Chapter23: The Shadow That Watches – A New Threat Rises

As the trio returned to Eldoria, the tension in the air hadn't faded. Something about that mutated chimera still bothered Reo. It wasn't just an ordinary monster—it had been enhanced.

But by whom?

Lucia glanced at him. "You've been quiet since we left the battlefield. Something wrong?"

Reo crossed his arms. "That chimera… it wasn't natural. It felt like someone had altered it. Like it was bred for battle."

Celestia, who had been floating beside him in her ethereal goddess form, nodded. "You're not wrong. That beast reeked of dark magic. Someone deliberately created it."

Lucia's eyes narrowed. "Meaning… someone is out there experimenting with monsters?"

Before Reo could answer, he felt it—a powerful presence watching them.

His eyes darted to the rooftops of the city. There, standing under the glow of the moon, was a mysterious figure cloaked in black armor, a long blood-red sword resting on his back.

For a brief second, Reo and the figure locked eyes.

A chill ran down Reo's spine.

"That guy… he's strong."

The figure smirked before vanishing into the darkness.

Lucia followed his gaze. "What is it?"

Reo clenched his fists. "We're being watched… and whoever that was, they're not normal."

Celestia's voice was grim. "Be careful, Reo. That man is dangerous. His aura… it's unlike anything I've sensed before."

Reo's heart pounded. A new enemy…?

But before he could think further, a loud explosion echoed from the guild hall.

BOOOOOM!

A pillar of black flames erupted from the building.

Reo's instincts kicked in. "Lucia, Celestia, let's move!"

The Guild Under Attack

The scene at the guild was chaos. The once grand building was now engulfed in dark flames, adventurers scattered as monstrous shadow beasts emerged from the fire.

Darius, the A-rank adventurer who had challenged Reo earlier, was barely holding his ground against one of the creatures.

"Damn it… these things are absorbing our attacks!" he growled.

Reo wasted no time. He summoned his Shadow Blade, the weapon glowing with dark energy.

Lucia drew her sword, slicing through one of the shadow beasts, but her blade passed right through it. "What?! My attacks aren't working!"

Celestia raised her hand. "Divine Purge."

A wave of golden energy burst forth, erasing three of the shadow beasts instantly.

Lucia gasped. "Light magic works?!"

Reo smirked. "Good to know." He raised his hands, channeling his mana.

"Lightstorm Slash!"

A surge of holy energy wrapped around his blade as he slashed through the nearest shadow beast. The creature let out a deafening screech before disintegrating into nothing.

The battle was intense. Dozens of shadow creatures poured out of the flames, forcing every adventurer to fight with everything they had.

Darius, seeing Reo's effectiveness, gritted his teeth. "Damn, so the rumors about you were true."

Reo didn't waste time with words. He turned to Celestia. "Can you track the source of this attack?"

Celestia closed her eyes, her divine senses stretching beyond the battlefield. After a moment, her eyes snapped open in shock.

"It's coming from the castle… Someone inside the royal palace is controlling these creatures."

Reo's mind raced. The kingdom's own leaders… involved in this?

Lucia grabbed his arm. "Reo, what do we do? If this is coming from the palace, we can't just storm in without proof."

Reo took a deep breath. "Then let's get proof."

His eyes burned with determination.

Whoever was behind this attack—they would regret making an enemy out of him.

The Arrival of the Dark Knight

Before they could move, the mysterious figure from before appeared—this time standing in the middle of the battlefield.

His blood-red sword dripped with dark energy, and his voice was like ice.

"So… you're the one they call Reo the Phantom Slayer."

Reo stepped forward, gripping his blade. "And who the hell are you?"

The figure smirked. "I am Zareth, the Dark Knight of Oblivion."

Celestia's eyes widened. "That name… No, it can't be… He was supposed to be sealed away centuries ago."

Zareth chuckled. "That seal broke a long time ago, goddess. And now, I'm here to see if this so-called hero is worth my time."

Reo's heart pounded. This wasn't an ordinary enemy.

This was a monster in human form.

And he wanted to test Reo's strength.

Zareth raised his sword. "Shall we begin?"

To Be Continued…

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