Volume 1 Chapter 61 The Guardian Of The Aquaflow
The creature called a "Lich" stood motionless in front of the altar. They seemed to be waiting, as if anticipating our next move. Unlike regular monsters that attack once they spot a human, this one moved with an intelligence of its own.
"I-if I were in that place..."
Chester trembled in fear as he looked at the scorched ground caused by the creature's magic. Luckily, I was able to predict their attack based on their behavior, but avoiding it was a close call. Even with Mel's protection, a direct hit would have easily exceeded our damage tolerance.
And it seems the Lich didn't even need to chant powerful spells like before. It was either because they had turned into an undead or they had possessed such abilities all along.
"...Ark-sama, what should we do?"
Fatina, who always took the lead in battle, surprisingly asked for my decision this time. It meant that she considered the opponent to be difficult to strategize against, even with her skills.
"That guy is like a magician if it were human. But it should be able to use Drain Touch... but to prevent it from using magic, we have to engage in close combat as much as possible. I'll go ahead and use [Instant Death Magic]. Fatina, please move forward but don't push yourself too hard."
"Understood. I'll support you."
I sprinted across the room, closing the distance between me and the Lich in one go. Then, the Lich raised their staff as if in response to our movements.
──Right after that, a tremendous rumble echoed, and lightning struck from above, aiming for me. I leaped and dodged it skillfully.
It seems like the Lich can use at least two different types of magic. And raising the staff and using magic almost happen at the same time. That's why it's easy to anticipate when it's coming.
"Haa!"
A slashing attack flew straight ahead from right beside me. It was Fatina's move.
'...'
As if aware of the attack, the Lich pointed their staff forward, and a wall of miasma gas spread out in front of them.
When the attack hit the gas wall, it disappeared quickly.
"The miasma become a shield!?"
But just when I thought the miasma had cleared, the Lich still had their staff pointed at us.
"Fatina! Dodge to the side!"
"!!"
As Fatina dodged to the side, sharp rocks shot up from the ground where she had been standing. If she hadn't dodged, she would have been hurt by the rocks.
"Can the Lich use magic for all attributes?"
The way they uses various attributes depending on the situation is just like Ryuin.
"(Quadruple Death)!!"
While running, I aimed a powerful magic attack, "Quadruple Death," at the Lich. The magic shot from my left hand went straight towards them.
'...'
But, it was blocked by the reappearing wall of miasma and vanished.
"Oh no! Is the [Instant Death Magic] not working!?"
Chester shouted as he witnessed the disappearance of the [Instant Death Magic]. Perhaps, that miasma is what provides the magic defense for that guy.
The Lich now aimed their staff at me. Seeing that, I immediately leaped towards them with all my strength.
'...!'
Right beneath me, the ground exploded in a massive flame. But, I had already reached right in front of them.
"Haah!"
While falling through the air, I raised my sword up high and swung it down with all my might towards the Lich. Even if I didn't have any sword skills, my stats should be enough to inflict damage.
However, the Lich, noticing me, parried the strike with their staff.
After landing on the ground, I continued to slash at them with my sword repeatedly, not giving them a chance to use magic.
In the middle of the action, the Lich is using their staff to block my attacks, but maybe because they used to be a magician, their reactions are slow. Just as I thought, they're not that good at close combat.
The sound of metal clashing fills the room as our swords and staffs clash. With our weapons held at a standoff, I see th Lich, with only their skull left, looking at me.
"Ark-sama!"
Fatina catches up and swings her sword at the Lich. Now they're defenseless.
If we keep attacking together and find an opening to hit (Death), we should be able to win.
Just as I thought that── suddenly, they creates an afterimage and moves to the side, disappearing.
"Huh!?"
Fatina looks around, losing track of the Lich who suddenly disappears.
"Fatina! Behind you!"
Before I know it, they're moved behind Fatina.
"Ah! Aaaahh!!"
With a thick mist, the Lich reappears and grabs Fatina's neck with their skeletal hand.
