Shila's throat ran dry due to shouting. Her begging, her anger, her sadness, her pain were in the end were nothing more. She wasn't some fairy for whose tears an angel would appear.
Tina was still conscious, her expression was unwilling, she couldn't accept the fact that all her efforts were in-vain. With tears flowing from her eyes she cursed the monster which was about to claim her life.
The monster was completely oblivious of what the two were thinking, all it was doing was what it thought was good. It was fighting so that it could survive an other day. Just like the two girls, its reasons were same.
---
In utter darkness; the monster lived its life in. Unable to see, relying upon vibrations to make shape of things. But today was a joyous day for it... for in the darkness it had lived in, it finally saw something. They were two red lights floating in the air. It was ecstatic and also worried for it had not seen anything before.
It looked on with surprise, it was wondering what it was seeing when another thing appeared, it started as a small and straight white line, slowly it started growing.
It became even more ecstatic when it thought that it might be evolving into a higher form.
It glued all his attention on the thing that had appeared, shredding the darkness, ripping it apart for it.
It was ecstatic just like a boy going to buy candy.
Slowly the light started moving towards it, it backed away, in worry. But seeing how small the light was its confidence grew and it waited for the light to come close and see what it would do.
Slowly the light closed in and the white light also grew more. When the light was right in front of it, it was half its size. It reached its hand out to see what would happen.
Right this instance from the white light, black gas started oozing out, it immediately reacted by taking a large stride back.
When it regained its balance, to its horror the white light was right in front of it. It raised its arms to defend itself from the light.
In the darkness a white light flashed and something was sent flying. The monster was horrified as it saw, the two floating red lights were now golden in the center, with something pitch-black, even more darker than the darkness flung above the golden and red light.
---
Joans was still conscious as he saw helplessly the monster walking walking towards Tina, he wanted to get up but he couldn't muster any strength. He saw as the monster punched Tina and as her chant was disturbed.
He was already prepared for death. But before he closed his eyes to entre a sleep, he would never wake up from, he saw Helkep taking his blade and slowly started raising it high while walking towards the monster.
The monster also stood there, with its leave-covered face turned towards Helkep. A face wasn't needed for one to realize that it was staring at Helkep.
Slowly Helkep reached the monster, the blade was at its apex. The more higher the blade rose, Joans felt as if it was changing, not the shape but something else.
As if escaping its trance the monster took a stride backwards. Helkep who was simply standing, swung the blade, even though the monster was out of reach, the blade still met as if it wasn't even aiming at the previous position of the monster. While saying, "Stay still for a sec, will ya?"
The raised hand of the monster was sent flying in the air. The monster froze with shock. But Joans and Shila, who was also seeing the same scene, were even more shocked. For they knew Helkep's true level.
Looking at this scene both Joans and Shila thought, 'He is still that same old... nothing has changed, that devil is still a devil in the flesh of a human... he is still a MONSTER!'
Helkep who was still in the same stance in which he swung the blade, with his pitch-black hair covering his golden eyes, straightened and walked away. The monster could still only look at the vivid back of this being, from which it could sense fear.
The monster was indeed evolving.
The unconscious Tina, who was still cursing her luck, heard a notification.
«Ding! Innate skill 'Lucky shot' activated. The skill 'Fire storm' will now be used.»
Looking at the notification, her joy knew no bounds and she finally lost consciousness. The monster was standing in shock, it failed to notice the storm of fire forming above it.
Shila looked at it with shock and excitement, while Helkep was unfazed as if he had expected it.
The monster would have no problem escaping its area of effect, though only if it was not in shock and standing still like a puppet.
The fire was completely formed and it started attacking the monster, only then did it escape its shock, but it was too late,
As it met its doom, it didn't feel as near as much fear, compared to the fear it felt seeing those lights.
Helkep reached the hall's wall and sat down, resting his back with the wall.
After some time Tina finally woke up, looking at the dusty ceiling of the hall. Her mind went blank for a second before tears started flowing, along with quiet sobbing voices.
"Guys! Tina is awake." Shila came rushing when she heard Tina's voice and hugged her.
As the group surrounded Tina, they couldn't help but hug each other. After Tina calmed down, she remembered what had happened and said, "I remember my innate skill activating... but the monster should have been able to escape. How, how did we survive?" Hearing her question, Shila and Joans made eye contact before playing dumb.
"We don't either, we were all knocked unconscious, we thought it was you who dealt with it and you did." Shila said, as she was the last one still conscious or more like the one who didn't fall unconscious.
"I see... wh-what are we going to do now?" Tina asked the question that they were all hesitating to ask. All eyes were directed towards the leader Joans.
Having a resentful look Joans said, "There is still no leave option... After resting the night we will... we will head to the next stage." Without waiting he left and went to a corner and sat down on the floor.
Slowly the others all went to a corner to get some rest.
