[Due to the enormous level difference, your stats have been reduced.]
[All stats have been reduced by 50%.]
[The Demon Spawn's aura suppresses yours.]
[Damage reduced by 10%.]
[Stamina consumption increased by 20%.]
[Movement speed reduced by 15%.]
"Damn, I guess I'm in trouble." Sky grinned as he glanced at the notification windows that kept popping up. [1]
Who would've thought that the map he entered had monsters above Level 100. That's more than five times his own level!
This battle was akin to a harmless rabbit standing up to a ferocious lion!
Anyone in his shoes right now would probably shit themselves in despair.
However, it was a good thing that Sky was different from your average Joe.
While the gap between him and the monster was terrifyingly huge, he felt no fear despite being the target of a horrifying-looking demon that could definitely kill him with one attack.
GRAAA!
Right then, the Demon Spawn's hulking 10-foot figure dwarfed Sky as it stood before him, opening its large maws filled with teeth capable of shredding even metals.
Sky's handsome face was placid, as calm as the ocean as he stared at the monster's eyes that were as large as his fists.
Thud!
The Demon Spawn's claws missed by a hair's breadth as it struck the ground, creating tremors.
Donned with a [Rusted Chestpiece], Sky threw the sword in his hands and took out a [Rusted Claymore] from his inventory bag.
This one's durability points were still full.
Inside his bag, there was a total of 50 [Rusted Claymore]s which he picked up on the way since he definitely knew that he would need spare weapons as the [Rusted Claymore]'s durability tend to drop quickly.
Immediately, Sky sliced towards the Demon Spawn's extended arm.
[You have dealt 55 damage to the target.]
Roar!!
Sky couldn't help but laugh at the damage he just dealt when compared to the ones he dealt against Skeleton Warriors, which ranged from 300 to 500 damage each attack.
The difference was immense!
Grrrr!
The Demon Spawn became enraged when it saw its weak prey retaliate. Raising its arm, it swept sideways, the long sharp nails in its hand intending to mutilate Sky.
Sky could feel the air being sliced. He could even feel the stinging feeling of the claw as if it was right before his face despite it being still a few feet away.
He didn't dare block the attack lest his sword's durability drop by a half. He ducked to the side and spun around while brandishing his sword.
[You have dealt 59 damage to the target.]
Using the center of his gravity, Sky followed up with a [Chop] as he slashed upward.
The [Rusted Claymore]'s blade lit up with a blue flash, lighting up the dark forest that was under nightfall.
[You have dealt 116 damage to the target.]
He then followed it up with a kick, launching himself backward a few feet away.
[You have dealt 11 damage to the target.]
He shook his head as he glanced at his sword and at the Demon Spawn's right arm, which barely had a scratch on the place he attacked twice.
"This might take a while." he grinned.
ROAR!
The Demon Spawn leaped after Sky as it brought down its claws from above.
*****
Meanwhile, at the Ancient Undead Plateau—the place where Sky spawned.
A small figure could be seen, fighting three Skeleton Warriors at once.
This figure was clad in armor identical to the ones its foes wore. The same went for the sword in its hand and helmet on its head which was rusting.
The figure's eyes couldn't be seen at all as darkness instead displayed.
Brandishing its sword with ease against three opponents, Abaddon used [Chop] and its sword flashed with blue light, hacking through one of the Skeleton Warriors.
Thud.
Bones fell and pieces of equipment littered the ground only to be ignored.
Abaddon focused his attention on the other two Skeleton Warriors and dispatched both of them in a few minutes.
While its movements weren't fluid or graceful, it nonetheless proved effective against its present and previous enemies.
After all, it had just begun to walk on the path of the sword.
Clack clack. Abaddon stared at the equipment on the ground and replaced the ones he had before treading forward.
But at that moment—
Clop, clop, clop.
The sound of a horse's hooves clip-clopping was heard.
Shifting his attention to the source, a foreign skeletal monster presented itself.
