///////

Boss Appeared!

Antlered Orc Chief Xule

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With a surprised look, no... more like amazed by the Antlered Orc's appearance, Bonnie was smiling widely.

'So that is an Orc!' She thought, 'It is like Orc, but with antlers? Amazing!'

Xule suddenly leaped and readied his fist toward her. Shocked by his sudden action, she jumped and rolled to the right.

"Uwa wa wa..."

BOOM! Rattle Rattle

Xule's fist buried deep into the floor. She successfully evaded his attack. Then she yelled at him.

"Hmph! How dare you attack without warning! You shall have no mercy from me!" She said as she posed weirdly, trying to copy a heroine of Magical Girl anime she was once watching during her childhood. Then she chanted her spell. "Fire Spirit, please grant me your power. FIRE BAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!"

FWOOOOs.h.!.+

The fire ball was sent flying straight to the Antlered Orc.

BOOM!

However, Xule acted as if he was just feeling a breeze and scoffed. His body was unscathed. Bonnie then furrowed her eyebrows and hid her lips.

"I see you're stronger than I thought. Then I will show you the real power of fire." She said it with a smug face and immediately chanted another spell. "Feel the heat of fire essence. FIRE BLAST!"

Another fire ball was sent flying toward Xule. But this time, the explosion was much bigger.

KABOOM!

Cloud of dust filled the room. Bonnie was s.h.i.+elding her nose and mouth with her hand while waiting the cloud of dust faded. Then slowly, the Orc's figure was visible.

Once again, Xule was standing without any injury. He was smirking to Bonnie while cleaning the dust on his shoulders. Bonnie's jaw was dropped for a moment, then she ground her teeth after seeing his expression.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Bonnie was p.i.s.sed. "TAKE THIS!"

She used all her spells.

Fire Ball, Lightning Ball, Fire Blast, Lightning Bolt, Lightning Arrow, Fire Arrow.

However, none of them could scratch the Antlered Orc's skin.

An old man who was watching the fight was smiling widely while sipping a cup of tea. He knew that Bonnie's elemental affinity was Fire and Lightning. So he gave Xule buffs before the fight begin.

[Lightning Protection] and [Fire Protection].

Those two buff spells absorbed a certain amount of Lightning and Fire elemental damage for a certain duration. They weren't strong spells actually. If Bonnie's damage was higher, then it could penetrate the buff. However, Bonnie's damage wasn't enough to break the threshold. The spells were indeed fair for a test. Either Bonnie needed to increase her magic power with higher tier Lightning/Fire spell or she had to learn another elemental spells.

Of course, Bonnie could also deal physical damage but, with her current STR, she would hardly deal damage to Xule.

After blowing her enemy with spells, Bonnie gulped mana potions. And then she used [Inspect] to see her opponent's health.

[Inspect has been blocked]

Of course, the old man was thoroughly understanding hero's ability. Seeing opponent's HP was like a must-learn skill for players. And thus, he casted another buff spell called [Scan Block]. A spell that blocked low tier spell which inspect, observe or spotting weakness.

With the system message showing, Bonnie couldn't handle her frustration.

"Wha...wha...what is this!? Why can't I use my spells to beat him!?"

Hearing her distress, the old man gave her an advice.

"You need to overcome your limit. Try something new."

She turned her head to the old man and pouting.

"I-I know how to fight! Hmph!"

She then turned her gaze away from him.

His advice was good enough. It made her thinking, and she tried to remember. She recalled some scenes in anime where characters using elemental moves. With her imagination prepared, she readied herself for another attack.

Xule seemed not interested with the fight anymore, so he wanted to end it. He walked toward her and slowly fasten his pace. His steps shook the floor.

Thump Thump Thump

He was running and ready to throw a punch.

BOOM!

Bonnie evaded by rolling sideways. And then immediately waving her hands as if trying to make another spell.

'Come on! Please work!'

Xule turned his head toward her and began his charge again.

BOOM!

Bonnie evaded his attack again. And then she was doing the exact thing again.

'Come on!'

Several attacks later, Xule was blanketed by green aura for a moment and then it disappeared. The old man raised his eyebrows and his lips were shaping an O.

[Skill acquired!][You have learned Wind Shackle]

The Orc movement became sluggish. He was slowed by the spell. Bonnie successfully casted debuff on him. Then she slammed her hands onto the floor.

But nothing happened.

She did it again multiple times while concentrating.

'Come on! Do something!'

She kicked floor in anger. And then a big chunk of stone was flying beside her. It was as big as her head. A few seconds later, it fell on the floor.

