Faceless Phantom

<Genesis Chamber>

[??? Beleth]

'Beleth? It sounds familiar. Where did I hear that name before?'

He stopped about five meters in front of us. I could see now that he was about three meters tall. His head was staying still, but I could feel he was looking down at us. The green lights inside his eye sockets were dim, and a deep voice that similar to devils or demons in movies was heard filling the massive room.

"How can you lost to these frail insects?"

I was a quiet person, so I could tell my silence was unnatural. I also couldn't even move. His presence seemed turned me into a state of powerlessness.

"Very well then... Now you almost have a half of your power. Do not disappoint me."

Silence filled the room. I knew it right away he was talking to someone. However, I couldn't tell where s/he was. It looked like he was listening and then turned his gaze to Mirage.

"She is no threat." He said as he began to walk to the door. "Let none alive."

In a blink of an eye, Beleth was gone. And the double door was slammed as if bomb was blown behind us. I gasped and moved my body. It seemed the pressure was gone. Then I heard something fall behind me. It was Mirage. She was stiff and her eyes were shaking, even though Beleth already left. Concerned, I shook her body and called her name repeatedly. But then...

"I believe you have something belong to me..."

I turned around and looking at the source of the voice. There were pile of bones on the floor. The bones then moving and attached to each other like magnets. They were arranged into skeleton. Green lights blazing from both of its eye sockets as space distorted and black robe instantly cloaked the skeleton.

[??? Uruzak]

My eyes immediately widened.

'He's respawned here!?'

It was common that, in every game, bosses would be revived back every day, week or month. However, the place he respawned was supposed to be the same place, inside Norwall Cave.

Why was he respawned here? Was Uruzak the one that the winged figure talked to before?

Then, Uruzak was not a mere boss monster. Even his name was changed, he was 'Lich Necromancer' before but now it was just question marks. He could be someone more important than I knew. Perhaps, both of them affiliated with this facility. There might be a chance they played an active role with the experiment during the Dark Age. Also, they could be involved in Belgram's disappearance. Well, it was just a thought. I didn't had any proof.

"Hand it over and I will consider the way both of you die..."

Creeeeaaaaak! Boooooom!

I finally noticed there were several big tanks at the far end of the room. One of them just broke and water flowing out. Then something inside jumped out and landed right beside Uruzak.

///////

Boss Appeared!

Mutated Prisoner Ilkaav


///////

Typical Boss appearance scene. Still, it was awesome and cool in some ways.

'Shit!'

However, it wasn't a moment for me to enjoy the scene.

・・・

Ball of green liquid was thrown to the air. After a brief moment flying in an arc, it landed straight on the ground. The impact made a loud splash and hissing sound afterwards. A puddle was made and steam could be seen coming out as if the liquid was hot. However, that wasn't the case. It was because the liquid was acid. Puddles of acid were everywhere inside Genesis Room. The ground where the puddles of acid were slowly melted and becoming holes.

Among the puddles of acid, two figures were moving around. Their move could be considered dancing than fighting. If someone was watching, they would say it was one-sided battle. And the one who had the upper hand was a mutated being.

Mutated Prisoner Ilkaav.

He was taller than Uruzak who was about two meters tall. Scars filled his big muscled body. Something akin to spider legs were coming out from a hole on his back. It was long and the tip was sharp as grinded sword. His figure was still humanoid, but his white eyes made him looked like an undead than mutated being.

Ilkaav kept swinging and thrusting his spider legs against his opponent's sword. The clashing sounds filled the room.

'Shit!'

I kept focusing on defend while avoiding Uruzak's ball of acid. It was insane. There were no dozens of skeletons this time, but Ilkaav and Uruzak attacked me without rest a single breath. I could parry and evade all day, but my sword durability was the problem. It could break anytime. I had to think and counter them soon. Otherwise, Mirage would be in great danger.

"Which one do you want?"

A deal.

