Eldrin's veil:Arcanist Awakening

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Chapter 22: The Kingdom's Judgment

The order was given.

"Seize him."

Aeron's body tensed as the knights rushed forward, their armor clanking in unison.

"Okay. Not how I planned my day."

Sylva grabbed his arm. "Run. Now."

Hobbles was already scrambling for cover. "Why is it always you?! Why can't we ever just loot a boss and walk away?"

Aeron had a lot of questions himself, but standing around wouldn't get them answered.

His instincts kicked in—and he sprinted.

—[System Alert!]—

New Hostile Encounter: Kingdom of Eldoria - Elite Forces

Enemy Type: Royal Enforcers (Lv. ???)

Engagement Status: Wanted Fugitive

The ground trembled as the knights charged, their halberds and swords gleaming in the light.

Sylva cursed. "They're too fast!"

Aeron gritted his teeth. "Then we get faster."

—[Skill Activation: Phantom Step - Lv 3]—

Doubles movement speed for 10 seconds.

Aeron's body blurred.

The knights swung—but he was already gone.

He reappeared several meters ahead, legs burning from the sudden boost. Sylva and Hobbles followed, barely keeping pace.

But the army didn't stop.

"Where do we go?!" Hobbles wheezed.

Aeron scanned the landscape. The battlefield was a wasteland—flat, open, no cover.

Except—

His eyes locked onto a distant forest.

That was their best shot.

"Head for the trees!" he shouted.

Sylva glanced back. "Not to be dramatic, but if they catch us, they'll probably execute us."

"Yeah, well, let's make sure that doesn't happen."

The trio bolted.

The wind roared past them. The knights weren't slowing down—but neither were they.

And then—

A thunderous boom split the sky.

Aeron barely had time to react before something huge crashed in front of them.

Dust exploded outward. The shockwave sent them flying.

Aeron hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop. Pain flared through his ribs.

What… was that?

As the dust settled, a figure emerged.

A man, clad in ornate silver armor, with a crimson cape billowing behind him. His aura was suffocating, like standing beneath a crashing wave.

His golden eyes locked onto Aeron.

—[System Alert!]—

New Character Identified: Sir Aldric of Eldoria

Title: First Knight of the Kingdom

Level: ???

Status: Extremely Dangerous

Sylva groaned. "Of course they have a mini-boss."

Hobbles barely peeked up. "Maybe if we just play dead—"

Aeron pushed himself up, heart pounding. He'd fought strong enemies before—but this guy was different.

The First Knight's voice was calm. Cold.

"Surrender the relic."

Aeron's fingers curled around the Shard of the Fallen God.

It pulsed—as if it was waiting for his answer.

A choice had to be made.

Surrender… or fight?

And Aeron had never been one to surrender.

He exhaled.

"Yeah… I'm gonna have to say no."

Aldric sighed. "Then you leave me no choice."

His sword flashed.

And the fight began.

Aldric's sword flashed, cutting through the air with terrifying speed.

Aeron barely dodged. Barely.

The blade sliced past his shoulder, missing by a hair—but the sheer force sent him skidding back.

"Holy—!"

—[System Alert!]—

You have been affected by "Royal Pressure"!

All movement speed reduced by 30%.

Dodging effectiveness decreased.

Your opponent's level is too high! Damage received is amplified.

Aeron cursed under his breath.

This wasn't a normal fight.

Aldric wasn't just a knight—he was a walking raid boss.

Sylva raised her daggers, eyes locked on the enemy. "This guy is way out of our league."

Hobbles whimpered from behind a rock. "That's an understatement! That guy could probably solo a kingdom—oh wait, he already does!"

Aldric didn't waste time.

He moved.

Fast.

Too fast.

Aeron barely saw it coming before a gauntleted fist slammed into his gut.

CRACK!

The impact lifted him off the ground—then sent him crashing into a boulder.

—[System Alert!]—

You have taken 3,245 damage!

Armor durability reduced by 15%.

"Ow."

Aldric didn't stop.

He was already charging forward, his sword gleaming with a golden aura.

Sylva gritted her teeth. "Nope. Not happening."

—[Skill Activated: Shadow Bind - Lv 5]—

Paralyzes the target for 2.5 seconds.

Dark tendrils shot out from her daggers, latching onto Aldric's limbs.

He froze.

For exactly half a second.

Then—the bindings shattered.

Sylva's eyes widened. "What the—?"

Aldric's golden eyes flickered toward her.

"Pathetic."

Then, he swung.

The sheer force of the attack tore through the air, sending a shockwave that ripped up the ground.

Sylva had just enough time to flip backward, barely dodging—but the aftershock still knocked her off balance.

Hobbles screamed. "NOPE, NOPE, NOPE—"

Aeron gritted his teeth. His body ached, his health was dropping fast—but he wasn't about to lose.

Not here.

Not now.

His grip tightened around the Shard of the Fallen God.

And in that moment—

It spoke.

Not in words.

But in feeling.

A call. A whisper. A question.

Do you seek power?

Aeron hesitated.

Then—

"Give me everything."

And the world changed.

—[System Alert!]—

Forbidden Power Awakening…

New Skill Unlocked: "Fallen Awakening - Lv ???"

Temporarily harness the power of the Fallen God.

All stats increased drastically.

Drawback: Unknown.

A black aura exploded around Aeron. His vision darkened at the edges, his veins burned, and something ancient stirred within him.

Aldric's eyes narrowed. "What… is this?"

Aeron smirked.

"Round two."

And then—he vanished.