The battlefield was still trembling from karhux's roar when the last scavenger ghoul was caught in its claws. Kairo clenched his fists, already prepared for what's to come.
A searing violet light burst from under the beasts giant claws, washing over the scorched ground with its glow. Karhux recoiled, the light burning in its reptilian eyes. The ghoul's ragged frame twisted and reshaped, its pale bones turning obsidian black. Jagged, rune carved plates of bone slid over its limbs and chest like armour. A tattered shadow cloak coiled around its form. Billowing in an unseen wind. From the side of its skull, a curved horn erupted, glowing faintly with amethyst fire from little cracks.
[Scavenger Ghoul has evolved]
[Hero rank–Shadow reaper]
it raised one clawed hand, and a purple shadow condensed, stretching upward until it became a giant spectral lance, its point aimed at the boss's underbelly. In an instant, the landed plunged into Karhux's shadow–impaling it through the very essence.
The great lizard thrashed and recoiled, its tail shattering a half-ruined wall. The reaper didn't stop. The shadow around Karhux fractured into dozens of small forms—daggers of darkness—that slashed into the monster,s scales from every direction.
Karhux howled, tearing itself free from the Lance's grip. Its yellow eyes burned with primal fury as it lunged forwards, massive jaws opening wide. The shadow vanished, sliding into the monster's own shadow–then emerging from behind it in a blur. With a bone-shaking swing, it smashed a clawed fist into Karhux's spine. The unpack made the beast stagger.
Weakened and desperate, Karhux turned–not towards Kairo, but towards Shiri and the unconscious boy laying in the rubble. Kairo's blood ran cold.
"Not happening."
The shadow reaper intersepted, planting itself between them and the charging monster. Its cloak flared outwards, absorbing the worst of the impact. Kairo seized the moment, sprinting to the last standing cannon. The gem chamber was cracked, it still hummed with lethal power.
"Eat this!"
The cannon roared, the shot pierced through the air and striking Karhux's chest point-blank. The explosion was defening. When the dust settled, the boss's massive body collapsed to the ground, motionless.
[boss monster Karhux defeated]
[Required experience gained]
[Terratory level increased:Tier 2]
Kairo stumbled back, his vision spinning. The system's chimes faded into the background as the exhaustion hit him like a wall. Shiri, battered and bleeding, gave him a faint grin before fainting unconscious. Kario tried to speak, but his knees gave way, and he collapsed besides the others.
Only the shadow reaper remained standing, its hollow gaze fixed on the dark treeline beyond the battlefield. It stepped forwards slowly, cloak drifting over the dirt, and took position over its unconscious master and allies.
The violet glow in its horn pulsed once–like a beating heartbeat–before it returned to stillness, standing as the night deepened.