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Chapter 38: Field Boss
🕑 Added 2025-02-02 09:56:06 +0000 UTC“Shit!” James cursed. The deer formed a formation as they trotted toward James. The deer bellowed once more, its crystal antlers shone in the setting sun. Through his mana eyes, James could see a green glow swirling around it, enveloping two deer that charged at him.
James almost plopped his eyes open when the deer’s head transformed into a battering ram. Its horns changed shape as bones grew out from them, forming a wall with multiple spikes. With haste, James breathed fire on it. In addition, he formed multiple ice spears as he braced for the impact. The fire breath engulfed the deer. However, it proved futile. The charging deer kept going.
James did well under pressure. He formed ice steps with his ice magic and leaped above the charging deer. He then cast his mind magic on the deer as a golden glow gathered on his axe. However, the deer didn’t stop. They didn’t look like they were in pain as they charged past him, faster than his axe skill could catch.
“What the…” James muttered in disbelief. Mind magic inflicted enormous pain on any living animal. It was not something one could just shrug off.
James had no time to stare at the scene before him as two more brown deer charged at him. This time, they didn’t turn into a battering ram, but their whole bodies opened up, revealing gaping maws with many teeth scattered across them. James formed an ice pillar below his leg, propelling him upward.
The beasts, only knowing the flat savanna, didn’t have the concept of three-dimensional maneuvering. James fired off ice spears one after another at the leaping brown deer.
“Got them!” James smirked as his spears stabbed the two brown deer and pinned them to the ground. However, their bodies changed again. Like sentient slime, their flesh separated from the ice spears that were pinning them. James blew fire on them, but the charred flesh fell off their bodies as if they were molting. Soon, pink flesh and brown fur replaced what was lost.
“What is wrong with these deer?” James cursed as he made another ice pillar to leap away from the charging deer.
Knowing it was futile to deal with these brown deer, James turned his attention to the white stag. A golden glow shone from his crossbow. The yellow meteor flashed toward the white stag, only for another brown deer to leap before it and take the brunt of the attack.
Like before, the brown deer molted its flesh and regrew it anew.
“I see. So, that’s your game.” James nodded in understanding. He finally knew what game these deer were playing. These brown deer were somehow linked to the white stag’s antlers, like a puppet and puppet master. Those antlers controlled the brown deer, and James couldn’t kill them without killing the white stag first.
James ran toward the white stag. The stag bellowed once more, and all the deer dashed toward it. James cursed as he couldn’t outrun the brown deer, even with his new feet.
“I should consider having four legs next time,” James muttered as he made another jump with an ice pillar.
The brown deer gathered beside the white stag. Then, it fused into one. It grew to be as big as the white stag. The pair stood side by side.
“You guys aren’t suited for each other!” James scoffed at the pair of white and brown deer. As if taking his insult to heart, the fused deer rushed at him. Its form changed into that of a bear with a huge maw.
“ARGHH!” James spewed flames as he roared. Red flames doused the huge bear, cooking it alive. Afterwards, James doused the flames with his ice magic.
It had no effect. Even with charred flesh, the ever-changing beast lunged. James made another pillar below his feet. This time, he aimed much higher. The stupid beast fell for the same trick again; they had no way to counter James’ tactics. As he passed it, James fired ice arrows and mind magic at it.
Dirt flew from the ground, deflecting the ice arrows that came toward the stag. However, mind magic couldn’t be seen or deflected by physical means. It continued on its path to the white stag, hitting it squarely in the face.
The beast bellowed harder as it fell to the ground. James glanced at the brown deer, which also collapsed. As he expected, both deer were actually a single entity.
With the brown deer out of commission, James charged at the white stag. His anger and fury gathered in the golden glow of his axe. A slash carved a deep gash into its flank. The deer bellowed once more as its horns emitted a rainbow glow.
“DIE!” James followed up with another slash from his longsword. Blood spurted out like a fountain. Grass sprouted from the ground, binding James. However, he had the perfect counter to this skill. Using his fire cloak ability, James burned away all the roots that tried to bind him.
Like a fiery demon from hell, James continued.
“It’s regenerating. Is this deer immortal?” James cursed as he was forced to disengage when the brown deer finally shook off its mental assault and lunged at him, trying to defend its mate.
Within seconds, all the damage James had done to the white stag had regenerated. None of the wounds, blood, or viscera were visible, as if time had reversed before James attacked it. The white stag bared its wolf-like mouth, showing its sharp teeth as it growled.
“Are you a deer or a wolf? Not like I can say anything about it since I’m a chimera…” James muttered as the white stag snarled, showing its fangs and sharp canines. Its antlers grew radiant with rainbow colors.
James fired off his Mind Flay ability, coupled with several ice arrows, at the white stag. Like before, the brown deer stepped before the white stag and took the brunt of the attack. James chuckled at how simple-minded these creatures were. His Mind Flay magic curved around, aiming at the white stag from its blind spot.
The white stag was stunned once again, and James dashed forward, flanking it. Again, he unleashed his axe and sword skills upon its body, gouging a massive gash into its flesh. Again, the crystal antlers shone as its body regenerated faster than James could harm it.
