MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

Moving further into the cave I noticed the climate getting more humid. Some of the walls were even covered in moss.

The environment was very similar to sewers, I even noticed some small plants.

' I hope there is no Wendigo here... '

Looking at Jake and Styk I wasn't sure if I'll be able to protect them from a flesh eating monster.

Click... Click...

Both brothers were either filming, taking photos or inspecting the cave's walls. Since both of them knew that we were in the dangerous zone they didn't want to ruin my concentration by asking questions.

While they both were here for a tour I was contemplating how to proceed forward.

In my past life this place was very well known as an easy Gold and EXP farm due to huge numbers of reptile monsters residing here.

Most players bought AoE Spells or Skills to sweep many monsters in one go and receive huge EXP rewards and Loot drops. Nagas also have a chance to be carrying two weapons:

1️⃣ ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? [ ???????????????? ]

???????????????? ???????????????? → 5,000 - 7,000 ???????????????? ????????????????????

~~~~

2️⃣ ???????????????????? ???????????????????? [ ???????????????? ]

???????????????? ???????????????? → 9,000 - 14,000 ???????????????? ????????????????????

~~~~

Bot of these weapons are expensive and powerful, I was even contemplating to wield the Water Spear. Unfortunately it had no MP or INT bonuses, hence making me throw that idea out of my mind.

' I should find a Magical Spear... '

Looking at my Eerie Staff's slightly cracked surface I thought that I'd need a weapon more resistant to fire.

Hissss... Hissss...

I heard hissing sounds upfront and raised my hand gesturing brothers to stop. Lowering my stance I extinguished the demonic flame and started slowly moving towards the sound.

Taking a peek around the corner I used my system window to slightly illuminate the nearby area and saw two reptiles communicating with each other.

I even noticed that both Nagas had Scales slightly redder in color compared to a Naga I saw outside. As far as I recall this species has a power hierarchy. The darker the color of its scales the higher level a monster is.

Quietly casting two Lightning Bolt I compressed them as much as I could before launching projectiles at the monster.

Whoosh...

The Projectiles made with one third of my Mana pierced deep into the closest Naga mortally wounding it.

Hisss...

Seeing his friend at death's door the healthy Naga leapt towards me attempting to bite me only for its face to hit a solid surface. One of its fangs even broke upon the collision.

As the Naga was stumbling backwards something got ahold of its neck twisting it making the reptile hiss in pain.

Fenrir was strong, but not strong enough to simply kill Naga by simply twisting its neck.

Crash...

Using its Explosive Naga sent Fenrir flying backwards.

- 314 Physical Damage!

My pet was hurt, but still able to fight. As I was about to rush towards the Naga I saw the air around it becoming slightly red in color.

' Body Strengthening! '

Warily looking towards the now overpowered reptile I made sure to prepare a Lightning Bolt if it decides to rush straight at me.

Unsurprisingly, since Naga had a bit of Human Intelligence it didn't immediately dart towards me.

Slowly slithering in a zig-zag pattern the beast's arms became slightly red indicating that the next hit will be explosive.

Keeping my cool I instructed Fenrir to stay away before deploying 3 Shadow Soldiers. Since the journalist brothers were around the corner they wouldn't be able to see the fight allowing me to make use of my newly gained skill.

My Shadow Soldiers rushed to the snake with their arms forming into claws of a beast.

Boom... Boom...

Since Naga was faster it hit both shadows exploding them instantly.

[ +2 ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ]

[ +2 ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ]

Both of them died immediately leaving only one Soldier alive. As if avenging his brothers the Shadow extended its claws which barely pierced through the Naga's abdomen.

Noticing the monster raising his empowered hand to crush my Shadow I quickly casted a Lightning Bolt.

Whoosh...

The projectile flew and pierced through the beast's forearm.

Hisss...

Ignoring the damaged hand Naga punched the Soldier, also crushing him, but injuring its arm beyond repair.

[ +2 ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ]

Clicking my Tongue I conjured two Lighting Bolts before closing in the distance and letting the Bolt pierce deep into the Naga's chest.

Surprisingly the monster was tenacious and kept on fighting until dying due to blood loss.

Walking closer to the dead body I quickly evaded the Blue blood that was all around the corpse and quickly collected the loot.

