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Chapter 36: Dance of Death and Rebirth
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The Vault trembled.
The Ancient Lich Lord floated above the ground, its robes trailing like smoke.
Cold blue flames burned in its empty sockets.
It raised a hand —
black mist poured from its bony fingers, forming chains of death that lashed toward the team.
Lucian roared:
"Formation Alpha!"
Finn and Mira darted left and right.
Dorian hung back, chanting a spell to reinforce defenses.
Lucian lunged forward, his Soulpiercer Spear humming in his hands.
The first impact shook the ground.
CLANG!
Lucian's spear met the Lich's skeletal hand —
a shockwave exploded outward, throwing broken stones into the air.
---
Seventeen's urgent reports flooded in:
> [System 17]:
"Warning: Boss Entity has Death Magic Immunity.
Weakness Detected: Soul Core in Chest Cavity."
Lucian grinned through the pressure.
"Go for the glowing bastard's chest!"
Mira threw her new dagger — it turned into a streak of silver light, narrowly missing the Lich's skull.
Finn zipped around like a madman, throwing enchanted daggers, some bouncing off magical barriers, some slicing through robes.
Dorian completed his chant —
a [Barrier of Living Flame] erupted around them, giving partial protection against the Lich's death spells.
---
First Phase: Death Chains.
The Lich Lord waved its hand.
Chains of pure darkness erupted from the floor, grabbing at ankles, wrists, even necks.
Finn yelped as a chain snagged his leg —
Lucian spun, slashing it apart with one clean sweep of his spear.
[Skill Unlocked: Death Cleave - Beginner Lv.1]
A message blinked across Lucian's vision —
but he didn't stop.
He pressed forward.
Every step felt like wading through a swamp of hatred, the Lich Lord's aura trying to crush their will.
---
Second Phase: Soulfire Rain.
The Lich shrieked —
a sound like grinding bones —
and from the ceiling, flaming blue meteors began to fall.
Seventeen warned urgently:
> [System 17]:
"Incoming Soulfire Rain — Dodge or Perish."
The team scattered.
Lucian rolled forward, narrowly dodging a meteor that smashed into the floor where he'd been standing.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Explosions rocked the chamber.
Dorian was hit by the edge of one —
his robe caught fire briefly before he doused it with water magic, cursing like a sailor.
"THIS is why I stayed single! Adventuring SUCKS!"
---
Turning the Tide.
Lucian tightened his grip on the Soulpiercer.
He activated Domain Link for the first time.
A soft thrum answered —
and a ripple of dark power surged up his arm, flooding the spear.
Domain Buff Activated: Whispering Graveyard's Blessing!
> Undead enemies suffer -30% defense within Domain Aura.
Spirit energy reinforced.
Lucian's eyes glowed faintly violet.
He shot forward —
like a black comet.
The Lich shrieked and threw up a dozen barriers.
Lucian's spear shattered two, three, four —
a blur of furious strikes.
At the final barrier, Lucian growled:
"BREAK!"
And he slammed his full body weight into the thrust.
CRAAACK.
The barrier shattered like glass.
The Lich reeled —
exposing the glowing blue core embedded in its ribs.
Lucian did not hesitate.
He drove the Soulpiercer deep into the Lich's chest.
The world went still.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then —
CRACK-CRACK-CRACK.
The core fractured.
The Lich let out a final, furious shriek —
—and exploded into a cloud of dust and soul fragments.
---
Victory!
Seventeen announced proudly:
> [System 17]:
"Boss Defeated!
Rewards Calculated!"
> Loot Dropped:
[Soul Gem of the Ancient Lich - A Rank]
[Tattered Robe of Endless Nightmares - B Rank]
[Necrotic Grimoire - Special Summon Item]
[Phantom Ring - Rare Relic]
> EXP Gained: +4500
Level Up!
Current Level: 12 → 14
Lucian collapsed backward, panting heavily.
Finn fell onto a pile of gold coins, groaning.
Mira laughed shakily.
Dorian coughed, brushing bone dust off his cloak.
"Next time," he wheezed, "let's rob a bakery instead."
Lucian couldn't help but laugh.
---
Post-Battle Moment.
Lucian slowly walked toward the Soul Gem —
a floating orb of icy blue flame.
Seventeen spoke softly:
> [System 17]:
"Recommendation: Fuse Soul Gem with Domain.
Permanent Bonus to Undead Summons: Intelligence +10%, Loyalty +20%."
Lucian thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
He touched the gem.
It melted into silver mist, pouring into his chest.
His Domain rumbled.
The Whispering Graveyard expanded.
More graves appeared —
and somewhere deep within, the first "true" undead lieutenants began to stir.
Lucian's army... was beginning.
---
The Vault Slowly Sealed Itself.
But before the exit closed completely, Finn found one last treasure chest, buried under rubble.
With a wild whoop, he yanked it open.
Inside was a strange item:
> [Item Found: Dimensional Key - Unmarked Gate (Mystery Level)].