He did say that I had to hand it over whatever belonged to him. Three items were dropped when I beat him in Norwall cave. They were his robe, staff and the unidentified book. I needed to confirm which one he wanted. Therefore, I had to propose a deal with him.

Hearing my question, Uruzak raised his right hand and Ilkaav stopped attacking me.

"Give me my book..."

So it was the unidentified book. I didn't know what was written inside since I couldn't identify it yet. But as for the other two items, I checked them before giving them to Mirage.

///////

Uruzak's Robe (Rare)

Type: Robe

Restriction: 20 INT

Durability: 165/350

Uruzak's tattered robe which imbued special soul.

Effect:

+15 INT

+10 WIS

+25% debuff resistance

+20% dark resistance

Uruzak's Staff (Rare)

Type: Two-handed blunt

Restriction: 30 INT

Durability: 243/500

Uruzak's old staff which imbued special soul.

Effect:

+10 STR

+20 INT

+25% debuff success rate

+20% magical damage

///////

Those two items were 'Rare', so the book rarity was definitely above them.

"Give my book and I'll kill you two without any pain."

'I see... He's not going to let us alive. Tsk!'

I clicked my tongue and tried to think something.

"What if I'm not giving you the book?"

"Then I can just kill you and retrieve my book once you're dead."

"Right, I'll just destroy your book then."

It was just a bluff. Of course I had no intention to destroy it. It made me curious that he valued the book more than his staff and robe. What could possibly be written?

"What do you want?"

The tip of my lips went up. He actually took the bait.

"I want a deal."

"Speak."

"I don't have any intention to interfere with whatever you're doing. I just happen to accidentally cross your path. So I'll give your book back if you let us go. Also, I promise you I won't fight against you ever again."

He was silent. He looked at me as if he was thinking something to answer. However, it wasn't what I expected.

"HAHA HA HA HA HA! A hero who can be resurrected is begging for his life? Haha ha ha... You challenged me like four or five times in Norwall Cave. Where's that willpower now?"

Clack!

He clacked his teeth and then opened his jaw again, he continued...

"I am very disappointed. I thought you were the interesting one, but apparently not. Well, then... I'll just finish both of you really fast."

Uruzak began to chant and Ilkaav attacked me without warning. He punched me right on my gut. His big fist sent my body flying backwards and crashed the double door.

Bang!

[You have received 1298 damage from Ilkaav]

My body fell to the ground after a second passed. Blood coming out from my mouth. My inside was really hurt like hell. I couldn't open my eyes as I gritted my teeth, trying to suppress the pain.

"Pathetic... You shouldn't have come here..."

'I fucked up...'

I was still weak. Even in this game, I was still the lowest of low. What had gotten into me? I had never been good at speaking yet I tried to make a deal with Uruzak, and I even threatened him. I was like a cornered mouse who begged for life to a hungry lion. And then I told the lion that I would eat his cub if he didn't do what I said. What would I expect? Of course, the lion would laugh at me.

While I was thinking and holding the pain, Ilkaav slowly getting closer to where I lied. I saw him smiling expressionlessly. My gaze turned to the left. I saw Mirage. She was still lying on the ground with her shocked face. Fragile and powerless. I sighed.

'...I must be crazy. Or maybe I really do need motivation after all...'

I activated Ignore Death and stood up.

[Ignore Death's effect can be felt]

I took out a vial from my bag and put it on my lips. Red liquid inside the vial flowing into my mouth.

[Lesser Health Potion's effect can be felt]

[50 HP has been healed]

[50 HP has been healed]

With the potion effect, my health regenerated 50 points every second for twenty seconds. I grabbed my sword and readied myself to fight Ilkaav. If my guess was right, Uruzak would just supporting Ilkaav by sending Ball of Acid. Then what I should do was simple. Just focus on fighting Ilkaav and ignoring Uruzak spell as environmental phenomenon.

I rushed forward and tried to land an attack to Ilkaav.

