That had been far too close—he felt the subtle ripple of Lyra’s luck running through him, nudging probabilities just enough that the killing blow missed by a hair’s breadth.
Ethan pushed forward, arcane mana blazing along the length of his blade. Each movement felt smooth, clean, empowered—not just by his own mana but by the Pack’s combined strength surging through the Mirror Link. He stepped, spun, and struck with supernatural precision, his arcane mana cutting into the corrupted form of the City Lord. With every hit, the corruption hissed, pulsed, and recoiled.
But as Ethan’s blade clashed with Halvaric’s corrupted form, the air around him flickered wildly. The world seemed to glitch, reality stuttering and snapping unpredictably. Blue static flared across his vision, fragmented lines of distorted system text appearing and vanishing in rapid bursts:
ERROR: Mana resonance unstable—
Corruption detected. Host incompatible.
Stabilization protocol failing—
Ethan grimaced and pressed forward through the glitches, ignoring the distorted messages as best he could. His arcane power surged, every strike of his sword sending cascades of cleansing mana rippling through the corrupted form before him.
“You will not undo what I've built!” Halvaric roared, red energy flaring around him, his corrupted form swelling further, more monstrous by the second. Ethan held fast, gripping his sword with calm, deadly certainty.
“I’m not here to undo,” Ethan said steadily. “I’m here to end it.”
Ethan locked eyes with Halvaric’s monstrous form, arcane mana blazing around him, defying the chaos and the glitching air. “I don’t care what you think you’ve built,” Ethan declared fiercely, his voice steady despite the tremors echoing through the chamber. “This world—this life, the family and friends I've found here—they're mine to protect. I won’t let your corruption take that away. Not today. Not ever.”
He surged forward again, blade clashing against the corrupted City Lord with relentless determination, each strike resonating clearly through the glitching reality, peeling layers of red corruption away from Halvaric’s twisted form.
Across the chamber, the battle raged with renewed intensity. Gwenna moved swiftly along the edge of the chaos, loosing arrows with pinpoint accuracy. Each shaft found its mark, felling corrupted guards who tried to block the fleeing captives or reinforce their lines. Not far away, Aldric threw himself into the thickest part of the fight—shoulder lowered, he slammed into an armored guard with enough force to knock the man sprawling, then spun to deliver a crushing backhand to another, clearing space for the next wave of adventurers and prisoners.
Nearby, a corrupted guard tried desperately to swing his sword as a swarm of kobolds leapt onto him, their small, nimble bodies clinging fiercely. They tugged at his armor, dragging him down by sheer numbers and chaotic tenacity, chittering victoriously as the guard collapsed beneath their weight.
Jorrin fought fiercely, standing protectively in front of Mara and their children, driving corrupted soldiers back with steady, powerful strikes of the blade he'd seized. Mara stepped up beside Jorrin, fire sparking in her palms. With a sharp word, she sent a jet of flame lancing through the air, scattering a cluster of corrupted guards. Where her fire struck, runes flickered and armor blackened. The heat rolled out in a wave, shielding Jorrin’s flank and buying him a moment to recover. Then she pressed a hand to his shoulder, sending a rush of warmth and focus into his muscles—a Hearth & Home buff, fortifying him against the chaos.
Kip suddenly darted forward, landing a quick, sharp kick into a corrupted soldier’s knee, sending the man stumbling. He grinned triumphantly, but before he could press further, Senna yanked him back firmly. “Not yet, Kip!” she shouted, holding him protectively close. “Stay near Tessa, me and Tomlin—we move together! Let Dad and Mom handle it!”
Mason, seeing the danger, immediately planted himself in front of the Silverthorn children, fists clenched and stance wide. Whenever a corrupted guard tried to push past the chaos, Mason rushed forward, smashing stone-hard knuckles into shins and knees. He didn’t send bodies flying like he had with slimes, but his blows left deep bruises and startled more than one guard into backing away. No one got through him to Kip, Senna, Tomlin, or Tessa.
All around, the chamber descended into chaos. Adventurers clashed violently against corrupted guards, spells and blades flashing everywhere. A contingent of Imperial soldiers fought in disciplined ranks, their banners gleaming even in the dim, corrupted light. Prisoners stumbled toward safety under kobold guidance, confusion and relief mingling on their faces as the battle raged.
