The journey into the depths of the Citadel of Whispers was a stark contrast to the open hostility of Aethelgard's surface. Here, the danger was silent, magical, and insidious. The air grew heavier, thick with the concentrated, residual energy of ancient conflict.
Bethany, guided by her unique sensitivity, led the way. She moved with her eyes half-closed, tracking the shimmering lines of power that laced the dark stone walls.
"The energy is overwhelming here, Archelius," Bethany whispered, her voice strained. "It feels like a thousand minds, all focused on something deep below."
"Those are the whispers," Archelius noted, relying on his Map Function to confirm the general trajectory Bethany was sensing. "The residual divine energy. We're getting closer to the nexus."
Raji, the vanguard, was constantly utilizing her Sprint Burst movement to sweep ahead, checking for pitfalls and physical traps. Her natural agility, combined with the Rank F Arm Guard, gave her confidence, though she moved with absolute fear of failing Archelius.
"Trap! Pressure plate!" Raji hissed, halting suddenly near a stretch of smooth, polished floor.
Lisa, immediately checking the floor as commanded, pointed to a subtle discoloration in the stone. "The stone is thinner there. It must activate something heavy."
Archelius gave a curt nod. "Theodore, use the rubble from the Golem fight. Test the thickness."
Theodore, physically strong despite his Core Zero status, heaved a heavy chunk of the Golem's foot onto the pressure plate.
CLANG!
A wall of razor-sharp spikes shot down from the ceiling, slamming into the stone with terrifying force.
"Good job, all of you," Archelius praised, his voice low but sincere. The simple words of validation meant more to the students than any potion. "Raji, find a way around."
They navigated the treacherous, fractured descent, relying entirely on the team's combined, low-level skills guided by Archelius's high-level strategy and power.
The Mid-Level Guardian
After navigating a maze of collapsed tunnels, the group entered a vast, circular chamber built around a deep chasm. At the center of the chasm, the ambient magical energy coalesced into a blinding, violet light—the source of the citadel's power.
A new threat immediately materialized from the violet light—a creature made of pure, unstable energy, crackling with electricity.
[Threat Detected: Arcane Construct (Level 40)]
[Warning: Critical Danger. Extreme Energy Damage Output.]
Level 40. This was the highest-level threat Archelius had faced, a full twenty-eight levels above him.
"Stay back! All of you!" Archelius commanded, pushing his subordinates behind a massive, fractured stone column. "This one is pure energy. My Iron Skin and Vestment will mitigate, but not neutralize, its power."
The Arcane Construct was massive, roughly humanoid, with twin blades of crackling violet lightning for arms. It roared, the sound echoing painfully in the confined space.
Archelius knew a direct, prolonged engagement was suicide. He had to rely on the overwhelming power of his Rank E+ War God's Fist to shatter its core.
He activated his War God's Vestment mitigation and his maximized Iron Skin, preparing for impact. He channeled maximum energy into his fist, utilizing the full 5x damage multiplier.
The Construct lunged, swinging its twin lightning blades.
Archelius met the attack with a focused Sprint Burst, dodging the first blade and allowing the second to graze his War God's Vestment.
BZZZZT!
The electricity hit the armor. Archelius felt a powerful jolt, but the Vestment and his defenses successfully mitigated most of the damage.
[Health: 90/100. Core Power Damage Mitigated: 15%. Core Power: 95/100 (Normal).]
He had successfully tanked the Level 40 attack. Now for the counter.
He drove the Rank E+ War God's Fist straight into the Construct's central energy mass.
CRACK-SHATTER!
The force was too much. The Arcane Construct's structure instantly fractured. The violent, uncontrolled energy that held it together exploded outwards in a blinding flash.
[Arcane Construct (Level 40) Defeated. Dominance Kill Achieved!]
[XP Gained: 4000. Total XP: 10915/6400. Level Up: User Level 13! Level 14!]
The sheer influx of XP from the Dominance Kill caused a double Level Up.
[User: Archelius]
[Level: 14 (XP: 1715/12800)]
[Core Power Restored: 100/100.]
[Available Skill Points: 2.]
He had obliterated a Level 40 threat at Level 12. The raw, focused power of the War God System was truly unimaginable.
The Divine Blood Synthesis
Archelius collected the loot, which was the highest grade yet.
[Arcane Construct Core (Divine Grade) x 1 Acquired.]
[Divine Blood Shard (Minor) x 5 Acquired.]
