I knew from the beginning that I will most likely gain his attention, but I wasn't prepared for this to happen so early. But then again he most likely noticed a soul disappear when I entered a dungeon and after coming back felt that I became stronger.
Am I gaining his attention a bad thing? Not really. He will most likely consider me an ally. Unfortunately, the fact that it's not a bad thing doesn't mean that it's good either. The noble houses or should I say their founders might consider me a threat. Not now mind you, I'm too weak to be considered a threat to them but without a doubt the moment I become stronger they will.
The worst part about this quest is not an objective or an unknown bonus reward, but a time limit. It's not specified correctly. 'Before nobles seal soul king' is no time frame at all. It can be either a week, month, year or maybe even a millennium. Anyway, I think it's best to grind as quickly as possible. I don't want soul king to have a negative opinion of me after all.
Taking into account the situation I found myself in I decided to enter the zombie dungeon to finish it and enter the higher-levelled one. I honestly wanted to walk around to explore the nearby terrain but time is of the essence and as a spirit, I don't have to eat or sleep which allows me to grind even more.
Yeah, I think it's a good idea. Host is already level 10 so it's better to take care of the boss and enter the next dungeon. Although there will be more challenging enemies this also means better rewards and faster progress.
Let's go then.
After entering the dungeon I started slaughtering zombies left and right. This time I am way stronger than at the beginning and kill a standard zombie with two hits or [Magic Arrow].
[You deal 61 dmg]
...
Sometime later I cleared the dungeon killing around 50 zombies. Despite the level difference, I still levelled up two times and I distributed stat points evenly between END and INT for more survivability in prolonged fights. Looking at the dungeon the boss will most likely be some slow but tough enemy, but I would rather not risk it.
[Dungeon Boss has spawned]
Finally, the boss appeared. I look around and notice him in the middle of the dungeon.
It's a two-meter zombie wearing some rusty armour with blood stains. It has better vision and is way faster compared to others since he saw me from a distance that other zombies couldn't sense and started running in my direction.
I instantly started casting my only offensive spell and used [Observe] at him.
Name: ?
Race: Zombie
Level: 10
HP: 330
MP: 10
STR: 17
END: 33
DEX: 8
INT: 1
WIS: 1
LCK: 0
He doesn't seem that hard to beat.
He may be faster than a normal zombie but is still way slower than me so I decided to circle around him from a safe distance while casting spells. It isn't that easy because I have to divide my attention into three things. To observe boss movements, casting spells and make sure I won't run into a ruined building nearby.
After a third [Magic Arrow] hits the boss leaving him with less than half HP, he grabs a nearby wall of the building and throws a part of it at me.
Holy shit!
Noticing that I won't be able to evade cast [Magic barrier] granting me the protection of 20 points.
I got hit and thrown a few meters into the air.
[Barrier destroyed]
[Received 32 dmg]
[Magic Barrier levelled up to lv.3]
When I get up the zombie is already before me delivering a punch. The only thing I manage to do is hold my hand as a guard.
[Received 34 dmg]
I got thrown back a little, but still, cast a spell disrupting the zombie who is approaching.
[You deal 66 dmg]
The impact made him flinch a little and at that moment I cast another one. Before the projectile hits him he throws another part of the wall, but this time I am ready to evade it easily and cast another spell.
[You deal 66 dmg]
[You deal 66 dmg]
[Magic Arrow levelled up to lv.10]
[Mana Manipulation (Novice) levelled up to lv.13]
[You levelled up]
Catching my breath after the exhausting fight I check my status.
Name: ?
Age: 0
Race: lesser spirit
Level: 13
Class: Mage (13/100)
HP: 134
MP: 317
STR: 10
END: 20
DEX: 10
INT: 38
WIS: 33
LCK: 10
Stat Points: 5
Coins: 100
By the way, there was loot from the boss.
I smirked at that and said out loud.
"And what was that?"
100 coins. Which doubles the amount you have right now.
"Can I even buy something useful for that?"
Considering the fact that you are a magic caster there is the weakest magic wand you could buy.
Show it to me.
Primitive magic wand
+5% casting speed.
+5% spell accuracy.
"Nah. It will be better to save the money and buy something better later."
I waited then some time to recover and after both my MP and HP went back to full I decided to leave the dungeon.
[ID DESTROY]
While coming back I wanted to instantly enter the next levelled dungeon, but something or rather someone stopped me.
A man stood before me. Just like me, no mortal paid any attention to him and even distinctively walked around him. He has a muscular build and long black hair, but the greatest difference between me and him is that his body is not semi-transparent like mine.
My body tensed and I used to observe him.
Name: Shiba
Age: 94
Race: Greater spirit (Shinigami?)
Level: 104
What about his stats? And why is shinigami written like that?
The difference in the level is too big for you to see his stats and shinigami has not been named yet to begin with. Have you forgotten that there is no soul society yet? For them, they are just stronger spirits of the deceased than all.
I see. Thanks for the information. Wait… Shiba…Shiba. Isn't that one of the noble clans?! What is he doing here?!
Taking me out of my thoughts Shiba smiled and says while pointing at the nearby house.
"Hello. I'm Shiba. Come with me, we will talk there. You don't have to worry I won't do anything bad to you, I just want to talk."
I just sigh a do as he says. I don't have too much choice anyway.
Fortunately, Shiba is known to be one of the friendliest clans, but even then I'm not sure about its founder.
