Chapter 17: Misty Mountain Gate
"That guy really hit my nerves," James muttered, his brows furrowed like storm clouds before a thunderstorm.
"They're not going to beat our record this time," he added, fists clenched at his side.
One of his underlings, a short boy with spiky hair and nervous energy, glanced at him. "But Eira's in that group. She's strong. Don't you think—?"
"No way," James cut him off sharply. "Even if she's powerful in our class, Eira isn't suited for destruction. Her ability's from the Fire Branch, but she lacks raw force."
"And that other guy? What's he from? Normal class?" another scoffed.
James crossed his arms, leaning back against the wall. His smirk held no kindness. "They'll never reach the second stage."
His confidence came from results. After all, his group—a team of early awakeners second only to Eira—had shattered records in both the Easy and Normal modes. The Misty Mountain Gate, infamous for grinding down even the proudest students, had been their playground.
Before going inside the gate…
Mike turned to his team, the mist curling around their boots like spirits watching silently.
"Let's go over our strengths again," he said firmly, his eyes calm but commanding. "I'm a Crystalline Mana Heart awakener. Hidden Water Branch. I'm good with offense and crowd control."
He nodded to Jek. "He's also crowd control but focuses more on defense."
Jek grinned. "And I like getting hit. Makes me feel useful."
Auline puffed her chest with mock pride. "I'm support. Moon Mana Heart, a rare Light Branch. You can call me the team's guardian moon."
Eira twirled a small flame between her fingers, its light flickering in her passionate eyes. "Anima Flare. Fire variant. I hit, but not with huge impact—unless I get creative."
— Team Data —
Mike (Tier 2 – Lvl 15)
Strength: 169 | Physique: 158 | Agility: 152 | Mana: 160
Skills: Crystalline Sword, Wave of Lotus, Current Surge
Legacy Skill: ??? (Requires Essence of Binding)
Jek (Tier 2 – Lvl 14)
Strength: 155 (+30) | Physique: 150 | Agility: 142 | Mana: 145
Skills: Earth Bind, Earth Shield, Way of Nature
Eira (Tier 2 – Lvl 18)
Strength: 174 | Physique: 147 | Agility: 163 | Mana: 172
Skills: Phoenix Spiral, Heartflare Adaptation, Burning Resonance
Unique Skill: Ember Pulse Veil (Transforms into defeated monsters at 50% stats)
Auline (Tier 2 – Lvl 17)
Strength: 132 | Physique: 140 | Agility: 179 | Mana: 168
Skills: Moonstep Mirage, Radiant Thread, Lunacall Bloom
Passive: Lunar Veil – reduces mana strain and enhances recovery for allies
…
Inside the Gate…
…
Their formation was clear. Jek would lead as the vanguard, soaking up attacks. Auline stayed in the middle, ensuring their mana stayed stable and health maintained. Mike and Eira flanked the front, the double-bladed offense against whatever came.
…
Stage One: The Mistdroplet Spirits
The gate welcomed them with a heavy fog that clung to their skin like cold sweat. Every step forward sent echoes bouncing down unseen corridors. Then—
Ding!
Monsters Detected – Stage 1: Eliminate 10 Mistdroplet Spirits (Lvl 10–11)
The first spirit emerged like liquid shadow, dripping from the ceiling before taking form—small, humanoid-shaped mistlings with glowing blue eyes. Water clung to their gelatinous forms, and ripples trailed behind every movement.
— Monster Data —
Mistdroplet Spirit
Level: 10–11 | Strength: 95 | Agility: 112 | Mana: 98
Skills: Bubble Shot (ranged knockback), Soak (slows movement), Spirit Flicker (random teleportation)
Jek's eyes gleamed. "Finally, something to crush."
"Don't underestimate them," Mike said, drawing his crystalline sword. "Even weak monsters can drown a careless fighter."
The spirits attacked as a swarm, darting unpredictably with flickers of blue light.
"Earth Shield!" Jek roared, stomping forward as a curved wall of rock burst up before them. Water orbs slammed into the shield, spraying mist—but doing no damage.
Mike rushed beside him, blade glowing with pulsing blue. "Crystalline Sword: Water Pulse!" He slashed horizontally. The blade released a ripple of water pressure that exploded three spirits backward.
Eira didn't miss a beat. She conjured her signature flame, spinning it into a spiral lance. "Phoenix Spiral!" The lance screeched through the air, punching through another spirit with a burst of feathers and steam.
