The Abandoned Forge Of The Depths (3)
– Not today! Atlas abruptly turned around, using "Energy Resonance". A wave of energy went through the dagger, and he threw it straight into the center of the runes.
Critical strike!
The Shard Seer shuddered, his light began to fade. At that moment, the Air Shark delivered a "Rip Bite", completing the attack. The Seer disappeared in a flash of magical fire.
Kira, meanwhile, was fighting with two guards. Her punches were powerful, each shattering the enemy's defenses, but one of them was clearly more stable.
– Atlas! That bastard is blocking my punches!
– I'll help you now!
He rushed to help, activating "Dagger Fight (level 4)". While one of the Guards was distracted by Kira, Atlas hit a vulnerable spot – the joint of the neck. The armor shattered, and the magical energy inside dissipated.
The last one remained. He realized that he couldn't handle two against one, and tried to retreat... but Kira jumped forward and brought the hammer down on his head.
[System Notification]
[You have defeated all the enemies. Received: 620 experience.]
[Received: "Echo Armor Fragment" (2 pieces), "Magic Shard Plate".]
Atlas wiped his forehead.
– Now you can safely look around.
Kira was breathing heavily, but she was happy.
–So this gate is where my ancestor's forge is. Are you ready to open them?
Atlas and Kira stood in front of a massive gate covered with ancient runes. They were made of dark metal, cracked in places, as if it had withstood centuries of destruction.
[System Notification]
[The gate of the Ancient Master's Forge is sealed.]
[ Required: Fire Essence (0/1),
Fragment of the Echo Armor (2/3),
Magic Shard Plate (1/2)."]
–Ha... of course, just entering would be too easy. – Atlas muttered.
Kira studied the gate carefully, tracing the runes with her fingers.
–This is... exactly the seal of my clan. We had forges that were protected from robbers.
A special fee was needed to enter.
– Well, we already have a part. – Atlas remarked, checking the inventory: –We need another 'Echo Armor Fragment' and a 'Magic Shard Plate'.
–And also the Essence of Fire. –The mechanism won't start without it. Kira added.
Atlas thought about it.
– Perhaps it can be found in other parts of the dungeon. If these guards were created to protect us, then the materials we need could have been left here somewhere.
– I agree. Then I suggest two options. – said Kira: – First, we are searching the remaining halls. Second, we return to the Dra'Myr, learn more about the Great Fall and, perhaps, about the blacksmiths who could help us.
Atlas looked at the map. The dungeon is only 76% explored.
– Let's finish the research. We might find something valuable.
Kira nodded.
– Then let's go carefully. Who knows what else lives here.
Objective updated: Explore the Ancient Master's Forge (76%)
Atlas and Kira moved down the corridor leading deeper into the dungeon. The air shark hovered nearby, its eyes carefully following the shadows, as if sensing hidden threats.
[System Notification]
["You have entered the Testing Section of the Ancient Master's Forge. Caution: active defense mechanisms."]
–Trials, then...– muttered Atlas, looking around.
A wide hall strewn with metal fragments opened up in front of them. There were massive statues of knights around the edges, covered in dust and rust.
–These... are definitely not just jewelry. – Kira frowned, pulling out her hammer.
As soon as they took a few steps forward, the statues creaked and their eyes flashed red.
[System Notification]
[Activation Test: The Test Of Hardened Steel.]
[Defeat the Steel Guards (0/3)."]
Atlas sighed, pulling out his dagger.
The first statue lunged forward with a heavy axe, slicing through the air. Atlas barely managed to bounce back, activating Tactical Evasion.
·They're slow, but they're strong! – Kira shouted, deflecting the second blow.
– So, we need to hit the vulnerable spots! – Atlas noticed that the metal on the joints of the statues looked thinner: – Hit the joints!
The air shark lunged forward, activating a "Discharge Wave", an electric pulse enveloped the first guardian, causing it to twitch.
Atlas took advantage of the moment by activating "Dagger Fight (level 4)" and delivering a series of quick blows to the statue's neck. With a screech, the head fell off, and the first guardian collapsed.
[System Notification]
[Steel Guard defeated (1/3).]
But the second one was already there, and he was moving faster.
Kira blocked his lunge with her hammer, but the force of the blow was enough to throw her back.
–Damn it… This one is heavier. – She hissed, standing up.
Meanwhile, the third guardian began to charge energy, his armor began to glow blue.
–He's cooking something! Sin, stop him! – Atlas shouted, pointing at the third guard.
The air shark lunged forward, activating an "Energy Surge". A bolt of lightning hissed through her body, and in the next instant, she crashed into the third guardian. A burst of sparks and the crackle of metal filled the hall.
But the guardian was tougher than expected. He staggered slightly, but did not stop — on the contrary, his charge accelerated, and the light in the armor began to flicker more intensely.
– It's bad! – Kira shouted, dodging a blow from the second guard.
Atlas wasted no time activating the "Energy Resonance". A feeling of power swept through his body, and his reactions became faster.
– We need to shoot him down before he finishes his charge!
Kira understood his intention and, gritting her teeth, put all her strength into a hammer blow. The "Blacksmith's Strike" reverberated through the hall with a powerful vibration, and cracks ran through the armor of the third guardian.
– Now! Stop it! –she shouted.
Atlas used the "Astral Helper Summon", and a ghostly figure appeared in the air, copying his movements. They rushed forward at the same time, delivering a series of rapid blows.
[System Notification]
"Critical strike! The mechanism is destabilized!"
The third guardian jerked violently, his light went out, and he collapsed, splitting into pieces.
[System Notification]
"Steel Guard defeated (2/3)."
But that didn't stop the second guard. He activated the boost mode, his punches became faster and more deadly.
–This one won't give up without a fight! – Kira adjusted her grip on the hammer.
–Sin, attack again!
The air shark soared up, its body once again enveloped by lightning bolts. Atlas took advantage of the moment to activate Tactical Evasion to avoid the guardian's strike and charged.
Kira followed him, holding the hammer with both hands.
[System Notification]
["Joint Attack Attack Bonus: +15% damage!"]
Atlas struck first, his dagger whistling through the air, leaving behind a faint trace of energy. The guard twitched, but did not retreat. He struck back, but at that moment, the Shark activated a "Discharge Wave" and struck his body with lightning. Sparks flew apart, metal crackled.
Kira didn't miss the chance.
– Take it! "Blacksmith's Strike!"
The reverberating sound of the collision reverberated through the hall as her hammer slammed into the guardian's chest plate. A vibration passed through his body, and then…
[System Notification]
["Critical damage! Destruction of structural integrity!"]
A crack of metal, a bright flash — the guardian collapsed to the ground, shattering into fragments.
[System Notification]
[Steel Guardian defeated (3/3).]
[Dungeon of the Forgotten cleared!]
[Dungeon of the Forgotten tells its name → Fallen Guardians]
Atlas was breathing heavily, but a satisfied smile appeared on his face. Kira leaned wearily on the hammer, wiping her forehead.
–Phew...I didn't think I'd be fighting such monsters today.
The air shark landed next to them, its body still crackling from the remnants of the electric charge.
[System Notification]
["Received: 1200 XP, 'Echo Armor Fragment' x2, 'Ancient Mechanism Fragment' x1."]
Atlas felt a familiar warmth spreading inside him.
[System Notification]
["Congratulations! Your level has been raised: 13 → 14!"]
//To be continued, please like and save…