The wind howled through the silent streets of the dead city. Every building seemed carved from shadow itself, the walls black as coal, skeletons of a forgotten civilization.
Jeremy wiped his forehead, still sweating from the battle against the Hungering One. The air here was strange—not just cold, but devoid of life.
The Archivist moved beside him, its thin legs barely touching the ground. Its many eyes observed everything, as if it could see beyond the veil of reality.
"This place was once the heart of a civilization..."
Jeremy turned toward it. "Once?"
"Yes." The spider tilted its body slightly. "But the past never truly dies."
A sense of unease settled in Jeremy's chest.
---
Mordis walked a little ahead, his silent steps on the dark pavement. The lack of light in the city didn't bother him—he was the shadow.
Then—he suddenly stopped.
Jeremy clenched his fists. "What is it?"
Mordis slowly turned. His blue eyes burned intensely.
"We're being watched."
Jeremy felt a chill run down his spine.
And then the shadows moved.
From the cracks in the buildings, from the narrow alleys, from the collapsed rooftops—figures emerged.
Skeletons. But not ordinary undead.
Their bodies were wrapped in a violet mist, their flesh black as obsidian, and in their hands, they held impossible weapons.
Some wielded broken spears, others great swords, and others still had claws of darkness.
And their mouths... whispered.
"Turn back… turn back… turn back…"
Jeremy swallowed hard. "Archivist. What the hell are these things?"
The spider didn't look away. "Void Guardians. Remnants of those who saw too much."
Jeremy gritted his teeth. "Great."
One of them stepped forward.
Jeremy opened his status panel.
---
[Void Guardian – Level 22]
Strength: 40
Agility: 35
Intelligence: 10
Endurance: ∞
[Known Abilities:]
Voracious Darkness: Drains life energy with every strike.
Spectral Step: Can move through shadows, avoiding direct attacks.
Whispers of the Void: Those who listen for too long lose their sanity.
---
Jeremy felt a shiver crawl down his back.
"They're level 22. As tough as Mordis. This won't be easy."
Mordis twirled his blades between his fingers. "Good."
Jeremy smirked. "Alright. Archivist, trap them. Mordis—cut them to pieces."
The battle began.
---
The first Guardian lunged forward, its spear thrusting at insane speed.
Jeremy barely dodged, feeling the air whistle past his face.
Mordis vanished into the shadows.
SHNK!
He appeared behind the Guardian. His sword sliced through it—but the body reformed instantly.
Jeremy clenched his teeth. "Damn it!"
Another Guardian appeared at his side, its claw of darkness slashing toward him.
The Necromancer raised his hand.
"[Curse of Decay!]"
The air around the Guardian twisted, and its body began to corrode.
For a moment, it hesitated.
Mordis didn't waste time.
"[Death's Echo!]"
His attack struck twice in the same instant.
SHNK! SHNK!
The Guardian screamed without sound. Its body crumbled into nothing.
Jeremy grinned.
One down.
But there were too many left.
The Archivist moved its legs, and a web of energy stretched across the street.
"[Temporal Web!]"
The Guardians slowed down, their movements becoming unnatural.
Jeremy took the opportunity.
"[Necrotic Infusion!]"
Black energy exploded from his body.
He threw himself into the fray.
---
The battle grew fierce.
Mordis slashed from the shadows, erasing enemies before they could react.
The Archivist trapped them in time itself, preventing them from reforming.
Jeremy unleashed waves of death, draining what remained of them.
And finally—
The last Guardian collapsed.
Silence.
Jeremy was breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead.
"Damn… did we win?"
The Archivist nodded slowly.
"Yes. But the worst is yet to come."
Jeremy turned toward the center of the city.
One building stood above all the others.
A black tower, with a symbol carved into the door.
A skeletal hand holding an open eye.
Jeremy clenched his fists.
"Inside that place… we'll find the answers."