Chapter 9

As Jihoon stepped into the cathedral, battling undead monsters until he made it to the very top he found a big iron door, rusted and stained with dried up blood, he slowly pushed the door open.

The heavy doors creaked open as Jihoon stepped inside, the flickering torches casting ghostly shadows across the stone walls. The air was thick with the scent of old blood, and the temperature dropped sharply, sending a chill down his spine. This was the domain of Count Noctis Valen.

Boss Encounter: Count Noctis Valen

As Jihoon stepped into the dimly lit grand hall, the heavy wooden doors creaked shut behind him, and a profound silence enveloped the space. The atmosphere shifted, and he could feel the power radiating from the shadows. In the center of the room, a figure cloaked in darkness sat upon a throne adorned with the bones of past victims. Count Noctis Valen, the vampire lord, exuded an aura of menace and elegance.

His piercing red eyes locked onto Jihoon, a smirk playing on his lips. "Welcome, brave fool," Noctis spoke, his voice smooth as silk yet laced with malice. "You've slain my Dullahan, but you will find I am not so easily defeated."

Jihoon tightened his grip on the hilt of his weapon, readying himself for the fight of his life. "I'm not here to chat," he shot back, adrenaline coursing through his veins. "I'm here to put you to rest.", he said calmly with a cold expression on his face.

Round 1: The Dance of Shadows

Noctis rose from his throne, the shadows swirling around him like a dark cloak. With a flick of his wrist, Noctis summoned a shadow blade and said, "You may have courage, but courage alone will not save you."

Suddenly, Noctis lunged forward, a blur of darkness slicing through the air. Jihoon barely had time to react, activating the Cloak of Infinity. As the Count closed the distance, Jihoon felt a strange force pulling the vampire away. Noctis stumbled, shock flashing across his face as he found himself moving further from his target.

"Interesting trick," he sneered, regaining his composure. "But you'll need more than that to defeat me!"

Jihoon wasted no time, charging forward while the Count was momentarily distracted. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one calculated to exploit any openings. However, Noctis was quick, dodging and weaving through Jihoon's attacks with supernatural agility. The two danced around the throne room, the clash of steel ringing through the air like a deadly symphony.

Round 2: The Blood Moon Rising

The Blood Moon's light intensified, casting a crimson hue over the cathedral. Jihoon felt a surge of dread as Valen's power escalated, his attacks becoming even more ferocious. "You're nothing but a fleeting moment, human!" Valen taunted, laughing as he unleashed a torrent of strikes.

Jihoon fought to regain his footing, dodging the assault, but fatigue was setting in. He could feel the curse's drain sapping his strength. Drawing on every ounce of energy, he activated Chrono's Grasp, allowing him to momentarily age the Count's blade, causing it to crack and splinter.

The Count staggered back, surprised by the sudden turn of events. Jihoon seized the opportunity, launching a counterattack with all his might, his fists crackling with energy.

Dark Magic Unleashed

Noctis retaliated, summoning dark energy that coalesced into razor-sharp projectiles. With a wave of his hand, he sent them flying towards Jihoon. Instinctively, Jihoon activated the Gloves of Chronos, causing the projectiles to slow just enough for him to evade them. He dashed to the side, narrowly avoiding the deadly barrage.

"Clever," Noctis acknowledged, a glint of admiration in his crimson eyes. "But time will not save you forever."

Jihoon felt the weight of the battle pressing down on him. He needed to end this quickly. Summoning all his strength, he charged at the Count once more, activating his Necromancy ability from his recent achievement. The air shimmered as dark tendrils of energy shot forth from his hands, creating a spectral army of the undead to swarm around Noctis.

"Foolish boy!" Noctis roared, summoning his own dark minions to counter Jihoon's attack. The room erupted into chaos as the two forces clashed, the sounds of battle echoing through the throne room.

Final Round: The Reckoning

As the undead battled, Jihoon locked eyes with Noctis, determination igniting within him. "This ends now!" he shouted, channeling his energy into a single, devastating strike.

With the Count distracted by the spectral horde, Jihoon surged forward, his blade gleaming with power. In a final desperate attack, he swung his weapon with all his might. The blade met Noctis's defenses, the collision sending shockwaves through the air. But Jihoon had one last trick—he activated the Cloak of Infinity once more, using its power to pull the Count further away, leaving him vulnerable.

Jihoon seized the moment, driving his blade into Noctis's heart. The Count's eyes widened in shock as the light of life faded from them. "How… could you…?" he whispered, before collapsing into a heap, his once-mighty form crumbling to dust.

Aftermath

Panting heavily, Jihoon stood over the remnants of Count Noctis Valen, feeling a mix of relief and disbelief. He had defeated a powerful foe, but at what cost? The throne room fell silent, the echoes of battle replaced by an eerie stillness. Jihoon surveyed the aftermath of their clash, the shadows retreating as the Count's dark magic faded away.

Jihoon felt a surge of achievement wash over him as a notification appeared before his eyes.

[Achievement Unlocked: "Vampire Slayer"

Defeated Count Noctis Valen. Reward: 500 Achievement Points and the ability "Dark Projectile."]

Aftermath: The Shadow Pendant 

Jihoon felt a surge of triumph as he picked up the Shadow Pendant, a necklace pulsating with dark energy which allows the user to move through shadows. Suddenly, he felt the familiar sensation of his Talent Greed activating. With a deep breath, he focused, absorbing the vampire's stats into himself.

The energy flowed into him, and he could feel his power growing, reshaping his abilities. He watched in astonishment as his talent leveled up, the familiar notification flashing before him.

Talent Level Up: F-Rank to E-Rank

You can now absorb 10% of the target's stats and one random skill of the target.

A rush of energy coursed through him as he absorbed a new skill from the Count—Immortal. It allowed him to regenerate indefinitely as long as his heart remained intact.

With a newfound sense of purpose and strength, Jihoon grinned at the power coursing through him. He had gained an invaluable ability that would change the course of his journey. As he took a moment to steady himself, he knew he was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

The second trial had been completed, but Jihoon knew this was only the beginning of his journey in the Nether Realm. With the Shadow Scythe in hand and a new skill at his disposal, he prepared to delve deeper into the dark secrets of the city, determine

d to emerge victorious against any foe that dared to stand in his way.