Clack? Abaddon tilted its head.
It was a skeleton horse with hooves burning with blue flames. Sitting atop the horse was a skeleton knight donned in a slick, black armor. Flashing crimson runes that formed a shape of a dragon were engraved on the surface, suggesting its origin was far from ordinary.
Different from the rest of the monsters that Sky and Abaddon had seen before, this skeleton knight's skull and eyes were blazing with azure flames, it was as if this skeleton knight hailed from the underworld itself.
Meanwhile, a sheathed greatsword hung on its back, its appearance ordinary, it could be said to be dull even. However, the aura it released was so terrifying that the temperature in the surrounding drastically dropped.
It was bone-chilling!
Of course, since Abaddon was an undead, it didn't feel it or was affected by it one bit.
"Weakling." the skeleton knight stared at Abaddon.
Clack clack?
"While you are as weak as an ant, I can see potential within you. Tell me your name."
Clack!
"Abaddon? A good name."
*****
After hours upon hours of fighting, Sky had long gotten used to the stats reduction and level suppression.
While the Demon Spawn overbearingly suppressed him in terms of attributes and strength, its combat efficiency proved to be subpar.
Although it was fierce and wild, it was exactly just that, one-dimensional.
It was akin to a frenzied animal that simply relied on its instincts to fight.
Therefore, to Sky, whose combat experience was simply out of this world, the Demon Spawn was only comparable to a strong yet slow monster, which couldn't even land a single attack.
Of course, while that may be true, Sky couldn't deny the Demon Spawn's large health pool that took forever to diminish.
It was a good thing that Sky improved especially so during battles. Notably so was his skill that was the Sword Mastery, which increased his damage output.
After playing Everlasting World for a while now, he had long noticed that one's skill proficiency increased to a greater extent when fighting monsters beyond one's capabilities.
And right now, what he fought was a demon that was nearly 100 levels above him.
[The passive skill Beginner Sword Mastery has reached Level 10 and will now develop into Intermediate Sword Mastery.]
[Ding!]
[Strength, Agility, Vitality, and Dexterity +10.]
[Intermediate Sword Mastery Level 1 has been learned.]
--------------------
[Sword Mastery (Passive)]
Intermediate Level 1 (0%)
• When a sword-type weapon is equipped, attack power will increase by 20%, and attack speed by 10%.
• Critical hit chance increased by 10% and critical damage by 15%
• +5 Strength, Agility, Vitality, and Dexterity every time this skill levels up.
• Can reduce level restrictions of sword-type weapons by 10 levels.
--------------------
[You have advanced upon the path of the sword even without being a swordsman!]
[World Reputation +300.]
[Intermediate Sword Mastery Level 1 has leveled up to Intermediate Sword Mastery Level 2.]
Sky ignored the repeated system notifications and focused on his target.
Throwing away the broken [Rusted Claymore] in his hand, Sky pulled out the last sword in his inventory bag.
Whoosh!
Evading the terrifying claws, he stepped forward aggressively and stabbed the Demon Spawn's right eye.
[Critical hit!]
[You have dealt 142 damage to the target!]
Sky then targeted the other eye with [Chop].
[Critical hit!]
[You have dealt 355 damage to the target!]
Looking at the wobbling figure of the Demon Spawn, laughter couldn't help but escape his lips.
"A bit more." he grinned as he glanced at the demon's health bar, which only had around 5% remaining.
...
...
[The enemy has been slain!]
[You have achieved a miraculous feat!]
[You have single-handedly won against an enemy that should've been impossible to defeat given your current strength!]
[You have received: Blessed Necklace.]
[World Reputation +1,000.]
[All stats +10.]
[You have earned the Title: One who Challenges his Limits.]
[You have slain an enemy 95 levels above you! EXP received +950%]
[You have received 2,832,525 EXP.]
[Your level has risen.]
[Your level has risen.]
[Your level has risen.]
[Your level has...]
[Your level...]
[Your...]
[...]
[...]