Chapter Ten: Mini-Boss
If there was anything I had learned from my time as a nerd reading fantasy books it was that the problem with delicate magic rituals is that once you know the mechanics they can be quite easy to disrupt. Often ending with horrible if not fatal consequences as a result. My plan was a good one. Interrupt the ritual with my blood. If their more powerful rituals required pure blood, then my fel-human blood was the perfect ingredient to sow chaos.
However, I wanted to ensure that when shit hit the fan it was on the scale of an elephant's turd on the propeller of a fan boat scale of shit hitting the fan. Which is where the dice came in. My magical math rocks had different effects based on user intent, and my biggest intent was detonating the room. There was no way I could take Versyok in a fair fight, but if I caused a lot of damage first I should have a chance. With him standing closer to the point of origin for the ritual I had been hoping he would take the brunt of the damage.
I had underestimated the potency of my satchel. The chamber glowed with a radiant light, and electric bolts flew around the room hitting me forcing me to spasm in pain. The torches in the room erupted, spewing fire everywhere. the floor shook, and parts of the ceiling caved in crashing down around us. A whining sound filled the air and the sarcophagus started to rattle before a wave of force blew out sending both Versyok and me flying.
I crashed into the wall behind me hard enough to hear a crunching sound inside my chest before dropping to the ground. Abyssal Ruination fell from my grasp as I did so. The sudden loss of attributes it was blessing me with from the baker's dozen watchmen I had killed made me feel surprisingly frail. That hurt, I thought as I coughed out a significant amount of blood. Looking at my health I sighed in relief to see that I still had 55% remaining. Through my connection to my deathsworn I knew that the worst of my damage had been dispersed amongst them which made me very grateful to my allies. Picking up Abyssal Ruination I felt the now familiar electric buzz pass between us, and my body immediately felt better. Everything was in pain, but as I looked over at the large man on the ground across from me I was just glad that he looked to be in worse shape than me.
Versyok’s skin was bloody and burned, his left arm was out beside him bent at an unnatural angle, obviously broken. At least I managed to do some damage. Hopefully, it gives me the chance I need. I began shuffling over to him. I didn’t want to waste the opportunity to finish him off while I had the chance, but my broken body seemed intent on delaying my advances. I shuffled slowly as every muscle was stiff and sore, my broken ribs forcing me to take short breaths, but even then pain flared through my chest.
“Oh hell no!” I cried as I got close enough to see that his injuries were slowly starting to recover. Without waiting I mentally latched my death mark on him, infusing it with more mana to hopefully add the blighting effect from my new skill, but Versyok resisted. I figured that with his level that would happen, but I was glad I at least made the attempt. Drawing near to him I prepared myself to attack as the now familiar shroud of darkness enveloped the air around me, the dark tendrils forming out of the shadows and drifting hungrily towards my opponent.
Just as I readied my scythe for the attack he moaned and opened his eyes. I didn’t even have time to register his movements as his skin began glowing with a faint white light before he used a bare arm to block the blade of my scythe and then moving with inhuman speed launched his other fist into my chest hard enough to crack another rib. I buckled over in another coughing fit as my health both rose from my blow and fell from his attack.
The other thing that was quite unfortunate was that the light that seemed to suddenly radiate from his skin was burning away my aura of shadows, tendrils, and all. Damn, they wouldn’t help me in this fight. As I reeled from Versyok’s blow he cried out in pain and clutched his own chest. I gritted through the pain and swung Abyssal Ruination once more. The scythe sang in my hands and filled me with the understanding that my attack was perfectly performed, but as I aimed to decapitate my target I was unable to. My weapon’s momentum ceased at his spine. I yanked out my blade to prepare another strike, but he rose and threw another fist in my direction.
This time his attack was weak and sloppy, but it still managed to hit hard enough to push me back. Once more he wailed in pain as he did so, and then I realized what was happening. The retribution damage from my title was working. Which could only mean that this place was no longer consecrated ground. I smiled at this knowledge since it meant my chance for victory had just gone up, but I couldn’t capitalize on the information just yet. I struck one more time, this time I aimed at his broken arm.
Abyssal Ruination didn’t take the arm, but Versyok’s scream of pain was satisfying to my ears. It faded quickly as his scream of pain turned to one of rage and the faint glow his skin had been emitting brightened. His body started to mend itself at an increased rate.
