Boreas blinked, his gaze refocusing on the scene before him. For a moment, he seemed to teeter on the precipice of uncertainty, his eyes flickering between Midas and Neres. And then, with a deep inhalation, his grip on the knife wavered, and he took a step back.

A sigh of relief escaped Midas's lips as he exchanged a glance with Mori. It seemed that their gambit had paid off—the tenuous hold on Boreas's mind had been broken, and he was back in control of his own actions.

Boreas's voice, tinged with a mix of disbelief and sheepishness, broke the tense silence. "What... What just happened?"

Mori's smile was both warm and reassuring. "You were ensnared by something dark, something beyond our understanding. But you're back with us now, Boreas. And that's what matters."

Neres, his breath still coming in ragged gasps, added with a wry grin, "That was some quick thinking, Midas."

Midas's lips quirked into a smile, the relief of the moment tempered by the knowledge that their trials were far from over. "We can't let our guard down. Whatever force we're dealing with won't relent easily."

Mori's gaze turned to the corrupted manor, its malevolence still looming over them. "Agreed. We need to cleanse this place, now more than ever. Whatever's lurking within is not to be underestimated. Let us move ahead carefully"

Midas and his companions stepped forward cautiously, their senses alert and every nerve on edge. Each footfall echoed with an eerie resonance as they navigated the dimly lit halls, the ominous silence broken only by the hushed exchange of words.

"I don't like this," Mori muttered, her voice a mere breath against the stifling tension. "It's as if the very walls are watching us."

Neres, his bow at the ready, cast a wary glance around. "And I'm not a fan of the feeling that something's about to jump out at us."

Boreas, his features a mask of steely determination, chimed in with a touch of grim humor. "Well, at least if something does jump out, we're more than prepared to give it a warm welcome."

Midas's lips twitched in a half-smile, his companions' banter serving as a brief respite from the foreboding atmosphere. "Let's stay focused. We need to find the heart of this corruption and put an end to it."

The exploration of the manor continued, their steps measured and deliberate. Strangely, despite the pervasive sense of malevolence, they encountered no monstrous creatures lurking within its walls. It was as if the very essence of the place had conspired to lull them into an unsettling sense of complacency.

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Finally, after what felt like an eternity of winding through the labyrinthine corridors, they stepped into a grand chamber, its architecture hinting at a regal past now long forgotten. At the center of the room, an imposing throne rose, its intricate design a stark contrast to the surrounding decay. Seated upon the throne was an entity that exuded an aura of twisted authority.

Midas's gaze met the entity's, and a shiver of unease coursed down his spine. The figure before them appeared almost human, yet something was undeniably wrong. The face was elongated, skin stretched too tightly over its bones, a sickly pallor casting an unnatural hue. Claws extended from its fingertips, glinting ominously in the muted light.

"Ah, honored guests," the entity's voice resonated through the chamber, each word impeccably enunciated. "How delightful of you to join me in my humble abode."

The formal address hung in the air, its politeness taking on an unsettling edge. Mori, Neres, and Boreas exchanged wary glances, their inability to identify the creature fueling a growing sense of unease.

"Who... or what are you?" Mori's voice held a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

Neres's grip on his bow tightened, his expression hardening. "And what is the meaning of all this corruption? What do you gain from it?"

The entity's lips curled into an eerie semblance of a smile. "My, my, so many questions. I am but an observer, a collector of sorts. The corruption you witness is but a fraction of my collection, a testament to the malleability of this world."

Boreas's voice dripped with skepticism. "Collecting corruption? What purpose does that serve?"

The entity's response was chillingly casual. "Oh, the purpose is as varied as the shades of darkness. Power, control, curiosity... There are many facets to the gem of corruption, and I am but a humble enthusiast."

His chilling smile deepened, revealing its jagged, skeletal teeth. "But where are my manners? I am Salvos, known in some circles as The Undying King. A title befitting my eternal existence."

As the unsettling conversation unfolded, the companions exchanged uneasy glances, their attempts to identify the entity met with the enigmatic response of the system: "???"

Midas felt a weight pressing against his senses, a pressure that sought to shield the entity's true nature from his perception. A surge of determination pulsed through him, and he pushed back against the resistance with all his will.

And then, clarity broke through the haze, a revelation that sent a jolt of realization coursing through Midas's veins. The system's response was swift and unequivocal: Greater Lich - Level 42.

Midas's heart raced, a mixture of shock and understanding flooding his senses. The being before them was no mere entity—it was a level 42, many levels above his own. Yet, as the weight of the revelation settled upon him, a quiet smile graced his lips. The lich may have held a formidable level, but Midas knew that his cultivation granted him an advantage beyond what mere numbers could convey.

"You have played your hand, Greater Lich," Midas's voice was calm and measured, his eyes meeting those of the creature without a hint of fear. "But you underestimate the strength of our resolve."

The lich's unsettling smile widened. "Ah, you have quite the discerning gaze. How charming. Let us see if your resolve matches the weight of your words."