Now that the enemy's identity had been confirmed, there was nothing left to discuss. The high priest would never allow Punk to leave alive—his goal was to "purify" the heretical blasphemer. Punk, on the other hand, had no intention of retreating. What he wanted were the mage's notes and the priceless master-level robe.
One thing still puzzled him, though—why was the high priest, a follower of the gods, completely devoid of any priestly aura? His power clearly belonged to a mage, not a cleric. But this was no time for contemplation. The battle had already begun.
The first to strike was the high priest. A fiery madness burned in his eyes, and within a single second he released an almost instantaneous spell.
"Die!"
A blazing fireball shot toward Punk.
Official-Level Evocation Spell — Fireball: Creates an explosive fireball to attack enemies!
"So, he's probably an energy-shaping mage," Punk deduced.
With calculated precision, he unleashed a Kinetic Energy Burst, intercepting the fireball in midair.
Boom!
The two spells collided, shaking the cavern with a deafening roar. Flames scattered wildly, and the sheer force of the impact fractured the ground beneath them.
"RAAAAHHH!"
As the spells clashed, Golem One let out a bestial roar and charged forward. Its abyss-tainted claws shimmered with a blood-red glow.
"You dare defile the holy land of the Goddess Tishahar with such filthy creations?!"
The high priest's face twisted in rage as he cursed. But he wasted no time—his next spell was already prepared.
"Burn!"
A crimson light flared beside him, forming a blazing rune circle in the air. As Golem One approached, a slender elemental figure burst forth from the spell circle, its body composed entirely of raging flames.
Official-Level Summoning Spell — Summon Fire Elemental: Calls forth a high-temperature fire elemental to fight for five minutes!
The flames surged forward, engulfing Golem One. But the golem showed no fear. Elemental resistance meant nothing to it. The fire elemental lunged, attempting to trap its foe in a burning embrace.
"You think that's all I have?"
Punk muttered under his breath. At his feet, another summoning circle flared to life.
Official-Level Summoning Spell — Summon Shadow Tigers: Summons three powerful shadow tigers that can cooperate in battle for three minutes!
ROAR!
With bone-chilling growls, three black-furred tigers leaped out, their rune-etched bodies radiating a malevolent aura. Without hesitation they pounced toward the high priest.
At the same time, Punk unleashed three Kinetic Energy Bursts, sealing off the enemy's possible escape routes.
Now the high priest had two choices:
Stand his ground and face the relentless assault of the shadow tigers while Punk bombarded him with spells.
Retreat, but first deal with the Kinetic Energy Bursts—only to be overwhelmed by the tigers afterward.
It was a lose-lose situation. And any hesitation would cost him dearly.
Punk exhaled sharply, his breath ragged. Casting four spells in less than two seconds had pushed him to his limits. Without the assistance of his system, the final Kinetic Energy Burst might have failed entirely.
But it was worth it.
The advantage was his now.
"You little bastard! I'll sacrifice you piece by piece to the great goddess!"
Despite the shadow tigers charging at him, the high priest showed no fear. Instead, he let out a deranged laugh and reached for the carapace covering the back of his spider-like lower body.
"Hee hee… hahaha… HAHAHA!"
With a savage tear, he ripped open the armor, revealing a series of glowing green runes. As they activated, a hideous, cackling face emerged from the swirling magic.
Dozens of twisted wraith-like spirits poured out, their eerie laughter filling the cavern.
"Faithful servants of the Goddess Tishahar! It is time to prove your devotion! Bind the enemy! Purify them all!"
Spectral chains twisted through the air before shooting toward the shadow tigers.
"Not a chance!"
Punk's eyes flashed with recognition. This was the same trick the dark-green spider had used outside the iron gate. That time, the chains had been strong enough to drag Golem One away even while it fought at full strength. If they captured the shadow tigers, his summoning spell would be wasted.
"You dare use the same tactic twice against the same mage?"
Punk had already prepared his countermeasure.
With a swift incantation, a translucent lavender sphere floated into the air, intercepting the spectral chains.
Official-Level Conjuration Spell — Kinetic Stagnation: Creates a domain where all kinetic energy ceases for ten seconds!
As the high priest's wraith-chains surged forward, they were caught mid-motion—frozen as if time itself had stopped.
"Fool! You think I'd let you get away with this?!"
The high priest's pupils shrank in fury.
He had been waiting for this moment.
"Loyal servants of the goddess, intercept that spell!"
At his command, some of the spectral chains reverted back into wraiths. They ignited themselves with green flames, transforming into blazing projectiles that hurtled toward the floating lavender sphere.
Boom!
The sphere shattered before fully activating—but not before it formed a ten-cubic-meter zone where everything inside was completely immobilized.
"Haha! You're just a foolish brat! Pray to the great Goddess Tishahar before death claims you!"
The high priest's dark-green chains wrapped around the shadow tigers, binding them tightly.
But he wasn't finished.
Raising both hands, he conjured dozens of fireballs and hurled them toward the kinetic-stagnation field.
The result was terrifying.
Dozens of flaming orbs hovered in midair, completely motionless—yet still radiating intense heat. The moment the spell ended, they would all crash down at the same time.
Cold sweat trickled down Punk's forehead.
If those fireballs hit, the damage would be catastrophic.
"Damn it! The moment I arrived here, the enemy must have realized I defeated the dark-green spider. He should've known I would counter the spectral chains… yet he still used them… which means—he wanted me to counter them!"
The realization struck him like lightning.
Punk had been tricked.
The high priest wasn't just mad.
He was experienced.
He had baited Punk into wasting a spell while secretly preparing his true attack.
"Damn it… my inexperience cost me!"
But there was no time for regret.
The Kinetic Stagnation spell would expire in moments. If he didn't act immediately, those fireballs would rain down and turn the battlefield into a blazing inferno.