The air trembled.
Velkar's hollow roar thundered through the massive chamber, shaking dust loose from the ceiling. The eerie harmony of chains and metal screeches followed as every monster in the room began to move — but this time, it wasn't chaos.
It was coordinated.
The Chain Wraiths and Iron Lashes advanced together, their movements synchronized as if guided by a single will. The Iron Lashes closed in from the front, their metallic limbs clanging against the floor, while the Chain Wraiths flanked from behind, their chains hissing through the air like serpents ready to strike.
Alex's eyes widened slightly.
Tch... they're organized now? Velkar's influence must be strengthening them.
He immediately pulled a Shacklebane Elixir from his inventory and drank it in one motion. A surge of energy coursed through his veins, and a faint shimmer covered his body as the system responded.
[You have consumed a Shacklebane Elixir.]
[For the next 1 minute, you are immune to control-type skills from monsters below Level 25.]
The instant he dropped the vial, he charged forward. His first target: an Iron Lash. If he could destroy their vanguard, the formation would crumble.
But before he could close the distance, a Chain Wraith's chain shot out from the darkness, coiling tightly around his right arm. Alex gritted his teeth as the metal constricted, halting his movement.
A sharp gleam flashed in his peripheral vision—too late.
The Iron Lash swung, and its bladed limb tore across his chest. Blood spattered across the cold marble floor.
[You have taken a critical hit.]
[Health -280 HP]
Pain flared, but Alex's expression didn't falter. He tightened his grip on the scythe and forced his arm outward with sheer strength. The glow of the Shacklebane Elixir pulsed faintly, and the chains shattered.
[You have resisted the restraint effect.]
He inhaled sharply—and then the system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Nebula Healing is tending to your wounds.]
A soft, silver light spread across his chest. The torn flesh began stitching itself together before his eyes, muscles tightening and sealing.
Without hesitation, Alex reached into his coat and pulled out eight throwing daggers—four in each hand. Shadow energy spiraled around them, dark mist coiling like smoke.
He flicked his wrists, launching all eight in rapid succession. The daggers curved unnaturally midair, guided by threads of shadow, piercing through the battlefield like streaks of black lightning.
Two Chain Wraiths were impaled through the head, dissolving instantly into wisps of mist, while several others shrieked in pain as the enchanted blades grazed their forms, disrupting their cohesion.
Two down...
He dashed forward again, activating the Ring of Speed. His body blurred, a trail of shadows following behind as he surged toward an Iron Lash.
The monster swung its bladed limbs downward, but Alex had already moved. His scythe hummed, coated with condensed Shadow Energy.
He spun, forming a sweeping arc of black light. The blade cleaved through the Iron Lash's torso, severing it cleanly in two. Sparks of corrupted metal scattered as the creature fell apart.
The second Iron Lash lunged. Alex pivoted and swung low, cutting through its leg to cripple it. As it staggered, he twisted his body, drove his scythe upward, then launched forward and struck with a crushing kick. The monster's head slammed into the ground, metal shattering under the force.
He exhaled, panting slightly, but there was no time to rest. Shadows swirled violently around him as more enemies closed in.
A sudden sting tore through his waist. Alex's eyes widened—one of the Iron Lash's discarded blades had been hurled like a spear, embedding itself into his side. More shallow cuts followed as the Wraiths attacked simultaneously, their chains whipping in arcs.
Blood dripped down his coat. His breath grew heavier.
He pulled a Healing Potion from his inventory, smashed the cork with his thumb, and drank it down. Warmth spread through him as minor cuts began to close.
I have to shorten the cooldown between my techniques, he thought grimly. Nebula Healing takes too much stamina… if I don't manage it carefully, I won't have enough left for Velkar.
He gritted his teeth and launched himself back into the fray, ignoring the pain. The scythe became a blur of black light, every swing accompanied by the sound of chains snapping, metal shrieking, and ghostly cries echoing through the hall.
Time blurred.
The battle stretched on, minute after brutal minute—then into hours. His armor was tattered, his breathing ragged, but his eyes still burned with focus.
At last, only one Iron Lash remained.
Alex stood in the center of the blood-soaked chamber, wounds crisscrossing his body, his potions depleted. His muscles screamed for rest, but his mind was sharp as ever.
[Nebula Healing Activated.]
Silver light bloomed once again, encasing his body in a faint radiance.
He raised his scythe high above his head, shadow energy gathering along its edge. The darkness condensed, forming a crescent-shaped aura that pulsed with power.
He swung.
Half-Moon Slash.
The attack tore through the air—a shadow arc, silent and swift. It struck the Iron Lash from across the hall, slicing cleanly through its torso. The monster froze for a moment, then collapsed, its form splitting apart and fading into ash.
Silence filled the chamber.
The system window flickered to life before him.
[You have slain: Iron Lash (Lv. 28)]
[You have reached Level 29.]
[Level: 29]
[Strength: 46]
[Agility: 45]
[Stamina: 44]
[Mana: 44]
[Shadow Energy: 29]
Alex looked over his stats, a faint, satisfied smile forming.
"With this… I should be able to challenge Velkar."
His gaze lifted toward the throne.
Velkar, the Fallen Knight, slowly rose from his seat — the sound of his armor scraping against the stone echoing through the vast hall. His once-noble silver armor was cracked and blackened, the faint glow of cursed energy seeping from its joints.
He reached behind his throne and drew a massive broadsword, dark runes glowing faintly along its edge.
Velkar's hollow voice boomed.
"Die, intruder."
With a leap that shook the ground, the fallen knight descended upon Alex like a meteor, his blade glowing with malevolent light.
And Alex, bloodied but unbroken, lifted his scythe to meet him.