Four hours had passed since the martial arts assessment began, and within that time, the atmosphere in the stadium had shifted dramatically. What started as a mere test of skill had evolved into an emotional battlefield, where each participant's journey was not only physical but deeply personal.
For many, the four hours felt like an eternity. The stadium witnessed countless failures, injuries, and the despair of those who couldn't endure the grueling trials. Some participants faltered under pressure, while others displayed resilience that surprised even themselves. The spectators, too, were on an emotional rollercoaster—cheering, crying, falling silent with tension, and celebrating small victories as they watched the holograms of each participant broadcasted live from the Mystery Realm.
Among those spectators were Gabriel's family—his parents, Harold and Helena, and his sister, Celene. Each fight Gabriel's group encountered felt like a dagger twisting in their hearts. The intensity of their emotions mirrored the dangers Gabriel faced, as if they were the ones in the arena battling for survival.
The image of Gabriel's confrontation with the Poison Eye Demon Spider remained seared into their minds. The terror they felt in those moments when the monstrous spider lunged at their son was indescribable.
Swoosh!
It wasn't just fear for his life, but a profound sense of helplessness. They were forced to stand by, powerless, watching their son face a danger they could do nothing to prevent.
Gabriel had always assured them he could handle himself, that they need not worry, but nothing could have prepared them for the reality of witnessing his peril in the Mystery Realm. His parents never wavered from the hologram, eyes locked on their son's every move, terrified that even a blink might result in them missing a crucial moment—perhaps the last moment they might see him alive.
When Gabriel made the heart-stopping decision to sacrifice himself to ensure his group's escape, Boom! his parents' composure shattered. Tears streamed down Helena's face, her body trembling with fear as she clung to Harold. Harold's own hands shook, his heart pounding in his chest as he silently pleaded for his son's safety. Even Celene, who knew the strength Gabriel possessed, couldn't suppress the anxiety that clawed at her. She clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white, her whispered prayers for Gabriel's protection the only thing grounding her in that terrifying moment.
And then, just as despair threatened to overwhelm them, Boom! Gabriel delivered a miracle. He slew the Poison Eye Demon Spider—a feat they could scarcely believe even as they saw it with their own eyes. The massive beast collapsed, its threat extinguished, and in that moment, their fear was replaced with an overwhelming wave of relief.
The emotional release was so intense that Helena and Harold found themselves crying anew—this time out of sheer joy and pride. Celene exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her body trembling with the aftershock of relief. They had always known Gabriel was strong, but now they truly understood the depth of his resolve and his capacity to protect himself.
Finally, Gabriel's words rang true in their minds. "I'll be okay," he had told them, over and over, as if trying to ease their worries. And now, they understood what he meant. He was more than okay—he was extraordinary.
---
Inside the Mystery Realm, Four Hours Later
Gabriel's team pressed deeper into the Sunset Forest. The air was thick with tension, the kind that sent shivers down the spine and made every rustle of leaves seem like an impending threat.
"Stop!" Gabriel suddenly commanded, his voice a low hiss. The group halted instantly, their senses heightened.
"Something's happening," he whispered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the dark underbrush.
In the distance, a faint rumble echoed through the trees. Moments later, *Boom!* a loud explosion shattered the stillness, and a thick, coppery smell filled the air—the unmistakable scent of blood. The five of them exchanged uneasy glances, their curiosity piqued despite the underlying fear.
"Let's check it out," Gabriel decided, his voice steady. The team carefully made their way through the thick jungle, each step measured and quiet. As they emerged from the undergrowth, they found themselves on the edge of a flat, open area.
Zhao Kong, who had taken point, suddenly froze. "Look!" he hissed, his voice tinged with a mix of horror and awe.
The others followed his gaze, and what they saw made their blood run cold. In the center of the clearing, two ghostly figures were locked in combat with a group of students. The spectral beings moved with a deadly grace, their forms flickering in and out of visibility like shadows dancing in the dim light.