Through it all, Ethan remained locked in combat with the City Lord, each strike driving closer to ending the corrupted nightmare Halvaric had unleashed upon Celdoras.
With every blow Ethan landed, the arcane mana in his blade flared brighter, surging with intensity until the sword blazed like a shard of pure, concentrated light. It crackled and hissed against the corrupted energies, its glow so intense it cast sharp, flickering shadows across the entire chamber. The blade moved with swift precision, slicing through the air, carving lines of purity and stability into the corrupted space around him.
Halvaric roared, the sound distorted and monstrous, swinging wildly with arms thickened by corruption. Ethan deflected each blow, his sword’s light pulsing brighter with each strike. As he pressed the attack, the corrupted glyphs etched across the chamber floor sputtered violently—lines fracturing, red mana leaking free as the ritual faltered, no longer able to withstand Ethan’s arcane cleansing.
The air rippled and glitched, reality itself seemingly shuddering under the strain. Blue static burst across Ethan’s vision once more, the system interface fracturing into chaotic strings of text:
ERROR: System integrity critical—
Manual cleanse required...corruption override detected.
Cleansing protocol unavailable—
!! Directive: Purge anchor—cleanse source immediately !!
Ethan felt the urgency behind the broken messages, their meaning clear despite the system’s fractured state. He tightened his grip, the bond thrumming steadily as he braced for the next clash.
"I hear you," he whispered sharply under his breath. "I’ll cleanse this. Once and for all."
He felt the bond snap into sharper focus, each Packmate’s power flowing vividly into him. Lyra’s Fate Binding shimmered through the air, subtly connecting Ethan’s movements to every potential advantage in the chamber. As Halvaric lunged forward, Ethan sensed a perfect opening—a pinpoint weakness revealed through Lyra’s Intuitive Strike. With Probability Shift guiding him, Ethan ducked smoothly under Halvaric’s corrupted claws, narrowly avoiding a blow that surely would have ended him.
Amelia melted instantly into shadow, vanishing from sight. Before Halvaric could fully recover from his missed strike, she reappeared in a blur, launching an Umbral Pounce directly into his exposed side. The City Lord staggered, corruption pulsing wildly around him as he faltered for a crucial moment.
Pixie flashed forward in a burst of electricity, executing a flawless Quick Strike. Lightning crackled fiercely as she connected, stunning Halvaric further, causing his enormous form to seize violently. He lashed out desperately, swinging wide—but Pixie’s Evasion was perfect, dodging gracefully under the corrupted blade as it passed harmlessly inches from her fur.
"Now, Buster!" Ethan shouted through the bond.
Buster surged forward, muscles rippling as he unleashed a powerful Body Check. The impact slammed into Halvaric’s legs, knocking him off balance completely and sending him stumbling into Moose’s waiting position.
"Guard Shift!" Moose growled fiercely, instantly stepping into place between Ethan and the incoming retaliation. Halvaric’s desperate swing crashed against Moose’s reinforced earth barrier, harmlessly dissipating with a burst of red sparks.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Seeing the opening his Pack had created, Ethan drove forward, his blade blazing with intense arcane mana, cutting deeply into the core of Halvaric’s corrupted form.
The City Lord stumbled backward, roaring in frustration as Ethan’s arcane mana sliced deeper into the corrupted energies surrounding him. Halvaric’s enormous, monstrous form seemed to shudder violently, slowly diminishing with each pulse of Ethan’s cleansing strikes. The massive body he'd formed from raw corruption shrank visibly, bones shifting and snapping back into a more human shape.
Within moments, he stood nearly at his original height, chest heaving, eyes blazing with fury and desperation. Yet the corruption had not fully abandoned him—jagged lines of red mana still pulsed across his skin, glowing fiercely, etching chaotic patterns along his face, neck, and arms.
"You... you think you've won?" Halvaric gasped, his voice now more human but twisted by lingering madness. "This doesn't end here, tamer. The system itself is cracked—splintered. You can't cleanse something that's part of the world’s very fabric!"
Ethan stepped forward slowly, his glowing sword steady, the light burning fiercely. "Watch me," he said evenly, lifting the blade for the final confrontation.
