MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

Reading through the messages I couldn't help, but roll my eyes seeing the problem.

Writing separate replies to every member I promised Eric that I'll help him with the quest, told Eli that I replied to Eric and instructed Ava how to block a user.

' I wonder who's so annoying she needs to block him? '

Scratching my chin and giggling I looked down at the system map.

~ Underground Sewers Map ~ < 27% Completed... >

Glancing into the dark tunnel I suddenly got an idea.

' Fenrir '

Calling my fluffy companion I gave him a cooked pork and instructed him to go move further into the tunnel without me and wait for my command.

Tap... Tap... Tap...

His footsteps left quiet sounds as he walked into the distance. Shifting my eyes towards the map I noticed some areas that were previously blurry become visible.

' So pets can help with exploration as well... '

Ordering Fenrir to come back, I told him about my plan to let him explore the tunnels alone. I also warned him that if he notices an enemy, not to engage and inform me about its location.

Upon the next turn we chose different tunnels, while I entered the pathway on the right Fenrir chose the left one.

Since I could transfer most of my thoughts through our bond I wasn't too worried. The only thing that made me slightly nervous was Fenrir's impulsiveness to fight or eat.

' I should have more belief in my pet '

Shaking my head I focused on what's in front of me.

Screech...

Two rats were looking in my direction. Both of them were in their tip-top shape indicating that they haven't fought each other.

When I found them they were eating some kind of bug the size of a dog.

' You did a good job '

I almost wanted to give them a thumbs up for killing such a disgusting creature, but didn't have a chance since both of them leapt right at my face.

' Shadow Protection '

I felt Mana travel out of my body to form a sturdy shield that'll block the incoming attack.

Bang... Bang...

Both rats were blocked by the shield, but since they weren't running at their full speed the damage was miniscule.

- 24 Physical Damage!

- 31 Physical Damage!

Seeing the rats' looking around trying to indicate what blocked them I quickly conjured a Lightning Bolt.

Whoosh...

- 512 Critical Damage!

~ The Poisonous Rat has suffered from a Status Effect < Electrocution >

~ Poisonous Rat will suffer from Temporary Stun and Consecutive Magical Damage

~ Duration → 2 minutes

~~~~

One of the rats' bodies was pierced by my spell. It couldn't even let out a screech as another Bolt ended its life.

The other Rat seeing its companion die turned its murine face towards me and showed its teeth.

' Huh? '

A vein bulged out on my forehead.

' Shadow Blast '

An orb powered by Shadow Energy was thrown right at the creature's face.

- 415 Magical Damage!

~ Due to spell having 100% chance to trigger Status Effects the Poisonous rat will suffer from Fear and Blindness

~ Duration → 30 seconds

~~~~

Seeing all the system notifications I took a deep breath.

' Maybe I shouldn't be annoyed by a rat '

I thought, looking at the trembling tunnel's walls. I noticed that the rat's eyes were blurry and it was slightly shaking as well.

' Time to end this '

Walking closer to the rat I let the Demonic flame engulf my staff.

< Poisonous Rat x2 Killed! >

< LOOT >

1️⃣ 1000 EXP

2️⃣ Small Fur x5

3️⃣ Rat's Tail x2

~~~~

After killing both of the enemies I let the Demonic Flame devour them for 0,1% Magical damage and Cooldown reduction.

While collecting the loot I got notified that Fenrir encountered a similar bat I've fought before. Warning him not to engage I quickly dashed towards the direction of my companion.

Screech...

As soon as I reached the area of the bat I heard its scream.

- 246 Physical Damage! [ Fenrir ]

My companion was being trashed around by the the beast. Apparently the Bat noticed Fenrir's location even though he was well hidden.

' Stupid Echolocation '

I grumbled throwing a lightning bolt only for the draconic creature to block it with its wings.

' Why are draconic bloodline beasts even in the sewers? '

I couldn't help, but curse seeing that the bat negated 90% of my spell damage. Luckily this time the monster wasn't Elite allowing me to quickly feed Fenrir a HP potion before it could attack.

Screech...

Using the same tactic to intimidate its opponent before attacking the bat dived down planning to cut my head off using its sharp nails.

' Shadow Protection '

Deploying the shield right before the bat I made it crash with all its momentum before giving it a taste of electricity.

< Draconic Bat x1 Killed! >

< LOOT >

1️⃣ 1500 EXP

2️⃣ Draconic Scales x2

3️⃣ Draconic Bat's Fangs x2

~~~~

Setting its body in fire I once again parted ways with Fenrir, since the exploration was going two times faster than previously.

