The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman

[14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country.

In the village of goblins in the third stage of the Verdant Hollow dungeon. We can see that the boss Hobgoblin with different style then before as his muscle were bulging and like trying to come out of the armor he was wearing.

And it was due to the mutation he went through after receiving the demonic mana energy from the sacrifice.

He was no longer looking sane, destroying everything in his path as he walked toward a specific part of the village, indicating that he was still conscious but drunk on the power he gained from the totem sacrifice. Someone lay in the debris of a destroyed hut. Yes, it was I who had been beaten down by him with a single throw and was now opening my eyes after a few seconds of the crash.

I looked around to find myself beneath pieces of wood and vines. I quickly opened my eyes and stood up, recalling the situation.

I was about to hide when I heard the boss’s roar approaching the area where I had just landed.

I looked in that direction and saw many huts being destroyed one after another, knowing that the monster would reach me in a few seconds and attack again.

I would not be able to withstand another hit from him, as my wrist still ached from the sheer strength he used to grab my hand.

I decided to move away to buy some time to formulate a plan. I left the area, and a few seconds later, the mutated boss arrived and started thrashing the place, searching for me or my body.

But I, watching from behind the trees on the outskirts of the village, knew that without favorable conditions, I couldn’t defeat him even if I used my power. If I could get some time to heal and replenish my mana, the battle could continue.

I just had to bide my time until the debuff wore off, and I regained my stats.

As I moved slightly, the boss’s head turned in my direction. I knew his senses were too sharp as not to detect even the slightest noise. It may not be my luck, but he charged toward the source of the sound where I was hiding.

At first, I thought it might be a fluke, and he wouldn’t come this way, but like a mad dog, he came straight toward me with his mace ready to strike.

Without hesitation, I leapt away from the area, and a second later, the massive mace struck the tree, shattering it like a bundle of thin sticks.

”Brother, what kind of power-up is this? Can’t it just stop already? It’s been over ten minutes, and it’s still going,” I shouted at him, as there was no need for silence in front of him.

But no voice came from the other side, only a strong roar, and the boss’s assault continued.

He attacked me relentlessly without any pause while I dodged his attacks by a narrow margin.

I was dancing on the edge of life and death, as getting hit would mean certain death in front of this guy.

While dodging, I tried to find any weak spot or means to weaken him.

What puzzled me the most was that this monster shouldn’t be capable of generating this much Demonic mana. Even if he could, his level should have reached at least fifty by now, but he was still at a lower level while the flow of Demonic mana remained steady. I tried to locate the source of his energy.

Alas, I couldn’t find any strong proof of the source within his body, and the constant flow of energy indicated there was no consumption or disruption of energy in his body, like he was getting it from else.

Then I started searching for the place where the boss had transformed into a corrupted one.

I found the location, but it was very far from here, and there was no way I could see that far, so I needed to go there myself.

But as my mind was occupied with these thoughts, the boss seized the opportunity and punched me directly. My senses screamed that death was imminent. I looked at the incoming punch and raised my blade to block the attack successfully, but I was sent flying like a broken kite.

The only good thing that happened was that now I was closer to that area, as if the boss was trying to put me within some sort of range.

”Sh*t, this guy every attack is like a skill attack from the wolf boss back then,” I said as I looked at my sword to find its durability gone down several numbers.

I then looked at the boss in rage due to the decreased durability of the blade I had crafted so meticulously by enchanting and semi-evolving its grade.

[Undead Summon] [-32 MP]

A skeleton appeared in front of me as it was holding his sword and was ready for a battle which was meaningless, but he didn’t know about it.

”Go my soldier and provide me some time to head back to that place.” I said as taking my orders, the brave skeleton moved forward toward the boss while I start running toward the area to see if I can weaken the boss in any ways.

But after taking just a tenth step, I got the notification of the death of my loyal soldier who returned to his original place.

’I won’t forget about this sacrifice, Mr. Skeleton.’ I thought and continued rushing toward the area while the enraged boss was behind me.

Only after reaching that place did I get to see the real source of the energy.

The source was kind of non-existent and very difficult to see with eyes without any better focus.

But with my magical focus skill, I was able to view its partial structure. If I didn’t have it, then maybe I should have died in here.

