CHAPTER 62: RANK 1 TRIAL VI

Its voice was a distorted, mocking echo.

"You will not disturb the Lord..."

Rhys tilted his head, exhaling through his nose.

"Oh boy... if this is just the mini-boss, then the City Lord definitely is even more powerful."

His eyes flicked over the mana display above the creature’s head.

Level 120.

Rhys gave a low whistle.

"Ultra Hard difficulty finally showing its teeth, huh? I was starting to think this was too easy... guess not anymore."

Up until now, despite it being Ultra Hard, Rhys had been cutting through the trial with little resistance—his stats and Puddle’s overwhelming magic making the lower-tier elites little more than practice dummies.

But this... this thing was going to be a bit of a challenge. Not overly difficult—but enough to keep him on his toes.

Its every step cracked the marble tiles underfoot. Four weapons shifted easily in its grip, each glinting with an unnatural edge.

Behind it, Rhys could feel the faint, oppressive mana of the City Lord’s palace—a heavy pressure pressing against his chest. This Black Regent wasn’t just a guard. It was the gatekeeper.

Puddle pulsed beside him, a ripple of light flashing through its watery body. The slime’s gaze locked on the Regent, and Rhys felt their bond flare—ready for battle.

Rhys smirked.

"Well... looks like it’s time for a real fight."

The Regent moved first.

It lunged forward with terrifying speed for something so large, two of its blades sweeping horizontally while the other two came down in a cross-shaped strike aimed straight for Rhys’s torso.

Rhys’s [Mana Shield] flared instantly—blue light exploding outward as steel met magic. Sparks and golden arcs burst across the courtyard from the impact.

Without missing a beat, Rhys countered—his free hand glowing as he invoked [Magic Enchant]. Ancient Light magic surged down into his sword, sheathing the black blade in radiant gold. He followed immediately with [Whirlwind Slash], spinning in a tight arc that sent a crescent of golden energy tearing toward the Regent.

The demon crossed two swords to block, the impact blasting it back several meters. But it recovered quickly, slamming its weapons into the ground as shadowy spikes erupted from beneath Rhys’s feet.

"Not today." Rhys vanished in a blur—[Swift Cut] propelling him sideways just as the spikes tore through where he’d been standing.

Puddle struck next.

A wave of brilliant gold flared as the slime unleashed [Radiant Pulse], the purifying light slamming into the Regent and sizzling against its corrupted flesh. The demon staggered—just in time for [Halo Spear] to descend from above, piercing through one of its shoulders.

Rhys took the opening.

"[Arc Surge Slash]!"

Mana condensed along his sword’s edge, and he unleashed a high-speed slash that cracked like thunder. The blade carved straight through one of the Regent’s lower arms, sending a blackened weapon spinning across the courtyard.

The demon roared in fury, its remaining weapons spinning in a deadly cyclone. Dark mist began to seep outward from its body—a shroud meant to blind and confuse.

Rhys smirked.

"Bad idea..."

He triggered [Magic Sense], the world sharpening into streams of mana and corruption. Even in total darkness, the Regent’s movements lit up before his eyes like neon veins.

The Regent’s cyclone of shadow howled like a hurricane, its force dragging dust and loose stone into the air. Every step it took cracked the marble tiles, each impact reverberating through the core district.

Rhys’ eyes narrowed as he activated [Predator’s Archive] next.

The Akashic Ruler’s authority pulsed through his mind, overlaying his vision with shifting glyphs and spectral diagrams of the Regent’s body. A crimson web of mana veins shimmered faintly—until one point flared gold.

[Weakness Identified: Left upper rib — exposed core thread. Weak point strikes deal +200% Critical Damage.]

Rhys grinned.

"Found you."

He blurred into [Ghost Edge Step], phasing through the cyclone’s outer edge to strike from the Regent’s blind side. His blade angled for the highlighted rib—

—but the Regent reacted instantly, crossing two of its four weapons to parry. Sparks and black lightning crackled on impact, forcing Rhys to disengage and flip backward.

The demon growled, and [Black Spiral Maelstrom] surged from its body—tendrils of condensed shadow magic snapping outward like whips. Rhys twisted and rolled, each tendril tearing grooves in the stone where he had stood moments before.

Puddle retaliated, launching [Light Bullets]—five golden streaks that slammed into the Regent’s torso. The demon roared in pain, stumbling just enough for Rhys to dash in again.

CLANG—! His sword scraped across the Regent’s black armor, missing the weakness by inches.

The demon countered with [Crimson Void Step], vanishing in a blur of shadow before reappearing behind him, its great axe swinging down in a lethal arc.

Rhys barely caught it on his blade, boots grinding against the marble as the sheer weight forced him back. "Tch... strong bastard."

The Regent pressed forward, chaining its attacks—

[Shadow Cleaver], a wide sweep that exploded into a wave of black flame.

[Spear of Dusk], thrusting one of its weapons with precision that shattered nearby paving stones.

Rhys moved like water, slipping between each killing blow, eyes never leaving the glowing mark over the Regent’s weakness.

Then his opening came.

Puddle surged forward, unleashing [Torrential Cage]—a vortex of high-pressure water wrapping around the Regent’s legs, slowing its movement for three seconds.

That was all Rhys needed.

He slid in low, blade flashing with Ancient Light Magic — Magic Enchant. The sword erupted in golden fire, and his strike slammed directly into the exposed rib.

CRACK—!!

The demon’s armor split like dry wood, the blade biting into its core thread. The Regent howled, staggering back with thick black ichor pouring from the wound.

[Critical Strike — Weak Point Hit! Damage x3]

The Regent’s fury spiked, and it unleashed its ultimate—

[Midnight Requiem] — the sky itself darkened, and dozens of shadow lances materialized overhead.

Rhys planted his foot, activating [Light Shield] and Puddle activated it too, just as the first wave fell. Golden barriers deflected the strikes, but each one sent shockwaves through his bones, dealing secondary damage.