The roar of the Corrupted Soul shattered the peace of the Heart of the Forest. The dark, distorted dragon silhouette was unaffected by its surroundings, floating in the air, emitting a cold, decaying energy. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Kai, without a trace of doubt.
"Damn it! It's not physical!" Arthur roared, his hammer swinging uselessly through the air.
Elara fired arrows repeatedly, but they passed through the phantom without leaving a trace. Despair began to creep in. Zane was still unconscious, and this enemy seemed invulnerable.
"It wants to devour the soul of the Heart of the Forest!" Kai shouted, sensing the ancient spirit's desperation. "Arthur, Elara, fall back! This one... only I can deal with it!"
Kai knew this was the time to unleash the full power of his Awakened Soul Dragon evolution. The Corrupted Soul was a pure spiritual entity, and this was his new specialty.
"Venom Breath" wouldn't work, nor would "Tidal Burst." He needed to attack its very spiritual essence. Kai focused his mana and soul energy. He lightly flicked a claw, activating "Soul Taming," but not to control, but to attack the soul.
A stronger, purer blue light enveloped Kai's claw. He charged at the Corrupted Soul, fearless.
"Soul Pierce!"
Kai's claw pierced through the phantom form of the Corrupted Soul as if it didn't exist.
[-120 HP! Extremely effective! Deals direct soul damage! Afflicted with 'Soul Weakness' (Reduced movement speed, reduced attack power) for 3 seconds!]
The Corrupted Soul's roar became deafening, not a roar of fury but a shriek of agony. Its silhouette flickered, and the dark aura surrounding it visibly weakened.
"It's working!" Arthur cheered, although he couldn't see the wound, it was clear the entity was affected.
The Corrupted Soul immediately counterattacked. It recoiled, then shot a thick black energy towards Kai. "Soul Hand!"
[-30 HP! Afflicted with 'Mana Drain'!]
Kai felt a portion of his mana drained, but he didn't waver. He took advantage of the opponent still being stunned from the previous attack, immediately launching his next move. He focused energy into his eyes, activating a new skill hidden within his Awakened Soul Dragon evolution.
"Misty Illusion!"
A dense, dark gray mist, not toxic, but a type of spiritual mist, radiated from Kai's body. It enveloped the Corrupted Soul, not dealing physical damage, but directly affecting its consciousness.
Corrupted Soul Level 20 has been afflicted with 'Delusion' (Reduced damage dealt, reduced accuracy) for 5 seconds!
The Corrupted Soul phantom staggered, its movements becoming slow and imprecise.
"Protect Zane!" Kai roared. "I'll finish it!"
Arthur and Elara didn't need to be told twice. They immediately formed a protective circle around Zane, anticipating any surprises.
Kai charged in, relentlessly using "Soul Pierce." Each blow made the Corrupted Soul shriek in pain, its form becoming more ethereal. This was a tenacious battle of will and spirit. The Corrupted Soul tried to counterattack, but its "Soul Hand" attacks were weakened and inaccurate due to Kai's "Delusion" effect.
[-120 HP! Afflicted with 'Soul Weakness'!]
[-120 HP! Afflicted with 'Soul Weakness'!]
Kai knew he had to finish it quickly. He felt the energy of the Heart of the Forest gradually weakening as the Corrupted Soul tried to absorb it. He focused all his remaining soul energy, transforming it into a final attack. His claw blazed with a brilliant blue light, not just mana, but the essence of the Ancient Soul Emblem and his own awakened soul.
"Awakened Shadow Dragon: Soul Shatter!"
Kai lunged directly at the Corrupted Soul. This attack was no longer a simple pierce, but a pure burst of soul energy.
[-200 HP! Critical soul damage! Corrupted Soul Level 20 has been defeated!]
A terrifying, mournful shriek echoed throughout the Heart of the Forest. The Corrupted Soul's silhouette convulsed violently, writhed, then completely dissipated into a thin black smoke, leaving no trace.
You have defeated Corrupted Soul Level 20!
Received 800 experience points!
Experience Points: 4370/100 (Level 27).
Congratulations! You have reached Level 28! All attributes slightly increased.
When the Corrupted Soul vanished, the Heart of the Forest's energy stabilized. The ancient spirit radiated a wave of gratitude into Kai's mind.
"You... saved me... Bearer of the Emblem..." The spirit's faint voice resonated. "You have proven your worth. Now... the path to the Ancient Dragon Sanctuary is clear. Follow my energy. But be warned... the 'Gatekeeper'... is not a spiritual entity. He is a Legendary Blacksmith... sealed to protect this place."
Arthur and Elara rushed to Kai, their faces filled with relief. "You did it!" Arthur said, clapping Kai on the shoulder. "You're the savior of this forest!"
Kai panted, his mana depleted, but a sense of triumph surged through him. He had faced a spiritual entity, a fragment of the World Devourer, and emerged victorious. The power of the Awakened Soul Dragon was truly the key.