The next day the group woke up, they had slept very little. The worry of what would happen tomorrow was constantly eating away their sleep. Though they still fall asleep in the end.
After walking up they had a nice feast with the food they had brought. Though no one seemed to be enjoying it.
After the food was all gone. Tina said, "I was thinking last night...maybe Hep saw what happened. I mean he wasn't fighting, so maybe he wasn't knocked unconscious." Hearing Tina's words. Joans remembered what had happened yesterday when he went to Helkep.
– – –
After waking up Joans hesitated but decided to go to Helkep.
Helkep was resting with his back against the hall, with his eyes unmoving, just like Joans met him
in the guild.
As he came near Helkep he said, "I came to get my blade. I must say though, you were completely…different." His voice contained a tiny bit of fear.
After grabbing his blade, he still hadn't gotten a reply, he looked and saw Helkep in the same unmoving position, as before.
Feeling as if something was wrong. He proceeded forward to touch Helkep.
He wasn't actually intending to touch Helkep but only wanted to see if he would react or not.
And as he didn't expect. He didn't react, whatsoever. Continuing to stare where he was staring at before.
When he touched Helkep to see if everything was alright. Helkep slid along the wall and fell down.
He was looking like a corpse.
– – –
"Alright I will go get him." Selar said, it seemed he was also curious about what had happened.
Joans wondered if Helkep would respond now or if he was in the same condition as yesterday.
When Selar came to wake Helkep he got up very normally.
Shila and Joans once again made eye contact. They were wondering what he would say.
When Helkep came close Tina asked, "Amm! Do you remember anything that happened yesterday" Hearing the sudden question Helkep thought but after some time he said, "No! I remember we were fighting the mutant ent but I don't remember what happened much."
Hearing the answer Tina sighed and nodded towards Joans. Asking him what they would do now.
"Btw how were you able you us a skill for E-rank hunters?" Shila asked, only amazement in her eyes. "Even though I learned the skill I can't use it. So, I had to use a special orb...I can't use it again." Hearing her explanation Shila nodded her head in understanding
After they finished their conversation Joans said, "I guess... it's time we move to the next stage." His face showed his dejectedness.
He was thinking with the monster that Helkep was they might be able to leave the dungeon somehow. But since he didn't even remember what happened yesterday it was clearly a dream.
The party made their way towards the portal. Tina was still praying that by some luck they could escape the dungeon.
Though her wish wasn't fulfilled for the same notification they were hearing rang out again.
As the party members started slowly clicking yes. The surprised voice of Selar was heard, "WHAT!?" Hearing Selar's horror filled voice.
The group looked at where Selar was staring at but they could not see anything.
Yes NOTHING. The corpse of the semi-evolved monster was nowhere in sight.
They all thought where could the corpse would have went when Selar said, "Tina search the area."
Tina immediately cast the spell which she had used on the first floor. Yet again, there was nothing.
After waiting for some time, nothing happened.
Feeling the tense atmosphere Joans said, "Everyone! Lets use all the skill books we got...This is hard to say but our chances aren't great. So, I want to increase every chance we can. "
When monsters are defeated, they either drop a skill book or equipment. Though they don't actually drop them. They are the loot harvested from the body and the rest of the monster body is used for other things.
"Huh! What a waste we lost the skill book from the mutant ent." Nill said dejectedly.
"Ha-Ha! Well I made sure not to leave any quality things for later." Shila said, throwing and catching a green crystal in her hands.
"...Why am I getting the feeling you were going to keep that skill book for yourself?" Nill asked with his face displaying doubt for Shila's character.
"Also do tell me your current levels. I am 39." Joans had level-upped during his many fights. It was a boon that mutants gave more experience.
"I am 37." Selar said.
"38." Shila said proudly.
"I am 40." Nill said with even more pride.
"...42." Tina said, making the group to laugh nervously and excitedly.
"Maybe just maybe, we can leave." Nobody even cared about Helkep. The only thought in their mind was to somehow leave the dungeon in one piece.
After absorbing all the skill books the party advanced to the next stage. Helkep wasn't given any skill book as expected.
After receiving the same notification, the party made their way towards the next stage.
– – –
The next stage was the same, the same gloomy aura and an even bigger hall.
After preparing themselves the party headed deeper inside.
After walking for some time the party met their nemesis.
It stood with a sword in hand. It had long ears with bat wings on its back. It had black skin. With a structure like a human. With two eye ,ears, legs and arms.
It opened its eyes to reveal two pitch-black eyes. The whole eye was black, like an insect eyes.
Without any warnings it took flight and charged towards the group.
While Nil prepared to block its attack, Tina cast her spell to see the monster's status.
It was common for someone in the party to have basic gear repairing skills, otherwise the party would be doomed if the shield bearer didn't have a good shield or any other equipment.
Name: None
Type: Mutant Bat Knight
Rank: 2
Level: 28
Skills: Sword mastery (???),???
