Chapter 20: The Champion

Jin exited the portal, reunited with Yoon-Ah and Ji-Hoon.

"Welcome back, Jin," Yoon-Ah said.

"What happened?" Ji-Hoon asked.

Jin's expression turned grim.

"I faced my inner demons," Jin said.

"And learned more about the entity."

Ji-Hoon's eyes widened.

"What entity?" Ji-Hoon asked.

"The one controlling the system," Jin replied.

"We need to find Joon-Oh," Yoon-Ah reminded.

"And stop the entity," Jin added.

The group nodded.

Their determination renewed.

[System Message]

_New Quest Update: Locate Joon-Oh._

_Current Location: Reality Fragment 7432._

"Let's move," Jin said.

Jin called out to his minions within his shadow.

"Ash, guide us."

Ash's voice echoed from the shadows.

"Yes, master. I sense a reality anchor nearby."

"A reality anchor?" Yoon-Ah repeated.

"Stabilizing the fragments," Jin explained.

Ji-Hoon's brow furrowed.

"But what's the cost?"

Jin's expression turned resolute.

"We'll face it together."

The group nodded.

United in their quest.

[System Message]

_Reality Anchor Detected._

_Stability Increased: +30%._

_New Location Unlocked: Reality Fragment 8941._

"Next stop," Jin said.

Jin, Yoon-Ah, and Ji-Hoon ventured into Reality Fragment 8941.

A world unlike any they'd seen.

Twisted landscapes stretched.

Distorted skies hung.

"Where are we?" Yoon-Ah asked.

"A reality fragment," Jin replied.

"But what does that mean?"

Jin turned to his shadow.

"Ash, call Xarath."

Xarath emerged.

His dark, ethereal form coalescing.

"Master," Xarath said.

"What are reality fragments?" Jin asked.

Xarath's expression turned solemn.

"Other worlds," Xarath replied.

"Parallel universes, torn apart by the entity's power," Jin added.

Xarath nodded.

"The entity's influence shatters realities and creates fragments."

Ji-Hoon's eyes widened.

"So, these fragments..."

"Are pieces of other worlds," Xarath said.

"Each with its own laws and inhabitants."

Yoon-Ah's gaze swept the landscape.

"This world is dying," Yoon-Ah said.

Xarath's nod was grave.

"Reality fragments are unstable, collapsing eventually."

Jin's determination hardened.

"We need to find Joon-Oh."

"And stop the entity."

Xarath's voice turned ominous.

"The entity's power grows with each fragment's collapse."

[System Message]

_Reality Fragment Stability: 40%._

_Collapse Imminent: Estimated 3 hours._

"We have to hurry," Jin said.

Their quest intensified as they navigated the treacherous landscape of Reality Fragment 8941.

Jin's eyes scanned the desolate landscape of Reality Fragment 8941. The sky hung like a twisted canvas, its colors bleeding into chaos. The air reeked of decay, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.

"We need to find Joon-Oh," Jin said, his voice urgent. "Every minute counts."

Yoon-Ah nodded, her determination evident. "I'll search the eastern sector. Ji-Hoon, you take the west. Jin, you—"

"I'll search with Xarath's guidance," Jin interrupted. "Ash, stay close to Yoon-Ah and Ji-Hoon. Protect them."

Ash's voice echoed from Jin's shadow. "Understood, master."

Xarath materialized beside Jin. "Master, I sense a resonance nearby. It might be Joon-Oh."

Jin's heart skipped a beat. "Lead the way."

As they ventured deeper into the fragment, the distortions intensified. Gravity warped, and time seemed to blur.

"What's happening?" Ji-Hoon's voice crackled over the comms device.

"Reality's unraveling," Xarath replied. "The fragment's collapse accelerates."

Yoon-Ah's voice was laced with concern. "We need to hurry. I've found signs of struggle...and blood."

Jin's grip on his sword tightened. "Stay vigilant. We don't know what's out there."

The landscape shifted, and Jin stumbled. Xarath's ethereal form steadied him.

"Master, focus," Xarath warned. "The resonance grows stronger."

A figure emerged in the distance.

Joon-Oh.

Jin's heart leapt.

But something was off.

Joon-Oh's eyes were vacant.

His movements mechanical.

"Joon-Oh!" Jin shouted, rushing toward him.

Joon-Oh didn't respond.

"Jin, wait!" Xarath cautioned.

Too late.

Jin reached Joon-Oh's side.

And was met with a cold, empty stare.

"Joon-Oh, it's me...Jin," Jin pleaded.

Joon-Oh's voice was a hollow echo.

"Jin...who?"

Jin's world crumbled.

[System Message]

_Reality Fragment Stability: 20%._

_Collapse Imminent: Estimated 1 hour._

"Xarath, what's happening?" Jin demanded.

Xarath's expression turned grim.

"The entity's influence...it's consumed Joon-Oh."

Yoon-Ah's voice crackled over the comms device.

"Jin, we've found something. A structure...it seems to be the source of the distortion."

Jin's eyes locked onto Joon-Oh's vacant stare.

"I'll get you back," Jin vowed.

"Together, we'll stop the entity."

Jin's determination ignited.

Jin's gaze lingered on Joon-Oh's vacant expression before turning to Xarath.

"Lead me to the distortion source," Jin ordered.

Xarath nodded, his dark form shifting.

"Follow me, master."

The group converged on the structure.

A twisted monolith piercing the sky.

Pulsating energy coursed through its core.

"This is it," Yoon-Ah said, her eyes narrowed.

