As Ares shared the plan with his team, he couldn't help but ponder the words of Park Sejong. The details of the upcoming treasure and the strategic advice given to him seemed almost prophetic. Doubts and questions swirled in his mind, contemplating the possibility of having an ability to foresee the future or being a reincarnator like in the tales of wuxia novels.
However, there was no time to dwell on such thoughts as the team prepared to execute their plan.
Ares's eyes lit up as he noticed the protruding stone above the tunnel, they had just entered matching Ares description. It was the perfect spot for them to gain an advantage against the ice pythons. He quickly gathered his team and led them up to the stone platform, away from the biting winds.
"Listen up, everyone," Ares began, his voice filled with determination. "We can't take on all the ice pythons at once. They have the advantage in level and strength. But we can use the kiting strategy and the terrain to our advantage."
He turned to the Loot Goblin and Stealthy Slacker, mischief twinkling in his eyes. "You two are our agile experts. I want you to kite the pythons one by one, leading them towards us right in front of the cold wind channel below. The force of the wind will amplify our attacks and make it difficult for the pythons to attack and move effectively. It will relieve some of the pressure on us."
Ares then shifted his focus to Frost. "Frost, unleash your mastery over fire and ice. Use your fire spells to distract and agitate the pythons, capturing their attention. While they're occupied, switch to ice spells to slow them down and reduce their movement speed. Your control over the elements will give us an edge."
He turned to Fiona, the mysterious healer. "Fiona, your healing skills will be crucial in sustaining our tanks. Keep them at full health and ready to withstand the pythons' attacks. Your priority is their well-being, as you are our lifeline in this battle."
Ares then directed his attention to the Caffein Mage and the Noble Knight. "Caffein Mage, manipulate the winds with your magic. Create gusts that disorient the pythons, pushing them off balance and hindering their movements. Noble Knight, be our shield and defend us from their attacks. Provide cover when needed and ensure our safety."
Ares glanced at Fatty William, recognizing the importance of his presence in the upcoming battle against the ice pythons. He adjusted his plan to include Fatty's unique abilities.
"Fatty" Ares called out, his voice projecting confidence. "Your strength and resilience will be crucial in this fight. I want you to stand alongside the Noble Knight as our secondary shield. Together, draw the attention of the pythons and bear the brunt of their attacks. Your unwavering defense will provide us with the opportunity to execute our strategy."
Fatty nodded. He understood his role and the significance it held in their plan.
Finally, he looked at the Sword Fairy. "Sword Fairy, your swift and precise strikes are vital. Coordinate with the tanks and strike when the pythons are distracted or vulnerable. Utilize your agility to evade their attacks while dealing significant blows. Your skill in combat will be an invaluable asset to our team."
Ares took a moment to let his plan sink in. He could see the determination in his teammates' eyes. They were ready to execute the strategy and overcome the odds. With the kiting technique, the power of the wind, and their coordinated attacks, they were prepared to face the ice pythons head-on.
As they awaited the approach of the first python, Ares's heart surged with anticipation. He knew that their clever strategy and skillful execution would turn the tide in their favor. As the first ice python approached the stone platform, Stealthy Slacker and Loot Goblin sprang into action, leading it towards the waiting team. With each calculated step, the python moved closer, unaware of the impending assault.
With a thunderous roar, the ice python unleashed its icy breath towards the elevated platform. The Noble Knight swiftly summoned his martial soul, the Shield of Honour, a colossal golden shield manifesting before him. The shield intercepted the freezing breath, protecting the team from its chilling effects.
Simultaneously, Frost and the Caffein Mage launched a relentless barrage of fire and wind spells. Flames engulfed the battlefield as Frost's inferno scorched the python's scales, while the Caffein Mage summoned gusts of wind, amplifying the intensity of the flames and disorienting the creature.
In a daring display of agility and precision, the Sword Fairy and Ares leaped off the platform, descending upon the python's back. The Sword Fairy's ethereal sword danced through the air, leaving shimmering trails in its wake, while Ares's burgeoning sword intent surged with power, amplifying the impact of each strike.
Their combined assault proved devastating, dealing heavy blows that rattled the python's formidable defenses. The python writhed under the onslaught, its movements growing sluggish as the team's coordinated attacks overwhelmed it.
The ice python, momentarily stunned by the Assassin's skillful strikes, provided the opening the team needed. With their relentless barrage, they continued to chip away at the python's health, exploiting its vulnerabilities with every opportunity.
