I used my dark magic slowly and with great precision. Fortunately, the cover provided by the stone and the stealthy nature of this element, along with one of the effects of my title, helped me remain undetected.
Once I had finished and regained most of my mana, I initiated combat. My first move was to infuse water into my whip, extending it several meters to catch the unsuspecting mongooses off guard as they were "drawing."
Their bodies, bound by the whip, were violently hurled into a corner of the wall. The boss seemed unwilling to engage yet, but the other two opened their eyes and focused on me.
Of course, my wand was already spinning in the air, creating dark spheres that shot toward them. One of them was hit, but the other dodged by leaping to the side, then sprinted toward me at high speed.
Unfortunately for it, its foot landed on one of my traps.
The dark energy swiftly immobilized its body.
This didn't just happen to one of them but to multiple enemies. I seized the opportunity to strike one of the trapped creatures with my whip and several magical arrows. The surprise and powerful damage allowed me to eliminate one. Naturally, there were still three left. I took a deep breath and continued fighting.
One of them managed to get close but couldn't fully approach me. I spun my whip around my body, and with the aid of my water magic, it extended to repel the creature whenever it came near. Though it didn't cause significant damage, the knockback effect was useful.
Using this rotational force as both defense and offense, I continued firing magical arrows and other attacks at the enemies, aiming to defeat them before the boss decided to act.
However, some of them demonstrated greater intelligence and abilities, using earth and metal elements to create spikes from the ground or attack me from a distance. I could counter the ranged attacks with magic or by maneuvering my whip, but I had to dodge the ground spikes by jumping and performing combat and dance-like movements I had learned.
Despite my efforts, I sustained some physical damage, leaving me with cuts and wounds, eventually suffering a debuff:
This occurred after one of them got close enough to bite me. I killed it by infusing it with dark energy, but I still received the debuff and lacked a potion or spell to remove the negative effect.
When only one mongoose remained, the boss finally decided to act:
"GRRRRRR!" Its roar was loud but not particularly threatening due to its nature. However, its energy was undeniably that of a boss, making me feel the danger.
I didn't even glance at it.
I swung my whip through the air, shaping it to sprout numerous spikes. Though the magic was still in development and somewhat unstable, it proved effective. The whip bound the last mongoose's body.
With my right hand, I controlled the mana, forcing the water spikes to pierce its body. Crimson liquid dripped to the ground, and the final mongoose lost all signs of life.
Meanwhile, a small water barrier formed behind me just in time to absorb the brunt of a powerful slap from a furry, clawed paw. Despite being thrown forward, the water shield significantly mitigated the damage.
I rolled to a stop, kneeling on the ground as I faced the boss, its red eyes glaring at me.
Its speed was incredible, but I remained calm. I spun my wand, conjuring a rain of blue and black magical arrows in the air. The arrows fell upon the boss, but in its berserk state, it ignored the hits and continued its charge, slashing me with its claws and sending me flying several meters.
Dizziness overwhelmed me, and weakness spread through my body. In the real world, I would have coughed up blood. My HP had dropped to 30%.
Frowning, I saw the boss charging again. This time, I used my water-extended whip to pull myself away, avoiding the attack. Its claws left deep gouges in the ground where I had been.
In the air, my magnificent blue macaw wings spread resplendently. My wand conjured dark spheres that infiltrated its wounds, cursing and embedding darkness into its injuries. Simultaneously, my whip struck various points on its body.
I attacked with water magic and constructed dark armor for protection. Remaining airborne, I dodged its attacks while counterattacking swiftly. I drank HP and MP potions to replenish my energy. Though I took several hits, the boss weakened after its berserk state ended.
I used the last of my mana to create numerous arrows around its neck while binding its body with my whip and dark armor. With a simple motion of my fingers, the arrows pierced its neck, ending its life.
I turned toward the boss and claimed my rewards:
<1x Large Gold Coin Pouch; 1x Iron Mongoose Hide; 1x Enraged Iron Mace.>
The hide was larger and seemed more refined, offering greater durability and beauty compared to others. The weapon had a ferrous tone with hints of red on the head and a handle wrapped in iron mongoose hide.
.....
Weapon: Enraged Iron Mace
Rank: Unique Type: Weapon Restriction: Warrior class or associated classes Skill: Furious State
Description: An excellent weapon for crushing enemies into purée, with a base crafted from iron mongoose hide.
....
Skill: Furious State
Effect: Increases stats by 10% for 2 minutes. Cooldown: 2 hours. Description: A weapon skill that invokes a furious mood, enhancing the user's combat abilities. "I'M ANGRY! GET OUT OF MY WAY!"
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Although the weapon wasn't useful for me, I could sell it in the village or seek a town with an auction house blessed and managed by the gods of commerce and economy.
After collecting the items, I rested briefly before using the dungeon's teleportation circle to exit. Its unique dimensional energy transported me out, and I appeared just outside the village.
.....
Some time later, I reappeared at the entrance of the village.
Joey, the guard who had greeted me earlier, was already waiting for me.
"You're back quickly, young one. Did you complete your mission?" he asked in a playful tone while spinning his spear.
I smiled at him and replied calmly, "Of course."
He gently patted my head, like an older brother, and asked, "Do you want to rest and eat something, or are you heading straight to the Elder?"
"Straight to the Elder. That way, I can stay in the village without too many issues," I said with a smile, and he nodded in agreement.
On the way, I mentioned the strange lack of monsters I had encountered, which he found unusual. I also shared the details of the events in the dungeon, including the challenging battle with the Boss.
He praised me greatly and offered some advice on how to fight more efficiently.