Incubus Ascension

The clash of bone against shadowed steel rang through the ancient chamber, each strike sending sparks that illuminated the grim faces of the undead horrors surrounding him. Liam’s breath came in ragged bursts, his muscles burning as he pressed the attack on the golden skeleton leader. Sweat stung his eyes, but he didn’t dare blink. One mistake here meant death—not just for him, but for her.

’Come on, you bastard. Fall already.’

The skeleton suddenly froze mid-swing. Its bony fingers dipped behind its tattered cloak and withdrew a wicked knife. The blade pulsed with an unnatural aura, threads of dark nyx energy twisting around serpentine green power and something colder—regeneration that made Liam’s stomach twist.

Liam squinted, heart hammering. "What the hell is that?"

The leader lifted the knife high, its empty sockets flaring with malevolent glee. It lunged from an impossible angle. Liam twisted to block, but the skeleton had already predicted the movement, striking elsewhere. Pain exploded across his side as the blade grazed him.

Liam’s eyes widened. "What—?"

A hysterical laugh echoed from the golden skull. "Look at this knife! I prepared it especially, with the help of my master—the Eye—and every scrap of energy I’ve harvested over the centuries!"

Liam’s mind reeled. ’So that’s how... It explains everything.’ The coordinated ambushes, the impossible resilience. Everything clicked into place with sickening clarity.

He spared a desperate thought toward the princess. *Please be winning. Please.*

---

Across the chamber, Princess Elara spun through a whirlwind of blades, her elegant sword a blur of silver light. She was barely holding her ground against the four remaining elite skeletons. Each parry sent jolts up her arms; each dodge left her a fraction slower than before. Her breathing was labored, strands of golden hair plastered to her sweat-slicked face.

One of the skeletons—the green one—paused its assault and regarded her with fresh interest. "You possess high talent, even among hero bloodline carriers. To fight this long at your level... impressive."

The green skeleton’s jaw clacked in what might have been a smile. "I’ve made up my mind. I want your body."

Elara’s eyes flashed with fury. "No way! I am not giving you my body!"

"Oh, but you’re going to have to," the green skeleton laughed.

The four skeletons moved in perfect unison, forming a circle around her. They clasped bony hands, and a translucent barrier snapped into existence, trapping her in the center. Elara lunged forward and slammed her palm against it. The moment she touched the surface, a horrible draining sensation ripped through her.

Her status window flared open involuntarily.

**Level: 595**

**Princess Elara**

*Stats rapidly declining...*

The green skeleton cackled. "This barrier is made from the same materials as the necklace. It drains even faster."

Elara struck the barrier again with all her remaining strength. Nothing. Panic clawed at her chest. ’The longer I stay in here, the weaker I become. I have to break it now, or—’

Liam’s voice suddenly cut through her mind, calm but urgent. *Is everything alright on your side?*

She responded through their mental link, voice tight with strain. *I can’t say that. They’ve trapped me in a draining barrier. My levels... they’re being siphoned.*

Liam’s resolve hardened on the other side of the chamber. He needed to end this. Fast.

The golden skeleton before him suddenly surged with power. Its level spiked—**800**—and it began charging a devastating attack that swirled with both holy light and devouring darkness. The air itself seemed to scream.

Liam’s eyes widened. He raised his guard, but the moment the attack connected, his dark energy dissipated like smoke in a gale. The blow smashed into his shoulder, hurling him backward. He slammed into the stone wall with a sickening thud, leaving a deep dent. Pain flared white-hot through his body as he crumpled to the ground.

’Get up. Get up or she dies.’

Gritting his teeth, he activated **Devil Obsession**. Burning willpower flooded his veins, forcing his legs beneath him just as the golden skeleton closed in for another strike.

Liam rolled desperately to the side and sprinted toward the back of the chamber. ’Think, Liam. Think of a way to get rid of him.’

He triggered **Healing Devil**. Warmth spread across his shoulder, knitting flesh and bone even as he ran. His fingers flew through his system interface, scrolling the skill shop with frantic focus. There—a skill worth 1000 SP: **Dawn of the Damned**. It would nullify any undead attack directed at him.

He purchased it without hesitation and activated it just as the next wave of light-and-dark energy roared toward him. The opposing force shattered like glass against an invisible shield.

Now.

Liam surged forward under **Devil Time**, his movements blurring with unholy speed. He overwhelmed the golden skeleton in a storm of strikes. It was close—agonizingly close—but the combination of his new skill, raw level advantage, and the time dilation proved decisive. His final blow landed true.

The golden skeleton exploded in a shower of bones. Yet even as they scattered, the Eye’s regeneration blessing began stitching them back together.

’No. Not this time.’

Liam scrolled again and bought **Regeneration Null** for 500 SP. He activated it and delivered another crushing strike. This time, the bones stayed shattered, lifeless.

Level-up notifications flashed across his vision. He ignored them, already sprinting toward the princess.

She was on one knee inside the barrier, visibly weaker, one hand pressed to the ground for support. Through their link, she pointed shakily at the green skeleton. *The controlling device is in his hands.*

Liam nodded once. No words needed. He launched himself at the green skeleton with everything he had—strongest attack fused with the new nullification skill.

The blow connected. The green skeleton disintegrated... then reformed almost instantly, laughing.

"This is my special skill—Regeneration! Even your counter won’t save you." The skeleton gestured to its allies. "Each of us has our own gifts."

Liam barely registered the warning before the red skeleton charged from his blind side, swinging a sword wreathed in hellish flames. He twisted at the last second, but the coat he wore caught a single spark.

The fire spread with terrifying speed, engulfing the fabric. Liam cursed, frantically trying to pat it out. Nothing worked. He ripped the coat off and hurled it to the ground, watching in disbelief as it burned to ash in seconds.

He inspected the lingering flames on the floor.

**Fire of the Netherworld**

*Special Ability: Never turns off.*

Liam’s jaw tightened, a grim smile touching his lips despite the chaos. The fight was far from over, but he wasn’t alone in this nightmare anymore. And he’d be damned if he let these bastards take her.

’Not today.’