Bonnie kicked the floor again. The chunk of stone was flying again, but then she immediately swung her staff toward the Orc. Surprisingly, the stone was thrown in an arc to the Orc with an amazing speed.

FWOOs.h.!.+

The Orc tried to evade, but the Wind Shackle limited his movement. So he couldn't avoid the stone.

WHAM!

[Skill acquired!][You have learned Stone Throw]

[You have inflicted 482 damage to Xule]

Bonnie smiled cheerfully after seeing the system message. But in other's perspectives, her smile was villainous-like. And that was the beginning of her never ending attack. She rained stones after stones upon Xule.

Xule the Antlered Orc Chief was helpless, but when his HP dropped below 75%, he used enchantment skills to buff his body. His slowed body was recovered. He could move normally again even with Wind Shackle debuff. So he tried to counter attack. Of course, it wasn't easy to deal with Bonnie which her base AGI was high because of her racial bunny trait. She was also really small, and it made her really hard to catch.

When Xule's HP dropped below 30%, he let out a cry. Then his max HP raised for 20%. It also healed a percentage of the raised HP. He was also let out another cry, which buffed him to decrease damage taken by 50%.

Bonnie used all of her MP potions to beat him. Even her Earth Throw leveled up a lot. The fight was lasted for almost two hours. That was how tough Xule was. But in the end, Bonnie claimed her victory.

She fell on her knees, and her b.u.t.t followed them on the ground afterward. She sat down while panting, trying to catch her breath.

"Haahhhhh... That was exhausting..."

The old man began to stand and walked toward his Grimoire on the floor. He picked it up and then faced Bonnie. The old man Mel'Jarrad opened his mouth.

"Congratulations! You've pa.s.sed the test."

"Aahhh thank you! Haahh...hahh..." Bonnie hardly answered him while panting.

"Ohohoho... For a beast-kin to be this talented mystic. I'll be really glad to become your teacher. Ohohoho..." He stroke his beard for a moment and continued. "I officially accept you as my disciple."

[Mel'Jarrad's Test Quest completed!]

[Your DEX has increased by 5]

[Your AGI has increased by 5]

[Your INT has increased by 5]

[Your WIS has increased by 5]

[You have earned Mel'Jarrad's Disciple t.i.tle!]

"Well, then. Please take a rest. And when you're ready, you can go to my house anytime. I will teach you every knowledge I have about Magic." He smiled at her and continued. "Once again. Congratulation!"

Then Mel'Jarrad chanted something and disappeared into thin air.

Bonnie sighed.

"I'm tired... Uhh what time is it?" She mumbled to herself.

She was counting with her fingers even though there was in-game time if she looked at her pocket watch inside her bag or called the system menu. But of course, what she meant was the real world time. When she got her answer, she was surprised and her bunny ears were standing straight.

"Ah! It's already this late!? I need to log out and sleep!"

Bonnie pouted her lips as she still wanted to play. She sighed.

"Hahhh... I have to work tomorrow. I need to get up early."

She was sad, but she didn't have a choice. She called the system menu and pressed the log out b.u.t.ton in the air.

[Are you sure you want to log out the game?]

"Yeeessss..."

She answered half-heartedly. Then she disappeared into thin air.

・・・

Two figures were running and sneaking in dark hallway. One was a human, and the other was a big bipedal two-headed turtle. They hid themselves when they heard the patrols steps, and continued when they had pa.s.sed them. It was a long walk to their destination, so the human trying to make a conversation.

"Say, why were you surprised that I'm blond?"

"Well... Isn't that strange for you, a royal descendant, to be in jail?" The left head, Bro'Gon, answered with another question. And then the right head Ro'Bro added. "Especially in this cursed arena."

"What? I'm not a royal descendant though..." Vallas answered them confused.

"Isn't blond supposed to be royal descendant?" Bro'Gon was also looking at Vallas confused, while Ro'Bro kept his head to see the path in front of them.

"Where did you get that idea?" Vallas asked them as he scoffed.

"So it isn't true? Oh Great Poseidon! That c.r.a.ppy mouth of clownfis.h.!.+" Ro'Bro said in higher tone. Then Bro'Gon also added in anger. "He lied to us!"

"Figures of fish brain. They must make things up to look smart. No offense to you though."

"Burrhahahahahaha!" They both laughing and then simultaneously said, "Indeed. They're not very smart after all... It is fine, by the way, we are Dragon-head Turtle. Not a puny fish."

