GODDAMMIT…!!! That Phantom.
That cursed species with no connection to physical attacks and it uses magic as both its offense and defense. And of all things… it had to show up here?
In this damn examination test?
"What the hell are the examiners thinking, sending something like this into the
test?! Are they out of their minds?"
"Do they seriously want us to fail the practical exam that badly? It's like they're setting us up for slaughter!"
[Monster Entry – D-Class monster Phantom]
Name: Wandering Phantom
Class: D
Type: Spirit / Undead
Common Zones: Graveyards, Forgotten Ruins,battlefields, Dungeon Floors 1–3
Description:
The Wandering Phantom is a low-tier spirit-type monster often found lurking in dim corridors, abandoned structures, or mist-covered battlefields. It takes the vague shape of a human figure translucent, with drifting wisps of shadow peeling off its form. No legs. No face. Just two glowing white dots where eyes should be and s back ghost like body,
It doesn't walk. It glides through the air.
And when it moves, it makes no sound only the sudden drop in temperature and the stuttering of breath from its victims as it sucks the victim life force out of them.
Though it lacks physical strength, its eerie presence can paralyze rookies with fear, making it a favored challenge for first-year cadets and beginner dungeon crawlers.
"Also, it has no physical body, which means physical attacks are completely useless against it. Blades, bullets, arrows and even fists attacks, they all just phase right through as if it's not even there."
Kael grit his teeth.
"It's freaking me out... but..."
His eyes narrowed as he held up his sword.
"Facing a monster like this something immune to brute force might just be the kind of twisted luck I'm made for."
"As a former pro gamer, turning back now would be a disgrace to everything I stood for. I was the top-ranked player of the game even in my first life. To abandon it would be a betrayal to my name, my pride, and every battle I fought to get there."
"Wow… It's fast. I can't keep my eyes on it."
"His breath hitched as a flicker of shadow darted across the far end of the room, keeping its eyes on me."
The air was colder now. No windows. No furniture. Just some shadowy figure moving around and something slithering in the background.
Sweat rolled down his cheek. He gripped his sword tighter.
> Monster Summon Complete:
Target: Wandering Phantom
Class: D
Type: Spirit
Warning: Physical attacks ineffective without mana infusion
Cadets please prepare for battle
"Spirit-type…" he muttered. "Of course it had to be something intangible."
A glint.
Just a flicker.
Kael spun around and slashed
Whoosh!
missed.
Again!
Kael spun around again and slashed
Whoosh!
missed.
The Phantom weaved through the strike like smoke drifting on air and it's mockingly smiled at Kael Vi-rel.
Tch. "It phased through me again I make sure to knock that smile off your face…"
He stepped back, eyes darting.
"Come on, Kael... think. It's not just fast it's unpredictable."
Then it came.
Soul Whimper. ZSHHH!
A low, static cry echoed through the room. Not loud but sharp, piercing, crawling into his skull like broken glass. Kael staggered, vision blurring.
"Ghh…!"
The Phantom surged. A cold, translucent hand brushed his chest.
A freezing chill bloomed on his skin.
Muscles tensed. Legs weakened.
Kael dropped to one knee, stabbing his sword into the ground to anchor himself. Ice crept along his shirt in a spiral frost pattern.
"I don't have time for this...!"
A faint pulse.
Silver Mana light flickered from the blade. It shimmered dim, but enough to make the Phantom hesitate.
The light was bright enough to remove the spiral frost pattern from his chest.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"Got you."
The Phantom tried to phase into the ground
ZSHHH!
Kael moved. His sword slashed diagonally right before it vanished.
A silver arc carved through mist.
The Phantom screamed a shriek without a mouth its form splitting midair before flickering back together like static.
"So you're still weak to light, huh?" Kael's voice dropped. "Then I'll burn you in it."
He charged.
The Phantom glided, trying to dodge. And screamZSHHH!ZSHHH!ZSHHH!
But Kael had it read. He pivoted mid-run and stabbed behind him
You can scream all you want!
CLANG.
His blade hit something.
The Phantom's cry twisted into a dying wheeze. It crumpled, broke, and then
BOOM!
Exploded silently into dark mist.
Kael lowered his sword, panting.
"That's one down"
Then
KIIIIEEEEEK!!
Ah shit, another one.
A second Phantom burst from the shadows, its long arms reaching toward him. Its scream was louder. Angrier.
ZSHHH!ZSHHH!ZSHHH!ZSHHH!ZSHHH!
"it look like it pissed because I killed it's partner... great."
Kael barely brought his sword up in time.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Black claws struck again and again, and he deflected each one barely.
"Let's end this!"
He moved in
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
A flurry of silver arcs cut through the Phantom's form. And then
CRACK! CRACK!
The phantom head was split clean with mana attack.
The mist scattered. Silence returned.
Only dust remained.
Kael leaned on his sword, gasping for breath.
"D-rank monsters are no joke... They don't just hurt you they drain you."
His hands trembled.
His mana was low.
His stamina was worse.
And then
> [System Message]
Warning: C-Class monster summoning in progress.
All cadets, prepare for combat.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
The air began to warp.
A pulse of pure mana surged from the summoning gate at the end of the chamber.
Kael froze. He could feel it.
A monstrous presence bleeding through.
Sweat ran down his temple.
Bang.
Bang.
BANG.
The footsteps shook the room.
And then it emerged.
A twin-headed troll. C-Class monster.
One head grunted. The other sniffed. Both growled.
"Great…"
Kael raised his sword again.
"…I'm out of mana. No potions left."
He tightened his grip.
His fingers trembled.
Then he smiled.
"Well then..."
He pointed his blade at the creature.
"Let's bet everything… on my luck."