Ethan was starting to feel drained, a deep ache building inside him from the sheer volume of mana he'd already channeled—something he’d rarely felt, given the enormous depth of his mana pool. The strain was immense, each breath coming with effort. He knew he couldn't sustain this level of intensity much longer.
But then he felt the bond surge around him—a steady, powerful presence that strengthened with every heartbeat. Moose stepped forward first, massive and resolute, taking his place firmly at Ethan’s side. Buster moved in next, vines twisting protectively at his paws, unwavering. Pixie flashed to his other side, electricity crackling gently along her fur as she glanced up, eyes bright with determination. Amelia emerged silently from the shadows, slipping gracefully into place beside Ethan, a reassuring shadow pressed close. Mason hurried up to Ethan’s side, planting his feet and raising his stone fists high, shoulders squared and eyes locked on the City Lord. He stood as tall and solid as he could, radiating silent determination, ready to hold his ground with the rest of the Pack. Lastly, Lyra strolled calmly up, daggers lowered but ready, her quiet confidence radiating out through the bond.
Ethan had always shared his mana outward, empowering his Pack in times of need. But now, for the first time, the tide turned. He felt the strength of the bond flowing back into him—a powerful, vibrant energy pouring in from each of them, replenishing and invigorating his depleted mana reserves.
He took a deep, steadying breath, focusing all that renewed strength, channeling every drop of borrowed power into his blade. Arcane mana blazed, burning brighter and stronger than ever before.
He met the City Lord’s eyes, determination etched clearly into his expression. Ethan raised his glowing sword high, prepared to give every bit of the Pack’s shared strength into one final, decisive strike.
Ethan surged forward, blade blazing brighter than ever, carrying all the strength of the Pack behind him. Halvaric met him with a desperate cry, swinging a corrupted arm that trailed jagged red lightning. Their blows collided, sending shockwaves rippling across the chamber.
But Ethan pressed forward, pouring every last drop of the bond's power into his sword. Arcane mana sliced cleanly through the corruption, driving the blade straight into Halvaric’s chest.
The City Lord’s cry of rage turned into a scream of pain and disbelief, echoing through the collapsing chamber. Red cracks surged brightly across his skin, glowing fiercely for one brief moment. Then, slowly, his form began to darken, breaking apart like charred paper caught in a fire. Within seconds, Halvaric’s corrupted body disintegrated, collapsing inward, until all that remained was a small pile of ash and soot, drifting slowly to the stone floor in silence.
Ethan lowered his sword, breath heavy, as quiet fell over the chamber.
After Halvaric crumbled into ash, the effect rippled outward, rapidly draining the corrupted guards of their strength. The deep, glowing red lines etched across their bodies suddenly dimmed, fading to thin, dark cracks barely pulsing with weak, dying energy.
All around the chamber, corrupted guards stumbled, their movements slowing, eyes wide with confusion as the power sustaining them rapidly slipped away. One by one, most of the guards began to crumble, bodies disintegrating into fine black ash that sifted gently to the stone floor. Within moments, dozens of corrupted foes had fallen, their remains scattered across the chamber like smudges of soot.
A desperate fervor overtook the few remaining guards who hadn't turned to ash. Though greatly weakened, they fought on with a frantic determination born of fear and confusion. But their resistance didn't last long. Adventurers surged forward, cutting them down swiftly, while Imperial soldiers drove them back with precise, disciplined strikes. Kobolds swarmed those who remained, dragging them down in a final rush of relentless energy.
Within moments, the last of the corrupted guards fell silent, the battle finally ended. A tense, breathless quiet filled the chamber as survivors looked around, taking stock of what they'd lost—and what they'd saved.
Ethan lowered his sword, the glow of arcane mana gradually fading. He glanced quickly around, counting the Pack first. Moose stood solid and reassuring at his side, Buster and Pixie already scanning carefully for remaining threats. Amelia reappeared quietly at his leg, while Lyra approached calmly, eyes alert but softened by relief.
As the last of the corrupted guards disintegrated into ash, Ethan’s vision flickered. Blue static laced the edges of his sight, and the system’s familiar, glitchy overlay snapped into focus.
[Combat Victory!]
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Corruption Cleansed: Anchor Node Purged
System Stability: Major Restoration Detected
Reward Calculated—Processing...
