ushernet Chapter 11
Chapter 11
In any situation, unexpected variables are bound to arise.
No matter how perfect the plan, if the execution fails, it’s likely to end disastrously.
If one fails to account for every possibility, they may end up paying the price.
*Clank — Thud!*
“So, you understand now, Elena?”
“These things are just part of life...!!”
“Yes...! I understand! So please, focus on where you’re running, Master...!!”
A blazing carriage, a specter wielding a scythe swung toward Elena and Keyal.
Keyal bit his lip, frustration clear on his face.
An unforeseen obstacle had presented itself.
---
On the rugged path leading to the Dragon’s Lair, there exists an ominous area marked with a skull symbol.
A haunted spot, a gathering place for soulless spirits.
This is an ambush zone where spirits congregate to possess bodies and claim them as their own.
They have no consciousness or will of their own, following commands without hesitation.
Their sole purpose is to seize bodies.
To consume souls.
Instinctively, they repeat this cycle.
And then...
*Whoosh*
“Master...! Be careful...!”
Among these, without a doubt—
*Shing!*
A massive blade swept past, narrowly missing his head.
In an instant, it cut through the air and tore down trees, leaving the forest overturned, birds flying in panic.
“Such brute force...!”
With a single strike, the dense forest became an empty wasteland.
Undoubtedly, the leader of this place is that thing.
*Title of the Haunted Spot’s Leader: Reaper Swordsman*
It commands spirits with barely any self-awareness, preying on people and absorbing the lifeforce they possess.
This was a lapse in judgment.
After such a long time away from the game, I had overlooked the fact that special areas like lairs have mandatory spawn monsters.
It should’ve been the first thing I thought of when I entered this eerie passage.
Spirits are spiritual beings. They can interfere with visible entities but can’t be touched by the unseen.
Is Elena weaker than the Reaper Swordsman?
No.
However—
She has a disadvantage.
Her spirit magic can empower her but doesn’t work well against spirits lacking a physical form.@@@@
Typical dark energy can counter spirits, but half-demon magic doesn’t have enough potency for that.
Using a skill...?
Did I forget the conditions for berserk mode?
The boss monster has at least eight lives. Losing control during the fight, or worse, going berserk, would lead to a devastating defeat.
“Damn, nothing is going right...!”
Keyal rubbed his temples, struggling to find a strategy.
He needed to stay focused.
There’s an old saying that even if you enter a tiger’s den, you can survive if you keep your wits.
His strength to condense the energy faded, and his mental focus waned.
He narrowed his eyes, letting everything go.
As his body tipped backward, Keyal looked up at the sky, half-closed his eyes, and released his grip on everything.
His sight turned from sky to earth as he released the dark energy drill with an echoing boom.
It broke the sound barrier, faster than a bullet.
At an impossible speed, the energy drilled through the reaper’s skull.
“Mast... er...!”
The air trembled as a massive ripple spread.
Dark energy scorched the area, burning through the reaper’s neck and creating an almost magical spectacle.
Elena was thrown to a distant clearing, and the debris-covered Keyal and the Reaper Swordsman were left in a cloud of dust.
Of course, as a spirit-manipulating entity, the reaper would quickly gather energy to recover.
But this was enough.
“...It’s enough.”
His vision faded.
Eyelids drooping, darkness began pulling him under.
His body plummeted, crashing down to the ground.
He lacked the strength to keep his balance.
And his mind had already long since faltered.
Keyal lost consciousness.
“......”
---
[!]
======
Sudden Quest
You have defeated the ‘Reaper Swordsman,’ the Commander of Spirits.
{Sudden Quest Completed: Reward granted.}
[Skill rank improved.]
[Abilities increased.]
[Special skills added.]
======
Story Fragment
A fallen lord who once drove this land into terror, he met his end at the hands of a righteous half-demon.
======
Status Screen
Name: Keyal Klein
Race: Half-Demon
Age: 24
Title: Commander
Adventurer Rank: Class 1
======
Skills
Regression: Rank C+ > A-
Arrogant Bane: Rank F- > C-
Command: Rank S- [Maintained]
System Correction: Rank A+ [Maintained]
Demon Army: A+ [Maintained]
Demon Trait: B- > A-
Dark Energy: C+ > B-
Skill ranks have increased.
Demonic Eye F- NEW!!
Chains of Restraint F- NEW!!
New skills have been added.
======
Stats
Strength: 20 > 21
Endurance: 17 > 19
Agility: 19 > 20
Regeneration: 20 +2 [Maintained]
Magic: 9 > 10
Malice: 20 +10 [Maintained]
Your stats have increased dramatically.
[!]
=====
Party Status
[‘The Elf Queen’ clutches your unconscious body and bursts into tears.]