Lucian's heart pounded.
An unmarked Dimensional Key?
Those were rare beyond belief.
It could lead to a hidden dungeon… or an entirely new world.
Adventure called.
---
Lucian whispered to himself:
"This is just the beginning."
Behind him, in the dark corners of the Whispering Graveyard, countless graves trembled —
waiting for their master's command.
---
[Chapter 36 End]
---Chapter 37: The Key to the Unknown
---
The Vault door was closing.
Lucian didn't waste a second.
He shoved the Dimensional Key into his inventory, grabbed Finn and Mira by the arms, and sprinted through the collapsing exit.
BOOM!
The entire structure caved in behind them, sealing away whatever secrets still lurked deeper inside.
They lay panting on the grassy slope outside the ruins.
For a while, no one spoke.
The air smelled of dust, sweat, and wild magic.
---
Dorian finally broke the silence.
"So... what the hell was that key?"
Lucian sat up, pulling the strange object into view.
The Dimensional Key looked like a crystal dagger —
sharp, translucent, and pulsing with faint purple veins.
> [System 17]:
"Unidentified Dimensional Key detected.
Function: Temporary Gate Creation.
Unknown Destination.
Risk Level: Extremely High."
Lucian frowned.
"Seventeen, define 'extremely high.'"
> [System 17]:
"Survival chances estimated at 31% without preparation.
Potential rewards: Mythical-grade Items, Unique Skills, Rare Class Advancements."
Finn whistled, wide-eyed.
"Damn... sounds sexy and suicidal."
Mira smirked.
"I like the odds."
---
The Decision.
Lucian looked around at his party —
these misfits who somehow trusted him enough to follow him into death itself.
He stood.
"Prepare yourselves," he said.
"We're going in. Together."
Finn saluted dramatically.
Dorian groaned but nodded.
Mira cracked her knuckles, grinning.
Lucian raised the Key high.
Seventeen counted down.
> [System 17]:
"Initializing Gate...
Stabilizing Coordinates...
10... 9... 8..."
The wind howled around them.
The earth trembled.
A crack appeared midair, vertical like a bleeding wound.
It stretched wider —
revealing nothing but swirling darkness within.
At the last second, Seventeen added:
> "Notice: First Entrants will face trial by environment.
Prepare for immediate combat."
Lucian didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward —
and vanished into the Gate.
One by one, the others followed.
The Gate sealed behind them with a soft pop.
---
The Other Side.
Lucian stumbled slightly as he emerged.
The sky was blood-red.
Black trees twisted in the distance like writhing snakes.
The ground was cracked, dead, and scattered with bones.
In the far distance, ancient ruins stood under a hovering black sun.
A chill ran down his spine.
Seventeen chimed in:
> [System 17]:
"Welcome to the Forgotten Deadlands.
Environment: Hostile.
Oxygen: Minimal.
Magic Density: High.
Threat Rating: S-Grade."
Finn popped out behind him and immediately gagged.
"Ugh, smells like ten thousand sweaty gym socks mixed with corpse juice."
Dorian coughed and muttered, "If I die here, I'm haunting your ass, Lucian."
Mira just drew her swords and surveyed the landscape like a wolf on the hunt.
---
First Encounter: The Bone Crows.
SKREEEEEE.
The sky darkened.
Hundreds of black-feathered creatures —
each the size of a dog —
swooped down from above.
Their beaks glowed green.
Their talons dripped acid.
Lucian cursed.
"Form up!"
The Bone Crows attacked in a chaotic wave.
---
Full Combat Breakdown:
Lucian spun his spear in wide arcs, slicing three Bone Crows midair.
[Skill: Sweeping Death Strike - Intermediate Lv.1 Unlocked]
Mira leapt into the air, flipping gracefully as she stabbed through crow after crow, her daggers flashing silver.
Finn darted around, tossing enchanted knives and laughing like a lunatic.
Dorian summoned a fiery whip, lashing Bone Crows out of the sky.
---
Blood and acid rained down.
Lucian took a glancing hit to the shoulder —
the acid burning through armor and flesh.
> [System 17]:
"Status Effect: Minor Acid Burn.
Healing initiated."
Pain flared, but Lucian fought through it.
Their teamwork was messy, loud, chaotic —
but devastating.
By the time the last Bone Crow screeched and crashed into the dirt, they were all panting, bloodied, but victorious.
---
System Rewards:
> Loot Gained:
[Bone Crow Talon (Crafting Material)]
[Corrupted Feathers x50]
[Acid Blood Flask x3]
> EXP Gained: +1200
Lucian: Level 14 → 15
Mira: Level 13 → 14
Finn: Level 13 → 14
Dorian: Level 14 → 15
---
Exploration Begins.
Lucian pulled out a potion and downed it.
He looked toward the distant ruins.
There, he could feel it —
a pulse.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
Seventeen confirmed his instincts:
> [System 17]:
"Primary Objective Detected:
Relic of the Forgotten King.
