As Luke went deeper into the cave, he could hear a growl that echoed from his eardrums down to his bones.
The monster's evident aloof demeanor was something new for the half-wolf. Generally, monsters didn't think much and attacked their prey head-on or were sneaky and cunning, trying to corner prey with intelligence.
'I wonder if the monster is hurt and why is it hiding in this cave?' Luke wondered.
If what the half-wolf theorized was true, that would explain why the monster was trying to fend off anyone approaching with growls and roars. Also, Luke kept in mind that if the monster was injured, it could still be dangerous, because the corpses at the entrance to the cave were fresh.
However, none of this for Luke, who was determined to kill the creature to gain recognition from Stahurt's adventurers, Luke followed the growl without hesitation. After some time, the monster stopped growling, but the path was only one and the half-wolf continued on.
After three minutes of walking in the dark, Luke entered an area of ??the cave that was wider, where there were many natural rock pillars and running water. The place was redolent with the smell of blood and guts.
As soon as he entered, Luke also saw the monster. That previously mysterious being was actually a Lich, an extremely rare type of monster that Luke had only seen in books.
The Lich was an undead creature with a cadaverous face and body made of tree roots. This monster sported a pair of long horns, which more closely resembled moose antlers or the branches of a tree. The monster's eye region was also striking, as there was a deep green glow in each of the empty eye sockets.
However, this Lich wasn't a normal Lich either, because around him was a pack of wolves, which made Luke think,
'Shit, I miss Bastet so much!'
After that, three of the ten wolves started running towards Luke while barking.
Luke immediately summoned the Behemoth Axe, spun it around and sliced ??two wolves in half. He dodged the third, which flew towards him with its mouth open. The Lich remained standing in the center of the cave.
Then three more wolves rushed at Luke, who although deep down he felt sorry for killing them, was more interested in finding out how the Lich was controlling them.
In the book Luke read about the weirdest types of monsters that can be found in Dungeons, the Lich monster was a high-level monster that usually appeared on floors filled with forests or lots of woods, but there wasn't a single sentence mentioned in the books mentioned a Lich capable of controlling animals.
Anyway, Luke didn't want to be bothered with this for too long either, so he focused on the battle and killed all four wolves that were trying to attack him. All the animals' bodies were cut in half or had their heads severed in a single blow.
Luke looked at the Lich, and it still didn't move. 'Why is this monster different?'
The situation was awkward, and Luke's instincts were constantly warning him to keep his attention doubled if possible.
With a simple use of <Eye of Horus>, Luke found the most effective way to kill all the wolves and he did so, delving in the Lich's direction without stopping. The wolves wanted to protect the monster and the best way to lure them to Luke's blade was to attack the Lich himself.
After getting rid of the entire pack, Luke stopped in front of the Lich, who finally opened his wooden arms.
Luke watched the Lich sink both arms into the ground and suddenly a wave of roots shot out of the ground straight towards Luke.
"That's what I'm talking about! That's what a Lich does!" Luke exclaimed, cutting the thick roots into hundreds of pieces.
However, this first attack was just a distraction from the Lich, because when the roots were cut, the Lich appeared again multiplied by three.
'Now there are three?' thought the half-wolf, astonished. 'No! Remember, Luke! Lich's can use small illusions too.'
As it didn't matter to Luke whether it was three monsters or one, he allowed himself to use Gene's Skill called <Gluttony> early in the battle.
A small vortex appeared in the palm of the half-wolf's hand, which sucked up all that was magic from the environment. Luke was surprised that minute, because not only were the two Lich clones absorbed, but the wolves were as well. Seeing this, Luke smiled resignedly, for in the end things were simpler than he thought.
Still, it was impressive to Luke for a monster to be able to create illusions so realistic that Luke couldn't tell that they weren't real.
'Hazor said he's very good at illusions, I'll tell him there was someone better in the region!' Lyke said and ran towards the Lich, who was slowly backing away.
Although this monster had a very thin appearance, it was very slow. Maybe that was because his legs were made of wood, including the joints as well, or maybe he was just in shock from <Gluttony>'s overwhelming power. Anyway, the Lich still hadn't given up.
Like a true monster, the Lich roared at being cornered by Luke in a corner of the cave. When it opened its mouth, Luke noticed a singular glint in the back of the monster's throat. This glow had a greenish tinge, similar to the Lich's own eyes, but was also shaped like a crack.
"So, are you really hurt? Fighting so many adventurers must have been tough... Alright, I'll put an end to your agony!" Luke said and swung it towards the Lich's head.
The monster tried to block using both arms, but the panspermia ax was too sharp. The arms that looked more like logs were broken in half, then the blade hit the humanoid skull that the Lich had on the head, and finally the Behemoth Ax when it reached the level of the monster's abdomen.
[Lich was killed, Monster Core not obtained.]
Although the half-wolf didn't get the Lich's core, he was glad that the monster's head remained intact after the rest of the body turned to black particles. That would be enough for Luke to prove to everyone that he really killed the monster.
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