The valley was heavy with silence, the aftermath of Kaelen's previous battles still lingering in the air. Dust and debris swirled around the jagged rocks, and the fading sunlight cast long shadows across the clearing. Kaelen and Luna stood facing Althar, the swordsman master, who remained calm and composed in the center of the shimmering SS-Tier barrier.
"You think this changes anything?" Kaelen said quietly, voice steady despite the tension. "Even if you kill me, I'll resurrect. Luna will come with me. We'll keep moving forward."
Althar's eyes narrowed, a faint, confident smirk forming on his lips. "Since I decided to do this, I made preparations." He raised a hand, and a soft hum of power spread outward. The ground beneath them shimmered, forming a protective dome that bent light and warped space slightly.
A notification blinked in Kaelen's vision: SS-Tier Item Activated — Death's PactDescription: When activated, the user may unconditionally claim any single item from the deceased within the protected area. Effect only triggers if the target dies inside the area.
Kaelen's mind raced. No beginner-class master should have access to something like this. There's no way this is natural… someone's guiding him, instructing him. He's not acting alone. His pulse steadied, calculation replacing panic. I have to survive, but not just survive. I have to fight my way out of this.
He equipped the items he had obtained from the Silver-tier bosses — the Lion Hide Hat, Titanhide Armor, and the Skill Comprehensive Understanding A Tier. Normally, these were restricted by class, but the Miracle Engine trait allowed him to bypass every limitation. Integrating the skill tome into his Coin Toss, he transformed it into Elemental Convergence Strike, capable of unleashing three consecutive elemental attacks at 300% damage.
Althar surged forward, blade gleaming under the waning sunlight. Every movement was precise, controlled, and deadly. Kaelen flung the first elemental strikes, feeling the power thrumming through him, but Althar blocked and deflected each one with skill honed over years. This isn't going to be easy. He's fast… too fast. I need Luna to carry the weight.
With a roar, Luna expanded her wings, the air shimmering with heat and energy. She was still a newborn dragon, yet her lineage pulsed within her, lending her a power that could rival most Silver-tier fighters. Fire blazed along her scales, electricity crackled down her tail, and an ancient, shimmering aura radiated as she lunged at Althar. Her tail whipped with incredible force, knocking the master off balance.
Kaelen's eyes followed every flicker of movement, every subtle shift in Althar's stance. Okay, time this… exploit the openings Luna creates. He's not invincible, just precise. Patience. Precision. Timing. He threw another elemental strike, not the main damage, but enough to force Althar to adjust his guard. Sparks flew as fire, lightning, and ice collided with his defenses.
Althar roared, spinning to counterattack. "You rely too heavily on your companion!" His blade slashed in a wide arc, striking the stone beside Kaelen, sending up a spray of rock shards.
Kaelen pivoted, tossing another elemental blade while Luna coiled midair. Her tail lashed out, connecting with a blast of heat and energy that staggered Althar. Good… keep him on the defensive. He can't reset. Every second counts.
The swordsman master's movements became increasingly desperate, each swing precise but strained, his chest heaving. Kaelen watched closely, analyzing the rhythm. He's predicting patterns… I can't afford mistakes. Luna… one skill, make it count.
The dragon's tail glowed as she summoned a single ancestral skill — a spiraling vortex of fire and ice coiling around her claws. The force slammed into Althar, staggering him. Kaelen saw the opening instantly and fired Elemental Convergence Strike, three elemental swords streaking in perfect succession. Sparks erupted, shields flickering, and the swordsman master staggered backward.
"You…!" Althar shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. He blocked and parried desperately, but Luna pressed the advantage, spinning through the air with blinding speed. Her tail struck repeatedly, each lash synchronized with Kaelen's elemental strikes.
Kaelen's mind raced with analysis and timing. He's strong… stronger than most Silver-tier bosses at this point. I can't let my guard down. Luna's skill… it's enough to tip the scales, but only if I stay focused. He dodged a lethal swing and immediately followed with a precise elemental throw, catching Althar off balance.
The swordsman master tried to retreat, but Luna's wings beat like a hurricane, flames spiraling from her body, lightning crackling across her tail. Kaelen continued his assault, elemental swords raining in rhythm with Luna's strikes. The clearing trembled under the combined force.
Finally, Luna coiled around Althar and slammed him to the ground. Kaelen threw his last Elemental Convergence Strike, three elemental swords slicing through residual shields, landing in perfect unison. A golden explosion engulfed the clearing, illuminating every rock and shadow.
Silence followed, broken only by the faint hum of dissipating energy. Althar's body lay still. System Alert: Hidden Quest Complete — Kill the Class Master.System Alert: Congratulations on victory! Death's Pact activated. You can unconditionally obtain any one thing from the deceased.
Kaelen exhaled, letting his body relax slightly. Luna landed beside him, scales glinting in the last rays of sunlight, wings folding gracefully. She had done most of the work, her single lineage skill decisively turning the battle in their favor, while Kaelen's elemental strikes and strategic precision kept the master distracted.
This… this is what it takes. Strategy, timing, adaptability… power alone isn't enough. Kaelen's thoughts settled as he surveyed the clearing, catching the shimmer of the SS-Tier barrier fading. I have to keep pushing forward. Luna and I… we need to be ready for what's next.
He allowed himself a small smile, eyes meeting the dragon's. Luna trilled softly, sensing the calm after the storm. Victory had been claimed, narrow but decisive. The hidden quest was complete, the Death's Pact activated, and the path ahead stretched into uncertainty. Yet Kaelen knew one thing for certain: survival demanded vigilance, and power alone would never be enough without strategy, precision, and trust.