Chapter 38: The Masked Enemy
The underground ruins trembled slightly.
Arif stood still, holding the glowing Naga Relic in his hand. His breathing was heavy after the intense battle with the Ancient Serpent, but his eyes remained sharp.
The masked figure slowly stepped forward from the shadows.
Dark energy surrounded him like smoke.
Arif narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?"
The masked man chuckled softly.
"Names… are meaningless."
His voice was calm… but cold.
Arif tightened his grip on his sword.
"Move aside."
The masked figure tilted his head slightly.
"I can't do that."
Arif frowned.
"Why?"
The masked figure slowly raised his hand.
"Because… if you move forward… you'll interfere with our plans."
Arif's eyes sharpened.
"Our?"
So he wasn't alone.
That meant—
There were more enemies behind everything.
Arif stepped forward.
"I don't care who you are."
His voice turned cold.
"I'm taking this relic… and I'm saving Lina."
The masked figure laughed quietly.
"You're determined."
Suddenly—
The masked figure disappeared.
Arif's eyes widened.
"So fast—!"
A blade appeared from behind.
Arif turned quickly.
CLANG!
Their weapons clashed.
The impact shook the ruins.
Arif slid backward.
"So strong…"
The masked figure attacked again.
His movements were fast… incredibly fast.
Arif activated Shadow Step.
They moved across the ruins at high speed.
Their blades clashed repeatedly.
Sparks flew.
The ground cracked.
The masked figure suddenly kicked Arif.
BOOM!
Arif crashed into a pillar.
Dust filled the air.
Arif stood up slowly.
Blood trickled from his lip.
"He's strong…"
The masked figure spoke calmly.
"You're weaker than I expected."
Arif smirked slightly.
"You talk too much."
Dark energy gathered around him.
"Shadow Domain!"
Darkness spread across the ruins.
The masked figure paused slightly.
"Oh?"
But then—
He walked freely inside the darkness.
Arif frowned.
"He can move inside my domain?"
The masked figure smiled under the mask.
"Interesting ability."
Suddenly—
He released dark energy.
It clashed against Arif's domain.
The ruins trembled violently.
Arif rushed forward.
"Shadow Strike!"
The masked figure blocked easily.
Then—
He countered instantly.
Arif barely dodged.
The masked figure attacked again.
This time—
He created multiple dark clones.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Clones?!"
Five masked figures surrounded him.
They attacked together.
Arif activated Shadow Clone.
The clones clashed.
The battlefield became chaotic.
Arif attacked one clone.
It disappeared instantly.
"Illusion…"
The real masked figure appeared behind him.
He struck Arif.
BOOM!
Arif hit the ground.
His breathing became heavier.
But he slowly stood up again.
"I won't lose…"
The masked figure tilted his head.
"You have strong will."
Arif activated Shadow Awakening.
Dark aura exploded.
The ruins shook.
The masked figure stepped back slightly.
"So this is your true power…"
Arif rushed forward.
His speed increased.
They clashed again.
This time—
Arif pushed him back.
The masked figure blocked several attacks.
Cracks formed on the ground.
The masked figure suddenly jumped back.
He raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered.
A massive shadow beast appeared.
Arif frowned.
"You summon monsters too…"
The beast roared loudly.
It charged at Arif.
Arif dodged.
He attacked the beast repeatedly.
But it regenerated.
"So it's regeneration type…"
The masked figure attacked from behind.
Arif blocked.
He was now fighting both.
The battle intensified.
Arif gathered energy.
"Shadow Burst!"
Dark explosion destroyed the beast.
The masked figure appeared again.
They clashed once more.
Suddenly—
The masked figure stopped.
He looked at Arif.
"You're stronger than I expected."
Arif raised his blade.
"Then move."
The masked figure chuckled.
"This isn't the end."
Suddenly—
He created a dark smoke.
The entire ruins filled with darkness.
Arif frowned.
"He's escaping—!"
When the smoke cleared—
The masked figure was gone.
Only silence remained.
Arif clenched his fists.
"Damn…"
But then—
The system appeared.
[Warning: New Enemy Identified]
[Dark Order Member Detected]
Arif frowned.
"Dark Order…?"
New enemies.
New threat.
Arif looked at the Naga Relic.
"I don't care who they are."
He turned toward the exit.
"I'm coming… Lina."
Outside the ruins—
Sera waited anxiously.
Suddenly—
The gate opened.
Arif stepped out.
Sera looked relieved.
"You made it!"
Arif nodded.
"I got the relic."
Sera smiled.
"That's great—"
But she noticed his injuries.
"You fought someone…?"
Arif nodded.
"A masked enemy."
Sera frowned.
"That sounds bad."
Arif looked serious.
"We don't have time."
They returned to the palace.
Princess Seraphina waited.
"You obtained the relic."
Arif showed it.
She nodded slowly.
"Then… the gate can be opened."
Arif's heart raced.
"Take me there."
Seraphina turned.
"Follow me."
They walked deeper into the palace.
Soon—
They reached an ancient chamber.
A massive stone circle lay on the ground.
Seraphina placed the relic at the center.
The ground began glowing.
Ancient symbols appeared.
The gate slowly activated.
Dark wind burst out.
Arif felt cold air.
"This is… Shadow Abyss gate…"
Seraphina looked serious.
"Once you enter… there's no guarantee you'll return."
Arif didn't hesitate.
"I have to go."
The portal slowly opened.
Darkness filled the room.
Arif stepped forward.
He looked back once.
"Thank you."
Then—
He stepped into the portal.
Darkness swallowed him.
And his next journey…
Had begun.
To Be Continued…