The monsters from the Avatar of XX series were strange creations—cobbled together by Wade from various other monsters.
Their base forms were usually stripped-down Lothric Knights, and depending on what he needed, Wade would equip them with different weapons and armor. Without fail, they'd instantly adapt—moving as if they'd trained with those tools their whole lives.
As for the weird things they did—like running running marathon, waving dramatically, or snacking during fight—Wade swore he never programmed that behavior. Absolutely not.
(He was lying through his teeth.)
He hadn't sent out stronger monsters this time. For one thing, wasting Mana on hidden punishment mechanics wasn't worth it. It was enough to give the exploration team a light spanking, not total annihilation. For another… he actually had high hopes for this group.
The dungeon featured bonfires on the upper, middle, and lower floors. Each could play recorded scenes, except the last one. Wade was curious to see what kind of story these adventurers would piece together after watching them all.
Still—attacking a bonfire? Unforgivable.
Anyone foolish enough to do that had to be punished.
Let's see if they could clear the dungeon while laboring under that penalty.
"What the hell is this!?"
Maru shrieked, jumping back as three silhouettes stepped from the smoke. The sight of them churned up memories she'd rather have buried.
Their thief hoods, bulky armor, and odd weapons gave them away instantly—dark spirits.
"Except for their weapons… they look exactly like the ones from that day!" she stammered, recalling the Banished Knight, the nightmare that had haunted her since.
In truth, the three Avatars here had far lower stats than that boss-level horror—but the resemblance was uncanny enough to make anyone uneasy.
The group's formation tightened. Faces hardened, weapons came up, and even the newcomers could feel the tension in the air.
Still… they were just three guys in silly outfits.
How bad could it be?
"Everyone, stay sharp. Don't underestimate them," Leon warned, taking a steadying breath. This time, he'd learned his lesson—shield on one arm, straight sword in the other. The classic combo.
"This is your fault! See what happens when you anger the gods?" The Fire Priest glared at the Holy Knight, stepping forward protectively. Pulling out a bell, he intoned solemnly, "I'll pray for you all—with the power of fire!"
The Holy Knight ignored him completely. Raising his voice to the heavens, he bellowed,
"O Holy Light, grant me your weapon—reduce my foes to dust!"
A dazzling flash burst around his hands as heavy, radiant gauntlets materialized—each one looking capable of crushing a skull with a single blow.
He glanced back at his allies, roared, and charged headlong into battle.
Normally, such reckless courage would've been suicide—but everyone here was an experienced fighter. Even if this was their first time fighting side by side, a single look was enough to read each other's intent.
Drew instantly cast two quick buffs on the team. As his chant faded, Perry's voice rose:
"Phantom Body!"
Illusions shimmered around each ally, confusing enemy vision and lowering their accuracy.
"Thanks!" Leon shouted, sprinting for the nearest target—the Avatar of Swift Slash.
Maru and Stella flanked him, while Terl and Roger went after the Avatar of the Katana.
Melga moved to back up the Holy Knight against the Avatar of Left Bow.
Everyone surged forward, full of confidence.
Terl let out a bestial roar, his skin flushing green as his body swelled. In seconds, he became a hulking brute of muscle and rage, charging the Avatar of Katana like a living battering ram.
But how would the Avatar respond to such a force?
No one here knew what a katana was—it was a weapon foreign to this world—but even so, Terl didn't dare take it lightly. From the start, he went all in.
"Crushing Blow!"
His massive frame loomed like a thundercloud over his enemy—
—when suddenly—
"Counter Cut!"
Schlick!
A thin red line split across Terl's chest. His eyes went wide before he crashed to the ground with a thud, disbelief frozen on his face.
He hadn't even understood what had just happened.
The Avatar of Katana threw his arm up in triumph, preening like a smug businessman after closing a deal.
But his victory pose didn't last.
A rapier slid cleanly through his back.
He turned, stunned, to see Roger behind him, winking playfully.
Unlike Drew, Roger wasn't a support mage—he was a battle mage. His specialties were clear as day:
"Invisibility. Sound Suppression. Aura Concealment. Short-range Blink. And then—stab!"
Leon, meanwhile, was going all-out.
The Avatar of Swift Slash's movements resembled someone he remembered all too well, which only made him fight harder. He swung his wind-wreathed sword downward—
Boom!
A smoke bomb detonated beside the Avatar. Out of the haze, Maru darted forward like a shadow, her blade flashing for the foe's kidneys.
Stella followed up immediately, loosing her arrow with a sharp hiss—Flamebreaker Shot! The air itself rippled with heat as the projectile screamed toward its mark.
But the Avatar of Swift Slash ducked low, gripping his sword in a strange stance, and sprinted straight toward Leon.
Leon's instincts screamed. He dropped his attack mid-swing and raised his shield just in time.
Clang! The impact jolted his arm to the bone—it felt like the Avatar had slammed into him full-body.
"Huh!?" Maru blinked—her strike hit nothing but air. She spun around—and froze.
The Avatar had slipped behind Leon, still crouched in that unsettling posture.
Her sixth sense flared with alarm—but the threat wasn't near her.
Where—?
She got her answer a heartbeat later.
Shhk-shhk-shhk!
A storm of white sword energy erupted from the Avatar's path.
Caught off guard, Maru stumbled back, her small frame shredded by streaks of light. Blood splattered the floor.
Leon had hoped to counterattack during the Avatar's recovery, but the moment he lowered his shield—
Crash!
A second wave of sword energy slammed into it, nearly knocking the weapon from his grip.
Even through the shield, he felt the cuts slice across his body. One grazed his face, carving a bright red line across his cheek.
The Avatar's technique was impossibly fast—and just as elusive.
Leon steadied himself, but before he could retaliate—
—the next attack was already coming.
"Damn it!"
He threw his shield up again, teeth gritted. The Avatar danced just out of reach, and every time Leon moved to strike, another flash of swordlight was already waiting.
Relentless repetition. Precise. Brutal.
Then—thunk!—a flaming arrow punched into the Avatar's back, sending him stumbling into the wall.
Stella exhaled slowly, nocking another arrow. "Attacks like that? Watch them long enough, and you can read the rhythm."
"Nice shot!" Leon shouted, charging again. Under the rain of fire, he slashed five times in a blur, driving the Avatar back.
With renewed confidence, Maru rejoined the fight after Drew's healing spell, circling for another strike.
Victory was in sight—
—until a heavy body hit the ground with a crash.
The Holy Knight.
"Uh… ughh…"
He reached a trembling hand toward the ceiling before collapsing completely. His chest was riddled with arrows—so many that counting them was pointless.
The Avatar of Left Bow lowered his weapon… and flashed a peace sign.