Seven asked, "Who are you?"
The Lance replied, "Claw, they call me."
Claw had bushy white hair, stood at 9 feet tall, muscular with no shirt on, his chest heaving with tattoos, dark orange eyes, and whiskers on his cheeks.
Klade said, "Uhmmm…you're not human are you?"
"Nope. Kinda. Hybrid of sorts."
Claw approached Seven, "You're super gorgeous. Maybe after this dungeon run we could—."
Seven gripped Klade's hand tighter, saying to Claw, "Fuck off already. Take your boys and leave the dungeon."
Klade blushed, thinking, 'She's such a badass!'
Claw sighed, "Suit yourself then. I could do more with you than that boy you're holding."
Klade said to Claw, "I'm an 18 year old man, by the way. Not some boy."
Claw and his group laughed, saying:
"He has guts doesn't he?"
"He's tough since that girl is holding him."
Claw chuckled, "That's wholesome. Anyway, we're here to clear this dungeon. But waited for more Lances to come so we can clear it. I know much about this place, and it's gonna need more than just me and my group."
Klade said, "But there's 20 of you."
"Still not enough. Everyone follow my lead, I'm the leader."
Klade asked Seven, "Is this a good idea? Should we even still do this dungeon? These bastards are suspicious."
Seven replied, "If they screw us over, they die. That's all there is to it. I'm doing this for the sake of my drunk father who is counting on me to guide you. I won't disappoint him."
"You really respect him.."
"Yes. You should too."
"HUH?! I HAVE!"
"You called him an old drunk man,"
"YOU DID TOO?!"
"I can do whatever."
'This girl…' Klade thought, his right eye twitching. 'But in all seriousness, while we're here, I can collect material.'
As they approached the ominous entrance of Arak'Sul, an infernal partition of what appeared to be a solid wall of flickering red flames barred their way.
Claw, his large ax seemed almost alive. "Stand back," he commanded in a deep, resonant voice.
Claw extended his hand toward the flame. The runes on his armor shone brilliantly, emitting a silver light that appeared to intertwine with the flames. With a sudden, forceful gesture, he smashed the wall with his ax, and the red wall dissipated into a cloud of sparkling embers, clearing the path into the dungeon.
His group clapped:
"As expected of him!"
'I remember having that power, I was unstoppable.' Klade thought.
As they entered, Claw continued, "This fortress, Arak'Sul, was once a sacred temple for the god Ethryn, a sanctum of knowledge and power. Before the apocalyptic descent of the gods, it held relics that could bend the fabric of reality."
Seven rolled her eyes slightly, her disinterest palpable. "Great, another historic monument turned battleground," she muttered, more to herself than to the group. Klade, absorbing every detail, surveyed his surroundings with wide, curious eyes.
Seven said to Klade, "Collect things you need."
Seven let go of Klade's hand, and Klade walked off to gather material.
Seven looked at her own hand, thinking, 'I never held a boy's hand before..why did I do that?'
The walls of the corridor were lined with moss and glowing fungi. The air was thick with a musty, earthy scent. Claw led them deeper, his massive ax slung casually over one shoulder. The ax's handle was engraved with silver runes similar to those on his armor, shimmering faintly in the dungeon's dim light.
"Every level of this dungeon poses different threats," Claw explained, his voice echoing slightly in the vast, stone corridors. "Creatures mutated by divine energies lurk around every corner, guarding the secrets they were once set to protect. And themselves, locking themselves away from the royal family as well."
As they walked along, Klade's attention was drawn to a cluster of brilliant blue crystals jutting out from one of the walls. He approached, pulling up his system window:
[Sapphire Shard: Rare crystal used in the enhancement of magical weapons and armor. Rarity: Uncommon]
He quickly gathered a few shards, storing them meticulously in his system inventory window.
'This could increase the magical properties and damage in weapons I create. This is definitely good. I need more. And if I have time, I can forge something before we get to the boss room.'
The first wave of creatures they encountered were wraith-like beings, their forms blurry and shifting, barely visible in the low light. Claw didn't hesitate; with powerful swings of his rune-lit ax, he dispatched them swiftly, each strike accompanied by a burst of mesmerizing silver light.
