The illusion had stopped holding back.
Noel stood on uneven ground, blood running slowly down his forearm. The injury was shallow, but annoying. His breathing was steady, but deeper now. Each wave chipped away at him—not just physically, but mentally.
[Wave 17]
Two enemies stepped into view—humanoid, lean, and fast. Each held a long spear tipped with glowing blue crystal. They didn't growl, didn't charge. They waited. Studying him.
Noel gripped Revenant Fang tighter.
'They're not normal beasts anymore.'
One lunged without warning. Noel dropped to a crouch, letting the spear pass over him, then slashed across the attacker's thigh. The illusion stumbled back, but the second moved in immediately, spear aimed at his side.
He spun and cast.
"Frost Wall."
A slanted barrier of ice erupted between them, redirecting the strike. Noel stepped onto the wall mid-formation and leapt over it, landing behind his first attacker.
"Fire Arc."
