Raining balls of acid, torrents of water bursting from the ground, earthquake as the ground split apart, wind blowing harshly, or even lava erupting from the ground.

As I expected, Uruzak could do any of that every five seconds. Fortunately, it was my only advantage. I used his spell to damage Ilkaav.

Ilkaav agility was slower than mecoptera, perhaps it was because of his big body. In exchange for that, his attack was really dangerous.

Just one blow from his fist made my HP down to less than 20%. Dodging was possible but damaging him was risky because of those spider legs.

Even though I could do an attack, his skin was hard as rock. Most damage output I could do was from Uruzak's spells. So my only plan was dodging Ilkaav attack while luring him to one of his spells.

However, when I was about do it for the third time, Ilkaav stopped and evading the lava that bursting from the ground.

'Of course...'

He was learning.

That was to be expected, but for him to notice my intention on the third times. I thought mutated being had no intelligent just like zombies.

If that the case, then Uruzak might be involved. He could be leading him.

'That annoying bone... Ugh... But those spider legs are annoying too!'

With my current AGI and DEX, his consecutive spider legs attack was furious as if I was fighting four mecopteras at the same time.

I didn't know why those things were coming out from strange hole on his back.

'Wait a minute... Could it be?'

I had a light bulb on my head.

I immediately rushed towards Uruzak. Noticed my action, Uruzak readied himself while chanting his spell. Since the ground filled with puddles of acid and lava, it was hard to get closer to him.

Then I saw the ball of acid materialized, I turned my head to look behind. Ilkaav was right behind me.

'Okay... I can do this...'

I took a deep breath then turned around. I raised my sword to attack.

Ilkaav wasn't hesitating and kept rushing towards me. But, I immediately rolled underneath him.

Surprised, he stopped and then turned around to face me. The tip of my lips went up.

The ball of acid successfully hit the hole on his back. Something shriek from inside the hole. The spider legs were wriggling in pain.

'This is my chance!'

I rushed towards him and then jumped. After a few seconds leaping above him, I landed right behind Ilkaav.

I jumped again while thrusting my sword onto the hole.

Stab!

Ilkaav fell forward. As if instinct controlled my body, I jumped on his back and kept thrusting my sword inside the hole. I didn't even give a chance for him to get up.

Blood gushed each time I thrust my sword. Inhumane scream could be heard inside the hole.

Shriiiiiiiiiiiek! Kaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

His HP eventually hit rock bottom. It was then Ilkaav back inflated and then slowly torn apart as if something was trying to get out from his body.

As expected, he was actually a host. The real boss was inside him.

'I have to use this opportunity.'

I thrust my sword again.

Stab! Stab! Stab!

However, nothing was shown in system message. And his back was still slowly inflating.

'What? Do I have to wait until it's fully appeared?'

I sighed and turned my head to see Uruzak. He was silent.

'Wait... He doesn't attack me?'

Strange. Something was amiss, so I kept observing him.

It was then I saw something around Uruzak. Some kind of aura was flowing from him. I followed where it went.

Dark purple aura was forming a line towards Ilkaav and then swirling around. Vague yet at times it faded.

Uruzak's dark purple aura caught something. I focused my eyes to the hole. A dim ball of light appeared inside the hole.

[Incomplete Soul detected]

'What?'

I unconsciously put my hand inside the hole and grabbed it. It was like grabbing a soft and tender ball, and then it slowly dematerialized into light particles and dispersed.

[Soul collected]

"I see... You actually can see 'them'."

Uruzak who kept silent suddenly talking. I wasn't sure what kind of expression he had right now, but hearing from his tone he seemed a bit shocked. Confused, I replied him quickly.

"Them? What...what do you mean?'

Looking at my confused face, Uruzak dropped his jaw as if he was shocked.

"You don't aware of your capability? Haha ha ha ha... Interesting. Now I don't even care about my book anymore."

"..."

Was he talking about the soul? I didn't answer and continued listening to him.

