Fwish! Boom!
All the players near the [Ice Fox] were instantly frozen solid, unable to move as layers of ice wrapped around their bodies.
In just a few seconds, the creature began to change, its entire form radiating power as it evolved right before their eyes.
Ice Crystal!
A chilling noise echoed through the mist as the newly transformed fox released a burst of ice energy.
Dozens of sharp crystals materialized and flew through the air, piercing each of the frozen players.
None of them even had time to react before their health bars dropped to zero.
As explained before, when monsters killed players, they absorbed their [Lives].
Once they gathered enough, they could consume them to evolve into stronger forms.
That was exactly what had just happened here: the [Ice Fox] had feasted on too many lives and reached its threshold for evolution.
Karl stood at a distance, his eyes narrowing as he watched the change unfold.
The cold wind biting at his face didn't bother him.
He immediately checked the boss' new status window.
---
[Blizzard Fox (Level 5)]
[Rank: Rare (Boss)]
[HP: 6,000]
---
When a monster evolved, it didn't just gain power.
Its rank increased, its health pool expanded, and its skills became more lethal.
Luckily, this was still the early stage of [Gods Ascension].
Evolution effects weren't too extreme yet.
But Karl knew that soon enough, a single rank difference would be enough to wipe out an entire party.
The fox's fur shimmered like polished snow, its body covered with crystal shards of ice that glowed faintly in the fog.
It looked majestic, but also deadly.
Karl took a deep breath, then lifted his staff.
There was no time to hesitate.
Powerful Fireball!
Fwish! Boom!
-1,710!
The blazing orb of fire smashed into the [Blizzard Fox], sending it sliding back a few meters.
Its icy fur hissed and cracked as steam rose from the impact.
The creature let out a furious roar, its blue eyes locking straight onto Karl's position.
Karl smirked. "So you felt that."
Some monsters had elemental weaknesses, and this one was clearly weak to fire.
When a player struck a monster with an element it was vulnerable to, the attack dealt 1.5x the normal damage.
That's why Karl's spell, which normally would've dealt 1,140, had burned through 1,710 HP instead.
Just one hit, and a quarter of the boss's health was gone.
The [Blizzard Fox] snarled and launched a counterattack, firing a wave of [Ice Crystals] that tore through the air like bullets.
Karl rolled to the side, avoiding them all.
'Those attacks are precise,' he thought. 'And deadly. If I get hit once, I'm done for.'
The fox lunged forward, frost spreading beneath its paws.
A faint blue aura surrounded it, a slowing effect that triggered by proximity.
Getting too close to that thing was a death sentence.
Karl quickly backed away, lifting his staff again.
Powerful Fireball!
Fwish! Boom!
-1,710!
Another perfect hit.
Karl could only cast his spell every ten seconds, but that was more than enough.
As long as he avoided being hit, he'd win this fight.
One mistake, though, and it was over.
At level 5, a rare-ranked boss could easily deal 250 damage or more per strike, far higher than Karl's total HP.
He had no room for error.
The [Blizzard Fox] suddenly leapt at him, claws extended, leaving a trail of frost behind.
Karl reacted instantly.
Strong Magic Shield!
A shimmering barrier appeared in front of him.
Slash!
The fox's claws slammed into the shield, cracking it but failing to break it completely.
The force of the attack pushed Karl back a few steps, but he held his ground.
His barrier had 1,000 HP, enough to take several hits before shattering.
The moment he saw an opening, Karl sidestepped, widened the gap, and aimed his staff again.
Powerful Fireball!
Boom!
The massive fireball slammed into the fox's chest, scorching through its icy fur.
-1,710!
Its HP bar plummeted.
One last hit would finish it.
Karl's eyes gleamed as he kept avoiding, waiting for the final strike.
Fwish! Boom!
The fox let out a deafening cry as the last fireball exploded against it.
Its health bar hit zero, and its massive body collapsed, melting the ice beneath it.
Ding!
---
[You have killed "Blizzard Fox" (Level 5 Rare-Rank Boss)]
[You have gained 3,000 experience points.]
[Congratulations, you have leveled up to Level 4 + Level 5.]
