Chapter 136: The Mummy’s Defeat "I don’t think she would appreciate it if we went to her aid," Xin continued. "She has her pride as a top player."
Lord Schrodinger’s intuition was spot-on, for Midnight Duchess harbored an unwavering desire to confront the mummy on her own terms.
She had, after all, initiated the engagement and was well into her battle with her undead foe.
If the others intervened now, she knew she would never hear the end of it from Grey Smoke.
Midnight Duchess moved swiftly like a seasoned assassin. Her cloak, a swirling vortex of shadows, billowed dramatically behind her as she closed in on the enraged mummy.
In her gloved hand, multiple daggers appeared. They gleamed ominously, their edges honed to a deadly sharpness.
The once-mumbling mummy had now fallen into a hushed stillness, its once-concealing wrappings now torn and shredded.
. Midnight Duchess had meticulously dismantled the ancient bindings, unveiling the mummy’s vulnerable form beneath.
The mummy possessed formidable abilities, including the dreaded [Multi-attack] and the deadly [Rotting Fists]. The former allowed it to strike swiftly and relentlessly, while the latter promised to corrode and decay anything it touched.
Midnight Duchess, aware of the consequences of a single misstep, had to rely on her lightning-quick reflexes and unmatched combat expertise to keep herself unscathed.
As the mummy launched itself forward with a deafening roar, its desiccated limbs outstretched in a frenzy,
Midnight Duchess sprang into action. Her movements were a blur, narrowly dodging the mummy’s initial onslaught.
The chamber reverberated with the clash of steel against rotting flesh as she expertly parried and countered, every movement calculated and precise.
The atmosphere grew tense as the mummy’s grotesque form closed in, and its intent to eliminate its foes became increasingly palpable.
For a level 90+ adversary with doubled stats, it was undoubtedly a formidable foe. Yet, Midnight Duchess remained resolute and unflinching in the whole fight.
She had faced greater challenges, and this mummy, despite its enhanced strength, was not enough to unnerve her.
Amidst the intensity of battle, Yuzuro, Rever, and Xin watched in awe and concern, recognizing both the danger and the sheer prowess of Midnight Duchess.
"No wonder she’s at the top," Rever remarked with admiration. "I doubt even I can measure up to her."
Yuzuro found herself torn between amazement and envy. She couldn’t help but wish she possessed the same level of skill as Midnight Duchess.
Perhaps then she would earn the guild’s admiration and the riches that came with it.
"It must be wonderful to wield such power," Yuzuro whispered to herself, her longing evident in her voice.
In contrast, Victor was far from entertained by the spectacle. He muttered curses under his breath, secretly hoping for Midnight Duchess to falter and face humiliation.
Xin, on the other hand, remained silent, offering no comment.
The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting to see if she could maintain her mastery over the situation.
[Dreadful Glare], an ability that threatened to paralyze even the bravest warriors, was unleashed by the mummy in an attempt to incapacitate Midnight Duchess.
But she was prepared. With a swift twirl of her dagger, she deflected the mummy’s menacing gaze with ease.
Engaging in a deadly dance with the mummy, Midnight Duchess expertly maneuvered around its relentless blows.
Her attacks were precise and lethal, aiming for weak points in the mummy’s form. Strikes landed with precision, slicing through the centuries-old wrappings with each calculated move.
The room echoed with the clashing of blades against decayed flesh, the mummy’s enraged screams, and Midnight Duchess’s graceful but lethal strikes. Her cloak seemed to become one with the shadows, enhancing her elusive movements.
As the battle raged on, the group watched in awe as Midnight Duchess showcased her mastery of combat. Each parry, dodge, and strike was executed with perfection.
Despite the overwhelming odds posed by the mummy’s enhanced stats, she remained steadfast and calm.
Slowly but surely, Midnight Duchess chipped away at the mummy’s formidable defenses, exploiting its weaknesses that only a true expert could muster.
She fought not just with physical prowess but also with a deep understanding of her adversary’s abilities.
Minutes passed like an eternity in the battle, but Midnight Duchess never showed that she was tired, nor did her movements turn sluggish.
With a final, decisive strike, she severed the mummy’s rotting fists from its cursed form, rendering it unable to deliver its deadly blows.
