[Unexpected Boss appeared! Defeat Lord Shadow Master to save your teammate.]

  The Lord Shadow Master got closer to Rondo, right up to his face. It stared sharply at Rondo, and Rondo stared back just as sharply, ready to pull the sword from his right pocket.

  Then, a flash of movement. The Lord Shadow Master slashed with lightning speed. Rondo managed to parry, but the blade grazed his cheek, leaving a thin trail of blood. Rondo wiped the crimson smear away with his palm and immediately snapped back into a combat stance. His eyes locked onto the Lord Shadow Master, who strode forward with terrifying elegance, a dark aura swirling around his frame.

  The Lord Shadow Master's eyes began to glow a piercing light blue. Slowly, his physical form faded, dissolving into the air like scattered dust. Rondo gripped his sword tight with both hands, gritting his teeth hard enough to crack them. His eyes darted around, trying to predict the enemy's position.

  Seconds passed. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind ruffled Rondo's hair. He shifted stance instantly, spinning around. His eyes went wide. Half of the Shadow Master's face was floating there. Rondo swung his blade wildly at the apparition, but the face shattered into dust the moment the steel made contact.

  Rondo heard something behind him.

  Suddenly...

  *Clink!

  An arrow ricocheted off Rondo's armor. He spun to his right.

  "That shadow king was right behind you! I tried to hit him, but my arrows just pass through. Be carefu-"

  Kenta's warning was cut short as the Lord Shadow Master materialized and slashed through his knees. Kenta collapsed instantly, stiff with pain, his bow clattering to the ground. The Lord Shadow Master vanished again immediately after the strike. Rondo sprinted toward his fallen friend.

  He was only a few steps away when the sound of footsteps stopped him cold. Rondo whipped around, raising his blade just in time to block a downward slash. Steel met steel, erupting in sparks and wisps of shadow smoke. The two blades ground against each other, pushing back and forth. Rondo's face twisted in effort, his arms trembling under the overwhelming force.

  The difference in power was clear. Rondo's own blade was slowly being forced back toward his throat. He glanced at the edge of the blade, then nodded, ducking his head so his helmet covered his neck completely. He suddenly let go of his sword. The enemy's blade slammed into Rondo's armored neck, bouncing off with a loud, ringing metal clang.

  Beneath his helmet, Rondo grinned. He snatched his sword back from the dirt. The Lord Shadow Master revealed his full form again, wielding a pitch-black blade wreathed in shadow. The boss narrowed his eyes into thin slits. Then...

  He dashed to the right, attempting a lethal slash. Rondo parried, the metal ringing out loud and clear. The Lord Shadow Master darted left, swinging again. Rondo blocked it with ease. The boss attacked again and again from multiple angles, but Rondo had already cracked the code.

  Left, right, up, back. He attacks wherever his sword drags him. Sometimes the pattern is random, but those four directions never change. His hands aren't moving the sword naturally like I do, Rondo realized as he deflected another blow.

  The Lord Shadow Master appeared above Rondo, driving a gust of wind down on him. Rondo looked up and rolled away just as the death blow struck the earth. The boss dashed away again. Rondo's eyes scanned frantically.

  If this keeps up, I'm never going to beat him. Think, Rondo! Think!

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  He heard a step to his right. He parried the strike. The Shadow Master moved so fast he blurred behind Rondo. Seeing an opening, Rondo thrust his sword backward into the enemy's spine but once again, his blade passed through nothing but dust. Rondo glanced at the top right corner of his vision, checking the boss's HP bar.

  [Lord Shadow Master: ————— 6X]

  Cold sweat began to trickle down Rondo's face and body. His hands shook as he gripped his sword.

  Darn it! How am I supposed to beat him if I can't even hit him? And... 6X HP? That's completely absurd. His breath came in ragged gasps.

  Rondo glanced back. Kenta was groaning in pain. Further back, Tira lay unconscious and helpless.

  When Rondo turned his head back to the front...

  His eyes widened. The Lord Shadow Master slammed his blade into Rondo's chest. The impact against the armor was deafening. Rondo was sent flying, crashing into a massive tree and slumping to the ground beneath it.

  His sword lay in the dirt, just inches out of reach. A deep gouge marred the chest plate of his armor. Rondo coughed violently as he tried to stand. His body felt heavy, drained. But then, a memory surfaced in his mind.

