At level six, the siblings had picked up new powers.
Leo took Fire Resistance and Holy Bolt. Maijessie chose Claw Mastery, Lightning Sentry, and Burst of Speed.
The Fire Resistance aura turned out to be simple—just shifting the flow of energy, converting strength into protection from flame. Holy Bolt was a true divine spell, a shaft of light against the undead or a gentle balm for allies.
Fire Resistance: when active, reduces fire damage for you and allies. Radius: 10.6 yards. Fire Resist +52%. Hidden effect: every two skill levels raise maximum resist cap by 1%.
Holy Bolt: launches a bolt of sacred light that harms undead or heals allies. Magic damage 8–16. Heals 1–6. Mana cost 2.
Claw Mastery: passive. +35% claw damage, +30% accuracy, +3% chance of critical.
Burst of Speed: increases attack and movement speed by 21% and 23% for 120 seconds. Mana cost 10.
Lightning Sentry: conjures a crackling net of electricity, 6 bolts over 3.6 seconds. Lightning damage 1–10 per second. Mana cost 6.
They followed yesterday's trail, soon finding a lone zombie outside a ruined shack. It crumbled under javelins, dropping coins and experience.
Inside, a locked chest. Leo held up his shield, aura ready, while his sister picked the lock. It creaked open—no trap. Inside gleamed gold. And nestled among it, an item shining darker than gold.
An orange glow. Unique.
He slapped a scroll of Identify across it.
Tooth: Hand Axe.
Damage: 5–10.
Durability: 28.
Requirements: Level 5.
+70% Enhanced Damage.
20% chance of Crushing Blow.
50% chance of Open Wounds.
+8 Strength.
A true artifact. Leo's heart pounded. He forced his hands not to tremble, but Maijessie still caught the look in his eyes.
"Brother… are you sure you're not a pervert? That axe is called Tooth. What if it's made from some monster's teeth? You're touching it like—ugh!"
He jolted, nearly dropped it, then scooped it back up with guilty reverence, sliding it into his weapon slot.
They looted the rest—potions, two thousand gold. Enough to match yesterday's haul.
He tested Tooth on the next zombie. Shield strike landed heavy—bone and brain sprayed, eyes bursting like rotten fruit. The monster staggered bleeding. Crushing Blow, Open Wounds, and stun all at once.
He pulled back, switching to javelins, poking and retreating. Bleed ticked away its strength until it collapsed. Easy. Safer.
Pleased, Leo led them onward—until the ground ahead warped into a black pit, bubbling with foul slime. Shrubs were burned away in a circle.
Beside the pit, half a corpse sprawled. A blue-tinged zombie gnawed at it. Only legs and an open belly remained.
The thing radiated strength. Leo checked with the App. \[Boss: Zombie. Level 38.]
He darted forward, shield slammed its skull, drawing blood and triggering bleed. Another blow crushed its head further, ichor oozing from its ears. But the thing still stood, tougher than any before.
Maijessie chained Mind Hammer into its legs, staggering it back. They kept distance, lobbing javelins, waiting for bleeds to sap its life. It was faster than normal, but no match for kiting. After a grinding ten minutes, the boss collapsed.
Coins scattered—over a thousand. A blue charm clinked among them. A palm-sized disk carved with strange sigils. Into his stash it went.
Maijessie, pale, spoke low. "Brother… deal with the corpse. Please."
He sighed, bent to search. The corpse had been chewed too much. But in the zombie's stomach he found something—an emblem, blood-soaked. He washed it off.
A paladin's badge. On the back, engraved: White Warrior Reinhardt.
Leo froze.
His sister guessed, face paling, but steadied him. "Brother. Don't mourn. At least he died fighting. Burn him. Then avenge him."
They built a pyre from what was left. Placed the severed zombie head before it, a sacrifice. Maijessie cast Fire Blast—flames took hold.
Leo splashed half his wine across the earth. "Brother. Forgive the meager sendoff. Take this drink. Walk your road in peace."
They turned away, leaving smoke behind.
When they were gone, the fire guttered out on its own. The blackened leg glowed with soft rainbow light, breathing like a lung. Ash fell, revealing a thin youth's body—Reinhardt's face, but hollow-eyed.
Naked flesh shimmered, clothed itself in a plain cloak. Without a word, he walked into the dark.
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