Dead Man Walking: Living By Day, Dead By Night

[New Quest available!]

[Slay the Lake Monster of Houhai!]

[Accept Y/N?]

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Well, obviously he was going to accept the quest, now wasn't he? Zane quickly accepted the quest, and found the rewards for completing it listed in his journal. Which included a Legendary Breastplate at level 50, which was made of Heavy Armor.

In addition to this, Zane would gain a measly sum of experience, as well as some additional legendary crafting materials. While Zane himself had no use for the heavy armor. He figured he could hand it off to one of his companions; you know when he leveled them up to 50.

Shortly after accepting the quest, it showed a marker on his mini map which would direct him to the location of the Legendary Lake Monster he was supposed to slay. For the sake of gaining a reputation with the local factions, Zane decided to leave his companions behind.

After all, he was 15 whole levels above the enemy, even if it was a legendary creature that was on par with a world boss. His experience with gaming told him that the vast disparity between their levels and stats meant that it would be an easy enough kill for Zane to accomplish on his own.

Hence why he bade farewell to the young innkeeper who gazed upon Zane with curiosity. No doubt wondering to herself whether the man actually had what it took to succeed in such an endeavor. And after Zane took off sprinting towards the lake of Houhai, which sat within a particularly upscale neighborhood in the ruined city of Beijing, Zane found himself quickly closing in on the monster.

No doubt because of his superior speed, which resulted from his substantial dexterity attribute. When Zane gazed upon the Lake Monster of Houhai, he honestly felt like he was playing a video game. Because the creature had pastel blue scales with Seafoam green fins across its spine and tail. Its horns were white as pearls, and its eyes were a gradient turquoise.

The creature almost looked like a blend of a Chinese Dragon and a western style river drake. It had a long and slender body, one that was almost serpent like. While still having four limbs each of which were muscular and sturdy. Its face, of course also resembled a drake's rather than an eastern dragon.

When the creature noticed Zane's presence, it instantly got to its feet and roared at him. Apparently incapable of detecting the vast difference in their strength. Or perhaps it did, and this was merely a last resort, a bluff if you will to intimidate Zane into leaving it alone.

Either way, this was the first time Zane felt excited in a very long time, and instantly equipped his two sickles in his hands before running after the creature.

Zane didn't know it, but a few onlookers from nearby who were busy hunting undead in the streets as well as some other lower-level monsters ceased what they were doing to witness the damned fool who tried to attack the legendary creature by himself.

Saying shit in the local language like. "Dumb foreigner" And the likes of "What an idiot…"

As for Zane, he found that the legendary rating which the creature had more than made up for the difference in their levels. At least to a certain degree. It honestly wasn't like he was fighting a level 50 creature. Rather, it was like he was fighting a level 65 creature. Albeit not one of legendary status. Because if he was fighting it by himself like this, he would be sure to lose.

Either way, Zane's first attack, which was to jump from afar and barrel towards it like a rocket, all while slashing at its vitals with his sickles, was easily repelled by a slap of the creature's tail. An attack that would kill any other awakened human in the world.

Yet Zane blocked it in midair with his weapons. And was flung only slightly backwards as he regained his footing. He had only lost a few minor health points, causing him to break out into mad laughter as he stared at the creature with a predatory gaze, all while letting his thoughts escape from his lips.

"Oh, this is going to be fun!"

The creature did not simply let Zane attack it again. Though it had blocked Zane's attack, it too suffered damage from the man. And it could clearly sense that Zane was not a normal enemy. Those who had dared to challenge it in the past were much weaker.

In fact, there was an aura of death surrounding Zane, which caused the creature to become far more wary. After all, its experience with the undead was like dealing with a never ending army of mosquitos. Even if it managed to kill a hundred thousand of the buggers, sooner or late the damage would accumulate and bleed it dry.

And that was, of course without the more fearsome undead, like the Horde Kings attacking it. Seeing how Zane was so powerful for an undead, the monster knew he was a Horde King, and not the one in charge of the city which looked down upon the monster as if it were a mere ant.

No, this was a different Horde King, which meant its army of undead was hiding somewhere. And could no doubt be used to entrap it at any time? If such a thing were to occur, the monster would surely lose its life.

It was perhaps because of this that it kept constant vigilance, while wanting to deal with Zane as quickly as possible. Hence why it immediately charged at Zane, the moment after he had been flung away from its counter attack.

But was Zane as slow as he thought he was? No, as a Horde King focused on speed and stealth, Zane was easily able to slip by the monster's attacks and deal a swift blow to its hefty defenses. And while the Stalker's Sickle failed to scratch the extensive armor plating that was the Lake monster's scaled hide.

The Eternal Blade had no such difficulties, cutting into it flesh, and ripping out chunks of the monster's body as it effortlessly passed through. In fact, Zane's corporeal Stalker showed heavy signs of damage after withstanding a single attack from the creature, as well as a single attempt to cut through its scales.

No doubt this was a new feature of the system that had appeared in the world over the past two years, while Zane was in isolation. Because of this, Zane had an instant desire to raise his smithing skill to a point where he could further enhance his equipment to an appropriate level.

But for now, all he could really rely on was his Eternal Blade, that and his skills. Although the manipulation of his own blood was out of the question. Though it could prove to be effective, it would no doubt cause anyone who recognized such an ability as belonging to Horde Kings to suspect his identity.

But there was another way Zane could his skill blood manipulation. Even if he was just now starting to realize it. Perhaps it was a gift given to him with becoming Tier II, but Zane could sense the blood pumping in the veins of the Lake Monster. He could feel it resonating with his racial abilities.

And because of this, Zane stashed his Stalker's Sickle away, and instead reached out his hand, grasping his fingers together in a tense, claw like grip. After which he folded his fist. And in doing so, a rather remarkable feat appeared.

The Lake Monster which was charging towards Zane after missing him entirely and colliding with the rock face of the lake's edge. Stopped dead in its tracks. Its body slowly but surely coming to a halt before where Zane was standing.

The Lake monster's eyes had bulged out as it fell to the ground lifeless. Having suffered from cardiac arrest at Zane's own hands. Zane had managed to stop the monster's beating heart by manipulating its own blood.

It was a powerful ability, one that would only work on living creatures weaker than himself. And it took an extensive toll on Zane. Causing him to fall to his knees, as his own coagulated blood seeped from his eyes, nose, and ears.

Had the monster been just a bit stronger, strong enough to match him in power and ability,, Then Zane might have very well given his own life to stop the beast's heart. But because it was slightly weaker than he was, Zane had instead caused a minor backlash to himself.

Coughing up his coagulated blood into the lake, which quickly dispersed it in the overwhelming volume of water. Zane gazed upon his own reflection, and at the state he was in. Though a message appeared in his peripheral vision, he was not the least bit happy even after reading what was written.

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[Quest Completed!]

[Claim Reward Y/N?]

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Zane could only chuckle, as he vowed never again to attempt such a thing against an opponent that was a near peer. Instead, he would only try to stop the hearts of monsters and human beings much weaker than himself.

Of course, he didn't realize it, but the stronger he became, the better his ability to manipulate blood would become. Whether himself, an enemy, or a group of enemies. But this was a deadly ability that would only fully manifest itself in the years to come.

For now, Zane would return to the Inn with the head of the Lake monster in his inventory. All the while, word quickly spread of the foreigner who had slayed the Legendary Lake Monster of Houhai with a single attack.