Chapter 8
After Jihoon left the gym, his muscles still sore from the intense sparring session, he made his way home. The streets were quiet now, the glow of city lights casting long shadows on the pavement. His mind, however, was anything but quiet. The future, the trials, the looming calamity—it was all weighing heavily on him. He knew he couldn't afford to rest, not now. Not while he was still so far from his true goal.
Once home, he barely had time to shower before the urge to log back into the Nether Realm hit him. He had beaten the Ironclad Demon, true, but that was just the beginning. There were still many floors to conquer. The road ahead stretched far, and the first-floor victory, while significant, was just a small step on his long journey.
Sitting down at his chair, Jihoon activated his gear and logged into the Nether Realm. His vision blurred for a moment before the familiar dark landscape of the Realm materialized around him. The faint hum of energy coursed through his body as his avatar stood in the main hub, a place where players could rest, strategize, and prepare for the next trial.
He knew that from the Bronze League to the Gold League, there were ten floors, each more challenging than the last. Beyond that, the Master, Grand Master and League of Legends tiers awaited, with twenty floors each. He still had a long way to go, but Jihoon had already learned one key lesson—preparation was everything.
Before entering the second floor, he decided to check his achievement points. Having defeated the hidden boss on the first floor, he had earned a hefty amount of AP. Opening the shop interface, he scrolled through the list of available items, most of which were useless or overpriced. But then something caught his eye.
Cloak of Infinity - D-rank.
Price: 500 AP.
Ability: Activates a field around the user where the closer the enemy tries to get, the further they are pushed away. Duration: 10 seconds. Growth-type item.
Jihoon raised an eyebrow. It was a simple ability, but incredibly useful in tight situations. And since it was a growth-type item, it had the potential to become much stronger as he advanced. Without hesitation, he purchased the cloak, watching as it materialized in his inventory with a soft glow.
He continued to browse and found another item that piqued his interest.
Gloves of Chronos - D-rank.
Price: 500 AP.
Ability: Ages anything the user touches. Can degrade physical objects or weaken opponents through prolonged contact.Growth-type item.
Jihoon smirked as he made the second purchase and said to himself "what luck two growth-type items, with incredible abilities. Seems like the world is rooting for me". The combination of the two items would give him an edge in future battles, allowing him both defense and offense in ways his opponents wouldn't expect. He equipped both the cloak and the gloves, feeling their strange, faint energy wrap around him like a second skin.
Nodding to himself in approval, Jihoon felt more prepared than ever. His quiet resolve to grow stronger was becoming a reality. The items, while still low in rank, would evolve as he progressed, just like him.
With a deep breath, Jihoon stepped toward the entrance of the second trial. The door to the next floor loomed before him, a dark, foreboding archway that seemed to pulse with anticipation. He reached out, feeling the cold energy swirl around his hand as he prepared to take on the second floor.
"Let's see what's waiting for me this time," he muttered to himself.
Second Floor Trial: Necrovale - The City of Shadows.
The atmosphere hung heavy with despair as Sung Jihoon stepped into Necrovale, the forsaken city of shadows. Once a vibrant metropolis, it now lay in ruins, swallowed by time and tragedy. Twisted spires and crumbling buildings loomed against a perpetually dark sky, casting long shadows over the littered streets. The air was thick with the stench of decay, punctuated by the faint sound of distant wails and whispers that seemed to echo from the grave.
A crimson moon hung high above, its ominous glow bathing the city in an eerie light that danced off the shattered remnants of civilization. The once-grand architecture now stood as mere husks, adorned with creeping vines and the occasional skeletal remains of what once was. Every corner held secrets of the past, and Jihoon could almost feel the weight of countless souls trapped within this decaying labyrinth.
As Jihoon moved cautiously through the streets, he encountered the first of the undead—a Skeletal Knight, its rusted armor clinking as it moved. With glowing red eyes, it lunged at him with its sword, but Jihoon deftly sidestepped, his instincts sharp and honed from the battles of the first floor.
Waves of undead began to emerge, rising from the shadows like a dark tide. Wraiths, with their chilling cries, drifted through the air, their ethereal forms flickering like dying flames. Jihoon knew he couldn't afford to underestimate any of them; these were no mindless creatures. They were fueled by an insatiable hunger, commanded by a force he had yet to confront.
The Curse of the Count:
With each step deeper into Necrovale, Jihoon felt a chilling sensation creeping through his body—a curse that sapped his vitality, making him feel sluggish and weak. He remembered the whispered legends of Count Noctis Valen, the ancient vampire lord said to rule over this cursed city. To survive, Jihoon needed to find relics that could temporarily lift the curse or face the consequences of being overwhelmed by the undead.
As the eerie Blood Moon loomed overhead, Jihoon prepared himself for the onslaught. He knew he had to stay vigilant; the undead were relentless, and the power of the Count would only grow stronger as he drew closer to the heart of Necrovale.
"[Achievement Unlocked: Undead slayer! Reward: +300 Achievement Points]"One who has Slain more than 250 undead monsters
The Cathedral of Shadows:
After battling through waves of undead—defeating skeletal warriors and evading ghostly apparitions—Jihoon finally reached the ominous Valen's Cathedral. Towering above him, the cathedral exuded an aura of dread, its gothic architecture adorned with blood-red stained glass that depicted scenes of sorrow and torment.
In front of the tower He met the Dullahan, The guardian and most trusted knight of Count Noctis Valen, A mid boss.
Mid-Boss Encounter: The Dullahan
Setting: The Forsaken Streets of Necrovale
The streets of Necrovale twisted like a labyrinth of despair, with mist curling around the remnants of once-great buildings. As Sung Jihoon navigated through the decaying city, the eerie silence pressed down on him, amplifying every sound. He gripped the hilt of his weapon, feeling the familiar weight of it in his hand, and pushed forward with determination.
