Ding!
New encounter detected.
Name: Unique Crystal Harpy
Rank: Mid Demon (Peak C)
Description: A harpy with shimmering crystalline wings that reflect light like a deadly prism. Its wings sparkle in the dim light, creating an illusion of multiple harpies as it flies above the battleground. Its deadly shrieks pierce through the air, disorienting its prey, and its sharp beak and talons are capable of tearing through even the toughest of defenses. Known for its piercing shrieks and deadly illusion magic, this harpy is a relentless predator, often striking from a distance before swooping in for the kill.
Approach with extreme caution.
Skills:
Prismatic Shriek: The harpy lets out a high-pitched shriek that distorts the air, creating multiple illusory copies of itself. The illusion disorients enemies, causing confusion and making it difficult to track the true harpy.
Crystal Shards: The harpy can shoot sharp crystalline shards from its wings at high speed, piercing armor and causing deep cuts. These shards explode on impact, causing additional damage.
Illusion Mirage: The harpy creates visual distortions, blurring its surroundings and making it difficult for enemies to target it. The harpy can also use this ability to simulate sounds and movements, throwing off its attackers.
Sonic Disruption: A focused sonic attack from its crystal wings that creates shockwaves, damaging all in the vicinity and potentially causing temporary deafness or confusion.
Rewards:
300 Faith Points
Crystal Harpy Core
Harpy Crystal Feathers (Rare crafting material)
Lucian stood at the edge of the trial ground, his eyes narrowing as a new presence filled the air. The soft, shimmering glow of the crystalline harpy's wings reflected the sunlight, casting prismatic colors all around him. He gripped his sword, his heart pounding. A mid-level demon… this could get interesting.
Ding!
The system's voice rang in his mind, warning him of the coming battle. The harpy let out a loud, piercing screech, sending a wave of energy rippling through the air. Lucian flinched, but his training had prepared him. He could already feel the battle's rhythm setting in.
"You think I'm afraid of a bird?" Lucian smirked, adjusting his stance as the creature's wings flared. The harpy cawed once more, louder this time, as it lunged into the air, soaring in circles above him.
Suddenly, the harpy's form split into multiple shimmering reflections, each one more vivid and prismatic than the last. Illusion magic. Great. Lucian's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of which harpy was the real one. He knew if he guessed wrong, he'd be hit with a deadly crystal shard barrage.
The harpy's shriek intensified, making the air vibrate with an otherworldly frequency. Lucian winced as the sound reverbe rated through his skull. His vision wavered, and for a split second, he saw two dozen harpies fluttering in the sky. It was like a deadly game of whack-a-mole.
He laughed aloud, shaking off the dizziness. "Nice try, but I've got more tricks up my sleeve than you!"
With a burst of speed, he charged forward, slashing through one of the illusions with his sword. The shimmering image dissolved into sparkles, but no real damage had been done. Lucian smirked. That one wasn't the real one.
The harpy screeched again, and this time, Lucian wasn't fooled. He swung his blade, slicing through another illusion, only to hear the faint whoosh of something heavy slicing through the air.
"Damn it!" Lucian cursed as a crystal shard embedded itself into his shoulder. The sharp pain shot through him, but he grinned through the pain. "That's what I get for taunting a demon bird."
With a grimace, Lucian dropped to the ground and rolled, narrowly dodging another barrage of crystalline projectiles. He glanced up just in time to see the harpy dive toward him, its beak glowing with a sinister light. The real one.
Lucian smirked, feeling the adrenaline rush through his veins. With a single motion, he raised his sword, channeling his energy. As the harpy flew toward him, Lucian used his Blaze Strike—a blazing arc of fire shot from his blade. The fiery wave struck the harpy directly in its chest, sending it spiraling backward in mid-air.
It screeched in fury, its crystalline wings shimmering as it recovered quickly, creating a sonic wave of force that knocked Lucian off his feet. But Lucian was already laughing, getting back up with a grin on his face. "Is that all you've got?"
In that moment, the harpy retaliated by slashing its wings forward, unleashing a wave of sonic disruption. Lucian barely had time to react. The shockwave hit him with enough force to make his bones rattle, but just as it seemed the world would implode around him, a strange realization hit.
It's got a rhythm to It.
Lucian narrowed his focus. He started to predict the harpy's next move, dodging the shards, blocking the sonic attacks with swift, calculated strikes. It was like a dance—a deadly, thrilling, epic dance of life and death. His smile never left his face.
"I've had enough of your illusions!" Lucian roared, slamming his sword into the ground. The force created a shockwave of energy, shattering the remaining illusions around him. The harpy's wings fluttered, a flash of light glinting in its crystal feathers as it appeared right in front of him.
Now or never.
With a roar, Lucian jumped forward, using the momentum of his body and the sheer force of his will to drive his sword directly into the harpy's chest, piercing its heart.
The harpy's scream was deafening as it staggered backward, its form shimmering one last time before it collapsed into a pile of crystalline shards and dust.
Lucian wiped his brow, panting slightly. "I gotta admit, that was a good fight. You almost had me, you freaky, glowing bird."
The system dinged in his mind, signaling the end of the battle.
Ding!
Battle completed. Rewards: 300 Faith Points
Crystal Harpy Core
Harpy Crystal Feathers.
Lucian looked down at the rewards, then back at the crystal shards scattered across the battlefield. "Not bad," he muttered with a chuckle. "But I still think I'm too good for you."
