I Can Extract Game Items

[ System Notification:* Enemy defeated: Phantom Beast. EXP gained: 950. ]

"You're getting faster, Aleman," Gareth remarked, parrying a beast's swipe and countering with a crushing blow. "Almost like a proper assassin."

"Almost?" August shot back, narrowly dodging another beast's claws. "I'd like to see you take out three at once."

Drask laughed heartily, swinging his axe in a wide arc.

[ Skill Activated: Cyclone Slash.]

Two beasts fell under his devastating strike. "Careful, Gareth, or he'll start calling himself the leader."

Torin chuckled as he released a red glowing arrow that pierced through a beast.

[ Skill Activated: Precision Shot. ]

"We all know Aria's the leader, so no one needs to inflate their ego here."

Aria ignored their banter, focusing on directing their efforts. "Viora, keep the heals coming! We can't afford anyone going down."

[ System Notification: Party Restored: +150 HP. ]

The battle was fierce as always but rewarding. As the last beast fell, the group took a moment to gather their spoils. Among the loot, they found a Spectral Ring that boosted stealth abilities and a Phantom Core. A crafting material highly sought after in auction houses.

"Not bad," Aria said before pocketing the ring for later distribution. "Let's keep moving. The end of the floor should be close."

As they approached a massive set of doors at the corridor's end, the familiar shimmering blue light of a projection appeared.

The group froze with their weapons ready, before realizing it was another memory from the Swordking's past.

In the center of the projection stood the Swordking towering and regal in his shimmering armor.

Across from him was a blind mage whose eyes were covered with a neatly tied blue cloth. Despite his blindness, the mage's posture was steady, and his presence exuded wisdom.

"Let it go, my king," the mage voiced calmly. "Revenge will not bring her back. Mourn her, honor her memory, but do not allow vengeance to consume you."

The Swordking's expression darkened. "If you had suffered such a loss, would you have let it go?"

"Yes," the blind mage answered without hesitation. "For I know that revenge is poison not only to the target but to oneself."

"Are you questioning my resolve, Atheron? I wonder where your loyalties lie..."

The mage identified as Atheron shook his head. "Never, my king. My loyalty lies with you, as it always has. But loyalty also means speaking the truth. And the truth is that this path leads only to ruin."

The Swordking's armored hand clamped down on Atheron's shoulder. "I trust your wisdom, old friend, but my mind is made up. You will remain here to guard our kingdom while we march to war. Protect the house from any who dare intrude."

Atheron inclined his head. "As you wish, my king. I swear upon my life."

The projection faded, leaving the group in stunned silence.

-

"Well, that was... intense," Viora said with a slightly shaky voice. "He trusted that mage. But..."

"He clearly ignored his advice," Aria's brows furrowed. "Atheron seemed wise, yet the Swordking was too blinded by rage to listen."

Torin leaned on his bow. "Makes you wonder what happened to Atheron after the Swordking left."

"Something tells me we're about to find out," Drask muttered while nodding toward the massive doors ahead.

August, who had been quietly observing, tightened his grip on his daggers. "We've seen enough of these projections to know one thing: anyone who stands in the Swordking's way ends up... twisted."

"Then let's be ready for anything," Gareth said before stepping forward. He pushed against the heavy doors, and they groaned open, revealing a vast, dimly lit chamber.

The group entered cautiously with their weapons drawn. The room was enormous, with a high ceiling adorned with faintly glowing runes.

In the center, floating above the ground, was Atheron.

His once wise and composed demeanor was replaced with an ominous aura. His body was surrounded by a swirling haze of corrupted mana. His level hovered above his head—Level 45.

"That... doesn't look good," Viora whispered while gripping her staff tightly.

Aria's eyes widened. "Atheron... He's corrupted. Whatever happened to him after the Swordking left must've broken him."

The mage's head tilted slightly, as though sensing their presence despite his blindness. "Who dares disturb the sanctity of this place?" His voice echoed unnaturally, layered with a deep, menacing tone.

"Shit," Torin muttered. "He's strong. His level's way above ours."

August checked his stats with a look of discontent. At Level 29 he was still behind the rest of the group, and facing someone like Atheron would be no easy task.

Atheron raised a hand, and the room trembled.

[ Skill Activated: Arcane Grasp. ]

Dark tendrils of mana shot out from the ground, lashing toward the group.

"Move!" Aria yelled, casting a protective barrier just in time to block one of the tendrils.

[ Spell Activated: Arcane Barrier. ]

August dashed forward, narrowly avoiding another tendril.

[ Skill Activated: Dash. ]

"This is going to be a nightmare."

Drask grinned, hefting his axe. "Nightmare or not, we have to take him down."

As Atheron's corrupted mana swirled around the room, the group braced themselves for one of their toughest battles yet.

They all charged towards him recklessly, ready to unleash their powerful attacks.

However, the air inside the massive chamber grew heavier as Atheron raised his staff. His voice echoed with a haunting distortion, layered with despair and rage.

"I must... must... keep the kingdom safe from intruders! Yes, intruders!" His staff pulsed with dark energy, and swirling tendrils of shadow began gathering above him.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Aria's eyes widened in alarm. "He's charging something huge! Spread out now!"

Before anyone could react, Atheron's staff surged with blackened energy, and a booming chant escaped his lips.

[ Skill Activated: Abyssal Cataclysm. ]

A wave of darkness erupted from his staff, spreading across the entire room.

[ System Notification: You have been hit by Abyssal Cataclysm. HP -3,200. ]

The group screamed as the force sent them flying into the walls.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

August, however, only slid backward by a couple of steps after activating Arcane Shield at the last minute.

His feet dug into the stone floor to brace himself. A glowing notification flashed before his eyes:

[ System Notification: Title Sovereign of Anti-Darkness activated. +40% Resistance Against Dark-Type Enemies. ]

Although his Arcane Shield had absorbed some of the impact and shattered, his resistance was what truly saved him.

It left him standing while the others struggled to recover.

Torin, coughing and gripping his bow, gawked at August. "How the hell are you still on your feet?"

"Title perks," August said simply.

His daggers glowed faintly as he readied his next move. "We don't have time to chat. Focus on him!"

August chanted quickly causing energy to crackle around him.

[ Skill Activated: Ethereal Storm. ]

A torrent of glowing, ethereal shards materialized around Atheron, striking him in rapid succession.

[ System Notification: Ethereal Storm Activated ]

[ Damage dealt: Sovereign of Anti-Darkness bonus: +20% damage. Total damage: 1200. ]

Atheron reeled from the attack as his HP bar dipped slightly, though it was still well above 19,000.

Drask, regaining his footing, roared as he leapt forward with his axe.

[ Skill Activated: Crushing Blow ]

His attack connected with Atheron in mid-air causing him to stagger slightly.

[ System Notification: Crushing Blow hits Atheron. Damage dealt: 300. ]

"Fuck! how does he have this much durability?"