[KILL KHAOS, KEEPER OF THE GATE OF SPIRITS.
[REWARD — 100kpts. 1 Unlocked Ability.])
The voice echoed in Flynn's head as he locked eyes with the Keeper.
In terms of power, facing Khaos was a daunting task, with odds of 4-5 against him and a 15% chance of death. Yet, Flynn stood firm.
Khaos's gaze met Flynn's hollow eyes, and the his expression changed. He had sensed from the beginning that Flynn's power wasn't mortal.
The Keeper's eyes scanned Flynn, settling on the Ring. "You wear the Ring of Calamity?" he growled. "That artifact was supposed to be destroyed by the Gatekeepers long ago."
"... Why do you care?"
The Keeper's voice took on a tone of curiosity. "Human, do you comprehend the form you now possess?"
Flynn's gaze dropped to his hands, where darkness slowly consumed his form. Yet, the shadows seemed to obey him, as if made for his control. But something felt off.
"... I know this form. It's the Shadow Lord."
"Do you comprehend the Shadow Lord's powers?"
Flynn's brows furrowed. "... To kill you. Yes."
Khaos landed his scythe on the ground, facing Flynn with an air of authority. "I am an Elder, awakened by the Holder of the Gate. For a thousand years, I've maintained balance on this path. Never have I encountered someone as reckless as you..."
Flynn's frown deepened.
"....The Ring of Calamity, the Chaos Ring you possess, has one purpose: to plunge the world into darkness. And you, its Host, would usher in that doom, and at the end, be eaten away by this darkness."
The Keeper raised his scythe. "... I'll end your wretched future, Mortal—"
"... I would end yours first, I don't choose to die now!" Flynn declared, raising his sword and pointing it at the Keeper. ".... I have a future that definitely won't mark my end by your hands."
The Keeper's gaze remained unwavering. "Mortal, how do you view yourself?"
".. As a scholar?!"
The Keeper sneered. "Don't make me laugh, Mortal. You will become a villain, sending the entire world into darkness, ruling over the lands of ages, and consuming the light relentlessly."
The Keeper assumed a battle-ready stance. ".... You should die now, before you kill the innocents...."
As soon as the Keeper spoke, he dematerialize and reappeared behind Flynn, who swiftly countered with a backward thrust of his sword, deflecting the devastating slash.
With a swift turn, Flynn regained control of his sword. However, the Keeper's speed outmatched his, and the scythe's blade swooped toward his neck.
Nevertheless, his reflexes proved superior, dodging the attack by pushing himself backward.
His eyes locked onto the Keeper for a fleeting 0.00001 seconds, the briefest window to react before the Keeper could counter.
With lightning speed, Flynn kicked the scythe upward and thrust his sword at the Keeper from two angles simultaneously. He targeted the possible locations the soulshard might shift to, ensuring no narrow escape.
Confident, Flynn thought he had the upper hand. His sword and outstretched fingers closed in...
"Whoosh!"
The Keeper transported, reappearing on the floating platform above. In the same swift motion, he grasped his scythe weapon.
The sudden disappearance of the keeper, caused Flynn's grip on the dark sword tightened instinctively. His feet scraped against the ground before halting at the chain-link edge of the interlocking platform.
As he met the Keeper's gaze, whose scythe rose high, Surely, this was a powered attack.
In a flash, Flynn's eyes darted upward, and his heart sank. Thousands of crimson swords hovered above, points angled downward.
"Damn!" he muttered under his breath.
The swords descended, raining down upon him. Flynn's hands clenched around the sword's hilt.
'Cling... Clang...' He deflected every sword with lightning speed and precision, but one sliced through his arm, widening his eyes in pain.
[HOST CURSE — 40%]
[CURSE — POISON STRIKE - Reduces HOST defence by 10%]
The voice echoed in his head before the Keeper took this as an opportunity, teleporting in front of him, and gave a strike in the stomach. Flynn's body hurtled away from the chain, crashing into the opposite floating platform.
He knew this wasn't the time to waver around in pain, and swiftly stood up, dodging the sudden scythe's rushing strike sent towards his neck.
Lowering his body, Flynn avoided the blade, but upon standing, he faced the Keeper's ready punch.
Not once, not twice, but repeatedly, the Keeper's blows battered Flynn's body through the ground. Then a kick sent Flynn and his sword crashing through pillars.
Again, the Keeper reappeared midair, clasping his hands together. A powerful blow struck Flynn's stomach, sending his body crashing into another floating platform.
'SLAM!' He landed on the platform, spitting out black blood (from the curse effect) that weakened him. "I hate this Keeper!" he exclaimed.
Reaching for his sword close by, when a crushing blow struck his back, destroying the platform and sending him plummeting into the Void.
In desperation while falling, Flynn realized he hadn't tapped into his awakened form's powers. "Ring! Host survival!" he cried.
[RING HUNGER LEVEL — 99.4%!]
Flynn frowned. "Ring, listen to me! If I die, you'll lose me, your host, and be destroyed, forever hungry!"
[RING HUNGER LEVEL — 99.8%!!!!]
"I COMMAND YOU TO LISTEN TO ME!" Flynn shouted.
[.... HOST SURVIVAL ENGAGED....]
The Ring's voice finally responded in his head, "My Host, you have starved me—"
"Ring you keep quiet! I'm dying!" Flynn urged. "Display this form's ability."
The Ring remained silent until Flynn added, "Ring, is your hunger worth your own destruction? Display this form's ability! So I can unlock the abilities and kill this KEEPER NOW!."
"[RANK 1 SHADOW LORD - INITIAL FORM]
UNLOCKED ABILITIES:
·Shadow Manipulation - Teleport short distances through shadows (UNLOCK/CLOSE)
·Shadow Absorption - Absorb up to 50% of incoming damage (UNLOCK/CLOSE)
LOCKED ABILITIES:
· Shadow Realm - Create a temporary shadowy realm, slowing enemies by 50%. (Requires: Rank 2 Shadow Lord, 1,000 KPT, 2x Shadow Crystals, 1,000 Shadows)
· UMBRAKINESIS - Manipulate darkness to crush or disorient enemies. (Requires: Rank 3 Shadow Lord, 2,000 KPT, 5x Shadow Crystals, 3,000 Shadows)
· Shadow Requiem - Unleash a devastating shadowy explosion (Requires: Rank 4 Shadow Lord, 3,000 KPT, 10x Shadow Crystals, 5,000 Shadows.)]"
Seeing the display, Flynn knew definitely he hasn't understood anything yet. Nevertheless, he commanded, "UNLOCK ALL UNLOCKED ABILITIES!."