49. Tower Strategy (2)
Fortunately, the interior was not too complex.
“It’s a straightforward dungeon in a straight passage format.”
It was a typical dungeon.
Thanks to this, a smooth breakthrough was possible.
All they needed to focus on were the skeleton soldiers in front.
The system’s response to this was as follows:
[The 1st floor of the tower has a simple structure. It follows the most basic form and composition of a dungeon, hence maintaining a static situation inside without any twists at present.]
“Does that mean it will gradually get more complicated as we go up the floors?”
[Yes. For example, there are hidden traps and distortions in the terrain.]
So, it’s a step-by-step format….
Nevertheless, it was surely good news.
It meant that the still inexperienced elves could have a solid platform for growth.
As they climbed the floors, they might also adapt to the space of the dungeon.
“It’s a good situation for the party to learn the basic structure of the dungeon. It’s much better to handle the unexpected calmly rather than in a panic.”
It was like the Ant Nest Dungeon.
It would be nice if things continued smoothly as they were, but that was just a wishful thinking.
No one, not even Han the deity, could predict what the future held.
Thud.
At that moment, the party came to a halt.
Han’s Golem did the same.
On the brightly lit corridor on the other side of the stone chamber, several figures were standing.
They were skeleton soldiers.
“This time….”
Irina showed a cautious expression.
“There are three this time.”
It was much more than before.
It was starting to feel burdensome.
Nevertheless, they didn’t panic. Their experiences so far supported them.
“This time, it’s my turn to step up. I’ll take care of one of them.”
With those words, Muahmuaha reached out his hand.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. No problem. It’s about time I paid back for all the meals I’ve had. Just leave it to me!”
“Understood.”
As Irina responded, she aimed at the arrow.
Right after a faint light appeared, the arrow, drawing a curve, exploded.
Zion and Earthgolem, who had been waiting for that moment, rushed in.
“Haah!”
[…!!]
As if they had made a tacit agreement, they each took charge of pushing away one enemy, creating distance between them.
“My turn now.”
Suddenly, a huge green hand intervened from behind.
Thud!
The hand firmly grasped the remaining enemy.
It lifted the skeleton soldier and slammed it to the ground.
“W-what’s that.”
“Lord Muahmuaha?”
Turning around, Muahmuaha’s hand was the only thing growing in size.
The giant dragon’s foreleg inflated like a balloon, blocking the skeleton soldier.
[…!]
With the resisting skeleton soldier in hand, Muahmuaha looked at the startled Irina and explained, “Well, I’m a dragon to begin with. I just revealed a part of my original form. It’s an easy task.”
Snap!
With a crisp sound, the skeleton soldier held in the giant hand twisted.
***
Soon, they arrived at the door.
“This door is…”
“Wow.”
Muahmuaha, now the guardian and protector of the tower.
The girl, with an expression that seemed intrigued, read the crowded characters in front of the chamber’s door.
“Hmm, I see.” Nodding to herself as if contemplating something.
Perhaps it was because he was the tower’s guardian.
There seemed to be something visible only to Muahmuaha.
While everyone waited quietly, Muahmuaha spoke up.
“I see. Beyond this door lies the space that guards the first floor of this tower, the stronghold of a powerful being known as the boss.”
“Beyond this is…”
Irina’s eyes showed tension.
She had faced a similar situation not long ago.
The ants’ dungeon.
And the queen ant she had encountered there was exactly that.
It was a moment where dangerous moments followed one after another.
She tightly held the bow and said, “It might not be easy.”
“Hmm. That’s what it seems.”
In agreement with those words, Muahmuah nodded as well.
The girl asked, “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“Then, let’s open it.”
The moment Muahmuah placed his hand on the door.
Creak!
As if it had been closed for a long time, dust fell off slowly, and the heavy stone door began to open.
[Entering the boss room.]
Waiting on the other side was a monster.
“…That.”
It was a white skull adorned in a striking white armor.
Skeleton Knight
• A sentinel turned undead while retaining some of its humanity. It is skilled in its unique swordsmanship and tactics.
The monster’s gaze turned towards the group entering the boss room.
The owner of the first floor. The boss, Skeleton Knight.
He was different from the ones encountered before.
Unlike the mindlessly charging skeleton soldiers, he simply raised the greatsword he held quietly upon recognizing their presence.
From the aura, posture, and movements, everything felt different.
‘…Dangerous.’
At a glance, you could feel the disparity.
It was a moment when the group quietly drew their weapons in tension.
Thud!
The Skeleton Knight rushed forward with explosive speed.
“It’s dangerous!”
Right before swinging the massive greatsword.
Han, wielding his fist, rushed forward and clashed fist to sword.
The blade cut through Han’s sturdy forearm and deeply embedded itself.
“Oh my! It went straight through the arm in one blow!”
It was an immense force.
It was no ordinary sword strike.
Somehow, the force and skill penetrated deep into Han’s rock-solid forearm, made of tough earth and stone.
Han’s golem was so tough that it had even withstood repeated attacks from a queen ant, but this sharp and precise strike in one blow against such a rock golem was unprecedented.
