Chapter 512: Honing one's skills
"...stupid master..."
The sword in the expensive scabbard at Zombie's waist vibrated and created a high-pitched noise that turned into words of complaint.
"I'm sorry, but it had to be done - you share memories with my Cranberry, right? You know that I had to leave Monty with Roan so that they will become friends and the secret quest could start the moment that the weakling prince will get the title of the avatar of greed."
Zombie smiled softly and patted the sword's crossguard but he could feel that she doesn't like it at all - way too mad at him.
"It's okay, don't forget that Monty is still my subject and I can summon it back in need - but I won't for now. I know that he would make you snacks all the time, I'll make sure to give you lots of them too, alright?"
He added in a calming voice.
"No...! I want only Monty's snacks!"
The sword scoffed sounding very upset and went quiet.
"..."
Zombie furrowed his brows and lowered his shield as the marble troll champion ran out of breath after unleashing a volley of punches of which not even a single one managed to get past the ridiculously high defense of the blue undead knight.
"Yo. Can't you try a bit harder - none of my skills were raised..."
Zombie sighed and looked at the massive monster with disappointment.
"...ghro... argh...!"
The creature was so out of breath that even its angry groan sounded pitiful.
"Huh... damn you are useless..."
The blue undead shook his head and adjusted the golden shield.
*********
The next moment the ruby mana stone in the shield's center shone and unleashed a ray of light that pierced right through the troll's head.
"...!"
Surprisingly enough even with a hole in its forehead, the creature was still alive and only stumbled back.
It either had unbelievable HP and regeneration capabilities or its brain was very small and the beam had somehow missed it while passing through...
*WHAM*
*crumble*
/High-level monster defeated
You receive EXP
/Title rank up
Champion slayer »» Champion's calamity
The blue undead finished it off by bashing in whatever was left of the creature's head with his shield, making the troll champion's skull crumble like a brittle rock - and two system messages showed up confirming the kill.
"Nice."
Zombie nodded to himself before turning around towards the four Dandelions fighting with two more troll champions.
"Need some help, oh mighty Sunflowers?"
The blue undead called out to the group right as the rat-faced thief used the blink skill and dissected the smaller marble troll champion with his dagger and the black-haired elven mage turned the monster's separated head into dust with a powerful blast of fire.
"I will take it as a no. Damn it is weird to see you all being useful for anything other than gathering materials..."
Zombie put his hands on his sides and declared nodding.
Instead of responding to his words which might have been taken as either a compliment or a rude comment, Rotte parried the other troll's fist and stabbed his sword through its stomach.
*SHING*
*SMASH*
With the perfectly timed strength buff from In're, the warrior slightly on the bigger side managed to cut up, tearing right through the troll's stone-hard body, freeing his blade and after receiving the earth augmentation, he broke the beast's head with his sword's pommel.
"Whew... and here I thought that we will be the ones showing off to you this time."
Shanks breathed out, sheathing his daggers, and smirked at the blue undead.
"You aren't bad though you definitely need more practice. It's not on the level of Durian's slaves, but the sudden increase of power that you got from slaying sigil monsters sure did mess with your skills masteries."
Zombie smirked back and declared.
"Since you can defeat a champion troll two on one it means that you can deal with a normal one, one on one. Split up and get yourself a single opponent then try out all kinds of skills without killing it. Repeat until it you will be able to naturally activate the skill without having to stop and focus on activating it. That should be a good exercise for all of you."
He said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Rotte and Lairs are almost there, good job."
"...!"
Zombie nodded at the warrior and mage, causing Rotte to flinch since the blue undead called him by his actual name instead of Moldde.
"Shiv, I know that your muscle memory is set for a different weapon, but you can't freeze before dealing a blow - if that was something with a faster reaction time than a troll, you would have been in trouble."
The blue undead turned to the rat-faced man and put up his hand decisively.
"It's Shanks, not Shiv."
Shanks furrowed his brows and corrected Zombie.
"I will get your name right when you will get your skills right, Shiv."
The blue undead shrugged his shoulders and moved on to the last of the four Dandelions present.
"In'out, you would be completely fine if you didn't peek at me every five seconds to see if I'm looking at you - not only does it slow your casting time, it also makes you distracted - if it wasn't for Rotte, you would have to use your healing magic to put back your teeth since, without his timely reaction, you would get punched square in the face."
He breathed out shaking his head.
"Not to mention that my Cranberry will break your legs - again - if you will make her feel like you are aiming for me."
Zombie added, giving the healer a fair warning.
"Well, I am aiming for you though~ And I like the pet name you gave me too~!"
The big-eyed healer smiled and winked at him in response.
"Please, don't - seriously - Cranberry already broke your legs once today, that should be enough, don't you think?"
The blue undead started massaging his forehead and sighed in a tired voice while the short healer couldn't look happier.
"That only helps me train my healing skills!"
In're puffed out her chest and declared without a hint of hesitation - or shame.
"I... don't know whether to applaud your spirit or to feel sorry for you."
Zombie blinked a few times before looking away.
"My spirit was broken long ago by the church of the system's faith when they banished me - I will gratefully take a pity hug - although having you scold me feels good too~!"
In're smiled brightly and spread her arms, actually waiting to be showered with affection.
"...?"
Zombie glanced at her before turning to the other three Dandelions with a questioning look.
"Yes. That's how she always is."
Shanks made an awkward expression and nodded.