The Bonefang Alpha's roar shook the battlefield like thunder.
Twice the size of the smaller wolves, its glowing crimson spikes radiated raw violence as it smashed into the Fire Dragon boy's summon. The dragon roared in pain, flames flickering weakly against the Alpha's overwhelming power.
"Help! Someone fucking help me!" the Fire Dragon boy screamed, voice cracking in panic. His eyes locked onto Elias in desperation. "You! Null! I'll apologize, I'll do anything! Just save me!"
Elias stood motionless for a heartbeat, letting the panic sink in. How quickly the mighty fall. A few minutes ago he was laughing at my 'rusty scrap'. Now he begs like a child. He glanced at Lena. Her face was pale, hands clenched, regret and fear mixing in her eyes as she looked between the Alpha and him.
They all need me now. How convenient. But nothing is free. Everything has a price.
Nearby summoners struggled with their chaotic beasts. A direwolf pack was breaking formation under pressure, a venom hydra hissed but kept its distance, its owner cursing loudly. Their fear was palpable.
Elias spoke calmly in his mind:
'Thorne. Engage the Alpha. Protect me and show them what a true Echo can do.'
Captain Thorne stepped forward without hesitation, golden-edged shield raised. "As you command, my Lord."
The Alpha charged. CRASH! The impact was brutal. Thorne was pushed back several steps, but his shield held firm, golden light flaring brightly.
["Unyielding Vanguard" prefix progress: 28%]
At that exact moment, the surge of Life Essence from the previous kills reached its limit.
[Ding! Sufficient Life Essence accumulated for First Major Upgrade.]
Available Paths:
1. Echo Evolution: Strengthen Captain Thorne (Defense +50%, Morale Aura range doubled).
2. Legion Expansion: Summon a new Fallen Hero Spirit (Squire Tier). Unlocks a random Prefix and basic Echo Synergy.
3. System Enhancement: Unlock Passive "Essence Weaver" (+20% Life Essence absorption + small chance to extract Prefix from defeated enemies).
Elias didn't hesitate. One stronger echo is tempting… but a growing Legion will be far more useful in the long run. Beasts fight alone and break. My echoes will endure and obey — as long as I pay the price.
"I choose Legion Expansion."
[Ding! Choosing Legion Expansion…]
[Second Echo summoned: Fallen Hero Spirit – Squire Kaelen]
[Kaelen brings new Prefix: "Swift Blade" (Agility ×2.5, Critical Strike Chance +15%)]
[Echo Synergy detected: With Captain Thorne present, basic Formation "Shield and Blade" unlocked (+15% coordinated combat efficiency).]
A second spirit materialized beside Thorne — leaner and faster, dual curved blades in hand. Kaelen rose instantly, voice sharp and eager:
"Orders, my Lord?"
"Flank the Alpha. Support Captain Thorne. Show them how the echoes fight as one."
Thorne planted his shield and roared, "Hold the line!"
Kaelen blurred forward. "Flanking now!"
While Thorne absorbed the Alpha's heavy blows with unbreakable defense, Kaelen danced around the beast, his "Swift Blade" prefix making every strike lightning-fast. The two echoes moved in perfect coordination — one tanking, one striking weak points with surgical precision. In stark contrast, nearby beast summons were chaotic, some breaking formation completely under pressure.
The Fire Dragon boy watched with wide eyes, his arrogance completely shattered. "Two knights…? How the hell…?"
A nearby summoner with a direwolf pack muttered, "That's not even a normal summon… they actually work together."
Lena bit her lip hard, her face a mixture of shock, regret, and something close to fear. She looked at Elias as if seeing him for the first time.
With a final coordinated assault — Thorne's powerful shield bash followed by Kaelen's spinning dual-blade strike — the Alpha collapsed with a thunderous crash, black blood pooling beneath its body.
[Ding! Elite Bonefang Alpha defeated!]
[Life Essence absorbed: +87]
[Spirit Legion Experience +62]
["Swift Blade" prefix progress: 22%]
[Formation "Shield and Blade" experience gained.]
A powerful wave of energy flooded Elias's body. He felt noticeably stronger, sharper. This is only the beginning. My echoes will keep growing while their beasts tire and break.
The battlefield grew quiet. Several new summoners stared at Elias with shock, envy, and a hint of fear.
The Fire Dragon boy, covered in dirt and breathing heavily, slowly got to his feet. He avoided Elias's gaze at first, then forced the words out through gritted teeth:
"…Thank you. I… I was wrong about you. Really wrong."
Elias looked at him with cold eyes, then shifted his gaze to Lena, who was still staring in stunned silence.
He didn't raise his voice. He simply said:
"Remember this feeling. Next time, I might not find it… useful to help."
But the moment of triumph was short-lived.
The Rift trembled violently once more. Darker, heavier energy began pouring out from the tear. A massive shadow started forming at the edge — something far more intelligent and dangerous than any wolf.
The System's urgent warning blared:
[Warning: Rift instability increasing.]
[Mid-tier Rift Boss "Shadowfang Commander" has begun manifesting.]
[All summoners prepare for elite threat level. Survival probability low without coordinated defense.]
Thorne and Kaelen both tensed, weapons at the ready. Elias felt his pulse quicken — not with fear, but with burning anticipation.
The Shadowfang Commander fully emerged — a towering humanoid wolf warrior clad in dark armor, wielding a massive jagged blade. Its glowing red eyes scanned the battlefield and locked directly onto Elias and his two echoes. A low, intelligent growl echoed across the plain:
"…Echoes… interesting. The dead walk again."
The other summoners began to panic as the boss took its first threatening step forward, dark energy swirling around its blade.
Elias tightened his grip on his resolve. Good. Let's see exactly how much stronger my Legion can become.