Chapter 10 - First Kill

Rattle... Rattle...

Approaching the crypt, I found myself momentarily captivated by its appearance.

The structure's stone walls, which had weathered the centuries, were draped in a tapestry of ivy and vines. Hidden beneath the lush greenery, carrying with them the weight of ancient secrets and narratives.

It was truly a sight to behold, however, I didn't waste any time, walking briskly toward the entrance of the crypt.

As soon as I emerged from around a corner, I noticed a shadowy figure leaning against one of the crypt's crumbling walls.

I couldn't make out its face due to the hooded cloak and the shadows cast by the dense trees in the cemetery, but I could see skeletal fingers tightly gripping a steel spear.

It was an undead like me!

Rattle... Rattle...

The sound of my bones clattering seemed to have drawn its attention as the figure slowly turned its head towards me.

Only then did I fully catch a glimpse of its red glowing eyes peering out from the depths of its hood.

"..."

For a moment, both of us stood in silence, locked in a quiet stare. Somehow, I could tell that the NPC was assessing me, checking my strength and level.

After a few seconds of tense silence, it finally nodded its head slightly and snapped its fingers.

Click...

The sudden click echoed through the air as a hidden door to the crypt swung open, revealing a dimly lit passageway leading into darkness.

Something similar to a smile appeared across the figure's face, concealed by the shadows.

[ New Common Quest! ]

--> Prove your worth! <--

An undead warrior is interested in your ability to fight. Show him what you are made of!!!

|| Requirements ||

1️⃣ Kill 15 Undead Hounds [ 0/15 ]

2️⃣ Kill 1 Undead Goblin [ 0/1 ]

~~~~

[ < Accept > || < Decline > ]

A hologram of a quest appeared in front of me, projecting a list of tasks and requirements for the quest.

I didn't even hesitate and immediately accepted it.

Rattle...

Turning my head toward the now open crypt's passage, I looked at it with a slight wariness in my eyes.

Usually, players who choose the Undead race aren't advised to accept this quest until they are at Level 5 due to its difficulty. Although I was confident in my skills, there was still a little nervousness lingering in my bones.

'I've been waiting for this...'

Throwing a last glance at the shrouded NPC that was still eyeing me with its glowing red eyes, I took a step forward into the darkness of the crypt.

[ Entering an ancient warrior's crypt... ]

Click...

Suddenly, the stone doors behind me began to close, sealing off the entrance to the crypt.

At the last second, I saw the undead NPC that gave me a quest raise its hand and wave it in farewell, its skeletal fingers slowly disappearing as the doors shut completely.

'...'

I was immediately plunged into absolute darkness, unable to see anything except for the torches flickering in the distance.

'I should move.'

Gripping my sword tighter, I began to walk forward, my footsteps leaving almost no sound as I approached the first torches that were hung sporadically along the walls of the crypt.

As I continued walking deeper into the crypt, the torches on the walls became more and more sparse, casting long shadows that danced and swayed in the flickering light.

The air grew colder and damper, and I could feel a sense of ancient foreboding emanating from the walls.

Although it didn't affect me, I moved cautiously, my sword drawn and ready.

After a few more minutes of walking, I came to a fork in the passageway. I hesitated for a moment, then chose the left path at random. As far as I remember, there is no map of this crypt, which adds to the challenge and excitement of exploring it.

The passageway here was narrower and darker, and the only light came from a few torches that were flickering precariously on the walls.

Grrr...

Suddenly, I heard a noise ahead of me. It was a low growl that would be able to send chills down anyone's spine.

Click...

My sword came up in a blur, and I prepared for battle.

The growl grew louder, and then I saw them. A pair of undead hounds, their eyes glowing yellow in the darkness.

They bared their fangs and snarled at me, their fur matted and their bodies covered in rotting flesh.

'Ugly monsters...'

Observing their maws full of yellow teeth and their putrid, decaying bodies, I lowered my sword slightly, readying myself for the impending fight.

Grrr...

As the undead hounds snarled and advanced towards me, their putrid breath wafted through the damp air of the crypt.

Swish...

With a swift, calculated movement, I lunged at the closest hound. My sword clashed against its bared teeth, and the sound of steel meeting bone resonated through the narrow passageway.

Luckily, the hound recoiled, its yellow eyes filled with fury. However, I didn't have time to relax.

Whoosh...

I barely managed to take a step back, avoiding the lunging bite of the second hound. Its jaws snapped shut just inches from my arm, almost shredding my bones.

With a deft counterattack, I swung my sword at the nearest hound, slicing through its decaying flesh.

Physical Damage! [ - 4 HP ]

It howled in pain, but its undead resilience allowed it to press on.

The unhurt hound circled, looking for an opportunity to strike. I kept a watchful eye on both of them, using my agility to maintain distance and control the fight. I knew that my physical strength was lacking compared to these creatures, but my experience gave me the upper hand.

The injured hound lunged again, attempting to bite my leg, but I parried with my sword and then swiftly kicked it back, sending it stumbling back.

Physical Damage! [ - 2 HP ]

The second hound lunged too, but this time, I anticipated its move.

With a quick roll, I evaded its attack and used the momentum to deliver a precise strike to its flank, weakening its already decaying body.

Physical Damage! [ - 3 HP ]

The two hounds were now visibly weakened, but they weren't ready to give up. They coordinated their movements, trying to corner me.

I knew it was time to finish this battle.

Taking advantage of a momentary separation between the two hounds, I lunged at the injured one with all my might, driving my sword through its chest.

Critical Hit! [ - 10 HP ]

It let out a final, eerie howl and collapsed, twitching briefly before falling still.

The remaining hound, now alone, hesitated for a moment.

However, I pressed forward and landed a final, fatal blow, driving my sword through its skull.

Critical Hit [ - 15 HP ]

The creature let out a guttural growl, then crumpled to the ground.

'I've gotten rusty...'

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