・・・

Raining balls of acid, torrents of water bursting from the ground, earthquake as the ground split apart, wind blowing harshly, or even lava erupting from the ground. As I expected, Uruzak could do any of that every five seconds. Fortunately, it was my only advantage. I used his spell to damage Ilkaav.

Ilkaav agility was slower than mecoptera, perhaps it was because of his big body. In exchange for that, his attack was really dangerous. Just one blow from his fist made my HP down to less than 20%. Dodging was possible but damaging him was risky because of those spider legs. Even though I could do an attack, his skin was hard as rock. Most damage output I could do was from Uruzak's spells. So my only plan was dodging Ilkaav attack while luring him to one of his spells. However, when I was about do it for the third time, Ilkaav stopped and evading the lava that bursting from the ground.

'Of course...'

He was learning. That was to be expected, but for him to notice my intention on the third times. I thought mutated being had no intelligent just like zombies. If that the case, then Uruzak might be involved. He could be leading him.

'That annoying bone... Ugh... But those spider legs are annoying too!'

With my current AGI and DEX, his consecutive spider legs attack was furious as if I was fighting four mecopteras at the same time. I didn't know why those things were coming out from strange hole on his back.

'Wait a minute... Could it be?'

I had a light bulb on my head.

I immediately rushed towards Uruzak. Noticed my action, Uruzak readied himself while chanting his spell. Since the ground filled with puddles of acid and lava, it was hard to get closer to him. Then I saw the ball of acid materialized, I turned my head to look behind. Ilkaav was right behind me.

'Okay... I can do this...'

I took a deep breath then turned around. I raised my sword to attack. Ilkaav wasn't hesitating and kept rushing towards me. But, I immediately rolled underneath him. Surprised, he stopped and then turned around to face me. The tip of my lips went up.

The ball of acid successfully hit the hole on his back. Something shriek from inside the hole. The spider legs were wriggling in pain.

'This is my chance!'

I rushed towards him and then jumped. After a few seconds leaping above him, I landed right behind Ilkaav. I jumped again while thrusting my sword onto the hole.

Stab!

Ilkaav fell forward. As if instinct controlled my body, I jumped on his back and kept thrusting my sword inside the hole. I didn't even give a chance for him to get up. Blood gushed each time I thrust my sword. Inhumane scream could be heard inside the hole.

Shriiiiiiiiiiiek! Kaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

His HP eventually hit rock bottom. It was then Ilkaav back inflated and then slowly torn apart as if something was trying to get out from his body. As expected, he was actually a host. The real boss was inside him.

'I have to use this opportunity.'

I thrust my sword again.

Stab! Stab! Stab!

However, nothing was shown in system message. And his back was still slowly inflating.

'What? Do I have to wait until it's fully appeared?'

I sighed and turned my head to see Uruzak. He was silent.

'Wait... He doesn't attack me?'

Strange. Something was amiss, so I kept observing him. It was then I saw something around Uruzak. Some kind of aura was flowing from him. I followed where it went. Dark purple aura was forming a line towards Ilkaav and then swirling around. Vague yet at times it faded. Uruzak's dark purple aura caught something. I focused my eyes to the hole. A dim ball of light appeared inside the hole.

[Incomplete Soul detected]

'What?'

I unconsciously put my hand inside the hole and grabbed it. It was like grabbing a soft and tender ball, and then it slowly dematerialized into light particles and dispersed.

[Soul collected]

"I see... You actually can see 'them'."

Uruzak who kept silent suddenly talking. I wasn't sure what kind of expression he had right now, but hearing from his tone he seemed a bit shocked. Confused, I replied him quickly.

"Them? What...what do you mean?'

Looking at my confused face, Uruzak dropped his jaw as if he was shocked.

"You don't aware of your capability? Haha ha ha ha... Interesting. Now I don't even care about my book anymore."

"..."

Was he talking about the soul? I didn't answer and continued listening to him.