[All your attributes have increased by 10, and you have gained 10 free points to distribute.]
[You have gained 5 Evolution Points!]
[You have gained 14 Lives!]
---
Karl grinned.
A double level-up, more [Lives], and Evolution Points, not bad at all.
But what caught his attention next was even better.
As the [Blizzard Fox]'s body vanished into particles of light, two items dropped to the ground.
Karl stepped closer, eyes widening.
Both items were perfect for him.
---
[Blizzard Fox Fur Boots (Rare): Physical Resistance +10, Movement Speed +7%. Requirement: Level 5.]
---
[Skill Book: Ice Crystal (Uncommon), Mage-type skill book. Requirement: Level 5.]
---
'Oh shit!'
Without hesitation, Karl equipped the boots.
A surge of energy ran through his body, making him feel lighter, faster.
Then he grabbed the skill book and activated it.
Ding!
[You have learned the skill "Ice Crystal."]
---
[Ice Crystal (Uncommon): Summon an ice crystal that deals exactly 150 damage, it also applies the "Slowness" status effect. 15 (7.5)-seconds cooldown.]
---
Karl's eyes lit up. "Incredible."
But the excitement didn't stop there.
After killing the fox, he now had 7 Evolution Points total.
That meant he could evolve another skill.
[Do you wish to consume 3 Evolution Points to evolve "Ice Crystal"?]
"Yes!"
Ding!
[You have evolved "Ice Crystal" (Uncommon) to "Blizzard Crystal" (Rare).]
[Current Evolution Points: 4.]
---
[Blizzard Crystal (Rare): Summon a blizzard crystal the deals exactly 150 → 250, it also applies the "Slowness" status effect. 15 → 12 (6)-seconds cooldown.]
---
"Perfect."
Karl closed the window with a smirk.
He could've evolved [Strong Magic Shield] too, but he decided to wait.
With just one more Evolution Point, he could evolve [Powerful Fireball] instead, and that was worth far more in his situation.
He quickly distributed his free attribute points: eight into [Spirit] for more power, and two into [Agility] for better dodging.
'If level 5 monsters are already appearing,' Karl thought, 'Then I'm reaching the midpoint of the [Broken Town]. The deeper I go, the stronger they'll get.'
He began walking again, heading deeper in the streets.
The air was colder, heavier, filled with tension.
He launched skills at every monsters he saw.
Most level 5 and 6 monsters only had around 1,000 to 1,500 HP, meaning Karl's upgraded skills annihilated them with ease.
Each fight only made him faster and more confident.
After a while, though, something new appeared in front of him.
---
[Broken Soldier (Level 6)]
[Rank: Uncommon (Boss)]
[HP: 6,000]
---
Karl tilted his head. "Another boss already, huh?"
This one looked like a fallen knight, armor cracked, sword dragging along the ground.
Even without movement, it radiated danger.
He couldn't help but compare it to the [Blizzard Fox].
Despite being one level higher, it had the same HP, proof that rank made a massive difference.
A Rare-ranked creature always outclassed an Uncommon one.[1]
Still, Karl wasn't afraid.
He raised his staff and launched a fireball straight at it.
Powerful Fireball!
Fwish! Slash!
The [Broken Soldier] swung its sword, cutting straight through the fireball and dispersing it in midair.
Karl's grin widened, "Oh, so you're that kind of boss."
He took a step forward, eyes glowing faintly as he gathered mana again.
The deeper he went into the [Broken City], the fewer players there were.
After all, most stayed behind to grind safer areas.
To them, it wasn't worth dying over and over.
But Karl wasn't like them.
He pointed his staff again, the air freezing around him.
Blizzard Crystal!
A bright blue crystal formed at the tip of his staff, spinning rapidly before shooting forward like a bullet.
It was much faster than the fireball, so the soldier missed it.
It pierced through the its chest before exploding into shards of ice.
-2,500!
The damage was insane.
Plus, the soldier staggered back, now surrounded by a faint blue aura: the clear sign of [Slowness].
Karl smirked. "Alright then… another boss to kill."
He gripped his staff tighter, mana swirling around him.
[1] When their levels are close that is