Episode 204
“Stage One restriction lifted?”
A message window popped up before Zeke’s eyes.
[Stage One restriction lifted. Bahamut’s second power is now unlocked.]
[You have acquired the power of ‘Shadow Dominion.’]
[Due to the influence of ‘Shadow Dominion,’ the Dragonkin skill ‘Dragon’s Claw’ has been enhanced, increasing its skill rank.]
[Skills such as Dragon Scale Armor, Dragon’s Claw, and Dragon’s Senses have been elevated to Expert rank.]
[The title ‘Dragonkin’ now includes Dragon Eyes, Dragon’s Majesty, Dragon Scale Armor, Dragon’s Claw, and Dragon’s Senses.]
[The title ‘Dragonkin’ has evolved into ‘Dragon Lord.’]
[The power of Dragon Lord enhances the ability to dominate dragon species.]
[Dragon species will instinctively fear and submit to the user.]
[The karma required to unlock Dragonkin skills is reduced by 20% due to the influence of the Dragon Lord title.]
[The energy required to increase the rank of Dragonkin skills is reduced.]
Zeke reviewed the message and examined his newly acquired powers and enhanced abilities.
“Shadow Dominion? Bahamut’s second power… If the seal weakens further, I might unlock even more powers.”
Zeke checked the details of Shadow Dominion and the skill Limit Break.
―Passive Skill Information―
Limit Break: When reaching your limits, awaken your potential and gain insight to surpass barriers.
―Power Information―
Shadow Dominion: Grants control over shadows. You can read information or bind through contact with shadows.
“What?”
Zeke was taken aback by the description of Limit Break.
A skill that grants insight when reaching one’s limits was unheard of.
“What kind of skill is this?”
If this information was true, it meant Zeke could surpass barriers much more easily than others.
Reaching one’s limits is achievable through effort and willpower.
In his past life, Zeke constantly pushed himself beyond his limits.
However, surpassing those limits through insight was a different matter.
“This is incredible.”
For Zeke, who frequently surpassed his limits, this skill was more valuable than any fortuitous encounter.
It was as if a stepping stone to the realm of the Black Knight, which he had longed for, had been laid before him.
“I’ll need to try out Shadow Dominion to fully understand it, but it’s a shame I can’t use it right now. Being Bahamut’s power, it must be formidable.”
The concept of controlling shadows was hard to grasp just from the description.
Given its impact on the Dragon’s Claw, it seemed to be a power linked to spiritual entities.
After reviewing all his abilities, a new message appeared before Zeke.
[The structure of the trial is changing.]
[You will be transported to a hidden stage corresponding to the trials from floors 91 to 98.]
[Due to the arbitrary adjustment of difficulty, rewards will be given upon passing the hidden stage.]
A portal to the third hidden stage opened.
“Passing this means I’ve essentially conquered up to the 98th floor.”
The end of the inverted tower was almost in sight.
Zeke took a deep breath and stepped into the portal.
Moments later, the third hidden stage Zeke encountered was a completely different landscape.
“What is this?”
The sky was a deep purple, with two black suns blazing overhead.
The ground was a barren wasteland, and the plants that grew were twisted, thorny, and grotesque.
At that moment, Arataso exclaimed.
[How did we end up in the Demon Realm?]
Even without drawing the Wooncheol Sword from his inventory, Zeke could hear Arataso’s voice.
“Arataso, can you hear me?”
[Yes, I can.]
It seemed that as Zeke’s energy grew stronger, he could communicate more freely with Arataso.
Simultaneously, Arataso appeared to be able to observe the external situation without being drawn from the sword.
Zeke asked Arataso again.
“Is this the Demon Realm?”
[No, wait… To be precise, it’s not the Demon Realm, but an environment similar to it.]
Arataso’s words reminded Zeke of Agamemnon Castle, which he had purified.
The castle and its surroundings, long eroded by demonic energy, had a similar atmosphere.
‘If left unchecked, Mycenae might have ended up like this.’
The thought that Mycenae could have transformed into the ominous landscape before him left Zeke with a troubled expression.
“So, what am I supposed to do here?”
Muttering to himself, Zeke ventured into the bizarre thicket to explore the terrain.
The thorns reached out, trying to ensnare him.
Zeke drew Bahamut and sliced through the encroaching vines.
Screech!
Black, sap-like liquid dripped from the severed vines.
Zeke began cutting down the thicket entirely.
Crack!
Though they were plants, the thorns bled as if they were not.
When the black sap from Bahamut hit the ground, it sizzled, releasing black smoke.
“Is it because the land is tainted with demonic energy? It’s vile.”
At that moment, a message from the tower appeared before Zeke.
[The hidden stage is beginning.]
[Go to the castle and defeat the demon boss.]
[Rewards will be given upon successful completion of the stage.]
[Due to difficulty adjustment, you can lift one skill restriction. Choose a skill to lift.]
“I can lift a skill restriction? Just how difficult is this… Hmm…”
After some thought, Zeke decided to lift the restriction on his Infinite Stamina skill.
[The restriction on Infinite Stamina is lifted.]
As the restriction was lifted, Zeke felt his entire body lighten.
“Whew, it’s like putting down a heavy weight.”
Zeke realized anew just how powerful the Infinite Stamina skill was.
With Infinite Stamina restored, Zeke could use Hershion and Soul Sealing techniques more easily.
“Getting stronger without relying on skills is important, but for now, clearing the stage takes priority.”
Zeke used his flight technique to swiftly ascend the trees.
Rustle!
The trees, tainted by demonic energy, extended their branches to grab him.
Zeke leaped into the air, faster than the pursuing branches.