I moved toward it and slashed my blade to destroy it, but nothing happened. Then I realized that it needed a direct hit from a magical spell or something powerful.

Before I could do anything, the boss reached me and started attacking again, as if his stamina were endless. I knew this high-level energy was aiding him.

”Okay, you won’t stop, right? Then let it be. I shall confront you with honor or without here, even if you don’t want to, as I never send back any fighter without exchanging a single blow,” I said, fed up with this cat-and-mouse game. It was time to settle this once and for all.

I held my sword, ready to confront him, as he eyed me so intensely it seemed he could kill me with his gaze alone.

He launched toward me with his huge mace ready to strike, and I rushed toward him.

Before we could make contact, I disappeared, and the boss stopped in his tracks, unable to see me in my spot.

[Shadow Leap] [-25 MP]

And before he could react, a sense of threat appeared behind him. He turned to see who it was, but it was too late; my blade was already poised to strike and hit with multiple attack enchantments.

[Power Slash] [-15 MP]

It struck him on the back as the flames raged on the blade, enhanced by the bonus upgrade and new sword effect acquired after semi-evolution.

The blow tore away a significant portion of flesh from his neck and back area, including some of the shoulder mass, causing a large amount of blood to pour out.

He fell to his knees while the mace dropped to the ground, both of his green and dark hands trying to cover the wound. However, I was not about to let that happen.

I seized the opportunity as he attempted to stop the bleeding, which was rapidly healing. If I had ignored it, I would have died immediately, but I didn’t. After my skill’s cooldown was over, I used it again, this time aiming directly at his head from the back. If I had attacked from the front, he would have dodged it due to his high stats boost.

[Power Slash] [-15 MP]

I thrust my blade straight into his head, sending him on his way to the afterlife.

As I put down the guard, I sensed a surge of energy emanating from it.

The energy grew as a large amount poured in, causing the dead boss’s body to shiver and his head to rotate toward me in a manner that sent shivers down my spine.

”Human, congratulations on your victory against my failed product,” a hoarse voice emanated from the head as if someone were controlling it to speak to me, which made me shocked for few seconds, but I have to get composed again.

”I am amazed by your growth and the secrets you possess to block my high-tier spell capable of killing thousands. I want you to become my contractor, and I will grant you the power desire,” he said, as if he was some kind of God.

”What kind of power? If it’s like what this guy got and drove him crazy, then I don’t need it,” I replied, feigning incredulity.

”No, what I gave him was lower-grade energy, but you can receive higher-rank energy, making you unrivaled in your rank, just tell me your secret.” he said, trying to sugarcoat his words as much as possible.

”Hah, well, after hearing your story, I think I will...” I trailed off, heating his anticipation.

”Listen, little human child, I don’t have much time to waste, so just give me your answer and become my contractor,” he said, growing angrier as his voice took on an urgent tone.

”Oh, I am wasting your time. Then you can leave. As I also don’t wish to be in a slave contract with a Tier 2 demon like you,” I said mockingly, as silence filled the air and something big emerged.

”Hahahahahaha, you insignificant human, you have discovered me and yet you continue to challenge me. Aren’t you scared for your own life.” He said mockingly.

”No, I am not as what is there to be scared off by a mid-level tier demon which isn’t even worth mentioning.” I said like I didn’t care.

”Okay, so then prepare to face hell when we meet in the Nexus, for I will personally tear apart that scissor-like tongue of yours and uncover every secret you possess,” he shouted like a madman.

”Silence, let us wager on who will kill whom. Fear not, for I have not lost a single. A low-grade demon like you will pose no difficulty for me. Wait for your turn, you inferior being,” I said, provoking him while using my skill to sever the connection.

[Shadowbolt] [-21 MP]

It was struck at the connection point and began disconnecting as I heard the final words of the demon.

”Just you wait, I have marked you with my spell. You can’t escape the grasp of my hands, you lowly insect. I will ki...” he said, but his words were cut off as the connection was completely severed.

Exhausted from all the chaos, I collapsed in fatigue.

Finally, the raid was over, and the kill notification appeared before me.

[You’ve killed...]

-- To be continued --