Chapter 111

Chapter 111

I’m hit with an extreme wave of humidity and heat. The air is overwhelmingly thick with mana and steam, it’s hard to breathe or see clearly further than 10-15m ahead of me. I grit my teeth and attempt to take a deep breath in through my nose.

The dank stench of sulfur fills my lungs as I look around to take in the view with squinted eyes while gripping both of my daggers tightly.

This is the boss room...

Hard red rock stretches out underneath us in all directions for about 100m on every side. There are cracks in the floor gushing lava with plumes of smoke rising high up into the jet-black sky.

The ground is very flat but there are many obstacles in our way. Complementing the occasional pools of lava, there are pillars of jagged stone and massive boulders strewn about.

I immediately activate enemy detection and inspect to locate any incoming threats.

The low hissing sound of the slow-flowing lava fills my ears as I focus on the numbers popping up in my mind’s eye.

[100m]

[Lv. 356]

[50m]

[Lv. 334]

[Lv. 332]

[20m]

[Lv. 320]

[Lv. 320]

[Lv. 320]

[Lv. 320]

The ground starts to rumble and I yell out to my team.

“Everyone! We’ve got four monsters incoming! They won’t be hard, but we need to get rid of them fast!”

I watch Rodrigo jump backward on top of a high pillar of stone. It appears he’ll be surveying us from above.

Bruce springs into action the moment words leave my mouth.

“Nessa and Maria, I’ll defend with my hammer. You two concentrate on landing hits. Abby, be our support from behind.”

He gives me a firm nod, then the girls follow him close behind. I reply.

“You take out two of them, Arie and I can handle the others.”

With that, we were off.

The 6 of us sprint forward into the white cloud of smoke griping our weapons and getting ready for war. The faint sounds of grunts and shrieks slowly become louder and louder until four 3m tall red-skinned Ogres come into view.

They charge at us with their shields steady and swords held high.

I grit my teeth and look over to Arie, then turn to the two Ogres nearest to us. We both jump into action, readying our blades and sprinting off to the right side to face our opponents.

I use my wind magic to give myself a boost, kicking off the air every step of the way. As I approach my selected charging red-skinned beast I go to activate my stat-boosting skills but hesitate for a moment.

I take a look at the monster I’m about to fight, then weigh the pros and cons of using my previously hidden abilities.

Most people in this boss room already know I’m a multi-skill user. When it comes to Maria, Nessa, Abby, or even Bruce I’d be happy to let them in on my secret if they asked. I don’t mind Arie knowing I have a few extra tricks up my sleeve either, but I’d still like to get to know him better...

The only one I’m truly worried about it Rodrigo, and well, the Association as a whole.

I let out a frustrated grunt as I come within 5m of the charging High Ogre in front of me. I can smell its breath and see the monstrous range built up in its eyes.

My frustration grows into a yell as we collide.

*CLANGGGG*

My left dagger meets its long blade, and my right bounces off its shield.

I struggle against the beast in front of me... It totally catches me off guard. My heart drops for a moment, fully realizing my old sword’s buff added 89% strength. My daggers only add 300 strength, that may not be enough. I’m used to fighting with much more, plus my berserker skill gives me an additional 50% on top of everything else.

The long silver sword pushing down on my dagger begins to inch closer and closer to me as the beast overpowers me in my weakened state.

The scraping sound of metal on metal fills my ears as I watch my grip begin to slip on its sword creating sparks.

The beast lets out a roar, and I copy it letting out a yell of my own.

Its sword collides with both my daggers and we stand perfectly still as sparks fly up in the air.

Bruce, Abby, Nessa, and Maria finish handling their two High Ogres and begin running over to help. The mutant that was standing by before lifts its sword in the air and points it at the four of them.

I concentrate on my battle, but I believe in my team, they can handle it.

*THUDDDD*

*THUDDDD*

*THUDDDD*

I stare forward at the mutant clashing metal with me, but can’t help but notice the fog change color behind it... The white steam turns blood red.

Plus, the approaching heavy ominous footsteps... that’s never a good sign.

I grit my teeth and use a dense pocket of wind beneath my feet and around my blades to push the monster’s sword upwards with immense force. In doing so, this leaves an opening for Arie to land a double-dagger strike to its right leg.

I fall back to the ground as the mutant steadies itself as well while roaring in pain.

*THUDDDD*

*THUDDDD*

*THUDDDD*

I look up at my opponent with Arie no more than 5m to my side.

The thudding footsteps keep approaching, and the plumes of steam shine redder and redder.

I gulp.

The outline of an enormous towering Ogre appears directly behind the one we’re fighting. It’s easily 6m tall.

*THUDDDD*

*THUDDDD*

*THUDDDD*

It emerges from the back of the dungeon and announces its arrival with a roar that could shatter ear drums.

The giant monster before us has dark red skin that almost appears to be black. Two massive white horns emerge from the sides of its head, and two more even longer curl out of its back upwards to create natural armor.

It wears a golden chest plate, wrist guards, codpiece, and boots that match.

To top it all off... This monster wields two long swords. Each of them shimmers in the light showing off its pure silver color with golden accents down each of the sides.

The boss lets out another roar, then bursts its blades into a fiery display....

I gasp and stare, a wide grin appears across my face as I activate appraisal.

[Lv. 356]

Active Items:

[High Ogre King’s Sword] +50% Strength

[High Ogre King’s Sword] +50% Strength

[High Ogre King’s Armor Set] +700 Defense +300 Speed +300 Agility

[High Ogre King’s Ring] +60% Mental Strength

[High Ogre King’s Pendant] +60% Mental Strength

Active Skills:

Dual Wielding [Special Grade]

Combat Magic [Fire Summoning]

Buffs:

[High Ogre King’s Resistance] +70% Magic Resistance

[King’s Body Raised in Fire] +70% Extra Fire Resistance

Our final boss battle has really begun...