The Might of Lightning Magic!
Explosive Ghost Insects!
Even Zorath the Silent wasn't entirely familiar with them, his gaze flickering with curiosity as he turned to Bloodshadow for answers.
Bloodshadow raised a hand, signaling the group to retreat.
Once they had put some distance between themselves and the seething mass of black carapaces, Bloodshadow spoke in a low, grave tone:
"Explosive Ghost Insects are native to the Abyssal Plane. There, they're considered low-tier creatures—roughly equivalent to seventh-tier magical beasts in strength. But they have two terrifying traits..." He took a deep breath before continuing.
Kael was stunned. Abyssal creatures?
It seemed the dark-winged mage organizations had ties, however tenuous, to the Abyssal Plane—just like the Tower of Cursed Spirits. Back in the Azure Dragon Secret Realm, Kael had witnessed their mages summoning demons from the abyss, only to annihilate them himself.
Abyssal beings were universally feared, their very name enough to chill the blood.
"First, they're swarm creatures. As you can see, there are at least a thousand here—meaning a thousand seventh-tier beasts." The group's expressions darkened. Even for them, a horde of that magnitude was no trivial threat.
"Second, and far worse—they live up to their name. When facing death, they self-destruct. The blast is comparable to a full-power strike from an eighth-tier expert."
Bloodshadow's words hung heavily in the air.
He exhaled sharply. "Damn it all. To find Explosive Ghost Insects here, in such numbers... Most tenth-tier experts wouldn't stand a chance. These things are innately hostile to all but practitioners of dark magic. For us? Only those at the eleventh-tier or above can pass safely."
Kael's frown deepened. The situation was indeed problematic.
For eleventh-tier powerhouses like himself, the insects were negligible. Tenth-tier combatants might scrape through, but not without injury.
Zorath the Silent snorted. "We've come this far. Turning back isn't an option. The Tower of Ghostflame's lair lies just ahead—we push through this hellhole, and we're in."
His words steadied the group. Hesitation faded from their faces. Right—they'd already crossed the point of no return.
"Avoid attacking the Explosive Ghost Insects if possible. Focus on defense—we just need to break through this path!" Bloodshadow commanded.
The group nodded solemnly, falling into formation under his direction.
"I'll take point. Follow me." Bloodshadow's voice was icy, yet it carried an unshakable authority. True to his role as deputy commander of the Divine Martial Knights, he was a man who inspired trust through action.
As they stepped into the swarm, the insects erupted into a chorus of "scree-scree-scree!"—a deafening alarm that set everyone's nerves on edge.
Bloodshadow's expression darkened. "Move fast. If we linger, we risk alerting the Tower's inner sanctum."
His urgency sent a fresh wave of tension through the Shadow Hall operatives.
Just then, a dozen Explosive Ghost Insects lunged at Bloodshadow, their jagged mandibles glinting.
With a flick of his blade, golden combat aura flashed—slicing the creatures apart mid-air. But the moment their bodies split, a viridian mist erupted from their carcasses, swirling with toxic, volatile energy before detonating!
"Take cover!"
Zorath the Silent reacted instantly, conjuring a combat aura barrier to shield the group. As an eleventh-tier expert, he easily absorbed the blast's force.
Yet Kael's eyes narrowed. The green mist was corroding the barrier itself, eating through Zorath's energy like acid.
"Damn it! These aren't normal Explosive Ghost Insects—their mist corrodes combat aura!" Bloodshadow's pupils contracted as he grasped the severity.
"Pick up the pace!"
But the path ahead was a living nightmare: a thousand winged Explosive Ghost Insects, their carapaces glistening, darting with unnatural agility. Breaking through wouldn't be easy.
"Leave this to me—I'll handle the Explosive Ghost Insects!" Kael declared, seeing Zorath the Silent's combat aura barrier being corroded by the toxic mist from the explosions.
As he spoke, his staff flicked forward. "Thunder Bastion!"
A surge of lightning magic erupted, casting a deep violet glow as crystalline arcs of electricity formed an impenetrable wall before the group.
Lightning magic!
The display stunned many present—several had never witnessed Kael wield this element before, their eyes widening in awe.
The moment Thunder Bastion materialized, the surrounding Explosive Ghost Insects recoiled violently, their "scree-scree!" cries growing frantic. The innate righteous power of lightning seemed to terrify them.
Bloodshadow's eyes lit up. "Brother Kael! These abominations are inherently weak to your lightning magic! Its purifying force repels all corruption—it's their natural bane!" His voice brimmed with relief. The tide had turned unexpectedly.
Kael nodded, having noticed the same. "Everyone, stay within my defensive zone. I'll hold them off."
His words brought instant reassurance. The group tightened their formation around him.
With a flourish of his staff, Kael intensified the barrier. The thunderous radiance flared brighter, causing the insects to shrink back further, their menacing advance reduced to hesitant skittering.
The pressure on the group eased immediately. Even Bloodshadow at the forefront exhaled in relief.
"Move out!"
Guided by Kael's lightning barrier, their progress became swift and unhindered.
"Perfect! We can pass through without a single casualty!" Zorath the Silent grinned, elated. He'd feared injuries among the weaker Shadow Hall officers, but Kael's eleventh-tier lightning magic had rewritten their odds entirely. To these abyssal pests, his power was absolute suppression.
Wherever Kael stepped, the Explosive Ghost Insects scrambled backward in terror.
Finally, under his lead, the group emerged unscathed from the nightmarish swarm. A collective sigh of relief swept through them.
Little Kitten had been thoroughly unsettled by the Explosive Ghost Insects. For once, she stayed silent, clinging to Kael's shoulder without a word.
In contrast, Thunderclap was the most unflappable of the group. The towering man seemed utterly unfamiliar with fear, following Kael dutifully while remaining vigilant of their surroundings.
Zorath the Silent smirked, his eyes narrowing. "Don't relax just yet. The real challenge lies ahead—we're close to the Tower of Ghostflame's inner sanctum. Beyond this point is its core territory."
His words instantly sobered the group. Indeed, ahead lay the heart of the Tower, where the notorious dark-winged mages lurked.
"According to our intel, there are roughly ten experts at the tenth tier or above, around fifty below the ninth tier, and four eleventh-tier powerhouses—including the Tower Lord himself," Zorath summarized. This was information they'd all been briefed on beforehand.
His expression hardened. "Golden Tulip, all Shadow Hall officers are under your command. Your mission is to eliminate every tenth-tier and below target—leave none alive."
"Understood." Sophia, codenamed Golden Tulip, nodded solemnly, her demeanor icy and resolute.
"Brother Bloodshadow, Brother Kael—the three of us will handle the Tower Lord and his three elders. Kael, you're slightly weaker, so stick with me. Our priority is the Tower Lord. As for you, Bloodshadow—the three elders are yours." Zorath grinned.
The gap between eleventh-tier experts was vast. Bloodshadow could effortlessly handle three elders alone. Even Kael, at his current strength, could hold his own against them.
But Zorath wasn't taking chances.
"No problem."
With synchronized nods, the group advanced toward the Tower's inner depths, their expressions steeled for the coming storm...