As Ander ventured deeper into the dark forest, his skeletal feet cracked through fallen leaves and brittle branches. His army of minions followed closely, their bony forms silent yet ever vigilant. They had gathered the materials needed to upgrade his house to level three, but as they returned, Ander felt a strange pull—something powerful was nearby.
Using his Inspect skill, he searched the area, focusing on a crumbling stone structure in the forest just ahead. His HUD revealed its hidden danger.
Stone Gargoyle
• Level: 5
• Health: 3000
• Strength: 40
• Dexterity: 15
• Stamina: 150
• Intelligence: 5
• Special Ability: Stone Skin – Reduces physical damage by 50%
• Weakness: Magic Attacks
The Stone Gargoyle was perched on a decayed platform, its glowing eyes locked onto Ander's approaching form. He could feel its malevolent intent as if the creature was waiting for him to step closer. A sense of dread crept up his spine, but Ander's resolve hardened. This was his first true test of power.
"Minions, prepare for battle," Ander commanded. His voice, though hollow and cold, was steady.
The skeletal minions—Bone, Ash, Dust, Flint, and Rattle—readied themselves, forming a semicircle around the gargoyle. Ander could feel their eagerness to fight. Though fragile, they were quick and efficient. But the Stone Gargoyle was no ordinary enemy. Its stone skin would easily deflect their attacks unless Ander weakened it with his magic.
The gargoyle moved first, leaping from its perch with surprising agility. Its stone fists crashed down, narrowly missing Bone, who darted aside at the last moment. Dust and Ash moved in to flank the creature, their claws scratching against the stone to little effect.
"I'll have to deal the damage myself," Ander muttered, focusing his mana.
He cast Hex, slowing the gargoyle's movements and weakening its strength. The spell took hold, and Ander immediately followed up with Death Bolt, the dark energy slamming into the creature with a resounding crack. The gargoyle roared in fury as the magic began to tear at its stone form.
Death Bolt (Level 2): 60 damage
The gargoyle retaliated, swinging wildly at Ash and Flint. The skeletal minions were quick but not quick enough. Flint took a glancing blow, his ribcage cracking under the impact.
DING: Flint has taken damage.
I need more power. Ander focused, using the battle to his advantage. Every time he cast Death Bolt, he felt the skill draining his mana.
With each cast, he used his skill points to level up Death Bolt.
Death Bolt (Level 3): 70 damage
Death Bolt (Level 4): 80 damage
The gargoyle was starting to weaken, its stone skin cracking and crumbling from Ander's relentless magic. But it wasn't enough. The creature roared again, charging at Rattle, who barely dodged the crushing fist.
"I can finish this," Ander muttered, his voice low. Summoning his remaining mana, he unleashed one final Death Bolt.
DING: You have maxed out Death Bolt.
Death Bolt (Level 5): 90 damage + Necrosis
New Ability Unlocked: Necrosis (applies a DoT effect for 20 damage per second for 3 seconds after a successful hit with Death Bolt).
The bolt struck the gargoyle square in the chest, and immediately, the stone creature shuddered. The magic began to eat away at its form, a dark rot spreading from the point of impact. The gargoyle roared in agony as the Necrosis effect took hold, sapping its life force for 3 seconds.
The stone monster staggered, crumbling as the dark magic consumed it. Bone rushed in, landing the finishing blow, shattering the gargoyle into pieces.
DING: Your soldiers have killed Stone Gargoyle. +50 XP
DING: Bone has gained additional XP for landing the final blow.
The battle was over. Ander felt a rush of satisfaction as the system notified him of his skill's full potential.
But his moment of triumph was short-lived. He had used nearly all his mana, and the landscape around him was as eerie and unforgiving as ever. The Stone Gargoyle was only the beginning.