Chapter 40 - Trying out Elite instance dungeon. (2/2)
At the end of the path there was a small wooden platform. On top of it was a small black chest. As the rest of the team looked at it, the girls began to squeal in happiness. This was the first black-iron chest they encountered. Even Balthazar was surprised. He expected a normal white chest at the end not a black iron one. ”Maybe we got a black iron one due to first exploration? The next attempts would probably be a normal chest,” thought Balthazar going ahead to pick the lock on the chest.
”System: You found Vultusk's treasure. These are keepsakes from his dead mother.”
They quickly surrounded the chest as Balthazar began to pick the lock on the chest. He managed to open it on the first attempt due to his experience in his previous life. He quickly put in his hand in the treasure chest and pulled out a black shield, a skill book and a material from the chest. The material was a leg Lepisvir bone. It would be a useful material for forging swords. It would provide an additional darkness attribute.
Blackwood Shield (Black Iron Shield)
Level 2
Requirement: Endurance: 8
Defence +12; Reflect +2;
A shield made by Vultarc from the corrupted wood of the forest for his son Vultusk.
The shield had the appearance of the wood of the black trees. It had a metallic feel to it. It was immediately given to Tang to equip. It would definitely improve her ability to tank Vultusk. With the new shield it would be much easier to kill Vultusk and if luck favors them even Vultarc.
The skill book was also a warrior skill book, Rallying cry. It improves the damage of all the allies in a 20 feet radius by 10%. ”It definitely was a berserker skill,” said Quiet Fire. ”We can sell it and distribute the money among us,” she continued.
”No. Let Tang try to learn it first. There are some skills which are applicable for the classes not just an occupation like in other games,” said Balthazar.
Heeding his suggestion, Tang took it from Quiet Fire and tapped the book on her chest. To her surprise, the book disappeared, and skill appeared in the skill menu. She was overjoyed. She gained the most in the dungeon instances among all of them.
”What is the bone for?” asked Blinding examining the bone. ”Looks like a thigh bone.”
”It could be used to make sword with dark attribute,” replied Balthazar promptly.
”I don't mean that. I could guess that it is a rare material. I wanted to know what is so precious about a bone.”
”It is a Lepusvir bone. Probably a keepsake from the dead body of his mother.”
”Ugh!” said Blinding throwing it at Balthazar. He immediately pocketed it.
They soon made their way to Vultusk's lair. It was the same situation and even the same appearance except that he wore a pair of boots.
”That would definitely improve his attributes,” said Quiet Fire pointing at the boots.
I will check it told Balthazar as he reached Vultusk in stealth and began the battle. A few seconds later, he messaged that there is an improvement in Vultusk's agility and not in defence but has no idea about the increase in strength, if any.
Hearing this the rest of the team joined the fight. Tang tanked a few hits and determined that there was no difference in damage or strength either. The team quickly entered the fray and the health of Vultusk gradually fell down.
This time care was taken by the entire team that a member would not die. Vultusk had the same behavior as in the normal instance dungeon. With the new armor and shield, the team managed to bring it down to 30% without any issue.
This time to evade the body slam of Vultusk, Balthazar had come up with a new plan. He had Tang use the skill stomp just before Vultusk's health hit 30%. Being a special elite, Vultusk was easily stunned by it. This time was used by the team to put enough distance between the team before Vultusk could unleash his attack. Balthazar as usual stayed close and evaded the shock wave by jumping.
Balthazar made the entire team control their damage, so that this method could be used to escape the effects of body slam from Vultusk. This allowed them to bring Vultusk's health down to 5% easily, when it would try to escape again. At this time, Balthazar had the entire team increase their damage to the maximum. He even had Tang use the Rallying cry skill to improve the damage.
They quickly managed to reduce the health of Vultusk to 2% before it came out of stun. It immediately tried to run away, and Balthazar made the team leave it a path to escape, so as to avoid any health loss or casualties in his team. They instead tried to land attacks on it. He managed to follow it and take it down at the clearing where its burrow hole started.
”System: +60 experience points”
With the death of Vultusk, Balthazar began to loot it as the rest of the team hurried along. He found a pair of black iron boots, Lepusvir skin and Vultusk's head. As soon as he looted it, the entire team got the notification.
[Vultusk's head] (Quest Item)
Return Vultusk's head to Pecandor.
”Pecandor's revenge: Return Vultusk's head”
[Iron boots] (Black Iron boots)
Level 2
Requirement: Endurance: 7
Vitality +4; Strength +3;
The team discussed and decided to give the boots to Blinding White to improve her defense. With Vultusk dead, they quickly went back to the treant Pecandor. As they reached the treant it immediately came towards the team.
”I can smell treant blood on you. Come on give me the head,” it said extending its large hand in front of them to receive the head. As Balthazar gave the head to the treant. A notification popped up in front of Quiet Fire.
”Pecandor's Revenge: Quest completed”
The treant walked back to its original position and picked up the treasure chest it was guarding. ”Here, this contains something that would allow you to counteract Vultarc's poisonous methods. I hope you are successful in your mission. May the 12 great lords and guardians of the light bless you,” said Pecandor giving him the treasure chest. Another notification popped up in front of everyone.
”System: You have received the Quest Item: Pecandors Antidote.”
”Beware. Though the antidote protects you against the poison of Vultarc. It would enrage him as it is made from Lepusvir blood.”