[-1!]
[-1!]
[-1!]
Suddenly Liam stopped in place. His HP continued to sink steadily as ghostly laughter echoed in the corridor.
But Liam didn't panic, using his [Inspect].
Instantly a few white, ghostly heads not bigger than Liam's arm appeared in his vision. Strange steam came from their mouths as they swished through the corridor.
[Minor Hungry Ghost
Rank: Common
Level: 2
HP: 1/1
A small ghost taking a bite out of everything it passes through.]
Liam was somewhat surprised that these ghosts appeared earlier than he expected, but it didn't matter much.
He calmly swung his sword in front of him.
The ghosts laughed mockingly as they passed through without being affected. If his sword was of a higher level and had a durability stat it would be slightly damaged.
[-1!]
[-1!]
[-1!]
Liam stayed unperturbed as he had already expected this. With a flick of his hand, he suddenly grabbed something else out of his inventory. It was a moldy apple.
The hungry ghosts didn't react to Liam's action, continuing their crisscrossing flight.
One of them dashed straight for Liam's chest, eager to suck the vitality out of this living being.
But instead, it was met with an apple. The ghost scrunched its face as if it had eaten something disgusting, disappearing in thin air and giving Liam 10EXP.
Naturally the other monsters didn't show any more intelligence. While Liam advanced, they dove at him, gradually all dying to the apple.
Suddenly a notification popped up before Liam:
[Congratulations, you have reached level 3.]
[Please remember to distribute your attribute points.]
Liam couldn't help but chuckle.
"Easiest level up of my life."
[Congratulations, you have learned [Brutal Strike]!]
Liam grew more confident in his upcoming endeavor as he took a quick look at his status and new skill.
>>> <<<
Name:
Bleary Mirage
Level:
3
Race:
Original Nephilim
Class:
Warrior
Primary Attributes:
STR:
13
INT:
1
AGI:
7
HP:
117/117
Fury:
0/32
(show more)
>>> <<<
[Brutal Strike (rank 1)
Cost: 6 Fury
Effect: Gather all your strength for a brutal strike. Deal 130% (PDMG) and stun for a maximum of 4 seconds.
Cooldown: 8 seconds]
Liam refocused his mind as he finally arrived at a black metal door. Dark red lines spread on the door like blood vessels, giving off an ominous aura.
Taking a deep breath the warrior reached out with his hand and pushed the door open.
He felt a short prick on his hand. Although in the game no blood ran from his hand, he continuously lost HP again.
[-1!]
[-1!]
[-1!]
After 10HP the door had finally drunk its fill and slowly moved, granting Liam the right to continue.
He arrived in a large underground hall. Within the high ceiling a few small crystals were inlaid, emitting a blueish light.
The center of the room was wide open, its walls lined with shelves and racks carrying all kinds of items.
But Liam didn't have time to take a look at those yet as a shuffling reached his ears.
A monster gradually revealed itself from the shadows. Liam's eyes narrowed as he observed its two bloodlusted heads sitting on top of a slender black furred body.
The monster reached Liam's chest in height, viscous drool dripping out of its wide maws.
"Roaar!"
A horrifying roar echoed through the hall, chilling Liam.
[Minor two-headed hellhound
Rank: Elite
Level: 4
HP: 600/600]
Suddenly the hellhound rushed forward, moving silently like a shadow.
Liam adjusted his position. He stood under the light in order to spot the monster more easily.
A moment later the ferocious hound arrived. It clawed at Liam, eager to tear the greedy human apart.
Liam defended quickly.
[Stance -6]
Liam was glad about his level up as he took a step backward to mitigate the hound's momentum.
He waited with a tense heart.
After a second his own attack was off cooldown, directly swinging his sword.
[-34!]
Only a fraction of a second later the hellhound attacked as well. Liam moved perfectly, dodging another claw.
He grinned confidently.
"Even with a slight buff, your attack speed is still so slow!"
The hellhound bellowed angrily. Feeling as if the human mocked it, it suddenly opened its mouths wide.
Liam remained vigilant. Noticing the monster's move, he instantly used his new skill.
"Oh no you don't!"
Grabbing his sword with both hands he raised it above his head and brought it down to deliver a vicious blow.
