The 15 Shadow Hounds, each massive with glowing red eyes, emerged from the shadows. Their bodies seemed to be made of pure darkness, yet they leaked an eerie, dripping substance from their mouths. The creatures moved with terrifying speed, their claws scraping against the ground as they advanced.
Ahead of them, a lone Shadow Hound stopped and let out a loud, guttural bark that echoed through the air. The sound was so powerful it created shockwaves, sending ripples of energy through the atmosphere. As the wave reached the frontlines, the tank raised a shield, but the immense force shattered it effortlessly, pushing through and breaking the defense.
The power of the wave left everyone reeling, but none more so than the 99. With a growl, he drew his sword and charged. His figure glowed with an intense, yellow aura, a sign of the power he was about to unleash. As he leaped toward the Shadow Hounds, his voice rang out, "Thunder Blade!" His sword crackled with lightning as it cut through the air, faster than the eye could follow.
Arya, watching from a distance, could barely make out the movement of 99, as his speed was like a streak of lightning. In an instant, 99 slashed through all fifteen of the Shadow Hounds. The monsters collapsed one by one, falling into nothingness as their forms dissipated into shadows.
After clearing the threat, 99 landed gracefully on the other side of the battlefield, a satisfied smile on his face. His aura faded as he sheathed his sword, the battle over before it had even begun.
As they caught their breath, the group hesitated, thinking the battle was over. But the mage's sharp eyes noticed something unusual. Shadows were shifting on the ground, writhing like living entities. His voice rang out urgently, "Look there!"
From the darkness, the shadows began to take shape once more. Within moments, the 15 Shadow Hounds had reformed, their glowing red eyes burning even fiercer than before.
99 narrowed his eyes. "This time, no chance for them!" Without hesitation, he charged forward, his sword flashing with lightning once again. He unleashed the same devastating attack—but as soon as he cut them down, the creatures reappeared, rising from the shadows once more.
He struck again. And again. But no matter how many times he destroyed them, they continued to reform, as if they were endless.
Frustration mounting, 99 shifted his stance, channeling the last reserves of his mana. His sword burned with a fierce yellow fire. With a final roar, he unleashed a powerful wave of flames, engulfing all the Shadow Hounds in a raging inferno. The battlefield glowed with the intensity of the fire, and for a moment, it seemed like he had won.
Panting heavily, he exhaled a long breath, believing it was finally over.
But then—the shadows stirred once more. The creatures began forming again, their bodies piecing themselves together from the darkness.
99 gritted his teeth. His mana was running low. If he kept fighting like this, he would soon be completely drained.
These Shadow Hounds were different—stronger, faster, more dangerous.
99 barely had time to react as one lunged at him, its massive fist crashing toward his chest. He tried to dodge, but the creature was too fast. Pain exploded through his body as the impact sent him staggering back, a deep wound slashed across his chest.
At the same time, the other Shadow Hounds charged at the group. The tank stepped forward, raising his shield to block, but the creatures were stronger than before. The force of the attack sent him skidding back, his feet dragging across the ground.
The mage, sensing the overwhelming darkness, quickly cast a fire spell, creating a burst of light to push back the shadows. But before he could do more, a Shadow Hound pounced toward him.
"Watch out!" Arya and 28 moved to intercept.
28 struck first, swinging his sword at the creature. But the Shadow Hound caught the blade in its jaws, holding it firm. 28 struggled, trying to pull it free, but the beast wouldn't let go.
Meanwhile, another Shadow Hound attacked Arya. He countered with his sword, slashing at the monster, but to his horror, his blade did no damage. The creature was completely unharmed.
The Shadow Hound snarled and lunged again. Arya barely managed to dodge, rolling out of the way just in time. Again, it attacked—again, he dodged. His luck was holding, but for how long?
The mage, seeing the group struggling, extended his hand, casting another blast of fire to push the creatures back. But as he focused on helping them, he failed to notice the danger behind him.
A Shadow Hound had leaped from the darkness.
Arya saw it, but he was too far away. Lying on the ground, he tried to call out, but before he could say anything—
Crunch.
The Shadow Hound's jaws clamped down on the mage's neck, tearing through flesh and bone in a single, brutal motion. His head was ripped from his body. Blood sprayed across the floor as his lifeless form collapsed, his severed head rolling to the side.
Silence.
Arya's mind went blank. He couldn't move. He couldn't breathe. His entire body trembled as he stared at the scene in horror.
28 also froze, his eyes wide with shock.
The light the mage had created flickered and vanished.
Darkness swallowed them whole.
Now, only the red eyes of the Shadow Hounds glowed in the void.
99 clenched his fists, his chest still aching from the wound. But there was no time to hesitate. He raised his head, his voice ringing out through the darkness.
"Everyone! Release your energy into your swords!"
Without waiting, his own sword burst into a brilliant yellow glow, illuminating the area around him.
Arya and 28, still shaken, gritted their teeth and focused. Channeling their energy, they forced power into their blades. The moment they did, their swords pulsed with light—Arya's blade glowing with a faint but determined radiance, while 28's shone more intensely.
"With Now 28's weapons infused with energy, they wrenched their swords free from the Shadow Hound's grasp."
For the first time since the mage's death, a flicker of hope sparked within them.
But the darkness remained thick and suffocating. Their light only pushed back the shadows a little, allowing them to see just a few feet ahead.
Beyond that—only red eyes stared back at them, waiting in the abyss.