Chapter 165: An Unkillable Entity Wails of anguish filled the air as the ghosts writhed in pain, their forms flickering like dying embers.
Seizing the opportunity, Xin and the others sprinted past the wailing spirits, their incorporeal hands clawing at the air.
The echoes of the ghosts’ torment followed them as they hurriedly moved into the next room, leaving the restless apparitions behind.
In the wake of their escape, the Guards’ Resting Room fell silent once more, the residual echoes of the spirits’ torment fading away.
The group, now in the next chamber, took a moment to catch their breath, their hearts still racing from the encounter.
"That’s the first time I’ve faced monsters impervious to both magic and physical attacks," Rever gasped, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "I thought I was a goner."
"I’m sorry . . ." Yuzuro said in a low voice. "If only I have that spell . . ."
"It’s not your fault, Yuzuro," Victor reassured her. "The [Exorcism] spell only becomes available for healers at level seventy. You’ll get it eventually."
Rever managed a weak smile. "Good thing you had those potions, though."
Midnight Duchess nodded. "Preparation is key. Some creatures can only be harmed by specific spells and items, so you have to prepare all the time for this."
Rever looked to the side and stifled an awkward laugh. "I-I guess so . . ." He realized his usual brute-force approach wouldn’t cut it here.
"I wonder if we would find something valuable if we’d managed to defeat those ghosts," Xin thought aloud.
Victor shrugged. "Possibly. Each room likely holds its own treasures."
Yuzuro’s expression was filled with regret. "I-I’m sorry, everyone. It’s because I’m not strong enough."
"It’s not about strength, Yuzuro," Victor said gently. "It’s about adaptability. We’ll face challenges together, and we’ll find a way through."
Victor and Xin were quick to assure Yuzuro that the earlier encounter was not her fault, but her sense of guilt lingered.
. Xin changed the subject, noting, "Looks like we’re in the armory this time."
The room exuded an aura of strength and readiness, a testament to the bravery and valor that once defined this place.
"Nice. Armories usually have a wealth of weapons. Let’s check it out," Rever eagerly suggested, ready to explore.
Victor, however, halted him in his tracks.
"Wait. Rooms like these are usually laden with traps," Victor warned. "We need to be cautious about touching anything in here."
"Victor’s right, Rever. Remember what happened in the last room?" Yuzuro chimed in.
Rever grumbled quietly. "Yeah, yeah, I get it."
Victor summoned Shadow, instructing it to inspect the weaponry carefully.
Victor activated his [Perception] ability and identified a Blazeheart Bow among the arsenal.
ǁ Blazeheart Bow ǁ
Weapon, Very Rare (requires attunement)
This potent weapon harnesses the power of your own blood. As you draw the bowstring, it slices your finger, infusing the arrow with your life force.
Upon release, the blood ignites, enveloping your shot in a fierce flame that deals additional fire damage to your target.
However, this act of sacrifice comes at a cost; you endure -100 damages from the cut.
But there’s more. For those daring enough, the Blazeheart Bow offers an even greater surge. By enduring an additional -500 damage, allowing more blood to be shed, you can unleash a devastating onslaught. The arrow, infused with extra fire damage, engulfs your foes in searing flames.
Harness the power of your blood and let the Blazeheart Bow incinerate your enemies in a blaze of glory.
A carved quote on the bow’s riser reads: "Which burns hottest? The fire in your blood? The fire in your heart? Or the fire in your wake as you incinerate your foes?"
WARNING!
Only hunters and snipers of the specific class can wield this formidable weapon.
ǁ E N D ǁ
Silence enveloped the room as everyone tensed, anticipating what might unfold. The rarity of the weapon and its requirement for attunement hinted at potential dangers –– a guardian or trap, perhaps.
Seconds ticked away: one, five, ten.
Rever, attempting to ease the tension, let out a nervous laugh. "I guess no one’s here to kill us for the item."
A chilling hand rested on his shoulder, and Rever turned, expecting to see Yuzuro. But her voice came from several meters away, disconcerting him.
"R-Rever . . ."
Puzzled, Rever glanced back and was met with a horrifying sight: a skeleton lunged toward his face.
"Whoa!" Rever jumped back, but it was too late. The touch of the Lanternal triggered a curse, causing his HP to rapidly deplete.
ǁ Lanternals ǁ
Lanternals were undead spirits bound to protect a place or item for eternity. Their skeletal forms were shrouded in ethereal robes encased in chains from which lanterns perpetually glowed.
Becoming a Lanternal was a choice made willingly. Before death, a person could undergo a ritual, dedicating themselves to guarding something not just in life but in death as well.
Upon death, their body was wrapped in chains and buried where they pledged their protection. In death, their spirit transformed into a Lanternal, persistently guarding whatever they had vowed to protect.
Lanternals often guarded places of great historical significance, dungeons, and tombs. The objects of their protection could be great evils or items of sacred importance.
To become a Lanternal, one had to truly believe the sacrifice of their afterlife or chance at rebirth was worthwhile, dedicating themselves to eternal vigilance.
A fragment of the Lanternal’s original personality lingered, granting them reason and thought even in their undead state.
ǁ E N D ǁ
In a moment of shock, Rever instinctively flinched and inadvertently struck the Lanternal with his fist.
"Wait! Don’t hit it!" Victor’s warning came too late.
The [Engage] button flashed, and the battle escalated swiftly.
The Lanternal retaliated, charging at Rever and employing [Spectral Binding].
A blinding flash enveloped Rever, and before he comprehended what had occurred, his soul was drawn away.
Paralyzed, he suffered necrotic damage, overwhelmed by the insurmountable damage that appeared over his head.
Rever’s eyes widened in disbelief before he succumbed to death, bursting into particles.
"R-Rever . . . ?" Yuzuro gasped, her hand covering her mouth in shock.
"What is that?" Xin’s eyes widened in alarm while Victor clicked his tongue in frustration, muttering, "It seems like an unkillable entity."