Chapter 11
The Shaman
After reaching Level 5 and equipping Bael Hawthorne's Scabbard, Ethan Quinn's physical endurance and movement speed increased by twenty percent.
The difference was immediate.
With the boost to his mobility, Ethan moved through the bunker corridors like a storm. Most enemies did not even survive long enough to see Lily Rowan cast a single support spell.
Three strikes.
Five strikes.
Sometimes only two.
Every monster that appeared was cut down instantly.
Before long they reached the final passage at the bottom of the bunker.
Ethan opened his inventory and removed the large sack Lily had given him earlier.
"Here. Take it back. Hold onto it carefully."
He handed the bag to her.
During the previous fights Ethan had looted nearly every black truffle the orcs had collected. The bag was now filled to the top.
Each truffle granted one thousand experience points.
Based on the number he collected, the reward would easily push him to Level 10.
Lily accepted the bag and slung it over her shoulders again. The weight made her stagger slightly, but she smiled happily.
"Thank you, big brother," she said warmly. "You're a good person."
The moment she finished speaking, golden light erupted from Ethan's body.
Several system notifications sounded one after another.
Quest Completed.
Lily Rowan's Black Truffles.
Experience Gained. 1,550,000.
NPC Lily Rowan Favorability increased by 50. Current favorability 80.
NPC Professor Elara Snow Favorability increased by 50. Current favorability 50.
Level Up.
Level Up.
Level Up.
Level Up.
Level Up.
Current Level. 10.
Your experience has reached the current cap. Excess experience stored. Total stored experience 150000. Available after class advancement.
After gaining five levels at once, Ethan received twenty five free attribute points.
He placed twenty points into Strength.
The remaining five went into Intelligence.
Once the points were distributed, Ethan sheathed his sword and sat down on a flat stone nearby as if taking a break.
In his memories from his previous life, the lowest level of this bunker contained a powerful enemy.
An Orc Shaman.
Defeating that boss unlocked the Novice Village dungeon.
The Orc Prophet's Plan.
If he killed the shaman now, Ethan would earn the first kill reward and potentially claim the dungeon's first clear achievement later.
After that he could escort Lily home and properly meet her mentor, Professor Elara Snow.
However the continuous fighting had drained most of his stamina.
So Ethan deliberately rested under Lily's watchful gaze.
Seeing him sit down calmly, Lily walked closer with a puzzled expression.
"Why aren't you leaving?"
"You should head back first," Ethan said casually. "This place should be safe now. I still have something to deal with."
With favorability already at eighty, there's no way she'll leave willingly.
Ethan kept the thought to himself.
A conflicted expression appeared on Lily's face.
After a moment her courage overcame her fear.
"How about I come with you?" she asked softly. "I want to help."
Ethan raised an eyebrow and looked at her as if surprised.
Lily did not rush to explain.
Instead she quietly stored the heavy sack in her personal inventory. Then she closed her eyes and began reciting a short spell.
A brilliant white light descended onto Ethan.
His exhaustion vanished instantly.
System Notification.
Legendary Blessing Applied.
Status fully restored.
Attack increased by 100 percent.
Defense increased by 100 percent.
Speed increased by 100 percent.
Attack speed increased by 100 percent.
Duration ten minutes.
Lily stepped closer nervously.
"You can take me with you, right? I can really help."
Inside, Ethan felt extremely satisfied.
Hooked.
But on the surface he still looked hesitant.
Lily noticed the change in his expression and felt hopeful.
He's hesitating. If I show him more of what I can do, he'll definitely agree.
Determined, she pulled a staff from her inventory and began casting again.
Several support spells appeared around Ethan.
Healing magic.
Purification.
Agility enhancement.
Elemental shield.
Multiple buffs layered onto him one after another.
"See?" Lily said proudly while wiping sweat from her forehead. "I'm really useful."
Ethan sighed as if giving up.
"Fine. You can come with me."
The moment he agreed, Lily's face lit up.
She grabbed his arm happily.
"Brother, what are we doing down here?"
"There's an Orc Shaman below us," Ethan said calmly. "I'm going to kill him."
The color drained from Lily's face instantly.
The excitement disappeared, replaced by obvious fear.
"Actually…" she stammered. "I just remembered something important. Maybe I should go back first."
Ethan smiled faintly.
Then he gently pulled her along as he walked deeper into the bunker.
A walking support buffer like this was far too valuable to let escape.
Soon they reached the lowest level of the underground chamber.
The moment Ethan stepped inside he saw a massive portal standing in the center of the room.
A system notification sounded.
Exploration Achievement Unlocked.
Orc Portal discovered.
Reputation plus 2000.
Warning. Destroying the portal may trigger retaliation from the Orc Tribes.
Ethan smiled slightly.
His memory had been correct.
At that moment the figure sitting beneath the portal slowly opened its eyes.
An Orc Shaman.
Violent crimson energy surged from the creature.
"Disaster approaches. Destiny has already been decided."
System Notification.
You have been cursed by Boss Monster Orc Shaman.
Curse judgment successful.
Curse Effect.
Lose two percent of maximum health every second for three minutes.
The curse success rate for shaman spells was extremely low.
Ethan listened to the system alert and simply shrugged.
Bad luck.
But he was not worried at all.
Because standing right beside him was the perfect counter.
Lily Rowan.