[Brutal Strike]
[-44!]
[Status: Stun 2,6 seconds]
The game took the strength difference into consideration when calculating the stun duration.
But Liam was satisfied. A lot of damage could be done in a few seconds.
[-34!]
[Status: Armor shred]
Liam's eyes lit up as his weapon's effect luckily triggered.
He quickly followed with a [Double Slash].
[-47! -64!]
A huge chunk of the hellhound's HP was gone in an instant.
The monster still seemed dazed after recovering from the stun, as if not able to comprehend how the human was able to interrupt its skill.
[-52!]
Another heavy blow from Liam's sword woke up the hellhound. It let out a wail as its claws stabbed like bloodlusted daggers.
Liam defended gracefully, shifting to the side.
At this point the rotation began from the beginning. Liam knew he only needed to take care of the monster's skill, and this fight wouldn't be too difficult.
After a few seconds the hellhound already lost most of its HP, staring at Liam with rage in its eyes.
Suddenly it let out a loud howl. Liam was surprised as black energy gathered around the hellhound. Its size increased slightly, while its eyes took on a bloodred color.
"Are you kidding me?! You're a level 4 elite! Where did you get a berserk state from?!"
Liam was genuinely shocked. Usually not even all boss monsters were able to enter a berserk state, but now this mere elite was suddenly able to do it?
Is this also [Hell] difficulty?]
Liam drew a sharp breath. He saw the monster's status return to normal, quickly landing another [Double Slash].
[-18! -31!]
The hellhound roared triumphantly as its transformation was over. All its stats had increased.
Liam immediately experienced it closely as the hound's claws arrived with increased speed.
Liam reacted almost instinctively, turning his body, the claw nearly ripping open his armor.
[Stance -9]
Realizing that he only had one dodge left, Liam gritted his teeth. He had to end the fight quickly.
Meanwhile the hellhound showed almost human-like grins on its ugly faces as it raised them high.
Liam felt an itch in his chest. He knew the monster's skill would follow again. He swung his sword with all his might.
[Brutal Strike]
[-26!]
Liam did a good amount of damage but unfortunately the stun didn't follow. Monsters in berserk state had a solid resistance to all status affects and Liam's luck appeared to be rather bad.
At this moment two balls of black fire arrived. Liam tried to defend with his sword, but his stance emptied out, leaving his body sluggish.
He could only block part of the damage.
[-36!]
Liam took a deep breath. From his calculations he could barely survive another skill.
But the monster was close to dying as well. The fight should be winnable!
Both opponents exchanged another normal attack.
The hellhound fletched its teeth. Its heads rose again.
Liam stared at his cooldowns.
0,3
0,2
0,1
Now!
Liam moved like lightning, his training over the years paying off at this moment. He arrived before the hellhound as flames already gathered in the monster's mouths.
A sword flickered mysteriously under the blue light.
A sorrowful wail echoed from the walls as the hellhound's HP emptied out. The monster wobbled and fell to the ground.
Sparks scattered from its mouth as it wasn't able to produce another fireball.
Liam sighed in relief. He understood how close this fight was. If it was a different type of monster with more intelligence, opening up some distance before casting its skill, Liam might have lost his life here.
Although his HP were barely below half, not appearing critical, it only would've taken one more fireball to kill him.
Not only are the monsters stronger but they also have some unexpected moves. Is this [Hell] mode?
Liam sorted his thoughts as he reached out for the hound's corpse, praying for some premium loot.
The 100EXP he received were already substantial. If he could get some good items as well, he would be satisfied.
"I don't ask for much. Just one legendary item, alright?"
Liam joked around without anybody to hear it while pulling his hand back.
A few items transferred directly into his inventory while a green shimmer spread from his hand.
He grinned as he inspected the chest armor in his hand.
[Black Flame Chest
Category: Magic
Level requirement: 3
Physical Defense: 6
Magical Defense: 5
Bonus defense against fire damage: 4
A chest armor hardened by a hellhound's black flame.]
Liam quickly put on his new armor, looking quite stylish clad in smooth black metal.
Apart from this he also received common trousers and a strange small fiery stone. Liam recognized it as a hellhound's fire source, knowing that it was quite rare at this stage in the game.