Chapter 30: The Shadow General
Dark lightning tore across the sky.
The battlefield trembled as the Nightmare Beast roared violently. Buildings collapsed one after another, and the air filled with dust and smoke.
Arif stood in front of the massive monster, his breathing heavy but steady.
Behind him, Lina faced the tall shadow warrior that had emerged from the gate.
The atmosphere became suffocating.
Two powerful enemies.
Two dangerous battles.
And one mistake could mean death.
The shadow warrior slowly stepped forward toward Lina.
Its eyes glowed deep purple.
Dark armor covered its entire body.
The system appeared instantly.
[Elite Boss Detected]
[Shadow General]
[Threat Level: High]
Lina tightened her grip on her sword.
"A Shadow… General?"
The creature lifted its long dark blade.
Then—
It vanished.
Lina's eyes widened.
"So fast—!"
She barely blocked the attack.
CLANG!
The force pushed her backward.
Her feet slid across the ground.
The Shadow General attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
Lina dodged and countered.
Her sword struck its armor.
But—
It barely left a mark.
"This thing is tough…"
Meanwhile—
Arif continued fighting the Nightmare Beast.
The giant monster slammed its fists into the ground.
BOOM!
The shockwave spread across the battlefield.
Arif jumped backward.
The beast roared loudly.
Dark energy gathered around its body.
Suddenly—
It charged forward.
Arif activated Shadow Step.
He disappeared and reappeared above the beast.
"Shadow Strike!"
He attacked its head.
But the armor blocked again.
Arif frowned.
"This armor…"
The Nightmare Beast swung its tail.
Arif barely dodged.
He landed on the ground.
Then—
The beast opened its mouth.
Dark energy gathered again.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Not again—"
The dark beam fired.
Arif activated Shadow Step repeatedly.
The beam destroyed everything in its path.
Buildings collapsed.
The ground shattered.
The battlefield turned into ruins.
Meanwhile—
Lina continued fighting the Shadow General.
Their blades clashed repeatedly.
Sparks flew in every direction.
The Shadow General moved skillfully.
It attacked with precision.
Lina realized—
This wasn't just a monster.
It fought like a trained warrior.
Suddenly—
The Shadow General kicked her.
She was thrown back.
She rolled on the ground.
Before she could stand—
The Shadow General rushed forward.
Lina quickly raised her sword.
CLANG!
She blocked just in time.
But the force pushed her down.
Her arms trembled.
"This thing is… strong…"
Suddenly—
A dark aura exploded nearby.
Arif landed beside her.
"You okay?"
Lina nodded quickly.
"Yeah… but this one is tough."
Arif looked at the Shadow General.
"I'll handle it."
Lina shook her head.
"What about the giant one?"
Arif looked back.
The Nightmare Beast roared loudly.
"I'll handle both."
Lina looked surprised.
"You sure?"
Arif smiled faintly.
"I don't have a choice."
Suddenly—
The Nightmare Beast charged again.
Arif activated Shadow Domain.
Darkness spread across the battlefield.
Everything slowed down.
Arif moved instantly.
He attacked the Shadow General first.
Their blades clashed.
The Shadow General staggered slightly.
Arif turned immediately.
He rushed toward the Nightmare Beast.
"Shadow Strike!"
He attacked repeatedly.
Dark slashes covered the beast's armor.
Cracks began to form.
Arif's eyes lit up.
"It's working!"
The beast roared loudly.
It slammed its fists down.
Arif jumped away.
Meanwhile—
The Shadow General attacked again.
Arif blocked both enemies at once.
Sweat ran down his face.
His energy was dropping fast.
"This won't last long…"
Suddenly—
The system appeared.
[New Skill Available]
[Shadow Clone]
Arif blinked.
"Shadow Clone?"
He activated it instantly.
Dark energy formed beside him.
Then—
A second Arif appeared.
Lina's eyes widened.
"A clone?!"
The Shadow Clone rushed toward the Shadow General.
Arif attacked the Nightmare Beast.
The battle split into two.
The clone fought skillfully.
It matched the Shadow General's movements.
Meanwhile—
Arif focused entirely on the Nightmare Beast.
He gathered energy.
"Shadow Strike!"
He attacked the cracked armor.
The cracks grew larger.
The beast roared loudly.
It swung wildly.
Arif dodged.
Then—
He attacked again.
The armor finally shattered.
The beast staggered.
Arif saw the opening.
"Now!"
He jumped high.
"Final Shadow Strike!"
He attacked the core.
The Nightmare Beast screamed.
Dark energy exploded.
Then—
The giant monster collapsed.
The ground shook violently.
Meanwhile—
The Shadow Clone and Lina attacked together.
The Shadow General weakened.
Arif rushed forward.
All three attacked at once.
The Shadow General tried to block.
But—
It was too late.
"Shadow Strike!"
The final blow landed.
The Shadow General shattered into dark particles.
Silence fell across the battlefield.
The massive gate behind them began to close.
The sky slowly cleared.
Arif dropped to one knee.
His energy nearly exhausted.
Lina rushed toward him.
"You did it."
Arif nodded weakly.
The system appeared again.
[Gate Closed]
[Remaining Shadow Sources: 2]
Arif looked at the sky.
"Two more…"
But deep in the darkness…
The Shadow King watched silently.
His eyes glowed brighter.
"You're growing stronger…"
He slowly stood up.
"Good…"
Dark shadows gathered behind him.
Because soon—
He would enter the battlefield himself.
To Be Continued…