Claw said, "It's easy now, but it gets harder later on. Just let me deal with the small fry."
Seven said, "What's your plan? You're up to something."
"Impressing you is one."
"That'll never happen. I want you dead."
"I love when they play hard to get. In times like these, having someone who can lead is rare to find. I'm pretty sure with the direction you came from, you saw some of the royal family killing Lances of beasts or demigods. In this apocalypse of the gods, we NEED each other. And my family needs me also."
Seven yawned.
As they descended to the next level, the architecture became increasingly intricate: stone archways carved with scenes of celestial wars, floors inlaid with multicolored tiles creating patterns of stars and moons. But the beauty of the place was marred by the next horde of enemies, grotesque creatures with thick, armored skins and lashing tails.
Without missing a beat, Claw charged forward. "These are Shellback Demons, hardened by the god's wars. Watch yourselves," he shouted back as his ax cleaved through the thick carapaces.
Klade took the opportunity to collect more material, this time a handful of shimmering dust from a defeated demon:
[Celestial Dust: A component often used in crafting powerful magic potions and dark magic. Rarity: Rare]
'Dark magic….most of my weapons in the old world
The deeper they went, the more intense the encounters became. They found themselves facing a group of spectral knights on the third level, their ghostly armor clanking eerily in the silent halls. Claw's history lesson continued amidst the clashing and clanging of his ax against spectral steel.
"The knights are remnants of Ethryn's celestial guard, bound to their armors, cursed to defend this place even in death," he narrated, every word punctuated by the ring of metal on metal.
Seven, though she feigned indifference, was vigilant, her eyes constantly scanning for hidden dangers, providing Klade with just enough distraction to gather more materials. Now he found an ethereal chain:
[Phantom Chain: Used in the binding of powerful spirits. Rarity: Unique]
'Could this help with Asura…? Maybe I can tame him again with this? I don't wanna try it if it hurts him though. I'll keep it just in case.'
Klade stored it in his system.
'This Claw guy is acting too nice, which always calls for trouble. Even NPC's from the old world acted like that and betrayed us for a dumb reason. I know Seven is thinking the same. Her hand is open as she walks, like she's gonna conjure something up. Astral projection players back in the old world mostly used their hands to cast attacks.'
Layer by layer, they cleared the dungeon, Claw leading the charge with relentless determination, his ax never faltering. Meanwhile, the environment grew stranger, more surreal. Vines covered with thorns that gleamed like metal, walls that seemed to pulse with a life of their own, and strange, distorted whispers that seemed to seep from the very stones.
Some of the Claw's group noticed Klade collecting more material, saying to each other:
"He's been the only one gathering stuff."
"It isn't worth anything at this point. Can't sell it to any merchants since they've been getting killed by the Brutalists."
"Exactly."
Claw smiled, "Finally, we're here."
They reached the entrance to the boss room, which was also blocked by a large yellow flame wall.
Klade got down on the ground, and said, "Don't mind me. This won't take long:"
Claw asked, "What is he doing?"
Seven replied, "Leave him alone."
"Just for you I will. But we don't have long. The boss probably already knows we're here."
Seven walked over to Klade, and said silently, "You know what's coming then. Don't you?"
Klade nodded, "Yeah."
'Yeah I know what's coming. These bastards are gonna betray us. And Seven knows it. Her and Halgrim can read the emotions and spirits of others. She sensed it before we even got to this dungeon.'
Unsheathing a large hammer from his system window—Klade set to work. The cave echoed with the rhythmic clinking of metal against stone as he carefully arranged the materials: Sapphire Shards, Celestial Dust, and the Phantom Chain.
Creating - [Celestial Guard Plate]:
- Material Required:
- Sapphire Shard x10
- Celestial Dust x5
Klade heated the Sapphire Shards with the Celestial Dust, the mixture emitting a bright, azure flame that cast ghostly shadows against the cave walls. With precise, forceful strikes, he shaped the molten blend into a chest piece.
