Chapter 9: The Illusionist's Trial
The journey to the Temple of Echoing Shadows was long and perilous. Kairo and Akari traveled through mist-covered valleys, where shadows seemed to move on their own. It was almost as if the world itself was watching them.
As they approached the ruined entrance of the temple, a notification appeared before Kairo's eyes.
[Quest Activated: The Illusions]
[Defeat the Phantom Lord, Erebus]
The air grew colder, and an unnatural silence settled over the area. Akari frowned.
"Something's wrong."
The moment they stepped inside, everything twisted. The temple walls blurred, the stone floor cracked, and suddenly—
Kairo and Akari were separated.
---
The Phantom Lord Appears
A deep, sinister voice echoed through the void.
"Reality is but a dream, and dreams... can be nightmares."
A figure emerged from the shadows. A tall, cloaked man with glowing violet eyes, his form flickering like a mirage. His presence sent a chill down Kairo's spine.
[Boss Identified: Phantom Lord Erebus - Lv. 120]
Kairo drew his daggers, ready to fight. Erebus raised a single hand, and suddenly—
Five identical copies of him appeared.
---
A Battle Against Shadows
Kairo lunged forward, slashing at the nearest Erebus—only for his dagger to pass through air. A mirage.
The real Erebus struck from behind, a shadowy blade slashing across Kairo's shoulder. -120 HP.
"Damn it! How do I tell which one is real?"
Akari was fighting on her own, but every time she landed a hit, the enemy vanished into mist.
Kairo activated Shadow Veil, turning invisible. But even unseen, Erebus smirked.
"Hiding won't save you."
---
Mind Prison: A False Reality
Erebus snapped his fingers.
Kairo blinked.
He was in his bedroom.
His bed, his computer, his desk—it was all exactly as he remembered it in the real world. He heard his mother's voice.
"Kairo, come down for dinner!"
His heart pounded. Was it possible? Had he... returned?
Then—a knife plunged into his chest.
His "mother" grinned wickedly, her eyes glowing violet.
"Stay here forever, Kairo."
Pain burned through his body. But pain wasn't real in a dream. That meant—
"This is an illusion!"
With sheer willpower, Kairo broke free from the Mind Prison. The temple reappeared around him, and Erebus chuckled.
"Not bad. But the worst is yet to come."
---
Nightmare Manifestation
The air shimmered, and suddenly—a monstrous figure loomed over Kairo.
It was the beast that killed him in the real world.
The same monstrous fangs, the same blood-soaked claws. It let out a terrible roar.
Kairo froze. His body refused to move. His heart pounded in terror.
"This isn't real... This isn't real..."
Akari's voice cut through his fear.
"KAIRO! MOVE!"
She launched a burst of energy, shattering the illusion. The beast vanished into smoke. Kairo gasped, sweat dripping down his face.
"If she hadn't been here..."
But Erebus wasn't done yet.
---
Final Phase: Void Collapse
Erebus lifted his hands.
Darkness swallowed the temple.
No light. No shadows. Only an endless void. Kairo and Akari couldn't see anything.
"You cannot fight what you cannot see," Erebus whispered, his voice echoing from every direction.
Kairo relied on his hearing. Footsteps. A shift in the air. He dodged—barely avoiding an invisible blade.
"I can't see... but I can feel the movement."
He closed his eyes. Focused on the rhythm of the battle.
A step. A whisper. A shift in the air.
There!
Kairo slashed forward with all his strength.
His blade met flesh.
A shocked gasp. The darkness shattered. Erebus staggered back, clutching his chest.
"Got him."
---
The Phantom Lord Falls
Erebus fell to his knees. His illusions faded, revealing his true form.
He looked at Kairo, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"You are... not the only one... trapped in this world."
With those final words, Erebus dissolved into mist.
[Quest Completed: +800 EXP]
[Reward: Phantom Cloak - Grants Resistance to Illusions]
Kairo stood still, processing Erebus's final words.
"Not the only one? Are there others like me in this world?"
Akari placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Looks like our adventure just got a whole lot bigger."
To Be Continued...