Even to an unfamiliar eye, the skill of a highly skilled swordsman was evident in that strike.
“… It would be dangerous if it hits properly.”
An extraordinary swordsman who was confident enough to believe that even if attacked twice in the same spot, his wrist made of rock would shatter.
However, a golem was not something that could be controlled at will.
It would have been great if it were possible, but it was only a matter of gradually changing strategies through three different stances.
Therefore, Han had a different idea.
“Switch to attack stance!”
To avoid being attacked in the same spot, all he had to do was move quickly so that the foe couldn’t attack the same spot again.
Thud! Dodging the giant golem’s descending fist, the Skeleton Knight agilely bent his waist and evaded the attack.
It was astonishing to Han and everyone watching.
“Insane! What kind of movement is that skull guy’s…!”
“Agreed!”
As the foe was about to swing his sword again, Zion intervened.
Thud!
The Skeleton Knight smoothly rotated his body like a top, deflecting the attack, creating distance in an instant.
This guy was undoubtedly aware of his disadvantage.
It was clear that this mere undead being was realizing the situation’s pros and cons and using tactics, albeit weakly.
Of course, it wasn’t anything remarkable, but with the Skeleton Knight’s strength and speed, it was undoubtedly a significant threat.
That guy was wary of Zion’s approach.
Yet, he was also keeping an eye on the others.
“You know you shouldn’t be surrounded.”
The undead were not just simple spirits.
Their most significant characteristic was that they could inherit some of their past memories, habits, and behaviors even after death.
Just with remaining instincts and faint intellect.
Perhaps even in his past life, this Skeleton Knight might have been a considerable swordsman.
“Holy Enchant!”
Holy arrows from Irina were shot in succession.
However, he was unbelievably agile.
Even while wearing heavy armor, he deftly dodged all her arrows by moving as if gliding along the wall!
[…!]
He was even looking for an opportunity in that situation.
With a cunning look, he glanced at the group.
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“Leave it to me! Haap!”
At that moment, Muamua stepped forward.
What the girl pulled out from her bosom was none other than…
“A po-po-tato?”
It was a moment when one would wonder why that was suddenly here.
“Grow!”
With Muamua’s shout, the potato’s sprout began to grow rapidly, covering its insides in an instant.
“Oh, wow!”
It was magic!
And not just any magic, but a unique growth magic!
Potato roots spread out like a net, covering the surroundings.
Nevertheless, the Skeleton Knight skillfully dodged even that.
He was someone who couldn’t be caught even by Irina’s arrows.
Although Muamuah’s magic was impressive, it wasn’t enough to capture him alone.
Yet, Muamuah’s expression was still brimming with confidence.
“As expected, quick, huh? Can’t handle just one? How about two then?”
Saying that, he took out two potatoes from his pocket and simply threw them.
The rapidly growing roots began to cover the dungeon.
The area was gradually turning into the realm of roots.
“Ah.”
Finally, Muamuah understood the limits of his opponent’s thoughts.
If one didn’t work, he was going to deal with multiple.
Muamuah shouted, “Oh, God! Give me potatoes!”
Darn it.
Suddenly, 500 points disappeared as cold hard cash.
But what could be done? It was the only ability to catch him at this moment.
Therefore, with a reaction speed that seemed almost impatient, Han dropped a pile of potatoes in front of him.
Thud!
“Great!”
Muamuah shouted vigorously, then picked up one potato and shoved it into his mouth, exclaiming, “Now, grow! Grow!”
He began frantically grabbing potatoes from the pile and tossing them aimlessly.
Muamuah kept pulling out potatoes endlessly, shouting, “Plants, keep growing! It’s to capture that guy!”
Roots of potatoes began to grow frantically from all directions, filling the space like spider webs.
There was no separate cash attack like that of a wallet warrior.
Thinking about all that as points, it was a shame to waste them, but in the current situation, it was ridiculous to consider such things.
[…!!]
Finally, as the entire space was covered with roots, the agile Skeleton Knight, who had been moving swiftly, was immobilized on the spot.
Thick and tough plant roots from all sides tightly bound him, not letting go.
It wasn’t easy to untangle, seemingly impossible to unravel easily.
If it were just a couple, they might have been able to untie it, but this situation involved dozens of thick potato roots, much thicker than any ordinary rope, intertwining and holding him in place.
Gradually, the Skeleton Knight was being overpowered by the tightening roots.
Snap!
At last, the one caught by the growing roots dropped the sword he was holding.
The trembling body indicated just how much pressure he was under from the massive roots.
Seeing this sight, Muamuah smirked confidently.
“hahahaha! I excel at root magic! It’s a magic directly passed down from my mother!”
Is it true that a dragon is always a dragon?
Muahmuah’s abilities were truly remarkable, beyond imagination.
“Wow, amazing….”
Even Zion was astonished.
Everyone was so shocked that they turned to look at Muahmuah.
Then, Muahmuah shouted, “Come here! Quickly deliver the final blow!”
“…Understood.”
Irina aimed her bow at the Skeleton Knight.
Thunk!
The creature’s head exploded, and the uncontrollable figure began to disperse into pieces.
It was a vanishing act.