"Final Shot," Leon muttered. He raised his staff high, channeling a final surge of Aether magic. With a roar, he unleashed a powerful Aether Bolt that struck the mage''s chest, causing blue light to explode outward in a shower of sparks. The undead mage''s bones cracked and splintered, and it staggered, almost falling apart.

    Luna saw her opportunity. She sprinted forward, her dagger flashing in the dim light, and drove it into the mage''s skull with a decisive thrust. The creature went rigid, its bones rattling as the dark energy that animated it dissipated into the air. It collapsed in a heap of dust and broken bones, the remnants of its dark magic fading into the silent cemetery.

    Leon let out a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding, lowering his staff. The two exchanged a look, both feeling the weight of their victory.

    As the dust settled, Leon and Luna took a moment to catch their breath, their faces lit by the faint glow of the magic remnants fading from the air. The cemetery was eerily silent, and even the restless undead seemed to have retreated now that their master had been vanquished.

    "That... was intense," Leon murmured, wiping the sweat from his brow. His staff still crackled faintly with residual energy, which he dispelled with a flick of his wrist.

    "Not bad," Luna smirked, sheathing her dagger. "But if you hadn''t drawn its attention, I would''ve had a hard time even getting close. That thing was no ordinary undead."@@@@

    Leon nodded, glancing down at the scattered remains of the mage. It seemed different from the others—almost intelligent in how it defended itself and retaliated. "That''s what worries me. If something like this was here, it could mean the cemetery has deeper secrets."

    He knelt down and carefully sifted through the mage''s remains. Amid the bones, he found a glimmering amulet, worn and cracked, but still pulsing faintly with dark energy. He held it up, examining the symbols carved into its surface. "Looks like we have a drop. This amulet must''ve held some of its power."

    Luna leaned in, eyes narrowed as she examined the amulet. "Are you sure it''s safe to keep? That thing reeks of dark magic."

    Leon looked it over thoughtfully. "Hmm, it''s called the Amulet of Darkness."

    He held it out toward her. "Its effects are +50 dark magic attack and -50% dark magic mana consumption. Here, you can have it."

    They stepped inside, and Leon''s eyes adjusted to the dim light. The cave was surprisingly spacious, with a natural stone floor and walls that glistened with a faint mineral sheen. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, and the sound of dripping water echoed throughout. A small, shallow pool of water lay near the back, reflecting the faint glow of bioluminescent moss scattered along the walls.

    "This place is perfect," Leon said, impressed. "Safe, hidden... and quiet."

    Luna sat down by the pool, dipping her fingers into the cool water. "I used to come here when I needed to escape. It''s been a while, though." Her voice softened, and she glanced at him. "We''ll be safe here for the night."

    Leon sat down across from her, grateful for the momentary respite. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, listening to the quiet dripping of water and the gentle flow of the river outside.

    "By the way, don''t you dare try anything funny," Luna said, eyeing him with a warning look.

    "Relax, I''m not a pervert," Leon laughed, holding up his hands defensively.

    "Better not be, or..." She made a slicing gesture, aimed right at his lower half, causing Leon to roll his eyes.

    "I''m going to absorb the magic sources we found and level up," he said, settling in to focus. Luna nodded.

    "And after that, I''ll go catch us some fish to eat," she replied, standing up and stretching.

    As Luna left, Leon pulled out all the magic sources they''d gathered, arranging them in front of him. With a deep breath, he began to absorb each one, feeling the surge of energy course through him as his mana reserves expanded and his power grew. The familiar warmth of magic filled him, each source strengthening his core and pushing his level steadily higher.

    He could feel the effects immediately — his control over magic was sharper, his senses keener, and the fatigue from their battles seemed to melt away with each new level.