Introduction Arc: Chapter 11.
*Crack!* Feledil DeBestEye crushed the skull of a manifested undead with his steel armored greaves. With the help of Alluna, he cleared the manifested undead that were blocking their path. They've successfully culled the numbers and the only threat that remained was the one waiting for them deeper in the caverns.
The higher-tiered undead that gave a buff with a roar.
Winter's enrage technique was finished. He massacred the several dozen manifested undead with ease. He abandoned using his dagger halfway and resorted to punching and kicking instead. The manifested undead couldn't even put a scratch on him, even if they were to deal a direct hit.
Fae Baller watched as Winter ruthlessly dwindled the amount of the manifested undead until the enrage technique was gone. She expected him to be fatigued with the side effects, but that wasn't the case. Winter instead shrugged, saying that the side effects aren't that serious.
(That can't be, even with Alluna's buff and some restoration potions. It would still take at least two to three hours of respite to be combat-ready again.) Fae thought, brows furrowing. However, she pushed those thoughts aside for now. There was a bigger threat to prioritize.
Feledil was staring at the ground, lost in thought. Alluna Allat approached him with worried eyes.
"M-Master Feledil?" She muttered before her hand was whacked away, surprising her. Feledil then snapped away from his thoughts, realizing he had done something horrible, albeit subconsciously.
"Alluna, I apologize," Feledil said, wiping Alluna's affected hand. "I was deep in trance." He excused himself, although rather unconvincingly. Fae noticed the abrupt change in his mood but ignored it, prioritizing the fact that Alluna's hand was being caressed, not hers.
"M-my hand is hurting too, an undead bit on it," Fae said, blushing, extending her hand towards Feledil. Feledil chuckled, also caressing her extended hand.
(What a strange group, despite being skilled. It's going to take some time to adapt to their antics when I've properly joined.) Winter thought, noticing an ominous glare from Feledil, whose expression then quickly transformed into an apologetic smile.
"Now, all that's left for us is that undead from below," Feledil said, taking charge, tone full of confidence and motivation. He steals another glance towards Winter before facing front and leading the group. The group then slowly descended deeper into the caverns.
A faint red glow was visible from up ahead; they were getting closer to the source. The group then found themselves in a wide clearing, where the cave ceiling now rose at a distance above their heads.
The faint red glow, now a radiating light, came from a red orb that was hovering above a dirt pedestal. The lower half of the red orb was covered with black fabric that sparkled. The group stared at each other, wondering what to do about it.
They've also focused their senses, wary about the higher-tiered undead that they've heard roaring earlier. A loud thud from behind surprised them.
Alluna Allat was the origin of the thud. A fearful yet excited expression was plastered on her face. The kind of face that would arise when a high-risk, high-reward opportunity would show up. She pointed to the red orb, mouth jittering.
"That's a summoning orb, a remnant from the dragon lord wars. It's a rare magic item." A hint of greed came out of her shaky delivery. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to strike gold.
Fae kept a stern face, still wary of the looming undead, whereas Feledil kept a solid, piercing glare at the hovering red orb. *Roar!* A loud guttural roar bellowed from up above. A huge figure then dropped in front of them, cracking the smoothed dirt with the heavy landing.
A manifested undead, taller than the one they've defeated before in the night forest. "Warrior Death Knight, so they truly exist," Fae said with a fearful tone. She studied modern and ancient bestiaries, recognizing the threat in front of them.
The warrior death knight stood at roughly ten meters. Its form was more armor than an undead; everything was covered in aged steel. There were two long swords sheathed on both sides of the waist, while a huge shield was equipped on the back. A foul, deathly stench emanated from the warrior death knight, although the miasma emanating from the red orb was significantly more suffocating.
◆ [Analyzing target: A warrior death knight, rumored to be a corrupted soul fragment of a fallen hero. When a hero comes back to life, they lose a part of their soul as 'payment'. Those fragments can then be used to create an undead of unholy power. Verdict: Run. ] ◆
(Yeah... I remember reading that before I was transported here. I was reading the descriptions of some monsters. A warrior death knight, it's a level thirty-five undead.) Winter thought, gulping.
"I don't think I've reached level ten even. There's no way to get out of this." Winter whispered. "However, with all of us working together. It's possible." He continued.
The warrior death knight then unsheathed two large swords and slowly circled the group, waiting for them to make a move. The warrior death knight was heavily focused on Feledil, although it would steal glances from Winter as it slowly circled.
"You guys, it's a warrior death knight. It's massively stronger and faster than we are. However, we can defeat it together; it has the same weakness as an undead." Winter shouted, hoping to raise their resolve. "It's still weak to fire and light magic."
Feledil's expression soured, grinding his teeth, but it faded away when a thought came to mind. He thinly smiled, eyes glinting. "Initiate Plan G." With those words, the two women's expressions turned deathly serious. The three of them then huddled together, with Feledil in the middle.
"Maximize Magic Potential: Taserbolt." Alluna casted.
"Bluntshot," Fae said, quickly drawing and releasing an arrow.
"Unholy Blessing." Feledil chanted.
The three of them aimed for Winter, directly hitting his back. "!?" He collapsed on the floor, gasping for air and painfully groaning. The warrior death knight stopped circling them, confused.
"Warrior death knights are also sadistic," Alluna said, stomping a piece of paper. The paper glowed while Fae shot an arrow at the hovering red orb.
The red orb disappeared as the arrow struck it, instantly appearing in front of Fae. With stunning dexterity, she caught the red orb in mid-air.
Feledil couldn't help but chuckle, grabbing the two women's bottoms and then finally wrapping his arms over the two women's shoulders, caressing their bosoms with a wide grin.
"You know, I was hopeful today. I really hoped that I had found a friend. An underling who'd listen and bow to me, it's such a shame. Goodbye and die." Feledil DeBestEye said as the Warrior Death Knight leaped forward and swung his sword. *Clang!*
However, it was a second too late. The trio has escaped via a teleportation spell.
"W-w-wha-t?" Winter gasped with teary eyes.