He now had enough Divine Blood Shards (5) and a Divine Grade Core—the ultimate resource for the Rank E+ weapon blueprint.
He immediately spent his two Skill Points, maximizing his current defense.
[Iron Skin (Rank E+) Upgraded to Rank E++. Cost: 2 Skill Points.]
[Physical Resistance +50%. Defense +20.]
He was virtually untouchable by anything below Level 40 now.
He turned to the Crafting Menu, his heart pounding with anticipation.
[Available Crafting Options (Rank E+):]
[War God's Edge (Rank E+): Requires 2 Superior Cores, 5 Divine Blood Shards. Success: 60%. - NEW!]
"I have the Shards and three Superior Cores. I'll use two of those cores, and save the Divine Core for a future armor synthesis." Archelius calculated quickly.
[Crafting War God's Edge (Rank E+). Requires 2 Superior Cores, 5 Divine Blood Shards. Success: 60%.]
He had a 40% chance of catastrophic failure, losing the materials and the chance for the weapon. This was the largest risk yet.
"Archelius, please don't," Bethany whispered, sensing the dangerous power of the synthesis. "It's too risky."
"I need the power, Bethany," Archelius stated. "Level 40 entities patrol this area. The Divine Edge is excellent, but its Rank E limit will soon be insufficient. I need a Rank E+ weapon to survive the depths."
He confirmed the craft.
The two Superior Golem Cores and the five Divine Blood Shards dissolved in a violent, thunderous surge of silver, violet, and blood-red light. The light spun, roaring like a tiny star, threatening to rip apart the chamber.
For a agonizing few seconds, the light wavered. Archelius held his breath, watching the success percentage flicker.
Then, with a final, resonant K-SHINK, the light stabilized and coalesced into a sword far more magnificent than the Divine Edge.
It was a broadsword, forged from black material but etched with brilliant, pulsating SILVER runes. It felt immensely heavy and powerful in his hands.
[Crafting Successful! War God's Edge (Rank E+) Acquired.]
[Damage: Overwhelming. Enchantment: Pure System Energy Focus. Allows channeling of full Core Power with increased stability.]
He deactivated the old Divine Edge and grasped the War God's Edge. The moment he activated War God's Strike (Rank E+), the pure silver light of the System, untainted by violet or black, exploded from the blade. He felt a profound connection to the System he hadn't felt before—the true path to the War God was opening.
The First Imposter Lord
"The sword... it's beautiful," Raji whispered in awe.
"It is survival," Archelius corrected, looking at the Map Function. "Bethany, where does this chamber lead?"
"Down," Bethany replied, her energy sight now focused on the chasm. "But the energy is different now. It's not residual. It's... focused. And there is a presence. Massive. Level 50."
[Warning: Proximal Level 50 Threat Detected. Entity Classification: Imposter Lord.]
Archelius had reached the heart of the Citadel's defense. A Level 50 entity—the lord of the Imposters.
"We go down," Archelius commanded. "This is the source of the Imposters. If we defeat the Lord, we secure the Citadel, and we secure the region."
He looked at his squad. "You have all proved your value. But this fight is mine alone. You will find the deepest, safest shadow and remain there. You are my insurance. If I fall, you escape."
"No, Archelius," Bethany said firmly, stepping forward, the first time she had truly defied him. "You won the sword because you push past your limits. You defeated Level 40 because you listened to me. I see its weaknesses. The Imposter Lord is protected by shifting energy shields. I can track the rotation."
"She's right," Theodore added, clutching his dagger. "We're not just distractions now. We're your backup. We eliminate the small threats that will slip past you."
Archelius looked at the faces of his former classmates. They were Level 2 and Level 3, covered in grime and dried monster blood, but their eyes held a fierce, disciplined loyalty he had earned through absolute power and decisive action. They were weak, but together, they were a functional combat unit.
"Very well," Archelius agreed, a faint hint of pride entering his voice. "We go together. Bethany is the eyes. Raji is the quick-reaction scout. Theodore and Lisa, protect the eyes. If my sword touches the Lord, I need a clear line of sight to its core. Do you understand the plan?"
"Yes, War God!" Theodore affirmed, giving a sharp, military nod.
Archelius jumped, activating the War God's Boots for a safe, rapid descent into the chasm, the powerful, silver light of the War God's Edge illuminating the path. His squad followed, plunging into the final darkness of the Citadel.