Before we even arrived at the high district, the devastation was evident. Thick plumes of smoke billowed in every direction, and the cacophony of battle grew louder with each step we took.

As we reached one of the bridges leading to the district, we encountered a pair of battered adventurers. They were visibly injured and called out to us as we approached. "Isabel, is that you?"

We halted in front of the woman who addressed Isabel, and I recognized her as the stern-looking individual who had visited our house with Malik. She appeared disheveled, bearing deep cuts on her body, and her robes were stained with blood.

"Anis," Isabel said, crouching down before her, "what happened to you? Are you out of potions?" Anis nodded weakly, and Isabel retrieved a couple of vials from her storage item, handing them to Anis.

Anis and her companion, a slender man with sharp features and elven ears, consumed the potions and let out sighs of relief. "Thanks... Well, Isabel, we've had a hell of a time. These monsters here... they're not golems, Isabel. They may be our size, but they're swift, ruthless, and cunning."

Isabel furrowed her brow. "Do they have cores?" Anis nodded in response. "They do, but they're made of corrupted flesh. They resemble corrupted demonkin more than anything else."

Concern etched across Isabel's face. "What about your team?"

Anis spoke with a detached expression, devoid of emotion. "They're still here somewhere... if they're alive, that is. We got separated a while ago." Isabel nodded, then stood upright. "Alright, you rest and make your way to the trade district when you can. It's mostly clear now. Protect the shelters."

Anis seemed hesitant to comply, but Isabel's determined gaze persuaded her otherwise, and she reluctantly nodded.

Isabel motioned for us to follow as we entered the high district. The air was filled with horrifying sounds—cries of pain, clashes of weapons, and shouts of combatants.

We proceeded cautiously through an alley, and since I had regained most of my ether, I summoned Grim and the illusions to scout ahead. It didn't take long for them to locate a target. I closed my eyes, allowing my vision to blur.

Grim perched on a rooftop overlooking an alley, where a man fought valiantly against a humanoid monster. It walked on two legs and possessed sharp bony spikes protruding from various parts of its body, reminiscent of a wolverine's weaponry.

With Grim staying to provide assistance, I returned to my own body and shared a brief account of what I had witnessed. Without delay, we pressed forward. Taking the lead, I guided the others through the labyrinth of narrow streets that comprised the majority of the district.

As we arrived at the scene, the man had pulled back, while Grim distracted the monster. The other images continued their vigilant scouting, keeping watch for us.

I sprinted past the man, already wearing my mask, causing him to jump in surprise. I left him to my companions and summoned two spirits as I ran. I had become adept at controlling the spell, and as soon as I closed the portal, I waved my hand, conjuring two giant gorilla illusions. They trailed behind me, and the spirits swiftly possessed them, both taking on a purple hue.

The monster caught sight of our approach and swung an arm in my direction. Bone spikes shot out from its limb, prompting me to swiftly dodge sideways. One of the gorillas was struck, but it remained intact. Both spirits roared in fury, clearly despising this creature even more than the golems.

Grim launched an attack from behind, delivering a powerful kick to one of the monster's legs, providing a momentary distraction. Seizing the opportunity, the injured gorilla pummeled the creature like a wrecking ball.

The monster crashed to the ground, and the gorilla relentlessly pounded its massive fists into the creature, paying no heed to the sharp spikes. The monster retaliated, kicking the gorilla with force, causing it to crash into a wall and burst through it. Just then, the second gorilla arrived, but had to leap to avoid a bone blade scything through the air.

I dashed forward as the monster swung the blade protruding from its elbow at me. With smooth agility, I ducked beneath the swing and delivered a powerful kick to its knee. It buckled under the blow, but didn't break. I followed up with three rapid strikes to its torso.

Enraged, the monster roared, and I noticed spikes beginning to emerge all over its body. It was preparing another barrage of shooting spikes. Just as I was about to evade the attack, a gorilla slammed into the monster from the side.

They collided with a wall, and the gorilla gripped the monster's leg, exhibiting incredible strength as it swung the creature around. The monster crashed onto the ground, leaving an indentation, and a grin spread across my face.

Summoning a large illusionary axe, I activated my title, channeling every ounce of strength and ether I could muster. With a mighty swing, the axe cleaved into the creature's chest and through it. I felt a solid resistance give way, causing my eyes to widen.

Immediately, I commanded the gorilla to position itself in front of me and cast Mirror Mirage. The creature exploded violently, but the spirit-possessed gorilla illusions absorbed the brunt of the blast, and my reflection spell handled the rest, directing the ensuing wave of destruction safely down the alleyway.

I straightened up and surveyed the scene. The monster lay lifeless, and I turned my gaze back to my companions. They watched from a safe distance, and Lyra offered me a grin and a thumbs-up.

With a casual wave of my hand, the illusions dissipated into mist, and Grim went off to scout once again.

