The narrow streets of REF's outskirts had transformed into a chaotic battlefield. Mutated goblins, their corrupted forms writhing and twitching with unnatural energy, poured from every alleyway. Ember stood at the center, her polished armor gleaming faintly with holy energy, a beacon of hope amid the chaos. Around her, three assassin-class scouts moved with uncanny precision, blades glinting as they flitted between shadows.
Her mind raced. The Warlord had staggered from Kael's initial intervention—he was still out of sight, but she knew the undead forces would arrive soon. For now, every strike, every movement, was hers and hers alone to command.
MONSTER STATS
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ALERT ]
IDENTIFY: Mutated Goblin Horde
LEVELS: 45–62
STRENGTH: Moderate–High
SPEED: Moderate
RANK: Elite
ITEM DROP: Mana Shard, Goblin Fang
EXP: 1,200
SKILLS: Berserk Rage, Poisoned Claw
WEAKNESS: Light Magic
SYSTEM REWARDS: EXP ×2
The first wave charged, teeth bared and claws slashing. Ember twisted in a fluid motion, Radiant Cleave sending several goblins sprawling backward, their poisoned blood evaporating in a hiss of holy light. The scouts darted forward simultaneously, knives finding joints and eyes with perfect accuracy.
"Keep moving! Don't let them surround you!" Ember shouted, her voice carrying over the chaos. The goblins snarled, their corrupted energies lashing out as they attempted to close the distance.
From a rooftop, a pair of Shadow Mages suddenly materialized, casting spectral bolts that collided with the advancing horde. Ember's peripheral vision caught them, a fleeting reassurance that Kael's forces were finally entering the fray. But there were too many goblins; she could feel the pressure mounting.
System notification flickered in her mind, subtle but urgent.
PERSONAL STATS WINDOW
[ STATS WINDOW ]
NAME: Ember
CLASS: Knight
RANK: S
STRENGTH: 180
SPEED: 145
EXP: 12,460
MANA: 860
HP: 1,590
TITLE: The Horror of Knight
STORAGE: Standard Inventory
SKILLS: Holy Shield, Oathbound Charge, Defender's Blessing, Radiant Cleave, Armor Manifestation, Unyielding Will, Justice Smash
INTELLIGENCE: High
She pivoted, blocking a poisoned claw with Holy Shield. The force pushed her back slightly, but her system notified her of the goblin's weak point. With a swift lunge, she executed Oathbound Charge, a bright arc of holy energy cutting through the horde. One goblin screamed, convulsing before collapsing, while others recoiled from the sudden onslaught.
"Keep the formation tight!" she yelled to the scouts. The assassins obeyed, weaving between attacks, covering each other's flanks while targeting the goblins' vital points. Ember could feel the rhythm of battle—each move, each strike, feeding into the next. It was a deadly dance, and she was the conductor.
But the Warlord wasn't done. A monstrous roar split the air, reverberating off the buildings. The creature charged, its massive claws slamming into the cobblestones and sending debris flying. Ember's heart skipped, but her reflexes were faster. She raised Armor Manifestation, summoning radiant plates that absorbed the brunt of the strike.
MONSTER STATS
[ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ALERT ]
IDENTIFY: Mutated Goblin Warlord – Engaged
LEVELS: 78
STRENGTH: Extreme
SPEED: High
RANK: Boss
ITEM DROP: Warlord's Fang, Rare Mana Crystal, Dungeon Key Fragment
EXP: 4,500
SKILLS: Berserk Fury, Venomous Strike, Corrupt Aura
WEAKNESS: Light and Holy Magic
SYSTEM REWARDS: EXP ×3
The Warlord swung again, faster this time, aiming to smash Ember against a wall. She ducked, rolling under the massive appendage, and retaliated with Justice Smash, a concentrated strike that slammed into its chest. The Warlord staggered, a green-black aura flaring outward and knocking smaller goblins backward.
From the rooftops, a dozen Skeleton Warriors dropped into the alleyways, slashing through stragglers and buying Ember precious seconds. She adjusted her stance, allowing the assassins to flank the remaining horde, cutting them down efficiently while she focused on the Warlord.
Her mind flicked briefly to Kael. He's coming, she thought. The moment he steps in, the tide will turn. Until then, she had to hold the line. Every system notification, every pulse of energy, became a guide. She blocked, parried, and countered with precision, every movement calculated to conserve strength while maximizing damage.
SYSTEM ALERT
Hidden Threat Level: Rising
Dungeon Influence: Increasing
Recommended Action: Containment
The Warlord's corrupted aura flared, knocking several skeletons back. Ember realized that the dungeon's energy was affecting her allies. Even undead could be corrupted if exposed for too long. She shouted, "Focus strikes! Don't get overwhelmed!" and concentrated her holy energy into a Radiant Cleave, a sweeping arc that incinerated the poisoned claws of approaching goblins.
Suddenly, a new wave of goblins erupted from a side street, this group larger and more feral than the first. Ember's scouts faltered under the sheer numbers, and she knew she needed more than skill alone. Timing was everything.
Kael's Shadow Mages descended from higher buildings, raining spectral bolts into the horde. The undead legions engaged in tandem, Death Knights smashing through goblin lines, Skeleton Warriors cutting off reinforcements. Ember felt the battlefield's energy shift—suddenly, the tide was turning.
With a final glance at the Warlord, she locked eyes on the monster. Its corrupted gaze met hers, and for a brief instant, she saw the dungeon itself reflected in its eyes: chaotic, intelligent, hungry.
"Stand firm!" she commanded, her voice unwavering. Every strike, every parry, and every summon from Kael's forces converged, driving the Warlord back toward the center of the street. Ember felt her heart pound, adrenaline and holy energy intertwining as she prepared for the final strike, knowing this initial skirmish was only the opening act.
System notification buzzed urgently in her mind, almost whispering:
SYSTEM ALERT
Potential Skill Copy Detected – Enemy Abilities May Be Harvested by Kael Upon Engagement
Ember's eyes widened. Kael would arrive soon, and the Warlord would become more than a threat—it could become a tool in his hands. But for now, REF depended on her. The street trembled beneath the combined weight of corrupted monsters and undead legions, and Ember's grip on her sword never wavered.
The first skirmish had begun, and already, the city's fate hung precariously in the balance.