The sudden restoration of Archelius's power was a seismic shock in the chamber. The three remaining Level 60 Imposters, sensing the immediate shift from wounded prey to apex predator, froze. The massive, psychic face of Lord Leka in the Nexus Core writhed with shock and uncontrolled rage.
"IMPOSSIBLE! YOU WERE CRITICAL!" Lord Leka shrieked, the psychic wave becoming a desperate, erratic assault.
"The System rewards efficiency," Archelius replied, his voice cold and steady beneath the protective cocoon of his restored Focus Lock. "You underestimated my subordinates, and you underestimated the Rank D mechanism."
Archelius gave his final, absolute command.
"Vanguard and Support! Retreat to the tunnel! Secure the breach! Do not look back!"
The students, recognizing the shift in power, obeyed instantly, sprinting back toward the entrance, their loyalty absolute.
Archelius then turned his full, focused attention on the three Level 60 Imposters. He moved with a speed and fluidity that showcased the full potential of his maximized Rank D gear. He didn't use a single full War God's Fist; he utilized a relentless sequence of precise, energy-enhanced slashes from the War God's Edge (Rank D).
He engaged the first Imposter, carving through its shadow shield and armor with minimal Core Power usage, maximizing the 3x damage multiplier of the continuous War God's Strike.
SHRAAACK! SHRAAACK! SHRAAACK!
The Imposter staggered under the relentless, overwhelming quality of the attack, its armor failing in layers. Archelius ended the creature with a single, horizontal cut that bisected its core.
[Greater Imposter (Level 60) Defeated. XP Gained: 600.]
He immediately pivoted, meeting the charge of the second Imposter head-on. He used the full Rank D power of his Iron Skin and Vestment to tank a glancing blow, then drove the War God's Edge through the Imposter's throat.
[Greater Imposter (Level 60) Defeated. XP Gained: 600.]
The third Imposter, paralyzed by the swift brutality, attempted to flee, soaring toward the ceiling.
Archelius showed no mercy. He channeled maximum Core Power for a single, focused System Blast (Rank D) from the War God's Edge. The beam of silver energy tracked the fleeing creature instantly, vaporizing it in a searing flash.
[Greater Imposter (Level 60) Defeated. XP Gained: 600.]
[Total XP: 33410/51200. Core Power: 80/100 (Remaining).]
Destroying the Nexus
Lord Leka's psychic face in the Nexus Core twisted into a mask of pure terror. "You are an aberration! You do not follow the rules of the level gap! I will not fall to a Rank D whelp!"
The Demon Lord abandoned all defensive protocols and unleashed a final, devastating psychic wave—a desperate, all-or-nothing mental blast aimed at shattering Archelius's consciousness entirely.
[System Warning: Incoming Psychic Assault (Rank C Equivalent, Amplified). Activate Focus Lock (Maximal).]
Archelius met the assault head-on. He activated his War God's Helm's full stabilization power and the full force of his Focus Lock. He channeled his entire remaining Core Power into maintaining his mental barrier.
The psychic wave slammed into him, a silent scream of pure mental anguish. The trauma was immense, shaking him to the core, but the Rank D defenses held. His Focus Lock stabilized the energy, rejecting the foreign intrusion.
"Your power is based on fear and illusion, Leka," Archelius announced, stepping forward through the wave, his body trembling, but his mind clear. "The System is reality."
He raised the War God's Edge, channeling his absolute, maximal power into a single, devastating strike. He didn't use the Fist or the Strike—he unleashed an Overcharged System Blast, pouring 70 units of Core Power into the weapon.
The resulting beam of silver light was massive, stable, and overwhelming. It slammed directly into the exposed Nexus Core.
K-SHATTERING BOOM!
The psychic core exploded in a blinding storm of white and crimson light. The roar was physical this time, ripping through the chamber. Lord Leka's face vanished, replaced by a torrent of collapsing debris and raw, neutralized energy.
[Northern Redoubt Nexus Core Destroyed. Demon Lord Leka Defeated!]
[Dominance Kill: Lord Leka (Level 80, Nexus Class) Achieved!]
[XP Gained: 8000. Total XP: 41410/51200. Core Power Restored: 100/100.]
[Level Up: User Level 22!]
[Level Up: User Level 23!]
Archelius staggered back, his body exhausted, but his Core Power instantly full. The massive double Level Up surged through him, elevating his base stats further.
The Aftermath and the Path Forward
The psychic pressure vanished. The crimson light of the Redoubt dimmed, replaced by the natural, toxic twilight of Aethelgard filtering through the Kaelus-induced breach.
Archelius retrieved the final, crucial loot.
[Lord Leka's Heart Core (Legendary Divine Grade) x 1 Acquired.]
[Psionic Weaving Silk (Legendary) x 3 Acquired.]
He had successfully destroyed the power base of the Demon Race's greatest local threat.
He walked back to the entrance, where his subordinates were waiting anxiously.
"The threat is neutralized," Archelius announced, his voice devoid of fatigue.
The students cheered, a mixture of raw relief and pride. They had survived a Level 80 confrontation.
"War God, your helmet is cracked," Theodore noted, pointing to the damaged War God's Helm.
"We fix it," Archelius replied, checking his Skill Points. He had two from the Level Ups. He used them immediately.
[War God's Strike (Rank D) Upgraded to Rank D+. Cost: 2 Skill Points.]
[Damage Multiplier increased from 3x to 5x. Core Power efficiency improved.]
His main attack was now elevated, ready for the next Rank D challenge.
He then initiated the final synthesis, using the Legendary Divine Grade Core from Lord Leka.
[War God's Helm (Rank D) Repair/Upgrade: Requires 1 Legendary Divine Core, 1 Legendary Psionic Silk. Success: 100%.]
The helm seamlessly repaired and transformed, becoming sleek and radiant with silver-blue runes.
[War God's Helm (Rank D+) Acquired. Defense +50. Passive: Psychic Resistance (Major). Active: Focus Lock (Maximal Stability. Cost: 5 CP).]
The Next Rival
Archelius looked at his Map Function. The northern region was now dark, the Demon threat crushed. Only the eastern yellow signature of the Beast Nation remained active.
"Lord Lija's territory is now the greatest threat," Archelius stated. "And Prince Rakan promised a test of dominance."
He looked at the two remaining Legendary Psionic Silks and the two remaining Legendary Silks from the Vanguards. He was now fully optimized for Rank D, but the next ascension would require the ultimate Rank C Core.
"We move East," Archelius commanded. "The Beast Nation will be enraged by the collapse of the Demon Redoubt. Rakan will be waiting."
As they began their journey, Archelius felt a familiar psychic probe not hostile, but assessing.
"You did well, Rival. You proved your worth. But your power is focused on the System. Mine is focused on the wild essence of the world." Rakan's voice echoed in his mind, clear and sharp. "I will not let you become the ultimate power in Aethelgard. I will meet you at the Great Hunting Grounds. Come and prove your Rank D is absolute."
The challenge was delivered. Archelius felt a thrill of pure rivalry—not hatred, but competition.
"He wants the final duel," Archelius confirmed, a grim smile touching his lips. "We will give him one. And we will take the ultimate Beast Core for the Rank C Ascension."