Incubus Ascension

Liam’s breath came in ragged bursts as the red skeleton lunged again, its bony claws raking the air inches from his face. The creature’s eyes burned like fresh coals, promising nothing but a quick and painful end. One wrong step and he’d be torn apart. ’Not today,’ he thought, heart hammering against his ribs. He twisted sideways, barely evading the strike, only for a wave of scorching heat to wash over his shoulder. Flames licked at the edge of his vision, singeing cloth and skin alike.

Before he could steady himself, a second threat materialized—a blue skeleton wielding a frost-covered sword. Every swing sent jagged ice spikes hurtling toward him. Liam dove to the side, rolling across the cracked stone floor as frost shattered where he’d stood moments before. Cold bit into his lungs with every gasp.

A white skeleton joined the fray without warning, its blade gleaming with holy light. The swing came fast. Liam raised his own dark sword to block, and the moment the blades met, a burst of purifying energy clashed against his shadow aura, dissolving chunks of it like acid on flesh. Pain flared along his arm. These weren’t mindless minions. Each one carried deadly purpose.

’How the hell has the princess lasted this long against them?’ The thought hit him hard, sharpening his focus. He glanced toward her still form, a flicker of desperate hope mixing with the fear churning in his gut. She had people waiting for her. A kingdom. A life. He couldn’t let her become just another casualty in this nightmare.

The green skeleton, standing back and watching with eerie patience, seemed to read his reaction. Its jaw clicked open in what might have been amusement. "We did not commit our full strength against her because she remains... useful. Destroying such a fine vessel would be wasteful."

Liam’s blood boiled. Enough talking. He triggered Devil Time mode, the world slowing around him as power surged through his veins. Dark energy crackled along his limbs. He launched forward, sword raised, aiming straight for the green skeleton. If he couldn’t kill the bastard outright, he’d at least smash that controlling device.

Four skeletons stepped into his path before he could close the distance—perfectly positioned guardians. Each radiated a unique, dangerous aura. Liam skidded to a halt, mind racing. ’One skill. I’ve only got enough SP for one skill.’ He pulled up his system shop mid-battle, eyes darting across the glowing options while his body moved on instinct to dodge probing strikes.

There—Mirror Effect. A refined reflection ability, far stronger than anything basic. It could turn their own powers back on them. Perfect. Without hesitation, he spent the points and felt the new skill settle into his core like cold steel.

He charged again. This time his blade connected with devastating force, the Mirror Effect activating on impact. One skeleton’s blessing rebounded violently, shattering its defenses. The creature staggered. Liam didn’t waste the opening. He pressed the attack, dark energy flaring as he fought all four at once, their circling formation trying to trap him.

He held. Barely. Blow after blow rained down, but he slipped through gaps, broke their coordination, and burst free from the encirclement. Heart pounding, he turned on the pursuing trio. Dark energy coated his sword, merging with the nullification properties he’d gained. He activated Healing Devil mode next, the dual surge of power making his muscles burn with raw potential.

The red skeleton came first. Liam overwhelmed it with relentless strikes, driving it back until his blade cleaved through bone and cursed flame alike. The creature exploded into shards. A sigh of relief escaped him. ’That one scared me the most. Good riddance.’

Next, the white skeleton. Their weapons clashed in a storm of dark and holy light. Liam laughed bitterly inside his head. ’A skeleton using holy power better than any human priestess. You really do find this stuff only here.’ He adapted, letting his shadow aura counter the radiance, and after a fierce exchange of blows, he shattered the white skeleton into pieces.

The blue one remained—and it proved the hardest. Its frost attacks slowed Liam’s movements with every graze. The special technique, Breath of Coldness, washed over him like an arctic gale, stiffening joints and dulling reflexes. He studied the pattern, enduring hit after hit, waiting for the precise moment after each frost mist release.

It came. Liam struck with everything he had—his strongest attack, fueled by dark energy and sheer will. The blue skeleton burst apart in a shower of icy fragments.

He exhaled heavily, sweat and blood streaking his face, and turned toward the green skeleton. Victory felt close. Too close.

Something was wrong. A chill crawled up his spine. He whipped around toward the princess just as her body jerked upright. The green skeleton’s presence flooded into her, twisting her features into a grotesque smile. Her eyes glowed with alien malice as hysterical laughter echoed through the chamber.

"Look at my new body!" the possessed princess crowed, flexing her fingers with grotesque delight.

Liam’s heart hammered against his chest. "What have you done to her?!" he shouted, voice raw.

The creature wearing her face tilted its head, still laughing. "She is trapped in the depths of her own mind. She resisted my full possession, but she could not prevent it entirely. Her spirit hides, protecting what little remains."

Liam’s stomach twisted. He couldn’t unleash full power on her—not like this. ’Think, Liam. There has to be a way to save her.’ Memories of past battles flashed through his mind. The Iron Will Resistance skill. He’d had it for ages. If he could channel his dark energy to transfer its protective properties...

He opened his status window. The skill’s rank had skyrocketed from everything he’d endured. A wry smile tugged at his lips. ’All those problems finally paying off in the only way that matters.’

A thread of dark energy formed from his palm, reaching toward the princess. But the green skeleton reacted instantly, severing the connection with a vicious slash. "Do you truly think I would allow that?" it snarled, lunging forward.

Liam blocked, but the impact sent him skidding back. Even in Devil Time mode, the possessed princess’s enhanced strength overwhelmed him. He checked her status in a panic.

**Possessed Princess – Level 900.**

The numbers hit like a hammer. Before he could formulate a new plan, a system notification flashed across his vision:

**Quest Received: Free the Princess from her Possession.**

Liam gripped his sword tighter, eyes locked on the enemy wearing his ally’s face. The fight wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. And this time, the stakes weren’t just his own survival—they were hers, too.