Relying on the effects of [Flashstep],
Caelan immediately rushed toward the World BOSS zone marked on the map.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
His figure flickered rapidly, leaving behind nothing but afterimages at each point of teleportation.
After roughly five minutes,
Caelan's figure appeared before a ruined city.
So this is Old Macallen City?
Caelan frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping across the vast area that was now nothing more than shattered walls and crumbling ruins.
According to historical records, when the game invaded the world thousands of years ago,
not every city-state managed to survive that catastrophe.
Cities like Old Macallen City were far from rare.
They had been overrun by massive hordes of monsters and completely erased from the world.
It was said that the creatures that descended upon Old Macallen City back then were extremely special—
a parasitic lifeform resembling metallic organisms. Once they came into contact with living beings, they would transform their hosts into half-metal entities!
Isn't that basically a metal version of Venom?
Caelan withdrew his gaze and shifted his attention to the monsters roaming the ancient city.
[Name: Metal Guardian]
[Level: 60]
[Skills: Metal Storm, Guardian Thrust]
[Description: A pitiful guard infected by sentient metal, still steadfastly protecting his city, unaware that it has long since become ruins.]
[Name: Metal Hunter]
[Level: 60]
[Skills: Hunter's Bloodline (Metal), Eagle Eye]
[Description: Once an outstanding hunter, now reduced to acting purely on instinct after being parasitized by metal.]
Wait a second—
a Level 30 World BOSS, and the surrounding mobs are all Level 60?
How is that even remotely reasonable?!
Caelan couldn't be bothered to think it through. He simply gripped his longsword with both hands and began to channel power.
"Infinite Lightblade!"
In the next instant, vast amounts of terrifying energy gathered at the tip of his blade!
The elements grew restless, and the sword itself shone brighter and brighter!
Even through the thick layers of white mist, adventurers several kilometers away could still sense the abnormal changes coming from Old Macallen City.
"Hey, look! What is that? Why does it look like a sun appearing in the north?!"
"That direction… that's Old Macallen City!"
"So much energy—endless, violent energy! I can feel it! That power is terrifying!"
Countless adventurers were stunned.
For a moment, they even forgot about the monsters right in front of them, all turning their gazes toward the distant ancient city.
What on earth was happening over there?
At the same time,
within a hidden valley,
The gates of a decaying temple slowly creaked open.
A withered, skeletal figure stepped out, so thin it looked like skin stretched over bones.
He no longer resembled a human, but rather a lich from ancient legends. Draped over his body was a tattered yet dignified pontifical robe.
The "lich" raised his head, his cloudy eyes gazing in the direction of Old Macallen City.
"Great King… is it finally time for you to receive your long-awaited release?"
"Such terrifying energy fluctuations… could it be those old bastards from the Church?"
The "lich" shook his head. A crack suddenly tore open on his ashen scalp.
Thick, black, viscous liquid—reeking of vengeance—slowly oozed out, mixed with countless twisted, writhing worms.
"Damn it… have I already grown this old?"
"The oracle… should be descending soon, shouldn't it?"
…
The blinding miniature sun burned for a full two minutes.
When the light finally faded, the entirety of Old Macallen City had been reduced to rubble.
But Caelan knew very well that due to certain laws, this ruin would eventually restore itself to its original state after some time.
Even the mobs he had just wiped out would revive once again!
So in the end… did those sentient metal parasites truly win?
Caelan shook his head, too lazy to ponder such profound questions.
At the same time, a flood of notifications appeared on his interface.
[You have obtained common-grade equipment: Metal Guardian's Shield!]
[You have obtained common-grade equipment: Ruined Metal Hunter Crossbow!]
[You have obtained rare-grade material: Sentient Metal Core!]
[You have obtained rare-grade equipment: Guardian's Sword!]
…
To Caelan, all of this loot was nothing but trash. Still, since it could be sold in bulk with a single click, it wasn't worth complaining about.
After all, no matter how small a mosquito is, it's still meat.
That "Infinite Lightblade" had swept away nearly all obstacles in an instant.
Even Level 60 mobs were as fragile as straw dummies before it.
It was time to search for clues about the World BOSS.
Caelan lifted his foot and stepped into the ancient city.
The wide streets were now nothing but desolation—empty and broken.
He advanced all the way to the end of the road.
There, a towering royal palace came into view.
Despite its dilapidated exterior, it was still easy to tell just how magnificent the palace must have been in its prime.
The palace gates were tightly shut. The bronze doors were covered in rust, yet faintly visible upon them were intricate decorative patterns.
At that moment, a ripple of light suddenly spread across the bronze gates.
[Guards eliminated. Seal is now unlockable.]
[Do you wish to open the ancient seal?]
Caelan chose "Yes" without hesitation.
In the next instant, accompanied by a violent tremor, the bronze gates—sealed for countless years—slowly opened before him.
"Oh? Someone's here!"
"Have you come to redeem me?"
"But… I do not need redemption."
"So… go die!!!"
Before Caelan's eyes could even adjust to the dim lighting, he felt a sharp, deadly chill rush toward him.
[Flashstep]!
In the next moment, his body vanished from where he stood, reappearing instantly on the other side of the palace hall.
[Name: Self-Fallen City Lord]
[Level: 30]
[Rank: World-Class BOSS]
[Skills: Metal Inferno, City Lord's Funeral, Crimson Lament]
[Description: Once a diligent and capable city lord, Valdrick chose to voluntarily accept the descent of sentient metal lifeforms due to a momentary lapse in judgment. The resulting tragedy plunged him into endless guilt and self-blame, from which he can never escape.]
Hmm?
After reading the description of the Self-Fallen City Lord, Caelan paused slightly.
So the destruction of Old Macallen City wasn't caused by a natural disaster,
but by human hands instead?
As the realization dawned on him, the look in Caelan's eyes grew complicated.
But soon after, his resolve hardened.
"I imagine you're in pain now, aren't you?"
"If you're suffering this much, then let me put an end to it."
"Valdrick—I will grant you release."