The sand split open. Slowly at first. Then violently. A massive shape began to rise from beneath the desert floor. Kai didn't move. He couldn't. His instincts were screaming louder than ever before. Aria stepped back unconsciously. "...What the hell is that?" The creature emerged fully. A colossal humanoid figure made of hardened sand and black stone. Its body was covered in ancient markings. A crown-like structure formed on its head. Its eyes burned with deep golden light. Each movement caused the ground to tremble.
Monster Identified
Desert King
Rank: A
The remaining Sand Reavers retreated further. Not in fear—In obedience. Kai exhaled slowly. "...So this is the real boss." The Desert King raised one arm. The sand around it gathered instantly. Compressed. Hardened. Then—It punched. BOOOOOOM. The air exploded. Kai barely moved in time. The impact shattered the ground behind him. A shockwave threw him off balance. Aria was forced back several meters. "...That wasn't even direct," she muttered.
Kai moved first. Fast. He circled the boss. Looking for weaknesses. Same approach as before. Observe. Adapt. Survive. "Aria—legs," he said. She nodded. They split instantly. Aria attacked from the front. Her blades flashed—CLANG. No effect. Not even a scratch. "...What?" The Desert King turned. Too fast for its size. Its arm swung sideways. Aria blocked—CRASH. She was sent flying. Her body slammed into a broken pillar. Dust rose. Kai's eyes narrowed. "Too durable…"
Kai jumped. He aimed for the neck. His dagger glowed with abyss energy. He struck—CLANG. The blade stopped. Didn't penetrate. The Desert King grabbed him mid-air. Its massive hand closed around his body. Pressure built instantly. Bones creaked. Kai's vision shook. "—!"
Survival Instinct
Without thinking—Kai activated the system.
Abyss Shop
He selected instantly. Purchase Confirmed. Minor Healing Potion. He crushed it in his mouth. Energy surged. His body stabilized just enough. Then—He stabbed. Directly into the monster's hand. A small crack formed. The Desert King released him. Kai dropped to the ground, rolling away. Breathing heavily. "...So it can be damaged." Barely. But possible.
The Desert King moved again. This time—Slower. Heavier. Its movements weren't random. Kai watched closely. "...There's a delay." Every attack—Had a slight pause before impact. A pattern. Aria stood up again. Blood on her forehead. "You see it too?" Kai nodded. "...Yeah." This wasn't a brute-force fight. This was timing. Precision.
The Desert King raised both arms. The sand around it surged violently. Multiple spikes formed in the air. Then—They launched. Like spears. Kai ran. Dodging left. Right. One grazed his leg. Another shattered a pillar beside him. Aria moved in sync. Both of them barely avoiding death. Then—Kai saw the opening. A small crack. Right at the knee joint. He dashed forward. Risking everything. The boss's arm came down. Kai didn't stop. He slid under it—And stabbed. CRACK. The joint fractured. The Desert King staggered. For the first time—It reacted.
The Desert King froze. Its entire body trembled. The cracks began to spread. Not like damage—Like transformation. Kai's eyes widened. "...That's not good." The system flashed violently. Warning. Boss Entering Phase 2.
The sand around the Desert King lifted into the air. Spinning. Condensing. Its body began to change. Grow sharper. More unstable. More dangerous. Aria tightened her grip. "...It's evolving." Kai exhaled slowly. His body was already injured. His stamina dropping. And the real fight… Hadn't even started yet.
END OF CHAPTER 28