The Corrupted Wraith Lord moved with terrifying speed despite its massive size. Its two-handed spectral blade, pulsing with dark energy, swung down toward Nyxaris with brutal force.
[Skill Activated: Spatial Blink]
WHOOSH!
At the last moment, Nyxaris vanished, reappearing several meters behind the Wraith Lord, avoiding the devastating strike. The force of the blade's impact cracked the stone floor where he had stood, sending debris flying.
HP Check:
Nyxaris: 48,500 / 48,500
Corrupted Wraith Lord: ???
Zeraldris' voice echoed in his mind.
"Be careful. This one isn't just a mindless spirit—it's a cursed warrior, a remnant of an ancient battle."
Nyxaris tightened his grip on his Arcane Blade, the sword crackling with raw magical energy. "Then I'll make sure it finds peace the hard way."
[Skill Activated: Arcane Blade Mastery]
His weapon flared with light, and he lunged forward, slashing with a high-speed arc.
SLASH!
His blade struck the Wraith Lord's side, but instead of cutting through, it clashed against a translucent barrier of cursed energy. The attack barely left a mark.
[Enemy Defense Identified: Cursed Phantom Armor]
The Corrupted Wraith Lord reduces all physical attacks by 70%.
Weakness: Holy or Arcane-enhanced strikes.
"That explains it," Nyxaris muttered. "Normal attacks won't be enough. I need to enhance my strikes even further."
He jumped back just as the Wraith Lord retaliated, unleashing a wave of cursed energy in a wide arc. The dark force ripped through the air, distorting space as it surged toward him.
[Skill Activated: Arcane Barrier]
A shimmering shield of mana materialized, absorbing most of the impact, but the sheer power behind the attack pushed him back several feet. His HP barely dropped, but the force had left his arms numb.
HP Check:
Nyxaris: 46,700 / 48,500 (-1,800 HP)
Corrupted Wraith Lord: ???
"Time to end this."
Nyxaris lifted his blade and focused. The mana around him condensed, swirling like a storm as he poured everything into his next move.
[Skill Activated: Arcane Sovereign's Authority]
The ruins shook as his power surged, causing the air around him to hum with energy. His sword extended, glowing brighter and brighter, infused with pure Arcane force.
The Wraith Lord hesitated, sensing the shift.
Nyxaris smirked. "Too late to be afraid now."
With explosive speed, he charged, his Arcane-infused sword aimed for the Wraith Lord's core.
The spectral knight raised its weapon, trying to block—
But this time, Nyxaris' blade tore through its cursed defenses.
[Skill Activated: Arcane Judgement Slash!]
BOOM!
The Wraith Lord's entire body split apart, Arcane energy searing through it like divine fire. The remnants of its form shattered into countless flickering fragments, vanishing into the void.
The ruins fell silent once more.
[Boss Defeated!]
Corrupted Wraith Lord (Level 90) Slain!
+250,000 XP
+65,000 Gold
+Item Obtained: Eldros Key Fragment (2/3)
+Item Obtained: Phantom Wraith Cloak (Rare – Boosts Stealth & Magic Resistance)
Nyxaris let out a breath, shaking off the lingering tension in his muscles. His HP and MP ticked upward as his mana regeneration kicked in.
HP: 48,500 / 48,500
MP: 175,000 / 175,000
Zeraldris chuckled. "Not bad. That thing was stronger than expected."
Nyxaris grinned, lifting the second Eldros Key Fragment. The arcane glow within the stone pulsed gently, reacting to his presence.
"One more to go."
And with that, he turned toward the final chamber, ready to finish this quest.
Nyxaris stepped forward, gripping the Eldros Key Fragment tightly in his hand. The pulsating glow of the fragment synchronized with the ruins, as if guiding him to the final chamber. He followed the flow of mana, deeper into the ancient labyrinth. The air grew heavier with each step, filled with an eerie stillness that sent a shiver down his spine.
