Chapter 5 : The skeleton To

Vale pressed forward through the dense jungle, his senses sharp and alert. The trees towered above him, their thick branches blocking out most of the sunlight. The air was thick with humidity, and the faint rustle of unseen creatures stirred the underbrush. Vale knew he was deep in the wilderness, far from the safety of the novice village. But he felt no fear. Instead, an anticipation coursed through him as the power he had been honing grew stronger with each passing moment.

His Flameborn Blade remained sheathed at his side, but his hand never strayed far from its hilt. He could feel that something was drawing him deeper into the jungle, a presence, an energy, waiting for him.

Hours passed as he navigated through the treacherous terrain. The jungle grew denser, and the noises of the creatures around him became more ominous. But Vale didn't hesitate. His focus was unwavering, his mind sharp. Every step he took was measured, every sound calculated.

Then, as the jungle began to clear, Vale's eyes landed on something unexpected. A massive stone structure stood before him, its entrance flanked by two towering statues of skeletal warriors. The entrance was carved with intricate designs, and the air around it seemed to hum with dark energy.

A dungeon. A tomb.

Vale approached with caution, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. He could feel the malevolent aura emanating from within. It was a place of death, and that made it the perfect place for him to test his newfound strength.

He stepped into the darkened chamber, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the sound of distant groans echoed through the stone halls. As he ventured deeper, the walls seemed to close in around him, and the temperature dropped. Vale's breath formed mist in the cool air.

Suddenly, a bone-chilling screech filled the chamber, and from the shadows emerged a host of skeletal warriors, their empty eye sockets glowing with a faint blue light. They raised their rusted swords and shields, ready to strike.

Vale's grip tightened on the Flameborn Blade. His Dao of Fire talent flared to life, and the sword's flames ignited with a hiss. He could feel the power surging through him. These skeletons might be relentless, but they were nothing compared to the strength he had gained. He would extract everything they had to offer.

The first skeleton lunged, its blade aimed for Vale's throat. With a flick of his wrist, Vale sidestepped and brought the Flameborn Blade down in a fiery arc. The sword cleaved through the skeleton with ease, its bones turning to ash in an instant.

Vale didn't stop there. His Morian Sword Art flowed through him as he danced through the battlefield. Each movement was fluid, precise, and devastating. The skeletons fell one by one, their remains disintegrating into ash as the flames of his sword consumed them.

With each strike, Vale felt the power of the skeletons being siphoned away. He reached out with his Infinite Extraction ability, drawing from the remnants of each fallen warrior.

⸻

Extraction Successful!

• Extracted: 3 Strength from Skeleton Warrior.

• Your Strength has increased by 3.

Extraction Successful!

• Extracted: 2 Agility from Skeleton Warrior.

• Your Agility has increased by 2.

Extraction Successful!

• Extracted: 4 Spirit from Skeleton Warrior.

• Your Spirit has increased by 4.

⸻

Vale could feel the surge of energy coursing through his body. His muscles grew tighter, his movements more fluid. The stats were small, but each one added up. With each skeleton he defeated, his power rose, and his confidence grew.

But the skeletal warriors were not the only threat in this tomb. From the shadows, a deeper, more ancient power stirred.

Vale's eyes narrowed as a massive, armored figure emerged from the darkness. It was a Skeleton King, towering over the battlefield. Its skull was crowned with a crown of jagged bones, and its eyes burned with an eerie green light. It wielded a massive two-handed sword, its blade shimmering with dark energy.

Vale's grip tightened around the Flameborn Blade. The time had come for a true test of strength.

The Skeleton King let out a guttural roar, swinging its massive sword in an overhead strike. Vale barely had time to react, sidestepping with speed honed from his newfound strength. He slashed upward, flames trailing in the wake of his blade. The Skeleton King's armor was tough, but Vale's strikes were swift and precise. Each blow sent tremors through the air.

The battle raged on, but Vale's superior speed and technique soon began to take their toll. The Skeleton King stumbled as one of Vale's strikes landed squarely on its ribcage, the fire from the blade searing through its armor. Vale pressed the advantage, his sword moving with deadly precision.

With a final, focused strike, Vale brought the Flameborn Blade down upon the Skeleton King's skull. The sword cut through the bone with ease, splitting the skull in half. The beast let out one final, echoing screech before collapsing into a pile of bones and dust.

Vale stood in the aftermath of the battle, the skeletal remains of the Skeleton King lying at his feet. The tomb, once filled with clattering bones and the echoes of battle, was now eerily silent. The air hung heavy with the scent of smoke and the lingering heat from the flames.

