The clash raged on within the palace courtyard, the mist swirling like a living curtain as the fifteen Wraith Soldiers advanced. Their hollow eyes gleamed, weapons raised, movements jagged yet coordinated, like puppets pulled by unseen strings.
Kaito's gaze sharpened. "You all should stay sharp and don't fall for their illusions. Keep your focus." His voice cut through the haze, anchoring the team.
Mei Rin lifted her bow, the string humming as wind gathered. "Volley Barrage!" A rain of arrows burst forward, each carrying gusts of slicing wind. The arrows tore through the fog, pinning two Wraiths back as their shadowy forms flickered.
Raven Blade darted into the fray, his daggers glowing faintly. "Phantom Steps." He blurred, appearing behind a soldier, his blades sinking deep with Eviscerate. Beside him, Suzune mirrored his pace, her "Shadow Sever" slashing across another Wraith's torso, unraveling its misty body into wisps.
On the opposite flank, Kaede spread his hands wide. Crackling energy surged outward. "Stormburst Field!" Pillars of lightning erupted in a wide circle, frying illusions out of existence and forcing three Wraiths to stagger as arcs of thunder pierced through them. The air filled with the sharp stench of ozone.
Nina's eyes glowed faintly blue. "Glacial Spike!" A massive shard of ice burst from beneath the ground, skewering one soldier in mid-step. "Frozen Domain!" Frost spread like a web, slowing several Wraiths as their movements became rigid, leaving them open to Lucien.
"Flame Serpent!" Lucien shouted, thrusting forward. A serpent of fire coiled around two immobilized Wraiths, constricting before exploding in a fiery burst. The soldiers shrieked, their voices fading into smoke.
Daichi planted his feet firmly. "Mountain Boot Stance!" His body became a solid wall as two Wraiths charged him. Their blades struck against his glowing form without piercing through. With a sudden palm strike glowing gold, "Flash Palm!" he sent them sprawling backward, their forms unraveling under the force.
Hiroto charged in, shield raised. "Iron Guard!" The Wraith's blade clanged uselessly against him. "Shield Breaker Slash!" His counter shattered the weapon in a soldier's hand, and with a follow-up "Twin Blade Slash," he cut it down completely.
From the backline, Aika raised her staff once again. "Radiant Light!" Warm brilliance washed over the battlefield, mending cuts, restoring stamina, and purging lingering illusions that tried to creep into their vision.
The remaining Wraiths howled, surrounding Kaito directly. Their blades swung in unison, but Kaito's body blurred with "Mana Steps," weaving past every strike. His sword ignited with flames. "Flame Arc Slash!" A blazing crescent tore through three Wraiths, burning away their mist.
As the last ten circled tightly, their ghostly blades lifting in perfect synchrony, Kaito's eyes narrowed.
He leapt high, lightning and fire coiling around his weapon, the air trembling under the surge of energy. "Blazing Thunder clash!"
A thunderous explosion erupted the instant his blade struck the ground. Blinding arcs of lightning and roaring fire spread in every direction, engulfing the entire courtyard. The remaining Wraith Soldiers shrieked together as their forms were torn apart, one after another disintegrating into fragments of light.
The place then fell silent as the last of the Wraith Soldiers dissolved into particles of light. What remained was a faint shimmer of elemental energy and a scattered pile of loot glinting faintly through the mist. Among the wreckage, several silver coins sparkled brightly.
The team gathered together, catching their breath as the system prompts flashed before their eyes. They had gained an immense amount of experience from the fight, their progress bars leaping forward in unison. The sheer rewards were more than anyone could have expected at this stage of the dungeon.
Kaito's cousins, already accustomed to the scale of danger and reward that came with king-level difficulty, showed little surprise. For them, the fight and the outcome were expected. They were used to the rhythm of such battles. But Lucien stood frozen, his eyes wide as he stared at the battlefield, then at the pile of loot, and finally at Kaito.
It was his first time experiencing the true difference of king-level challenges. To defeat more than twenty monsters at the very beginning of the dungeon without suffering even the smallest injury, it was beyond what he thought possible. He had seen Kaito's battle videos before, watched them countless times, but seeing it in person was an entirely different matter. The timing of every strike, the precision of each skill, and the way Kaito commanded the team left him shaken.
Lucien's mind raced as he thought, So this is what separates him from everyone else… He had always admired Kaito's feats from a distance, but now, fighting side by side with him, he felt the difference directly. To him, Kaito's perception and judgment were unmatched. Most players respected strength. Lucien was no different. And in this moment, he realized that he had found the one person he could call his idol. To be part of the same team as the one he admired, it filled him with excitement that made his chest burn.
Kaito, calm as ever, walked over to the dropped loot. "Let's see what we've got." He knelt down and began organizing the scattered items. One by one, the glow of weapons and armor filled their sight. By the time he was finished, thirty pieces of equipment were lined up neatly with nearly 60 silver coins.
The team leaned in closer. Ten of the equipments carried the distinct black luster of Mysterious Iron, while the rest gleamed in the bronze hue of common battle gear. Even for veterans, this sight was breathtaking.
Kaito began distributing the loot fairly. Those with similar roles rolled dice for their share, while the rest received equipment directly suited for their classes. The mages, along with Raven blade and Suzune, had to roll since their roles overlapped. Laughter and sighs mixed together as results came in, and each winner accepted their prize with eager hands.
Even though his cousins had seen scenes like this before, they still could not hide their awe. Acquiring so much level fifteen gear at the start of the dungeon and without suffering any casualties, was an outcome they had never thought possible. Each of them drew in a sharp breath as the realization sank in.
Level fifteen equipment already stood at the top of the current market. In terms of quality, such items were equal to silver-ranked level ten gear. And these Mysterious Iron level fifteen pieces—they were far beyond that. In the current Glory world, they could only be considered top-tier, treasures that most players would not even dare to dream of.
Kaito straightened up after the distribution was complete. His voice was calm but commanding. "We've already broken through the patrol soldiers. We shouldn't wait around for another group to discover us. We'll move forward quickly. Use the speed scrolls I gave you earlier."
At his words, the team nodded. Each member reached into their packs and withdrew a small parchment glowing faintly with magical runes. These were rank zero speed scrolls—simple but effective.
Kaito had purchased them earlier from the South Glade auction house before their expedition. The price had been high, and while he knew they would not increase much further, he hadn't bothered stockpiling them. He had another plan for later, once they reached Astralis City, where he knew of a source to acquire such scrolls at far lower cost.
Following his lead, each member tore their scroll. Pale light wrapped around their bodies, and the effects of the magic spread instantly. Their movements felt lighter, their pace quicker, their reflexes sharper.
"Stay close," Kaito instructed, glancing toward the palace gates still shrouded in mist.
The team adjusted their grips on weapons and staves, their expressions firm. With the buff strengthening their steps, they fell into formation behind Kaito, their figures vanishing into the deep fog as they pressed further into the palace.
The true heart of the dungeon awaited them.