Eldrin's veil:Arcanist Awakening

Chapter 20: A Battle Beyond Limits

The world blurred.

Aeron vanished—only to reappear behind Aldric in an instant.

—[Skill Activated: Phantom Step - Lv 5]—

Speed increased by 300% for 5 seconds.

Next attack deals double damage.

Aeron's blade flashed.

Aldric barely turned in time.

CLANG!

Sparks flew as their weapons clashed, shockwaves tearing through the battlefield.

For the first time—Aldric staggered.

His golden eyes widened. "Impossible—!"

Aeron grinned.

—[Skill Chain Activated!]—

Phantom Step → Void Strike → Lunar Reaver

Aeron's body twisted, his blade slicing through the air with unnatural precision.

—[Critical Hit!]—

You have dealt 8,950 damage!

Aldric grunted, his armor denting from the impact.

Sylva's jaw dropped. "Wait—we can actually hurt him now?!"

Hobbles peeked out from behind his rock. "Wait, wait, wait. Did Aeron just land a hit on a boss-level NPC? That's illegal."

Aldric's expression hardened.

And then—he moved.

Faster than before.

Aeron barely had time to react before a golden spear of energy erupted from Aldric's palm—slamming straight into his chest.

—[System Alert!]—

You have taken 14,620 damage!

Warning! HP has dropped below 30%.

Aeron's body flew backward, crashing through debris.

His breath hitched. Pain lanced through his ribs.

Aldric advanced. His blade gleamed with divine energy, radiating raw power.

"This fight is over," Aldric said coldly.

Aeron gritted his teeth. His arms trembled. His vision blurred.

But the shard was still in his grip.

And it was still whispering.

Do you seek more?

Aeron's breath shuddered.

His fingers tightened.

And then—he let go.

The shard hovered in the air—before shattering.

A shockwave exploded outward.

The air rippled. The sky darkened.

Aldric froze. "What have you done?"

Aeron's body changed.

His eyes burned black. His veins glowed. His stats skyrocketed.

—[System Alert!]—

New Form Activated: Fallen Awakening - Stage 1

Strength +300%

Agility +250%

Mana Regeneration Increased

Drawback: ???

Aeron exhaled, feeling power surge through his veins.

Then—he grinned.

"Now… let's really fight."

Aeron's heart pounded.

His body felt weightless, as if the world itself had shifted around him.

Power surged through his veins, raw and untamed. His muscles burned, but it wasn't pain—it was something else.

Something awakening.

Aldric's golden eyes narrowed. "This presence… it shouldn't exist."

He gripped his sword tightly, taking a cautious step back.

That single step said everything.

Sylva stared. "Did… did that guy just flinch?"

Hobbles peeked out. "I dunno what's happening, but I suddenly feel like hiding even more."

Aeron flexed his fingers. Black energy crackled around him, distorting the air. His UI flickered, struggling to process the sheer magnitude of his transformation.

—[System Alert!]—

WARNING: Power Level Exceeding Safe Limits!

Stability: 87% → 75% → 68%…

Effects: ???

"That's not ominous at all."

But there was no time to question it.

Aldric moved.

Faster than before.

His sword blazed with divine fire, slashing forward in an arc of golden light.

Aeron barely reacted. His body moved on its own.

He tilted his head, dodging by a hair's breadth. Time slowed.

A split second later, he countered.

—[Skill Activated: Void Requiem - Lv ???]—

Strikes the opponent with condensed void energy.

Ignores 70% of enemy defenses.

A black blade of energy erupted from Aeron's sword—ripping through the air.

Aldric **raised his shield instinctively—**but it shattered on impact.

—[Critical Hit!]—

You have dealt 32,840 damage!

Aldric was sent flying.

Sylva's jaw dropped.

Hobbles' mouth moved, but no sound came out.

Aldric hit the ground, rolling to a stop. His armor was cracked. Blood trickled from his lips.

He looked up, eyes unreadable. "This… should not be possible."

Aeron grinned. "Guess today's full of surprises."

Aldric exhaled slowly.

Then—he smirked.

"Good."

A golden light exploded outward.

—[System Alert!]—

World Event Triggered: Trial of the First Knight!

Defeat Sir Aldric before the Kingdom's Judgment descends.

Time Limit: 3 minutes.

Aeron's grin faltered.

"Three minutes?!"

Aldric stood, his aura surging to new heights. His wounds sealed instantly. His golden sword shifted, turning into a radiant greatsword.

Aeron's instincts screamed.

Sylva groaned. "Oh come on! This guy was already a nightmare!"

Hobbles collapsed to the ground. "I need a new hobby."

Aldric raised his blade.

And the real fight began.