"Agh!"
Fatina, who had her neck grabbed, was easily lifted into the air, dropping her sword.
The protective light that surrounded her vanished. She was being damaged by a Drain Touch.
Perhaps because I, as a living being, was touching the toxic miasma, I could feel pain in my own body.
"Fatina-san!"
Mel's voice of despair echoed through the room.
I couldn't choose any means anymore.
"Oblivion, devour everything and return to nothingness── (Ruin)"
The (Ruin) of the Instant Death Magic was activated, and the figure resembling the Grim Reaper appeared before the Lich, swinging its scythe.
'...!!'
However, the miasma that surrounded the Lich gathered together and formed a wall-like barrier, preventing a direct hit on their body. The scythe slowly advanced, digging into the wall.
"Ugh!"
Fatina tries to free herself from the grip of the Lich with both hands, but she looks in pain. Her life won't last much longer if things continue like this.
──In that case.
"Oblivion, devour everything and return to nothingness── (Ruin)"
Once again, I chant (Ruin), and a second skeleton appears.
'────Oooohhhh!'
As the second scythe tries to break through the wall of miasma and swing its scythe, the Lich speaks.
"Ugh!"
With the simultaneous activation of (Ruin), I feel my life being rapidly drained from my body. My vision is tainted red.
But even so, I grip my sword with what little strength remains and thrust it with all my might towards the wall of miasma. If it's made of mithril, it should have some effect.
The Lich moves their head closer to me through the wall of miasma.
It seems that they can't use magic while defending themselves with the miasma.
'Oooohh! Gwaaaah!'
The skull-headed creature opens their mouth as if to threaten, getting dangerously close to my face as if it wants to bite. But even so, I refuse to let go of my sword.
I can't afford to lose my comrades.
"Lost souls, return to where you belong with my prayers── (Dispel)"
Just as I hear Mel's voice, the area around the Lich is bathed in a faint white light, with the Lich at the center.
It's a magic spell called (Dispel), which banishes the undead.
Of course, it's not enough to purify the Lich with (Dispel).
But the miasma around the Lich has slightly weakened because of it.
And then, finally, the wall of miasma scatters and disappears──the scythes held by the two skeletal figures simultaneously pierce the Lich's body.
'Ooooaahh!!'
With a scream of agony, the Lich's body crumbles into ashes, making a crackling sound as it falls to the ground.
"Cough! Cough!"
The Lich's arm shattered, and Fatina's body fell to the ground. I saw her lying there, holding her neck and coughing. It seemed like she was saved just before losing her life.
"Ark-san! Fatina-san!"
Chester and Mel rushed to our side.
"T-this is bad! It's a potion made by a famous alchemist! Please drink it!"
"Stay strong! I'll use Healing Magic (Holy Magic) now!"
Mel healed Fatina's body with Healing Magic, and Chester made her drink the potion he had.
Even though Fatina choked while drinking the potion, her pale face started to regain some color.
"I'm sorry for being late to help."
"No... I should be the one... I'm sorry."
"I should be the one apologizing. Thanks to Fatina, we were able to defeat the guardian."
I pointed to a place where a bright blue gemstone-encrusted key was floating in the air, emitting a dazzling glow.
Then, I realized that there was a message displayed in my field of vision.
'Your skill level has increased. Please allocate your points'
'You've unlocked a new ability by defeating a special monster. Check your status to see the details'
======================================
[Basic Status]
Name: Ark
Occupation: Magician
Level: 1★★
HP: 15000/15000
MP: 15000/15000
Attack: 8000
Defense: 8000
Endurance: 8000
Speed: 8000
Intelligence: 8000
[Owned Skills]
- Instant Death Magic Level 60
[Owned Abilities]
- Half Magic Consumption Reduction Level 1
- Range Increase Level 4
- Success Rate Increase Level 2
- Ruin Enhancement Level 1
- Coffin of the Dead
- Soul Retrieval
- Quadruple
- Multiple Chant
- Insanity
- Miasma Wave
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