Location: Central Ruins.
Estimated Guardian Strength: ???"
Lucian wiped his mouth and grinned.
Adventure.
Glory.
Power.
All waited ahead.
He pointed toward the ruins.
"Let's go raise some hell."
The team, battered but burning with excitement, followed.
Their next chapter had begun.
---
[Chapter 37 End]
------
Chapter 38: The Deadlands' Curse
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The air grew colder as Lucian and his team pressed deeper into the Forgotten Deadlands.
Every step forward felt heavier, like invisible chains were wrapping around their bodies.
The ground crunched under their boots—bones, not rocks.
---
Deadlands Effect Activated!
> [System 17]:
"Warning: Passive Curse Detected.
Effect: Gradual Mana Depletion.
Countermeasures Required: Cores, Potions, or Safe Zones."
Lucian clicked his tongue.
"If we waste too much mana fighting small fry, we'll die before reaching the ruins."
Finn, ever the genius, added:
"Maybe we should strip naked. Less weight to carry."
Mira smacked him upside the head without a word.
Dorian sighed.
"Serious suggestions only, idiots."
Lucian chuckled and refocused.
"Seventeen, scan the area for monsters."
> [System 17]:
"Scan Complete.
Nearby Threats:
Bone Wolves x7
Dust Ghouls x12
Bone Giant x1 (Mini-Boss Class)."
The names alone sounded bad enough.
---
First Battle: The Bone Wolves
From the mist emerged the Bone Wolves —
their bodies skeletal, only scraps of flesh hanging like tattered curtains.
Green fire burned in their eye sockets.
They moved with terrifying speed.
Combat Start!
Lucian activated [Skeletal Guardian Form], his muscles hardening, his strength boosting by 25%.
Mira coated her blades with poison from the Acid Blood flasks.
Finn laid explosive runes across the ground, whistling a dirty tune.
Dorian channeled flame through his whip, lighting the battlefield in orange glow.
---
The wolves struck first.
Two pounced at Lucian —
he blocked one with his spear and parried the other midair, slamming it to the ground.
Mira danced between them, slitting throats and severing spines.
Finn baited three into a rune trap.
BOOM!
Three Bone Wolves exploded into bone fragments.
---
Battle Highlight:
One wolf latched onto Lucian's arm.
Its teeth, sharp as daggers, bit deep.
Lucian gritted his teeth, lifted it bodily, and ripped its skull clean off with a roar.
Blood sprayed across his armor.
Mira whistled.
"Sexy."
Finn made a fake swooning gesture.
"I think I'm pregnant now."
Lucian just laughed darkly, tossing the skull aside.
---
Victory!
All seven Bone Wolves fell.
> EXP Gained: +1600
Loot Gained: [Bone Core x7], [Tainted Bone Shard x15]
Lucian's body burned with newfound energy.
Level Up!
> Lucian: Level 15 → Level 16
---
Second Encounter: Dust Ghouls
The ground cracked.
From the fissures crawled Dust Ghouls —
mummified corpses wrapped in rotting bandages.
They moved fast. Too fast.
Lucian cursed and ordered formation:
"Don't let them surround us!"
These ghouls could siphon mana with their claws.
One scratched Finn's arm —
immediately, his magical aura flickered like a dying flame.
> [System 17]:
"Mana Drain Detected.
Recommendation: Eliminate Quickly."
---
Battle Strategy:
Dorian unleashed a firestorm to burn the bandages away.
Mira crippled their legs, forcing them to crawl.
Finn used a newly looted artifact — [Boomstick] — to blast ghouls apart.
Lucian struck surgically, targeting their exposed cores.
The fight was frantic.
Lucian's breathing grew ragged.
His muscles screamed.
But they won.
Barely.
---
Victory!
> EXP Gained: +1800
Loot Gained: [Ghoul Core x12], [Cursed Bandage x10]
Mira panted.
"This...is hell."
Lucian wiped blood off his forehead.
"And we haven't even met the boss yet."
Finn looked ahead, voice trembling in excitement.
"Uhh... guys? You might wanna look at that."
---
Mini-Boss Spawn: Bone Giant
It stood at least 7 meters tall.
A hulking mass of stitched bones and rusted armor.
Its fists were the size of wagons.
In its empty ribcage floated a glowing purple orb.
Boss Health: 100%
> [System 17]:
"Mini-Boss Detected: Bone Giant.
Special Skills: Earthquake Slam, Bone Spike Barrage, Corpse Assimilation.
Weakness: Core exposed inside ribcage."
Lucian's lips curled into a savage grin.
"Finally...a real fight."
---
Boss Battle Begins!!
Lucian rushed forward, spear gleaming.
Mira flanked left, Finn darted right, Dorian took the rear.
The ground shook with every step the Bone Giant took.
Lucian's heart pounded.
This was it.
A fight where one wrong move meant death.
And he loved it.
---
[Chapter 38 End]
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