The journey through the mountain began uneventfully. Leon and Roselia dispatched any stray goblins or trolls with ease, their combat prowess and teamwork honed to perfection. As they ascended deeper into the range, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air thick with the stench of death and decay.

    Finally, after hours of travel, they arrived at a clearing near the mountain''s center. Before them stood a broken house, its roof caved in and walls charred black as if by fire. At the center of the clearing, kneeling silently in front of the ruins, was a lone figure.

    The Death Tyrant King.

    Unlike most monsters, the Death Tyrant King was once a man of honor—a proud knight who served a great noble family with unwavering loyalty. However, his life took a tragic turn when he failed to protect his liege against the wrath of the Magus King, the revenge filled Magus whose power devastated the lands.

    Despite his failure, the knight was spared, not because of mercy, but because his bloodline lacked noble heritage. Even in the face of shame and ridicule, he refused to abandon his duty, choosing to kneel before the ruins of the family he once served. He stayed there, unmoving, until death claimed him.

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    But death was not his release. A curse took hold of his soul, reviving him as a Death Knight—an undead warrior retaining 100% of the strength they had in life. Though the curse eroded his mortal soul, fragments of his honor and sorrow remained. At Level 80, he was weaker than the apex he once was, but his King-Class Undead status elevated him, making him equivalent to a Level 150 opponent. His human-like form only added to his potency.

    The Death Tyrant King stood, his hollow, glowing eyes fixed on Leon and Roselia.

    "Humans leave while you can. Why do you disturb me now?" he asked, his voice echoing like the faint toll of a bell, carrying both sorrow and menace.

    Leon nodded and said backing off. "May your soul finally find peace, old knight."

    Roselia stepped forward, her confidence unwavering despite the overwhelming presence of the Death Tyrant King. Though her raw power was not on par with his, her vast experience and mastery of her unique classes made her a formidable opponent.

    She was an Ancient Dark Battle Magus, a rare and powerful class that granted her destructive magical abilities and exceptional combat prowess. As an Ancient Demon, her class automatically elevated her status to Magus, bypassing the usual limitations of levels and rank advancements. Even though her level was similar to Leon''s after becoming his familiar, her inherent strength as a Magus remained untouched. She had yet to advance to a higher stage like Mage Sovereign or Grand Magus, but as a Magus, she was already a force to be reckoned with.

    Roselia was also a highly skilled Alchemist, capable of transmuting one material into another even during battle. While she rarely showcased this ability in combat, preferring to leave the spotlight to Leon, it was another ace up her sleeve that allowed her to adapt to any situation.

    Leon leaned against his staff, observing the unfolding battle with a calm demeanor. "This is your fight, Roselia. Show him what a Battle Magus can do."

    Roselia smirked, her crimson eyes locking onto the undead king. "Watch closely, Leon. You might learn a thing or two."

    The Death Tyrant King tilted his head, his hollow eyes narrowing. "You face me alone, little Magus? Foolish. You may be strong, but not strong enough to challenge a King of Death."

    Roselia''s smile widened. "We''ll see about that."

    With a flick of her wrist, a dark vortex of energy swirled around her. The ground beneath her feet cracked as she unleashed a wave of ancient dark magic, the shadows bending to her will.