you gain their racial spells and passives. There is also the secondary effect of being able to find any Demon within it’s pages, knowing how to summon them, bind them to your will, weaknesses, ect…
The book is always expanding due to demons always being borned/formed. For more information, ask the Grimoire as it is Sentient and can telepathically communicate with it’s holder.
A thick hardcover book forms within my grasp when the text box appears in front of me. It’s finely engraved images, showing sneaky weak imps to imposing Pit Lords. Tears of the material are small but noticeable, from wear and tear. But the most interesting thing about the grimoire is that it is wrapped in black as night chains that shine lightly with purple runes.
Lets see whats inside… And it won’t open… There is chains surrounding it but they wouldn’t just give me an item for it to be not able to work right?
They probably did. Shit.
And it probably is sealed, and it won’t speak to me. Right you piece of literacy bovine excrement? I would probably gain more use out of you by burning you at a campfire for warmth.
…
No response. For the love of god, I should've guessed this would happen… Sigh…
Well into the inventory you go. It was nice while it lasted. The hope of getting something very nice.
I’m not spoiled nor greedy… Shut up brain. I just need more advantages to survive in this world. I have gone through some horrible encounters so far!
All of which I was easily able to end… Heh… Am I actually in any real danger? No no, let's not get into this mindset, danger is ever looming, you can not ever put your guard down… You remember what happened last time…
I turn towards my comrades to see them curiously looking at me and where the Grimoire once was in my hands. The frown on my face probably made them look away, shortly after I catched them.
Hmph… Well onto the Necromantic spoils. Which seems to me be focusing mainly on large scale warfare… Not a bad thing to have plenty of guards for the village though, and they don’t need to eat! I think anyways… I’ll have to ask Erlin when I start creating more undead.
This has been to dangerous for my liking even though ‘the fruits of victory are tumbling into my mouth to quickly’. I think it would be best to consolidate the defenses of the village and some general better life improvements for them. Expeccially food source/income, how are they even able to feed all of them? Like jeez.... There's hundreds of the buggers, do they have a giant grove of mushrooms or something?
A lot of great things will be coming to the village soon! Ahh it feels so good to be stronger, not only for me but also for them. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I didn’t meet them… Just have to work harder!
Now let’s distribute the new stats. I wonder what would happen if I just dumped them all in something like luck or charm… Heheheh… Let’s not for safety reasons though, even if it would be a good meme.
Name
Zxel Alvanchia
Level
28
Race
Demon Lord [Human Sub-Race]
Gender/Sex
Male
Class
Demon Lord
Subclass
None
Titles
[“The Idiot who skipped the Tutorial”]
[Champion of the Prince of Chaos]
[Suicidal Solo Slayer]
[Boss of Twilight Forest]
[Suicidal Explorer]
Magical Affinities
Entomancy, Nightmare, Biomancy, Hellfire, Necromancy, Bloodmancy
Strength
40 (30) [210]
Endurance
20 (25) [135]
Agility
55 (10) [195]
Dexterity
35 (35) [210]
Intelligence
40 (20) [180]
Wisdom
40 (20) [180]
Charm
5 (15) [60]
Luck
5 (5) [25]
Experience Points
0 / 930,000
Stat points
375
Magical Rank
Warlock
Alignment
Chaotic [NA] [NA]
Thats a shit ton of points! Uhm… This might be more difficult then I thought… What do I want to build into? Survivability is great, amazing thing to have, as there is no second chances in life. But I already seem to be pretty strong in the physical department, but that could be attributed to my weapon and not just my stats.
Going balance would be a safe bet but is always not the best optimized, but how can you optimize if you don’t know what your optimizing for? Doesn’t help that I won’t be getting any more levels soon, or anywhere this large at once, unless I do more dungeons…
Ughh. I’ll go balanced but leaning towards Intelligence and Wisdom, seems to be a wiser choice with staying in the backline and just sending out the undead to do the main work for me, with the new spells and all. Plus I will have some of the physical stats still up so I can dodge and take a beating.
And now my Intelligence and wisdom is over double what it used to be… May god have mercy on the poor souls who meet my grenades… It should also help me with the costs of Biomancy, maybe I should try it out...
Name
Zxel Alvanchia
Level
28
Race
Demon Lord [Human Sub-Race]
Gender/Sex
Male
Class
Demon Lord
Subclass
None
Titles
[“The Idiot who skipped the Tutorial”]
[Champion of the Prince of Chaos]
[Suicidal Solo Slayer]
[Boss of Twilight Forest]
[Suicidal Explorer]
Magical Affinities
Entomancy, Nightmare, Biomancy, Hellfire, Necromancy, Bloodmancy
Strength
70 (30) [300]
Endurance
45 (25) [210]
Agility
80 (10) [270]
Dexterity
60 (35) [285]
Intelligence
140 (20) [480]
Wisdom
140 (20) [480]
Charm
40 (15) [165]
Luck
40 (5) [135]
Experience Points
0 / 930,000
Stat points
0
Magical Rank
Warlock
Alignment
Chaotic [NA] [NA]
Now, all there is left to do is-
Notification!
Your summon Rotty has been defeated! Sliced and slashed to death by Level 29 Arthur King! Reap vengeance on the ignorant fool for taking your summon’s unlife!
Warning!
Your town [Gobopolis] is under attack by the town [Principium]! Now as we speak, they are raiding and killing everything within it’s domain! Such an unprovoked attack should not go unanswered, show them the true might and devastation of the Demon Lord’s of old!!!
My heart stops and my whole body freezes for a second before I start sprinting to the village.