Chapter 371: Facing The Chained Dungeon Boss, The Elder Lich!

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Once the stone gate opened, everyone gazed at the restrained, sealed boss of the dungeon, a large skeleton standing over three meters tall, dressed in torn black robes, Ghostly Nether constantly escaped from its jaws. Between its ribs, a powerful core continued to glow, though its light weakened whenever the Mana Inhibitors pulsed. The chains had carved deep marks into their bones, showing how many times they had tried to break free.

"This is... the Lich?" Daniela asked, lowering her weapon as she stared at it.

"He’s been trapped here for years..." Label sighed. "Claymore never intended to let him leave this room, huh?"

Even the girls felt sorry for the Lich. He had been unable to properly rule his domain or protect the Undead living within it, remaining sealed in the chamber while Claymore used the dungeon for its own purposes. Whatever kind of monster he had once been, his long imprisonment had reduced him to nothing but a weakened prisoner.

Riven then noticed the Dungeon Core at the center of the chamber, positioned directly behind the imprisoned Lich. The large crystal was completely black and covered in Nether soot, with several metal tubes connected to its surface. Claymore had clearly been draining energy from both the Core and its boss, forcing the dungeon to remain active while keeping it under control on their own way.

Ignias studied the Lich for a moment, then looked at the failing core within its ribs. There was no safe way to free him, and he was already too damaged to recover easily. "...I suppose we should kill him quickly," she said. "At least then, his suffering will finally end."

She didn’t know this Lich. He wasn’t an Esper or anything, just another Dungeon Boss monster. Yet perhaps he had a history of his own, much like the Fallen King Riven had fought on the first floor. Whatever that history was, Claymore had taken everything from him and left him chained here as nothing more than another resource.

"It feels wrong to do it like this..."

Riven flicked his hands. Lightning and psychic power formed sharp blades that sliced through every inhibitor at once. The devices shattered and fell from the Lich’s body, releasing sparks and broken pieces of metal across the floor. With nothing left to hold him upright, the skeleton collapsed to his knees in utter silence.

"You’re free, Lich."

Nether and ghost energy poured from the Lich’s open jaws. He slowly stood, his bones creaking after years of forced stillness, and summoned a staff into his hand. Red light burned brighter within his empty eye sockets as he stared at Riven and the others. He offered no thanks, but he did not attack immediately either.

"..."

"I guess you don’t really understand why I freed you... I’d love it if we could settle this and become friends, but you’re probably programmed to fight me, right?"

The Lich lowered his gaze to the floor. After a brief pause, he tapped it with his staff. Magic spread across the chamber in branching lines, and several skeletal soldiers and warriors emerged from the ground. They wore heavy, rusted armor and carried cursed weapons that leaked dark energy.

"Then let’s have a proper fight."

Riven had his own sense of honor and pride. Despite everything, he didn’t want to kill a Dungeon Boss who had been humiliated, chained up, and forced to remain here without even being allowed to defend his own dungeon. If the Lich had to die for Riven to claim the Core, then he deserved to face that end on his feet.

At the very least, Riven wanted to give him a proper fight before defeating him. The Lich seemed to understand that much. His bony fingers tightened around his staff, and his ghostly power spread throughout the chamber.

Daniela and Label looked at one another and chuckled a little. Neither of them appeared surprised by his decision.

"Yep, this is definitely something Riven would do..."

"Yeah, I suppose..."

"GRAAAHHHH!"

The skeletons roared and charged. Their cursed weapons tore through the air while those behind them began casting spells from afar. Black fireballs and bolts of ghostly light filled the chamber, forcing the group to spread out before the first wave of undead reached them.

Daniela blurred forward, using Clowny Charm to draw the enemies toward her. She swung through the air and unleashed a rapid series of attacks by combining Acrobatics, Dice Thrust, and Weapon Throw. Her movements carried her between the incoming spells as her weapons struck one skeleton after another. Armored bodies flew across the chamber and broke apart on impact, followed by colorful explosions that scattered bones in every direction.

Label, meanwhile, fired explosive potions that had been refined into bombs of different colors and shapes. Some released powerful icy storms that froze entire groups in place. Others erupted in blazing explosions or launched rains of shadow blades over the battlefield. Her creations continued to evolve as she made them, becoming more stable and destructive with every new batch created by her genius talent.

She avoided incoming attacks with the help of her living hair and psychic power. Her abilities were not as strong as Riven’s, but they gave her enough control to pull herself away from danger and redirect projectiles before they reached her, lessening the pressure Riven had on protecting them from danger. Both girls could perfectly take care of themselves now.

Chemy remained by her side, devouring entire skeletons and synthesizing their remains into Bone Bombs, Ghost Bombs, and Soul Bombs. Each one detonated among the Undead and dealt heavy damage directly to their souls, leaving their bodies trembling before they collapsed.

Riven swung his blade, easily blocking attacks from several Undead before cleaving them apart with a single strike. He continued forward without slowing down, allowing Daniela and Label to handle the summoned soldiers while he headed straight for their master.

He quickly reached the Lich, who had no room left to retreat, and confronted him without fear. Rather than backing away, the Lich raised his staff and gathered all the magic he could command.

"You will know the might of the Great Magus of the Arcane Tower of Evercrest! Kahahahahaha!"

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