The winner would receive several valuable rewards from the City Lord, along with other benefits from the academy.
"Hmm, my talent doesn’t really need a competition like this."
Ryan thought for a moment.
"But I might as well participate. I can use it to test my current strength."
A smile appeared on his face.
"Let’s aim for first place."
He closed the academy notice and opened his boss database again.
Ryan began looking through the list of monsters.
After several minutes, he finally found a suitable target.
"An undead-type monster..."
His eyes stopped on one particular entry.
"S-Rank Monster, Skeleton King."
Ryan nodded as he read through its information.
The Skeleton King was a Level 100 S-Rank undead monster that ruled the Skeleton Paradise Dungeon.
Unlike ordinary undead, the Skeleton King possessed incredible physical strength and powerful close-combat abilities. Its massive skeletal body was reinforced with dense death energy, making it extremely difficult to damage with ordinary attacks.
More importantly, it was a purely physical-type monster.
Ryan’s interest immediately increased.
"If I can loot its stats, skills, and other abilities, my physical strength will increase by another huge amount."
He then remembered the original Ryan’s goal.
"Not only that, the original Ryan wanted to hunt the Skeleton King in this dungeon. I can finally fulfill that wish for him."
Ryan bookmarked the Skeleton King.
"Let’s go get this guy tomorrow."
Ryan put his phone aside and lay back on the bed.
He had already decided on his next target.
The following morning, Ryan left his home after breakfast and headed toward the Skeleton Paradise Dungeon, where the Level 100 S-Rank boss, the Skeleton King, resided.
The following morning, Ryan left his home after breakfast and headed toward the Skeleton Paradise Dungeon.
The dungeon was located on the outskirts of Silver River City, so it didn’t take him long to reach the entrance.
The area around the dungeon was much busier than the Blackwater Cave Dungeon.
Many Awakened came here to hunt undead monsters and collect materials such as bones, death crystals, and undead cores.
Ryan ignored the crowd and walked toward the dungeon entrance.
After showing his identification, he entered the dungeon.
The moment he stepped inside, the surroundings changed.
The bright daylight disappeared, replaced by a dark sky covered in gray clouds.
A large wasteland stretched before him.
Broken bones covered the ground, and several ruined structures could be seen in the distance.
Ryan activated Spirit Sense.
"There are quite a few monsters nearby."
Several undead creatures appeared on his radar.
Most of them were between Level 50 and Level 70.
Ryan smiled.
"This place is perfect for leveling."
He summoned the Black Water Wyvern.
The massive wyvern appeared beside him and immediately spread its wings.
Ryan climbed onto its back.
"Let’s start with the weaker monsters."
The wyvern flew toward the nearest group.
Several skeleton warriors noticed them and raised their weapons.
Ryan didn’t even bother creating a totem.
The wyvern descended from the sky and swept its tail across the group.
BOOM!
Several skeletons were thrown across the wasteland.
The remaining undead rushed forward.
The wyvern opened its mouth and released its Black Water Breath.
A wave of poisonous black water swept across the ground.
The skeletons collapsed one after another.
Ryan watched the notifications appear.
[You have defeated Skeleton Warrior.]
[You have gained experience.]
[Black Water Wyvern has gained experience.]
Ryan nodded.
"Good."
He continued moving through the dungeon.
The Black Water Wyvern fought one group after another while Ryan supported it with temporary totems whenever necessary.
After several battles, the wyvern reached Level 60.
Ryan also gained several levels.
However, he wasn’t interested in the ordinary skeletons.
His real target was much deeper inside the dungeon.
The Skeleton King.
Ryan opened the dungeon map and checked its location.
"The deepest area should be the King’s Graveyard."
He looked toward the distant ruins.
"That’s where the boss should be."
Ryan recalled the Black Water Wyvern and continued forward on foot.
As he moved deeper into the dungeon, the undead became stronger.
Level 70 skeleton warriors began appearing.
Then came Level 75 Skeleton Knights.
Ryan finally became interested when he saw the first Level 80 undead warrior.
He used Spirit Sense to check the area.
"There’s something much stronger ahead."
Ryan continued walking.
The number of undead around him slowly decreased.
Soon, he reached a massive stone gate.
Several ancient runes were carved into its surface.
Behind the gate was the deepest part of the dungeon.
Ryan looked at the enormous entrance.
"Skeleton King."
He took out his Orc Shaman Staff.
"Let’s see what you have."
Ryan stepped through the massive stone gate.
The moment he entered, the temperature dropped.
A huge graveyard stretched across the area, filled with broken tombstones and ancient stone coffins. Faint green flames burned around the graves, illuminating the dark surroundings.
Ryan activated Spirit Sense.
There were no ordinary undead nearby.
The entire area was strangely quiet.
Then he heard a heavy sound from the center of the graveyard.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
A giant skeleton slowly walked out from behind an ancient tomb.
It was over three meters tall.
Its bones were dark gray, and thick layers of death energy covered its body like armor. It carried a massive black greatsword in one hand, while an old crown rested on its skull.
Two green flames burned inside its empty eye sockets.
Ryan immediately checked its status.
Skeleton King
Level: 100
Rank: S-Rank Boss
Race: Undead
Class: Skeleton King
Ryan looked at the boss carefully.
"So this is the Skeleton King."
The Skeleton King raised its greatsword.
The surrounding undead bones suddenly began shaking.
Several skeleton warriors crawled out of the ground and gathered behind their king.
Ryan wasn’t surprised.
"Looks like it can command the undead around it."
He raised his staff.
"Everyone, get ready."
The Spirit Wolf, Spirit Serpent, Blizzy, Orc Shaman Chief, and Black Water Wyvern appeared around him.
The Skeleton King immediately charged.
BOOM!
Its enormous foot crushed the ground as it swung its greatsword.
Ryan quickly moved backward.
The sword struck the ground.
CRASH!
A huge crack spread across the stone floor.
Ryan looked at the damage.
"That’s some serious physical strength."