———————————————————
[Name: Abyssal Knight]
[Level: 28]
[Type: Undead Warlord]
[Abilities: Dark Slash, Phantom Step, Death's Aura]
———————————————————
Ryusei grunted as she crashed into the stone wall, cracks forming from the impact. The force knocked the air out of her lungs, and for a brief moment, her vision blurred.
"Damn... this thing is fast." She barely had time to react before the Abyssal Knight was already charging toward her, its massive greatsword raised high, glowing with cursed energy.
With a surge of adrenaline, Ryusei rolled to the side, narrowly dodging as the sword cleaved through the stone wall, leaving a deep gash where she had just been.
Activating her speed-enhancing skill, she dashed around the knight in a blur, aiming to strike from its blind spot. She summoned a light spear, her pink energy glowing brightly against the dark room, and hurled it at the Abyssal Knight's back.
However, the knight vanished—its form flickering like a shadow.
"Damn it!"
Ryusei barely had time to react before a heavy boot slammed into her side, sending her skidding across the stone floor.
She coughed, gripping her side in pain, but forced herself to stand.
"Alright... you wanna play rough?" she growled, cracking her knuckles.
A dark aura flared around her fists as she infused them with cursed energy, her body trembling from the sheer force.
The Abyssal Knight raised its sword again, its helmeted gaze locked onto her.
Ryusei smirked.
"Let's see if you can handle this—"
Ryusei barely had time to react as the Abyssal Knight caught her punch with an iron grip.
"Shit—!"
Before she could pull away, the knight yanked her forward and slammed her face-first into the cold stone floor with brutal force.
Her head rang from the impact, pain shooting through her skull as small cracks formed beneath her face. The taste of iron filled her mouth she had bitten her lip on impact.
Still gripping her wrist, it lifted her up again, like a ragdoll, and prepared to slam her down a second time.
But this time, Ryusei reacted.
She coated her free hand in cursed energy and, before the knight could finish its motion, she slammed her glowing fist into its armored wrist.
———————————————————
[Shadow Fist!]
———————————————————
A shockwave of dark energy exploded from her strike, forcing the knight to release her as its gauntlet cracked from the impact.
Ryusei flipped midair, landing in a low stance, panting heavily. Her vision was still slightly blurry, but she couldn't afford to slow down.
"Tch… you're tougher than you look," she muttered, wiping the blood from her lip with the back of her hand.
The Abyssal Knight, unfazed, readied its greatsword once more, its glowing dark energy flaring ominously.
Ryusei smirked despite her injuries.
The Abyssal Knight swung its greatsword, sending another arc of dark energy tearing through the air toward Ryusei.
Ryusei blurred out of sight, sidestepping at high speed just before the wave could hit. The impact exploded against the stone floor behind her, leaving a deep gouge in the ground.
Taking advantage of her momentum, she launched her pink Light Spear directly at the Abyssal Knight's chest.
CLANG!
The knight raised its gauntlet, blocking the spear with its armored forearm. The attack failed to pierce through, but the holy light still left a burning mark against its dark armor.
Ryusei clicked her tongue.
'Figures. I need a stronger attack...'
The knight charged, closing the distance in a single thunderous step, its greatsword descending like a guillotine.
———————————————————
[Shadow Manipulation!]
———————————————————
Ryusei's own shadow stretched and grabbed her, yanking her sideways just in time to avoid being cut in half. The sword crashed into the ground, sending debris flying.
Using her shadow to anchor herself, Ryusei twisted midair and delivered a brutal kick to the side of the knight's helmet.
CRACK!
The knight's head snapped sideways, but it didn't stagger for long. It grabbed Ryusei's leg mid-spin and hurled her across the chamber.
Ryusei crashed into the stone wall, pain ripping through her back.
As the Abyssal Knight swung down again, Ryusei gritted her teeth and charged forward instead of dodging.
———————————————————
[Divergent Fist!]
———————————————————
Her cursed energy-infused punch slammed into the knight's chest. The first impact hit like a truck—then came the delayed second explosion.
BOOM!
The Abyssal Knight was blasted backward, its armor denting from the force. It skidded across the chamber, finally crashing into the wall with a thunderous impact.
Ryusei dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
———————————————————
[System Notification]
Abyssal Knight: HP 10% remaining.
———————————————————
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"You're Mine!"
She raised her hand, forming one final Light Spear, and with every ounce of strength left, she hurled it straight at the knight's exposed chest.
The spear pierced through the damaged armor, impaling the Abyssal Knight.
It let out a low, guttural groan... before finally collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
———————————————————
[Boss Defeated!]
[You have leveled up to Level 27!]
[Rewards: Abyssal Knight's Cloak, Darkfang Dagger, 2x High-Grade Health Potions.]
———————————————————
Ryusei slumped against the wall, finally allowing herself a deep, shaky breath.
"Damn... that was tough."
She slowly stood up, wincing from the pain but feeling stronger than before.
Looking ahead, she saw a stairway leading to the final floor, the Boss Chamber.
"One more to go."