Free Web NovelChapter 17: Hidden Boss
The moment the miners safely left the mine, Dan Moriarty turned around without hesitation and walked back into the darkness once more.
The reopened entrance behind him allowed faint sunlight to spill into the tunnels, but that light quickly faded the deeper he ventured underground. Soon, only the dim glow of spirit crystals embedded within the walls remained, barely illuminating the path ahead.
His footsteps echoed steadily through the silent mine, creating a strangely oppressive atmosphere. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
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[@DrunkenSwordImmortal: Hahaha! I knew it. The brat was clearly not finished yet.]
[@StoneGiantKing: He returns deeper underground after defeating an Elite Boss? Reckless.]
Dan Moriarty glanced briefly at the comments before returning his focus forward.
"Yes," he muttered softly. "This mine still holds something valuable."
Before entering this Dungeon, Dan Moriarty had already spent hours researching information on various streamer forums. While most people focused only on the obvious monsters and basic rewards, a few hidden discussions mentioned something else entirely.
A secret boss.
According to those discussions, somewhere within the depths of the mine existed a hidden enemy that only appeared under special conditions. Defeating it supposedly guaranteed the drop of a Skill Core.
Skill Cores were among the most valuable rewards for Streamers. Unlike ordinary skills obtained through class selection, Skill Cores granted entirely unique abilities. Some could drastically alter a Streamer’s combat style, while others possessed bizarre or overwhelmingly powerful effects.
One forum user even claimed to have obtained a short-range teleportation ability from a Skill Core found within this very dungeon instance.
Of course, many believed such stories were exaggerated nonsense fabricated for attention, but Dan Moriarty did not think so.
"If there is even a chance..." he murmured inwardly, "then it is worth pursuing."
Especially now that he possessed the Infinite Amplification Talent.
Then, the tunnels gradually became narrower as he advanced deeper underground. The further he traveled, the colder the atmosphere grew. Unlike the earlier sections filled with flame lions and scorching heat, this part of the mine carried a strange chill.
Even the air itself felt heavier.
Drip.
Drip.
Water echoed faintly somewhere ahead, causing Dan Moriarty’s footsteps to slow slightly.
"This place..."
The walls around him had begun to change. The rough mining marks left behind by workers were disappearing, replaced instead by smooth stone surfaces covered in ancient carvings.
Sword marks.
Hundreds of them.
Some shallow.
Some deep enough to split the rock itself.
The moment Dan Moriarty saw them, his expression became serious.
"These are not natural."
Someone had fought here before, and not ordinary people either. Adding to the eeriness, there was a faint sword intent still lingering within the carvings despite the apparent age of the place.
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[@ShadowWarden: These sword marks... they are ancient battle traces. Someone powerful once fought here long ago.]
[@DrunkenSwordImmortal: Oh? Interesting. It seems this little mine is hiding far more secrets than expected.]
[@StoneGiantKing: Hmph. This mine is clearly not as simple as it first appeared. There is something unusual buried deep beneath it.]
Dan Moriarty slowly raised his hand and touched one of the sword marks. The moment his fingers brushed against the stone, a sharp sensation suddenly pierced his mind.
A flash.
For a brief instant, Dan Moriarty saw fragmented images.
A knight clad in silver armor.
A massive sword.
Countless monsters lying dead across a battlefield drenched in blood.
Then the vision vanished instantly.
Dan Moriarty frowned slightly.
"What was that?"
Before he could think further, a strange sound suddenly echoed deeper within the tunnel.
CLANG!!
Metal against stone.
Dan Moriarty’s eyes sharpened instantly.
CLANG!
CLANG!
The sound repeated rhythmically, almost resembling footsteps, but something about it felt unnatural and unsettling.
Dan Moriarty immediately tightened his grip around the Thousand Heavens Rainfall Divine Sword and cautiously advanced forward.
Soon, the tunnel ahead widened into a massive underground chamber.
The chamber was unlike anything he had seen before inside the mine. Ancient stone pillars lined both sides of the area, while broken weapons and rusted armor littered the floor as though a great battle had once occurred there. At the center stood a giant circular platform covered in faded runes.
And there...
A lone figure knelt silently upon the platform.
The figure wore dark silver armor covered in cracks and age. A gigantic sword was planted into the ground before it, both hands resting firmly on the hilt.
Its head remained lowered. Motionless. Yet the oppressive aura radiating from its body caused even Dan Moriarty’s instincts to scream warnings.
Then, the moment Dan Moriarty stepped fully into the chamber, the figure slowly raised its head, and two crimson lights ignited beneath the helmet.
BOOM!
A terrifying wave of pressure exploded outward instantly. Dust and broken weapons scattered violently across the chamber floor, and at the same time, a system notification appeared before Dan Moriarty’s eyes.
[Hidden Boss Detected!]
[Name: Skull Knight]
[Level: ???]
[Grade: Hidden Boss]
[Skills:]
[Soul Cleave Lv.25] – Unleashes a deadly sword strike infused with soul energy, capable of bypassing physical defenses and damaging the target directly.
[Phantom Step Lv.20] – Moves with unnatural speed through short distances, leaving behind afterimages that confuse opponents.
[Undying Knight’s Will Lv.30] – Temporarily strengthens all combat abilities when heavily damaged, greatly increasing attack speed, sword power, and resistance to pain.
Dan Moriarty’s pupils contracted slightly.
Then, slowly, a smile appeared on his face.
"So I finally found you."
