Valley of Glory
Ares steps into the ruins, an ancient, mysterious energy rushing at him like a gust of wind.
In the dim light, faint runic glimmers ripple across the walls. He hasn't gone far when a low, menacing growl echoes from ahead.
Alert, Ares grips the Judgment Sword more tightly and moves forward to investigate.
He soon spots a hulking beast lumbering into view, covered in rough, scaly hide, reeking of a nauseating stench.
[Carrion Lizard (Normal BOSS)]
[Level: 35]
[HP: 15,000]
[ATK: 300]
[DEF: 150]
[Skill: Summon Carrion Crawlers (Can summon 20 Carrion Crawlers at once; each Crawler is Level 5, HP 200, ATK 50, DEF 70)]
Ares's lips curl into a faint grin, excitement flickering in his eyes. He's been itching for a chance to try out his new skills, and this BOSS seems like the perfect test subject.
Sensing Ares's threat, the Carrion Lizard opens its massive jaws with a furious roar, then lunges at him, claws tearing through the air. Ares calmly sidesteps, dodging the attack with ease.
Enraged at missing its prey, the Lizard lifts its head and screeches. The ground begins to quake, and dozens of foul-smelling crawlers burst up from below, swarming toward Ares with alarming speed. In seconds, he's surrounded.
Taking a deep breath, Ares quickly chants the incantation for his newly acquired technique: "Earthquake!"
In an instant, power radiates outward from him like a shockwave. It's as if a giant invisible hand rips the ground upward into churning waves of dirt that slam into the Carrion Lizard and its crawler minions.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A rapid series of thunderous crashes follow. The 20 Carrion Crawlers and the Carrion Lizard are blasted away and instantly torn to shreds by that devastating force.
"-377,850!"
"-377,850!"
…
One massive red damage figure after another floats above their heads.
With just a single skill, twenty Crawlers and the Lizard vanish into EXP and loot notifications.
"Ding! Congratulations—you've gained 20,000 EXP!"
"Ding! Congratulations—you've gained 3,000 EXP!"
"Ding! Congratulations—you've gained 3,000 EXP!"
…
"Ding! Your level has risen to 16!"
Those continual system messages fill Ares with a surge of power, making his body feel lighter and his thoughts clearer. As usual, he immediately dumps every attribute point into INT.
[Name: Ares]
[Level: 16]
[HP: 250]
[MP: 2,200]
[ATK: 255]
[DEF: 45]
Class: Warrior
Weapon: Judgment Sword
Armor: Flame Battle Armor, Guardian's Cloak
Satisfied by his updated stats, Ares starts combing through the dropped items. Alongside some gold and crafting materials, a softly glowing skill book catches his eye.
[Whirlwind Slash]: Strike all nearby enemies with 3,000 physical damage and deal a knock-up effect.
Range: 30 ft
MP Cost: 30
Cooldown: 3 minutes
His heart leaps. Three-thousand flat damage with a knock-up CC is extremely potent and versatile. Eager to give it a spin, he opens the skill book at once; a glimmer of light flashes, and the knowledge of Whirlwind Slash instantly flows into him.
He's barely begun exploring the ruins, yet he just scored a boss kill and some killer loot. Maybe if he encounters an even higher-level BOSS, he'll earn even greater rewards.
Still, Ares can't help but notice the eerie glow of the runes on the walls, almost as though they're watching his every move. Unconcerned about the runes, he picks up his weapon and continues to delve deeper.
He comes upon a gigantic stone door etched with mysterious designs that radiate a powerful energy. Drawing closer, he inspects the symbols carved into its surface.
While he's studying them, the door starts trembling violently, then slowly opens with a deep rumble.
A denser, more potent aura roils out from within. Briefly hesitating, Ares steels himself and steps through.
Right then, the system issues a sharp warning:
[Warning! You have entered a hidden map—Valley of Glory. All outcomes here are unknown, and both drop rates and death penalties are doubled. Proceed with caution!]
Ares narrows his eyes, weighing his options. Still, his thirst for adventure and hunger for power soon outweigh any reservations. Tightening his grip on the Judgment Sword, he ventures onward.
He's not sure how long he's been moving when the corridor opens into a wide chamber—and in the center, a towering figure stands. Peering closer, Ares realizes it's another BOSS, powerful and imposing.
[Glory Warlord–Sarl (Elite BOSS)]
[Level: 99]
[HP: 500,000]
[ATK: 800]
[DEF: 1,500]
[Skill 1: Fearless Charge (dashes in a straight line, dealing 1.5× ATK and knocking foes back)]
[Skill 2: Glory's Aegis (boosts DEF by 50% for 10 seconds, 30-second cooldown)]
[Skill 3: Bulwark Protection (instantly doubles DEF for 5 seconds, 60-second cooldown; damage taken is reduced by 30% for 3 seconds afterward)]
Sarl is clad in heavy, solid armor, each metal plate gleaming with a faint chill. Unlike most bosses Ares has faced—those that charge mindlessly the moment they spot a player—Sarl remains astonishingly calm, even with Ares fully in range.
Instead of attacking, the armored BOSS meticulously adjusts each piece of his gear, movements careful and deliberate. His eyes reflect how much he treasures that armor.
Finally sensing Ares's approach, Sarl lifts his head, gaze settling on the sword in Ares's hands. For a split second, there's a twinge of admiration in his eyes.
"You're a Warrior too?" he asks in a rumbling baritone, ancient and dignified, echoing across the chamber.
Ares nods slightly, staying on guard. This is his first time hearing an in-game BOSS speak so casually to a player.
"It's been ages since I've seen a young Warrior like you," Sarl murmurs, looking away as if lost in memory. His aura exudes the calm might of someone who's known countless battles.
Drawn in by that presence, Ares lifts his broken sword in both hands, respectfully meeting the BOSS's gaze. Slowly, Sarl unsheathes his own massive blade, adopting the classic Warrior stance.
"Come!" he challenges.
Ares bursts into a sprint, colliding with him head-on—
Boom!
"-406,500!"
A colossal crimson damage figure hovers above Sarl's head, nearly emptying his HP bar in one strike.
Reeling from the punishing blow, Sarl can't believe his eyes. He's an Elite BOSS at Level 99—especially known for his formidable Defense! Yet Ares wastes no time gloating. He raises the Judgment Sword again, and it crackles with that eerie purple glow as he brings it slashing down.
Panicked, Sarl hastily fires off every defensive skill he has:
Glory's Aegis! Bulwark Protection!
Flames spill from the seams of his armor, forming a crimson barrier that seems utterly impenetrable. His base Defense of 1,500 gets boosted to an incredible 4,500, a figure that would normally make him nearly unassailable.
But that level of defense means nothing in the face of Ares's monstrous Attack.
"-403,500!"
When that insane number appears, Sarl's form dissolves on the spot, splitting into shimmering golden motes that scatter across the floor.
Ares stands there, watching as a tidal wave of EXP surges into him, pushing his level even higher.