The Nix Dragon's Dark Embrace    

Horizon's heart skipped a beat. This was the first time he'd faced a creature with stats in the triple digits. The sheer power radiating from it made him question whether he could even survive the encounter, let alone win.

But now, with the beast looming before him, retreat wasn't an option. Confidence wavered, but there was no choice — he had to fight.

Horizon unsheathed his twin scimitars from their scabbards, the familiar hum of [Dragonbane] coursing through his nerves. He bet everything on this skill — doubling his attack damage against dragons while halving their blows on him.

His grip tightened as he locked eyes with the towering Nix dragon before him, its decaying form oozing malevolent power.

Wasting no time, Horizon lunged forward, the sharp ring of his blades cutting through the air. One dragon was fixated on him, every swipe of its massive claws met with the deadly arcs of his scimitars.

Meanwhile, the second Nix dragon turned its fury toward the fleeing Amberskins, slaughtering any who dared to approach the safety of the outcroppings.

Horizon's focus flickered for just a moment, seeing the Amberskins scrambled to get away from the Dragon's deadly breath.

He didn't linger away for long, though, as the Nix dragon snarled, its hollow eyes glowing with eerie necromantic energy.

Horizon crouched low when its tail swept over his head. The dragon lunged first, claws swiping with lethal speed. Horizon sidestepped, rolling under the attack. As he rose, his scimitars slashed across the dragon's bony legs, leaving deep gouges that leaked black smoke instead of blood.

The dragon roared in fury, whipping its tail toward Horizon with the force of a battering ram. He barely ducked in time, the wind from the tail strike whipping past his face.

Using the momentum, Horizon leaped into the air, twisting mid-jump. He landed on the dragon's back, driving his scimitars into the decayed scales.

–1747! Critical Hit!

Horizon clicked his tongue in frustration. A critical hit flashed across his eyes, the damage ticking into the four digits, but it barely made a dent in the Dragon's massive HP bar.

It was like trying to chip away at a mountain with a toothpick — impressive, but nowhere near enough.

The dragon bucked wildly. Horizon held firm, slashing again, this time aiming for the beast's exposed runes, but he could only ditched out critical damages and not instantly kill the Dragon.

The Nix dragon shrieked as the scimitars cut through the dark magic binding its soul, but it wasn't done yet. Opening its maw, the dragon let loose a wave of necrotic breath, the air sizzling with pure death.

Horizon jumped clear just in time, the breath barely grazing his armor, but he felt its chilling effect sap at his strength.

Gasping for breath, Horizon rushed forward, slashing through the dragon's wings just as it attempted to lift off. The beast let out an enraged snarl, whipping around. Its claws raked across his ribcage, and the force hurled him through the air like a ragdoll.

–1524! Critical Hit!

Pain exploded in his chest, ribs cracked under the impact. Grimacing, Horizon quickly downed two [Recovery Potions], gulping them down in one swift motion.

Horizon feared what would have happened if he didn't have [Dragonbane] which halved the attack of all Dragons to him. Just as he thought, the damage was still great even with his passive skill, and high CONS. 

With the potions his HP surged, his wounds closed, but he wasn't done yet. He popped open a vial of [Heaven's Blessing], the sacred liquid purging the necrotic energy coursing through him.

He couldn't afford to take any risks — not with a massive dragon as his foe. He had to be in top form to face the beast head-on.

Before he could move again to attack, Horizon suddenly heard a whisper — soft and haunting, like a sweet, deadly melody carried on the wind.

"Raise . . . the undead," the voice commanded, echoing in his mind, compelling Horizon with an unnatural force.

W–what's this?

A strange pull tugged at his mind. Was he . . . charmed?

Impossible!

His passive skill [Resolute] should have nullified it. He wasn't supposed to feel fear or fall under any charmed spell.

Yet, his thoughts clouded, and for a brief moment, he lost his control over his body.

Something was wrong, terribly wrong.