A pulse of static washed over him. Then, for the first time, the system’s message lingered—clearer than it had ever been, almost as if it was trying to speak to him directly:
[SYSTEM]
User Ethan Cross—
Major Hostile Entity Terminated.
World-State Correction in Progress.
Direct Intervention: Approved.
Thank you.
A wave of light surged through his mind, and the numbers on his interface ticked up:
Corruption EXP Bonus APPROVED
System Stabilization EXP
LEVEL UP!
LEVEL UP!
Experience poured in, the notifications stacking one after another until Ethan felt almost dizzy with the rush of new power. For a heartbeat, the entire world seemed to settle—stable, restored, as if the system itself were breathing a sigh of relief.
Ever since Ethan hit Level 10, leveling had been harder. The first ten levels flew by, but after that the experience he needed climbed fast, and each new level felt like a long grind. Jumping four levels at once felt unreal, even if he wasn’t anywhere near the next one yet. He didn’t have an experience bar, so he couldn’t judge how close he was, but he’d learned to recognize the feeling when he started approaching a threshold—a quiet intuition he didn’t have before.
Next, Ethan turned toward the Silverthorns. Jorrin stood protectively beside Mara, both breathing heavily but unharmed. Mara still held flames in her palms, embers fading gently now. Kip, Tomlin, Senna, and Tessa huddled close, exhausted but safe. Senna clung firmly to Kip’s arm, keeping him from darting off again.
“You’re all right?” Ethan asked quietly, stepping closer.
Jorrin nodded slowly, breathless but determined. “Thanks to you. Again.” Mara managed a weary but warm smile, squeezing Jorrin’s arm gently.
Aldric and Gwenna approached swiftly, stepping carefully over piles of ash and debris. Gwenna slung her bow over her shoulder, glancing around to take in the aftermath. “It's over?” she asked, relief mixed with cautious disbelief.
“It’s over,” Ethan confirmed quietly. “Halvaric is gone. The corruption here has been cleansed.”
Aldric nodded once, heavy and serious. “The Guild will handle cleanup here. Gwenna and I will make sure everything’s secured. We owe you—again.”
Nearby, Professor Talh was already moving among the scattered prisoners and adventurers, coordinating survivors and arranging medical aid. Aldric gave a short nod toward Talh. “Talh will help get everyone out safely. You take the Silverthorns home. They've been through enough.”
Before Ethan could respond, heavy footsteps approached from behind. A man in ornate armor stepped forward, flanked by Imperial soldiers. His bearing made clear he was someone important from the Royal Capital, his eyes sharp and assessing.
“You're Ethan Cross,” he said, voice formal but respectful. “I'm Commander Renard, of the Royal Vanguard. The Crown sent us the moment word reached the capital.” He glanced meaningfully around the chamber, taking in the lingering corruption and ash. “But it appears you’ve already handled the worst.”
Ethan regarded him carefully. “We did what we had to. Halvaric was spreading corruption deliberately. He planned to infect the entire city—and more.”
Renard's gaze darkened. “Troubling news. His Majesty suspected a larger threat behind these events. I will report your actions directly to the king. He will want to meet you soon.”
Ethan gave a short nod, absorbing the implications. “We’ll talk soon, then.”
The commander inclined his head respectfully. “In the meantime, my forces and the Adventurer’s Guild will handle securing the city. Rest assured—we won’t let this corruption regain a foothold.”
With that, Renard signaled to his soldiers, who immediately moved through the chamber, securing positions and aiding survivors.
Pixie trotted up beside Ethan, ears still perked. “I tried to go back for the Hat Lady Cruella, but she turned to ash too. The only thing left was that hat. I wanted her to answer for her crimes—trying to make a coat out of puppies. How could she?”
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Pix, that was just a story.”
“Nope. I found her, and I guess she got her just deserts.” Pixie struck a proud pose, tail wagging like she’d won the whole battle herself.
Ethan exhaled, half sigh, half laugh, and turned back to the Silverthorns and the Pack. Exhaustion pressed down like a weight. “Come on,” he said gently, guiding them toward the exit. “Let’s go home.”
The Pack fell into step around them, a comforting shield as they made their way slowly out of the ruined Dome and back toward Lantern Row.