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Medrolash gazed at the unknown beings surging from all directions, gradually surrounding them.

He recognized these monsters, having seen them once in the diary of a necromancer.

"Withered abominations, they're withered abominations!"

"They are a plague that spreads the infection of darkness. Drawing sustenance from the earth, they spread with the malevolent will of ancient evils."

"In a forest infected by withered abominations, trees and plants grow at an unnatural speed. Vines and undergrowth quickly overrun buildings and roads. Once the withered abominations kill or drive away all the inhabitants, an entire village can vanish within days."

Medrolash slashed a vine lunging from the darkness, cursing loudly:

"Damn it, it's said that the first withered abominations were nurtured by the blood of a vampire, that old vampire had long been preparing for this!"

Alger gripped his Ever-Burning Greatsword, thrusting it directly into the twisted limbs of one of the withered vine creatures.

Flames erupted along the blade, setting the creature ablaze in an instant. The monster shrieked, crumbling to ashes.

Alger shouted a warning: "They're easily set on fire!"

As these monsters, hidden in the darkness and lurking within the dense forest, revealed their true form, the players unleashed their full powers.

Mantou stared at the vine creature that had attacked earlier, as information refreshed on his panel.

[Withered Vine Monster]

Challenge Level: 1 (200 XP)

Mantou let out a deep breath, immediately filled with anger.

"I thought it was something nasty, but it turns out to be just a small fry! How dare you scare your Grandpa Mantou—die!"

He rushed forward, sword in hand.

The twisted monstrosity shook its vines, its voice trembling with fear: "It has caught me, don't leave me."

"Help me!"

The Withered Vine Monster is the only type of withered abomination capable of speech, able to utter fragmented syllables in the voice of its deceased master, mocking its victims.

Seeing the monster's health bar, Mantou wasn't scared—instead, he felt deceived and his fury intensified.

"Still trying to scare me?"

"Die!"

His longsword slashed through the brittle vines.

The [Ring of Burning] on Mantou's hand glowed faintly, and searing flames traveled down the blade, setting the dry, withered form alight.

Mantou pulled the sword out, smirking:

"Not even a challenge."

Singo fired a flaming arrow, taunting from the side: "Who was it just now, trembling in fear?"

Summer Night Autumn Rain's golden eyes glinted with anger, and she parted her lips slightly.

[Agannazar's Scorcher]

"Boom!"

A line of blazing fire surged forth, incinerating over ten withered abominations in its path.

But this wasn't even the greatest damage dealer among the players.

The leader of the Eternal Brilliance Guild, the Light Priest class player "Dawn Cherishes Dance," rushed into the dark forest, raising her maul high.

[Channel Divinity: Dawn's Radiance]

A boundless radiance emanated from the priest, centered around her.

The surrounding darkness was completely dispelled.

Hundreds of withered abominations charging towards her were purified in the holy light, unable to even scream before disintegrating into ashes.

Iron Frenzy was puffing on a cigar, intentionally dramatic, as he tossed rune grenades.

"Art—is explosion!"

With each deafening blast, the creeping flames spread, turning every withered abomination in his way to ash.

The withered abominations hidden in darkness might be able to claim the lives of unsuspecting civilians or solitary adventurers, but against these players—laden with strange abilities, and particularly fond of fire and explosions—they were helpless.

After all, the ancient malevolent power never warned them how to deal with the Fourth Calamity.

The players carved a path through the overgrowth, soon emerging from the forest of death to face Lackman Castle.

The Dusklight Garden behind them was now filled with rolling smoke and dancing flames, scattered with the burnt remains of the withered abominations.

A thin veil of blood seemed to hang over the sky.

Lackman Castle stood dilapidated and decayed, seemingly ravaged by endless years. Built of black stone, the castle walls were riddled with cracks and covered in moss, stained with faded blood.

The spires were enveloped in heavy clouds, radiating an aura of coldness. Windows were barred with iron grates and sharp spikes, conveying an oppressive sense of confinement and threat.

Shadows from the castle shrouded the surrounding land in darkness, evoking fear and oppression.

Medrolash looked up at the castle, mockingly speaking to Alger beside him: "Did you really live in a place like this?"

"No wonder you ended up so twisted."

Alger shook his head slightly: "No, it wasn't like this when I left."

He looked at the castle's heavy gate, a grave expression on his face: "Maybe it's something the vampire duke did again, turning it into this state."

A piercing screech came from the sky.

Alger immediately became alert, shouting: "Watch out!"

"This isn't just the wind!"

Years of battle experience told him that the oncoming enemy would be anything but simple.

The group scanned their surroundings but saw no sign of an enemy.

"The enemy is in the sky!"

"Damn it!"

In the gloomy sky, a massive skeletal eagle spread its wings.

It had no feathers, only yellowed, forked wing bones trailing a ghostly green flame.

Wind whistled through the gaps in the skeletal frame, creating an eerie wailing sound, like the mourning of spirits.

And on the skeletal eagle's back was a skeletal knight in formidable armor. Beneath the helmet, the eye sockets of the skull blazed with a vicious light, filled with boundless hatred for the living—a Death Knight!

"Intruders!"

"I will—kill you all!"

The knight's raspy voice rang out as he dived towards the ground.

Alger fixed his gaze on the skeletal eagle rider, muttering: "Old Ward..."

Old Ward was Alger's instructor during his time as an Northwind Eagle Guard, the man who taught him everything.

Ward Chris had once fought across the lands for Lackman Duchy, achieving great feats on the back of his eagle. In the end, he only asked to serve as an instructor for the next generation of Eagle Guards.

Now, however, loyal Old Ward had taken Alger's place, transformed into a Death Knight by the duke, cursed to ride the skeletal eagle and guard Lackman Castle eternally, without consciousness, loyally serving the duke he once honored.

"I will let you rest in peace."

"Annoying old man."

Alger couldn't help but grip his greatsword tightly, silently swearing to himself.

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