Chapter 58: A Battle of Broken Bodies

The six Undead High Nobles flanked the terrifying monster from all sides, forming a deadly encirclement.

With the petrifying effect rendered completely ineffective against them, Thoren no longer needed to divide his attention or worry about sudden stone transformation.

For the first time since the battle began, he could breathe, if only slightly.

Bang! Bang!

The ground trembled violently beneath the clash of monstrous forces.

Dust poured down from the ceiling in thick clouds, and deep cracks spiderwebbed across the chamber walls under the sheer brutality of the battle.

The once-grand chamber had been reduced to a war-torn ruin, its stone floor shattered and uneven, riddled with craters and claw marks.

Bang!

The monster struck with terrifying force, sending one of the Undead High Nobles flying across the chamber.

Its massive body smashed into the wall, stone exploding outward upon impact.

But before the monster could capitalize on the opening.

Whoosh!

A sword flashed.

Howl!

A miserable, guttural scream tore from the monster’s throat as the Black Ember Ironblade carved a deep gash across its torso.

Blood spilled freely, splattering across the cracked stone floor.

The sardonic grin that had once been etched onto the monster’s face vanished completely, replaced by a grim, twisted expression filled with pain and fury.

Unbothered by the monster’s scream, the Undead High Nobles closed the distance without hesitation, pressing their relentless assault.

They did not slow.

They did not hesitate.

They were undead.

Pain meant nothing.

Fear did not exist.

What was fear, anyway?

Their hollow eye sockets burned fiercely with soul fire, glowing brighter with each clash.

Claw met claw.

Stone-flesh slammed against stone-flesh.

Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber.

Whenever one Undead High Noble was sent flying or staggered, another immediately stepped in, covering the opening and buying precious seconds for the fallen undead to recover and rejoin the fray.

As long as they were not destroyed in a single blow, they would rise again and continue fighting.

Thoren stood at the edge of the battlefield, his expression solemn and focused as he observed every movement.

His sharp eyes missed nothing.

The grand chamber that once inspired awe was now barely recognizable.

Craters marred the floor, walls were gouged with deep claw marks, and chunks of stone littered the ground like broken bones.

The battle surged back and forth, left to right and back again, neither side yielding an inch.

’I can’t let this continue like this,’ Thoren thought grimly, his mind working at lightning speed.

Although the Level 16 Undead High Nobles were holding their ground, it was clear they were struggling.

Their bodies were riddled with claw marks, fractured limbs, and shattered bones.

Even with their undead resilience, prolonged combat against such a monster would eventually grind them down.

The only truly effective damage came from the Undead High Noble wielding the Black Ember Ironblade.

And even that wasn’t enough.

’I need to change my strategy.’

His gaze locked onto the battlefield without blinking as another Undead High Noble was sent crashing into the chamber wall by the monster’s serpentine tail.

The impact left deep spiderweb cracks spreading across the stone.

Yet Thoren did not panic.

Instead, he issued a rapid series of commands through his undead space.

Instantly, the flow of battle shifted.

The undead abandoned their previous approach.

What followed was not refined.

It was brutal.

Reckless.

Savage.

The monster faltered, momentarily stunned by the sudden change in tempo.

Instead of relying solely on claws and blunt force, the Undead High Nobles began targeting its foundation.

Powerful kicks slammed into the monster’s knees from multiple angles, destabilizing its stance.

Others lunged toward its serpentine tail, attempting to restrain it.

Claws, kicks, and crushing blows rained down relentlessly.

A deep grunt escaped from the monster’s throat as it struggled to adapt, but the undead gave it no room to breathe.

Bang! Bang!

The Black Ember Ironblade descended once more, its blade humming ominously as it sliced through the monster’s defenses, bypassing its natural defense with terrifying efficiency.

Howl!

The monster screamed in rage, its fury boiling over, but before it could retaliate, its serpentine tail was seized by two Undead High Nobles.

Then.

Rip!

A powerful claw tore through the monster’s back, shredding stone-like flesh and sending blood spraying through the air.

Howl!

The monster let out a deafening wail and thrashed violently, flinging one of the undead aside.

The unfortunate Undead High Noble smashed into the wall, its arm shattering into countless fragments.

Yet even this sacrifice created another opening.

Whoosh!

The Black Ember Ironblade plunged deep into the monster’s chest.

Blood gushed out like a broken dam, soaking the ground beneath it. The monster’s legs trembled, and for the first time, fear flickered across its monstrous face.

But the battle was far from over.

The sword-wielding Undead High Noble followed up with another devastating strike.

The monster roared and retaliated with a brutal punch aimed at crushing the undead’s skull.

Midway.

Bang!

A thunderous kick slammed into the monster’s side, interrupting the strike.

Howl!

The sound of bone snapping echoed through the chamber. Before the monster could recover, another sword strike came crashing down.

Its chest split open completely.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

Internal organs spilled out, hitting the ground with sickening thuds.

And yet.

The monster remained standing.

Thoren’s eyes widened slightly.

’What kind of endurance is this…?’

Two of his Undead High Nobles had already lost arms, their bodies severely damaged. If the fight dragged on any longer, even their undead resilience would fail.

’I need to weaken its stamina,’ Thoren realized.

’And I need to capitalize on its injuries.’

Without hesitation, he acted.

Whoosh!

Two Level 11 Assassin Skeletons materialized briefly before melting into the shadows, their presence vanishing completely.

At the same time, Thoren summoned several Hollow Breath Leeches.

Though low-level, they served a purpose.

Drained the monster stamina.

The monster’s breathing grew ragged.

Its movements slowed.

The confidence it once held crumbled rapidly.

It had believed the battle was already won.

Now, it realized how wrong it had been.

With a furious roar, the monster entered a frenzied state.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three Undead High Nobles were sent flying in rapid succession, their skulls slamming into the walls with enough force to shatter ordinary Level 16 beasts instantly.

Yet.

The undead froze for a brief moment.

Then, their soul fires reignited.

They shook their heads and stood once more.

Broken.

Battered.

But unyielding.

Their steps were slow and uneven, yet they dragged their ruined bodies back into the fray without hesitation.

The tension inside the chamber was overwhelming.

Heavy.

Suffocating.

Both sides were fighting with everything they had left.

Howl!

Another devastating sword strike landed, splitting nearly half of the monster’s torso apart. Blood and organs spilled onto the ground.

Still.

The monster stood.

Its strength waned.

Its movements became erratic.

Yet it refused to fall.

Its eyes still burned with ferocious intent, locked firmly on Thoren.

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