Chapter 29: Skeleton Soldier
Since there are no tasks to do at hand, I might as well explore the forbidden area mentioned by the Wolf King. Even if I can’t win, the worst that can happen is losing a level.
But I need to prepare first.
First, potions.
I didn’t buy any when I was in the Beginner Village because I didn’t need them, but now I have the chance to get ready.
HP Potion (Normal): Instantly restores 50 health points upon use, cooldown time 10 seconds, 1 copper coin/bottle.
HP Potion (Beginner): Instantly restores 100 health points upon use, cooldown time 10 seconds, 2.5 copper coins/bottle.
HP Potion (Intermediate): Instantly restores 200 health points upon use, cooldown time 10 seconds, 6 copper coins/bottle.
HP Potion (Advanced): Instantly restores 400 health points upon use, cooldown time 10 seconds, 1.5 silver coins/bottle.
The lower-grade potions are too weak, while the advanced HP potion is just highway robbery. 1.5 silver coins a bottle? Who can afford that? Even if you combine all the money from Starry and Zane, it totals only 5.6 gold coins. 1 gold coin = 10 silver coins, which means buying dozens of advanced potions would completely deplete my funds.
I’ll just buy 20 bottles of the advanced HP potion, forget the lower-grade ones.
As for MP, Zane hasn’t changed classes yet and doesn’t even have a skill. In Gray Wolf form, I do have skills, but they don’t consume any mana. Starry’s Ice Moon Slash and Thousand Flash Step are basically mana-free.
Considering the need for lighting, Zane bought a magic lantern. It provides natural illumination for 3 days without being affected by outside interference, a very convenient item priced at just 1 silver coin. I’ll buy 2, as the Beginner Village doesn’t have such high-quality goods.
Now, the last and most troublesome issue.
Starry mentioned that the place is surrounded by an ominous force, and moving in carelessly might result in being cursed.
Just then, Zane spotted a scroll in the corner.
Exorcism Amulet: A blessed talisman that deters evil spirits from approaching easily.
“Boss! How much is this?” Zane shouted.
“1 gold coin each, no negotiation!” The boss glanced over and casually replied.
“Damn, that’s so expensive! You might as well go rob!”
“Hmph, this is a talisman blessed by a priest; selling it to you for one gold coin is already a bargain.” The boss sneered.
“Zane, this should be effective,” Starry nodded.
“…Fine, this is my last two gold coins; it’s all yours!” Zane said painfully, not expecting these coins to be squandered without even being converted into something useful… There’s no other way; the early investment is worth it!
With the two amulets in hand, Zane quickly put one on. A warm feeling spread throughout his body; not bad.
They walked outside the city gate.
“Let’s go, we’re all set!” Zane raised his hand and shouted.
Starry had an amused smile, looking at him with questionable intent.
“…I get it already!” Seriously…
Complaints aside, Zane completed the transformation in a flash of white light. Starry adjusted her attire and sat sideways, saying, “Little Wolf, run fast and I’ll give you bones to eat!”
Hey! I’m a wolf, okay?! Zane’s face was full of black lines.
…
To be on the safe side, they took the long way around to avoid being spotted by the Wolf King or other elite wolves.
Visibility was very low; with the faint moonlight, they could barely see the outline of the road.
Starry took out the magic lantern, illuminating a bright area in the darkness.
The grass here was mostly yellow and sickly, seemingly lacking nutrients from the soil.
Some of the ground’s dirt even emitted a rotten smell. There were no passersby or beasts, and even insects were nearly extinct. It’s hard to imagine such a stark difference on the same map.
Vaguely, it seemed like faint shadows flew by, and the Exorcism Amulet emitted warm energy, causing the shadows to scatter in panic.
Without specific coordinates, Zane could only do a systematic search, thankfully, the cooldown for sprinting was only half a minute, greatly speeding up his search.
Suddenly, he felt he had stepped on something.
Stumbling, he nearly fell, while Starry had already jumped down, drawing the Qiu Yue Sword and entering a combat stance.
Using the lantern’s light, he saw the true form of the visitor, a skeleton with flickering flames in its eye sockets.
Skeleton Soldier (Summon)
Rarity: Black Iron grade
Level: 15
Health: 1000
Attack: 45-53
Defense: 25
Skills: Heavy Strike, Block
Description: A resurrected human soldier, devoid of memories from its past life, only retaining the instinct to fight.
Its attributes were significantly stronger than those of a regular gray wolf, and the description mentioned it would use human combat instincts, making it potentially more troublesome than expected.
Sprinting!
Zane felt much lighter, as he kicked up a whirlwind and charged in with a venomous claw attack!
The Skeleton Soldier raised its iron sword, already predicting Zane’s attack direction.
“Clang”
-10
The purple armor-piercing debuff successfully landed on the Skeleton Soldier, reducing its defense to 20.
However, the damage was less than expected.
The damage dealt was barely enough to breach its defense, completely blocked.
Using the recoil, Zane prepared to retreat a few steps, but the Skeleton Soldier pressed on relentlessly, raising its iron sword high.
Heavy Strike!
Oh no! That stance looks like it could take away at least two or three hundred health points.
“Ice Moon Slash!” Starry seized the moment, launching her attack just as the skeleton struck.
-763
The 1.8x damage of Ice Moon Slash combined with hidden bonuses from interrupting the attack dealt 76% of the skeleton’s health!
The power of frost crawled up the Skeleton Soldier’s entire body like poison, but the next moment, it shattered to the ground.
It was suppressed by 3 levels, and the freezing effect had a low chance of success, resulting in a miss.
The radiance of Heavy Strike was momentarily delayed by Starry’s attack, but it quickly returned to normal, slashing down with tremendous force.
-378
Zane was sent flying by this sword strike, losing half of his health instantly.
“!” Starry, ignited with fury, skillfully swung the Qiu Yue Sword at its neck, managing to sever the Skeleton Soldier’s entire head!
-304
The Skeleton Soldier’s health bar was completely depleted, its hands falling helplessly to its sides.
Zane awkwardly stood up, shook his head, and brushed off the dirt on himself.
This Skeleton Soldier’s attack power was too high; a Heavy Strike almost took away half of my health, considering I had allocated almost all my points into health.
Thankfully, Starry wasn’t attacked; otherwise, she would have probably been taken out in an instant. No wonder this place is called a forbidden area; this minor monster is terrifying!
“Are you okay?” Starry rushed over.
I’m fine, still have half health left, plus it’s already been… Zane’s words came to an abrupt halt.
The Skeleton Soldier’s body miraculously started moving again, picking up its severed head and placing it back onto its neck!
Then, flickering flames ignited again in its hollow eye sockets.
Health bar? Full again!
This has to be cheating; it can’t be serious! It can revive???
