The complint seed to invigorate the Mane King, who pressed his attack with vigour despite his mounting injuries. His movents beca more desperate but also more dangerous.
Arthur responded by increasing his own intensity, his katana work becoming a blur of perfectly executed techniques that gradually dismantled the Mane King’s defences. Each cut was precise, calculated to inflict maximum damage while avoiding the legendary creature’s increasingly wild counterattacks.
SLASH! CRACK! THUD!
The sound of combat filled the clearing as both warriors committed everything to their final confrontation. Arthur’s respect for his opponent was evident in every movent—no longer belittling, but honouring a worthy adversary through genuine effort.
The Mane King’s golden mane beca matted with blood as Arthur’s attacks found their mark with increasing frequency. His legendary constitution kept him fighting long past the point where lesser creatures would have fallen, but even legendary rank had limits.
A devastating thrust from Arthur’s katana pierced the Mane King’s chest, the pseudo-legendary blade penetrating his legendary hide. The wound was mortal—they both knew it imdiately.
As life began to fade from his amber eyes, the Mane King’s gaze turned unwillingly toward his unconscious pack scattered across the clearing. The sight of his defeated subordinates brought visible anguish to his dying expression, the pain of a leader who could no longer protect those who had followed him.
Arthur withdrew his blade and stepped back, allowing the legendary creature his final monts with appropriate dignity. The Mane King collapsed slowly, his massive fra settling onto the forest floor.
Arthur walked slowly toward the dying king, his footsteps slow and respectful as he approached the fallen legendary creature. When he reached the Mane King’s side, Arthur knelt beside him, eting the fading amber gaze with genuine solemnity.
"Don’t worry," Arthur said quietly, his voice carrying absolute sincerity. "I will not kill your pack, to respect your courage, you were a warrior through and through."
The Mane King’s eyes reflected gratitude in their final monts, understanding that his pack would survive despite their defeat. The knowledge seed to bring him peace as consciousness faded from his legendary fra.
With dignity befitting his rank, the King of the Golden Manes died.
[You have killed the Level 24 King of Golden Manes (Legendary-rank)]
[You have levelled up!]
[Epic-rank Viridescent Amulet has been dropped]
Arthur remained kneeling beside the fallen king for several monts, offering silent respect to a warrior who had earned his admiration through courage and unwavering pride. The forest around them seed to acknowledge the passing of a legend, the very air growing still in recognition of what had been lost.
After paying his respects, Arthur opened his status screen to assess the gains from his recent victory:
...
[Race:] Human
[ID:] Fateless
[Level:] 22
[Class:] Shadow Monarch (SSS)
[Talent:] Primordial Summoner (SSS), Evolution Pathway (SSS-Rank), Lucky (SSS), Space (SSS)
[Summons:] 42/44
[Health Points:] 290
[Mana Points:] 410
[Magical Damage:] 30
[Physical Damage:] 26
[Damage Resistance:] 26
[Attributes:] Strength 26, Agility 29, Vitality 29, Intelligence 41 ( 25% -> 6.5, 7.25, 7.25, 10.25)
[Skills:] Ninefold Fortune(Mythical), Living Shadow (Mythical, III), Shadow Bind(Legendary), Shadow Dweller(Legendary), Shadow Cloak(Epic), Enhanced Senses(Rare), Mana Coating(Rare), Iron Fortress(Rare), Blazing Arc(Rare), Blacksmithing (Uncommon)
[Attribute Points:] 1
[Skill Points:] 15
[Equipnt:] Ring of Darkness (Legendary), Chaos (Pesudo-Legendary), Mana Earring (Epic), Robe of Darkness (Epic), Loki’s Mask(Epic), Viridescent Amulet (Epic), Mask of Thousand Faces (Very Rare), Spirit Core x2 (Very-Rare) Platinum Spear (Very Rare), Platinum Dagger (Very Rare), Mana Ring(Rare), Iron Necklace (Rare), Backpack (Rare), Iron Boots (Rare), Iron Armor (Rare), Health Potion (Rare), Mana Potions (Rare), ...
After levelling up, Arthur had gained two new summoning slots, which were the most beneficial aspect of his advancent. While attribute increases were valuable, they paled in comparison to the opportunity of acquiring a legendary-rank summon. Before levelling up, he had already decided to dismiss one of his existing summons to make space for the prideful king, but with the additional slots, such a sacrifice was unnecessary.
Arthur examined the dropped amulet with analytical precision:
[Viridescent Amulet]
[Rank: Epic]
[Details: While wearing this amulet, your vitality and intelligence both increase by 5%. At the cost of becoming more prideful. You are prideful in front of those who aren’t close to you.]
Staring at the amulet, Arthur recognised its considerable power. A 5% increase in two important attributes was nothing to dismiss lightly, and he imdiately equipped it for temporary use. His initial thought was to give it to Charlotte once he returned—the vitality boost would certainly help with her condition.
However, as he considered the implications more carefully, Arthur realised the fundantal problem with that plan. The 5% increase in intelligence was actually detrintal to Charlotte’s situation. Her current crisis stemd from incredibly dense mana accumulating in her body, and amplifying that concentration by 5% would essentially accelerate her deterioration rather than helping her recover.
Reluctantly discarding that option, Arthur focused on the imdiate opportunity before him. He placed his hand on the fallen Mane King’s golden body and spoke the command that would transform defeat into eternal service.
"Awaken."
A portal of absolute darkness appeared beneath the legendary creature’s body, its edges crackling with dinsional energy that made reality itself seem to waver. Dark tendrils erged from the portal’s depths, wrapping around the Mane King’s form with surprising gentleness as they drew him into the summoning space.
The portal shimred and pulsed for several seconds before transforming, becoming a gateway for the king’s return rather than his departure. Golden light began emanating from the dinsional tear as sothing magnificent stirred within.
The Mane King erged from the portal, his form exactly as it had been in life. His golden mane glead with supernatural brilliance, and his amber eyes held intelligence that exceeded his previous incarnation. Most importantly, the wounds that had claid his life were completely healed, leaving him in perfect condition.
Arthur studied his newest summons with satisfaction before deciding on an appropriate designation.
"Your na shall be Pride. You earned that title through your courage and unwavering spirit."
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