519 Crypt Lord Duorda (1/2)

There was a hand-crafted, legendary bow made entirely with legendary materials. According to his system, the bow boosted agility, attack, magic attack, and even the speed of a mount. It's most outstanding effect was the versatility of magic type. It allowed you to cast spells into the arrows it shot, launching the spells on impact.

Apart from that, there was a katana with a black blade and a blood-red hilt. It only boosted attack and agility but to the absolute extreme. It carried two magic affinities, dark and fire. Also, it would amplify any dark and fire type mana used in attacks. Like the bow, it was also hand-crafted and made custom by an ancient hero with legendary materials.

Other legendary items could be found but those two, in particular, were the most eye-catching to Jack. He had just reached lv. 88 and would be able to wield them immediately.

Taking that into consideration, Jack pondered a strategy, finally. He wondered if this is what Daruun meant about a path showing itself. Jack was now lv.88 and would be able to wield all of the legendary weapons laying around the ninety-ninth floor. With so many legendary items, Jack would feel more confident taking on the lv. 89 boss.

It still wasn't a guaranteed win but it was better than anything else he thought up.

Keeping Duorda's appearance in mind, Jack stood beside the bow. The hero then looked to the not-so-distant katana, followed by another legendary item, and another legendary item. Jack spent the next minute or so locating each legendary item in accordance to his current location.

Taking a final, calming breath, Jack assumed his minokawa transformation. Following the path he had just created on the spot, Jack rocketed through the air after snatching the bow from the ground.

The speeding hero grabbed the katana next. One by one Jack rushed by the legendary items and stored them away.

But as Jack picked up the third legendary item, a voice echoed through the chamber, ”Will you show yourself, or shall I find you?”

Glancing to the side, Jack noticed murky, black energy gather atop the black steps. Out of that darkness a single, human-sized being stepped out. It wore a white robe that appeared to be worn out from wind and storm. There were no eye-catching rings, no spectacular items, and no luxurious accessories. The being was an undead skeleton that looked to come from a human. At first glance, the undead monster appeared to be a common skeleton mage, only utterly insignificant with a uniquely colored robe.

However, there were two defining features of the undead. Within the empty eye sockets, a bead of blood-red light glowed. The color of the skeleton's bones was dark grey and nearly black, heavily contrasting the tattered, pure white robe.

Thanks to his incredible speed, Jack managed to snatch the legendary items as Crypt Lord Duorda waited for a reply. While still invisible, Jack asked, ”If I show myself, can we talk before fighting? I'm sure you've been rather lonely down here, Duorda.”

”I don't mind chatting first,” stated Duorda, catching Jack off guard. ”Now show yourself.”

Seeing that Duorda dissipated all of his gathered energy, Jack complied. The hero became visible as he stood only twenty meters from the dungeon boss. There wasn't a single weapon in his hands nor was there a look of anger on his face.

Duorda spotted his challenger and asked, ”Why come alone? You know of me yet you think I'm so easily defeated?”

”Mind if I call you Duorda? You can call me Jack if you like.”

”Jack…” The crypt lord tilted his head back and forth while analyzing Jack. ”Have we met before, by any chance?”