Skeletons could be considered piles of bones, leftovers, from a dead person. They weren't anything special but just remains, from the decaying process of a dead individual.
But in some fantasy books and mythologies, skeletons were considered a sub class of an undead. Being they were magically brought to life by a dark magic or ritual. But still, they had more cons than perks.
Being they were just walking bones with little resistance, as they could easily succumb to physical damage. Or any higher damage like skills or magic elements, portrayed in fantasy novels.
'They keep getting stronger the more I kill.' Jack grunted skidding back a bit from a punch by a skeleton. When he'd killed the first wave of skeletons he expected it to be over, but it was just the beginning. As they quickly reassembled together, by an omnious energy he knew was the old man.
When he'd killed the first wave comprising of five skeletons, the second wave that formed were now four. Not only did their numbers reduce, but their speed and strength also increased. And as if that wasn't bad enough, it got much worse with the third wave.
'My stamina is running low.' Jack thought feeling his body incredibly weak. He'd been constantly running about, clashing with the skeletons. Dodging their attacks and waiting for a perfect moment to strike.
'They've gotten wiser.' Jack was perceptive the skeletons intelligence increased, as they could now block his attacks more.
[Hp:45/70]
[Body state: 16/30]
His hp and body state were also running low from the constant wounds he sustained from the skeletons attacks.
"Roar!" Jack's attention was pulled by a roar from a skeleton. Looking, he could see one of the two skeletons that had four arms charging towards him with murderous intent. Clenching his fist tightly a wild smile formed on Jack's face.
"Come on!" He shouted, blocking one of the skeletons fist directed at his head. The second fist hit his guts below, taking away another 7 of his hp. But he didn't worry, he was an undead afterall.
Seeing the creature's other two fist heading for him he braced himself, evading by shifting his body. Following up with a kick to the skeleton's head, shifting it off balance. About to put the final blow jack was sent flying back, as the second four armed skeleton rammed into him.
'Shit. These two are gonna be a headache.' Jack frowned seeing how formidable these two skeletons were. He could tell they weren't normal skeletons anymore but hybrids of some sort. And with the increase of their speed and strength, also led to their development in battle tactics.
"Roar! roar!" They both roared running towards jack at a fast speed. Gritting his teeth jack refrained from using blood decay skill. He wanted to hone his battle senses, and not rely on his skills all the time. And what better way to do so then engaging in battle.
'Bam!' The skeleton by the right stomped it's feet leaping in the air a bit. Not waiting jack followed suit, stomping his foot to the ground propelling him up in the air a bit.
The skeleton sent all it's fist at once to jack in the air with a sinister smile.
"Jokes on you." Jack retorded confusing the skeleton a bit. The undead didn't have time to react, as a small red ball shot out from Jack's palm. Hitting it point blank in it's head, sending the skeleton hurling backwards to the ground with a thud.
Using the momentum of descending downwards, jack attempted a kick to the skeleton head.
'Bam!' A bang sound went off as Jack's leg collided with the skeleton's crossed arms, sending shockwaves. Grabbing his leg the skeleton slammed jack to the floor.
[-7hp]
[-1 body state]
Jack coughed up fresh blood from his mouth feeling the impact. He could feel some bones in his bodies were broken, along with the blood flowing out from his body made him more weaker. He'd been in battle for about more than 15minutes now, with these skeletons. So he was bound to get exhausted soon.
"Roar!" The skeleton roared slamming all four of it's arm down to jack, who barely blocked by crossing his arm together.
'Bam! bam! bam!' Several strikes from the skeleton made it's way to jack, who could only barely block with his arms. Cloud of dust were risen, as the skeleton pummeled jack below.
The ground giving out to the constant force of something slamming in it. Creating a small crater that got deeper with each hit.
Stopping, the skeleton stared down with a smug grin at Jack's badly beaten body. The latter eyes were closed, seemingly unconscious.
Raising it's fist the skeleton attempted to end it with a final strike. Bringing it down Jack's eye abruptly flung open, startling the creature a bit.
'Swoosh! swoosh!' Out from Jack's hand shot out two blood balls. Severing two out of four of the skeletons main arms. Not stopping jack kicked the creature leg, sending it down to a knee. Wrapping his legs around it's neck he squeezed tightly like his life depended on it.
'Snap!' A loud snap sound was heard, as the skeleton's head was excavated from it's body.
"That was close." Jack sighed getting up. His hp and body state were low, and anymore of those onslaught of punches would be the death of him.
'Rumble!' The ground rumbled again this time more fiercely than before. The strange dark energy getting denser and much powerful.
'Is this finally the end?' Jack guessed this was the end of his fight with the skeletons, as he could tell this would be his greatest challenge yet.
The ground shook violently, with the omnious suffocating energy spreading everywhere in waves. Bones from previous skeletons were attracted to this transformation. Swirling and pulsing with an otherworldly energy, that inscribed fear into the hearts of all.