[-10000]
[-2000]
[-23222]
Critical hit
[-12400]
The python's resistance faltered, its once imposing stature now wavering under the weight of the team's assault. Undeterred, they pressed on, each member contributing their unique skills to whittle away the python's remaining strength.
As the battle raged on, the python's movements grew sluggish, its attacks losing their ferocity. Sensing the impending victory, the team intensified their efforts, their attacks becoming more focused and precise.
With one final, decisive strike, the ice python succumbed to the team's relentless assault. Its icy form shattered, scattering shards of frost into the air. The team stood triumphant, their faces glistening with perspiration and exhilaration.
Their victory over the first ice python fueled their determination as they prepared for the next three. One by one, the remaining pythons slithered into view, only to be met with the team's unwavering resolve and battle-hardened skills.
With each subsequent battle, the team's coordination and synergy reached new heights. They exploited the pythons' weaknesses, utilizing clever tactics and combining their unique abilities to unleash devastating attacks.
Throughout the intense fights, Frost's mastery over fire and ice continued to mesmerize, while Fiona's healing prowess ensured the tanks remained resilient and protected. The Caffein Mage's wind manipulation created whirlwinds that disoriented the pythons, and the Noble Knight's steadfast defense shielded the team from harm.
Meanwhile, the Sword Fairy's ethereal sword skills dazzled, striking with grace and precision, while Ares's sword intent grew stronger with each encounter, his strikes becoming more lethal.
The battles against the remaining pythons echoed with the thunderous clash of spells and weapons, the ground quaking beneath the weight of their struggles. Each python fell, its icy form shattered, until only silence remained in the wake of their victories.
The team stood victorious, their chests heaving, and their expressions filled with satisfaction. The thrilling battles had not only tested their skills but also forged an unbreakable bond among them. They had overcome the odds, proving that with strategic thinking, adaptability, and unwavering teamwork, they could conquer even the most formidable foes that stood in their path.
After collecting the loot from the fallen ice pythons, the team divided the spoils among themselves. The ice crystals were shared equally, while the ice wand and ice armor found their respective owners. The Noble Knight gladly accepted the ice armor, grateful for the upgrade to his tanking capabilities.
As they approached the treasure chest, Ares's curiosity was piqued. He inserted the four ice crystals into the slots, unlocking the chest with an eerie malefic aura emanating from within. The lid opened, revealing a single page that exuded a dark and ominous presence. Ares immediately recognized it as a page from "The Infernal Grimoires: Chronicles of Damnation," similar to the one he had discovered in the imperial treasury.
The page held tremendous power, promising the ability to summon demons from the 22nd level of Hell and command entities of higher rank within that particular level. Ares recalled Park Sejong's warning about the book's pages and the potential mastery over a demonic army with 22 demon kings of Hell serving under its wielder. However, he also remembered the dangerous soul corruption that came with its use.
The system interface displayed the item's information:
[Item Name: The Infernal Grimoires: Chronicles of Damnation]
[Description]
This is the 22nd page of the book "The Infernal Grimoires: Chronicles of Damnation." It contains the sacred knowledge required to summon demons from the 22nd level of Hell, granting the user the exceptional power to command entities of higher rank within that particular level.
Note |
To unleash the king-level demons of each level, it is imperative to collect all the pages of the grimoire along with the book cover. Failure to acquire the book cover will subject the user to a perilous backlash in their soul due to the malevolent aura of Hell. |
Ares carefully tucked the page away, understanding its significance in his quest. He knew that collecting all the pages, along with the book cover, would unlock even greater power. However, he also recognized the dangers and potential consequences that came with wielding the dark forces of Hell.
With the page secured, the team pressed forward, their minds focused on the looming threat of the eternal ice wyrm. They entered the boss room, prepared for the ultimate test of their strength and resolve. The chilling air and the ominous presence of the wyrm sent shivers down their spines, but they stood united, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As they stepped into the boss chamber, their eyes widened at the sight of the colossal Ice Wyrm. It was a majestic creature, resembling a serpentine dragon, with an imposing presence that exuded power and grace. The Ice Wyrm was renowned for its association with icy and wintry environments, embodying the essence of ice and frost.
This mythical creature possessed unparalleled control over ice and cold, manipulating them with effortless ease. It could conjure blizzards that engulfed the surroundings, freezing everything in its path. The Wyrm's icy attacks were relentless, leaving a chilling impact on those who crossed its path.
