Passing the time.

"Ahh, that damn lich got me, the one just before the boss in the Tenrak dungeon. I didn't even enter its aggro range and it straight up killed me as soon as I was at the bottom of the stairs..."

"Haha, you should've healed before going down," a dwarf scratched his head with a smile. "that lich is crazy man, it must have a different AI (artificial intelligence) or something. I think it's probably a future easter egg. You know, that lich even has its own forum, you can find all its stats there."

(In computer games, an easter egg is a hidden property, mechanic, or treasure that is sometimes stumbled upon by accident, found through exploration, or accessed by completing a hidden puzzle.)

"Yeah. It doesn't even bother to lay any traps down like the other lichs. It's weird. You think I should report it to a moderator?"

"Nah, people have tried already and always get no reply, so it's probably meant to be like that. Whatever it is, they're keeping their lips sealed."

"Awesome! I'm going to level up more and kill it a few times, maybe I'll get something nice"

"Heh, go ahead. It doesn't drop better stuff than the rest of them; the only difference is that it's tactics change. There's even a video of this guy who goes into its room, and it doesn't even leave the throne - it simply lets him kill it! Other times it launches spells before you even go down the stairs. It's so random."

"Haha, what?… Such a strange miniboss..."

"Yeah, it's classic. Everyone has their stories about it" he chuckled.

- - -

Curiously, I hold the black stone in my hand as I peer into it.

"You're the only thing here that changes…"

"If only there was some way I could understand you."

[System Unlocked]

[Volition Crystal]

(Gather enough of these to acquire free will)

"What the?!" At first, I was startled by the writing appearing out of nowhere before my eyes, so I took a step back before reading it.

"Acquire free will? System?!?"

I thought I already had free will? Does it mean my freedom to escape this pit?? And what did I just do - where did those words come from? Did I just analyse something? Is this a new skill?

I need a moment to think.

How many black crystals do I need to gather anyway? I already have hundreds of them!

*Sigh*

"If only I discovered this sooner. And what is 'system'?"

Hmm, in any case, I guess I should ramp up my adventurer-killing efforts. Perhaps I can learn more about 'system' by killing them.

I wonder how many more crystals I'll need to achieve free will. Hmm…

Oh, another light coming down the stairs - well don't mind if i do.

Charging another red orb in my palm, it crackles with black lightning once more before I send it flying at the bottom of the staircase.

"Eat it, suckas!"

The orb flies right into an adventurers face.

"Ha! Right in the mouth!" My laughs echo through my dungeon room.

"Oh shit." The adventurer doesn't look happy, and their buddy just started healing them up.

"Hmm, better cast another doom bolt."

Another red orb was forming in my palm as I charged it up

*Sphew~*

"AH!" my chest was just pierced by an arrow. Such pain - at least I'm used to the pain anyway.

Turns out there's three of them.

One seemed to be made of iron, clad in armour. The next held a wooden staff, glowing green with life.

Ugh, I hate life.

The third is a crafty little bastard. I didn't even see him enter my room.

He has a bow and a dagger - but where the hell did he go?

*Pch*

"AH SHIT!"

Being stabbed from behind sucks.

"Argh!" I turned around as I swiped my hand at him, my hand covered in spectral energy.

This would've melted through his bones and blood - but he dodged, then disappeared.

"Sneaky bastard."

Charging another doom bolt, I aimed it at the healer.

*BOOM!*

"Ha!" It landed on his shoulder. His face of pain brought me joy once more.

With a smile I started charging another doom bolt,

"Ah! Little shit!" I was rudely interrupted by another dagger in my back.

Swiping my claws, I hit him this time - but it wasn't enough.

Making a knife hand, I covered it in my spectral miasma and thrust it into his chest.

"Ha!, got you now."

Opening my hand, I grasped his heart and ripped it out.

"This is mine now!" I burnt his heart to ashy pieces.

Something strange then happened. It was what the adventurer said.

"Ah damn, not again. Sorry guys, I shouldn't have played so risky. Oh well. See you guys tomorrow. GG."

"Play? What the hell are you on about? I just killed you. And what is GG?"

It seems like he doesn't even care that I just killed him. What insolence!

Creating a fist, I smashed his face in just before he disappeared into glowing lights.

"That'll teach him." I collected his volition crystal while smiling to myself.

"Time to deal with the other two."

Another doom bolt crackled in my palm.

"Eat another one"

Flinging it at the first guy, even I was surprised as he took another one right in the face.

"Haha, what the hell is wrong with this guy?"

Hmm, that other guy must've healed him. Looks like he needs a doom bolt to the face.

"Here!" another doom bolt went flying at the healer, yet before it impacted, the tank switched places with him.

"Oh? That's ok. I've got plenty more."

With a smile, I will happily oblige.

More doom bolts flooded the duo as I walked closer. They even had to hide behind some of my statues.

"Pa-thetic"

I casted multiple bolts as I leisurely walked over to them, jumping around their cover as I swiped with a claw full of miasma.

"Shit." the tank somehow countered, my hand was slapped away as a sword pierced right through my throat.

Dying again.

With my final string of consciousness, I saw the two adventurers crouching repeatedly on my corpse.

"...what in the fuck are they doing to my body?"