The Demon Vanguards—massive, grotesque figures wreathed in violet shadow and burning malice—arrived at the Bone Altar valley within minutes. They were towering, armored creatures of nightmare, radiating the chilling power of Lord Leka.
[Threat Detected: Greater Imposter (Level 55). Abilities: Shadow Spikes, Flight.]
[Threat Detected: Greater Imposter (Level 60). Abilities: Shadow Shields, Psychic Assault (Massive).]
The Level 60 Imposter descended first, its presence immediately slamming the squad with a terrifying psychic pressure, worse than the previous Imposter Lord's. The Level 55 Imposter soared above, preparing for an aerial strike.
"Level 60 is mine. Bethany, track its shields!" Archelius commanded, drawing the War God's Edge with a resonant metallic shink.
He immediately charged the Level 60 Imposter, ignoring the psychic assault that battered his mind. His War God's Vestment (Rank E+) and Iron Skin (Rank E++) kept the psychological damage tolerable, allowing him to maintain focus.
The Level 60 Imposter, perceiving the powerful Rank D energy, activated its defense: layered, complex shields of pure shadow.
"You should have died at the Citadel, toy!" the Level 60 Imposter boomed, striking with a massive, shadow-forged mace.
Archelius met the mace with a high-speed dodge, relying on his maximized Sprint Burst.
"Three seconds until rotation! Left flank is open!" Bethany screamed, tracking the shields from her defensive position behind a jagged bone shard.
Archelius focused the pure silver energy of the War God's Edge and delivered a brutal, overcharged War God's Strike into the exposed flank. The 3x multiplier of Rank D power ripped through the Level 60 armor.
CRACK!
[Greater Imposter (Level 60) Health: 80%.]
The Imposter roared, staggering backward.
Engaging the Flank
While Archelius engaged the primary threat, the Level 55 Imposter dove, unleashing a volley of sharp, psychic shadow spikes aimed directly at the support crew.
"Support, scatter!" Archelius yelled, but the command was redundant.
Theodore, remembering his duty, executed his own Sprint Burst (Rank F) and moved between the support crew and the incoming spikes. He activated his newly acquired Iron Skin (Rank F).
THWACK!
The Level 55 spikes, intended for high-level targets, impacted Theodore's body. His Rank F defense, combined with his natural physical strength, miraculously mitigated the damage.
[Theodore Health: 40/100. Rank F Iron Skin Critically Stressed.]
"My turn!" Raji yelled. Now that the Imposter was momentarily grounded, she activated her Sprint Burst and began circling the Level 55 Imposter, throwing shards of bone. Her attacks were useless, but the constant, blurring movement drew the Imposter's focused rage.
The Level 55 Imposter turned, enraged by the distraction of the 'Core Zero rats.'
This was the opening Archelius needed. The Level 60 Imposter was distracted by the fight below and trying to re-establish its shield rotation.
Archelius closed the gap with his ultimate finisher.
War God's Fist (Rank D). The 7x multiplier punch, fueled by a massive surge of Rank D energy, slammed directly into the Level 60 Imposter's helmet.
The focused power was absolute. The Imposter's head exploded in a shower of violet psychic energy.
[Greater Imposter (Level 60) Defeated. Dominance Kill Achieved!]
[XP Gained: 6000. Total XP: 18560/51200. Level Up: User Level 21!]
[Core Power: 60/100 (Remaining).]
Archelius had achieved a monumental victory, eliminating the highest threat instantly. The sheer Dominance Kill surged his XP, pushing him to Level 21.
The Clean Up
The remaining Level 55 Imposter watched its partner disintegrate, its momentary rage replaced by panicked recognition of the insurmountable power gap. It attempted to retreat, soaring rapidly into the sky.
"It's retreating!" Raji yelled, panting.
Archelius raised the War God's Edge. The stability of the Rank D Scabbard allowed him to channel maximum, focused energy without fear of burnout. He used the full capacity of his Rank D War God's Strike for a ranged attack—something previously impossible.
He unleashed a massive, focused wave of silver energy from the tip of the blade—a pure System Blast.
The blast traveled instantly across the valley, slamming into the fleeing Level 55 Imposter.
The Imposter's flight was instantly disabled, and it crashed violently onto the ash, heavily damaged.
[Greater Imposter (Level 55) Critically Damaged. Health: 10%.]
Archelius sprinted toward the downed Imposter, ensuring the kill. The fight was over.
[Greater Imposter (Level 55) Defeated. XP Gained: 550.]
[Total XP: 19110/51200.]
Archelius retrieved the massive loot from the two Vanguards.
[Greater Imposter Core (Legendary Grade) x 2 Acquired.]
[Shadow Weaving Silk (Legendary) x 1 Acquired.]
The Next Frontier
Archelius tended to his squad. Theodore was severely bruised but recovering rapidly, thanks to the Rank D XP boost and the healing power of the nexus light that was still faintly shining.
"Theodore, you saved the support team. Your defense held," Archelius praised, a rare, genuine statement. "You have earned your next upgrade."
Theodore, exhausted but proud, merely nodded.
Archelius opened the System. He was now Level 21, Rank D. The threat was neutralized, but the Demon Race would not stop.
"The Demon Stronghold to the north is now alerted to a formidable Rank D enemy," Archelius explained, displaying the northern red signature on the map. "They will send Level 70+ threats next. We need to counter them now, before they can fully mobilize."
He looked at the two Legendary Grade Cores in his hand. He was ready for the next level of power.
He immediately focused on upgrading his weapon to the full Rank D potential.
[War God's Edge (Rank D) Upgrade: Requires 1 Legendary Core, 2 Legendary Silk. Success: 90%.]
He had one core and one silk. He was short one silk.
"Theodore, Raji, retrieve the components from the Imposter remnants," Archelius ordered. "We need to craft the ultimate weapon immediately."
As his subordinates efficiently processed the remains, Archelius looked north. The fight was no longer about survival; it was about the swift, absolute destruction of the demonic power structure.
I am the War God, and the war has just begun.