The monster struck Nill's shield and as the collision results Nill slid back covering a large distance.
"What is its level?" Nill asked worriedly. "...Its a rank 2." Tina's words caused the group to swallow a mouthful of saliva.
The reason the party was so easily beaten before was because the monster was a rank 1 now that they had encountered a rank 2 they could only pray to the lord for mercy.
Soon an intense battle started. With the Bat monster completely over powering the group.
The group put up a brave fight at the start, with using all their new skills. But they still couldn't beat it.
It was an even fight at the start but slowly the battle turned in the monsters favour.
Yet something unexpected happened. When Joans used his most powerful technique. The 'blood scarifier' it was his innate skill. It sacrificed his blood to grant him power.
Along with Nill using his innate skill 'Hammer shield'. Using it, the next 10 strikes will return damage starting from 10% to final 100%.
Selar's innate skill 'Wind' increases his overall speed in everything he can do by 40%. Including the oxygen intake speed to intestines movement speed.
Shila's innate skill 'Ring of heal' healed people in a certain area, constantly for 10 minutes.
Tina's innate skill activated on its own, it was a luck based skill.
The bat monster felt terrifying aura from the beings it was toying around with before. Finally it prepared to give it all that it got.
As the combined domineering aura of the party and the monsters aura collided. Both felt nervous.
The monster raised its sword. Black runes started flashing on it. As it swung its blade downwards, a black slash containing immense power was unleashed towards the party.
Nill was barely able to stop the attack and with his innate skill 10% of the damage was reflected giving Joans the chance to charge towards the monster and unleash a barrage of strikes, along with Selar.
As the two continued to unleash a barrage, the monster retaliated but with Shila's support they were able to fend off its attacks.
The monster was slowly getting cornered, seeing itself getting in a pinch, the monster used its own innate skill. 'Flame' the monster ignited on its own flame.
It landed on the ground and started focusing on the flame around itself.
The party thought of what the monster would do once it was done charging its innate skill.
But something beyond there wildest horror happened, the monster who was gathering flame around itself. It's head, its head was... flying in the air. With a trail of blood flowing from beneath its exposed throat.
It's eyes were still closed the way it was focusing on its skill , proving it died while not knowing what had happened to it.
And stood near the standing corpse was...a human. The party couldn't see clearly because it's head wasn't facing them instead it was standing on the side of the now dead corpse of the monster, with its hand paused, where the monster's head should have been.
Slowly it turned around, revealing itself to the party, it was a monster. With a body extremely similar to a human.
But it was only similar, the monster base structure was similar, the rest was different.
It's skin color was gray, with white hair like snow. Along with red eyes like blood. Two horns were coming out of the side of its forehead, they were black. They looked like a stain on a blank white picture. His face was beautiful enough to move the hearts of even human women. His extremely well-toned body was only a boon. Coming from the knuckles of his hand were spikes which were curved upward but weren't very large, along with spikes, large claws from his fingers, same color as his horns. The claws on his legs were inside the skin, they could come out anytime he wanted, same color as horns. It seemed as if the very color of his bones was black. Lastly his canine teeth were very large, but like the claws on his legs, they stayed inside the flesh and came out whenever he wanted, his teeth were white.
The group felt terror looking at it. They had went through so many things that they thought they had even forgotten what was fear but standing in the presence of this being, was too over-whelming.
Tina scanned the monster, with her magic.
Title: Hidden Boss
Name: None
Type: ???
Rank: ???
Level: 7
Skills: ???
Health: 400/400
Mana: 0
Strength: 10000
Constitution: 50
Agility: 10000
Charisma: 62
Intelligence: 4
Description: Its very existence goes against the laws of the world. An abomination among abomination.
Looking at its stats Tina's mind went blank. She spoke, "It's a...hidden boss, level 7."
Hearing her words, the whole parties mind went blank, before they suddenly started laughing out loud.
"Shit! That trash got me good, I though it was some kind of big shot." Joans was clapping as tears flowed from his eyes in laughter.
"Yea! I almost pissed my pants, guess he's no big deal." Nill joined the laughter.
"Yea! Tina should have told us earlier I was almost worried for a second." Shila also started laughing. As the group laughed like they had lost their minds or maybe they had indeed lost their minds, someone started to laugh along with them, it was the monster.
Tina continued talking, "Its strength and agility are," her mind went blank for a second, as she felt her vision spinning, though she still completed her words. "Are at 10000."
The group laughter stopped. Now, only the monster was laughing. The party looked on with horror, at that thing which was flying in the air.
Tina in the middle of her vision buzzing, saw something. It was a... body. A body with no... head. To Tina the body felt familiar, she also saw the monster with his hand raised, standing next to the still standing body.
'Is that the bat monster body?' Tina thought and slowly she felt as if she was falling, than a thought emerged. 'Is that my body?' She wasn't given any time, to think of anything, before her mind went blank.