"So you are one... I heard your race is the wisest in the sea."

"We are flattered. But No. The Giant White One is the wisest. We are nothing compared to him."

"Ooh... So he's like the strongest one in the sea?"

"You are correct. He is no king, he travel alone through seven seas. We have only met his presence once, inside a cave. It was fate. He taught us many things. Including ability to escape this place."

"He seems really amazing. I can't wait to see that ability he taught you."

"Indeed... Let us just focus with the plan for now. The next path is really tricky."

A maze with so many path branched and, of course, there were hidden traps everywhere. Robrogon memorized them all. And Vallas just followed them carefully with the same speed. A few traps later, they came to a part which hard to notice. There, the other prisoners were present.

"Alright, everyone's here..." Said a bipedal black phanter after seeing Vallas and Robrogon arrived. He was wearing tattered leather clothes underneath old dark green cloak. Behind him, there were another two bipedal animals. A gray wolf and a panda. They were Beast-kin.

"Sssssooo thissss isssss the Arrrena Champion, huh?" Said a dark green lizard-like creature. He had humanoid upper body, but the lower part was like a snake. Though he had multiple fins, he was wearing some kind of deep blue scale armor which perfectly fit his body. He was a race called Naga.

"Greetings, Naga." Vallas greeted him leisurely.

"Ssssshaahahahha... Jusssst call me Far'Drauth."

"We have no time to introduce ourselves. We gotta hurry with the plan." The black phanter interrupted them with serious face. He was indeed true. Sooner or later, the guards would know they were missing.

"Alright. The coast is clear. Still, we really need to hurry." A brown scaled Sleethar appeared behind Vallas and Robrogon. He just came from scouting the area, to make sure there was no guards around. He then faced the black phanter and continued. "But... First things first, Murakkal. Are you sure this path is safe?"

"Yes. This path is closed due to mysterious disappearance of some guards. Multiple times. So there will be no guards patrolling this area." (Murakkal)

"Then... That means it's dangerous, isn't it? It's not safe." (Sleethar)

"Ylvaark, just trust me. I'll explain while we are going to the next destination. Let's go!" (Murakkal)

Murakkal, the Black Phanter, explained about the path's history.

It was started with an incident. A long time ago, two guards were found dead inside the path with unnatural injuries. Their bones were broken as if they were being crushed. Furthermore, there were multiple wounds on their body which looked likely to be claw and bite marks. It was unknown what kind of monsters did this to them.

As the time went by, some of the guards were missing simultaneously. The Owner tried to investigate every path of the underground arena. But they focused on that path especially. However, nothing was found unusual there. No hidden trap or pa.s.sage. It was just one ordinary path.

He then investigated the prisoners, but they were not moving a single inch from their cell. No one escaped at night. He covered the incident to control the situation. Still, some of the guards kept missing.

Until eventually he closed the path where the incident happened, and the patrolling area was redirected. And nothing happened ever since. They thought it was an ominous path, but actually... something hidden was there.

"Say, isn't it easier to remove the ring inside our cell instead of doing it here? So they will think we'll never leave." (Ylvaark)

"That's a good idea but I hate to say that it will not work." (Gray Wolf)

"Indeed. The tracker only works when they use the tracking device. It has an alarm mechanism which will be rung if the ring is out of safe range, and whenever the ring is taken off or broken. We use this very information to take the advantage. Once we take off the ring, the device will lead them here. However, they will find nothing in here." (Murakkal)

"Okay, so we have...umm...like invisible spell or something?" (Ylvaark)

"You'll find out soon. Right now, the watcher is still reporting their duty. But the next watcher will be on their s.h.i.+ft soon. Let's just make this fast." Then Murakkal was looking at Robrogon.

"Alright, we will use our ability to take off the ring now."

Robrogon stretched their hands forward and folded their fingers. They closed their eyes for a moment. And then they opened their eyes as well as their fingers. In an instant, a wave of aura was blasting from their body. Multiple clicks were heard, and the rings on their legs were stretched and fell on the floor.

Seeing that, Vallas was amazed. But not only him, everyone was also surprised.

"Wow, that ability is really handy." (Vallas)

"We appreciate the compliment." (Bro'Gon)

Murakkal suddenly jumped and pressed something near the corner of ceiling. And then the wall on their right was sliding down, opening a hidden path.

