[Fiery Lion (D)
Level: 28
Description: A fiery Lion cloaked with a fiery mane. The King of D-grade monsters that is territorial to its core. The Fiery Lion kills anyone who invades its territory.
HP: 176,400 / 176,400 (100 × Constitution value × level)
MP: 123,200 / 123,200 (100 × Intelligence value × level)
< Attributes >
Strength: 36
Dexterity: 34
Constitution: 63
Intelligence: 44
Skills: (Hidden)]
Ten Lions hid behind boulders, sneaking as closely as possible to their tiny prey. With Alab's foot stepping into their range, the [Fiery Lions] launched their attacks toward the invading human.
A total of 40 massive paws came pouncing toward Alab, encircling him with their large stature. Ten Lions the same size as adult elephants back on Earth bared their fangs toward him.
They were all D-grade monsters at level 28 who could tear the vulnerable level 13 Alab into pieces. However, their enraged breath was yet to caress Alab's skin when a skeleton covered with murky fog materialized from the ground, warding off their attacks right after with its broad sword.
The 160 cm tall [Skeleton Apprentice] appeared like an ant before these humungous lions. But, the bony skeleton derailed common sense as it warded off the onslaught of claws with its skeletal arms wielding the coal-tainted broad sword.
Despite the intense stature difference, the [Skeleton Apprentice] held its ground against these mighty lions.
Truth be told, had it been fighting against a single [Fiery Lion], the lion would have been beheaded by now.
Since entering the D-rank, the [Skeleton Apprentice] acquired overwhelming stats with its multiplier of ×10 brought about by the SSS-grade skill [Conversion].
With that, the skeleton overwhelmed the [Fiery Lion] with its stats as it drove them hurling meters back. Their back smashed toward the boulders as they roared in pain.
The sudden appearance of the skeleton caught them off guard and it was too late for them to use a skill.
In an instant, 4 Lions were struggling beside rubbles, blood gushing out their protruding backbones. The other [Fiery Lions] retracted their claws, vigilant of the mysterious skeleton before them.
*Roar*
Roaring as they encircled the [Skeleton Apprentice] and Alab, the Lions squinted their orangey-brown eyes, flicking their tails. Unfolding their mouths with 8 canine teeth each situated in 4 corners by pair, the [Fiery Lions] growled as they salivated.
In no time, their tails turned rigid as they commenced their hunt.
A Lion came pouncing toward the [Skeleton Apprentice]. Its fiery mane intensified in heat, burning the surrounding 1 meter with scorching heat.
The Lion used its skill [Fiery Mane (D)].
However, the skeleton remained unfazed by the fire. Its crimson eyes bore witness to its obsession with fighting.
Canine teeth came flying as they met the sharp sword submerged in black mist. The [Skeleton Apprentice] used its sole skill [Death Slash (D)].
[You have dealt 150 damage]
(100 from Death Slash + 50 base damage)
Looking at the [Fiery Lion] wriggling in the ground in pain at having its canine teeth sliced off, the skeleton was restless, sending a barrage of sword slashes toward its dimming mane.
The other Lions had cold feet at the brutal sight of its keen being demoted into a dummy. Its mighty mane that had devoured countless prey was dyed red by a mere skeleton's attacks.
*stomp*
In an attempt to break out, the lion desperately flicked its tail toward the skeleton, aiming for a pain that could hamper its movements even for a while.
However, the undead [Skeleton Apprentice] was long deprived of such feelings. It could no longer feel pain.
The tail struck its skull repeatedly with a broad sword relentlessly shoving to its bloodied mane.
The skeleton didn't stop its assault until the 176,400 HP of the [Fiery Lion] was halved. Only then did the other Lions regain their cold instinct and jumped into the skeleton.
With a little HP of 13,000, the skeleton crumbled to the ground under a few hits. Its bones dismembered as the now confident Lions gnawed on them.
However, they were given no time to gnaw for more as behind the boulder, Alab who had retreated from the fight opened his mouth as he uttered.
"Skeleton Apprentice Summoning"
A new skeleton emerged from the ground, clutching unto a newly sharpened broad sword.
Murky fogs covered its entirety, its jaws clanging in a taunt to the wary Lions.
With a wild clanging of its jaws, the skeleton pounced toward the group of alarmed Lions.
----
[You have killed a level 28 Fiery Lion (D)]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[You have leveled up]
[Exp: 13%]
[You have received a Copper Coin ×15]
Alab stood before a group of Lions that were on death's door. Their limbs were sliced off, depriving them of the strength to stand.
A total of 10 Fiery Lions wailed in horror at the sight of the [Skeleton Apprentice]. Their bodies lay on the bloodied ground along with the scattered bones of the skeleton that had perished countless times.
These Lions couldn't comprehend the sorcery behind the skeleton. They now viewed it as an immortal being, a reaper sent to their kin.
