Just as I prepared to continue my path, Gaspar abruptly rose, his face twisted into an expression of pure rage.

“So, you’re after the Demon’s Vein, Griffith?” he growled, his voice low and menacing. “I can’t let you walk away with that knowledge.”

He raised a skeletal hand, his bony fingers cracking ominously.

“Since you know too much, I have no choice but to eliminate you,” he hissed. “And you’ll make a perfect offering to Xanatos.”

I took a step back, my hand instinctively gripping the hilt of my sword. I knew I stood little chance against Gaspar’s demonic power, but I wasn’t about to fall without a fight.

Suddenly, I noticed the shadows around us come alive, twisting and writhing in an unnatural dance. The soldiers and knights nearby turned as one, their eyes glowing with a malevolent light.

“As you can see,” Gaspar sneered, “all these men are under my control. They’re ready to die for me. You’re alone, Griffith.”

A chill ran down my spine. The situation was even more dire than I had imagined. An army of thralls stood ready to strike me down at their master’s command.

Taking a deep breath, I summoned an interface screen, analyzing my foe in detail.

Interface:

Name: King Gaspar Level: 60 Traits: [Cursed Regeneration, Charm, Shadow Manipulation] HP: 900/900 MP: 500/500

So, Gaspar’s powers were tied to shadows and regeneration… This would not be easy.

“Well, Griffith, what are you waiting for?” Gaspar taunted, his tone dripping with mockery. “Afraid to attack me?”

I narrowed my eyes, tightening my grip on my sword’s hilt.

“Believe me, Your Majesty, I’m not afraid of you,” I replied, my voice steady. “But I’m not reckless either.”

With a swift motion, I summoned a new weapon to my hand: a black blade that glinted ominously under the flickering light.

“You recognize this sword, don’t you?” I asked with a sly grin. “It’s the Dark Lord’s blade, the one your mercenaries failed to recover.”

A flicker of rage crossed Gaspar’s eyes.

“Impossible! How did you get your hands on that weapon?” he snarled.

I let out a short, sharp laugh.

“Let’s just say I have my ways,” I said calmly. “And believe me, this sword is perfectly suited to face you.”

Without another word, I launched myself at Gaspar, my dark blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.

Gaspar countered my attack with a swift movement, his skeletal fingers clutching the blade tightly. Around us, the shadows quivered violently, as if drawn to the sword’s dark power.

“So, you intend to face me with that cursed weapon?” Gaspar hissed through clenched teeth. “Very well, have it your way!”

With a powerful thrust, he shoved me backward, sending me skidding several meters across the ground. I landed on my feet, spinning the sword deftly back into position.

The shadows surrounding us surged, darting toward me like serpents. Yet each time one touched me, it seemed to dissolve, consumed by the dark energy radiating from my blade.

“Impossible!” Gaspar roared, his face contorted with fury. “How are you resisting my power?”

A triumphant smile crept onto my lips.

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“As I said, this sword is perfectly suited to facing you,” I replied confidently. “It absorbs dark energy and neutralizes your shadow-based abilities.”

Gaspar glared at me, his murderous intent clear in his glowing eyes.

“Very well,” he growled, “if the shadows are useless against you, then I’ll use my full strength!”

He extended his hand abruptly, the surrounding shadows condensing into a massive reptilian beast with glowing eyes.

“Destroy him!” Gaspar bellowed.

The beast lunged at me with a deafening roar, its gaping jaws poised to crush me. With a steady hand, I raised my blade and slashed downward with all my might.

The dark blade cleaved through the shadow beast effortlessly, reducing it to nothing with a bone-chilling shriek. The remaining shadows writhed and recoiled, as if in pain.

“Impossible!” Gaspar howled, his features contorted in rage. “How can you wield such power?”

I met his furious gaze, spinning my sword confidently in my hand.

“I told you, Your Majesty. This weapon was made for this fight,” I said, my tone unwavering. “Your shadow powers are useless against it.”

Gaspar stared at me, his face a mask of rage and frustration. Then, his expression shifted, and a sinister grin spread across his lips.

“Fine,” he said softly. “If my shadows can’t defeat you, then I’ll have to take this to the next level.”

He raised his hand again, and I felt an ominous energy gather around him. The shadows thickened, forming a dark aura that seemed to pulsate with malice.

“Prepare yourself, Griffith,” he growled. “You’re about to witness the true power of Xanatos’ curse!”

A wave of black energy erupted from his hand, slamming into me with devastating force. Pain shot through my body, searing every nerve as if my very cells were being consumed.

Despite the agony, I forced myself to remain upright, gripping my sword tightly.

“Is that all you’ve got, Gaspar?” I gasped, my voice defiant. “I’ve endured worse than this!”

Gaspar’s eyes narrowed, surprise flashing across his face.

“Impressive, Griffith,” he admitted, his voice dripping with venom. “But I still have plenty left to show you.”

He extended his hand once more, unleashing a storm of shadows that surrounded me in a suffocating vortex.

Gritting my teeth, I swung my sword furiously, carving through the darkness with every ounce of strength I had left. Yet the shadows seemed endless, as if Gaspar were drawing from an infinite well of power.

Another wave of black energy struck me, and I staggered under the impact. My strength was waning, and I knew I couldn’t keep this up much longer.

Gaspar’s lips curled into a sadistic grin as he watched me struggle.

“What’s the matter, Griffith? Feeling weak?” he taunted. “Soon, you’ll be nothing more than a puppet under my control!”

Clenching my jaw, I refused to give in. I had faced worse horrors in the past, and I would not fall to this cursed king.

Gathering my last reserves of strength, I focused on the energy coursing through the Dark Lord’s blade. Suddenly, a wave of power surged from the weapon, blasting away the suffocating shadows.

Gaspar stumbled back, shock etched onto his face.

“What… what is this?” he stammered, his voice trembling.

The shadows around him began to twist and crumble, drawn into the sword’s dark energy. Even his own body started to deteriorate, wisps of black smoke rising from his flesh.

“Impossible!” he screamed, his eyes wide with terror. “How can you wield such power?”

I straightened, my blade steady in my hand.

“I told you, Gaspar,” I said, my voice calm and firm. “This sword was made to defeat you. Your darkness holds no power over it.”

Gaspar’s expression twisted with panic as he stumbled backward.

“No… no, this can’t be! I am immortal! Invincible! Xanatos promised me ultimate power!”

I advanced toward him, the dark blade glowing ominously.

“It seems your demon lied to you, Gaspar,” I replied coldly. “Your power is nothing compared to this weapon.”

With a final, anguished scream, Gaspar’s body dissolved into ash, carried away by an unseen wind.

For a moment, I stood in silence, gazing at the aftermath of our battle. Despite Gaspar’s formidable demonic power, he had been no match for the Dark Lord’s blade.

As the soldiers and knights around me began to stir, their minds freed from Gaspar’s control, I offered them a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry,” I said calmly. “It’s over now.”

They nodded hesitantly, retreating to their posts. Once alone, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Gaspar was finally defeated, his cursed reign brought to an end. But as I prepared to leave the palace, one question lingered in my mind.

If Gaspar didn’t have the Demon’s Vein, where was it? Surely in the castle to the east of Golden River, as the council said?

I tightened my grip on my sword and strode confidently toward the palace gates. My journey was far from over.