“Ugh… should I just do it? I’m getting tired…” James was unsteady on his feet. He was exhausted. He had taken on the Flame Tiger before dealing with the deer, all without any breaks. James knew what had to be done, but he hesitated.
“I want those antlers… but my life comes first,” James said. He cursed his luck. He knew the antlers were powerful. However, somehow, the system made it so he couldn’t kill the stag without destroying them.
James couldn’t use his Chimera ability on a destroyed body part. Just like on the second floor of the trial dungeon, he hadn’t been able to plunder that alpha wolf’s horn since he had destroyed it.
“Fuck it! Bring it on! Your days are numbered!” James roared as flames engulfed the white stag once more. The brown stag recovered quicker this time. James saw the world flicker as his exhaustion reached its limit. However, he persevered.
James cast another Mind Flay and fired ice spears. As soon as they struck the stag, he sprinted toward it.
“Die!” A golden glow shone from his axe. James leaped, guiding the golden meteor to the stag’s antlers. As the hit connected, the precious antlers shattered like glass.
This time, the white stag roared in pain. The brown deer melted into the ground, its flesh decaying as the magic that sustained its existence was severed. Reeling from the pain, the stag saw its life flash before its eyes. Its duty, its purpose of keeping the savanna safe, had now come to an end.
James let out another golden glow from his sword. This time, he aimed at its neck, slicing its carotid artery. Without its antlers, the beast had no way to regenerate. Accepting its fate, it stopped resisting as James continued to hack at its neck, severing it from its body.
The gargantuan stag, as big as a two-story bus, finally fell, and James gained another level up.
[Congratulations. You have leveled up to Level 38. You have earned 100 coins.]
Name: James
Age: 35
Sex: Male
Level: 38
Coins: 100
Stats:
STR: 130 (↑3)
DEX: 122 (↑2)
MAGIC: 77 (↑3)
MANA: 820 (↑20)
Skills:
Novice Axe Mastery Level 4 (Powerstrike, V-slash)
Beginner Sword Mastery Level 7 (Hurricane)
Beginner Bow Mastery Level 7 (Quickshot)
Beginner Dagger Mastery Level 1
Magic:
Mind Flay
Mana Sonar
Unique Skill - Chimera Level 2:
Goblin Stomach (Iron Guts) (Stomach Slot)
Mana Core (Water Spells: Ice Spear, Water Manipulation, Magic +60, Mana +1000) (Extra Slot)
Orc’s Left Arm (STR +10%) (Arm Slot)
Eyes of Mana (Mana Sense) (Right Eye Slot)
Golem Arm of Valhalla (STR +30%, Physical Resistance +30%, Negative Trait: Repairable, Mana -200) (Right Arm Slot)
Ratking’s Legs (STR +25%) (Leg Slot)
Flaming Tiger’s Fire Lung (Fire Breathing Skill, Negative Trait: Mana -100, Magic -10) (Lung Slot)
Golem Core (Poison Resistance, Negative Trait: Mana -250, Magic -10, Repairable) (Heart Slot)
Orc’s Torso (Torso Slot)
Orc’s Head (Head Slot)
Shadow Snake Fang (Intermediate Life Leeching) (Mouth Slot)
Jumping Spider’s Spinneret (Thread Creation) (Extra Slot 2)
Flaming Tiger Lord’s Firefur (Fire Cloak Skill, Fire Resistance, Physical Resistance +15%, Negative Trait: Mana -100, Magic -10) (Skin Slot)
Equipment:
Leather Armor Set (+10 DEX) (Damaged)
War Axe
Longsword
Crossbow (Damaged)
Waterspout Dagger
Mask of Identity
Leather Bag (Damaged)
Sphere of Fethusiane
Cloak of Dark Night
[Would you like to modify your body? Y/N]
Available Body Parts:
Lord of Savanna’s Legs (DEX +40%) (Leg Slot)
Lord of Savanna’s Fang (STR +20%) (Mouth Slot)
Lord of Savanna’s Heart (Regeneration +10%) (Heart Slot)
Lord of Savanna’s Fur (Physical Resistance +20%) (Skin Slot)
“Shit! No antlers!” James cursed. He felt like crying. However, the battle was now over.
[Chimera couldn’t plunder a destroyed body part.]
“I know! I’m just venting!” James plopped down. Exhaustion surged through him as his consciousness flickered. Using his magic, he washed himself and took a sip of fresh water. The sun had set long ago, and stars dotted the sky. The two crescent moons adorned the night, like the centerpiece of a crown jewel.
“Ugh… I have to find shelter…” James muttered. But exhaustion had truly caught up to him. He had lost a decent amount of blood fighting the tiger. Then, he had to deal with its underlings. And shortly after, he had fought the white stag.
“As expected. I hate wandering bosses,” James muttered as he fell unconscious. He collapsed onto the soft fur of the bloodied white stag and drifted off to dreamland.
As the moons watched over him, a golden portal silently spawned several meters away, signaling that James had cleared the level.
One might think this was the perfect moment to ambush him. However, the creatures of the savanna knew better than to mess with someone who had defeated their boss. James was merely asleep, not critically injured. The few stray tigers and normal stags could only watch him from afar.
Despite the hatred the system had instilled in them, their survival instincts won out.
James slept safe and sound until the next morning arrived.