He glanced at the sky and stretched, already feeling the thrill of victory course through his veins. Another day, another demon bird to kill. He gave the fallen harpy one last glance. "Nice wings, though what next a grim reaper Squad hehe "
Lucian staggered to his feet, clutching his side, his clothes bloodstained and torn. The system's cheerful tone interrupted his groaning.
Ding...
Congratulations, Host! You've reached the second bonus round!
Objective: Clear this round to unlock the next stage. The trial ends when you defeat an A-rank monster.
Lucian blinked, still dazed from the fight with the harpy queen. "Wait… bonus round? I'm still bleeding from the last fight, and you're already throwing another one at me?"
Host, we recommend keeping up your momentum. This trial is designed to push your limits and—
"Yeah, yeah," Lucian muttered, rolling his eyes. "Sure, push my limits. Next thing you know, you'll be sending a Grim Reaper after me—"
A chilling gust of wind swept through the trial grounds, interrupting his sarcastic rant. The temperature plummeted, and an oppressive, deathly silence filled the air.
Ding... New Enemy Detected!
Name: Elemental Grim Reaper Squad (3)
Rank: Bonus C+ to B-
Description: These specters of death wield scythes imbued with elemental powers. Each represents a primal force—fire, ice, and shadow. Their combined attacks are designed to overwhelm even the strongest opponents.
Skills:
Fire Reaper:
Blazing Guillotine: A wide arc of flame that incinerates everything in its path.
Infernal Eruption: Summons a fiery explosion from beneath the enemy.
Ice Reaper:
Frozen Slice: Freezes anything it cuts.
Arctic Breath: Releases a wave of freezing mist, slowing and weakening opponents.
Shadow Reaper:
Dark Harvest: Siphons life force with every successful hit.
Eclipse Veil: Cloaks the area in darkness, limiting visibility.
Lucian's jaw dropped as the three figures materialized before him. They were spectral beings cloaked in tattered black robes, their skeletal hands gripping massive scythes. Each emitted a distinct aura: the first burned with fiery heat, the second radiated icy cold, and the third seemed to warp the very shadows around it.
Lucian groaned and threw up his hands. "You've got to be kidding me! I was joking, system! JOKING! Why the hell are you actually sending Grim Reapers after me?!"
The system chirped brightly.
Host, your humor is noted. However, this challenge is perfectly calibrated to your progress! Good luck!
The Fire Reaper raised its blazing scythe and let out a bone-chilling screech, signaling the start of the battle.
Lucian barely had time to react as the Fire Reaper slashed its scythe in a fiery arc, forcing him to roll away. The ground where he had stood erupted in flames.
"Okay, okay! Let's not get roasted today!" he shouted, summoning Mediodis into a long sword.
The Ice Reaper floated forward, raising its scythe. A trail of frost followed the blade as it descended, narrowly missing Lucian. The cold seeped into the air, freezing the tips of his hair.
Lucian countered with a lightning-charged slash, striking the Ice Reaper's torso. The creature recoiled, but before he could press his advantage, the Shadow Reaper struck. Its scythe lashed out from the darkness, grazing Lucian's arm. A wave of nauseating cold ran through him as his life force drained.
"Damn it! One's freezing me, one's burning me, and the other's sucking the life out of me. Who designed this fight?!" Lucian yelled, staggering back.
The three reapers moved in unison, surrounding him. The Fire Reaper swung its blazing scythe; Lucian parried, but the impact sent him skidding back. The Ice Reaper unleashed a freezing mist, and the Shadow Reaper cloaked the area in darkness.
Lucian coughed, his vision impaired by the swirling darkness. He activated Eyes of Truth to locate his enemies.
Ding… Weakness Detected: Core Fragment in their chests. Destroy to dissipate them.
"Yeah, sure, system. Just get close to the things trying to slice me in half. Easy peasy," Lucian muttered sarcastically.
Lucian gritted his teeth and charged toward the Ice Reaper, aiming to exploit its slower movements. He feinted left and then drove Mediodis straight into its chest. The blade struck the glowing core, shattering it.
The Ice Reaper let out a shriek and dissolved into a cloud of frost.
"One down!" Lucian shouted triumphantly.
His celebration was short-lived as the Fire Reaper unleashed Infernal Eruption. Flames erupted beneath him, scorching his legs and sending him flying. He hit the ground hard, smoke rising from his armor.
The Shadow Reaper appeared above him, scythe poised to strike. Lucian barely managed to roll away, the blade embedding itself in the ground where his head had been.
"Alright, time to get serious," he growled, summoning all his remaining strength.
He charged at the Fire Reaper, dodging another fiery slash. Using his lightning speed, he closed the distance and plunged his sword into its chest. Flames exploded around him, burning his arms and face, but the Fire Reaper disintegrated into embers.
Lucian dropped to one knee, panting heavily. His body was battered and burned, and blood dripped from multiple wounds.
The Shadow Reaper loomed over him, its skeletal grin mocking him. It raised its scythe for a final blow, but Lucian smirked.
"Gotcha."
With a surge of energy, he thrust Mediodis upward, piercing the Shadow Reaper's core. The creature froze, its scythe slipping from its grasp. With a final screech, it dissolved into black mist.
Lucian collapsed onto his back, staring at the swirling sky above him.
"Three reapers at once… You've got to be kidding me," he muttered. Blood trickled down his forehead, and every muscle in his body ached.
Ding… Quest Complete!
Rewards Granted:
800 Faith Points
Essence of the Reaper (x3)
Death's Mantle Cloak (Mid B-tier gear)
Lucian groaned, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, great. A cloak. That'll definitely make up for all the near-death experiences."