Auline flicked her wrists, threads of light forming between her fingers. "Radiant Thread!" She laced two spirits together, restricting their movement.
"Combo time!" Mike yelled. "Wave of Lotus!"
With a smooth motion, he swept his blade in a crescent arc. The energy unleashed looked like blooming petals on water—each hit stunning a spirit and sending it flying.
"Two left!" Auline called out, maintaining her aura.
Jek slammed his fists into the ground. "Earth Bind!" Vines erupted from the dirt, grabbing one by the limbs.
The last spirit tried to flicker away—but Eira was already there.
"Burning Resonance!" she whispered, syncing her fire with Mike's water energy. The resulting steam exploded outward, incinerating the final Mistdroplet in a flash of light and vapor.
Ding!
Level up!!
Stage 1 Cleared – Proceeding to Stage 2…
The mist parted slowly, revealing a stone arch with a glowing sigil above it. The temperature dipped. A line's veil pulsed brighter.
Stage Two: Proceeding
As they stepped through the arch, Mike's senses flared. The air wasn't just moist—it was heavy. Like the pressure deep underwater. They were still within the Misty Mountain Gate… yet something felt different. More ancient. More alive.
"It's colder," Auline murmured. Her voice echoed oddly in the mist.
A deep growl vibrated through the cavern floor.
From the shadows, a ripple of water began to rise. But unlike the spirits from earlier, this creature had weight—bone, scale, and hatred.
Jek stepped in front. "Formation—hold!"
A monstrous figure emerged. Part serpent, part amphibian, its elongated body slithered with elegance. Its scales were reflective, covered in runes that pulsed blue like veins.
Then came the message:
Ding!
Mini-Boss Appeared – Stage 2: Hydroterror Salamandrus (Level 14 Elite)
— Monster Data —
Hydroterror Salamandrus
Realm: Elite Monster – Level 14
Strength: 172 | Physique: 190 | Agility: 165 | Mana: 175
Skills:
Aqua Fang – lunges with pressured water blades
Mist Rebirth – temporarily becomes mist to evade attacks
Torrential Break – slams tail to create a mini-flood
Scald Breath – unleashes a cone of near-boiling steam
Mike stared at the data, eyes narrowing. "This… this thing's stronger than anything we've fought so far."
"It's our first mini-boss," Eira said, stepping forward, fire already licking her skin. "Let's make it count."
The Salamandrus struck first—too fast for its size. It dashed across the misty field, tail crashing down.
"Earth Shield!" Jek growled, blocking the impact—but cracks split the shield. He skidded back, coughing. "It's got brute force!"
Mike blurred forward with Current Surge, using water momentum to sidestep the tail. "We hit together. Eira, combo me again!"
"Already on it!" She ignited, her flames syncing with his water blade.
"Crystalline Sword: Tidal Ember Slash!"
The hybrid element exploded on impact, burning and chilling the Salamandrus at once. It shrieked, thrashing violently. A tail whip caught Auline in the ribs.
She screamed, her Lunar Veil shattering like glass.
"Auline!" Jek roared, rushing to her aid.
"I'm fine," she hissed, wiping blood from her lip. "Just… a little shaken."
The Salamandrus disappeared—its Mist Rebirth skill activating.
Mike froze. "It's hiding! Everyone, eyes sharp!"
Suddenly, it reappeared mid-air, claws poised to land on Eira.
She transformed mid-dodge, her body glowing as she invoked Ember Pulse Veil, taking the form of a lesser fire drake.
"Not today!" she shouted, flaming wings lashing upward. The beast screeched, stunned.
"NOW!" Mike yelled.
All at once:
Jek launched Earth Bind, chaining its limbs.
Eira struck with Phoenix Spiral directly into its eyes.
Auline, despite her injuries, summoned Lunacall Bloom, boosting everyone's stats.
Mike, eyes glowing, used Wave of Lotus, concentrating all his power.
The Salamandrus gave one last roar before its body burst into steam and fragments.
Ding!
Stage 2 Cleared – Rest Period Initiated
Everyone collapsed onto the damp stone, panting. The mist no longer felt suffocating. For now.
Mike leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "That… was a real fight."
Auline smiled weakly. "Still want to beat James' record?"
Eira chuckled. "Oh, we already have."
Jek smirked. "What do you think's waiting in Stage 3?"
The mist stirred as if answering.
Mike's eyes sharpened.
"What kind of monster do you think… will appear next?"
...