Ethan's Fantasy-Drift

With the shield strapped to his left arm and the electric baton firmly gripped in his right hand, Ethan's combat capabilities had improved significantly. Though he was still far from being able to decimate hordes of dark creatures like Xul and Isendra, he was now capable of holding his own in the chaos of battle.

Without the need to constantly monitor Ethan's safety, the two mages unleashed their full strength. This time, the dark creatures inhabiting the Den of Evil met their end in spectacular fashion.

Frost engulfed entire groups, flames erupted violently, and Xul's necromantic magic shone with an eerie, pale light. The screams of the Fallen and the groans of zombies echoed through the cavern, a cacophony of despair. Ethan felt like he was living inside a high-budget fantasy film, one that no 3D movie could ever compare to. The intensity, the vividness, the sheer adrenaline—it was incomparable.

A Fallen lunged at him, and Ethan swung his iron rod, its crackling electricity sparking with each movement. The demon crumpled to the ground. He pivoted quickly, planting a solid kick into the chest of an approaching zombie, its decayed flesh giving way beneath his boot. With a sharp inhale, Ethan drove his foot down in a follow-up attack, crushing the zombie's brittle skull under his heel.

Taking a quick glance around, Ethan noticed that most of the dark creatures had been obliterated by the combined might of the two mages. Only a few stragglers remained, easily dispatched by his own efforts.

"Good call coming along," Ethan muttered to himself, grateful for his earlier decision to join Isendra and Xul. Opportunities like this, fighting alongside two powerful allies weren't likely to come often.

Under their guidance and protection, his combat skills had advanced noticeably in a single day. The Fallens and zombies, simple as their attack patterns might seem, presented countless challenges due to the unpredictable terrain and sudden ambushes. Navigating these conditions had rapidly honed Ethan's instincts and adaptability, transforming him from a fledgling fighter into a budding adventurer.

"I owe a lot of this to Ancient One," Ethan reflected as he steadied his breathing. His ability to maintain clarity during combat, to analyze situations and act decisively, was all thanks to the significant improvement in his mental strength. The extra split-second of thought provided by his enhanced mental power had repeatedly saved his life.

As the sounds of battle, the blasts of Isendra's fireballs and the guttural cries of the Fallen—faded into silence, it became clear that the fight was nearly over. Only a handful of creatures remained: a few scattered Fallens and slow-moving zombies.

Previously, the two mages would have intentionally left these remaining creatures for Ethan to deal with, using them as training tools. But now, Xul declared, "You've outgrown these exercises. It's time to challenge yourself in more complex and unpredictable combat scenarios."

Hearing this, Ethan felt a rush of pride. For the first time, he was being treated not as a liability but as an equal, a comrade-in-arms against the forces of darkness.

Even so, Ethan remained cautious. As he carefully inspected the battlefield, scanning the corpses of the dark creatures for signs of lingering danger, his grip on his iron rod tightened. He knew better than to assume all enemies were truly dead; after all, this wasn't a game where a fallen enemy was guaranteed to stay down. The cunning nature of the Fallens made it entirely plausible that one might feign death, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Better safe than sorry, Ethan thought, his gaze sweeping over the bodies. His vigilance was soon justified.

Just as he approached a pile of corpses, a Fallen suddenly sprang to life. With a guttural screech in its infernal tongue, it brandished a crude blade and lunged at Ethan, its beady eyes burning with malice.

Ethan's preparation paid off. Reacting instantly, he raised his iron rod to block the incoming strike. The Fallen's blade clashed against the rod with a metallic clang, and Ethan's left foot shot out in a powerful kick. His boot connected squarely with the demon's grotesque face, sending it reeling backward.

Wasting no time, Ethan stepped forward and swung the rod with both hands. This time, he activated the rod's lightning magic. Electricity surged through the weapon, the sparks illuminating the dark cavern in an instant. The Fallen let out a blood-curdling scream as the lightning coursed through its body, leaving it convulsing before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

"Hah... good thing I stayed alert," Ethan muttered, exhaling heavily. He inspected the body one last time to ensure the creature was truly dead before turning back to rejoin Xul and Isendra.

"Well done, Ethan,"

Ethan's movements were increasingly refined, shedding the clumsiness of an inexperienced fighter. Both Xul and Isendra took note of his rapid progress, their surprise evident as they exchanged glances.

"I might regret not trying harder to recruit you," Xul said with a faint smile. Whether he was being serious or not, the remark still filled Ethan with a sense of accomplishment. He no longer bothered with forced humility, simply nodding in acknowledgment, his own grin widening.

"Alright, let's keep moving," Isendra interjected. Her voice carried a note of irritation as she glanced around the dark, damp cave. "This place is endless, and we have no idea how many creatures are still lurking. Stay vigilant."

