Chapter 103: Cal Rashya’s Paladin (2)

Chapter 103: Cal Rashya’s Paladin (2)

This boss is a paladin.

Its actions were like a berserker who went wild at the sight of blood, but it was crucial not to forget its class.

It’s bound to activate some nasty pattern if it gets cornered.

Most paladin monsters were like that. They would use healing skills or invulnerability skills when their health dropped.

From what I've observed so far, this guy always does something before using a skill.

The moment that thought flashed through his mind, a tile on the floor shot up and gravity pressed down on Kai's shoulder.

"Argh...!"

It felt like riding a drop tower without a safety belt!

While enduring this through sheer willpower, something shiny caught his eye.

A blade! It's a sword!

Kai reflexively pushed away the sword aimed for his heart with his hand. His palm was pierced and the sword slashed his other arm, but he survived.

Gulp.

Damn, the damage is insane.

He had taken near-fatal damage. The attack power of a level 160 boss monster was indeed overwhelming!

Seeing his life hanging by a thread at around 7%, he thought it was a miracle that his heart wasn’t pierced.

I'd be dead for sure if it had pierced my heart.

Kai then saw the sword rise again and lunged toward Lynel’s chest.

Lynel instinctively took a step back to take a defensive stance as if it hadn’t expected the weak Cleric to charge at it, and that was its critical mistake.

"I'll take that!"

Kai quickly snatched the helmet tucked under Lynel's arm! Then, with a move reminiscent of his soccer skills, he kicked it hard toward Black Bear.

[You dealt 876 damage.]

Kai cleared the message and shouted, "Finish it off! It can't use its skills without that!"

"Understood, that makes sense!"

Before using a skill, Lynel always raised its helmet high.

Kai had meticulously noted that fact even while running away!

I've turned it into a headless loser, just according to plan.

He had bet on the possibility that Lynel couldn't use its skills without its helmet. It was a reckless gamble, but it paid off.

The raid members swarmed around the helmet, pouring all their skills into it. Their attacks were fierce and ruthless, as if to vent all their pent-up frustrations!

—Graaaah!

Blue smoke spewed from Lynel's headless neck like a fountain of blood. It clutched at the empty space above its shoulders, twisting and squirming in pain.

"So you really can't use any skills without your helmet, huh?" Kai taunted.

Lynel reached out a trembling hand toward him.

Kai glanced at the top of Lynel's head and didn't bother to dodge.

[The Seventh Knight, Lynel.]

[Remaining HP: 0%]

"Move your hand."

As he flicked its arm, it crumbled like old dust. The destruction quickly spread throughout its body.

Ding!

[You defeated the Seventh Knight, Lynel.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

[Level increased.]

[Acquired 20 stat points.]

"Whew... that was tough."

It had been an exhausting battle even for Kai!

He massaged his trembling legs as he sat down.

Realizing that this was the most Kai could offer, Lynel finally gave up on persuading him and handed Kai two rings.

“What are these...?”

—Check them out.

“Item information.”

[Depraved Knight’s Ring]

Grade: Unique

Attack Power: 15

Spell Power: 15

Defense: 150

Magic Resistance: 147

Lets you use the Appoint skill.

(Appoint: Allows you to evolve Skeleton Knights under your command into Dullahans. One-day cooldown.)

The corrupted followers of the Church of Muldine have explored various ways to harness the powers of other gods. This ring contains a part of the power they gained by experimenting on the followers of Cal Rashya, who governs change.

Requirement: Level 100+, Cleric class.

Durability: 47/100

“Th-this is...!”

Kai's eyes widened in shock.

I can appoint my skeleton knights to dullahans? This is the skill Lynel used, isn’t it?

Memories of the frustrating moment when Skeleton Knights transformed into Dullahans instantly resurfaced.

I can use that skill too... But wait, I don't have any skeleton knights.

Kai’s brows furrowed. He could summon low-level undead using the Staff of the Undead Gnoll Chieftain, but they weren’t skeleton knights.

... I never thought there would be a skill with such an effect.

In other words, this implied that there could be a skill to promote lower-level undead to skeleton knights!

C-could it be?

Kai hurriedly looked at the other ring he received, hoping it would have such an effect.

[Cal Rashya’s Guide]

Grade: Rare

Defense: 10

Magic Resistance: 10

Allows wearer to teleport to any place that has accepted the will of the Church of Cal Rashya.

Requirement: Level 100+, Cleric class.

Durability: 100/100

"Well, that's disappointing,” Kai expressed his disappointment as he looked at Lynel. "Do you know of any way to transform low-level undead, such as gnoll undead, into skeleton knights?"

—Hmm. That's a difficult question. I'm sorry, but I was under the control of the Church of Muldine, so I have no understanding of the skills I used during that time. Your question might be better answered by the necromancers of the continent.

"I see..."

—Oh my, look at the time.

Lynel's body began to fade further.

—Make sure to pass the Cal Rashya’s Guide ring to a worthy person who can help prosper the Church of Cal Rashya. You can keep the other ring for yourself. It seems it's time for us to part.

"May you watch over the prosperity of the Church of Cal Rashya from hell... no, a better place."

—Thank you, once again.

With a smile completely free of any lingering regrets, Lynel vanished like a puff of smoke.

[The Solarian God Helik smiles approvingly for fulfilling the wish of Lynel, who was once a child of a friend.]

[+10 Benevolence.]

"Well, I'll be..."

Perhaps Cal Rashya was a friend of Helik.

As Kai chuckled at Helik's message, Black Bear came from behind.

"Kai, so... about the reward..." His voice was full of respect.