The man we had rescued turned out to be a soldier who had been assigned to the walls. However, seeing that the situation was chaotic but not yet critical, he took the opportunity to sneak away in search of his family. Unfortunately, he had been ambushed by the monster along the way and hadn't been able to continue his search.

Isabel's face contorted with a frown, though she refrained from pointing out that the man was essentially a deserter.

While Grim continued to scout, I took a moment to check my notifications.

You have destroyed 7 incomplete minor rune Golems

You have earned Experience

You have assisted in destroying 12 incomplete minor rune Golems

You have earned Experience

You have destroyed 11 minor rune Golems

You have earned Experience

You have assisted in destroying 25 minor rune Golems

You have earned Experience

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

You have destroyed 1 Awakened Rune Giant

You have earned Experience

You have destroyed 1 Corrupted nature spirit

You have earned Experience

Your level have increased to 23

For each level your base stats in physical and mental attributes

have increased by 2 for a total of 6

For each level your base stats in spiritual attributes

have increased by 3 for a total of 9

Congratulations

Illusion Magic has reached level 20

The ether consumption of spells has

Decreased Moderately

Reaching level 20, Illusion magic has changed to:

Haptic Illusion Magic

Haptic Illusions are so realistic to the beholder, that they can not only see, hear or smell it,

But also touch it. Haptic illusions are extremely realistic, which makes it

Hard to distinguish what is real and what is not.

Haptic illusions are still only that however, illusions. They cannot

Cause physical harm.

Congratulations

Slippery footing has reached level 10

The ether consumption of spell has

Decreased Slightly

Reaching level 10, Slippery footing has changed to:

Unstable footing

This spell can be used in one of two ways, to create a slippery surface for a few seconds,

Or create a sticky surface, that will remain as long as the caster feeds ether

Into the spell.

Congratulations

Mirror Mirage has reached level 7

The ether consumption of spell has

Decreased Slightly

Congratulations

Spirit Caller has reached level 3

The ether consumption of spell has

Decreased Slightly

I couldn't help but smile at the improvements in my spells. The evolution of my illusions promised increased versatility, even if the effects wouldn't be immediately noticeable. However, the advancement of my Slippery Footing spell was significant. The ability to create a sticky surface opened up a range of possibilities. Intrigued by these developments, I decided to bring up my status screen to get a comprehensive overview of my current capabilities.

Status screen

Name: David Wendell

Class: Illusionary Conjurer (Trickster)

Titles:

Deceiver’s Resilience

Master your fear

Against the odds

Experienced Masochist

Vanquisher of the Goliath

Power is relative

What lurks in the dark

One eyed

Level: 23

Bonded Spirit possessed Items:

Harlequin’s mask

Level of Bond: Friend

Physical Attributes:

Strength: 60

Agility: 71

Endurance: 80

Mental Attributes:

Intelligence: 63

Wisdom: 60

Spiritual Attributes:

Ether Affinity: 93

Ether capacity 102

Inner Core: Awakening stage

Abilities:

Flowing Mirage (fighting style)

Haptic Illusion Magic (Level 20)

Unstable footing (Level 10)

Mirror Mirage (Level 7)

Phantom Images

Phantom pain

Spirit Caller (Level 3)

Conjurer’s wrath

Frozen in fear

Ignore pain

Everything was falling into place nicely. I could feel myself growing stronger with each passing day, especially when my endurance and ether capacity increased. It allowed me to push myself further without succumbing to fatigue. However, I still had some reservations about my other stats. While I felt physically stronger and highly agile, I couldn't help but wonder about my intelligence, wisdom, and ether affinity.

I had never brought up these questions with Isabel or Lyra, and I remained uncertain about their implications. Ether affinity, for instance, was likely tied to my spellcasting abilities. It had become almost instinctual for me to conjure illusions effortlessly. As for intelligence, it could be linked to my imagination and how I could create vivid and realistic illusions.

Then there was wisdom. Though I didn't consider myself particularly wise, there were moments when I acted without conscious thought, as if I already knew the best course of action. When choosing the gorillas for the spirits, for instance, it felt like the natural and logical choice. Perhaps wisdom related to the analytical side of my decision-making process.

But all of this was mere speculation, adding more questions to the ever-growing list of uncertainties.

Isabel grew impatient, prompting me to check in with Grim. He had discovered a group of guild members engaged in a fierce battle against a pair of monsters, as well as a lone but capable adventurer who seemed untroubled. Grim was quite impressed by her skills.

Relaying the information to Isabel, we were about to set off when a thunderous explosion echoed in the distance, originating not from deeper within the district but from the direction of the castle. As one, we turned our attention toward the sound, but our view was obstructed by the surrounding buildings.

My vision blurred and I directed Grim’s eyes to the castle from the rooftop he was standing on. The scene I witnessed was jarring—a series of explosions rocking the castle, signaling a major battle unfolding up there.

Returning to my own body, I wasted no time in stating, "The castle is under attack."