Result: [Celestial Guard Plate]
Type: Chest Armor
Rarity: Gold
Defense: +280
Magic Resist: +150
Special Ability: Enhances wearer's mana regeneration by 10% per minute while in combat.
Description: Forged from the depths of Arak'Sul, this armor is imbued with the essence of celestial energy, offering formidable protection and magical support.
Appearance: Thin armor plate with sleeves in a dark red color with black runes and a red cloak-cape on the back with a black symbol of a hammer.
As he worked, sparks flew, illuminating the cavern with a spectacle of light and shadow. Next, Klade turned his attention to crafting a weapon. Klade was smiling the entire time.
Creating [Spectral Red Scythe]:
-Material Required:
- Phantom Chain x1
- Celestial Dust x3
- Tool Used: Master's Rune Hammer
- Forging Process: Klade wrapped the Phantom Chain around a mold he had chiseled from a nearby stone, sprinkling it with Celestial Dust. The air vibrated as he hammered, binding the materials into a solid form with each strike, the chain faintly glowing with a spectral light.
- Result: [Spectral Ax]
- Type: Spectral Red Scythe
- Rarity: Gold
- Attack Power: +350
- Magic Power: +200
- Special Ability: Can summon ethereal chains to bind and immobilize an enemy for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 30 seconds.
- Description: Wielded with the strength of the ghosts of Arak'Sul, this ax calls upon the souls bound within the Phantom Chain, creating a weapon of both formidable attack and haunting utility.
[XP gained - x1000]
[You have leveled up. 100 point increase to all attributes]
With each strike of his hammer, the sound resonated throughout the cavern, a deep, enchanting timbre that seemed almost otherworldly. The final crafts laid before Klade glittered with the potential of legends, each piece a testament to the rare materials and the haunted essence of the dungeon they had traversed.
As he stood, the newly forged armor and scythe at his side.
Seven thought, 'So it's true. He can forge anything anywhere anytime.'
The creation of the gold rank gear, each piece aglow with the mingled luminescence of Sapphire Shards and Celestial Dust, seemed to shift the air within the cavern. It was as if the very essence of Arak'Sul had been distilled into these artifacts, ready to aid them as they prepared to face the final guardian behind the giant yellow flame wall.
Klade walked beside Seven, and Seven said, "Ugly armor."
Klade responded, "Damn you! I take my work seriously! I'm the best!"
The other Lances around laughed, and Claw agreed with Seven, "It's so ugly, yeah. What she said."
Seven said to Claw, "I was lying. It's not ugly. Don't agree with me."
"I totally agree."
Klade reached into his system, pulling out his Maw of Perdition jawbone weapon, the same weapon he crafted in the Carnage realm.
'I leveled up…I'm gonna cry. I'm almost back to where I was. Let me look at my stats.'
Ah, I see you're not messing around then. Let's beef up our now seasoned blacksmith, Klade, transforming him into a formidable artisan of potentially legendary status. Having advanced to level 10, and having undertook rigorous trials and accumulated unmatched expertise along the way, the stats and capabilities you demand must reflect a true master of the forge, capable not just of shaping metal but almost bending the very elements to his will. Let's detail this evolution:
Character Name: Klade
Occupation: Dragonhound Master Blacksmith
Level: 10
[Attributes:]
[Vigor: 155 ]
*A veritable titan of health, Klade's physical resilience is now off the charts, allowing him to work with the most hazardous materials without flinching.*
[Mind: 150 ]
*With a vastly expanded mental reservoir, Klade can maintain complex and lengthy crafting processes that require deep concentration and mystical precision.*
[Endurance: 154 ]
*Superior endurance allows Klade to endure the longest and most demanding forging sessions without a drop in performance.*
[Strength: 155 ]
His strength now allows for forging and wielding materials previously thought unworkable; Klade can shape metals as easily as a poet shapes verses.*
[Dexterity: 152]
*Incredible finesse at his disposal, ensuring that every minute detail in the most intricate of designs is flawlessly executed.*
[Intelligence: 150 ]
