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Chapter 46
The Apostle of Light
Deep beneath the grand halls of Valencrest, the underground chamber had transformed into a raging battlefield where light and shadow clashed like ancient enemies reborn. Steel rang against cursed blades in a fierce song of war. Bright emerald magic from the loyal knights crashed like roaring ocean waves against rolling tides of dark power that crept across the stone floor like hungry, living shadows. Every violent clash sent showers of bright sparks flying high into the gloom, scattering like newborn stars.
The very air trembled as if the earth itself was holding its breath. Shouts and battle cries filled the cavernous chamber, mixing with the low hum of spells that whispered secrets from long-forgotten ages. Magic burned through the darkness like lightning tearing through storm clouds.
At the heart of the storm stood two figures locked in a dance of death.
Duke Armand Valencrest—tall, unyielding, and radiant with the pride of his noble house. His armor gleamed beneath the flickering light, every movement carrying the weight of a seasoned warrior who had defended his land for decades.
And Malrec Voss—the Third Elder of the feared Eclipse Covenant—his body wrapped in writhing shadows that seemed almost alive, as if darkness itself had chosen him as its vessel.
Their battle was a terrifying display of raw power and fury that made every heart nearby pound faster.
Malrec's dark magic spread through the chamber like thick black smoke rising from a dying fire. It twisted and stretched into jagged spikes and long chains of shadow that lashed through the air like venomous serpents striking their prey. Each spell carried a heavy, sour smell, like spoiled fruit left too long in forgotten corners—magic born from cruel rituals and ancient corruption that no righteous soul would dare touch.
But Duke Armand met every attack head-on, fire blazing in his eyes.
His emerald aura roared around him like a living storm of green lightning. Every swing of his sword carved through the darkness with unstoppable force, sending bursts of brilliant green energy crackling through the air. The power of their blows shook the chamber again and again. Cracks raced across the stone walls like jagged veins of lightning, while fragments of rock rained from the ceiling.
Malrec laughed—a cold, brittle sound that echoed through the cavern like breaking ice beneath a frozen lake. He blocked another powerful strike with a wave of his hand, shadows twisting around his arm like a living shield.
"Impressive, Duke," he sneered, his voice smooth and poisonous like oil poured over steel. "You swing that blade like a warrior from the ancient legends. But you are already too late. The wheels of fate are turning, and nothing you do can stop what comes."
Duke Armand's eyes burned brighter than the emerald light surrounding him. Sweat glistened across his brow, yet his voice remained unwavering and strong.
"Then I will cut you down before your dark plan finishes," he declared fiercely. "Valencrest will never fall to the likes of you!"
Their blades crashed together again with a thunderous BOOM!
A shockwave burst outward like an invisible storm wind, sending dust swirling across the chamber floor and knocking loose stones rolling in every direction. Knights nearby shouted encouragement for their duke while the cultists hissed with hatred.
---
Meanwhile, not far from the center of battle, Alex felt something terrible stirring beneath his boots.
The broken ritual circle carved into the floor had begun to glow again. At first the light was faint—like dying embers buried beneath ash. But within moments it grew stronger, pulsing with unnatural life.
Purple fog poured from the cracks in the stone like poison spilling from a hidden wound. It curled around Alex's ankles, cold and sticky, making his skin crawl with dread.
Alex's heart sank like a stone dropped into a deep well.
"No…" he whispered, his voice nearly lost in the chaos of battle.
The summoning ritual was still alive.
Even though the main circle had been damaged, the cursed magic continued flowing. Whatever Malrec had begun calling from the shadows… it was waking up.
Alex could feel it in his bones.
A heavy pressure pushed against the world itself, like something vast and starving pressing against a thin door between realms.
He spun around sharply.
"I need to stop the ritual—now!"
Max was still locked in combat with two snarling cultists. His sword flashed in wide arcs as sweat flew from his brow. Without even turning his head he shouted back.
"Go, Alex! We'll hold them off!"
"Don't let that thing come through!"
Alex didn't hesitate.
He dashed deeper into the underground chambers, his heart pounding like a war drum. He slipped past clashing knights and cultists, ducking beneath a flying spell that left a trail of green sparks across the air.
The purple fog thickened with every step, swirling around his legs like icy fingers trying to drag him downward. The air turned colder and heavier.
Whispers brushed against his ears.
Soft.
Cruel.
Full of hatred.
The walls were covered in twisted runes glowing with sickly purple light. Dark crystals jutted from the stone like jagged teeth, humming with a low, cursed vibration that made Alex's teeth ache.
Shadows danced across the walls—moving in ways that shadows should not move.
Watching him.
Waiting.