"I'll give you a hint since you entertain me... Well, that being. It cannot be killed easily unless you took something from them. And you kid... You have that kind of power... You. Disturb. My. Control." His tone and blazing eyes told me as if he was angry. But then Uruzak lowered his staff and continued. "If that's the case, then...perhaps you can pass the final test. Now, I understand... This is the moment of untangled fate. I shudder just from thinking about what will be coming in the future."

Now I was sure it was the soul. Did I accidentally gain an amazing skill? If that so then the system message would tell me and it would also be written on my skill tab. However, it wasn't.

"Let's meet again once our path crossed. Hehe hahahaha..."

He flicked his fingers and system message popped out afterwards.

[Paralyzed's effect has worn off from Mirage]

Black smoke covered Uruzak's body and instantly became thicker as if it devoured him completely. When the smoke faded, he disappeared.

Gasp!

I turned around and saw Mirage trying to sit on the ground. Panting and trying to catch my breath I stepped my feet towards her. I realized I was bathing in my sweat. But I smiled as I was thinking that it was already over, and also that I could protect Mirage from danger. Even actually Uruzak spared me, I just wanted to think positive for once.

I helped Mirage to stand up.

"I-I'm sorry..." She bit her lip as both tip of her eyebrows went up. "I couldn't be of a help."

"I-it's okay! You are being paralyzed after all."

Looking at her concerned face I continued talking.

"W-well, just take a rest if you still don't feel well. I'll look around searching the Astral Core."

She shook her head and smiled.

"No... I'm fine. I'll go with you."

"Okay."

"Umm... Let me heal you first..."

She said it and then she pursed her lips. I smiled at her and replied.

"Thanks..."

At the far end of the room, there were five big tanks each on the right and left wall. One of them was broken. The other tanks probably had something inside them too, but I didn't even want to know. I was lucky enough to defeat Ilkaav, not to mention I needed an hour to defeat him. His continuous attacks and Uruzak's never ending spells depleted my life. I was tired to the point I would collapse, but I couldn't feel it with this artificial body. It could be because of my stats. Well, I didn't want to think much of it. At least I could be completely relax since the boss battle had already ended.

There was a stone pedestal before the big tanks. I stood beside the stone podium and looked at it carefully. Nothing seemed particularly strange. It was just a stone pedestal. But when I touched it, a window popped out...

///////

Path to Astral Artisan

Final Challenge

Quest: Defeat Astral Shadow

///////

Pale humanoid appeared out of nowhere like a fade in image. It was wearing black armor which was grotesquely vague and blurred. On his right hand, it held a smoldering sword with thick black smoke coming out. Moreover, what was chilling from this being was...its face.

It was faceless.

[Dimensional Envoy]

'Another boss!?'

・・・

Meanwhile...

"Nakza"

(Master...)

"luzan uldak?"

(Is it done?)

"Kafa. Nor arakk nunta balgaz."

(No. But I have a good news.)

"Shaar."

(Speak.)

"Atar niz var. Atar niz Ravandir."

(He is the one. He is the Seeker.)

"Hmmm... Niz rukk haghnu?"

(Hmmm... Are you certain?)

"Arakk niz uru atar lag jofar thazarakh in denuk thazavuur."

(I'm sure he will pass the test and inherit the power.)

"Gurzu, arukkta tunur niz marfakh."

(Then, my work here is useless.)

"Kafadur, ilukk niz awal. Rukzatar tunur lag ar thazagovar."

(Not really, it's just a beginning. Your work will be the trigger.)

"Ah... Rakthazum. Rukk niz jarfath ul tawaz."

(Ah... I see. You are dependable as always.)

"Ilukk niz rofa pogum bulraav."

(It is for our goal after all.)

"Gurzu... Tara yurnain pakk thaz ranakk sagath."

(Then... Let's proceed to the next stage.)

"Fa, Nakza..."

(Yes, Master...)