As the group rested near therge door leading to the next floor, Viora looked at August. "You had a basic armor? How did you manage to stay standing after that many hits?"
Aria smirked. "He''s a stubborn one, that''s for sure."
Draskughed. "He''s lucky he leveled up before he keeled over!"
Torin grinned. "You''re not so bad for a solo yer, Aleman. But maybe next time, invest in better armor before diving into a dungeon like this."
August chuckled. "I''ll keep that in mind. Let''s just hope the next floor isn''t worse than this one."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
What they didn''t know was that, due to August''s dual-ss, his HP was also much higher than normal or he''d have been long dead.
The group exchanged weary smiles as they prepared to push forward.
...
The group kept moving cautiously through the corridor.
The tension in the group was high as they arrived at a wide, open chamber with an elevated tform at its center.
Suddenly, the room shimmered with a golden light, and a projection began to y out. The group froze, watching intently as the events unfolded before them.
The Swordking stood in the center of a grand throne room, surrounded by hismanders. He held a dark, ominous fruit in his hand. Its surface pulsated with a faint crimson glow. His expression was one of anguish and desperation.
"This fruit…" the Swordking voiced with indignation. "They intended to use it to destroy me, to shatter my kingdom. But now it''s in our possession."
One of themanders, a towering figure d in dark silver armor and wielding a gleamingnce, stepped forward. "My lord, this fruit is a curse. It will bring ruin to us all. Let us destroy it before it falls into the wrong hands again."
The Swordking shook his head. "No, Lancebearer Raegor. This fruit is also a blessing. They say it can bring the dead back to life. With it, I can bring my daughter back."
Anothermander stepped forward with a pleading look. "Your Majesty, the entire world is turning against us because of this fruit. Armies march on our gates, and alliances crumble. Your grief blinds you to the danger we face!"
The projection shifted abruptly, showing the Swordking standing over his daughter''s lifeless body. He held the fruit close to her chest with his hands trembling. The sound of explosions echoed in the background as enemy forces breached the walls of the kingdom. Lancebearer Raegor appeared once more, pulling the Swordking back.
"Forgive me, my lord," Raegor said as his voice broke. "But the kingdom muste first. I will protect this fruit with my life, as youmanded."
The projection shifted again, showing Raegor standing atop a tower, surrounded by enemies. Hisnce crackled with energy as he fended them off. A massive explosion engulfed the scene, and a wave of dark energy rippled outward, consuming everything in its path. Thest image was of Raegor being incinerated, his figure dissolving into ash as the dark force overtook him.
The projection faded, leaving the group standing in silence.
Drask was the first to speak. "So, the fruit isn''t just powerful—it was dangerous. What was that explosion at the end?"
Viora nodded. "It''s no wonder it''s called the fruit of sin... I''m guessing it has certain... Dark effects. No wonder the kingdom fell into ruin."
Torin crossed his arms, frowning. "If thatmander, Raegor, was the one tasked with guarding the fruit at the final moments, does that mean…?"
Ariapleted his thought with a somber tone. "He''s the boss of this floor. And judging by the pattern so far, he''ll be corrupted like the others."
August finally spoke. "If he''s corrupted, then he''s not just carrying the fruit''s curse. He might be even stronger because of it.
They moved forward, reaching a massive set of double doors. Intricate carvings depicted the Swordking''s kingdom in its prime as the designs glowed faintly with mana. Aria ced her hand on the door, and it creaked open with an ominous groan.
Inside, the room was cavernous, its high ceiling disappearing into darkness. At the center stood Lancebearer Raegor.
His once-gleaming armor was now cracked and tarnished, with ck veins of energy pulsating through it. Hisnce, a weapon of extraordinary craftsmanship, now emanated a dark, malevolent aura.
Raegor''s hollow voice echoed through the chamber. "Intruders… you seek the fruit. You will not have it. I am its guardian. None shall pass!"
[ System Notification: Boss Encounter: Lancebearer Raegor, Corrupted Commander. ]
[ Level: 45 ]
[ HP: 60,000 ]
[ Abilities: Lance Sweep, Dark Impale, Void Barrier, Aegis of Shadows, Cursed Storm ]
"Level forty-five?" Torin groaned. "Are you kidding me?"
Raegor didn''t wait. With a deafening roar, he charged forward with hisnce extended, leaving a trail of dark energy in its wake. He thrust it toward Drask, who barely managed to block it with his axe.
[ System Notification: Drask takes -3,500 HP. HP: 7,500/11,000. ]
"His attacks are insane!" Drask shouted while stumbling back.
Aria chanted quickly, raising her staff. "zing Congration!" A wall of fire erupted around Raegor, momentarily halting his advance.
[ System Notification:* Aria casts zing Congration. Raegor takes -500 HP per second for 10 seconds. ]
But Raegor swung hisnce in a wide arc, dispelling the mes and sending a shockwave of dark energy across the room.
[ System Notification: Raegor uses Lance Sweep. Targets: All. Damage dealt: -4,000 HP. ]
August dashed to the side, narrowly evading the attack. He activated Phantom Slice and split into two.
He and his clone exchanged a quick nce of understanding as they chanted... "Ethereal Storm.."
[ System Notification: Ethereal Storm Has Been Activated × ]
Both of them pointed their staffs at Raegor and a powerful Ethereal Storm stacked another Ethereal Storm descended upon him.
A massive swirling tornado of purple and green with electric bolts within engulfed Raegor, taking a chunk of his HP.
[ Ethreal Storm Double Cast: Critical Damage -7,500 HP ]
[ Effects Applied: ×4 Gravitational Force ]
Raegor found himself unable to take even a step forward as continuous attacks from everyone rained down on him.