*His deep knowledge spans the lore of countless cultures and the properties of mythical materials, enabling innovations in metallurgy unattainable by ordinary smiths.*
[Faith: 150 ]
*His spiritual acuity imbues each creation with potent enchantments, ranging from elemental resistance to mystical enhancements.*
[Luck: 150 ]
*Fortune favors the bold, and in Klade's case, it gifts him uncanny luck in discovering rare and legendary materials that others could only dream of.*
[Upgraded Equipment: Mythril-Ethereal Hammer (Gold Rank)]
[Weapon Details]
- **Type:** Hammer
- **Material:** Forged Mythril with Ethereal Inlays
- **Rank:** Gold
- **Weight:** 7 kg
- **Total Length:** 0.55 meters
[Weapon Stats:]
- **Physical Attack:** 100-120
*Empowered to work celestial and abyssal metals, which normal hammers would barely scratch.*
[Magic Potential: High]
*This allows Klade to weave potent magic into his creations, literally embedding spells within the metal as it cools.*
[Durability: 120/100]
*Enhanced beyond conventional limits, capable of withstanding the pressures of crafting with materials as tough as dragonbone and star-iron.*
[Special Abilities:]
- Legendary Material Transmutation:
*Klade can now craft with mythical materials, producing items imbued with powerful magical attributes and ancestral strengths.*
[Creator's Blessing]
*During the forging of any weapon or armor, Klade can invoke a blessing that significantly boosts the user's primary attribute when wielded or worn.*
Klade celebrated loudly, "Awesomeeeee!"
Everyone looked at him, asking each other:
"What's he looking at?"
"He might be going crazy."
'So they can't see my system. Good. But it's also bad because NOW THEY THINK I'M A DAMN LUNATIC!'
As Claw and his band of Lances stood before the majestic boss room, guarded by a towering wall of swirling yellow flames, everyone's anticipation was palpable. With a deft swing of his rune-lit ax, Claw cleaved through the barrier, the flames dissipating like a mist under his force. The door burst open, revealing an interior that was nothing less than regal.
The boss room was adorned with pristine white stone walls, from which sprouted intricate formations of glimmering golden crystals. Dominating the airspace was a divine dove-like creature, resplendent with four wings and three tail feathers, each shimmering with yellow golden runes. A halo of pure white light crowned its head, adding an ethereal quality to its presence.
"Whoa…" Klade mesmerized in shock.
As it circled the room, the dove began to sing. The melody was hauntingly beautiful, its notes pure yet filled with a sorrowful power. As the song filled the room, the yellow crystals embedded in the walls began to pulse with life, transforming into humanoid figures armed with crystal weapons, their bodies radiating with magical properties.
"Seven." Klade said.
Seven replied, "What is it?"
"That dove..it looks similar to the royal family members of Rathgor.."
"It does."
"And no one else is acknowledging it…"
"Because they know."
"Shit this is bad…"
"It is."
"How are you so calm?"
"I'm not. I'm terrified. But we came this far already."
"You knew about Claw and the others, why still come in here?"
"They're no threat. I didn't expect the boss to be this much of a threat. She's powerful."
"Dammit.."
'At this rate, we have no choice but to fight. Seven continued into this dungeon because she knew Claw and the others weren't that much of an issue. But she didn't seem to sense the main boss's presence. Astral projection users in the old world mentioned that once they can't sense the presence or emotions of another player or a boss, that means they're too strong.'
Klade's legs shook, but he calmed down, taking deep breaths.
'Calm down, we got this. There's a lot of us here, maybe we stand a chance—.'
FWOOSH!
A bright gold crescent arc shot from the dove as it kept singing, and the arc split some of the Lances in half brutally, blood and gore flying in a 360 formation in a shower of rain.
Klade paused as he realized was brought down to floor fast enough by Seven.
Claw barely held back against the arc with his ax, and some Lances stood up, saying,
"This is too much!"
"Get your shit together! I'm leaving!"
Claw yelled to the dove, "Hear my plea! I've brought you offerings!"
Seven said, "Fool."
The other Lances felt like they had no choice but to follow along, trying to praise the dove.