I even allowed Fenrir to attack a Poisonous Rat if encountered, but he had to inform me about the fight beforehand.

After a few hours passed I looked down at my Sewers Map.

~ Underground Sewers Map ~ < 63% Completed... >

' I won't need 5 days '

Grinning, I continued to wall further when suddenly I noticed a change in terrain. If previously the tunnels were fully made out of bricks, now it is covered in moss. It honestly looked like a separate ecosystem, I even noticed some kind of weird plant growing further in the tunnel.

Looking at the map I noticed that this was the only tunnel left unexplored with everything else being visible.

Calling Fenrir back I closed my eyes for a second, I was mentally exhausted, since I had to always keep my guard up in case a bat attempted to assassinate me.

Tap... Tap...

Hearing Fenrir's footsteps behind me I turned my head only to see that he dyed his fur red. Turning my eyes towards the system I noticed some messages I haven't seen before.

< Poisonous Rat x6 Killed! >

< LOOT >

1️⃣ 3000 EXP [ Shared ]

2️⃣ Small Fur x13

3️⃣ Rat's Tail x6

~~~~

" You've went on a rampage "

I said trying to evade his bloody tongue trying to lick me. Spending a few minutes warning about the food loss he'll receive if his tongue touches me, we finally calmed down and walked into a weird tunnel.

Walking near the strange plant I previously saw I noticed some kind of fruit growing on one of its branches.

1️⃣ Poisonous Pitaya [ Iron ]

-- A Pitaya growing in a poisonous environment

~ A potion making resource

~ +1% Potion Duration

~~~~

Looking at the plants growing nearby I couldn't help, but smile.

' How lucky... '

Spending some time collecting every single fruit from the nearby plants I managed to gather around 12 Poisonous Pitayas.

Putting all of them in my inventory I started slowly walking further into the tunnel, in case I saw another plant.

Hisss...

I suddenly heard a sound similar to a Draconic bat's voice and warily lifted my eyes up. Unfortunately the enemy wasn't above.

- 124 HP

~ Player Leo has received Status Effect < Severe Bleeding >

~ Player Leo will lose 50 HP every 10 seconds

~ Duration → Until a HP potion is ingested

~~~~

My body was thrown in the distance while Fenrir started attacking the enemy, so I could recover. Quickly downing an HP pot I took a look at what we were fighting.

Three meters tall, green skin, two sword like claws that almost cut me in half and a triangular shaped head.

' Praying Mantis '

I instantly knew my enemy, since they usually resided in the more humid areas, like a forest surrounding the Elves' starting point.

These monsters excelled at speed, but had no power or strong defense. The beast were very similar to the Bat, but since the Mantis didn't have the Draconic Bloodline I could easily take care of him by chipping his HP away from a distance.

Unfortunately in the game these bugs usually travel in groups.

Hisss... Hisss...

Another two huge bugs emerged from the corner of the tunnel.

' Fenrir retreat '

I transferred my thoughts creating a Shadow Blast.

Boom...

The tunnel trembled due to a strong explosion.

- 514 Magical Damage!

- 503 Magical Damage!

- 521 Magical Damage!

< Praying Mantis x3 Killed! >

< LOOT >

1️⃣ 1800 EXP

2️⃣ Mantis Claws x6

~~~~

Since all of them had low HP a single Spell powered by Shadow Energy was enough to get rid of them.

Trying to light the body's on fire I noticed a weird phenomenon.

< Demonic Flame is not able to devour Praying Mantis >

' Even a Skill finds you ugly '

Looking at the dead bugs I patted Fenrir's head and thanked him for keeping the enemy busy. Looking at the time I noticed that I've spent around a day inside the game leaving me only 4 days left for exploration.

I had to do as many things as I possibly could, because when the next update hits, the time speed in-game will slow down considerably. Apparently the scientists found out that such disparity between real time and in-game time will make some disoriented or even mentally injured. The game creators were forced to immediately update the game.

I still had around a few weeks of time, so I had enough time to do all the things I planned beforehand.

Crack...