Glancing back jack could see the mysterious old man simply standing there with a smile, observing the fight.
"Entertained?" Jack shouted to which the man honestly nodded. Turning back, he could see the transformation was almost complete. as the omnious energy was reducing.
'Boom!' The energy exploded like a bomb, sending gusts of dirt forcing jack to block his vision. Lowering his hand jack could see a single skeleton standing in front.
Unlike the others it didn't have four arms but two. 'Weird.. I expected eight arms but it looks just like a normal skeleton.' Jack thought confused.
[Though it may seem normal this skeleton posses a high amazing amount of dark energy. Be careful.] The system warned and for the first time, jack could sense worry when it spoke.
'Roar!!!' The skeleton let out a powerful roar forcing jack to block his ears. Staring at jack it snarled with rage written over it's face.
'I'll have to use blood decay.' Jack inwardly said. He was almost exhausted with his body aching in pain. And he couldn't afford to get cocky with this new type of skeleton, or it could be the end of him.
'Bam!' The creature shot fast like a bullet, disappearing from it's spot catching jack off guard. In an instant it reached jack sending out it's fist to him.
'Bam!' Jack was flung back in the air, along with blood gushing out from his mouth as he flew. Appearing behind him the skeleton sent out a kick jerking him up in the air.
Not stopping the creature continued it's menace, slamming jack hard to the ground.
'Boom!' A small explosion occured with gust of dust sent out. A small crater was created, as Jack's body collided with the cold hard dirt.
[-10hp]
[-10hp]
[Hp:20/70]
[-8 body state]
[User's legs arms and ribs are broken!]
The system messages flashed before his eyes. Each hit from the skeleton took away 10 of his hp, which was getting critical low. His body state also took a huge hit as the system deducted 8 of his body state.
He tried moving his hands but couldn't feeling they were broken, along with some bones in his ribs. His legs were also not spared, going numb from the constant movement.
'Roar!' The skeleton roared coming down at jack with speed. Gritting his teeth, jack managed to roll away just in time before the skeleton descended.
'Boom!' The skeleton crashed to the ground with power. Chucking up bits of dirt upwards even sending some little stones flying. A crater forming beneath it's feet.
'Am out of ideas, what do I do system?' Jack could feel he'd soon go unconscious any moment now, that is if he wasn't killed first. And he was out of ideas so he could only turn to his system.
[With your current situation you're better off dead.] The system coldly said making Jack's eyes widen.
'W-what the hell! aren't you meant to aide me? What happened to the loyalty vow you pledged.' Jack retorded rolling his eyes at the system.
[Unfortunately yes. Ha.. fine. Run in a zigzag motion and don't stop.] The system said making jack raise his brow in confusion, not understanding the systems motive.
'Am dead anyways.' Jack shrugged letting out a bitter smile.
[Now, run!] Heeding the system words he began his run, moving in a zigzag motion. Exactly the same time he began running did the skeleton crashed into Jack's previous spot. Jumping, the skeleton closed the gap between it and jack in seconds. Storming down to him jack changed direction at the last moment.
"Roar!" The skeleton roared in rage annoyed by Jack's plan? panting jack gritted through the pain, and the constant exhaustion looming over him. His vision was getting blurry but he fought the urge not to pass out.
'That was close.' Jack thought changing direction heading left. The skeleton impacting with the ground the very next second.
'Damn!' He cursed, fatigue finally catching up with him as he tripped off balance. The skeleton didn't give him a chance to regain himself sending out a fist.
'Bam!' Jack was sent flying back crashing into a pile of dirt. Appearing in his front the skeleton held him by the throat, lifting him off the ground a bit. It's hollow eyes staring at him without any emotions whatsoever.
'I-is this the end?' Jack thought seeing his life about to be ended by this creature.
[Quick open your mouth!] The system spoke. Adhering jack opened his mouth without hesitation. He could feel it, the ancient blood coursing through him directed to one part. His mouth.
[Blood decay activated!]
The system notification flashed before his eyes, with the protrusion of a blood ball from his mouth hitting the skeleton's skull. It didn't pass through it like before, because of it's tough bone. but it didn't matter.
"Roar!" The skeleton roared in pain letting go of jack. The effects of blood decay kicking in, dissolving the creature's bone. Spreading fast like a virus with the strange red veins encasing it.
It lasted for a minute, until the creature finally dropped to the floor unmoving.
"D-did I?" jack wasn't for sure staring at the creature but he soon confirmed it, as the system notifications flashed before his eyes.
[Congratulations on killing a rank f skeleto!]
[All rewards will be distributed soon..]
"Haha. I-i did it~" Jack barely uttered finally glad it was over. He'd never expected the fight to last this long, as it was truly a fight to the death.
Tired and exhausted he finally succumbed to fatigue. His vision fading with his body crashing to the floor.