The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman

[14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest Country — Dungeon of the Test

I used my most trusted skill—not to attack, but to buy some time.

[Undead Summon] {-64 MP}

Two skeletons emerged beside me, their bones creaking and weapons raised. My plan was simple: stall the boss, assign my unspent stat points, and turn this battle in my favor.

But that—was the greatest mistake I’ve made so far.

The Stormblade Skeleton Knight didn’t lunge forward. Instead, he froze mid-charge, his burning yellow eyes locked on my summons.

”Strange,” I muttered. “Why is he—?”

Taking the opportunity, I pulled up my status window to distribute points. I was about to dump them into AGL and INT—boost my mana pool and spell power—when suddenly, an overwhelming surge of mana exploded from the boss’s body.

Then he screamed.

”Rahhhhhhhhhhhhh~~!! You vile creatures of death... I will end YOU and your filthy master!”

That… That wasn’t just anger.

It was hatred—pure, vengeful hatred that came from somewhere deep within his soul.

The wave of pressure he released shook the cave walls. And then, two system notifications popped up in front of me like death warrants.

[Warning! The boss: Stormblade Skeleton Knight has entered an ENRAGED state due to unknown reasons.]

[Boss Level has increased: Lv.27 → Lv.29]

[The host is advised to retreat immediately. Target’s current strength exceeds the recommended threat level.]

I froze. Just for a second. But it was enough to realize—

I f*cked up.

Still, there was no time to waste. My hand moved in instinct.

__

{Stats}

Health Points (HP): 510 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 2.55/minute = 51*.05)

Mana Points (MP): 500 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 2.50/minute = 50*.05)

Strength (STR): 56 

Agility (AGL): 81 (30^)

Vitality (VIT): 51

Intelligence (INT): 50 

Endurance (END): 41 

Stamina (STA): 52

Unassigned Stats: 00 (-30)

Attack Power: 164+20 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 75 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5]

Defense: 93+20 [DEF: END+STA*1]

__

I felt it immediately—my muscles loosened, my limbs lightened. The speed boost was huge. I had one edge now: mobility.

I raised my sword and glared back at the boss.

”I swear I’ll plunder every single stat you’ve hoarded. I swear on my damn stats!”

But the Skeleton Knight… didn’t answer. His burning gaze turned away from me and back to my summons.

”You... abominations of death. I will purge every last trace of your cursed existence.”

He pointed his blade toward the pile of bones beside him, the remains of the monster I saw earlier.

”O, steed of mine… rise once again and serve your master. Let us cleanse this land of filth.”

”Oi, aren’t you a skeleton too?” I yelled, pointing my sword at him. ”Calling my summons vile while looking like that? Hypocrite!”

But he didn’t even glance at me. Instead, the bones on the ground began to shake violently.

”No… no way.”

The remains assembled—forming a steed, a towering undead horse. A green glow flared in its empty sockets, and shadows crawled across its limbs like living armor. Patches of skin and hair formed where bones once were, giving the beast a half-living, half-dead appearance.

Its saddle formed from swirling darkness. And in the blink of an eye, the steed charged forward and halted at its master’s side.

”That thing’s going to give him mobility. No… I can’t let that happen!”

[Bone Fang Strike] {-11 MP}

I unleashed a sharp projectile formed from bone and necrotic energy—aimed straight at the steed’s legs.

But—

CLANG!

The knight parried it mid-air with a single swing of his sword. My strike vanished into useless particles.

Then came the next system alert.

[The steed of the boss has been summoned via the skill: Zephoros, the Phantom Gale.]

[Zephoros, the Phantom Gale (Lv.19) has entered the dungeon.]

[HP: 100% / 100%]

The boss was now mounted. My only advantage—speed—was gone.

”This… might really be it,” I whispered.

The undead knight raised his sword high, his steed snorting like a demon from hell.

”BEHOLD… the power of our companionship!”

And then they charged.

The blade cut through the air, aiming straight for my skull.

I had mere seconds to act. And if I didn’t—

To be continued…