Chapter 17
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The next floor was surprisingly very cold, even the walls were freezing to the touch .
'Whats going on?'
We had just arrived from what was a tropical-like climate, to now almost being in the Antarctic . The ground was frozen over,and my poor insects were reluctant to even step onto the new floor . Although it wasn't too bad near the stairs, the further out you went, the colder it would be .
[You have learned Cold resistance Lv1]
'You guys wait for me here . '
The cold was an insect’s nemesis, and I didn't want to torture my poor minions too much .
Also, I wanted to scout ahead so as not to get caught in an impossible situation .
'Lord, we also… . '
Just stay here and be prepared for whatever enemy might come . I don't know what we will be facing, so if I need to make a quick escape, you guys will be my fall back position .
'…'
They sent no telepathic responses, as they remained quiet, ashamed of their inability to contribute . I walked into the hall, leaving the insects far behind .
After walking for a short time, I came across a peculiar door .
'This definitely looks like a door a boss monster would be hiding behind . '
At the end of the hall stood a magnificently decorated arched gate . Thick, black iron doors, inlaid with gorgeous silver and golden sculptures, depicting a wide variety of creatures . For a moment, I thought myself to be standing before the gates of Heaven .
'I can't seem to use my Status check from outside the door… . '
I was careful by nature, so I decided to make an elaborate trap in order to be prepared for any scenario .
'If I'm going to make a trap, might as well go all out . '
The temperature in the hall remained constantly well below zero . It was a situation where I could finally make use of that useless skill .
"Water Sphere! Water Sphere! …"
[Water Sphere level 1 2] … [Water Sphere level 5 6]
Spraying water on the ground I was able to make a thick sheet of slippery ice . Also, although it was somewhat time consuming, I could concentrate the spell on a single point to create some ice sculptures . These could be used to confuse the enemy or hide behind to dodge spells if I were ever in a tight spot . I took my time to create as many of these sculptures as possible in the hall .
'This should help . '
I was forcing myself to think positively, despite the fact that I had gone over the top and made far too many of these sculptures . I had turned the hall into a giant ice maze, well at least it's better than nothing .
I had spent the better part of a full day creating this giant frozen maze . As I became more proficient in the use of Ice, I was even able to use it to create reflections which could confuse the enemy .
'Hmm… somehow I feel like I'm ready . '
[Magic Research has been completed]
[Magic Research level 1 2]
[You have learned Gravity Control Lv1]
'Ohh! This is just the kind of spell I needed!'
Every time I fought a large monster, I wished I would have this skill .
'Magic Research is such a useful skill . Hmm… what should I pick next?'
[Selected Magic Chanting]
'Wow, Is this going to work?!'
The increase in casting speed had been a crucial part in all my fights, allowing me to spam any spells as long as my mana could keep up . I was looking forward to what new spell I'd receive by focusing the research on my Magic Chanting .
'So, is it about time to open this door?'
My bony hands were shaking .
'Behind this door might be an incredibly powerful monster, but if I turn back now, I might regret it in the future . '
Most of the enemies I had fought to date had been out of desperation and not by choice . I was still trying to summon up the courage to open the door . This might be the first life threatening situation I'd deliberately put myself in . I wasn't counting my previous battle with the spider boss, Bianca, because throughout the fight I was always in complete control . Now, if I were to go past this door, it would be without knowing anything about what kind of enemy I'd face, or what my chances of survival were . Not to mention that judging by the grandiose gate, the guardian behind was bound to be powerful .
'What is the purpose of these Catacombs…?'
These tombs were definitely strange if you stopped to think about it, from the mountain of bones in which I first rose, to the Gargoyles, Chess pieces, and finally this frozen hall . What could be the reason of its existence?
'Well, opening these doors might be the only way to find out!'
Keeeeeeiic
The large heavy doors which had been stationary for a long time, opened with but a gentle push .
The area beyond the door looked like an extravagant cathedral . In the middle of the room, there was an extravagant throne upon which sat a monster wearing fancy wizard robes .
"Finally, my old enemy has arrived!"
Chomp Chomp
Surprisingly, it was a Lich . Hundreds of skeletons which had been sitting on the benches, like pious believers kneeling during Sunday mass, they rose from their slumber .
I was able to access the Boss' Status page, because we shared a similar race . I quickly took a look to see what I was up against .
Name: Soleste Gender: N/A Status: Normal Race: Archlich/ Undead Class: Wizard Rank: C+ Level: 634/999 HP: 24170/24170 MP: 125455/125455 Attack: 3233 Defense: 9999 Agility: 724 Intelligence: 10240 Unique Skills [Night Vision LvMax] [Magic Chanting LvMax] [Identification Lv3] [Flame Mastery Lv4] [Frost Mastery Lv5] [Death Stare LvMax] [Fireball LvMax] [Inferno LvMax] [Meteor LvMax] [Blizzard LvMax] [Ice Wall LvMax] [Absolute Zero LvMax] [Summon Dead Lv7][Grant Life Lv5] [Life Vessel Lv1] [Necromancy LvMax] [Lifesteal LvMax] [MP Regeneration LvMax] [Telepathy Lv1] [Mind Reading Lv1]
Titles [King of a ruined Country] [Master of the Catacombs] Options [Summoner Lv2] [Archlich Lv3] [Mastery Lv1]
'What's this, Archlich? What are those Options supposed to mean?!'
Soleste's level and skills were simply on a completely different level than an ordinary Lich .
