Blood Needle

As the battle between Daimon and the Hobgoblin King raged on in the isolated arena, a sense of urgency and curiosity began to brew outside the gate to the second floor.

The ground trembled with the echoes of their clash, and the very air seemed charged with the energy of their confrontation.

At the front of the gathering, Astrid Bergman, the leader of Eldoria, was the first to arrive at the gate.

Her armor gleamed in the ambient light, and her presence radiated both determination and eagerness. Her gaze was fixed on the system panel in front of her, her heart pounding with anticipation.

However, the moment she read the panel's words, her initial enthusiasm was replaced by frustration and disbelief.

The panel stated that only a group of four could fight the Hobgoblin King, an unexpected restriction that sent shockwaves through her. In her frustration, she stomped her foot against the ground, her irritation evident.

Alexander Greenleaf of Serenith arrived next, his silver armor shimmering as he approached.

He exchanged a glance with Carlos Hernandez of Dracoria, both leaders noting Astrid's unexpected reaction.

They saw her sitting on the ground, her brows furrowed, a clear sign that something had gone awry.

"Hey, Astrid," Alexander called out as he approached, his tone laced with curiosity. "Why aren't you getting ready to fight the boss?"

Astrid's irritation was palpable as she gestured towards the panel. "Just look at this! I didn't expect this to happen."

Alexander's eyes quickly scanned the words on the panel, his confusion deepening. "Only a group of four can fight the Hobgoblin King? That's unusual..."

Carlos, who had been standing nearby, couldn't contain his shock any longer. He raised his voice, drawing the attention of both Astrid and Alexander. "How can this be possible?"

Alexander turned towards Carlos, surprised by his outburst. "Carlos, what's wrong?"

Carlos pointed towards the panel with a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Look at the lower part!"

Alexander followed Carlos's gaze, his eyes narrowing as he read the additional text that had appeared on the panel. "[Please wait...] [There is already a party fighting the boss.]"

The realization hit them like a tidal wave, leaving them stunned. Their expressions mirrored their thoughts, a mixture of shock and perplexity.

Astrid, Alexander, and Carlos exchanged glances, their minds racing to understand the situation.

Astrid's frustration gave way to a determined resolve. "Who could be faster than us? We all moved at the same time."

Alexander's brow furrowed, his mind working through the possibilities. "It can't be any of the leaders. Our forces left together."

Carlos crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the ground as he pondered the situation. "Then who is it?"

The trio stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. The implications of someone else being ahead of them sent a wave of competitiveness through their ranks.

The tower's trials had always been a race against time and obstacles, and this situation was no different.

Astrid's frustration transformed into determination. "Whoever it is, we'll catch up and make sure we're the ones to finish this."

Alexander nodded in agreement, his silver eyes flashing with determination. "Right. We've come this far, and we're not about to let anyone else steal our victory."

Carlos's fiery spirit was reignited, his competitive nature rising to the surface. "They might be ahead for now, but we'll catch up and surpass them."

As the leaders of Eldoria, Serenith, and Dracoria exchanged their words of determination, the very ground seemed to tremble beneath their feet.

Meanwhile, the clash between Daimon and the Hobgoblin King continued, their battle a testament to the tower's challenges.

As the clash between Daimon and the Hobgoblin King continued in the isolated arena, the ferocity of the battle intensified.

Daimon's movements were a blur of agility and precision, while the Hobgoblin King's brute strength was a force to be reckoned with.

Each clash of sword against sword sent shockwaves through the air, their clashes echoing like thunder.

Despite Daimon's formidable skills and determination, the relentless attacks of the Hobgoblin King were taking their toll.

The massive creature's strength and power were overwhelming, and as the battle raged on, Daimon found himself increasingly battered and injured.

Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the ground beneath him.

The Hobgoblin King's crimson eyes gleamed with a mix of triumph and fury. Its massive form stood tall, a testament to its dominance.

It locked gazes with the wounded Daimon, its deep voice reverberating through the arena. "You are a great warrior, but it seems that I am still stronger than you."

Daimon's response came not in words but in the form of a defiant smile. Despite his injuries, his spirit remained unbroken, his determination unwavering.

The Hobgoblin King's fury surged as it roared, "Now die!"

With a swift and powerful motion, the Hobgoblin King swung its massive sword, aiming to deliver a finishing blow.

The sword struck true, piercing through Daimon's body. A gasp of pain escaped Daimon's lips, his body tensing as the blade ran through him.

In that moment of apparent victory, the Hobgoblin King turned its back on the fallen Daimon, ready to revel in its triumph.

However, its moment of glory was short-lived. A sudden sound of laughter, filled with both amusement and triumph, echoed through the arena.

The Hobgoblin King froze, disbelief etching itself into its features. "Impossible! How can you..."

Curiosity mingled with frustration, and the Hobgoblin King turned back, its eyes narrowing as it attempted to comprehend what was happening.

But before it could even fully process the scene, its consciousness began to waver.

Its eyes, once filled with rage, began to glow with an eerie red light, a stark contrast to its previous crimson hue.

Confusion clouded its thoughts as an unseen force invaded its mind.

A long crimson-red needle, thin and deadly, pierced through the air and lodged itself precisely between the Hobgoblin King's eyes.

The creature's body convulsed as its life force began to fade, its immense strength diminishing.

With a final shudder, the Hobgoblin King fell to the ground, lifeless.

From the ground where he lay, Daimon's laughter resounded once more, victorious and filled with mirth. The wounds that had marred his body were now slowly regenerating, a testament to his resilience.

As his face slowly recovered its features and his strength returned, Daimon's voice echoed through the arena, his tone carrying a mix of satisfaction and amusement. "You were pretty good, Hobgoblin King, but too bad you were just too weak for me."

His laughter filled the air, a triumphant echo that reverberated through the arena. Daimon had emerged victorious, overcoming both his injuries and the seemingly invincible Hobgoblin King.

The isolated realm around him seemed to fade as he stood tall, his crimson eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and accomplishment.