The Shadowfang Commander's blade came down like judgment itself.
Shadow energy exploded against the golden barrier Elias had ordered his echoes to create. The "Echo Ward" flickered violently, cracks spreading across the translucent shield like breaking glass.
Thorne grunted, shield arm trembling under the strain. "My Lord… the ward won't hold much longer."
Kaelen spun his blades, voice tense. "Flanking again?"
Elias stood motionless behind the barrier, eyes cold and calculating. Not yet. I need to see exactly how much they can endure before the cost becomes too high. Every strike is data. Every wound is investment. If I rush now, I learn nothing.
The boss laughed — a low, grating sound that echoed across the rocky plain. "Clever little summoner. Hiding behind the dead. But even echoes have limits."
With a sudden burst of power, the Shadowfang Commander slammed its blade down again. The Echo Ward shattered with a deafening crack. Golden shards dissolved into the air as the force sent both Thorne and Kaelen skidding backward.
[Ding! Echo Ward has collapsed.]
[Captain Thorne has sustained heavy damage.]
[Squire Kaelen has sustained moderate damage.]
[Undying Resurrection costs will increase if used immediately.]
Elias felt the backlash in his own body — a sharp drain on his Life Essence. His vision blurred for a split second before refocusing. So this is the price. Not just Essence… but strain on me as well. Acceptable. For now.
He clenched his jaw. "Thorne. Hold the front. Kaelen. Strike from the side. Do not die unnecessarily."
Thorne planted his cracked shield once more. "As you command."
Kaelen pushed through the pain and dashed forward, blades flashing. The boss swung at him, but the squire was faster, landing two quick cuts along the creature's armored thigh. Black ichor spilled.
The Shadowfang Commander roared in rage and countered with a sweeping shadow wave. Kaelen tried to dodge, but the edge caught him, sending him crashing into the ground.
[Ding! Squire Kaelen is critically damaged.]
[Undying Resurrection recommended.]
Elias watched without visible emotion. They're learning. Each strike, each wound… they adapt. That's worth the cost. Even if they break, I can bring them back. The question is how much I'm willing to pay each time.
From the sidelines, the Fire Dragon boy shouted hoarsely, "What are you waiting for?! Finish it!"
A girl with a battered direwolf pack whispered, "He's not even trying to save us… he's just… testing them like tools."
Lena stood frozen a short distance away, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and something deeper — guilt, perhaps. She took one hesitant step toward Elias but stopped when she saw the cold, distant look in his eyes. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to say something, but the words died in her throat.
Elias ignored them all. His focus remained on the fight.
The boss turned its glowing red eyes directly on him. "You command echoes, yet you treat them like tools. How long until they turn on you, little mortal?"
Elias's lips curved into a faint, icy smile. They already are tools. The only question is how much I'm willing to pay to keep them sharp.
At that moment, the System pinged again.
[Ding! Echo Synergy has reached a new threshold.]
[New Passive unlocked: Echo Memory – You can now glimpse fragments of a Spirit's past during combat.]
[Warning: Glimpsing Echo Memory may trigger Tribute.]
A sudden rush of foreign images flashed through Elias's mind — blurred visions of ancient battlefields, fallen banners, and a king standing alone against a tide of darkness. Thorne's memories? Or someone else's?
The distraction cost him.
The Shadowfang Commander lunged forward, blade aimed straight at Elias.
Thorne threw himself in front, taking the full force of the blow. His armor cracked audibly. Golden light flickered as he barely held the line.
"My Lord… now would be a good time," Thorne growled through gritted teeth.
Elias felt the weight of the decision. Resurrect now and pay more later… or push them harder and risk losing both?
He chose.
"Thorne. Hold one more strike. Kaelen — strike its core."
Kaelen pushed through the pain and drove both swords into a gap in the boss's armor.
The Shadowfang Commander roared in rage and backhanded Kaelen away. The squire hit the ground hard, body flickering as if about to dissipate.
[Ding! Squire Kaelen is critically damaged.]
[Undying Resurrection recommended.]
Elias finally spoke, voice calm and detached:
"Resurrect Kaelen. Pay the cost."
[Ding! Squire Kaelen has been resurrected.]
[Life Essence cost: 68]
[Tribute triggered: A fragment of your 'hesitation' has been taken.]
Elias felt something cold slip away inside him — a small, almost unnoticeable piece of doubt. For a moment, the world felt slightly flatter, as if one shade of emotion had been quietly erased. He didn't feel regret. Only calculation.
Acceptable exchange. If this is the price of power, I'll pay it. Again and again if necessary.
With both echoes back on their feet, the tide slowly turned. Thorne tanked the heavy blows while Kaelen struck from the shadows. The boss's movements grew more labored.
Finally, with a coordinated strike — Thorne's shield bash followed by Kaelen's dual blades piercing the core — the Shadowfang Commander let out one last roar and collapsed, its body dissolving into dark mist.
[Ding! Mid-tier Rift Boss "Shadowfang Commander" defeated!]
[Life Essence absorbed: +214]
[Spirit Legion Experience +158]
[Rare Prefix "Shadowreaver" extracted – Available for assignment.]
A massive surge of power flooded Elias's body. He felt stronger, sharper… and slightly emptier.
The battlefield fell silent once more.
The surviving summoners stared at him — some with awe, others with clear fear and resentment.
The Fire Dragon boy muttered weakly, "You… you used us as bait…"
Elias looked at him with cold eyes. "I used the opportunity. There's a difference."
Lena took a hesitant step closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Elias… are you okay?"
He turned to her, expression unchanging.
"I'm better than okay."
But before anyone could say more, the System delivered a final message:
[Ding! New Echo Tier unlocked: Fallen King Spirit.]
[Warning: Higher-tier echoes demand greater tribute.]
Elias felt a faint, cold smile tug at his lips.
Good. The past is finally starting to answer.