"How did you notice such hidden thing?" (Ylvaark)

"Well, it's kind of our beast-kin ability." (Murakkal)

"Sssso thissss issss what they missssss. The hidden path." (Far'Drauth)

"Actually, there were rumors among the guards if there were hidden treasures inside this path. So the owner was given false information about finding nothing hidden. And of course the rumor then becoming a cursed mythos. And the knowledge about this hidden path is gone." (Murakkal)

"Right, right. That's enough of history lesson. Let's just go in and escape this place before the guards show up." (Ylvaark)

"Ah you're right. Let's go." (Murakkal)

They were all went in and the wall sliding up again, closing the hidden path. They went through the path slowly. They were walking leisurely because they thought that they were already safe from the guards. That changed when they found a body. And a few minutes later, there were more bodies found.

"Alright, these explain about the missing guards." (Vallas)

"Hidden treasures my a.s.s. This is a tomb!" (Ylvaark)

"Well, that was just a rumor. And something definitely lurking in this path." (Gray Wolf)

"I'm scared..." (Panda)

Murakkal was silent. He knew something evil was indeed lurking inside the path. And that was why they needed Vallas. Even though they could do it without Vallas, they would at least feeling safe when he was with them.

Grrrrr.... Aghhh...

Growling and moaning sounds could be heard far at the depth of the path.

"Oookay... What was that? Someone hungry?" (Panda)

Everyone seemed nervous and some of them wanted Murakkal's explanation. However, he was still silent and kept going forward.

Grrrrr... Agghhhh... Rrrraaaghhh...

"Please someone say that is your stomach grumbling... uhuhhuh..." (Panda)

The sound becoming louder. Everyone put their hands on their weapon, except Vallas and Robrogon. They had no weapon so they put their fists in front of their chest instead.

They came to a dark room, and multiple pairs of red glowing eyes were watching them.

Gggraaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh...

Zombies, Skeletons, and Rotten Wolves were charging toward them. Everyone guarded themselves.

"They're coming! Get ready!" (Murakkal)

Weapons met bones and flesh. The sounds were echoing all over the room. Vallas immediately leaped in front of everyone and threw a powerful punch.

FWOOOOs.h.!.+

Multiple undead were thrown by the fist impact and splattered into pieces of rotten meat and bones. However, there were too many of them. Everyone was backed off and tried to keep their area. In matter of time, they would be surrounded if they didn't do something.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaah!" (Panda)

"They are too many!" (Far'Drauth)

"Go back inside the path." (Murakkal)

"I'll keep them away!" (Vallas)

"Alright, go go!" (Ylvaark)

They were slowly back to the path they came from. Inside the path, the monster they faced would be decreased significantly. However...

Graraaaaaahhhh...

From inside the path, there were multiples zombies walking toward them.

"Gaaaah! What the heck!?" (Panda)

"They're the bodies we found before!" (Gray Wolf)

"Just focus on the front. We, beast-kin, will take care our back." (Murakkal)

"Alright!" (Vallas)

One hour had pa.s.sed, and the monsters were dropped fast. They were indeed strong warriors of the arena. They couldn't be compared to unintelligent undead.

SLAs.h.!.+ STAB!

Far'Drauth's lance pierced through the undead's head. And then he pulled it out. The undead fell on the ground.

"That'ssssss the la.s.ssstt one."

Suddenly a big hand coming out of the dark room. It grabbed some undead bodies on the ground and pulled it into the dark.

Grraaaaaaaaahh...

Slowly, the thing revealed itself. A huge five-meter tall golem-like undead with rotten flesh and bones were showing. Some kind of purple mucus-like liquid was coming out from the golem's mouth and body. The golem was eating the undead.

Chomp... Crunch... Crunch...

It was really grotesque to look at. Everyone opened their eyes wide open. Droplets of sweat could be seen on their faces. Some of them held their breath as if trying not to vomit.

GRRRAAHHHHHH...

The golem screamed. They stretched their hands and tried to grab the escapists. When they wanted to evade, someone already jumped in front of the golem. It was Vallas.

"Strengthen Power. Raging Dragon Punch."

BLAM! Splat! Splat! Splat!

The golem instantly crushed into pieces.

Everyone was shocked after witnessing the very scene. And then they just let out wry laughs.

"Thank G.o.d, he is here with us." (Gray Wolf)

"As expected of Arena Champion." (Murakkal)

"Yeah. He is indeed very strong." (Robrogon)

Vallas landed on the ground and turned around to his escapist comrades.

"Let's just get out from this place."

There were still some undead within the path, but they could easily beat them. And a few distance later, they saw a light. It was the way out.

