The deadnight's final phase, only 10% of its original health was kept when it battled France.
Deadnights didn't have high health or resistance to damage like bosses in its level. What it made up for is its ability to dodge projectiles that had an average velocity of 100m/s.
If it weren't for the infusion skill of France his sword would've been damaged beyond use. The infusion skill set called "[Cycle of the Phoenix]" was a skill only usable when the sword is infused, the first "movement" sprouted a small phoenix that brightly burned a transparent flame.
Its use was extremely limited, and the mana cost was high for a swordsman and the infusion would immidiately run out if used at his current level.
"That was reckless of you", Josh said with neutral gaze.
"Said the guy who almost exploded me."
Josh's expression didn't change and slugishly stood up. "You were protected."
"It was still loud, even now I could feel my ears ringing." , France lightly pinched his left ear and stretched it.
"..." Josh stayed quiet and smirked.
"So what were your rewards?", France asked.
"1 fire infusion stone, 3 energized crystals, and... a blessed artifact.", Josh carefully looked through his inventory.
"Only 1 infusion stone? Seems like this deadnight was originally an assassin.", France looked to where the deadnight lied down seconds ago.
"Keep the blessed artifact and try to always hold it when fighting monsters."
"Why?"
"To prove that you can wield its power."
"That makes no sense.", Josh remarked.
"It IS A Game.", France said as he inspected his old sword. A while ago only chipping in the edge was observed, now the wear and tear had made a crack near the greatsword's crossguard and edge.
He sighed and pulled his newly acquired dagger from his inventory and did 3 swift slashes, each having an after image.
"How is it?" Josh asked.
"Not bad, the stats are good but I'm not sure if I'll quickly adapt to this dagger.", France said as he looked at the dagger with a bittersweet smile.
"I'll ask the blacksmith if this can be elongated, let's go.", France dematerialized the blade.
Josh nodded and the both of them started to walk back towards a "Players' Outpost".
Half an hour later Josh and France arrived to a lively marketplace set inside the forest. Most of the blacksmiths and merchants here were players.
France went to a well known blacksmith whilst Josh went to stationed wizards to sell the crystals he had gotten.
"Can you customize this dagger?", France asked.
"What type of customization?"
"Can you make this dagger to a one handed sword?"
"Let me check the stats.", the blacksmith said as he reached his arm out towards the dagger.
France gave it to the blacksmith and they started inspecting it.
"Not bad, its natural stat is high but its serrated edge makes it a less efficient slasher."
The blacksmith's palm started to glow white and the blade purple, "A rune?", they asked.
"Yes", France said.
"Then I can't, most of the blacksmiths within the kingdom can't even make a runic weapon, let alone customize a runic weapon."
"So is there someone you know who can?", he asked with a defeated tone.
"No..." The blacksmith said as his head instantenously moved upwards.
"Uhhh- Find the creator of the blade, Drommul?" the blacksmith speaked as if he was reading something.
"Why did you say it like you're confused yourself?"
"Its saying to give out a quest to player 'France'."
"Then give it right now,", France impatiently voiced out.
"Yeah, here."
[Drommul's forgotten dagger (Quest)]
The blacksmith Drommul has lost
his dagger years ago when his trusted
customer died in battle and turned
into a deathnight.
Reward: ???
(Will you accept? Y/N)
'I should ask his thoughts on the matter.'
"I'll need some time before I choose, speaking of which can you make a greatsword from this billet?", France took out a a long but thin bar of steel.
"You mean turn this into a greatsword's blade?" the blacksmith said whilst pointing towards the billet.
"Yes, I also want you to assemble it to a full sword."
"The steel itself is hardened well, however it'll need some Enchanted Red Wood and the leather of the enraged bull."
"I have the red wood, but where can I get the leather?"
"Just a half an hour of a walk Eastward is where they spawn. If you do come across them please have leather that at least glows crimson red."
France took of and added some of his accumulated stat points to Agility and sprinted across the thick forest to a field with orange grass and trees with purple coloured leaves.
Three cows and 2 bulls were eating grass with a large bull watching over them in the distant.
"Quick Draw!", France charged towards the bull and swung his empty hand before mid swing he materialized the sword.
The bull took the brunt of the attack to its horn and it had fallen off. The bull charged in rage, "Cutting Reflex" about three swings burst forth as they aimed for the heart and the head.
Whaaam! "That's finished.", France said as the bull fell to the ground.
France then ran back to the Outpost and talked to the blacksmith again.
"That was fast, 15 minutes on a 1.5 hour trip.", the blacksmith took France's items and started to fire the smithy.
"Hey France", Josh said in a friendly tone.
"Yo-", France raised his voice.
"Goodnight", Josh said.
"See you in school tomorrow", France replied.
"Yeah", Josh disappeared in a white light.
A friend who enjoyed the same things as him, France felt happy to have Josh as his first friend to share interests.
If only it was like that back then...