Whoosh!
In mid-air, Zeke heightened his vision to quickly survey the terrain.
Beyond the dense forest, he spotted a castle covered in thorny brambles.
“Is that where the boss is?”
Descending from the air, Zeke wielded Bahamut to cut through the branches trying to ensnare him.
Screech!
The trees screamed as they bled black sap.
Zeke slid down the tree, his sword embedded in it.
Crack!
The tree split with a loud noise.
Ignoring it, Zeke headed into the forest, following the direction of the castle he had seen from above.
As he ventured deeper, branches and thorns pursued him from all sides.
“Annoying pests.”
Zeke swung Bahamut like swatting away flies, cutting down the branches.
As he delved deeper into the forest, he sensed suspicious presences all around.
‘What is that?’
Suddenly, black shadows darted between the trees, rushing towards Zeke.
Screech!
Monkey-like beasts attacked him.
Whoosh!
Zeke stepped back, swinging his sword at the beasts.
Slash!
Using minimal aura, Zeke swung Bahamut, slicing through the attacking beasts in one swift motion.
Screech!
The beast cut by Bahamut shrieked and retreated.
Calmly advancing, Zeke unleashed a powerful shockwave.
Buzz!
The fleeing beast coughed up blood and collapsed under the shockwave.
Zeke found he could subdue the beasts with much less effort than before.
“Definitely feels like I’ve cut out unnecessary movements.”
It was proof he had reached the true state of unity with his sword.
As Zeke dispatched the beasts, he ventured deeper into the forest.
The types of beasts attacking him changed as he went further.
This time, a lion-like beast with massive fangs charged at Zeke.
Roar!
Though the beast was formidable, Zeke, who had faced Balrog, saw it as nothing more than a large cat.
Whoosh!
Using his phantom step, Zeke dodged the attack and struck the beast’s side with a powerful kick.
Boom!
Roar!
The beast writhed in pain, unable to move properly.
Seizing the opportunity, Zeke swung his sword, severing the beast’s head.
Slash—
The decapitated beast disintegrated into black ash.
In its place, like the Balrogs, a magic stone was left behind. Zeke picked it up and stored it in his inventory.
‘This could come in handy.’
As he approached the castle, larger and stronger beasts appeared.
Eventually, a hellhound the size of a basilisk, with three heads, bared its teeth at Zeke.
Growl!
Arataso, sealed within the Wooncheol Sword, was startled.
[Wow, a Cerberus. You don’t see those much in the Demon Realm these days.]
“Do you know this beast?”
[It’s a beast that high-ranking demons used to keep. They’re loyal to their masters, making them perfect for guarding territories.]
Growl!
The Cerberus lunged at Zeke, its saw-like teeth bared.
Roar!
Zeke swung his sword, shattering the teeth of the Cerberus’s left head.
Whimper!
The startled beast retreated.
Moments later, the creature’s shattered teeth began to regrow.
Sensing the unusual power of Zeke’s sword, Cerberus opened its mouths wide.
From all three mouths, black flames erupted.
Boom!
Cerberus unleashed a torrent of black fire towards Zeke.
Whoosh!
Though not as powerful as the flames of the Balrog Champion, the tyrant, the demonic fire was still dangerous enough to incinerate anyone who let their guard down for even a moment.
Knowing this, Zeke swiftly retreated using his phantom step technique, dodging Cerberus’s flames.
Then, he planted his feet firmly and unleashed a powerful shockwave.
Vroooom!
As the wave expanded, the blazing black flames began to die down.
Zeke immediately charged through the dissipating flames, swinging his sword at Cerberus.
The Infinite Chain Technique activated, unleashing a relentless assault of Solar Swordsmanship and Golden Swordsmanship.
Growl!
Cerberus tried to back away, attempting to evade Zeke’s strikes.
But Zeke didn’t miss the opening.
Vroooom!
With a resonant hum, Zeke assumed the stance for the Dragon Slayer Technique.
A much sharper aura blade emerged from his sword.
Dragon Slayer Technique: True Dragon Sword Form
Chapter 3, Verse 2
Crescent Moon Slash
Bahamut unleashed a crescent moon attack towards Cerberus.
Whoosh!
The brilliant crescent flew towards Cerberus.
In response, Cerberus spewed black flames at the incoming strike.
Boom!
Yet, the crescent slash Zeke had created cut through the flames, advancing towards Cerberus.
Slice—
The crescent arc traced its path, severing all three of Cerberus’s heads.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Cerberus’s heads fell to the ground.
Crash!
Its body collapsed, slowly disintegrating into black ash.
Left behind were Cerberus’s magic stone and teeth.
“Cerberus’s teeth, huh. Richmond will be pleased.”
After carefully collecting the spoils, Zeke prepared to move on, sensing he was nearing the castle.
Just then, he heard the sounds of battle from the other side of the forest.
“Sounds of fighting? Could it be beasts fighting each other?”
Summoning the power of concealment, Zeke hid himself and observed the source of the noise.
To his surprise, there was another human besides him.
“Come on, you beasts!”
A knight, clad in unfamiliar armor, was fighting the beasts with a net and a spear that resembled a harpoon.
The knight skillfully ensnared a beast with the net and swiftly ended its life with a thrust of the spear.
The beasts, resembling minotaurs, hesitated to approach, wary of getting caught in the knight’s net.
Watching the knight’s unique technique, something suddenly clicked in Zeke’s mind.
“Could that knight be…?”
There was only one knight Zeke knew who fought in such a distinctive manner.
“One of the Clock Tower Knights, the Fisher Knight, Reyes?”