It's the assassin that killed me...

The violet swamps had a lot of toads and some alligators!

Every monster was filled with a poison that was just screaming to every player 'You have wasted 1 gold for these antidotes, fool!'. Nevertheless, the exp bar was going at rapid pace as Xuan Xuan's party had rather good individuals!

Black Rose had very nice relationship with Vivula. That's how it looked on the outside as the two ladies were working together. At with their happy and satisfied expressions, it was indeed the case!

After all, thanks to Vivula's increased level, the tank of the party could taunt few monsters which allowed the thief lady to use her knife with the string more efficiently.

Her sharp string buried itself into the bodies of the toads and alligators deeply, inflicting the 'Bleeding' skill!

Furthermore, Vivula's taunt wasn't the only thing that had leveled up. Her Black Grasp also had allowed the lady to use the skill on the few opponents. Pinning them down while lowering the defenses and adding some % hp damage is strong combo with the thief who can add the bleeding and another 'small cc'.

The two ladies were becoming more closer, the longer they fought for.

As for the rest of the party.

"Ryuutem, you fucker!"

"Hahahahaha!"

Ryuutem, the fucker and berserker, actually allowed himself to step on the poisoned swamp! His body got poisoned with the poison the antidote couldn't help him! But it was fine for the berserker...

"Die~~!"

His hands were already clad in some dragon scales, smashing the alligators head on! The more HP he lost, the more power gathered on these two strong weapons! It was the reason Ryuutem allowed himself to get poisoned.

With eyes red like blood, Ryuutem stepped forward submerging himself in the madness and swamp!

[Your servant, Ryuutem's passive ability 'Blood of Dragon' awakens.

- For each 1% of HP lost, Ryuutem's health regen increases by 2%]

"It's still no enough with all these monsters, you fucking dragon!"

Not only Xuan Xuan had to deal with the monsters on his own, he also had to watch out for this dragon to not die! Does Ryuutem still remember that he has lowered level?!

However, Xuan Xuan himself was getting more familiar with the close combat style! His hand clad in the earth golem was doing a lot of damage while he familiarized himself with their moves! The stamina potion was also flowing within his body.

"How is the loot?"

"Other than toad vicious eyes and thick spiky alligator scales..."

The party has no luck when it comes to the unique loot for the monsters! However, Xuan Xuan wasn't worried at all. They still had a lot to explore and go deeper! Who knows, maybe in other swamps, the % of the loot increases?

He was in good mood that quickly got caught up by others.

Going deeper into the swamp, Xuan Xuan and the party finally found out the lizard skeletons...

They were located in the caves that were hidden deeply by the bushes... However, thanks to the forum and other players, there was no problem finding their main home! Looking at these skeletons, Xuan Xuan got message.

The first clue to his quest.

[Your body can feel the black magic in the bones of the lizard skeletons!

The black magic is so low you can not probe into its mysteries!

- In order to learn about the black magic in their bones you have to collect the following items!

- 1000 skulls of the skeleton lizards! (0/1000)

- 800 ribs of the skeleton lizards! (0/800)

- 600 arms of the skeleton lizards! (0/600)]

"Uhh, I got the quest..."

"Show me~~"

After Xuan Xuan shared the quest information, the party was eager too hunt some skeletons! It seems like Orqas had tried to do something with these lizards... or maybe he was the reason for their appearance here!

That's why, it was time for an hard grinding!

"Fuck! Where is the skull? I didn't touch the skull at all!"

Taking The HP of the monster equals death - that's for sure. But just because Xuan Xuan hadn't touched the skull once, it doesn't mean he is going to loot the skull! It was the same with other parts of the body, so the party no longer really cared about the bodies.

They smashed, destroyed and teared apart the bones of the skeletons while gulping down the pots to keep up with the pace and this toxic environment.

"Ah, watch out for the bone, Xuan'er!"

"It's okay!"

The skeletons lizards were rather advanced skeletons... If their bones somehow left their bodies, then after few seconds, the unknown energy would gather them back! That's why, the players have to take down the hp of the monster instead of disposing the skeleton's body. Of course, tearing off the bones still does a lot of damage.

Soon enough, Xuan Xuan got the new idea.

"What if I use the Black Soul?"

The skill that directly invades the soul of the enemy! It's the skill that allows Xuan Xuan to even exp on the players as it can eat the soul of the player! Such powerful ability should affect the skeletons and inflict more damage...

And maybe the unknown effect are going to be born out of it?

Xuan Xuan thought, then his earth golem punch went forward.

Within the clenched hand, the black soul ability was slowly spreading itself!

"GUOOOOO!"

As he smashed it against the skull of the skeleton lizard, the monster roared with utmost pain! The voice wasn't really coming off from the mouth which was the scariest part of this monster! However, during the cry, Xuan Xuan got the message.

[You have acquiared the skeleton lizard's skull...]

[You have lost the skeleton lizard's skull...]

Because his hand was touching the skull for a second, the system told him that he had it! But the punch naturally send it away! Still, such situation told Xuan Xuan that he can gather the needed parts in such way.

Furthermore, the hp falls considerably after the bone leaves the skeleton's body!

"So it's black soul, alright! Vivula, my wife. It's time for you to stay with me."

"Yes, master!"

The party began grinding even harder after Xuan Xuan found out about his ability! The thief lady also joined up with her small cc to help as much as she can... Unluckily enough, Xuan Xuan couldn't really pass down his Black Soul to her knife.

Though it was still shining with the black fire as the players weren't around them.

Then, after hard grinding, the party took the break.

They found out the small place without any monsters and players... The ground was also stable here, so they could rest and share the experiences... It was also time for the players to heal their 'exhausted minds' as such activities can not be really done in the real life.

During the break, Xuan Xuan suddenly heard Vivula's soft voice.

"Master, there is party going!"

"It's okay... Just don't pick on them and let them go."

However, at the same time as Xuan Xuan said these words, his eyes shone as he noticed the party Vivula was speaking about... It was party of the thieves... Yes, there were like four thieves or assassins! Xuan Xuan couldn't really tell...

And it was only one tank that was also clad in the black armor!

However, it itself wasn't the special thing to make Xuan Xuan react like that.

It was because one of the assassins... was the assassin he knew!

"It's that woman who killed me... I remember her ass."

"""...."""

Is that something you should say out loud?! Xuan Xuan just spoke honestly as usual though! Anyway, before the ladies could rebuke him, Ryuutem opened his mouth first.

He was amazed this time.

"It's good that you can remember the opponents by their appearances and curves alone... Though it works on the women only, it's useful ability. Now, what are we going to do?"

"Becoming the enemies with The Black Skull Riders guild is not something I can afford..."

"I guess so."

"But if we get enough bones, we can go deeper and see what they are up to~~"