"I'll give you a hint since you entertain me... Well, that being. It cannot be killed easily unless you took something from them. And you kid... You have that kind of power... You. Disturb. My. Control."

His tone and blazing eyes told me as if he was angry. But then Uruzak lowered his staff and continued.

"If that's the case, then...perhaps you can pass the final test. Now, I understand... This is the moment of untangled fate. I shudder just from thinking about what will be coming in the future."

Now I was sure it was the soul. Did I accidentally gain an amazing skill?

If that so then the system message would tell me and it would also be written on my skill tab. However, it wasn't.

"Let's meet again once our path crossed. Hehe hahahaha..."

He flicked his fingers and system message popped out afterwards.

[Paralyzed's effect has worn off from Mirage]

Black smoke covered Uruzak's body and instantly became thicker as if it devoured him completely. When the smoke faded, he disappeared.

Gasp!

I turned around and saw Mirage trying to sit on the ground. Panting and trying to catch my breath I stepped my feet towards her.

I realized I was bathing in my sweat, but I smiled as I was thinking that it was already over, and also that I could protect Mirage from danger.

Even actually Uruzak spared me, I just wanted to think positive for once.

I helped Mirage to stand up.

"I-I'm sorry..." She bit her lip as both tip of her eyebrows went up. "I couldn't be of a help."

"I-it's okay! You are being paralyzed after all."

Looking at her concerned face I continued talking.

"W-well, just take a rest if you still don't feel well. I'll look around searching the Astral Core."

She shook her head and smiled.

"No... I'm fine. I'll go with you."

"Okay."

"Umm... Let me heal you first..."

She said it and then she pursed her lips. I smiled at her and replied.

"Thanks..."

At the far end of the room, there were five big tanks each on the right and left wall. One of them was broken. The other tanks probably had something inside them too, but I didn't even want to know.

I was lucky enough to defeat Ilkaav, not to mention I needed an hour to defeat him. His continuous attacks and Uruzak's never ending spells depleted my life.

I was tired to the point I would collapse, but I couldn't feel it with this artificial body. It could be because of my stats.

Well, I didn't want to think much of it. At least I could be completely relax since the boss battle had already ended.

There was a stone pedestal before the big tanks. I stood beside the stone podium and looked at it carefully. Nothing seemed particularly strange. It was just a stone pedestal. But when I touched it, a window popped out...

///////
Path to Astral Artisan
Final Challenge

Quest: Defeat Astral Shadow
///////

Pale humanoid appeared out of nowhere like a fade in image. It was wearing black armor which was grotesquely vague and blurred. On his right hand, it held a smoldering sword with thick black smoke coming out. Moreover, what was chilling from this being was...its face.

It was faceless.

【Dimensional Envoy】

'Another boss!?'

・・・

Meanwhile...

"Nakza"
(Master...)

"Luzan uldak?"
(Is it done?)

"Kafa. Nor arakk nunta balgaz."
(No. But I have a good news.)

"Shaar."
(Speak.)

"Atar niz var. Atar niz Ravandir."
(He is the one. He is the Seeker.)

"Hmmm... Niz rukk haghnu?"
(Hmmm... Are you certain?)

"Arakk niz uru atar lag jofar thazarakh in denuk thazavuur."
(I'm sure he will pass the test and inherit the power.)

"Gurzu, arukkta tunur niz marfakh."
(Then, my work here is useless.)

"Kafadur, ilukk niz awal. Rukzatar tunur lag ar thazagovar."
(Not really, it's just a beginning. Your work will be the trigger.)

"Ah... Rakthazum. Rukk niz jarfath ul tawaz."
(Ah... I see. You are dependable as always.)

"Ilukk niz rofa pogum bulraav."
(It is for our goal after all.)

"Gurzu... Tara yurnain pakk thaz ranakk sagath."
(Then... Let's proceed to the next stage.)

"Fa, Nakza..."
(Yes, Master...)