MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

Crack...

I heard something moving behind me. Turning around I only noticed a grey tree.

' I see... '

Shrugging my shoulders I hid one of my hands in the robe and ordered Fenrir to go inside the Beast Tattoo.

Crack... Whoosh...

As soon as I heard the same cracking sound I threw the Lightning Bolt I was hiding beneath my Shadow Cloak.

- 215 Magical Damage!

The Bolt pierced into the tree's trunk letting out a muffled sound.

Roar...

The seemingly dead tree suddenly roared and its huge body turned to the side showing me its face that was previously hidden in the darkness.

" Yeah Yeah, just a random tree in the middle of a sun deprived tunnel "

I sneered looking at its enraged face. As soon as I saw the grey tree I was immediately wary of its presence since no normal tree would have a HP bar above its head.

Crack... Crack...

The tree branches suddenly were all thrown towards my direction. They moved like snakes, in an unpredictable manner constantly changing their direction making me slightly confused.

' Shadow Blast '

I threw a grey orb full of Shadow Energy at the upcoming branches hoping that it'd blast them apart.

Boom...

My spell collided with the branches creating an explosion, but also destroying most of them.

Seeing the results I was expecting an easy fight, since the tree's main attack force was destroyed, but the monster had another surprise for me.

Hsss....

The destroyed branches started regenerating.

With a surprised expression I took a peek at its trunk only to see that its still damaged.

' So it can't heal its main body '

Summoning Fenrir I instructed him to attack the Tree's trunk while I dealt with the branches. Seeing him quickly understanding my plan I summoned two Lightning bolts.

Whoosh... Whoosh...

Both of them flew through the tunnel reaching speeds so high that I could barely follow their movements with my eyes.

Crash...

One of my Projectiles was blocked by the tree's branches, but the other one managed to hit its trunk.

- 426 Critical Damage!

Since the tree had over 2,000 HP I was still a long way from winning the fight, but seeing the tree's expression I could tell it was irritated and... scared?

' So he is vulnerable to fear as well '

Recalling all the times the Status Effects triggered by my Shadow Blast were useless due to monsters having resistance I couldn't help, but smile.

- 124 Physical Damage!

Since the tree was solely focused on me Fenrir managed to sneak up on him clawing through his trunk.

Roar...

Suddenly the tree let out a roar that sent shockwaves around us. Commanding Fenrir to retreat I warily looked at the monster.

The tree's body suddenly started compressing into a smaller version until it became a similar height to me. The shape of the monster also changed, it now had human-like features, limbs, similar build, but no face.

The Humanoid tree also had branches extending from its back making it look like a spider.

' Why is everything in these sewers so powerful? What do you even put in the sewers for them to become like this? Radioactive waste? '

Cursing the Quest I saw the monster's branches slowly lifting it in the air.

' Literal spider '

Preparing to cast a Shadow Protection I let my staff be enveloped by white flame, since the tree should be highly flammable.

Whoosh...

A set of branches moved towards me in a zig-zag pattern trying to make it hard to defend against.

Keeping my composure I calmly swung my burning Staff defending against all the branches and setting them on fire.

Roar...

Feeling the pain of his body being burnt the humanoid creature had to cut its own branches off so the fire wouldn't reach its main body.

Crash...

While it was attacking Fenrir once again rammed at its side, biting off a chunk of its side.

- 356 Critical Damage!

Since the beast's IQ was that of a table I managed to distract it a few times more until Fenrir finished the monster.

< Suspicious Tree x1 Killed! >

< LOOT >

1️⃣ 1000 EXP [ Shared ]

2️⃣ Suspicious Wood x3

~~~~

Looking at the lifeless body of a tree I touched it with my staff allowing the flame to devour it.

< Demonic Flame devoured x1 Suspicious Tree! >

~ +0.1% Magical damage

~ +0.1% Cooldown reduction

~~~~

After the tree burnt to ashes I continued to walk forward and after a few minutes reached a crossroad.