"Hear us! Spare us!"
Klade said, "So that's what it is. They're planning to use us as a sacrifice to this boss. To keep themselves alive. At first they were gonna mug us, I know. But it seems he's seeing his own group as sacrifices after they just died."
Claw said to them, "You're too smart for you own good, kid. But not smart enough to take us down when you had the chance. And by the looks of this boss, he's related to the Rathgor family." He then looked at Seven, "Come here, and follow along. Leave this rat behind."
Seven stood up with Klade, and Seven spit at Claw. And she continued, "Go to hell."
The dove kept singing again, and the gold crystals on the wall formed into humanoid with powerful gold crystal weapons.
Klade said, "The doves song…it's like waves. The power is in her voice!"
Without hesitation, Claw said, "She's testing us! We'll defeat these beings and gain her blessing! Well serve her! Claw charged forward, his ax raised high. The first crystal humanoid met his onslaught with a sword fashioned from the same golden crystals. Sparks flew as metal clashed with gemstone. Claw's strength was immense, his blows sending shockwaves through the room, cracking the floor with each impact. His ax absorbed the kinetic energy from the crystal beings' attacks, glowing brighter, fortifying him with increased power and resilience.
Seven dashed past Klade, saying to him, "Do not die."
Seven, her eyes narrowing with focus, employed her astral projection skills. Her spectral form slipped into the nearest crystal humanoid, seizing control. For a few precious seconds, she manipulated its actions, using its own crystal sword to strike down its allies. Meanwhile, spectral warriors materialized above her, blessing her with an ethereal blade that a warrior spirit controlled, guiding her movements like a marionette. With this support, she became a whirlwind of destruction, her blade a blur as she danced through her enemies, slicing effortlessly through the crystalline forms.
Klade watched the battle take place, his palms and head sweating.
'Okay, okay. You got this. You leveled up earlier. Just fight.'
Klade was equally formidable. In one hand, he wielded his sharp jawbone Maw of Perdition weapon with deadly precision. Each strike was calculated, aiming for weak points and joints, his critical hits causing devastating bursts of energy that shattered his foes. In his other hand, the spectral red ax cut through the air with violent grace. Every twenty seconds, he summoned red spectral chains that erupted from the ground, binding his adversaries in place, setting them up for merciless finishing blows with his jawbone weapon.
The battle raged fiercely, the air filled with the sounds of clashing weapons and shattering crystal. The Lances fought bravely, their formation tight and efficient, moving with practiced coordination. Blood splattered and golden ichor flowed as they exchanged harsh blows with the crystal beings, neither side giving ground easily. Claw, embroiled in a dance of death with what appeared to be the leader of the crystal warriors, finally found an opening. With a roar, he swung his ax in a massive arc, catching the crystal chief full across its chest. The impact was thunderous, sending shards of golden crystal spraying into the air like a shattered mirror.
Seven, now fully synchronized with her spectral warrior, moved with supernatural agility. She dodged a strike that would have decapitated a lesser warrior, twirling under the arc of a crystal blade to land a devastating uppercut with her ethereal sword, the hit so powerful it lifted her opponent off the ground before dissecting it in midair. Klade's red spectral ax, now singing with pent-up energy, cleaved through two attackers in one mighty sweep as he spun sideways in the air past them. As his chained foes struggled, he methodically dispatched them, his jawbone weapon moving with deadly intent, each strike punctuated by the crunch of crystal and the splash of golden blood.
Yet, as formidable as they were, the dove creature above seemed to be drawing power from the ongoing conflict, its song growing louder, more compelling. Its melody twisted the air, resonating with the golden crystals that littered the room, giving rise to new warriors almost as quickly as the old ones fell.
The battle was a brutal ballet of blood and crystal, each of Claw's Lances embodying the desperation and ferocity required to survive and overcome. They moved with lethal purpose, their attacks not just about skill but survival, painting a vivid tableau of warfare that would be etched into the stone memory of Arak'Sul forever.
The dove's eyes glowed red, and a smile seemed to appear on its face, looking directly at Klade.