Putting the boss aside for a second, just his minions were incredibly powerful . The 200 or so approaching skeleton were made up of skeleton mages, priests, knights and thieves, each equipped with expensive looking weapons and armor . I wasn't even confident I could take on these skeletons by themselves .
'This… I have to run away immediately!'
"Ice Wall!"
Seeming to know my intentions, Soleste easily created a wall of ice to block off the only exit .
"Inferno! Inferno!"
In a panic, I sent out some Infernos, hoping to breach the ice wall and distance myself from the incoming group of skeletons .
'What, I've only managed to melt this much?'
The Max Level Ice Wall had only melted about halfway, despite consecutive Infernos .
Chomp Chomp
Behind me, I could hear the loud rumblings or the ever approaching skeleton army .
'Damn!'
Looking back, I noticed Soleste wearing the satisfied smile of a winner, looking down at the last futile attempts of a cornered rat .
I turned my attention back towards the army .
"Inferno! Inferno! Inferno!…"
Bathing the frontline in a firestorm, I was able to crush some of their bones, but it was all for naught . The skeleton priests situated in the back simply reformed them with their healing magic .
'Hm, I can't do anything to these skeletons . '
I turn back towards the Ice wall .
"Inferno! Inferno! Inferno!…"
"Ice Wall"
With but a simple spell from the Soleste, all my effort and progress disappeared . It was the attitude of a small child torturing an ant, a sadistic situation where you'd give it some hope of escaping before crushing its dreams .
'Oh… . I see that because our level difference is so large, you enjoy treating me like your toy? Am I the ant, and you the human?
I gnashed my teeth in frustration .
"Gravity Control! Inferno!"
[Gravity Control level 1 2]
' If I can't break through it, I'll go under it . '
Kooooooong
I had influenced the Ice Wall's center of gravity, causing it to tip towards towards me The Skeletons were getting very close and time was of the essence . I quickly jumped into the small hole I had created under the wall of ice with my Inferno .
"Absolute Zero!"
Soleste sent out incredibly powerful Ice magic as it realised that I was about to escape, but it was just a bit too late . Everything behind me had been frozen solid, but I had narrowly escaped .
'I survived!'
I went past the door and run back at full speed towards the staircase leading out .
'Everyone fall back! Fall back!'
We had no chance whatsoever in defeating the Archlich, so retreating was our only option .
'Lord, we have already joined together to break down the iron door, just in case . '
Arriving to the stairs, I was greeted by a makeshift fortress which the insects had cooperated to build together, as well as the door which had been broken through . I was heartened by the progress they had achieved when compared to their previous performance, but there was no time for praise .
'Retreat immediately to the Pit!'
'Yes Lord . '
I was a bit embarrassed to be addressed as their Lord considering that I was fleeing for my life in a pathetic fashion . Still, I knew there was simply nothing to do when faced with such overwhelming power .
Ptuii Tssshh
During our retreat, the arachnids and golden termites set up some traps, intending to slow down any pursuers .
After some time, Arin came up to me and sent me a telepathic message .
'Lord, I believe no one is following us . '
'How can you be sure?'
'I've set several traps along the way using my special colored spider webs, but I have yet to feel any vibrations from them . '
Arin's colored webs were one of her special skills . I slowed down, somewhat reassured .
'Great, I don't know why, but it seems we aren't being followed . '
With the help of my insects, we created some more traps, just in case, as we returned to the Jungle Pit . We had been gone for only to days, but the incredibly dangerous experience made it feel like a lifetime ago .
[Magic Research has been completed]
[Magic Research level 2 3]
[You have learned Fire Mastery Lv1]
'This skill never seems to disappoint . '
'Alpeon, quickly come and help me block this hole . '
I sent out my telepathic message towards his termite hill . It was convenient that Alpeon had high Psychic awareness, and was able to receive my telepathic messages from further away than most .
'Yes, my Lord'
We blocked the tunnel at the entrance of the dragon's lair, and continued to monitor for any movements using Arin's colored webs . But, even after a few days there had been no signs of activity on the other side .
'It seemed like Soleste wasn't terribly interested in me . '
I had never been in such a hopeless situation . Sure, I had been in life and death situations, but I had always found a solution to pull through .
But this time it was on a totally different level, it felt like Soleste was on the level had the power of a Final boss from a game . To date, I had faced off against different bosses, but I had never faced such absolute power .
'Wait, he said I am an old enemy, what was that supposed to mean? And why is it that he can't leave that place?'
I had countless questions on my mind, but no way to answer them . The tunnel leading out had already been blocked with the help of the giant termites, and it would take a long time to clear it out .
After returning and checking that Iand, Gwyn and Mallepi were doing well, I headed out to the termite nest to have a chat with Alpeon .
'Alpeon, do you know anything about the Master of the Catacombs?'
'Sorry I don't know much, even the former King was reluctant to talk about the Catacombs . '
He is incredibly closeby, but there isn't any information… . There must be some special reason . After all, who would have such a strong ability to keep a guy like that trapped .
I couldn't help but assume that Soleste would eventually find a way out . It was just a matter of time, and I hoped our luck would last . I had to find a way to deal with him .
'Soleste, I'll definitely repay the humiliation I’ve suffered at your hands . '
I once again decided I'd have to sharpen my teeth, and then my private quarters which boasted an entire pond filled with the World Root's nectar .
Soleste: Powerful Archlich located in the Catacombs, Rank C+
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