< ???????????????? ????2 ????????????????????????! >

< ???????????????? >

1️⃣ 4,000 ????????????

2️⃣ ????????????????'???? ???????????????????? ????7

3️⃣ ????????????????????????????'???? ???????????????????? ????5

~~~~

After both monsters fell I invited Styk and Jake to come out of their hideout and we moved further. Surprisingly none of the brothers were scared or repulsed, their eyes were even shining when I told them that we still have a long journey ahead.

' They do treat this as a tour '

I grumbled while Styk was taking pictures of the dead reptiles' bodies.

Tip... Tip... Tip... Tip...

Suddenly I hear something behind us. Turning my head I quickly walked in front of Jake, who was the last one, to cover him from whatever was coming.

The sound got louder and louder when finally a huge black leg came into view.

Lifting my eyes up I was met by gaze from 8 different eyes. The monster was huge, its 8 legs lifted it high in the air while the black fur covering its body made it seem fluffy yet dangerous.

Roar...

The monster roared revealing its mouth full of razor sharp teeth that were the size of my fingers.

' I think I'll get a phobia... '

Looking at the ugly ass spider I thought while gesturing brothers to fall back immediately.

Crack...

Surprisingly the balance of the spider shifted and it shrieked in pain. One if its legs were forcefully torn off from its body.

Looking around I didn't notice Fenrir and only using our bond I found him behind some rocks chewing onto the spider's lost leg.

Criekk...

Spider's voice full of pain echoed in the tunnel making the cave slightly tremble.

' Shit it'll alert others! '

Seeing that the enemy is a bug type monster I quickly equipped the Eerie Staff and covered it in fire. Surprisingly the spider slightly lowered its body and spat out some green liquid that I barely managed to evade.

Looking at the green stuff I noticed it corroding the ground below it.

' That's one hell of a corrosive property '

Warily looking at the spider I tried to slowly move towards him attempting to make a run and dash under him so he'd have no way to attack me.

Unfortunately the spider was now slightly lowering its body so its mouth could reach if I tried to run under it.

Crack...

The spider once again shrieked in pain as his second limb was torn off from his body. This time though the monster managed to catch sight of Fenrir and use one of its 6 legs to wound his back.

- 234 Physical Damage [ Fenrir ]

Even though the attack was slow the effect was major. I didn't expect a spider's lanky leg to do so much damage.

' Take cover! '

Conveying my message to Fenrir I ran towards the spider avoiding another poisonous spit and hitting one of its legs with my Staff.

3 out of 8 legs were down and the spider's balance was seriously affected, I even saw its legs slightly tremble, not able to support the main body weight.

Not giving the spider a chance to recover I tried to strike another leg, but surprisingly the beast moved it out of the way and jumped backwards once again making me stand in front of its mouth.

Whoosh... Whoosh...

Few green balls of mass travelled towards me making me take a dozen steps back to avoid them. As I was about to re engage the spider I suddenly felt weakness spread through my body.

~ ???????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????????????? < ???????????????????????????????????? >

~ ???????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? [ -10% ???????????????????????????????????????? ]

~ ???????????????????????????????? → 1 ????????????????????????

~~~~

Looking at the ground I noticed the green spit of the ground vaporizing into the air.

Quickly covering my nose with my hood I help my breath trying not to inhale the poisonous air. I also chose to retreat backwards, further away from the poisonous air even if I'll release my prey.

Luckily or not the spider was dead set on killing me and followed after.

' Dumbass '

I smirked as the monster passed through Fenrir's hiding spot.

Crack... Boom...

Another Limb of the spider was torn away and the monster couldn't keep its balance falling on the ground.

' Fenrir, attack its back! '

Seeing the spider not being able to turn around I instructed Fenrir to assault the monster from behind while I used my Lightning Bolts to pierce through its body.

< ???????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????1 ????????????????????????! >

< ???????????????? >

1️⃣ 2,500 ????????????

~~~~

Seeing Styk taking a video of the fight I cursed, since I couldn't burn the body.

' Maybe I should send them outside... or maybe they'll meet with an unfortunate accident... '

Thinking about all the fortunate and accidental ways for the journalists to leave the cave a saving grace suddenly appeared before my eyes.

" Leo, me and my brother have to go to work... "

Styk opened his mouth while a sad smile was playing on his lips.