The battlefield shifted with Malrath's arrival, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the already blood-soaked square.
The air grew heavy as the dark energy radiating from him seemed to dull the light of the torches and the moon above.
Sang-hoon gripped his lance tighter, its polished surface shimmering faintly with mana.
Kaelith's growl deepened, shadowy flames licking at his fangs as he positioned himself defensively in front of his tamer.
"Stay sharp," Sang-hoon said under his breath, the words more for himself than anyone else.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind, a system prompt materializing in his vision:
[New Mission: Malrath's Reckoning]
Objective: Defeat Malrath and his forces to secure the square and protect the civilians.
Rewards: 5000 XP, Unique Equipment: Shadowbreaker Pendant.
Sang-hoon's lips tightened. The stakes couldn't have been higher.
Malrath's twisted grin widened as he raised his massive greatsword, its blade crackling with dark energy.
"Let's see if you can last more than a minute," he growled, his voice resonating like a war drum.
Before Sang-hoon could respond, Arden's voice cut through the tension.
"Move aside, moron!" Arden barked, his Saberwolf snarling as it crouched low. "This guy's mine."
"No!" Sang-hoon snapped, stepping forward. "You can't handle him alone. None of us can."
Arden scowled but didn't argue further. His Saberwolf lunged first, its powerful jaws snapping at Malrath's legs.
The demon knight laughed, sidestepping with unnatural grace for his size before slamming the flat of his greatsword into the beast, sending it skidding across the square.
Mira darted in next, her daggers flashing as she aimed for Malrath's exposed side. Her Arctic Lupin surged forward, a trail of frost encasing the cobblestones beneath its feet.
But Malrath was ready. He swung his sword in a wide arc, dark energy trailing behind it like a scythe. Mira leapt back, narrowly avoiding the blade, while her Lupin yelped as it was forced to retreat from the wave of corruption that followed.
"Is that all?" Malrath sneered.
"Elena, flank him!" Sang-hoon yelled, darting to the right as Kaelith released a barrage of shadowy flames to draw Malrath's attention.
Elena nodded, her spear glowing brightly as she moved to the left. "Inscription Two—Piercing Sunbeam!"
A concentrated beam of golden energy shot from her spear, aiming directly for Malrath's chest.
Malrath raised his sword, intercepting the beam. The impact caused the ground beneath him to crack, but he stood firm, laughing as the energy dissipated against his blade.
"Light," he mocked. "Do you think I haven't faced your kind before?"
Sang-hoon used the distraction to close the distance.
"Kaelith, now!"
The dragon roared, launching a stream of concentrated flames at Malrath's back. Sang-hoon followed up with an "Arvendale's Strike," his lance blazing as it aimed for the demon knight's exposed flank.
The combined attack forced Malrath to pivot, his greatsword swinging in a defensive arc. The blade connected with Sang-hoon's lance, the impact reverberating through his arms.
"You're not bad, boy," Malrath said, his crimson eyes glowing with amusement. "But you're not enough."
He shoved Sang-hoon back with overwhelming strength, sending him skidding across the cobblestones.
Kaelith growled and lunged, but Malrath swatted the dragon away like a fly.
Arden and Mira rejoined the fray, their beasts harrying Malrath from opposite sides. Arden's Saberwolf lunged for the demon's legs while Mira's Lupin targeted his sword arm.
"Stick to the plan!" Sang-hoon shouted, recovering his stance.
"There is no plan!" Arden snapped back. "Just don't die!"
Mira rolled her eyes but grinned despite the chaos. "As motivating as ever, Arden."
Elena surged forward again, her Wyvern diving from above to claw at Malrath's shoulder.
The demon knight roared, swiping at the beast but failing to land a blow.
"Elena, together!" Sang-hoon called, charging back into the fray.
"Inscription Three—Celestial Impale!"
The radiant projectiles erupted from Elena's spear, striking Malrath's legs and forcing him to his knees.
Sang-hoon seized the opening. "Shadowbane—Second Sequence: Luminous Rend!"
His lance extended with blinding light, slashing across Malrath's chest.
For the first time, the demon knight staggered, black ichor seeping from the wound.
Malrath's grin faltered, replaced by a snarl. "You dare!"
The students and their beasts rallied. Mira's frost slowed Malrath's movements, while Arden's unrelenting attacks forced him to defend from multiple angles.
Kaelith leapt onto Malrath's back, biting down and releasing a burst of fire directly into the demon's exposed shoulder.
Sang-hoon and Elena pressed the assault, their attacks synchronized as they exploited every opening.
But Malrath wasn't finished.
With a deafening roar, he unleashed a wave of dark energy that sent everyone sprawling.
"You think you've won?" he bellowed, his voice resonating with fury. "I'll crush you all!"
Sang-hoon struggled to his feet, the weight of the battle pressing down on him.
"This ends now," he muttered, raising his lance.
Kaelith landed beside him, his eyes blazing with determination.
"Elena!" Sang-hoon called.
"I'm with you," she replied, stepping forward despite the blood dripping from her wounds.
Together, they charged one final time, their combined might aimed at Malrath's core.
"Art of the Luminous Spear—Final Inscription: Radiant Convergence!"
Their attacks converged in a brilliant explosion of light and shadow, engulfing Malrath.
When the energy subsided, the demon knight knelt, his armor shattered and his greatsword broken.
"You may have won this battle," Malrath rasped, his crimson eyes dimming. "But the Reaver's will cannot be denied."
With those final words, his body disintegrated into black mist, leaving the square eerily quiet.
The group stood in the silence, their breaths ragged and their bodies battered.
Kaelith nudged Sang-hoon's leg, chirping softly as if to say, We did it.
Sang-hoon looked down at the runes on his chest, their glow fading. The weight of their promise settled heavily on his shoulders.
"We survived," he said, though the victory felt hollow.
Elena placed a hand on his shoulder. "For now."
Around them, the city began to stir, the sounds of rebuilding already starting.