Open World Online (O.w.O)

• 1^st Person POV (MC)

-Present Time-

My view from the Headmaster’s dimly lit sacred place of worship changes into the familiar cavern leading to the darkness. Even with the help of the sconces, the light from those flames is actively suppressed by some kind of magical phenomenon. Vastly different in terms of lighting compared to my previous intrusion...

After knowing where I was, I urged Siegfried to follow me towards the nook that I had used as my hiding base when I spied on the necromancers.

“[Extend: Holy Enchant]”

I cast that to Siegfried as his arms glowed in golden brilliance and continued in buffing us with myriad other {Spell} including giving my [Guidance] to him.

“Good! We’re prepared enough.” -Siegfried-

He grinned, flashing his pearly whites and began leading the way as I already told him about the layout of this dungeon.

Even my upcasted [Light] is being suppressed by the same thing that made the flames of those sconces dim. But it is adequate to light up our way within this dark cavern.

Is it me or the cavern is longer than usual? But-

“HAAAAAAH...” -High Specter-

It is a shrill that tingles my spine as I know what this entails. My eyes dart left and right figuring out where it is located. But Siegfried managed to figure it out quicker...

“There!” -Siegfried-

He whipped his hand, hurling several bone daggers coated by golden glimmers as it lodged into a figure standing in the tunnel.

It does not seem to flinch or shriek from the holy attacks rather it simply stands still before raising its wrinkly translucent hand and pointing at us. Before whispering a {Spell} named [Pass Through Wall].

Then, I can hear rumbling from left and right. Like rocks grating one another as my [Light] revealed that two spaces are being opened.

Within it are hordes of zombies that just stand there groaning before recognizing us in an instant with their dead-fish-like eyes and begin to crawl towards us.

“Oh Shit!” -Siegfried-

“I know! Sieg follow my lead! [Maximize: Holy Javelin]”

While the cast bar is being filled up, clusters of golden glimmering dust coalesce into a single sphere before forming a spear.

It shoots far in the distance, piercing several zombies and eliminating them at once. Before turning into a cross stabbing other zombies in different directions due to the upcasted nature.

Understanding my intention. Siegfried already dashed forth following my [Holy Javelin] since I have opened the way for him to reach that High Specter.

The key to being a good teammate is to understand what others are thinking without even needing to talk.

“[Light Wall]”

Rising my staff up in the air, a wall made from pure light is erected blocking the zombie horde from reaching Siegfried. Each time they tried to cross it, their body got rejected with a loud hiss as if heated metal was being dipped into the water. They recoiled before turning to me as I was going to deal with them just like the plan.

He gave me a grateful nod as I began to cast another {Spell}.

“[Maximize: Holy Radiance]”

The darkness of the cavern was dispelled for a second as my surroundings were covered by a bright golden aura perishing away most of the undead in an instant.

For the stragglers, I hurled [Holy Light] to finish them off as I watched Siegfried’s battle while still keeping the trickling zombies from either side of the cave away from the [Light Wall]. After all, with enough zombies, they can break the magical wall’s HP.

As expected of High Specter, it is a magic caster as it creates difficult terrain by turning the solid ground of the cavern into liquid-like by the usage of the {Spell} [Liquefaction].

Siegfried anticipated this and retaliated by turning his legs digitigrade, leaped using the walls of the cave rather than the ground catching the High Specter off-guard.

The Specter points its wrinkled finger to Siegfried unleashing a bolt of purplish black lightning. I recognise it since the cast bar was flashed before my eyes as [Finger of Death]. I still haven’t figured out what Tier of {Spell} was but I know that it’s in the upper Tier...

Siegfried coupled with the help of [Guidance] and his Speed Morph managed to narrowly dodge the bolt of purple lightning as it hit the cavern wall. Leaving no mark, I guess that {Spell} only works against living things?

“Get away! [Force]”

Several approaching zombies blasted away by an invisible strong force as they stumbled to the wall but rose once more before being barraged by my multiple [Holy Light] modified by Triple Meta Magic.

Siegfried had one thing in mind, to close the gap as quickly as possible. The longer the fight, the more detrimental it is...

These zombies!!

They are endless I swear!

I have been hurling AoE Light {Spell} like [Divine Smite] to ‘purify’ the majority of them but somehow at the back of those newly opened spaces, more popped out...

Is there some kind of spawner?

Imbuing myself with [Incorporeal] and using [Haste] plus [Star Shield] I simply dashed forward to one of the rooms.

Taking a look at what’s inside, I can see an ominous magic circle currently rotating and giving off an eerie pulse.

It glows brighter and desiccated or half-rotten hands emerge from the ground creating more zombies. In my eyes, I can read the magic circle as I knew it was [Sigil] with the {Spell} [Summon Lesser Undead].

Although some questions are emerging in my mind. But before I can entertain those thoughts I do not want to be overwhelmed by these zombies!

“[Dispel]”

With a mere flick of my hand and a glimpse of a cast bar. A silent wave of energy struck the circle causing it to vanish in doing so, half of the zombies behind me simply dissolved into ashes leaving nothing behind.

Without further ado, I went across to stumble on the same thing. Due to my [Incorporeal], I can pass through waves of zombies with ease while protected by [Star Shield].

