[Name: Skeleton Puppet (Common)]
[Level: Lv10]
[HP: 3000]
[Spirit: 83]
[Strength: 71]
[Defense: 47]
[Speed: 39]
[Skills: Gnaw]
...
These skeletons, both in terms of HP and attack power, were quite weak, but their numbers were exceedingly vast.
At a glance, John saw at least twenty to thirty of them, and more skeletons were continuously crawling out from the crypt below, sending shivers down one's spine.
Witnessing this scene, Seraphina no longer stood by idly.
Her expression serious, her crystal staff lit up with an icy-blue glow.
Frost condensed in mid-air, forming an ice spear that was half the size of John's.
Controlled by Seraphina, the ice spear shot out with a whoosh, striking a skeleton charging towards them and instantly turning it into an ice sculpture.
"1839!"
Seeing her damage, Seraphina pursed her lips, feeling somewhat disheartened.
Although her damage was far beyond that of an ordinary awakener, it seemed somewhat insufficient compared to John's.
An ice spear from John inflicted damage several times higher than hers.
And that was just considering the disparity in a single skill, not to mention the difference in other skills and the skill fusion technique.
Meanwhile, John, focused on controlling the Blazing Light Spear, was unaware of Seraphina's thoughts.
"Blazing Light Spear" was the temporary name he had given this skill.
Although powerful, it required a significant amount of his focus to control.
Any carelessness could lead to failure.
At this moment, the skeletons and the gargoyle guard were almost upon them, with the undead magus shrouded in swirling black mist, preparing to cast a spell.
Snowflakes fluttered around Seraphina, doing her best to buy John time.
Finally, seizing the right moment and adjusting the angle, John unleashed the Blazing Light Spear!
The over two-meter-long Blazing Light Spear transformed into a blazing white streak of light, trailing a long tail of flames as it shot towards the undead magus!
There was no chance for evasion; the undead magus didn't even have time to react before the blazing white spear struck it precisely in the chest.
"Boom!!!"
A deafening explosion echoed through the cathedral's main hall, instantly illuminating it with a blinding white light.
The blazing white thunder and flames engulfed the Ghost Wizard's towering figure in an instant.
The powerful blast sent remnants of bricks, shards, and skeletons flying in all directions.
"-21019!"
A massive amount of damage rose from the Ghost Wizard.
After the explosion subsided, the Ghost Wizard's black robe was torn and tattered, its black scythe nowhere to be seen, and its faceless visage marred with scars.
A terrifying large hole appeared in its chest.
John's spear had nearly depleted its HP, but unfortunately, it was just short of finishing it off.
"Screech!!!"
The Ghost Wizard let out a piercing roar, driven to madness in its dying throes.
John knew it was likely entering a berserk state and dared not slacken his vigilance.
Some BOSSes, when nearing death, enter a berserk state, significantly increasing their attack power and casting speed.
This phase is the most dangerous, where a slight misstep could lead to instant death, even for the sturdiest knight classes among the awakeners.
With a grave expression, John raised his staff, ready to finish off the Ghost Wizard with an ice sphere to prevent any further complications.
However, before he could act, painful and fierce demonic spirits suddenly appeared around the Ghost Wizard's staff.
These spirits rapidly converged in front of it, forming a sinister black symbol.
Then, with a point of its staff, the Ghost Wizard turned the eerie black symbol into a black stream of light, shooting straight at John.
Sensing danger, John felt as though he'd been marked by something.
He summoned a Zephyr Shield, attempting to dodge.
But the symbol, as if possessing eyes, curved in mid-air and struck him directly.
John's face darkened, nearly driven to curse.
What kind of skill was this that could even turn corners?
After the strange black symbol struck John, he didn't sustain any damage, but a mark of the symbol appeared on his forehead.
Simultaneously, a transparent notification box appeared before him.
["You have been afflicted by the Ghost Wizard's 'Silent Curse'. You are in a 'Silent' state, and for the next 1 minute, you will be unable to use your class skills!"]
No wonder it was unavoidable; it turned out to be a curse-type skill!
John felt a twinge of frustration.
Such a skill would be inconsequential to a team of five awakeners—a mere minute of silence wasn't significant.
But for John at this moment, it was practically a death sentence.
After all, there were only two of them, and he was the main damage dealer.
As he contemplated using the Wind Flow Spell on his staff to hold off for a while until the silence ended, a sudden divine golden light inexplicably appeared on him, instantly purifying the cursed state!
"What the... Where did this holy purification come from?!"
John, astonished, turned to look at Seraphina, only to find that her hair and pupils had turned a platinum gold, and a golden staff, resembling a scepter, had appeared in her hands.
She radiated a holy light, her previously cold demeanor replaced by an aura of nobility, beauty, and inviolable sanctity.
John's mind went blank for a moment, almost mistaking her for someone else.
Then it dawned on him—Seraphina was an extremely rare dual awakener!
Dual awakeners, those who possess two classes, are exceedingly rare, even more so than those with hidden classes.
It appeared that Frostweaver was only one of Seraphina's classes; her other class seemed to be an even rarer Holy Light series, possibly even a hidden class!
Noticing John's astonished gaze, Seraphina's snow-white chin lifted subconsciously, as if to tell John that he wasn't the only one with secrets.
John's lips twitched slightly, finding Seraphina's character quite... complex.
But now wasn't the time for such thoughts.
The skeletons blown away by the Blazing Light Spear were already picking themselves up, and the Ghost Wizard had begun to chant another spell.
In its berserk state, the chanting speed was at least twice as fast as before.
There was no time to waste.
Without hesitation, John focused, and his staff lit up with blue and icy-blue lights.
"Aquakinesis!"
"Ice Spear!"
With his previous fusion experiences, John's speed in executing the skill fusion technique had improved significantly.
In the blink of an eye, a massive ice sphere rapidly formed in front of him.
John swung his staff, and the ice sphere transformed into a blue meteor, hurtling towards the Ghost Wizard, who was in the midst of casting.
Caught off guard by the incoming ice sphere, the Ghost Wizard looked up, its body freezing in place.
It couldn't comprehend how this human, afflicted by the Silent Curse, was still able to cast skills.
But that confusion would never be resolved.
The ice sphere crashed down with a thunderous roar!
The already battered main hall was struck by another deep crater, causing the entire cathedral to tremble as countless stones and fragments fell.
"-10239!" As the damage number swiftly rose, a series of notifications also appeared before John's eyes.
["You have slain 'Ghost Wizard Lv10 (Dungeon BOSS)', gaining 45,000 experience points!"]
["Your level has increased to Lv10, you have gained 20 free attribute points!"]
["You have acquired a new skill, please check it in time!"]
["You have reached the peak of the Iron-Tier, you will not be able to gain any experience until you break through the level cap!"]
...
A flurry of messages popped up.
However, John had no time to attend to these, as escaping was his priority.
The already dilapidated cathedral, after enduring the devastation wrought by John and the Ghost Wizard, finally could not withstand any longer and was about to collapse!
Countless pieces of rubble fell, and the entire Necrochurch was in imminent danger!
John didn't even have time to collect the loot dropped by the Ghost Wizard and other monsters; he grabbed Seraphina's hand and ran towards the exit.
Seraphina instinctively wanted to pull away but realized this wasn't the time for such reactions.
She forcefully suppressed her instincts, her beautiful face flushing slightly as they hurried towards the main entrance.
Just as they made their escape from the church, barely catching their breath,
"Boom!!!"
The entire cathedral emitted a tremendous roar as the Necrochurch, which had been relatively intact, rapidly collapsed, turning into ruins in a matter of moments.