We keep walking toward the boss region.
I hope it's not some polar bear or something, but I really don't know what to expect.
You see, in DreamSpire, the monsters are random. Of course, the boss region is even more unpredictable.
Anyway, I have to say—my leg still kills.
Sigh.
I need a long rest when I get back.
"Lady Selis, I went to check the boss region, and for some weird reason, there seem to be hardly any monsters. As for the ones that are there…"
"They're all Lesser ones. There's something suspicious here," Leon evaluates the situation and tells Selis.
"Hmm, that is weird." She pauses, glances at my side, then looks back at Leon. "We've got an injured one here, clearly. We need to be extra cautious."
"…And if something does happen, I'll jump in. Don't worry," Selis reassures us, trying to keep either of us from panicking or getting nervous.
That doesn't really stop me from overthinking, but I need to toughen up if I want to survive in this fucked-up world.
We keep walking toward the boss region.
The air feels strange, heavier than before. It's not exactly cold, but something about it makes my skin crawl. Maybe it's the silence. There's barely any noise except for our footsteps crunching against the rocky ground. No growls, no distant roars—nothing.
I don't like this.
Leon walks ahead, scanning the area. Selis stays alert, her sharp eyes watching everything around us. Me? I just try to keep up, my injured leg throbbing with each step.
And then—
A figure steps out from the shadows.
They move so smoothly, like they had always been standing there, waiting for us to notice. A long, dark cloak drapes over them, hiding most of their body. Their face is covered by a thin veil, making it impossible to see their features clearly.
They just stand there, completely still, hands tucked into their sleeves.
I don't know why, but something about them makes my stomach twist.
Then they speak.
"Well, well," the figure says, their voice smooth and slow. "Took you long enough. I was getting bored."
Leon instantly tenses, his hand moving to his weapon. Selis doesn't say anything yet, but I can tell she's on guard.
I swallow, feeling my pulse quicken.
Who is this? And why does it feel like they were waiting for us?
Selis is the first to speak. "Who are you?" Her voice is calm, but there's a sharpness to it.
The figure tilts their head slightly. "Me? Oh, just a curious observer." A pause. Then, with a small chuckle, they add, "Watching you lot stumble your way through this place has been… entertaining."
That tone—casual, almost mocking—it immediately makes my blood boil.
Leon steps forward, his grip tightening around his sword. "If you're looking for a fight, just say so."
The figure lets out a slow sigh. "Oh? Feisty. But…" They trail off, and I see their gaze shift toward me.
Even though I can't see their eyes through the veil, I feel them staring.
"…one of you can barely stand. Shouldn't you sit this one out, little guy?"
I clench my fists. I want to say something back, but what can I even say? They're not wrong. My leg is killing me, and even at full strength, I'm the weakest one here.
Leon doesn't wait for a response. He moves.
Fast.
His blade slices through the air, aimed right at the figure's side. It's a clean, precise strike. It should hit.
But it doesn't.
The figure shifts.
Not a step back. Not even a normal dodge. It's like they flow around the attack, their body moving just enough to let the blade pass through empty space.
Leon doesn't stop. He spins, swinging again—faster this time, more aggressive. But every time his sword should land, the figure just isn't there anymore.
It's like trying to hit a shadow.
Leon grits his teeth and goes in for another strike, this time aiming lower. But just as the blade is about to make contact—
The figure leans back, barely moving, and lets the attack miss by a hair.
Then, finally, they move.
With a flick of their wrist, they tap Leon's sword mid-swing. Just a light touch.
But it's enough.
Leon's entire balance is thrown off. His feet slide against the ground as he stumbles back a step.
I feel my breath hitch.
What the hell was that?
"Too slow," the figure says, shaking their head. "And here I thought you'd be more of a challenge."
Leon tightens his grip. "Shut up."
He charges again, slashing at the figure with even more force. His movements are sharp, controlled. Each strike is meant to either hit or force the enemy into a bad position.
But it doesn't matter.
The figure dodges. Again. And again. And again.
It's not just skill. It's something else. Something unnatural.
They move like they already know what Leon is going to do before he does it. Every attack is dodged with ease, every strike avoided with the smallest, most effortless movement.
And the worst part?
They're still not taking their hands out of their sleeves.
They're toying with us.
Leon swings one last time, aiming straight for the figure's chest. But right before the blade connects—
The figure finally moves forward.
A single, smooth step.
Leon's sword cuts through the air where they used to be, missing completely.
Before Leon can react, the figure is right in front of him.
For the first time, they lift their hand.
A single finger extends—
And taps Leon's forehead.
It's such a light touch. Barely even contact.
But the moment it happens—
Leon stumbles back like he's been shoved by an invisible force. He manages to catch himself before he falls, but his breathing is heavy now.
Selis doesn't move. She's just watching, her expression unreadable.
Me? I'm frozen in place.
This is bad.
Really bad.
The figure lets out a small sigh. "Come on now. You've got a sword. Use it properly."
Leon scowls, but I can see the frustration in his eyes. He's trying. He knows what he's doing. And it's still not enough.
The figure tilts their head again. "Is that it? I was expecting more." They glance at Selis. "How about you, miss leader? Are you going to jump in, or is this it?"
Selis doesn't reply right away. She just stares at them. Thinking.
Then, finally, she says, "You're not a normal enemy."
The figure chuckles. "What gave it away?"
She doesn't answer. Instead, she looks at Leon, then at me.
"…We should leave."
Leon looks like he wants to argue, but he doesn't. He just tightens his jaw, gripping his sword even harder.
The figure lets out a small laugh. "Smart choice." They step back, their posture still relaxed. "Go on, then. Run along."
I feel a cold sweat run down my back.
We came here expecting a boss fight.
Instead, we found this.
And the worst part?
They weren't even trying.