"What the hell," this was what I thought when I entered the boss room. I saw the Hobgoblin lying on the ground, lifeless, its body dry as if its soul had been completely sucked out. But then, my gaze fell on the throne, where sat a green figure with glowing red eyes and a sinister smile, licking its lips as if looking at its prey. It held a staff and wore a bone necklace. Its body emitted a blood-purple, ominous aura.
"System, what the hell is this?" I asked, surprisingly without fear.
[Host: Goblin Shaman Saman has absorbed Hobgoblin's soul and essence, leading it to evolve into the next phase. If not stopped in time, Host will not be able to defeat it.]
[Sudden Quest: Defeat the Goblin Shaman before its evolution.]
[Time limit: 8 minutes]
[Rewards: Mana Control (A), 10 SP, and 200 CP]
[Penalty: Death]
"Damn, this is serious. I have to go all out from the start," I thought.
"Kekekeke, human, are you ready to die? Kekekeke," the monster spoke.
"This bastard can speak," I thought, surprised.
"What are you laughing at, ugly bastard? Are you so eager to die?" I taunted.
"Kekeke, die by a pathetic human like you? Even ants are stronger, kekeke."
"Let's see if you can smile later when I kick your ugly face," I taunted again.
This time, the Shaman didn't reply. Instead, it walked towards me and stopped a few meters in front of me, ready for battle.
-------
The dungeon was alive with tension as I faced the Goblin Shaman, a creature known for its cunning and dark magic. The Shaman, standing in front of me, was a sight to behold. With its green skin, jagged teeth, and a staff adorned with twisted bones, it cackled, summoning dark energies that crackled in the air, ready to unleash chaos upon me.
I stood firm, my eyes unwavering, ready to take down the monster before me. I knew I had to act quickly. I could only use Fireball, Mind Acceleration, Flash Step, and intermediate sword skills. And with the time limit ticking down before this creature evolved, I focused my mind, feeling the surge of power as I activated:
"Mind Acceleration!"
I felt time slow around me, and my mind raced through thousands of potential scenarios. The Shaman's movements became clearer, and I could see the moment it began to channel its magic.
Without hesitation, I unleashed a Fireball, a bright orb of flame that shot toward the Shaman. The creature responded with a wave of energy, summoning a shield of dark magic that absorbed the impact. The explosion sent sparks flying, illuminating the forest. The Shaman laughed, taunting me, and began to conjure a series of lightning bolts.
I knew I had to dodge. I activated Flash Step, blurring into motion as I darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the first bolt that struck the ground where I had been standing.
But the Shaman was relentless, sending another bolt in my direction. This time, I wasn't fast enough. The lightning struck me, sending a jolt of pain through my body. I stumbled, feeling the burn and shock coursing through me.
"Arghh, damn it, that hurts," I winced in pain.
With my body aching, I quickly regained my composure. I reached for my sword, its blade gleaming in the dim light. I activated Mind Acceleration again, using the enhanced perception to anticipate the Shaman's next move. I charged forward, closing the distance, and executed a series of swift sword strikes, each one aimed with precision. The Shaman, caught off guard, raised its staff to defend but was struck by my blade, causing it to howl in pain.
The Shaman retaliated, launching a wave of dark energy that hit me squarely in the chest. I fell back, winded and injured, the pain radiating through me. Desperate, I fumbled for my potion, a shimmering liquid that promised to restore my strength. I uncorked the vial and drank it in one swift motion, feeling the warmth spread through my body, revitalizing my energy and endurance. Another potion helped me quickly regain my mana.
Fueled by the potions, I surged back into the fight. I unleashed another Fireball, this time with greater intensity, catching the Shaman off balance. The explosion sent the creature reeling, and I seized the moment. I dashed forward using Flash Step, closing the gap between us. With a final, powerful swing of my sword, I struck the Shaman down. The creature collapsed in a heap, its dark magic dissipating into the air.
'Thud.'
As the dust settled, I stood victorious, my body battered but unbroken. I had faced the Goblin Shaman and emerged triumphant, proving once again that determination and skill could overcome even the darkest of foes. The room, once filled with the echoes of battle, now lay silent, a testament to my strength and resilience.
"Haah, haah, I was lucky I had a system, or I would have died. I really need to become strong," I breathed heavily, lying on the ground. My clothes were a mess. I decided to check the rewards.
"Hmm, 2 F-rank monster cores and a skill book. Let's see what kind of skill it will give me."
[Shaman's Curse (E)]
(Host can now cast a curse that weakens a target's defenses or makes them more vulnerable to specific types of attacks. This curse could affect both goblins and humans.)
Duration: 10 seconds and single target.
The curse lasts for a short duration and affects a single target. As Host levels up, the curse's duration and the number of targets it can affect will increase.
"Ah, great, a growth-type and AoE skill. This will be useful in the assessment," I thought. "It's been more than three hours. I should head back. Let's leave the system rewards for later."
After clearing the dungeon, I headed back to my dorm. The guards gave me a weird look but didn't say anything. After taking a shower and getting rid of all the blood stains, I came out with a towel around my waist. I changed into new clothes and cooked myself a simple meal, which I really enjoyed.
Now, lying on my bed and recalling today's events, I mumbled:
"Status."
[Ding...]