The Ice Wyrm's immense size was awe-inspiring, its sinuous body adorned with glistening icy scales that reflected the ambient light. Along its spine and limbs, sharp icicle-like spikes protruded, hinting at the danger it presented. Its eyes, radiant with an intense blue or icy glow, mirrored its connection to the frigid realm it called home.
Known to inhabit frozen landscapes such as icy caves, snowy mountains, and glacial regions, the Ice Wyrm was a creature of legend, a guardian of its domain. Those who dared to challenge this fearsome adversary were met with a formidable opponent, capable of unleashing the full force of its icy might.
Within the Ice Wyrm's essence, Ares could sense a faint trace of dragon bloodline, further amplifying its already formidable presence. It was a testament to the Wyrm's ancient lineage, granting it an added aura of power and mystique.
As the team ventured into the boss chamber, an atmosphere of anticipation and awe filled the air. Little did they know that this encounter would unveil the true extent of Ares's latent power. The massive Ice Wyrm stood before them, its presence emanating an indescribable majesty. Ares's senses tingled as he detected the faint pulse of dragon bloodline within the Wyrm, a connection that stirred his very essence.
Suddenly, without any conscious effort, Ares's martial soul stirred within him, its dormant strength awakening in a blaze of thunderous brilliance. The sky crackled and roared with an eruption of lightning, as a colossal Azure Thunder Dragon materialized before their very eyes. The sheer force radiating from this awe-inspiring entity caused his teammates to involuntarily drop to their knees, their bodies drenched in cold sweat.
The Ice Wyrm quivered with a mixture of fear and reverence, its own power paling in comparison to the majestic presence of the Azure Thunder Dragon. It dared not lift its gaze to meet the unwavering gaze of the celestial creature that now loomed over it. With a contemptuous snort, the Azure Thunder Dragon unleashed an onslaught of lightning, relentless in its fury. Bolts of crackling energy rained down upon the Ice Wyrm, each strike a testament to the overwhelming might of Ares's martial soul.
The battle unfolded in a spectacular display of elemental forces, lightning clashing against icy scales as the Ice Wyrm desperately tried to withstand the divine wrath. But it was futile. The power of the Azure Thunder Dragon was unmatched, its ferocity unyielding. In a matter of moments, the once formidable Ice Wyrm lay lifeless, defeated by the overwhelming might of Ares's martial soul.
The sky cleared, and the Azure Thunder Dragon dissipated into the ether, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. The team stared in slack-jawed astonishment at the fallen boss, struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of what had transpired. Ares himself was at a loss, his mind reeling with disbelief at the incredible power his martial soul had unleashed.
As the realization of their victory sank in, Ares's party members regarded him with a mixture of awe, admiration, and bewilderment. Some couldn't help but wonder if he had harnessed some supernatural force or used forbidden means to achieve such a feat. Ares, however, humbly reassured his teammates that he too was bewildered by the events that unfolded, unable to explain the true nature of his martial soul's power.
as the team gazed at the lifeless body of the Ice Wyrm, their expressions mirrored a mix of astonishment and disbelief. They slowly rose to their feet, their eyes fixed on Ares, who stood at the center of it all, his face a blend of awe and confusion.
Loot Goblin, still wide-eyed, managed to stammer out, "Ares... What just happened? How... How did you do that?"
Ares shook his head, his voice filled with equal parts wonder and uncertainty. "I... I honestly don't know. My martial soul... it awakened on its own. I had no control over it. It summoned the Azure Thunder Dragon, and... well, you saw the rest."
Stealthy Slacker, still recovering from the shock, spoke up with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "That was insane, man! You unleashed an elemental force beyond anything we could have imagined. Are you some kind of chosen one?"
Ares chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "I highly doubt that. I'm just as surprised as you all are. This power... it came from within me, but I don't fully understand it myself."
Fiona, the ever-calm and perceptive healer, offered her perspective. "Perhaps, Ares, there is more to your martial soul than you realize. It seems to possess an innate connection to powerful elemental forces. Your encounter with the Ice Wyrm triggered this incredible display of strength."
Caffein Mage, still awestruck, chimed in, "I've never seen anything like it! That lightning, the raw power... It was like witnessing a legend come to life. You truly are something else, Ares."
Noble Knight, always the steady presence, spoke with a touch of admiration. "You've surpassed all expectations, my friend. Your martial soul's awakening is a testament to your potential. We are honored to fight alongside someone with such incredible power."
Ares, still processing the magnitude of what had transpired, glanced at his teammates with a mixture of gratitude and humility. "Thank you, everyone. Let's continue to the next level after clearing out the loot. Ares replied and comforted his team mates.