Suddenly, a low, echoing laugh filled the air, sending a chill down Jihoon's spine. From the shadows emerged a figure cloaked in tattered black armor, its face obscured by a helm shaped like a grim skull. In its skeletal hand, it wielded a rusted sword that glimmered ominously under the light of the Blood Moon.
"Welcome, mortal," the Dullahan taunted, its voice like gravel scraping against stone. "You dare tread through my domain?"
Jihoon squared his shoulders, the tension in the air crackling around him. "I'm here to end your reign of terror," he replied, his heart racing.
With a swift motion, the Dullahan removed its head from its shoulders, holding it aloft. The skull grinned wickedly, eyes glowing with a ghostly blue light. "Then let us see if you are worthy to face Count Valen!"
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Testing the Cloak of Infinity
Before the Dullahan could strike, Jihoon recalled the Cloak of Infinity he had recently acquired. Activating the cloak, Jihoon felt a wave of energy course through him as he prepared for the Dullahan's onslaught.
As the Dullahan charged forward, Jihoon activated the cloak, feeling a surge of power as he faced the incoming attack. But instead of evading, he experienced an unexpected phenomenon—the Dullahan found itself moving further away from him, as if the distance between them had stretched to an impossible degree.
They were so close, yet it felt like they were worlds apart.
"What trickery is this?" the Dullahan growled, stumbling as it struggled to close the gap.
Seizing the opportunity, Jihoon launched a surprise attack. He materialized behind the Dullahan, throwing a punch infused with kinetic energy. The blow connected with the Dullahan's back, sending it staggering forward, but it quickly regained its composure.
"Impressive, but it will take more than that!" the Dullahan hissed, its body spinning to face Jihoon, a lethal strike poised to follow.
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The Battle Begins: A Clash of Shadows
In an instant, the Dullahan lunged forward, its sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Jihoon barely managed to dodge, feeling the rush of wind as the blade missed him by inches. He rolled to the side and sprang to his feet, determined to strike first.
Activating the Cloak of Infinity again, Jihoon felt the energy coursing through him. As the Dullahan lunged again, Jihoon quickly grabbed a broken piece of masonry, throwing it at the Dullahan's head.
"Nice try!" the Dullahan taunted, effortlessly dodging the projectile. But Jihoon was already in motion, capitalizing on the distraction to close the distance. He landed a flurry of punches, focusing on quick, precise strikes to weaken the creature's defenses.
The Dullahan staggered, the impact of Jihoon's blows resonating through its armor. Jihoon pressed the attack, but the mid-boss retaliated with a counterattack, the sword slicing through the air and catching Jihoon's arm, drawing blood.
Round 2: The Wraith's Wrath
With a surge of pain, Jihoon gritted his teeth, anger fueling his resolve. The Dullahan howled, and suddenly the surrounding mist thickened, coalescing into shadowy wraiths that surged toward Jihoon.
"Face the darkness of the undead!" the Dullahan cried, controlling the spirits to attack. The wraiths swirled around Jihoon, their icy hands reaching for him, threatening to drag him into the abyss.
Using the Gloves of Chronos, Jihoon reached out, aging the nearest wraith into dust, but more swarmed him in its place. He felt the weight of despair trying to creep into his heart, threatening to overwhelm him.
"I won't back down!" Jihoon shouted defiantly, activating the Cloak of Infinity once more. He became a blur of movement, dodging the wraiths and launching strikes at the Dullahan, striking at its core.
With a powerful punch, he broke through the mist, landing a decisive blow against the Dullahan's armor. The creature reeled back, its head twisting at an unnatural angle as it snarled, "You will pay for your insolence!"
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Final Round: Light Against Darkness
The Dullahan summoned a vortex of shadows, drawing the wraiths back into its form, channeling their energy to empower itself. Jihoon felt the air thicken with malice, but he stood his ground. "I have faced worse than you," he declared, determination burning bright within him.
Jihoon summoned all his strength, feeling the pulsating energy of his skills at his fingertips. In a final act of defiance, he charged forward, dodging the swirling shadows and closing the distance between him and the Dullahan.
With a roar, Jihoon unleashed a combination of rapid punches, his fists glowing with power. "This ends now!" he shouted as he delivered a devastating uppercut that sent the Dullahan's head flying into the air.
As the head detached, the Dullahan let out an anguished scream, its body collapsing into shadows. The head remained suspended in the air, its glowing eyes flickering as it cursed Jihoon. "You may have defeated me, but my master's darkness will swallow you whole!"
In one final act, Jihoon swung with all his might, his fist connecting with the Dullahan's head, causing it to disintegrate into ash.
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Aftermath: The Path Forward
Breathing heavily, Jihoon surveyed the aftermath of the battle. The shadows receded, the wraiths dissolving into nothingness, leaving him alone in the silent street of Necrovale. He had triumphed over a formidable foe, but a lingering sense of dread remained.
As the darkness faded, Jihoon received a notification:
"[Achievement Unlocked: Master of the Undead! Reward: Necromancy Ability Unlocked.]"Given to the one who has Slain the Dullahan.
With newfound power, Jihoon felt a surge of potential course through him. He had obtained the ability to command the undead, a dark and powerful skill that could turn the tide in the challenges ahead.
With his heart still pounding, Jihoon stood tall, resolved to continue his journey toward Count Noctis Valen. He could feel the weight of the upcoming battle pressing upon him, but he was ready. With every challenge he faced, he grew stronger, closer to uncovering the truth behind the darkness threatening both the Netherealm and the world he once knew.