"Wooohooo!" (Panda)

"We did it! We escaped the prison!" (Ylvaark)

"At last... I can go home..." (Gray Wolf)

"Yes... We can go home now..." (Robrogon)

Everyone was happy and said that they wanted to go back to their homeland.

Under the sea, where mystical city of Atalancia were was The Naga, and Dragon-head Turtle destination... While the Beast-kin wanted to go back to their kingdom called Savanh.

"That means you're all going to the west." (Vallas)

"Indeed." (Far'Drauth)

"We need to report this matter to our King." (Ro'Bro)

"For us Beast-kin, our King will definitely declare a war against human. So we don't know yet if we should report this matter." (Murakkal)

"But Murakkal, this is a serious matter. I saw it with my very own eyes. They also turning our kin into slaves publicly in their city." (Gray Wolf)

"It would be wise to maintain it in shadow. The preparator is not human, but the corrupt one. Our kin will absolutely schedule the Deep Sea Conference." (Bro'Gon)

"That is your race vision. But not for us. Human will not learn if they are not hit by fear. No offense to you, Vallas. You are an exception." (Gray Wolf)

"That's fine. I also think the same that some humans are rotten, but keep in mind that some of them are not. I think Robrogon's idea is wise to keep the plan unnoticed. Either way, corrupt people need to be cleansed for what they've done." (Vallas)

"Well, that issssssssss that. We don't need to arrrrgue anymorrrrre. We walk different path but have the ssssame goal anyway." (Far'Drauth)

"That is true. Anyway, Vallas. Are you sure you do not want to travel with us to our palace?" (Ro'Bro)

"Come to our kingdom too, we will absolutely treat you well." (Murakkal)

"I'm flattered. But I'm sorry, guys. I have to turn down the offer. I need to visit an old friend." (Vallas)

"I see. Then we shall bid our farewell here." (Robrogon)

"We hope to see you again in the future." (Murakkal)

"Thank you for helping us escape." (Gray Wolf)

"Yes, the prison break will be written in history for sure. Burrhaahaha..." (Bro'Gon)

"Goodbye." (Panda)

"Farewell... Champion..." (Far'Drauth)

And so, they parted ways. Vallas looked at them waving their hands toward him until they stopped and turned their back on him. Vallas sighed and smiled.

"What a crazy bunch. Anyway, I'll never go back to Ghaldaran again. I guess... I'll go south to Juvaldo. An old friend has been waiting for years."

"Well, I have nowhere to go... I think I will follow you for a while." A brown scaled Sleethar, Ylvaark, was right beside him.

"Oh what the... You're still here!?"

"Hmm. For a skilled champion, you are not really bright."

"Ahaha... Alright. A journey is memorable with a companion after all. But... my friend is... kinda awkward with stranger, you know. He might kill you when he sees you."

"What kind of b.a.s.t.a.r.d kills someone the first time he sees them? He is definitely mad. I wonder how you could befriend him."

Vallas just laughed and started walking. Ylvaark followed him confused. Thus, a new party was formed. And they began their journey to Juvaldo Kingdom.

・・・

'WHAT THE h.e.l.l! WHY AM I ALWAYS GETTING b.u.mPED INTO BOSS!?'

Eight-legged black colored arachnid. Long front and rear legs. Two white palps which looked like giant fangs. Her abdomen was big and round with dark bluish purple color. It was bigger than her cephalothorax. It also had a few curvy short spikes which bent to the rear. And there were some thin white stripes on her carapace and abdomen, creating a strange marking. Somehow, she looked like a bigger and different version of black widow.

For the smaller ones, the cow-sized ones. They were similar but they didn't have spikes on their abdomen. However, they were still scary and creepy.

Mirage and I were running as fast as we could while evading their webs.

They were spitting web from their mouth!

I used Fire Blessing to burn some of the spitting webs. I made Mirage leading the way, so I could protect her from all the projectiles showered from behind.

Strangely enough, the Misty Broodmother was kinda...slow? With that high AGI, she could've outran us! Yet she seemed very lax.

'Motherf.u.c.ker. She does underestimate us.'

Of course, it wasn't like I could beat her anyway. She knew we weren't worth her time, so she just commanded their children to attack instead. It was really shameless to run, but I had no choice. There were so many of them coming from the cliffs. It was a big disadvantage for me.

'Just you wait! I'll be coming back!'

With that thought in mind, I kept running while the spiders were chasing after us. We eventually got out of the canyon and immediately went southeast.

Three days later, we finally saw a town's wall in a vast prairie.

And beyond that was...o...b..nia.