At least my attacks had the desired effect. All of the other targets I had fought had died before my blight could take effect. Now I could see as the skin around the wounds I inflicted turned red and then black even as the wounds themselves started to heal. I quickly retreated as he rose to his feet, his anger almost palpable. I was grateful that now that he was truly infected with my blight and sustaining constant damage my health was beginning to tick up. Checking it I could see that I had 64% health just as the quest timer ticked down past thirteen minutes.
“That was impressive. Truly, I did not expect that from someone as weak as you. I don’t know what defenses you have to force me to sustain damage when I attack you, but I am willing to bet I can easily outlast you. It’s time to die.” Versyok bellowed before lunging towards me. Without a thought, I activated my spectral form. It was much easier to do this time now that I know what being a ghost felt like, but to my surprise his body connected with mine once again pulling me out of my spectral form, and with a roar he threw me to the ground, knocking the wind out of me. The attack hurt and I sustained some damage, but it could have been worse.
“I am a holy man of god. Do you honestly think trying to turn into a phantom could prevent me from bringing you closer to your destiny?” He asked, laughing.
“A man can dream,” I replied weakly as I wheezed. So his skin itself has holy power infused with it. Going ghost won’t help me here. However, even with the disadvantages numbers can still be on my side. I reached out telepathically and assuring that all of my deathsworn had been bonded I dismissed them.
“Don’t jest. We both know you are no man.” Versyok scoffed. “You are a pest, and you are about to die like one.”
“Says the guy who watched as all of his people butchered themselves. At least I still have an army to take you down.”
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“Ha, night has not yet fallen. The damned are not here to save you from your fate.”
“I never said I was talking about the Threlnistari,” I answered him with a wicked smile and began forming the images in my mind.
“Oh? Then what army do you speak of?” Versyok asked condescendingly. I didn’t bother responding as I waved my hands. At level 5 I now had the ability to summon 15 deathsworn. Which meant a pretty steep mana cost. It meant with the inclusion of the minions I had bonded I could summon 12 to assist me without consuming the entirety of my reserves. I did not want to wake up with another mana depletion hangover. His eyes widened in alarm as all around us undead creatures stepped out of the shadows and circled him. I had my six animal friends from before, but I felt like I needed something with more power and versatility to deal with the powerful man.
A large gorilla appeared that I named Zanchak after two of the apes in the Disney Tarzan movie. A panther stepped out of the shadows. It was smaller than Mane, but still imposing and I named it Baggy thinking of another Disney movie. With a smirk a giant snake slithered out of the darkness, with a little bit of irony I named it Eve. At that point, I felt like my menagerie was temporarily satisfied and the last three minions I summoned were large humanoid undead abominations.
One had a bone shield protruding from both of his forearms that I named Aegis, one had retractable bone spikes in his wrists that made me think of the Mortal Kombat dude with the swords on his arms. Barakka-Pool? No, that's the monstrosity of a bad decision they subjected Ryan Reynolds to in that Wolverine movie. I’ll Just call him Raki. The third was large, but slender with long sickle-like fingers that looked like they could cut apart a bank vault in a few swings. It took some effort but I named it Theri after the dinosaur with long-bladed claw hands.
“I think my friends beat your friends,” I said simply and sent out the command to attack. Forcing Talon, Nuts, and Bandit to stay out of the fray. The scene that played out before me was like watching Animal Planet. Versyok was faster than all of them individually, but not as fast as all of them together. Eve slithered around his feet, then up his body slowly restraining him as the others charged. When he made contact with them they took significant damage, but the fight was dragging on and my class skills were kicking in, making me more powerful, as well as empowering my allies. For every attack he had more of his flesh ripped off, bitten off. Soon he was a pile of bloody mass. He was still alive, but barely and I called off my deathsworn walking over to him.
“It’s too late. You were a fool. My master will awaken now, and everything you did was for naught.” He choked out, his eyes once more had that dark gleam of joy. It made me think of the babies. Even with the magical explosion as I looked around I could see a small human leg over in one corner, a miniature hand laying to the side somewhere else. Pure blind rage began to consume me, and hunger filled my mind as I returned my attention to the dying man. Dying, but not dead. I didn’t answer him. Not in words. I howled in rage, I howled with everything I had left and swung Abyssal Ruination. It plunged deep into his chest cutting it wide open and with a few more slices I carved out his heart. I didn’t even hear as he took his last breath. I didn’t see the system screen that popped up. I only saw red as I raised his heart to my mouth, and devoured it.