Looking at Fenrir I didn't plan to let him explore alone, since the Quest rank was probably miscalculated due to people only seeing the rats.

' I should've know something was up '

Recalling the hidden side-mission written on the paper, me and Fenrir chose to first explore the right pathway.

Tap... Tap...

Walking through the eerily quiet tunnels I felt shivers run down my back from time to time. It wasn't the dark that was worrying, but the unknown hidden in the dark.

I was also slightly irritated, since that unknown might as well be able to confiscate two levels from me.

' Maybe I should've brought a flashlight '

Looking forward I grumbled. I had Demonic Flame, but it could only do so much as my Mana allowing me and keeping the flame alive was starting to take a toll on my body.

Ding...

Drinking a MP potion I almost spilled the expensive liquid when a system message startled me.

< Friend Ava has sent you 2,000 Gold Coins! >

Slightly embarrassed due to my reaction, I quickly thanked her for the Gold and muted all my friends, so the same situation wouldn't occur again.

While I was exploring the Sewers on the other side of the line Ava was in the middle of the city exploring various shops trying to purchase some equipment.

While looking through various weapons she recalled that she hasn't repaid Leo for his assistance in the Raid Boss battle. Quickly sending him the promised amount of gold she was surprised by how quickly he replied.

Recalling that he is somewhat knowledgeable about the game Ava wrote a message asking for what equipment would be the best for her to buy

< The Player has Temporarily Muted You >

A system message popped up on her screen making her slightly stumble.

' Wha... '

Stuttering she quickly reread her messages trying to indicate what caused him to mute her. Her pride as a beautiful woman was slightly damaged.

' He's probably busy, yeah that's probably it... '

With a pout she continued searching for a suitable item.

~~~~

Achoo...

" There is so much dust around "

Pressing my nose bridge I looked down at our exploration progress.

~ Underground Sewers Map ~ < 84% Completed... >

We've already fully explored the one of the pathways and at the end we found two Draconic Bats eating some kinds of fruits

One of them we've taken care of by Fenrir sneaking up on him from behind and me launching a Shadow Blast at its back while it was distracted by Fenrir.

The other bat was a higher level one having higher attributes and disallowing me from acting careless. I fought as safely as possible, minimizing my Mana output and only striking when there was an opening.

In the end the bat was also killed in the same way as most of the bats I met were... He crashed into the shield and got electrocuted.

< Draconic Bat x2 Killed! >

< LOOT >

1️⃣ 3000 EXP [ Shared ]

2️⃣ Draconic Scales x5

3️⃣ Draconic Bat's Fangs x4

~~~~

After burning both of their bodies I went to inspect the fruits they were eating. I expected them to be rich in Mana or other substances allowing them to be an Alchemy resource. Unfortunately it was only some kind of melon that just grew underground.

Going back to the crossroad me and Fenrir went to the tunnel on the left.

The humid climate hasn't changed, but I noticed that the plants around were trampled. As if a huge creature or a group has run through here.

Telling Fenrir not to leave my side I tightly gripped my staff.

Tip... Tip...

The water was falling from the ceiling indicating that it was probably raining outside. Looking above just now I have noticed some kind of vines hanging from the ceiling.

1️⃣ Sturdy Vines

-- Simple vines growing in humid climate

~ Inedible

~ Can hold up to 100Kg

~~~~

Looking at their description I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but their strength attracted my eye, they could have multiple practical uses.

Taking out a sharp tooth of a Fire Salamander I've defeated long ago I cut a dozen vines and put them in my inventory, just in case I need them.

While I was doing my thing Fenrir was exploring the territory and when I was about to cut another vine I heard him signaling that something huge was coming.

Quickly calling Fenrir back in the Beast Tattoo I used vines to pull myself to the ceiling.

Thud... Thud...

As soon as I did, a group of dozen Poisonous Rats ran below me seemingly trying to escape their doom.

Curiously looking at the scene I shifted my head behind them to see what was chasing them.

" How the fu... "

My faze froze seeing the creature rapidly approaching the running group