[World Channel]
"Breaking news! Dawnlight City has held its ground!"
"What? Werenât they surrounded by 300,000 non-human troops? How did they hold?"
"No one knows exactly when, but Faustus suddenly appeared! One arrow and Vantheon was gone, three more arrows took down three player leaders, and all 300,000 fled!"
"???"
"You think thatâs all? Even crazierâFaustus killed level-5s, looted their gear, emptied their inventories... Heâs basically gone wild!"
"Hahaha, Iâm laughing myself sick! What do you need? Just take it straight from my bag, why bother pretending?"
"Everyoneâs happy. Vantheon got slaughtered down to his last pair of underpants, his bag is empty, and he dropped to level 67!"
"This is hilarious! Stormbound Guild is completely finished now!"
"Do you know what Vantheon said at that moment? He actually asked Faustus how many he could kill. Faustus just shot four arrows, and over 300,000 players ran for their lives!"
"Donât laughâlaugh and you wonât survive either. Wait until you see the forum breakdown of the Ironforge battle. Four players? Pathetic. Even epic-grade NPCs over level 200 couldnât withstand a single arrow from the god!"
"Faustus is forever our god!"
...
Meanwhile, three hundred miles outside Lam River, Skyhold.
The Abyssal Rift.
A goblin in a black cloak hid behind a massive rock at the edge of the rift, staring intently at the chasm ahead.
His face was obscured in shadow, revealing only a pair of piercing, sinister eyes.
Cradled in his arms was a pitch-black spear.
The weapon stretched two meters long, forged from an unknown black metal, the shaft etched with twisted runes, the tip glowing a dark crimson.
[Spear of Dalik (Legendary / One-time Use)]
Effect: Within a 10-kilometer radius, inflicts intangible damage on God-kind or Human targets, drastically reducing defense, easily piercing all shields, leaving the target in a weakened state (Defense -100%, lasting 30 minutes).
Description: A special weapon painstakingly crafted by a fallen alchemist, designed specifically for gods and humans.
Kruelâs eyes glittered with fervor as he stared at the spear in his hands.
No matter how many times he looked at it, he felt it was absurdly powerful.
Alas, such a mighty weapon was consumable.
If only it were permanent... that pitiful Human Watcher would queue up to die, hah!
SuddenlyâBOOOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted from deep within the rift, and black mist spewed forth like a volcanic eruption!
Kruel snapped to attention, quickly planting the Spear of Dalik into the ground, hands forming intricate seals.
He activated the spear immediately.
Red light radiated from the weapon, excitement surging in his chest.
An invisible wave pulsed outward, instantly engulfing a ten-kilometer radius.
...
Deep within the rift.
Two massive figures blocked the path of a human warrior, one behind the other.
[Abyss Lord · Azmodar (LV ??? · Legendary)]
[Nightmare Queen · Avelia (LV ??? · Legendary)]
And standing against them, a venerable old man with white hair and beard, dressed in a flowing white robe, wielding a golden longsword that shimmered with holy radiance.
His aged face belied the sharp, eagle-like gaze that radiated an aura even Shadowkin lords dared not challenge.
[Human Watcher · Carodion (Legendary)]
He was the Watcher guarding Skyholdâs northern abyssal defenses, a legendary warrior of renowned fame.
Azmodar bared his fangs in a wicked grin.
"Carodion... a hundred years. Still alive?"
"Why havenât you died yet? Today, weâll finish the job!"
Aveliaâs laughter was seductive and sinister.
"Once you die, no one will be left to guard this rift."
Carodion snorted coldly, sword held horizontally before him.
"Is that all youâve got?"
"Centuries of suppressing you, and today... nothingâs changed!"
Before his words could fade, Azmodar and Avelia struck simultaneously.
Azmodar opened his massive maw, spewing a torrent of black flame straight at Carodionâs face.
Avelia became a purple streak, six bony wings unfurling, jagged spikes striking from every angle toward Carodionâs back.
Unfazed, Carodion swung his golden sword.
A blade of radiant energy cut the flame in half.
At the same time, a shimmering golden shield enveloped him, blocking every attack from Avelia.
"Divine Protection Shield!"
The bony spikes clanged against the shield, scraping like metal, yet failing to pierce it.
Carodion sneered.
"Is that all youâve got?"
"Pathetic!"
He twisted his sword, sending an even sharper wave of golden energy slicing toward Azmodar.
Azmodar dodged, but the blade grazed his black-scaled armor, leaving a deep wound.
"Centuries ago, you werenât my match... and now, you still arenât!"
Carodionâs golden blade rained down, forcing the two Shadowkin back step by step.
But thenâ
An invisible pulse suddenly enveloped the battlefield.
Carodionâs golden shield shattered without warning!
"What?!" His pupils contracted, and before he could react, a searing pain tore through his back.
SPLASH!
A black bone spike pierced through his chest from behind.
It was Aveliaâs spike!
An attack that normally couldnât even break his shield had passed straight through him.
All his defenses seemed to vanish.
"This... is impossible!"
Carodion looked down at the spike through his chest, disbelief in his eyes.
His Divine Protection Shield, his god-grade defensive gearâcompletely nullified?!
Azmodarâs face twisted into a cruel grin.
"Didnât expect this, did you, Carodion?"
"Weâve been waiting centuries to kill you!"
He raised his hand, unleashing another wave of flame.
Carodion was thrown against the rock wall, coughing blood, his face ashen.
"Could it be... the Spear of Dalik?"
He managed to choke out the words, realization and fury flashing across his eyes.
"Damn Shadow Council... human parasites!"
Azmodar advanced step by step, each footfall shaking the ground.
"Yes... the Spear of Dalik."
"A special gift for the Watcher himself."
"How does it feel to have all your defenses stripped away?"
Carodion struggled to stand, blood flowing down his white robe.
He looked at the two Shadowkin before him, then at the widening rift above, eyes burning with grief.
"Shadowkin invade... the lives of humanity are in peril..."
"This is my fault... I was careless..."
He drew a deep breath, resolve hardening in his gaze.
"But to atone for my mistakes..."
Suddenly, Carodion surged forward, transforming into a golden streak of light toward Azmodar.
Azmodarâs expression changed drastically; he turned to flee.
"Carodion... youâre insane!"
Carodion latched onto Azmodarâs waist, screaming toward the heavens:
"Humanity shall never perish!"
BOOOOM!!!
An earth-shattering explosion erupted deep within the Abyssal Rift.
Golden radiance engulfed everything.