Chapter 42 Exploring The Lower Section
[System Notification: Lilo uses Explosive Arrow - Stonebound Warlord HP -1200]
The explosion rocked the Warlord, sending chunks of stone flying as it stumbled backward.
With a desperate roar, the Warlord charged forward, swinging wildly. Ezran narrowly dodged a crushing blow, retaliating with a Shadow Bolt.
[System Notification: Ezran casts Shadow Bolt - Stonebound Warlord HP -600]
- Special Effect: Blinds Enemy Vision by 50% for 5 seconds
The Warlord\'s vision clouded, and it hesitated with a look of disorientation.
August saw his chance, summoning every ounce of energy into his staff and casting Ethereal Storm one final time. A colossal bolt of energy descended from the sky, striking the Warlord dead-center.
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[System Notification: Aleman casts Ethereal Storm - Stonebound Warlord HP -3900]
- Special Effect: Collapse - Enemy Armor Reduced by 40%
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The Sentinel Warlord\'s armor shattered, crumbling to pieces and falling to the ground. With a unified shout, Boris, Lilo, and Ezran launched their final attacks, each strike landing on the exposed core of the Warlord\'s body.
[System Notification: Boris uses Heavy Slash - Stonebound Warlord HP -1200]
[System Notification: Lilo uses Double Arrow - Stonebound Warlord HP -900]
[System Notification: Ezran uses Energy Bolt Barrage - Stonebound Warlord HP -400 -400 - 350 - 420]
The Warlord let out one last, thunderous roar before collapsing.
Its massive form disintegrated into dust that faded into the dark atmosphere of the ruins.
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[System Notification: Boss Defeated - Sentinel Warlord]
[System Notification: Upper Section of the Forgotten Ruins Cleared]
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As the dust settled, a pile of shimmering loot appeared in the center, casting a soft glow over the group. They shared a collective sigh of relief before breaking into grins.
"We did it!" Lilo cheered while raising her bow triumphantly.
Ezran laughed, gathering the loot. "With that much EXP and loot, we\'re all leveling up tonight if we do this a couple more times."
August checked his own stats as the system chimed.
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[System Notification: Aleman - EXP: +100,000 ]
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←←←←←←←←
Name: Aleman
Level: 21
Title(s): Sovereign Of Anti Darkness
Class: Assassin/Mage
EXP: 370,000/600,000
HP: 2000/2000
MP: 1500/1500
Gold: 1620
Skills/Spells: Shadow Dance, Hidden Strike, Slash, Dash, Dual Wielding, Fireball, Arcane Shield, Ethereal Storm
Inventory:
- Golem Core Shard
- Health Potion x12
- Mana Potion x10
- Enhanced Dagger (Bronze)
- High Tier Health Potion x5
- High Tier Mana Potion x2
- Dark Orb
- Rank Up Card
- Leather Armor
- Uncommon Toxic Dagger
- Danting Pendant
- Runic Sword (Unique)
←←←←←←←←
August was satisfied with his current progress. Grinding in groups, especially places with double EXP and loots really had its benefits.
They divided the loot equally amongst themselves. Gold coins, magical gems, weapon fragments, and a rare artifact gleamed in their hands.
Boris clapped August on the shoulder, a wide grin on his face. "That staff of yours is a real game-changer. You practically took down half the Warlord on your own!"
August smiled. "Nah, couldn\'t have done it without everyone\'s teamwork."
Lilo nodded with a smile. "You bet! Let\'s keep grinding together and see just how far we can go."
"Why don\'t we head down to the lower section?" August asked while gripping his Mage staff with a grin. "We\'ve still got time, and I\'m guessing there\'s plenty of loot down there."
Lilo\'s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes! I\'ve heard there\'s a lot more treasure and enemies down there, though it\'s full of traps."
Boris nodded, resting his hand on his shield. "I\'m in. As long as we\'re careful and stick together, we should be fine."
Ezran let out a laugh. "More traps just means more treasure, right? Lead the way, Aleman."
With the decision made, they walked toward the massive stone staircase leading to the lower section of the Forgotten Ruins.
The atmosphere shifted as they descended.
A damp chill filled the air and faint eerie echoes. Flickering torches illuminated narrow hallways, and broken statues lined their path, each marking a piece of the ruins\' lost history.
When they reached the bottom, a system notification appeared.
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[System Notification: You have entered the Lower Section of the Forgotten Ruins]
- Recommended Level: 24-30
- Enemies Scale by Group Size
- Increased Loot Drop Rate
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The lower section was massive, almost like a maze with interconnected chambers, narrow passages, and an eerie quietness.
Their steps echoed in the hollow corridors as they moved cautiously. Shadows flickered around them, and faint growls echoed from the depths.
It didn\'t take long for the first group of enemies to appear. Emerging from a hidden alcove, a pack of skeletal creatures with glowing eyes and rusted weapons in hand began to advance toward them.
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[System Notification: You have encountered Skeleton Marauders (Level 25) - Group Scaling Applied]
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Lilo immediately notched an arrow as her sharp eyes zoomed in on a skeleton holding a rusty spear at the back of the pack.
[System Notification: Lilo uses Snipe - Skeleton Marauder HP -2200]
The arrow struck the skeleton\'s skull with deadly accuracy, shattering it instantly. With a satisfied grin, Lilo dashed forward, preparing another arrow.
The Skeleton Marauders let out unearthly screeches and charged forward. Boris stepped in front, raising his shield to brace against their attack.
[System Notification: Boris uses Shield Wall - Reduces Damage by 40% for 10 seconds]
The first marauder slammed into Boris\'s shield, only to be met by his sword.
[System Notification: Boris uses Heavy Slash - Skeleton Marauder HP -2600]
Ezran chanted quickly, summoning a ring of fire that burst from his fingertips, surrounding the Marauders and scorching their brittle bones.
[System Notification: Ezran uses Flame Ring - Skeleton Marauders HP -2400 each]
Seeing the opening created by his friends, August raised his staff and cast Fireball, unleashing a blazing orb the size of a car.
It traveled in an arc across the air before ramming into a bunch of these skeletal figures.
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[System Notification: Aleman casts Fireball - Skeleton Marauders HP -3000 each]
-Effect: Confusion - Enemies have a 30% chance to miss attacks for 10 seconds
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About seven Skeleton Marauders were obliterated by the fireball which consumed their bones till there was nothing left.
As for the other Skeleton Marauders in the surroundings, the effect took hold.
The Skeleton Marauders staggered under the onslaught, disoriented as their skeletal forms struggled to stay intact. Lilo took advantage, combining three arrows into one massive, glowing projectile.
[System Notification: Lilo uses Triple Arcane Arrow - Skeleton Marauders HP -2400]
The combined arrow tore through multiple enemies, reducing them to dust in one swift motion.
As the last of the marauders crumbled, a glint of light caught their eyes—a pile of loot scattered on the ground, left behind by the defeated foes.
They each gathered items, finding gold coins, potions, and a few weapon fragments that glimmered under the torchlight.
Lilo let out a laugh as she examined one of the gems. "Worth the fight, wouldn\'t you say?"
Ezran pocketed a mana crystal. "If we keep this up, we\'re going to walk out of here loaded."
With the marauders defeated, they pressed on, exploring hidden alcoves and corners in search of more treasure.
They ransacked an old grave, finding enchanted jewelry and rare relics tucked away in the dust-laden coffins. It wasn\'t long before they stumbled upon an ancient chest, sealed with a magical lock.
Boris leaned down, examining it. "Any ideas?"