"This is my Phantom Ability: Phalanx Knights."
"As long you can destroy these two, you can move to the last test," Dravin floated up five meters above, his arms crossed as he smiled. "You can start anytime."
The two Phalanx Knights stood in a defense/counter stance, pointing their sword at Aeron and shields at the front while their bodies slightly bent.
Aeron jumped back several meters and clasped his palms before stretching them away as he materialized his Flamebow and pulled the string.
Flamehunt Rambe!
Aeron released the first FlameArrow, consuming 100 spirit energy and 500 curse energy.
'A weapon-type Phantom Ability? That requires higher mastery of more factors. Let's see,' Dravin looked on with interest as he saw Aeron firing the arrow and striking one of his Knights.
*Boom!*
It exploded in a perfect 1-meter radius circle, showing a bright red-orange sphere that enveloped the Phalanx Knight in condensed and intense flames.
'If I want to increase FlameArrow's potential, I'll have to consume more spirit energy in the Transmute Factor,' Aeron's eyes gleaned red.
If he Transmuted more spirit energy into flame and Manipulated it into a FlameArrow, it would obviously have better firepower…which would be further Enchanted by Curse energy's Enchant.
*Swoosh!*
The second Phalanx Knight waved its sword, releasing a wind-attributed slash projectile toward Aeron.
'Woah, they can shoot skills?' Aeron dodged to the side as he nocked and pulled a second FlameArrow—200 spirit energy + 500 curse energy.
The second Phalanx Knight that was hit by Aeron's attack became slightly red as its metallic body was heated to the extreme, but its shield absorbed flames.
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"These Phalanx Knights have peak C-rank defense and Offense both at the moment," Dravin smiled. "Their shields can absorb energy attacks generally, so your attack power's effect will be reduced."
"If you want to become a member, destroy these two."
Aeron laughed, "Well, that's a rather easy challenge."
Both Phalanx Knights released their sword attacks once more, the speedy wind slashes forcing Aeron to move away.
However, Aeron released his second arrow and immediately nocked two more as he dodged the wind slashes.
Two more as in…he nocked two arrows simultaneously in the 3rd step.
'That arrow was roughly 45% more powerful,' Dravin's eyes squinted as he used Focus. 'That explosion containment and this increase in power should be this ability's cursed oath.'
Aeron released both arrows of 3rd step at once.
'One-inch boom,' Aeron grinned as both of his FlameArrow of 200 spirit energy and 1000 curse energy Enchant shot forward, squarely hitting the second Phalanx Knight.
*Booom!*
Two explosions in the contained sphere of this much magnitude caused the flames to be even brighter and more potent.
When the effects settled, there was no trace of the Phalanx Knight. It was entirely destroyed.
'That was roughly a 150% increase in power,' Dravin raised his eyebrows. 'He used more cursed energy, but there's something else from his cursed oath that's boosting his arrows.'
Dravin couldn't notice what triggered Aeron's cursed ability. 'What's the restriction he put?'
*Swoosh!*
'Let's change gears,' Aeron nocked a different arrow this time. It was a black arrow with green patterns, having a thick smell of gunpowder.
Vineburst Arrow—300 spirit energy basic cost.
The arrow shot forward and stuck the remaining Phalanx Knight.
'A new type of Arrow?' Dravin was surprised.
*Swoosh!*
The vines wrapped around the Phalanx Knight, glistering with black gunpowder all over it.
Right after that, Aeron released a Flame Arrow.
*Boom!*
A loud explosion rang, but the extra explosion thanks to Vineburst Arrow's effect was also contained within a 1-meter radius, increasing the firepower to a new level.
'It looks like he has adequate mastery of archery as well on top of close combat,' Dravin nodded as he clapped.
"Not a bad Phantom Ability. But let's hope you can shoot those arrows in a real battlefield and Dark Ruins."
"Are we going there now?" Aeron asked with shining eyes.
"Yep. You'll have to enter a Dark Ruin under the Star Horn guild and complete a task. If you do that, you'll be one of us," Dravin grinned as he walked towards Aeron. "This carries a risk of death, so think carefully."
"Becoming a Phantom Hunter of Star Horn guild means dancing with death regularly. We have the highest casualty rate among the top five pillars, but we are also the strongest in the city."
"If you are afraid, you can exit now."
Aeron stretched his arms and yawned before he cheekily smiled at Dravin, "Let's move to the Dark Ruin before I get sleepy."
Dravin briefly paused at the response before he laughed and nodded, "Alright, let's go."