The room fell into a haunting silence as the mummy, now weakened and defeated, crumbled into a pile of ancient bones and tattered wrappings.
Midnight Duchess had emerged victorious, and she swayed back in their location.
Xin and the others, with the exception of Victor, breathed a collective sigh of relief, their admiration for Midnight Duchess’s combat prowess clear in their eyes.
She had once again proven herself as an invaluable ally, capable of facing even the most daunting challenges within the mausoleum’s depths.
Midnight Duchess approached Lord Schrodinger, and presented him with a valuable offering.
"This is for you," she said, extending the [Shield of Fallen Souls of Jacob Law], an exceedingly rare item, towards him.
ǁ Shield of Fallen Souls of Jacob Law ǁ
Armor Items, Very Rare (requires attunement)
A formidable guardian imbued with the essence of those who have fallen.
This extraordinary shield possesses a unique power that grows stronger with each life extinguished within a 50-meter radius.
For every fallen creature within the designated range, the Shield of Fallen Souls bestows its wielder with an additional +1 bonus to their CON (with a maximum bonus of +10 CON).
Carved onto the shield’s surface was a meaningful quote:
"This defender shall know the burden of victory."
ǁ E N D ǁ
Xin was taken aback by the gesture, and expressed his surprise, "This is quite a shield. But you defeated the mummy, so it should be yours."
He was sure that Rever and Yuzuro would agree with him.
"Who would’ve thought that defeating that mummy would lead to such a rare treasure?" Rever mused, his tone contemplative. "But since you took it down, it rightfully belongs to you."
Victor, though surprised by the discovery, attributed it to chance. "I guess it’s one of those random things you can’t predict."
An expression of regret flashed across Victor’s face as he realized that, had he known about the treasure, he would have taken matters into his own hands and presented it to Xin himself.
He bit his thumb, a gesture of frustration at having missed an opportunity. Now he had done it.
Midnight Duchess flipped her hair dismissively. "I have no need for a shield. It’s not something I can carry, and as I’ve mentioned before, I only seek what befits me."
"But still . . ." Xin hesitated.
"She’s right," Victor affirmed, placing a reassuring arm on Xin’s shoulder. "It’s the rule for her to accompany us, so don’t worry about accepting the item."
Midnight Duchess chose not to offer a verbal response, her lips merely quirking as she gave Victor a sidelong glance.
"Then . . ." Xin handed the shield to Yuzuro. "You can have this."
"Eh?" Yuzuro was left speechless, unable to form a coherent word in response to the unexpected gift.
Her hesitant gaze was fixed on the shield, her inner turmoil evident.
Xin, however, remained resolute. He held the shield in his hands and turned towards Yuzuro, his expression stoic, but voice serious. "Yuzuro, I think you should take this. I already have the kettle, and this shield could really benefit you. It will worth a lot."
Yuzuro bit her lip, torn between the desire to accept the generous offer and the feeling that she didn’t deserve such a valuable item. She glanced at the others, seeking their opinion.
Rever crossed his hands, and shrugged nonchalantly. "I don’t need a shield, so it’s fine by me."
Victor leaned against a nearby pillar, and chimed in with a similar sentiment. "Yeah, I’m not much of a shield guy either. I can’t equip it, too. If Lord Schrodinger thinks you should have it, go for it."
Midnight Duchess was only observing the conversation in silence, and finally spoke up. Her voice was calm and composed, carrying an air of authority. "Lord Schrodinger is the leader of the group, and you have the right to decide how the loot is distributed. If you believe this shield should go to Yuzuro, then I see no issue with it."
Xin nodded in agreement with all of them. "Thank you. It’s settled, then. Yuzuro, you should accept the shield. Sell it. It’ll help you."
Yuzuro hesitated for a moment longer. Her uncertainty was etched on her face. But the genuine concern in her teammates’ eyes and the understanding that this decision was made with the best intentions eventually swayed her.
With a hesitant smile, she finally reached out and accepted the [Shield of Fallen Souls of Jacob Law] from Xin’s outstretched hand.
As she did so, a sense of gratefulness washed over her and she couldn’t be more thankful at Xin and the others.
Thank you . . . Xin.