She sounded impatient. The oppressive atmosphere of the Den of Evil and its maze-like network of tunnels was clearly starting to grate on her nerves. It felt like they had been wandering for hours, though her impeccable memory assured her that they hadn't passed the same area twice.

"I've been mapping out the layout mentally," Isendra continued, her tone steady despite her frustration. "Based on what we've seen and what Akara and Kashya told us before, we've cleared out most of this cave."

The Den of Evil had only recently earned its ominous name. Initially, it was nothing more than an unremarkable hollow in the Blood Moor, devoid of resources or strategic importance. Its only claim to attention was its recent role as a haven for dark creatures, drawn in by the surge of sinister energy radiating through the land.

Rogues from the Sightless Eye and Kashya's warriors had scouted the area extensively, drawing up a detailed map of the cave. Though the original map was lost in the chaos of the monastery's fall, Kashya's sharp memory had been enough to provide the team with a decent understanding of the cave's layout before they embarked on their mission.

"We're approaching the deepest section of the cave," Isendra added, her voice growing more serious. "If the pattern holds, the strongest dark creature in this area should be waiting for us down there."

The deeper they ventured, the stronger the dark energy became. The creatures lurking in the shadows grew more powerful with every step, reinforcing the sense that the cave's most dangerous inhabitant awaited them in its darkest depths.

Ethan couldn't help but recall the first major boss he'd encountered in the game during his past life: Corpsefire, an elite zombie with significantly enhanced strength and dark energy. The memory made his palms sweat.

But how could he explain this knowledge without drawing suspicion? What if they started questioning how he knew so much? Would they mistake him for a spy sent by the dark forces?

Even if he tried to give them a heads-up, maybe suggest attacking Corpsefire from a distance—he quickly dismissed the idea. Both Xul and Isendra were seasoned mages. Rushing recklessly into melee combat was the last thing either of them would do.

"These two are practically max-level veterans," Ethan muttered under his breath. "My worry is completely unnecessary."

His concerns proved unfounded as they reached the cavern's heart. From a safe distance, Ethan spotted Corpsefire, unmistakable amidst the horde of regular zombies. The elite zombie radiated dark energy so potent it seemed almost visible to the naked eye. Without hesitation, Ethan took a step back, instinctively positioning himself behind the two mages.

"Stay back, Ethan!" Xul commanded sharply. "This opponent is far beyond what you can handle. Let us deal with it."

Xul didn't summon his usual bone scythe. Instead, he produced a strange, rune-carved dagger he hadn't used until now, while his left hand conjured a pale, translucent bone shield for defense.

Isendra was equally prepared. She quickly cast a shimmering magic shield around herself before turning to Ethan and summoning a protective frost shield to encase him. Without missing a beat, she hurled a massive fireball toward the horde of zombies.

Simultaneously, Xul unleashed his spell. A bone spear materialized in his right hand, crackling with primordial magic. It radiated a dazzling white light, briefly illuminating the entire cavern as though it were midday.

The combined light of Isendra's fireball and Xul's bone spear revealed the full extent of the enemy forces. Ethan's breath hitched as he saw the horde clearly for the first time: dozens of zombies packed tightly together, with countless skeleton archers lurking in the shadows at the edges. The archers already had their bows drawn, their bony fingers releasing arrows aimed directly at the group.

The whistle of arrows cutting through the air filled the cavern. Xul surged forward, his bone shield raised to intercept the incoming projectiles. The sharp clang of arrows striking the shield sounded like a downpour, a testament to the archers' overwhelming threat.

"Take out those archers first!" Xul barked.

Isendra was already ahead of him. She adjusted her aim, launching her fireball in a high arc over the zombie horde. It exploded with devastating force among the skeleton archers, bathing the cavern in a fiery glow. The blast reduced the archers to smoldering heaps of ash, their threat neutralized in an instant.

With the archers dealt with, the remaining zombies posed far less of a challenge. Isendra and Xul switched to precision attacks, casting less mana-intensive spells to conserve their strength while thinning the enemy ranks.

At this point, Ethan could safely join the fray. He stayed near the cave's edge, carefully maneuvering to avoid getting surrounded. Using the terrain to his advantage, he positioned himself so he only had to face one or two enemies at a time. He made a conscious effort to keep his distance from Corpsefire, fully aware that a single attack from the elite monster could spell his end.

"Know your limits," Ethan reminded himself grimly, clenching his iron rod tightly. "Don't pick fights you can't win."

He struck down a straggling zombie with a precise blow to its skull, then retreated further along the cave wall. As the remaining creatures dwindled, Ethan stopped fighting altogether, stepping aside to let the two mages finish the job.

In the end, Corpsefire—despite its ominous aura proved no match for Isendra and Xul's combined power. A massive fireball from Isendra reduced the elite zombie to charred remains, indistinguishable from the ordinary undead it once led.