Dunking a standard MP potion, I simply used the same handy trick that made the entire horde of zombies finally end their almost endless rampage.

“Sieg? You okay there!?”

I shouted after finishing what I set to do in this extra space.

“All good.” -Siegfried-

Coming out from that space, I saw Siegfried standing guard. His hands aren’t the usual crescent-shaped bones or bulging flesh with bone spikes rather it’s more... like a large bony lance. However, with the enchantment going on it is more of a holy spear at this point.

Long and sharp designed to pierce in one spot. I guess that is his other form as he probably can do Slash, Blunt, and Pierce damage depending on the forms he takes.

-Travel Further-

“Is this where?” -Siegfried-

He points to the staircase leading below as I nod to confirm his assumption.

I cast a Priestly Tier 5 {Spell} [Refresh] with double Meta Magic to target both me and him. As the name suggests ‘Refreshes’ is the duration of buffs applied to the target. So I do not need to keep re-buffing every so often.

“Shall we?”

Siegfried nodded as we climbed down the spiralling staircase. Much like how my Arcane Eye was...

*FWIP*

I saw Siegfried’s hand outstretched to prevent me from moving forward and he gave a hand gesture to lean on the side of the walls as I obliged.

By leaning my neck forward, I can see what makes him on caution like that.

First, there have been some changes regarding the interior design of this place. There are intricate guardrails half as tall as me placed and a single entrance in the middle to the worship room.

A fancy candelabra hanging on the ceiling gives off a faint light to the surroundings. I did not see any of those praying benches but rather a massive magical circle painted in red. Safe to say it is blood...

We stopped just right in front of the entrance and nodded to one another. My gaming instinct is telling me that this will be a big fight.

“Let’s prepare.” -Siegfried-

“Agreed.”

I began to stomp my staff to the ground and cast.

“[Triple: Summon Celestial]”

To be honest, I never tried to use double or triple meta magic on summoning {Spell} before but might as well try in this situation!

While waiting for the cast bar to be filled, I sniffed a scent in the air. Contrary to the damp and rot smell of the cave. This one is mighty delicious like stir-fry black pepper beef and onions.

My eyes darted to the source of the smell as Siegfried plated a full-course meal on the floor.

“Huh!??? Where does all of this come from?”

I stared at the full-course meal as he expanded his chest in pride. The lion pauldron stretches as if it wants to roar along.

“I cooked all of this myself!” -Siegfried-

“Wow... Do they have like ‘Degradation’ time or something like that?”

He nodded a few times before explaining his {Skill} <Crafting – Cooking>. The ingredients do not have any rather the finished product does have. As a result, he put several ingredients into his inventory when we were preparing that time.

Before long, I heard and saw the familiar panel appearing before my eyes.

Three of them to be exact, asking me which summoned angels I can pick. While thinking, I chugged an MP potion as the sense of drowsiness began creeping into my eyelids.

After a brief screening of their capabilities, I chose the Virtue of Abundance, the Virtue of Hunt, and the Virtue of Preservation. The other options are blackened out as I cannot access the ‘Dominions’ type of angels maybe it’s because of my LV? That’s understandable...

After choosing them, golden light condensed into three spheres and reformed itself.

Then... appearing before us are strange-looking beings. Carved from marble statues with human-like faces yet multiple limbs and wings. Their lower torso aren’t human in the slightest rather it is a globe of some kind which allows them to move around beside their wings that flap so they can fly.

The virtue of abundance has a flower in each of its many limbs. The virtue of hunting has multiple swords and bows. While the Virtue of preservation has nothing in their hands.

They all have their roles as Siegfried told me to get a plate especially the fish one. It was steamed fish with soy sauce, scallion, ginger, and garlic. Reminded me of my childhood as I ate it.

Checking my {Status} it seems the fish meal provides a boost to my INT and WIS coupled with my potion it works wonders as Siegfried ate the rest...

“Let’s go!” -Siegfried-

He declared as we stepped into the worship room together. Like a trap has been sprung, the magic circle in the middle glows in bright red and a force field has been deployed preventing us from exiting the worship room.

“Who dares disturb our sacred rite!?” -Elder Lich-

A very lavish-robed figure standing far from the force field at a higher altitude staring down at us. It... was a human I think, but now that creature does not have visible fat just a dried thin layer of skin to its skull.

It has no eyes rather it’s been replaced by green orbs that glower in intensity. I could feel the hatred coming out of those eyes as they stared at us.

“No matter, The Undying has greater plans. Servants! Get rid of these pests.” -Elder Lich-

It turned around while giving that order. Its hoarse commanding voice echoed within this room. Before it’s figured vanished after several distance away from our sight.

Soon after, I heard a set of sounds all too similar when a lighter was lit requiring several tries to do so.

Then...

*FWOOOSH*

Several green flames burst out in mid-air revealing a skeletal head. Cackling with madness regarding ‘The Undying’ and praises worships it.

“Kekekekekeke, The Undying bestowed us a blessing!!!” -Flame Skull 1-

The others echoed its voice with their maddening cackle and crackling fire.

Their black coal-like eyes burn with intensity as they finally recognize us.

The battle music is now being played in the background as I make eye contact with Siegfried and he nods to signify he’s ready.

“Shall we?”