Vale's eyes shifted to the treasure chest lying beside the fallen king, glowing faintly with a golden aura. His fingers itched to open it, to see what might lie inside. But he didn't rush. Vale knew that this chest had the potential to hold something significant—something that could greatly enhance his power. However, just because it was a Gold-level Chest didn't mean it was its peak. Vale wasn't someone who settled for the ordinary.

With a calm, determined expression, Vale reached down to grasp the chest, lifting it in both hands. He felt the weight of the chest, as though it was alive, and its contents called to him. But before he opened it, he focused on the potential within. The chest might be golden now, but with his abilities, he could elevate it to something far greater.

Vale's mind sharpened as he called upon his Suprime Sublimation. His ability to elevate objects to their highest form hummed to life inside him. The chest before him, though already valuable, was only the beginning. With a focused thought, Vale poured his will into the chest, willing it to transform.

The chest began to shimmer with energy. A crackling force surrounded it as Vale's sublimation took effect. The glow deepened, shifting from gold to a dark, fiery red. Sparks of energy swirled around the chest as if it were resisting, but Vale's will was unyielding. The chest's form seemed to ripple, twisting and reshaping as though reality itself was bending to his power.

After a long, tense moment, the transformation was complete.

⸻

Suprime Sublimation Successful!

• The Gold Treasure Chest has been elevated to an Epic-level Chest.

⸻

Vale could feel the chest now pulsing with far more power. It was no longer just a treasure chest—it was something far greater, something worthy of his efforts. His breath steady, Vale knelt down, his heart racing with anticipation. He slowly opened the chest, the lid creaking as if resisting the weight of the world itself.

Inside, gleaming with newfound power, were the treasures Vale had been hoping for. The Hell Set (Epic-level) glimmered with dark energy, and an A-level Job Transfer Scroll lay atop it, waiting for its turn to be claimed.

⸻

Vale's eyes narrowed as he looked over the Hell Set (Epic). The pieces seemed to radiate with a dark energy, their edges crackling with power. Each piece of armor had an aura of flame, heat, and devastation that was almost tangible. The armor felt like it had a life of its own, responding to Vale's presence.

He reached for the pieces, each one heavy with purpose. As his fingers brushed against the armor, he could feel the incredible power contained within each piece.

⸻

Hell Set (Epic) Stats:

• Hell Helmet: +15% Strength, +10% Agility, +12% Spirit

• Hell Armor: +20% Strength, +15% Agility, +18% Spirit, +8% Fire Resistance

• Hell Gloves: +12% Strength, +10% Agility, +8% Spirit

• Hell Boots: +18% Strength, +10% Agility, +12% Spirit

• Hell Cloak: +15% Agility, +12% Strength, +12% Spirit, +10% Fire Resistance

• Hell Belt: +10% Strength, +15% Agility, +8% Spirit

⸻

Set Bonus (6-Piece Hell Set)

• +50% Strength

• +50% Agility

• +35% Spirit

• +18% Fire Resistance

• Hell's Wrath (Passive): Increases damage dealt by 25% when surrounded by fire or flames.

⸻

Vale's eyes gleamed as he admired the Hell Set (Epic). The enhancement was far greater than he had expected. The Hell's Wrath passive alone would make him a devastating force in battle, especially when paired with his fire-based attacks.

Without hesitation, Vale gathered the armor and equipped it, feeling the overwhelming surge of power as the set bonded with his body. The pieces clicked into place, the flames around him intensifying, their heat rising as though responding to his newfound power. He could feel his physical strength, agility, and spirit surge to new heights as the armor settled into place.

But there was one more treasure to claim: the A-level Job Transfer Scroll. Vale's hand hovered over it, but then he paused. His lips curled into a small smile as he remembered his plan. He had obtained the scroll, but there was no rush to use it. The God-level Sublimation ability was still cooling down, and when it was ready, he could elevate the scroll to a higher level—unlocking an even more powerful job than what was originally offered.

Vale carefully stored the Job Transfer Scroll in his inventory, deciding to wait until the time was right. For now, he had more than enough power to continue his journey. His strength had increased dramatically, and with the Hell Set now bonded to him, he felt invincible.

Vale stood tall, his new armor gleaming with dark energy. The world beyond the tomb awaited him, filled with new challenges and enemies, but Vale was ready. With each battle, he grew stronger, more prepared. The Skeleton King had been just a stepping stone, and now, with his new set and talents, Vale was prepared to rise above everyone.

His eyes shifted to the horizon. His journey had only just begun.