Chapter 214: The Price of Victory Yuzuro channeled her light magic. Her staff glowed with a brilliant radiance, dispelling the darkness around them.
The Shroudling recoiled, its shadowy form flickering in the harsh light. Seizing the opportunity, Victor and Rever lunged at it while Midnight Duchess hurled another dagger, aiming for the creature’s critical spots.
Their blades and claws struck true, piercing the Shroudling’s form.
But it wasn’t enough to kill the Shroudling. Undeterred, it retaliated. With [Shadow Step], it vanished from sight, teleporting to another area of darkness within the chamber.
The battle continued, Xin and the others now on guard, aware of the Shroudling’s deadly abilities.
The Shroudling, cunning and swift, continued its onslaught, its actions shrouded in darkness.
Xin and the others fought with unwavering patience. They bided their time, waiting for the moment when Yuzuro’s light magic would illuminate the room, banishing the shadows temporarily and enabling them to strike the deadly creature, chipping away at its HP.
But the Shroudling proved relentless. With each strike, it drained the life force from its victims, weakening them with its dreaded [Shadow Fang] ability.
Yuzuro struggled to maintain everyone’s health at the optimum level, working tirelessly to counter the debilitating effects of the Shroudling’s attacks.
. To make matters worse, her MP was rapidly depleting due to the constant use of [Luminous Radiance], [Dispel], and [Heal].
The battle raced against the ticking clock, the group not only combating the Shroudling but also the depleting pools of their HP and MP, along with dwindling supplies.
Rever struggled to fend off the relentless assaults, his stock of HP potions diminishing as he desperately tried to replenish his health. Each strike took its toll, draining his life force with every blow.
"Just one enemy and we’re already on the brink? How formidable are the bosses in this place?" he grumbled, frustration etched on his face.
"I never wanted to hit a child until this very moment!" Rever hissed, teeth clenched so tight they might as well be playing a drumroll on his face with veins popping on his head.
"We wouldn’t be facing such difficulties if there weren’t restrictions on our items," Xin remarked.
Victor nodded in agreement. "The bosses in this tower grow stronger with every level we ascend," he added.
Rever’s expression soured. "Fantastic. It seems clearing this dungeon might be beyond our reach after all."
"Enough chatter, focus on the fight. It’s gearing up for another attack," Midnight Duchess’s voice echoed from the shadows, her tone sharp.
Beads of sweat formed on Yuzuro’s brow as she desperately tried to replenish her depleted mana in a rush so she could aid the others. Her hands trembled as she drank MP potions.
Meanwhile, the others; breaths came in ragged gasps as they stood at the ready, their eyes fixed on the shifting shadows that concealed the Shroudling.
In a sudden, ruthless assault, the Shroudling made its move, its eyes glinting with malevolent hunger as it aimed for Rever again.
But this time, Rever had reached his breaking point. His eyes, once filled with frustration, now blazed with a fierce determination.
No one knew if it was his luck, instinct, or his frustration at play. With an explosive burst of strength, he managed to grab hold of the Shroudling, his grip like a vise.
"I’ve had enough of this!" Rever bellowed, veins pulsing on his forehead as he glared at the others. "I’ll hold it off! Attack now!"
Midnight Duchess and Victor spurred into action. With lightning speed, they lunged at the Shroudling, their weapons raised high, ready to deliver the most devastating blows they could muster.
Their strikes were precise and fierce, each blow aimed at ending the creature’s existence once and for all.
The Shroudling shrieked, its wail echoing through the chamber.
For a moment, it seemed as if victory was at hand as if the monster would finally meet its end.
But then, something unexpected happened. The Shroudling entered [Last Stance Mode], a state of desperation and fury that granted it an unholy power boost.
In a desperate final act, it sank its fangs into Rever’s neck before it burned, disintegrating into ashes.
Relief washed over the group. They thought it was finally over, that they could proceed to the next level of the Bizarre Tower.
But then, Rever’s voice, weak and trembling, pierced the silence.
"G-guys . . ." Rever called out, his tone filled with confusion and disbelief.
Everyone turned to look at him, only to find him slowly turning into ashes.
The shock was palpable.
Rever still had some HP left; he shouldn’t have been disintegrating like this.
Realization dawned on them like a chilling gust of wind: it was likely a skill or spell the Shroudling had acquired when it entered [Last Stance Mode].
"Damn it," Rever gritted his teeth. "Looks like this is the end of the line for me," he said as he slowly turned to ash.
"Wait a moment, I’ll heal you right now!" Yuzuro exclaimed, casting a healing spell on Rever, but it didn’t stop the process of his demise.
"Enough, Yuzu," Rever sighed. "You’ll only waste MP that way."
He then looked at the others. "Go on without me. And make sure that you at least clear the second level to make this all worth it."
Rever then turned to ashes, blown away by the cold wind.
"R-Rever . . ." Yuzuro whispered, her voice breaking, tears welling up in her eyes.
"It must be a curse . . ." Victor said, his voice low and grim. "That bite must be its acquired skill when it entered last stance mode that ensures it takes its victim with him."
Midnight Duchess emerged from the shadows. "What a nasty creature."
The room illuminated as soon as the Shroudling was gone.
At that moment, the room fell into a stunned silence, the weight of their loss pressing down on them like a heavy stone. They couldn’t believe that they had lost Rever so early in the game.
"What are we going to do now?" Yuzuro asked the others, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Without Rever, we’re short in firepower."
The battle was won, but the cost was immeasurable. Rever was gone, consumed by the very creature they had fought so hard to defeat.
"That idiot," Victor sighed, his frustration evident. "I told him repeatedly to be careful."
"It’s not in his nature to be careful," Midnight Duchess said, her voice filled with a mix of exasperation and resignation. She closed her eyes and crossed her arms. "That guy is always reckless."
She then looked at Lord Schrodinger and asked, her tone steady, "What do you want to do? Should we turn back and attempt this dungeon again?"
"We’ll press on," Xin said decisively, determination in his eyes. "If we turn back now, we’ll waste all our effort and resources."
"Agreed," Victor seconded. "Let’s press on and see how far we’ll go."
"It’s what Rever would have wanted, too," Yuzuro finished, her voice determined despite the grief that weighed on her heart.