"The source of the distortion."

Ji-Hoon's brow furrowed.

"But how do we infiltrate?"

Xarath's voice turned ominous.

"We'll need to navigate the entity's defenses."

Jin drew his sword.

"I'll take point."

Ash emerged from Jin's shadow.

"I'll scout ahead."

Ash vanished into the monolith's depths.

"Clear path," Ash's voice echoed.

"Proceed with caution."

The group entered the monolith.

Twisted corridors stretched before them.

Distorted illusions assaulted their minds.

"Focus," Jin warned.

"We can't afford to get lost."

Yoon-Ah's gaze locked onto Jin.

"I sense...another presence."

"A powerful one," Ji-Hoon added.

Xarath's expression turned grave.

"The entity's champion."

A figure emerged.

Tall, imposing.

Eyes blazing with malevolent energy.

"Greetings, mortals," it said.

"I am Vorgath, the Devourer."

Jin's grip on his sword tightened.

"We're not here to chat."

Vorgath smiled.

"Oh, but you are."

"You see, Jin...you're a curiosity."

"A relic from a bygone era."

Jin charged.

Their blades clashed.

Energy exploded.

The battle raged.

[System Message]

_Distortion Source Stability: 50%._

_Collapse Imminent: Estimated 30 minutes._

"Vorgath, you're holding us back," Yoon-Ah shouted.

"We need to reach the core."

Vorgath's laughter boomed.

"You think you can defeat me?"

"I am the entity's chosen."

Jin's determination burned.

"We'll see about that."

_Battle Status:_

Jin (Level 80)

HP: 80%

MP: 60%

Ash (Level 67)

HP: 90%

MP: 80%

Xarath (Level 62)

HP: 85%

MP: 75%

The air was electric with tension as Jin and Vorgath clashed swords. The champion's eyes blazed with fury, but Jin remained calm, his determination burning brighter with every passing moment.

"You're...stronger than expected," Vorgath admitted, his voice laced with surprise. "But still no match for me."

Jin's gaze turned icy. "I'll show you my true strength."

With a swift motion, Jin unleashed a wave of dark energy, summoning Ash, Xarath, and the other minions to his side. The undead warriors sprang into action, their movements a testament to Jin's mastery over the Necromancy.

Ash's shadowy form sliced through Vorgath's defenses, striking true and finding its mark. Xarath's dark energy assaulted the champion, weakening his resolve.

Vorgath stumbled, his confidence wavering. "No...this can't be," he muttered, his eyes wide with shock.

Jin seized the opening, striking with precision. Vorgath's sword shattered, the sound echoing through the distorted landscape.

"Impossible," Vorgath whispered, his voice laced with despair. "You've surpassed the entity's expectations."

Jin stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. "My power is my own. Not bound by expectations."

[System Message]

[ _Distortion Source Stability: 20%_ ]

[ _Collapse Imminent: Estimated 10 minutes_ ]

[ _Vorgath's Defenses: Shattered_ ]

Vorgath's eyes burned with a fierce determination. "With my last breath...I'll take you down."

The champion unleashed his ultimate, "Devouring Void." A dark vortex erupted, pulling Jin and his minions in.

"Master, beware!" Ash warned, his voice laced with concern.

Xarath's voice echoed, "The vortex is powerful, master. We must be cautious."

Jin's gaze never wavered. His Necromancy surged, the minions redoubling their efforts.

The battle raged on, energy exploding in a spectacular display. The outcome hung in the balance, Jin's determination the only constant.

"My lord," Xarath said, his voice filled with devotion. "We will not falter."

Ash nodded, his shadowy form quivering with anticipation. "We will protect you, master."

Jin's eyes blazed with resolve. "I will not lose."

_Battle Status_

Jin (Level 80)

HP: 40%

MP: 20%

Ash (Level 67)

HP: 60%

MP: 40%

Xarath (Level 62)

HP: 50%

MP: 30%

Vorgath (Level 70)

HP: 10%

MP: 0%

Jin charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. Vorgath, battered and bruised, stumbled backward.

"You...can't defeat me," Vorgath gasped.

Jin's eyes blazed. "I've already won."

With a swift strike, Jin ended the battle.

Vorgath crumpled, defeated.

[System Message]

[ _Vorgath Defeated_ ]

[ _Distortion Source Stability: 0%_ ]

[ _Collapse Imminent: Estimated 1 minute_ ]

Jin stood tall, victorious.

"My lord," Xarath said, his voice filled with reverence. "You have proven your strength."

Ash nodded, his shadowy form quivering with excitement. "We are proud to serve you, master."

Jin's gaze swept the distorted landscape.

"The distortion source...it's collapsing."

Yoon-Ah and Ji-Hoon rushed to Jin's side.

"Jin, we must leave now," Yoon-Ah urged.

Ji-Hoon nodded. "The distortion source's collapse will destroy this reality."

Jin nodded.

"Let's go."

As they escaped the collapsing reality, Jin felt a surge of energy.

[System Message]

[ _Level Up: 81_ ]

[ _Experience Points: 100,000_ ]

[ _Attributes Increased_ ]

[ _Strength: +5_ ]

[ _Agility: +5_ ]

[ _Intelligence: +5_ ]

Jin's eyes widened.

"I've leveled up."

Xarath's voice echoed.

"Congratulations, master."

Ash nodded.

"Your power grows."

Jin's determination hardened.

"I'll continue to grow stronger."

To protect his friends.

To defeat the entity.

The journey continued.