A flawless plan accounts for every contingency.
Though mine wasn’t perfect, I wasn’t about to be careless with the critical details.
I could easily predict that the enemy would catch on, ordering the remaining skeleton warriors to halt their charge.
Even depleted, their numbers could still inflict heavy losses on my side.
That’s why I chose this particular stretch of ashen meadow for the battle—a seemingly unremarkable plain that played into my strategy.
The enemy hadn’t noticed, but just beyond the plain where their army had charged, two ruin-like formations stood, their scattered stone piles perfect for concealment.
“Target the rear!”
The moment the skeleton warriors slowed under their new orders, over a hundred slimes erupted from the rubble.
At my command, they spewed sticky green mucus onto the rear ranks of the skeletons.
The viscous liquid clung to their bones, seeping into joints and stiffening their movements.
I had directed the slimes to aim for the leg bones, gumming up the joints until most of the rear skeletons lost their balance, toppling forward in a cascade of clattering bones.
Like dominoes, the halted front ranks were shoved forward by the collapsing rear, tumbling into the deep pit I’d prepared.
Only a fifth of their forces remained above, tangled in a chaotic heap with their comrades below.
With minimal cost, I’d herded the remaining skeletons into the pit, to be dealt with later.
The leader, however, wasn’t so fortunate.
My forces surrounded it with ease.
“Surprised?” I asked, blinking playfully at the skeleton’s hollow eye sockets.
“It was all a performance for you. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to fall for it so easily.”
I’d half-expected suspicion, even prepared a taunt about its obsession with, of all things, chests—though why a skeleton cared about such things was beyond me.
“Despicable wretch! How could I see through such vile tactics?” the red-eyed skeleton snarled, flames of fury dancing in its sockets.
“Oh, come now,” I said soothingly, offering it an excuse.
“Anyone would’ve missed it. It’s not like skeletons are known for their critical thinking. If someone else failed to notice, that’s what I’d call brainless.”
My warm-hearted consolation should’ve been comforting, yet for some reason, the skeleton fell silent.
When it offered no further response, I shrugged and ended its existence.
System: Defeated Skeleton Warrior Elite. Gained 80 EXP.
“Huh? Not a boss?” I muttered, caught off guard.
I’d been certain it was a boss, or at least a high-ranking leader, given its ability to command and converse.
To learn it was merely an elite left me baffled.
How could a mere elite possess the intellect to issue orders across the Grove Open-Pit Mine?
The question would go unanswered.
Brushing it aside, I led Syl and a portion of my monsters away from the main force, heading toward the mine.
“Strange. Why hasn’t the task marked as complete?”
Capturing a stronghold didn’t require eliminating every enemy—just ensuring no foes remained inside while my forces held the majority.
Some strongholds had additional conditions, but the Grove Open-Pit Mine wasn’t one of them.
I could’ve sent my monsters to sneak in when the red-eyed skeleton led its army away, but my goal was total annihilation of their forces.
A stealthy approach would’ve undermined that.
“There might still be enemies inside,” Syl said, scanning the mine’s surroundings.
Exposed ore veins dotted the ground, and countless mine shafts stretched into darkness. It wouldn’t be surprising if enemies were hiding within.
I nodded. “That skeleton might’ve had a bit of cunning after all.”
At my command, my monsters fanned out in small groups, scouring the ore veins and delving into the mine shafts, ready to report any sign of the enemy.
Soon, guided by a few Dark Bats, Syl and I descended into an underground chamber within one of the mine shafts.
As we reached the bottom of the stone steps, a scorching wave of heat washed over us.
To my surprise, no hidden skeleton army awaited—only a towering figure wreathed in roaring flames.
“Vile intruder, you’ll pay for your folly!”
A deep, resonant voice boomed from the fiery form, waves of flame surging across its body, radiating an aura of absolute menace.
I stepped back instinctively, recognizing it at once.
“A Flame Demon!?”
Born from molten lava, these demonic beings were cloaked in fire, their every movement unleashing torrents of molten fury.
In my past life, a Flame Demon summoned by dark faction players had razed an entire town upon appearing.
It took multiple guilds uniting to bring it down.
That battle had seared the memory of its colossal form and terrifying power into every player’s mind.
A level 180 lord-tier monster.
Though I knew it was futile, I positioned my monsters protectively in front of me, eyeing the flame-wreathed giant warily.
“Why is it here?”
“Because this is my domain,” it answered, to my surprise.
I froze, a realization dawning.
“The red-eyed skeleton… was it under your control? Were you the one giving its orders?”
That would explain everything.
“Clever, aren’t you, little one?”
The Flame Demon’s gaze locked onto me, its tone chilling despite the heat.
“But I despise clever creatures. And I loathe despicable ones.”
“Leave now, before my patience runs dry.”
I gritted my teeth, frustration bubbling up.
All my careful planning, only to face this insurmountable foe—it left a bitter taste.
But given its level and power, I had no choice but to swallow my pride and turn to leave.
Yet Syl stopped me.
“Your Majesty, something’s off about this one.”
I blinked, pausing mid-step.
The Flame Demon’s voice grew colder, its flames flaring more violently.
“I won’t repeat myself. Leave.”
Syl’s words clicked.
If this creature was so overwhelmingly powerful, capable of crushing us effortlessly, why was it wasting time with words?
Surely not every dark faction entity was a talkative quipster.
Noticing my lack of fear, the Flame Demon seemed to falter.
“This is your final warning. Leave, or I’ll reduce you to ashes!”
I tilted my head, studying it closely.
Beneath its imposing exterior, its threats felt oddly hollow.
After a moment’s thought, I waved my hand, signaling the Dark Bats and slimes to encircle it.
“Wait! Don’t come any closer!” it bellowed, panic creeping into its voice.
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