Ludwig’s sword flashed forward, clashing against the panicking Djinn, the clash sparked and flashed through the dim lit chambers echoing against the walls. The force of his swing sent the flaming creature stumbling backward. With no time to hesitate, Ludwig drove his blade forward, piercing through the Djinn’s chest. . No emotion, no mercy, and not even a shred of regret or humanity in his undead eyes.
Across the room, Alva realized that she was being outdone by mere brutish strength, while she moved with precision and grace, her rapier a blur as she danced around her opponent’s strikes. Her every movement was calculated, her counterattacks precise. Even as she struck the killing blow, her expression betrayed a mixture of determination and frustration. She couldn’t help but glance at Ludwig, marveling at the sheer brutality of his approach.
All enemies were taken out. For now, that is.
With an ominous creak, the metallic door at the far end of the room swung open. From the shadows emerged two figures, their forms wreathed in flames. Though they had two hands and two feet like any human, their bodies were made entirely out of flames.
These Djinns were unlike the ones Ludwig and Alva had just defeated. Their bodies flickered with unrestrained energy, and their movements radiated a feral intensity.
The two emerged out, looking at the whole scene in horror.
“Who are you?” one of the flaming Djinns demanded, its voice a deep rumble that seemed to reverberate in the air.
Ludwig was more interested in what was behind the door than these two. Although it was only for a few seconds, he was able to see the source of such horridness that was plaguing the city. His attention was drawn to the chamber beyond the door. His eyes widened as he took in the macabre sight:
A monstrous willow tree dominated the room, its gnarled branches twisting upward like skeletal hands. The tree was bound by blood-soaked chains studded with cruel barbs, and its trunk was encircled by desiccated bodies. All of them women. Their faces were frozen in expressions of agony, their hollow eyes staring into nothingness. At the tree’s base, pools of congealed blood reflected the faint glow of dozens of runic symbols etched into the ground.
The true horror, however, lay in the countless souls tethered to the tree. Their spectral forms writhed and twisted, their anguished screams silent yet deafening to Ludwig’s heightened senses.
The ground around the tree was pooled with blood patches and had tens of symbols written in what looked like white chalk. The willow tree itself looked more demonic than unnatural.
{You have witnessed a Profane Ritual}
[Inspect the Ritual Up Close to learn more about it]
Before Ludwig could make sense of what he was seeing, a figure stepped into view, emerging from behind the tree.
He was a tall man clad in flowing black robes embroidered with crimson runes. A massive black turban adorned his head, the centerpiece an emerald that glinted malevolently in the dim light. His thick mustache curled upward, framing a sneer that oozed disdain.
“What’s going on here?” a man said as he emerged out, he was on the more human side of the trio.
He fixed the turbine on top of his head as he began flexing his thick mustache, “Intruders?” he muttered as he looked at the bodies.
“Humph, you killed my slaves… and you,” the man drawled, his gaze sweeping over the carnage. His eyes lingered on Alva, and his sneer twisted into a lecherous grin. “And a noblewoman, no less. Your blood will taste exquisite. So much more refined than that of the common rabble I’ve been forced to consume. Lack of nutrition does make the blood taste bitter. Kill the boy and bring me the girl,” the man said as he went back into the chambers.
The two Djinns flew with incredible speed at Ludwig and Alva at the same time.
In his surprise, Ludwig swung his sword up as fast as he could. To which the Djinn simply dodged and struck Ludwig straight in the head, sending him flying across the room.
[-260! Critical]
[As an undead, you cannot be Dazed!]
[You are prone to being Ignited!]
Ludwig fell on the ground in an audible cracking sound, feeling as if both his face and his back had its bones broken.
‘I should get health potions…’ Ludwig cursed inwardly as he groggily stood up.
“I really need to start carrying health potions,” Ludwig muttered, forcing himself to his feet. Every movement should have felt like utter agony, but that was not the case for him. His undead physiology allowed him to push through the pain and outright ignore it completely. but he knew he couldn’t take another hit like that. Because even if he feels no pain, his undead body can still die…a second time.
‘They’re fast, incredibly fast…’ he realized that he didn’t have the dexterity or the visual acuteness to react to the Djinns. The matchup was just that bad.
Taking a quick glance at Alva, she was also struggling, but unlike Ludwig, she was faring much better, he didn’t know if it was because she was skilled, or the Djinn who she was facing was trying not to kill her so he could take her to his master.
The most frustrating thing was that Ludwig was this weak even with [Galvanize] active.
His mana had recovered decently since he last used [Frenzied Spirit]. He had very few spells, and most of them he couldn’t use, since they would get him accused of Black Magic and would send him to the hanging square. So he chose to enable [Frenzied Spirit] since it worked the last time on these Djinns. and just as he wanted to activate it.
[Not enough Mana! The level of the Djinns you’re facing is too high!]
The notification appeared like a herald of doom.
“You dare be distracted when facing me!” the Djinn said as he flew again at Ludwig who desperately tried to swat the Djinn away. He already knew the latter would easily dodge it, but just as he swung his Scimitar, he jumped back, causing the Djinn to miss.
“[Enfeeble!]” Ludwig shouted, channeling some of his remaining mana into the spell.
Immediately, right where Ludwig’s eyes were focused, the ground manifested a round sigil of emerald color. Runic writings manifested rapidly the moment the Djinn took a step on the ground.
Surprised by what happened the Djinn tried to run away, but the symbol had activated and almost dropped him to his feet from the sudden effect of [Enfeeble].
Ludwig followed immediately, “[Exhaust!]
[Your opponent is already aware of your casting, Exhaust will only have half effect.]
The flames making the Djinn dimmed considerably and his speed was no longer as prevalent.
But this wasn’t lasting for long, Ludwig’s [Galvanize] was seconds away from ending, he needed to finish this fast.
The moment the Djinn realized that he was in a tough position, he tried to back away from Ludwig, after all Ludwig was… “A caster!” he shouted as he backed away.
“Too late!” Ludwig said as he jumped forward, able to easily reach the Djinn and grab him by… the neck?
[Your hand is on fire! You have been Ignited! You’re taking damage over time!]
[-10 HP…]
[-10 HP…]
The notifications kept going up declaring to Ludwig that he was burning up, something he didn’t need to bother with right now even if his hand was blistering. He had finally caught the slippery bastard and a third degree burn on his hand wasn’t going to stop him.
With a roar of effort, he slammed the Djinn onto the ground. The force of the impact sent cracks spidering across the stone floor.
The effects of Galvanized coupled with his own already high strength level allowed him to completely overpower the Djinn. With his other hand, he twirled the sword until it was in an overhand grip, and in one fluid motion, sent it right down the Djinn’s head.
[Critical!]
[X4 Weak Soul]
The Djinn in his hand had his flames die out instantly, turning to a semblance of a burnt skeletal figure, then soon turned to ash.
“YOU BASTARD!” the other Djinn roared out.
“Why so angry,” Ludwig said as he stood up, “You’ll get your turn soon.” he finalized with a mocking sneer.