Slowly my rage faded as I swallowed the last of his heart. I looked down at the remains of my foe and spat. I had never really hated religion. I had even studied a lot of them intensively at one point in my life. What I hated were the zealots. Those who would twist and manipulate their beliefs to cause harm or to control. This man had been the worst representation of that, and I felt satisfied in giving him his just desserts. Haha, just desserts. He WAS dessert. I laughed to myself, then brought up the system notifications.
Notice: You have killed an elite. You have gained an additional 50% experience bonus.
You have killed Versyok: Level 15
You have received 3330 experience.
You have reached level 6.
You have completed the Side Quest Topple the Watchman. All objectives completed.
Quest Performance: SSS
Quest Reward: Evershifting Raiments of the Void Priest
You have gained the skill Radiant Armament.
Error. Incompatible with energy type.
Notice. Radiant Armament has changed to Void Armament. Skill rank decreased due to change.
You have gained the skill, Void Armament.
Skill: Void Armament
Skill Rank: D (Upgradable)
Skill Description: At the cost of 10% mana per minute infuse your body with void energy. While active increases physical durability by 15%, and increases resistance to all forms of energy by 30%. While active your attacks do resonating void damage. Your targets take an additional 3% void damage per attack that manages to successfully hit your opponent.
“Well, that’s going to be useful,” I observed. I began to open up my status screen to invest my free attribute and skill points when I felt a dangerous rush of energy, forcing chills to run up and down my spine. That was when I remembered two very important details. Versyok had told me I had been too late. I still managed to get credit for disrupting the ritual, but as a haunting chime sound began to ring from within Vastein’s sarcophagus I knew that whatever I didn’t prevent his awakening. The other thing I noticed was that my quest to end the danger within Shangrior was still ongoing.
Ching! Ching! Ching!
Chuum! Chuum! Chuum!
All around me, a chiming sound could be heard that quickly turned into the deep reverberating tones of a gong, as the pace of the sound sped up, and grew louder. I wanted to flee, I wanted to run. I was frozen in place by sheer terror as the energy around me grew dense. Then with a resounding crack, the lid to the monumental coffin was split apart and slid to the ground around it in large thuds.
A man sat up and then placing his hands on both sides of his centuries-long prison pushed himself to his feet. He then bent over picking up a wicked-looking crimson staff and a large crystal orb that glowed with an ominous blood-red light, and thrummed with power. Only then did the man start to observe his surroundings. His face remained bored and impassive as he studied the anarchic mess around him.
Vastein: Level 25 (Crippled) (Soulsick) (Mana Poisoning)
Race: Human
Class: Virtuous Archmage
Title: Will of the Watcher
Affinity: Hostile
“Hello. I see you have met my brother. A shame that he was never the most intelligent. He did serve his purpose though. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve been waiting for your arrival.” His voice was smooth and silky, but it filled me with dread. While Versyok’s voice was deep, Vastein’s was light and soft. It sounded like he could be anyone’s friend just by speaking. An uncomfortable feeling washed through me and then with contempt I realized that he had been trying to charm me.
“Yeah, sorry. He had a bad accident. I offered to give him a hand, but I slipped. One thing led to another and now… well you get the picture.”
“No doubt… So it appears you have an established knack for disturbing prophecy, I commend you. For your resourcefulness and resilience, I will grant you a boon. I will give you… oh, eight more minutes to live. Make whatever preparations you wish, make amends with your gods. Then you will die.” His voice sounded confident, and calm.
New Quest Discovered.
Quest: Breaking the Curse. Main Objective: Defeat Vastein. Main Objective: End the curse. Bonus Objective: Defeat Vastein with fewer than 25 Howling Damned being destroyed.
Quest Reward: Varied based on method of ending the curse, and bonus objective completion.
Apparently, Vastein didn’t know that he was inflicted with three different debuffs, and he had just given me eight minutes. That’s when the sun would finally be over the horizon and the Threlnistari would descend upon the city. Eight minutes until all hell broke loose. All the time in the world to prepare for battle and make sure he never saw another sunrise.