---
[Name: Reaper Ghost]
[HP: 300,000/300,000]
[Mana: 2,500/2,500]
[Patk: 6,500]
[Rank: Bronze 7 ⭐]
[Skills: Death Scythe, Soul Restrain, Mana Drain, Harvest]
[Description: A spectral entity believed to be a manifestation of death. The Reaper is not tasked to kill mortals, but to ferry their souls to the afterlife.]
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[Death Scythe: A swift, lethal strike with a spectral scythe that slices through both flesh and spirit. The Reaper Ghost swings its ethereal blade with a force that transcends the physical realm, dealing devastating damage to its target. The scythe gleams with a cold, dark energy, and those who face its edge often see the shadow of their own demise reflected within it.
Damage: 350% x Patk
Mana Cost: 150
Cooldown: 3 seconds]
----
[Soul Restrain: Tendrils of darkness erupt from the Reaper Ghost's form, wrapping around its victim and binding their soul in place. The ghostly restraints sap the strength and willpower of the target, making them feel as though their very essence is being suffocated. Escape is nearly impossible without intervention, as the tendrils seem to drain not just energy, but hope itself.
Bind Duration: 10 Second
Damage: 1% of the target HP per second
Mana Cost: 500
Cooldown: 10 seconds]
----
[Mana Drain: The Reaper Ghost extends its hand, and a void of darkness engulfs the target, drawing in mana like a black hole consuming light. As the target's magical energy is forcibly siphoned away, the Reaper Ghost's presence grows stronger, feeding on the very lifeblood of its victim's power. The process is agonizingly slow, as the victim feels their magical essence being torn from them, leaving them vulnerable and defenseless.
Mana Drain: 15% of the target mana
Mana Cost: 300
Cooldown: 5 Seconds]
-----
[Harvest: In a moment of pure dread, the Reaper Ghost reaches into the chest of its target, its hand phasing through flesh and bone to grasp the soul within. This macabre ritual draws out the life force of the victim, converting it into pure energy that heals the Reaper Ghost's own spectral wounds. The target feels an icy grip on their soul, as though death itself is pulling them into the abyss, leaving them weakened and close to the brink of death.
HP drain: 10% of the target
Mana Cost: 300
Cooldown: 5 Seconds]
---
Gabriel recognized the uniform of the students under attack—they were from Arctic Haize Academy. The group's leader, Cho Wei, was shouting orders, his voice barely audible over the clash of steel and the unearthly wails of the Reaper Ghosts.
---
"Positions!" Cho Wei barked, his tone carrying both authority and the undercurrent of fear gnawing at him. His team responded with practiced discipline, forming a defensive line. Jian and Lian, the two tanks, stood at the front, their shields raised high. Behind them, Cho Wei settled into a combat stance, his eyes sharp and focused. Mei, the Mage, began chanting, her hands aglow with arcane power, while Yuna, the Healer, murmured prayers that infused the group with protective light.
But the Reaper Ghosts were relentless. With a bone-chilling wail, the first Reaper Ghost lunged forward.
Swoosh!
Its [Death Scythe] sliced through the air with terrifying speed. Jian braced himself as the scythe crashed into his shield. The impact was so powerful that Jian felt his bones rattle, and his health bar plummeted dangerously. He staggered but managed to hold his ground, the weight of the blow leaving him breathless.
"Hold the line!" Jian grunted, his voice tight with strain as he pushed back against the Reaper's overwhelming force.
Meanwhile, the second Reaper Ghost darted around the tanks, its hollow eyes locking onto Mei. With a flick of its hand, it unleashed [Soul Restrain]. Dark tendrils shot out from the Reaper's body, wrapping around Mei's limbs like living chains. She gasped, her spell faltering as the restraints drained her energy, her skin growing paler by the second.
"Yuna, help Mei!" Cho Wei shouted, his voice edged with desperation. He launched himself at the first Reaper, his fists glowing with ki energy as he struck at the ghostly figure. But each blow passed through the Reaper's form as if striking water, the ethereal nature of the ghost rendering most of his attacks useless. The Reaper's HP barely dropped, its ghostly essence nearly impervious to physical harm.
Yuna, her face pale and slick with sweat, quickly directed a [Purifying Light] spell at Mei.
Boom!