Zeraldris' voice rumbled in his mind. "Something unnatural lingers here. Be cautious—this isn't a normal enemy."
Nyxaris narrowed his eyes. "Yeah, I can feel it too."
The ruined corridors finally opened into a vast, circular chamber. Towering stone pillars lined the room, their surfaces covered in glowing, arcane inscriptions. At the center of the room, a raised platform held an ancient throne, carved from obsidian and laced with veins of crimson energy.
And sitting upon that throne was the final guardian of the Eldros Key.
[Boss Identified: Puppeteer of the Forgotten Legion]
Level: ???
Type: Cursed Marionette Master
Abilities: Control over fallen warriors, creating an endless army of puppets.
The figure on the throne was humanoid, yet unnatural. Its face was obscured by a cracked porcelain mask, and thick, black strings extended from its fingers, reaching across the room like an intricate web. These threads burrowed into the corpses of fallen warriors, both human and monster alike, who lay scattered around the chamber.
Then they moved.
The moment Nyxaris stepped forward, the puppets jerked upright, their glowing, hollow eyes locking onto him. Their bodies twisted unnaturally as they stood, as if fighting against death itself.
And then, all at once—
They charged.
Nyxaris immediately summoned his Arcane Blade, its edge crackling with raw energy.
HP Check:
Nyxaris: 48,500 / 48,500
Enemy Horde: ???
The first wave of puppets rushed forward, a mix of skeletal knights, decayed orcs, and even monstrous beasts. Their eyes glowed with the same cursed energy that seeped from the throne.
Nyxaris didn't hesitate.
[Skill Activated: Arcane Sovereign's Authority]
A pulse of mana radiated outward, forming a barrier around him as he charged directly into the swarm.
[Skill Activated: Arcane Blade Mastery]
His blade shimmered, and with a single, swift strike—
SLASH!
—Five puppets were instantly severed, their bodies dissolving into dark mist. But more surged forward, relentless and overwhelming.
[Skill Activated: Spatial Blink]
WHOOSH!
Nyxaris vanished, reappearing behind a cluster of enemies. With a quick horizontal slash, he tore through the backs of three more puppets, sending their lifeless forms crumbling.
But the Puppeteer remained seated, watching silently, as if merely toying with him. Then, with a slow raise of its fingers—
More strings emerged from the ground.
And suddenly, the fallen puppets began to rise again.
[Enemy Ability Identified: Eternal Marionette]
Defeated puppets can be resurrected indefinitely unless the Puppeteer is destroyed.
Zeraldris growled in Nyxaris' mind. "You can cut them down all you want, but they'll keep coming. The puppeteer is the real target."
Nyxaris cursed under his breath. "Then I need to break those strings first."
With that, he changed tactics.
Instead of engaging the puppets directly, he focused on the thick black strings that stretched from the Puppeteer's fingers.
[Skill Activated: Arcane Judgement Slash!]
He channeled a massive surge of energy into his blade, causing it to glow brilliant violet. Then, with a mighty downward swing—
BOOM!
A shockwave erupted, slicing through several of the strings in an instant. The puppets that had been connected to them immediately collapsed, their glowing eyes fading.
The Puppeteer jerked slightly, its head tilting toward Nyxaris for the first time.
And then it stood.
The moment its feet touched the ground, the room shook violently, and an overwhelming pressure crashed down on Nyxaris.
[Puppeteer of the Forgotten Legion has activated: Marionette Overlord!]
The remaining puppets began to fuse together, their bodies merging into grotesque, towering abominations. What had once been humanoid warriors were now monstrous chimeras of flesh, bone, and metal, each at least three times Nyxaris' size.
The Puppeteer lifted its hand.
And the abominations attacked.
[Final Phase: Survive and Defeat the Puppeteer]
Nyxaris' grip on his sword tightened as the massive creatures lunged toward him. His heart pounded—this was going to be his toughest fight yet.
But he wasn't about to back down.
He charged forward, magic crackling around him, ready for the ultimate battle.