To enter the new Dungeon, one had to be level 10 and to complete all the other Tutorial Dungeons at Hellish. Hell, this was almost a New Game+ given the harsh requirements.
[Entered Chicken Trial Palace of the Damned!]
[A Balanced Party Is Recommended!]
[Difficulty = Hellish]
Jack couldn't help but frown as he saw the balanced party suggestion. He knew what this meant at this stage of the game.
To clear something like this, one would typically need high attributes of each kind. STR, AGI, INT, and SPI! None could be missing!
This instantly turned it into a shitshow that would need decent planning to clear and maybe multiple party members.
"I hope we can do this one…." Jack sighed.
"Woo?!" (Why?!)
It wasn't its master's style to just give up. What was happening?! Moon Moon looked at him with worry.
"Hehe, we'll find a way for sure. After all, I need some Necromancy skills!" Jack reassured his companion while inspecting their surroundings.
They were in a tiny room. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all made of ancient gray-looking stone that reminded one of the historical palaces. In the very middle, there stood a single torch glowing brightly.
It illuminated its surrounding with a holy light that brought warmth to their bodies and soul. It reminded one of an angel's halo and was utterly captivating Moon Moon.
"This flame is holy. See how it glows without producing any heat? Its main property is to drive evil away." Jack explained.
"Woo!" (Impressed!)
"Yes, it is pretty, but don't let it fool you. What matters isn't how pure it looks but how it's used. Power is power, nothing more, nothing less."
"Woo!" (Nodding.)
There was no apparent exit to the room, but a large red button was on the side. This was to start it, right? Jack gently pressed it with his heart beating in excitement. This was 100% a new Dungeon!
With a deep rock grinding sound, a wall suddenly rotated on itself, giving way to a dark corridor. But it was completely filled with a dark and malicious-looking fog that instantly gushed into the room!
As soon as it touched Jack, his HP began to dwindle.
-1
-1
-1
-1
Death would soon be upon them at this rate.
"Woo!" (Calling!)
Moon Moon stood right next to the torch, the area surrounding it void of any fog. It was as if the darkness had met its mortal enemy and didn't dare approach.
"Woo!" (Hurry!)
His pet urged him again to rush to safety, but Jack just gave him a slight smile. He appeared way too calm for a man that was dying! After all, even with the lowest pain setting, it would have felt like getting pricked by thousands of sharp needles!
But Jack didn't even flinch. He even casually gestured toward the dark energy enveloping him:
"This is Demonic energy, well… tainted one. Pure Demonic Energy would have insta-killed us." He waved his hand in it, not minding his skin getting corroded.
"Woo?!" (Shook!)
"The sensible thing to do is to rely on the holy light to defend yourself. However, the Jack thing to do is to stay here until we develop a resistance to it." He winked at the nearby wolf.
"Woo!" (Sudden Realization!)
Moon Moon nodded its head as it confidently left the protective light. Instantly it could feel its fur get invaded by dark energy as it tried to devour it. It hurt so damn much!
It whimpered a few times, but it finally regained its composure. If its master was enduring it without a word, it would do the same! Moon Moon gave a howl full of fighting spirit as it readied itself!
Master and pet sat in the room, their bodies continuously battered by the dark energy. They were akin to monks peacefully enduring the autumn rain on their bodies… an acid one!
"Great job resisting." Jack praised.
Moon Moon approached its head for some petting, Jack hesitantly rubbing it gently. But even the gentle touch was enough to rip some fur and skin. It did transmit his warmth, however, and that was enough to motivate the little wolf.
Demonic Energy corruption really was something else!
-1
-1
-1
-1
+ 23
Their only saving grace was the potions. The instant the sweet liquid entered their mouths, there would be a very short respite. For a second, they felt amazing, but then the torture began anew.
It was a constant cycle of endless suffering. The vicious energy kept trying to corrupt their souls and bodies. The suffering and the drinking seemed endless.
The two lost track of time, lost their sense of self, and could remember nothing but the suffering.
But then something suddenly changed.
[Basked in Demonic Energy For a Long Period!]
[Traces of Corruption: Touched By Death! (Passive)]
[Resistance to Death Demonic energy + 100%]
[Resistance to Holy Energy – 100%]
[Acquired Title: One Who Sits The Dark Path!]
How very fitting yet silly! Usually, it should have been one who walks the dark path, but he had unlocked it by sitting. Talk about a cheeky system!
There also seemed to be a Hidden Effect. For some reason, whenever he was sitting, it seemed like the death energy was friendlier? Would he have to bring a stool to the battlefield?!
He hated to admit it, but it was very Demon-King-like…
"Woo?!" (Excited!)
[Your Pet Has Embraced Corruption!]
[Your Pet Now Has Death Element Potential!]
[The Fiery Bloodline and the Death Element are Mixing!]
[Analyzing Effect. Please Standby…]
Oh god! What kind of power would come from this?! Jack couldn't help but raise his eyes in expectation. Would he suddenly gain a new ability?! What about his battle form?!
[Analysis Complete! Metamorphosis In Progress…]
Moon Moon seemed to suck in the surrounding deathly energy, even creating a vacuum for a few seconds. Hell, he was even more effective than the holy torch!
But then it got so dense that Jack couldn't see his wolf anymore.
Inside the dark cloud, Moon Moon was absorbing the energy like crazy. It somehow felt what was happening. It had a choice to make. It could either keep its cute appearance or evolve and obtain a new one.
Moon Moon didn't even hesitate. It wanted an intimidating one worthy of a legendary dragon god hunting wolf!!
It felt its body transform, and then it was ready to showcase its new appearance to its master. It howled powerfully and took a mighty pose, awaiting praises!
But what followed was…
"Pfft— Are you a zebra?!" Jack couldn't help but chuckle.
All over the orange fur, there were now dark streaks that reminded one of powerful demonic tendrils. When seen from afar, the issue was that it looked a little too straight and a bit too zebra-like.
"Woo?!" (Worried.)
"It's fine. It's normal for it to look slightly strange at the beginning since bloodlines evolve. Before you know it, you'll look so glorious that wolves (and zebras) all across the multiverse will look up to you!" Jack reassured.
"Woo!" (Satisfied!)
But their nice conversation was suddenly rudely interrupted by a powerful noise:
Cluck—GRRR-Cluck—GRRR!
It was a bizarre, weird mix of the clucking of a chicken and the growling of a beast. A second later, a monster was barging in the room with great speed.
What the actual fuck was that?!
The thing was a weird amalgam of Chicken Bones seemingly glued together to create an unbelievable horror.
<Hulking Chicken Bone Golem! Lv 12>
Their faces paled. The thing was so big that it took the entire corridor! There was no way to escape it in this tiny room.
Fighting head-on was the only option….
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[A/N] Riddle: what is orange and black and fluffy? Yes, a Wooly Bear Caterpillar! Oh, also Moon Moon…. Small snack break and writing the next chap! ^_^v (Moon Moon Approves)