The 'Nymera Palace' stood before us, a haunting skeleton of its former self. What had once been a vibrant architectural marvel of glowing shells and lively coral was now choked by a gloomy 'Dark Energy'. Twisted demonic structures sprouted from the walls like obsidian tumors, pulsing with a sick, rhythmic light.
Just before the palace gates lay a silent cemetery of aquatic creatures. My eyes narrowed as I recognized a massive, rotting form among the debris. It was 'Octipal', the 'Sea Beast' that served as King Grienfield Dokryong's personal 'Bond'. It wasn't the only one; the seabed was a graveyard of bleached bones and decaying carcasses of 'Sea Beasts' that had once protected these waters.
"Kukhh! Bastards! These evil beings are rotten to the core. How dare they harm the sacred lives?"
Thorvek's voice was thick with a mixture of grief and fury. He stood beside me, his knuckles white as he gripped his spear. Since Giaya required intensive recovery, I had left Leo to oversee her treatment back at the 'Dokryong Palace', while Wilong assisted the King and the surviving warriors in fortifying their home. There was no telling if the third kingdom, the 'Uraga Clan', would join the fray, so I had left Melchior behind as their guardian.
Even the 'Dokryong's Divine Spear' remained a liability. Its 'Corrupted' Status was so deep that not even Leo's current level of 'Magic' could cleanse it, so it was kept under heavy lock and key.
"Calm down, Thorvek," I said, my voice low and steady. "I understand your anger, but acting recklessly will only alert them to our position before we are ready."
Though he wasn't pacified, Thorvek had witnessed enough of my power to know that arguing was useless. He took a shaky breath and stepped back, allowing me to take the lead.
"[Activating the 3-Star Barrier, 'Triune Axiom Field'!]"
"[Activating 'Moon Imprint' Lvl 1!]"
"[Notice: Your 'Barrier' Skills have been greatly enhanced!]"
I expanded the 'Barrier' until it shimmered across the entire perimeter of the palace. It was a cage designed to ensure no one escaped easily. While I knew a {Demon Peer} could likely shatter it with enough effort, it was a necessary precaution.
"[Activating The Exclusive Skill, 'Sanctuary of the Shadow: Shadow Extraction' Lvl 1!]"
I stepped toward the graveyard of beasts and warriors, extending my hand. The 'Chaos' in my blood hummed, resonating with the lingering echoes of the fallen.
"Heed my call," I spoke, my voice echoing with an unnatural weight. "O shadows of unfair deaths. Rise, and I shall grant you another opportunity to enact your vengeance!"
"[Arise]"
The shadows beneath the corpses began to wriggle and distend. A chorus of hollow screams vibrated through the water as pitch-black forms tore themselves free from the rotting flesh. From the smallest fish to the greatest 'Sea Beasts', the 'Shadow Soldiers' manifested as flickering, ethereal silhouettes that defied the crushing pressure of the deep. They rose in unison, kneeling before me in a display of absolute 'Obedience'.
"!!!!?? Wha—!?" Thorvek stumbled back, his eyes wide with horror and confusion.
I didn't bother explaining the difference between 'Resurrection' and 'Shadow Extraction'. To him, I had just performed a miracle or a desecration, but the 'Shadow Soldiers' felt no lingering ties to their past lives, only an undying loyalty to their new master.
"Shadow Soldiers... Advance!"
At my command, the dark army surged toward the 'Nymera Palace'. From the gates, 'Demonic Nymera Warriors' rushed out to intercept them, their eyes glowing with a manic red light. I noticed Thorvek hesitating, his spear trembling. After learning about Giaya's sacrifice, the thought of killing more 'Naga' clearly weighed on him.
"Do not hesitate, Thorvek," I said, my eyes flashing as I maintained the [Eyes of Gluttony]. "The souls of those 'Nymera Warriors' have already passed. What we see now are {Demons} using their empty husks to manifest on this Floor."
It was the truth. My vision showed no 'Soul' energy within the enemy ranks, only a dense, oily 'Demonic Energy' puppeteering the meat.
The two forces clashed in a chaotic swirl of shadows and steel. It was a grueling stalemate. The 'Shadow Soldiers' struggled to inflict damage against enemies bolstered by the 'Invincibility' of the 1st Pillar, while the {Demons} found it impossible to kill my soldiers, who simply regenerated every time they were shredded. It was a high-stakes gamble of 'Energy' versus time.
Finally, the pressure in the water shifted. A being stepped out from the palace balcony, exuding a 'Demonic Energy' so thick it felt like physical weight. My 'Shadow Soldiers' lunged at him instinctively, but they were disintegrated by an unseen force before they could even get close. His glowing red eyes locked onto mine.
A {Demon Peer}.
"[Activating 'Eyes of Gluttony' Lvl 5!]"
"[Personal Information]"
- [Name: Gunthafer]
- [Age: 607 | Gender: Male]
- [Class: Demonic Mage | Rank: Demon Peer | Level: ???]
- [Species: Demon]
- [Stats: STR: ??? | AGI: ??? | VIT: ??? | HP: MAX | PER: ??? | Demonic Energy: ???]
- [Exclusive Skills: 'Alchemy of the Abyss', 'Demon King's Blessing' (Passive)]
- [Skills: 'Absolute Wall' Lvl ???, 'Dark Bullet' Lvl ???, 'Black Fire' Lvl ???, 'Curse Breath' Lvl ???, 'Hell's Summon' Lvl ???, etc.]
- [Item: 'Tome of the Underworld']
[Copy Condition: Gunthafer is an esteemed 'Mage' in [Pandemonium] serving under the {Demon King 'Megicula'}. Due to the difference in 'Ranks' and 'Levels', you will be able to copy one of his Exclusive Skills and one of his 'Skills' if you can defeat a {Demon Peer}.]