The holy energy sliced through the dark tendrils, freeing Mei just as the second Reaper activated [Mana Drain]. A wave of darkness enveloped Yuna, pulling her mana toward the ghost. She stumbled back, her mana reserves draining rapidly, leaving her defenseless.
"Yuna's down!" Lian shouted, his voice filled with alarm as he intercepted another swipe from the second Reaper's scythe. His shield buckled under the force, and cracks spread across its surface like a spider's web. Lian's health bar dipped dangerously low, his vision blurring from the strain.
Sensing an opportunity, the first Reaper Ghost invoked [Harvest]. A ghostly hand shot forward, phasing through Jian's chest and grasping at his soul. Jian's health plummeted as he felt a coldness deeper than death itself. A portion of his life force was ripped from him, and the Reaper's wounds began to heal, its form growing more solid and menacing.
"Jian, fall back!" Cho Wei ordered, his voice laced with desperation. He moved to cover Jian, but the first Reaper was relentless.
Swoosh!
It swung its scythe in a wide, deadly arc. Jian, barely able to lift his shield in time, felt the impact shatter it completely. He was thrown backward, landing with a sickening thud on the hard ground, his health teetering on the edge of critical.
"Jian!" Mei's scream pierced the chaos, her hands trembling as she tried to muster the strength for another spell. But her fear choked her, and the magic fizzled out before it could take form.
Cho Wei gritted his teeth, realizing just how dire their situation was. The Reaper Ghosts were far more powerful than they had anticipated. Their skills were deadly, their attacks relentless, and his team was on the verge of being wiped out. Desperation fueled his next move as he launched a flurry of strikes at the second Reaper, each blow aimed at its core.
Boom!
The Reaper shrieked, its form flickering, but its HP remained frustratingly high.
Meanwhile, Lian, struggling to stay upright, felt an icy presence looming behind him. The first Reaper Ghost hovered over him, its [Death Scythe] raised for a final, fatal strike. Lian could only watch in horror, his body frozen by fear, as the scythe descended.
Yuna, with what little mana she had left, unleashed a burst of healing energy.
Boom!
It was enough to stabilize Lian, keeping him from the brink of death. But the effort drained her completely, and she slumped to the ground, her body trembling with exhaustion.
"Mei, we need to retreat!" Cho Wei shouted, his voice filled with the weight of their impending defeat. But as he turned to give the order, the second Reaper Ghost activated [Soul Restrain] again, this time targeting Cho Wei himself. The dark tendrils wrapped around his limbs, immobilizing him completely.
"Cho!" Mei's eyes filled with tears, her hands trembling as she tried to cast another spell. But it was too late. The first Reaper Ghost, now fully focused on Cho Wei, moved in for the kill.
"Fall back!" Cho Wei's voice, strained and filled with regret, echoed through the clearing as the second Reaper's scythe descended.
But before it could reach him, a bright light erupted from the treeline.
"Boom!
The intense glow forced the Reaper Ghosts to retreat momentarily, their forms flickering as they recoiled from the blinding radiance. A figure stepped into the clearing, his presence radiating a powerful aura that sent the Reapers skittering back into the shadows.
"Get out of here!" the newcomer commanded, his voice deep and authoritative.
Cho Wei's team didn't need to be told twice. They scrambled to their feet, dragging the unconscious Jian with them as they fled into the forest, the Reaper Ghosts left behind.
After Cho Wei disappeared, the figure of the one who help them disintegrated into particles.
Seeing its target gone, the Ghost Reaper, immediately chased after Cho Wei's team.
As they fled, Cho Wei's heart pounded with the weight of their narrow escape. They had barely survived, and he knew that next time, they might not be so lucky.
---
Watching from the Shadows
Gabriels and his team had remained hidden, watching the chaotic battle unfold.
Swoosh!
The sight of Cho Wei's team nearly being wiped out by the Reaper Ghosts sent a chill through them.
"Brother Gab, let's go!" Gareth urged, his voice filled with a mixture of excitement and relief. He couldn't help but chuckle, the tension of the moment making the near disaster seem surreal.
The sound of Gareth's laughter echoed through the forest, drawing the attention of Cho Wei's team as they retreated.