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A low growl reverberated through the chamber, shaking the ancient stone beneath Jeremy's feet.
The air grew heavy, thick with an unseen force.
Mordis gripped his weapons, his blue eyes flickering. The Archivist scuttled backward, its many glowing eyes narrowing.
And from the darkness, something moved.
A massive form emerged from the abyss beyond the floating book.
It was not fully corporeal, shifting between states of solid and shadow—a towering humanoid figure, wrapped in shredded black robes that billowed despite the lack of wind.
But its face… was wrong.
Where a head should have been, there was only a swirling void, an endless abyss that devoured all light.
Two massive clawed hands flexed, and from within the void, a deep voice rumbled.
"You have come too far."
The presence alone made Jeremy's skin crawl. This thing… it wasn't just strong. It was ancient.
The Archivist clicked its mandibles rapidly. "This… this is an Eidolon. A Forgotten Guardian."
Jeremy narrowed his eyes. "Explain. Fast."
The Guardian took a step forward. The sheer weight of its aura crushed the stone beneath its feet.
[Eidolon of the Forgotten – Level ???]
Strength: ???
Agility: ???
Endurance: ???
Intelligence: ???
[Known Abilities:]
Void Dominion: All within its presence are gradually consumed.
Echoing Demise: Those who hear its voice too long will lose their minds.
Timeless Grasp: Physical attacks phase through unless struck with overwhelming force.
---
Jeremy gritted his teeth. A question mark level? That's never good.
Mordis shifted into a stance, his blackened blades gleaming.
The Archivist skittered low, whispering frantically. "Eidolons… they are remnants of something before our time. They guard what must not be seen."
Jeremy's hands tightened into fists. "Too bad. We need that book."
The Guardian lifted its claw.
And the entire room shattered.
---
Jeremy gasped as the ground beneath them collapsed into nothingness.
There was no solid floor anymore—only an endless, swirling void.
Yet they did not fall.
They floated, suspended in the air, trapped in the Guardian's dominion.
Mordis vanished.
His shadowy form blinked behind the Eidolon, blades flashing—
CLANG!
The moment his weapon connected, the Guardian did not flinch.
Instead, its entire body phased, letting the blade pass through.
Then it turned— and with inhuman speed, it grabbed Mordis by the skull.
CRACK.
Jeremy's eyes widened.
The Guardian crushed Mordis' head—
—but instead of breaking, Mordis' entire body turned to shadow, slipping through its grasp.
A second later, Mordis reformed behind it, unharmed.
Jeremy's heart pounded. That was close.
"[Chains of the Dead!]"
He thrust his hand forward, and black chains erupted from the void, wrapping around the Guardian's limbs.
For the first time—
It stopped moving.
Jeremy's mind raced. "If it's phasing through attacks, then I need to bind it!"
The Eidolon let out a deep, unnatural howl.
The chains trembled—then shattered.
Jeremy's stomach sank. It broke free instantly?
The Guardian raised a hand—
And reality itself warped.
---
[Status Effect Applied – Void Corruption]
Your existence is unraveling.
Time moves erratically for you.
Vision is distorted.
---
Jeremy staggered. The world around him blurred.
The Guardian moved—
And suddenly, it was behind him.
"[Necrotic Shield!]"
A black barrier erupted around Jeremy just in time—
The Guardian's claw slammed into it.
CRACK!
The shield shattered instantly, but it bought Jeremy a second.
Mordis lunged again, attacking the Guardian's back.
This time, his weapons glowed.
Jeremy's eyes flashed. "That's it—infuse the weapons with death energy!"
Mordis' blade sank in.
The Guardian froze.
Jeremy didn't hesitate.
"[Necrotic Infusion!]"
His own fist glowed with black fire—
And he punched straight into the Guardian's chest.
BOOM!
The Guardian howled, its body disrupting as necrotic magic tore into it.
Jeremy gritted his teeth.
"It can't phase through death energy."
The Archivist moved next, its eight glowing eyes flashing.
"[Weave of the Forgotten!]"
A wave of arcane webbing shot out, wrapping around the Guardian—
And for the first time, it struggled.
Jeremy and Mordis moved in unison.
One final strike.
---
[Critical Strike – Eidolon Defeated]
The Guardian let out one final, twisted wail—
And then, it vanished into nothing.
The void snapped shut, and suddenly, they were back in the chamber.
The floating book remained, untouched by the battle.
Jeremy exhaled. "That was… rough."
Mordis gave a silent nod.
The Archivist shuddered. "You… have done the impossible."
Jeremy stepped forward, reaching for the book.
As his fingers touched it, a surge of ancient energy flooded his body.
---
[Forbidden Grimoire Obtained]
You now hold knowledge that should not exist.
Your summons may evolve beyond natural limits.
You have glimpsed the truth of those who see beyond.
---
Jeremy felt something shift inside him.
A voice echoed in his mind.
"You are not ready yet, Necromancer of Uniqueness…"
Then, everything went black.