Chapter 12: The Cursed Ember – A Fight Against the Infernal Beasts
Liam moved swiftly through the Shadowveil Highlands, his cloak barely making a sound as he slipped between jagged rock formations and twisted trees. The air was thick with the scent of sulfur and burning stone, a sign that he was getting closer. The terrain had shifted drastically, the damp, shadowed forests of the highlands had given way to scorched earth, glowing fissures, and blackened rocks.
The Cursed Ember was somewhere inside Ashen Hollow, a volcanic cave system that few players would dare enter at this stage of the game. Unlike the Spectral Wardens he had encountered earlier, which had forced him into a humiliating retreat, the creatures inside this cave could actually be killed, but that didn't mean they were any less dangerous.
He wasn't here to test his luck. He was here to win.
At last, the entrance to the cave loomed ahead, an ominous maw of jagged obsidian spikes leading into a pulsing red glow deep within. As Liam stepped closer, a notification appeared.
[You have discovered: Ashen Hollow – Infernal Beast Lair]
[Warning: Recommended Level – 15+]
Liam exhaled. He was Level 7. This place was twice his level range, one wrong move, and he'd be nothing more than charred remains. But he wasn't turning back.
A low, guttural growl echoed from within the cave, followed by the sound of claws scraping against stone. Then, a piercing, unnatural screech cut through the silence. They knew he was here.
Three glowing eyes flickered within the darkness. Then, the beasts emerged.
Their bodies were massive, nearly the size of dire wolves, their blackened fur crackling with embers that burned along their spines. Fire pulsed beneath their skin, visible through glowing cracks in their flesh. Every breath they took sent sparks into the air, and their claws melted the stone beneath them as they prowled forward.
[Infernal Beast – Level 15]
Liam's jaw tightened. There were three of them. And his dagger wouldn't be enough to take them down.
One of the beasts lunged first, covering the distance in a blink. Liam barely dodged in time, the heat from its attack searing his cheek even without making contact. The second beast came from the side, its molten fangs snapping at his torso. Liam twisted his body, rolling across the rocky terrain just as a third beast flanked him, cutting off his escape route.
They weren't just strong. They were smart.
He struck out with Midnight Fang, slicing at the closest beast's side, but the blade barely left a scratch.
[Resisted!]
Liam's eyes narrowed. Damn it. Their hides were too thick, their bodies reinforced with elemental resistances. His normal attacks wouldn't work.
The beasts growled, sensing weakness. The first lunged again, its claws aimed at his chest. Liam Shadowstepped, vanishing just as the attack landed, reappearing ten meters away atop a rocky ledge.
The creatures growled in frustration. Good. He still had mobility on his side.
Then, he saw something, the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling.
A plan formed in his mind. If he couldn't kill them with his dagger, he'd use something stronger than a blade.
Liam took off, sprinting deeper into the cave, baiting the beasts to follow. The creatures roared and charged after him, their massive forms tearing through the cavern. The ground trembled under their weight, lava seeping through cracks in the floor.
As he neared the weakened section of the cave ceiling, Liam pivoted mid-run and flicked a throwing dagger straight at the stalactites above.
[Throwing Knife Activated!]
The blade struck true, shattering the weakened rock formations.
A deafening crack echoed through the cavern as tons of jagged boulders and stalactites crashed down on the charging beasts.
The first two were crushed instantly, their bodies vanishing into glowing embers. The third, slightly behind, barely escaped the collapse, but it wasn't unscathed. A massive boulder had pinned one of its legs, immobilizing it.
It thrashed violently, molten saliva dripping from its jaws as it tried to free itself.
Liam didn't hesitate.
He leapt forward, Midnight Fang glowing faintly as he drove it deep into the beast's throat.
[Critical Hit!]
[-2,300 HP]
The Infernal Beast let out a final, gurgling snarl before dissolving into embers.
A rush of heat pulsed through the cave as the system notifications flooded in.
[You have defeated 3x Infernal Beasts!]
[You have gained 4,500 EXP!]
[Level Up! You are now Level 8.]
[Level Up! You are now Level 9.]
Liam exhaled, feeling the familiar surge of strength and agility from his level-up. His health and stamina refilled instantly, the fatigue from the fight disappearing in seconds.
He opened his status window to check his progress.
[Player: Revenant]
[Level: 9]
[EXP to Next Level: 3,400]
[Strength: 18] [Dexterity: 26] [Agility: 24] [Endurance: 15] [Perception: 18]
His Agility and Dexterity had increased significantly, making him even faster in combat.
Satisfied, he turned his attention to the far end of the chamber. A stone pedestal stood in the center, molten veins glowing across its surface. Resting atop it was a gemstone pulsing with crimson light, flickering like a dying star.
[You have discovered the Cursed Ember!]
[Would you like to bind this relic?]
Liam smirked. "Like you even have to ask."
The moment he touched it, a surge of fire and shadow energy coursed through his body. Midnight Fang trembled in his grip as flames coiled around the blade, its dark metal now streaked with glowing red veins.
A new notification appeared.
[Midnight Fang has absorbed the Cursed Ember!]
[New Effect Unlocked: Shadowflame]
Attacks now deal fire-based damage against spectral and ethereal enemies.
Increases Critical Damage by 10%.
Liam took a slow breath, adjusting his grip on the now enhanced dagger. This was exactly what he needed.
He had barely escaped the Spectral Wardens last time, but now?
Now, he was bringing fire to the dead.
With one last glance at the scorched battlefield, Liam turned and strode toward the cave's exit. It was time to return to the Tomb of Forgotten Shadows and this time, he wouldn't be running.