Finally, Alex reached the deepest chamber.
And there it was.
The true summoning circle.
Carved directly into the stone floor like a monstrous eye staring up toward the ceiling.
Purple light surged within it, bright and furious. The runes twisted and writhed like living serpents as dark mana surged upward in thick streams of corrupted energy.
The entire formation felt wrong.
Like a wound carved into reality itself.
Alex's stomach twisted painfully.
"Damn it…" he breathed.
Memories from the old RPG game returned instantly.
Eclipse Covenant rituals could only be undone by powerful holy magic—pure divine light born from faith and righteousness.
Not fire magic.
Not wind magic.
Only holy magic.
Alex clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
"And I don't know any holy magic other than one…"
The circle pulsed brighter.
Dark fog poured out faster.
The pressure in the chamber became unbearable.
Something enormous scratched at the barrier between worlds.
Alex could almost hear it now—
A low, monstrous growl vibrating through the stone like thunder from another realm.
His thoughts raced wildly.
"Think… think…"
But nothing came.
Desperation clawed at his chest like icy talons.
If he failed now…
Everything would be lost.
"…There has to be something," he whispered hoarsely.
Then suddenly—
The system window flickered violently.
UNKNOWN ERROR
UNKNOWN ERROR
UNKNOWN ERROR
Alex froze.
"What?"
The screen twisted and glitched as if invisible hands were pulling at it from another dimension.
Something had reached into the system.
Something far greater than any magic.
Then—
DING!
A brand-new message appeared, glowing brighter than anything before.
---
Apostle of Light
A higher being has watched your brave deeds and pure heart.
She offers you the chance to become her Apostle.
Do you accept?
Cost: 0 SC Coins
---
Alex stared in disbelief.
"What…?"
For a moment he wondered if it was a trap.
But the ritual circle beneath him pulsed again.
The ground shook violently.
Cracks spread across the chamber floor.
A distant scream echoed from somewhere beyond reality itself.
There was no time left to hesitate.
Alex gritted his teeth.
"System…"
"…Accept it."
The screen exploded with blinding white light.
DING!
Warmth surged through Alex's body like the first rays of sunrise breaking over a frozen world.
Golden energy flooded his veins—pure, radiant, and unstoppable.
The dragon blood within him roared with excitement as it merged with the holy power.
Light and dragonfire intertwined.
His entire body glowed faintly with divine brilliance.
Alex gasped.
"What… what is this power?"
Sacred knowledge flowed into his mind like gentle rain.
Ancient prayers.
Holy incantations.
Blessings older than kingdoms themselves.
He saw visions of radiant temples beneath endless skies… priests raising their hands beneath shining stars… light falling from heaven like golden snow.
Holy magic.
Alex raised his hand instinctively.
Golden light gathered in his palm like a miniature sun.
The summoning circle reacted violently.
Purple energy lashed upward in furious resistance.
Alex inhaled deeply.
Fear faded.
Calm courage replaced it.
"…Let's try this."
He raised both hands toward the ritual circle.
Golden light spiraled around his fingers.
"Holy Magic—"
His voice echoed through the chamber like a sacred hymn.
"Summon… Undo!"
Radiant light crashed downward like a falling star.
A thousand bells seemed to ring at once.
The purple runes shattered violently.
Dark fog screamed as it recoiled from the holy energy.
Cracks raced across the entire formation.
BOOM!
The summoning circle collapsed.
The runes burned away into ash.
The cursed energy vanished.
At the same moment—
Back in the main chamber—
Malrec's eyes widened in horror.
"Impossible…"
Duke Armand's sword flashed.
CLANG!
Malrec staggered backward.
"The ritual—"
"It's gone!"
Duke Armand advanced.
"I told you."
"Your crimes end tonight."
Without the ritual feeding him power, Malrec's aura weakened.
The Duke's emerald blade struck again.
BOOM!
Malrec slammed into the wall.
The knights cheered.
---
Meanwhile Alex slowly lowered his glowing hands.
The chamber fell silent.
"…Did it work?"
Then—
A voice echoed.
Cold.
Ancient.
Terrifying.
"Hmmm…"
Alex froze.
"…You have broken the rule of light."
The temperature dropped instantly.
Darkness spread across the walls like living ink.
"…Now do not beg for mercy."
A twisted laugh filled the chamber.
"HAHAHAHA…"
Alex slowly turned.
At the far end of the chamber…
A figure stood in the shadows.
Tall.
Impossible to see clearly.
Even the darkness trembled around it.
The remaining cultists collapsed to their knees in terror.
"…So."
"…you are the one who interfered."
The figure stepped forward.
And the entire chamber shook.
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The battle had only just begun.