My dagger, Umbral Fang, pulsed with dark energy as I drove it toward the Executioner's exposed gap. The blade, enhanced by Shadow Infusion, cut through the air like a silent predator, seeking its mark.
Just before impact, the Riftborn Executioner twisted unnaturally, its torso bending in an impossible angle to evade.
"Tch!" Its reaction speed was insane.
But I wasn't done yet.
With a flick of my wrist, I redirected my momentum mid-slash, dragging the dagger across its side instead. The blade bit into its armor, and Phantom Rend activated—ignoring a portion of its defense. A thin gash formed, dark energy seeping from the wound.
It wasn't much, but it was proof that this thing could be wounded.
The Executioner whirled toward me, raising its greatsword in a brutal counterattack. But before it could bring the blade down—
BOOM!
The axe-wielding Elite Orc crashed into its back with a full-powered swing. The sheer force sent cracks through its armor, staggering it forward.
The Executioner reeled, its balance momentarily broken. That was all I needed.
I activated Phantom Dash again, blinking above its head, both daggers reversed in my grip.
"You're not escaping this."
I descended, both blades aimed for its neck.
As I plunged downward, time seemed to slow. The Riftborn Executioner, still reeling from my Elite Orc's strike, barely had time to react. Its crimson eyes flickered in alarm, its greatsword rising in a desperate attempt to block, but it is too slow.
Phantom Dash propelled me forward in a blur, my body twisting mid-air to avoid its sluggish counter. Both of my daggers—Umbral Fang infused with Shadow Infusion—gleamed with lethal intent.
SHINK!
The first dagger sank into the Executioner's throat, piercing through the cracks in its armor. A dark mist burst from the wound, its form unraveling like a broken illusion.
"You're not done yet."
I twisted Umbral Fang deeper while driving my second dagger into its skull.
CRACK!
A sharp, splintering sound rang out as its armored head fractured under the force of my strike. Its entire body convulsed, a distorted shriek echoing through the labyrinth as cracks spread across its form.
The Executioner lurched, its greatsword slipping from its grasp. It tried to move, to resist, but its body was already breaking apart. Dark energy surged from its wounds, spiraling outward like shattered glass dissolving into the abyss.
And then—
BOOM!
The Riftborn Executioner exploded into a storm of black mist, its form disintegrating completely.
A brief silence followed, the only sound remaining being my heavy breathing.
***
[ System Notice ]
You have slain the Riftborn Executioner.
You have obtained 30 unallocated stat points.
You have leveled up.
You have leveled up.
You have leveled up.
You have leveled up.
You have leveled up.
You have obtained [???].
You have completed a major milestone in the Temporal Labyrinth.
***
As the last traces of the Riftborn Executioner faded, my focus shifted to the faint glow on the cold stone floor. My breath was steady, but my heart pounded with anticipation. The system had registered a reward.
My Elite Orcs stood ready, their heavy breaths filling the silence, but no more threats emerged. The battle was over.
I approached the glowing object carefully. As I reached out, the system's familiar chime rang in my ears.
***
[ System Notice ]
You have obtained: [Executioner's Shroud (Rare)]
Type: Cloak
Effect 1: Abyssal Veil – Cloak yourself in an adaptive shadow field, slightly reducing the accuracy of enemy attacks and making it harder to be detected in dim environments.
Effect 2: Riftborn Resilience – Reduces the effectiveness of spatial distortions and dimensional attacks against the wearer.
Effect 3: Synergy – Umbral Fang – When wielding Umbral Fang, attacks gain a 5% increase in lethality, and Phantom Dash's teleportation range is extended by two meters.
***
A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. This was perfect. The Executioner's Shroud wasn't just a defensive item—it enhanced both my agility and synergy with my dagger, Umbral Fang.
I wasted no time equipping it. The cloak wrapped around my shoulders, its dark fabric cool to the touch and eerily weightless. The moment it settled, I felt the faint pulse of dimensional resistance coursing through it, as if the cloak itself existed slightly out of sync with reality.
But before I could fully appreciate my new gear, the system wasn't done.
***
[ System Notice ]
Hidden Objective Completed!
You have defeated an Adaptive Riftborn Elite without sustaining major injuries.
Your combat efficiency has been acknowledged by the Labyrinth.
Additional Reward Unlocked.
You have obtained: [Enhancement Stone (Unique)]
***
I stilled.
A Enhancement Stone again?
This… was unexpected.
I clenched my fist around the glowing catalyst, feeling its energy thrumming faintly against my palm.
This place—this Temporal Labyrinth—was proving to be far more rewarding than I expected.
I exhaled and glanced ahead. The corridor stretched further into the unknown, blue torches flickering like distant eyes in the dark.
The trial wasn't over yet.
And I had no intention of stopping here.
***
[ System Notice ]
Proceed deeper into the Labyrinth?[ Yes ] / [ No ]
I didn't hesitate.
I pressed [Yes].
And the darkness swallowed me once more.
***
As soon as I pressed [Yes], the air around me shifted. The dim blue torches lining the stone corridor flickered wildly, as if caught in a sudden, invisible wind. The walls trembled slightly, the labyrinth itself responding to my progress.
The Executioner's Shroud draped over my shoulders felt weightless yet substantial, its shadowy fabric subtly shifting with my movements. My grip tightened around Umbral Fang, the dagger seeming to hum in response, as if anticipating the next battle.
***
[ System Notice ]
The Labyrinth acknowledges your progress. The next trial begins.
Time Distortion Intensifies: External time flow is now frozen.
Threat Level: Adjusted.
Enemies ahead will now challenge your peak potential.
***