  "If you ever doubt yourself, try to split the earth, and put your faith in the Goddess of Light." Fharel's words echoed in his head.

  "That old man... I think I finally get what he meant," Rondo muttered, struggling to his feet with blurred vision. Slowly, his sight cleared. The Lord Shadow Master was walking toward him slowly, savoring the intimidation.

  Rondo grabbed his sword. He flipped the grip so the blade pointed downward, then squeezed his eyes shut. As the Shadow Master approached with his shadowy blade, Rondo whispered, "For Fharel, the guardian of Eternia, and for the Goddess of this world whom I respect... I beg of you. I beg you, honored Goddess, help me defeat this darkness. Please, lend me your aid... Please, hear my voice..."

  Rondo snapped his eyes open and drove his sword into the earth with every ounce of strength he had left.

  A blinding light erupted from the ground, enveloping the sword. The radiance was so intense that the Lord Shadow Master froze, shielding his eyes. The light slowly stabilized, leaving Rondo's sword wreathed in a brilliant white and golden aura. A notification popped up in his HUD.

  [Hidden achievement: Hero of Light]

  [Congratulations! You can now use the Lightborn Espada temporarily.]

  Rondo pulled the blade from the earth and raised it high. He exhaled a long breath, his gaze locked on the Shadow Master.

  "Now, we're imba."

  The Lord Shadow Master broke into a sprint. Rondo charged to meet him. Their swords collided, sparking a chaotic dance of light and shadow. The forest lit up with every strike.

  Rondo managed to slip past the defenses, slashing and stabbing the Shadow Master's body. The boss's HP bar began to melt away significantly with every hit of the light-infused blade. Suddenly, a thick purple magical barrier wrapped around Rondo mid-combat. He glanced to the right for a split second.

  Tira? Thank god she's awake, Rondo thought. She was still on the ground, but her hand was outstretched toward him, a weak smile on her face.

  The Lord Shadow Master slashed at Rondo's flank. Rondo dodged effortlessly and drove his sword deep into the boss's stomach. The Shadow Master's grip loosened. The shadowy smoke around his body began to scatter into the wind. His arms trembled, went limp, and his head bowed. Slowly, his entire form dissolved into dust.

  The oppressive darkness of the sky began to break, giving way to the gentle warmth of the morning sun. The light was bright enough that Rondo could see his own faint shadow on the ground. The sword in his hand faded away completely. Rondo's knees gave out, and he collapsed. He gasped for air, his trembling hands fumbling to unclasp his helmet. Finally, he pulled it off and took a deep breath of fresh air. Somewhere in Eternia, a rooster crowed.

  Rondo looked up at the sun, shielding his eyes with his hand.

  "I... actually did it, huh?"

  Inside the village, people noticed the light beaming through their windows. A young boy worked up the courage to open his door. Seeing the bright sunlight, he grinned ear to ear, cheering and jumping for joy. Hearing the boy, other villagers peeked out. One by one, doors swung open.

  The entire village of Eternia erupted in cheers. Fharel smiled broadly as he listened to the happy sounds of his people.

  Meanwhile, Tira tried to stand. Using her staff for support, she limped over to Kenta. Seeing his nasty wound, she began chanting a spell, pointing her staff at his leg. Slowly, the flesh knit back together.

  "Thanks, Tira," Kenta said, still rubbing his knee.

  Tira nodded. "So, what actually happened with you guys? I'm dying to know." She looked around, confused. "And where's that alien guy? Did you see him?"

  Kenta stood up slowly, Tira helping him steady himself.

  "Over there..." Kenta replied, pointing ahead.

  They jogged over to Rondo, finding him lying on his back, covered in dust and soot.

  "Oh my god, his cheek..." Tira gasped. She quickly cast a healing spell on the cut.

  Rondo blinked his eyes open, coughing slightly. He looked at his two friends and sighed. "Come on, let's just go home. I'm exhausted."

  Tira and Kenta looked at each other, smiled, and nodded.

  "Don't you want to say goodbye to the village first?" Tira asked.

  Rondo smiled. "Why say goodbye? We'll be back eventually, right?"

  "Agreed. Alright then, let's log out. I'm starving," Kenta added.

  Their eyes drifted to the top left corner of their HUDs. But just as Rondo was about to tap the 'Log Out' button, something popped up, stopping him.

  [Congratulations! You have obtained +9999 Growth Points]