*slash*
Another slash came that plucked out yet another lion's life.
[You have killed a level 28 Fiery Lion (D)]
[Drop item obtained! Fiery Lion's Fur (D)]
[Fiery Lion's Fur (D)
Description: Fur of the Fiery Lion. Can be used for manufacturing armor.
Effects:
- Defense +5
- Heat Resistance +1]
Four hours had passed with the [Skeleton Apprentice] struggling to empty the tremendous HP of the Lions. It was already midnight when the broad sword delivered the last Lion to its death.
In the 10 Lions, only 1 item had dropped even with the luck amplification of his D-rank skill [Luck].
At this rate, Alab thought that reaching his goal of 100 items in the next 3 days would be difficult.
If he wanted to survive the upcoming entrance examination, he had to upgrade his [Skeleton Apprentice Summoning Skill] to at least C-grade. At this thought, the advice of Anastasia came to his mind.
"about the entrance examination, we caught wind that the combat assessment will be about a C-grade dungeon expedition. A participant who had foresight skills mentioned that. That is all, please... Be safe"
Anastasia warned him about the exam and its difficulty. As he had witnessed the power of the C-rank [Gigantic Slime], Alab couldn't take the time to relax.
He had to acquire as many items as he could before the remaining 3 days ended.
"If the examination is really about a C-grade dungeon expedition, it will be hard for bottom rankers such as me", Alab admitted his powerlessness at the moment.
Even with the protection of his summoning [Skeleton Apprentice], he was not confident to kill a C-grade monster.
Much more, it was doubtful as to whether the younger dark elf, girth nor the goblin's species who were all fellow bottom rankers could survive this upcoming examination.
Not that he cares anyways. Alab glanced at the deeper part of the dungeon, diving into the desolated region with rubbles roaming the ravaged land.
"Let's go"
*clang clang*, the skeleton was excited to battle for more.
--------
Like a blink of an eye, three days had passed in another world. It was the morning of the 8th day - the day of the entrance examination.
Everyone was busy with their last-minute struggle to heighten their powers. Some panicked in preparation whilst others stood inside their respective barracks, brewing with confidence.
The prophecy of the C-grade dungeon examination had spread like wildfire, traveling from ear to ear, alarming the weak-hearted.
Apparently, other species didn't have enough preparation. Horror overwhelmed them to the core.
Unlike others, inside a barracks shedding off its roofs, 3 draconian in their human forms sunbathed under the daylight.
Their crimson scales glistened as the rays flashed toward them. Their faces were covered with scales that shone with elation, satisfied by the warmth.
A woman draconian with dimmer scales scanned the barracks. Her eyes twitched in annoyance with the absence of another draconian.
"Where is Drake? The test will commence in an hour, where the fuck did that shithead has gone to?", fumes escaped her nostrils, furious by Drake's tardiness.
Another draconian fitting herself above the table in relaxation delicately opened her mouth as she muttered.
"Just rest easy, Drumey, you are fuming with madness already. Calm down", the younger draconian calmed the woman draconian. Her scales shone brighter under the rays of the sun.
Drumey, having heard of the girl's calm words shut her mouth right after. It was the calmness in her tone that brought a shiver down Drumey's scales.
It was clear that the young girl was of royalty. Her crimson-red scales spurred shame to the light-red scales of Drumey.
Draconians centered their hierarchy on the royalties - the dragons with scales close to the reflection of the sun's ablaze fire.
Drumey, with rather lighter red scales, could only be categorized into draconian commoners.
Drumey tilted her gaze to the other draconian whose eyes were locked to his books. It was a middle-aged man wearing a butler suit.
*gulp*
Drumey gulped with the intense aura oozing out of the man, pricking her scales. The unusual black scales of the man caused Drumey to tuck her tail.
After a while, the man was halfway through his reading when he closed the book delicately.
He glanced at Drumey first before he walked towards the young girl. With a soft voice, the butler uttered.
"Princess Dracy, may I ask where the majesty has gone to?", the butler lowered his head, his palm pressed to his chest as he muttered.
Wagging her tail, the young girl, Dracy, responded.
"Don't mind him, he is just enraged by being only 11th in the ranking. He is probably out there in the hardest dungeon. He will be back in a while.", lazily, Dracy explained. Her eyes were still closed, uninterested in the topic.
The butler bowed his head before he took his leave. He went to Drumey who witnessed everything with a constrained breathing. Inching to her, the butler whispered.
"How is your preparation, Drumey? I hope you won't be a deadweight in the upcoming exam. Else, you know what will happen", the butler muttered, not caring to conceal his threats.
Widening her eyes, Drumey's tail coiled.
"I... I will do my best to contribute to this exam, Sir", Drumey responded in a quivering voice.