Meditation (Level 6) has increased to Meditation (Level 7).

Meditation (Level 7) has increased to Meditation (Level 8).

"Worth it," Colm muttered, rubbing his head as he stood up.

As he did, a voice called out from behind him.

"Hey, Colm—my turn to relieve you from duty."

Colm turned and nodded. "Thanks. Didn't see much—just a couple of crabs, but that was it."

The man nodded in acknowledgment, and with that, Colm dismissed his phantoms as he made his way back toward the caravan.

As he approached, he saw the adventurers gathered around a central bonfire, their laughter and chatter carrying through the night. It's been a while since I've had a bonfire at the beach, he thought, smiling.

Spotting an empty spot next to Grant, Colm took a seat and spoke up. "How's it going, Grant?"

Grant grinned. "Pretty good. We've just been relaxing while the craftsmen do their thing and gather whatever they need."

Colm nodded, glancing toward the shoreline. During his shift, he had watched several people digging in the sand or scavenging along the water's edge, though he wasn't entirely sure what they were looking for.

"Any idea what they're collecting?" he asked.

Grant shrugged. "Honestly? Not entirely sure either," he said with a chuckle. "I know some plants grow along the shoreline, and sometimes things wash up that could be valuable. There are also these tiny insects in the sand—apparently useful for making potions. But that's about all I know."

"Interesting," Colm murmured. I wonder how they figured out what's useful and what's not… His thoughts drifted. Trial and error, I guess.

He let the thought pass as his eyes settled on the bonfire, warmth flickering across his face. He couldn't help but smile as he listened to the surrounding conversations and the roaring laughter that echoed around the camp.

Across the fire, Levi, the adventurer Colm had relieved earlier, was playfully arguing with a childhood friend—someone he had been through it all with. From getting their classes to delving into Echoes together, their bond had clearly been forged through countless experiences.

Apparently, they had made a bet on how many monsters they'd encounter on this trip—Levi had lost, and he wasn't taking it well.

The adventurers' laughter, the crashing waves, the scavengers combing the shore for natural resources—it all felt so simple and authentic, Colm thought.

His gaze drifted to a group of caravan members working together, digging at a particular spot along the shore, then back to Levi and his friend, still caught up in their playful antics.

Colm's smile lingered, unbidden, as he took it all in.

"INCOMING!"

The distant shout jolted Colm into action. He sprang to his feet, his heart already hammering. After the antics at the campsite had settled, he had wandered toward the shoreline, seeking a quiet moment for himself among the rocks.

Without hesitation, he turned toward the campsite and activated Phantom Warrior and Phantom Spearman.

As he neared the main group, he saw the adventurers forming a defensive line at the entrance to the outlet. Then, his gaze locked onto the approaching threat.

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Undead.

Not one. Not two. Not even a handful.

But a horde. All converging on their position.

"Fuck," someone muttered to his left. Colm turned and saw Don, staring in disbelief at the mass of rotting bodies surging toward them.

The situation was tense, but Colm felt oddly calm.

He exhaled, flexing his fingers. This should be easy.

Stepping forward with Carver and Lance, Colm took the front, moving without hesitation while the others stood frozen—stunned by the sheer numbers before them.

"I'll handle the bulk of them," he said, locking eyes with Don. "Can you organize the others to take care of any stragglers that get by?"

Don nodded, his expression hardening. "Aye. Consider it done."

"YOU HEARD HIM!" Don bellowed. "Mages, over here! Form a line and provide long-range support!" A few stepped forward, positioning themselves as directed.

Don continued, "Melee fighters—protect the mages! Don't let anything get too close. We cannot risk infection."

His gaze swept over the group. "Be cautious. Be smart. They may be low-level, but there are too many of them to be careless."

Colm nodded in satisfaction. With the group moving into formation, he made his next decision and activated Phantom Archer.

Robin materialized beside him, spectral bow in hand. If there was ever a time for additional support, it was now. The tier-up bonus had granted Robin an area-of-effect ability, and Colm intended to use it.

I can't let too many slip by, he thought grimly.

His mental command rang clear:

Carver. Lance. Robin. Don't let them through. Protect the caravan.

The phantoms nodded solemnly, and in the blink of an eye, Carver and Lance charged forward.

The clash was instantaneous.

Colm couldn't help but smile.

Colm clenched his fist, reveling in the power of his phantoms. But as his gaze swept over the undead, a wave of anger rose within him, burning hot and unrelenting.

They're vile.

His jaw tightened, his grip flexing. They don't belong here.

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A glance toward the caravan revealed pale, terrified faces—merchants and envoys alike, frozen in fear at the unstoppable wave of undead bearing down on them.

I can make a difference. Here. Now.

Shifting his focus back to the battle, Colm watched as Carver's and Lance's weapons flared with their signature glows—Ripping Cleave and Piercing Thrust activating in tandem.

And in mere moments, dozens of undead were cut down as tidal attuned waves carved through the brittle corpses.

Undead Walker (Level 12) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 8) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 7) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

…

Undead Walker (Level 7) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

As Colm hung back, he and Robin picked off the undead that managed to slip past Carver and Lance's onslaught. Robin's deadly precision was quick and efficient, leaving Colm with little to do.

Sensing a lull in the battle, he turned to Robin. "Try that new ability of yours—Phantom Volley. I want to see it in action."

Robin gave a silent nod, raised its bow, and fired a glowing arrow high into the air. The projectile arced above the horde before shimmering and shattering into dozens of smaller arrows, each one raining down in a deadly barrage.

"Holy shit," Colm muttered, eyes widening as the ability continued for two full seconds, unleashing wave after wave of spectral arrows. When the volley finally ended, all that remained were piles of corpses littering the battlefield.

"That's incredible," he murmured, taking in the devastation.

His gaze shifted to the outlet's entrance, scanning the terrain. We're lucky this is a natural funnel… if the undead had more angles to attack from, we'd have been overrun before we even knew it.

A quick glance over his shoulder revealed groups of adventurers watching the battle unfold. Occasional spells soared into the horde, wiping out clusters of undead, but the bulk of the fight remained in Carver, Lance, and Robin's hands.

Seems like the phantoms are handling most of it—barely anything is slipping through. Man, they're efficient.

Just as he considered where to focus next, a shout rang out.

"BEHIND US! THEY'RE COMING FROM THE WATER!"

Colm whipped around, eyes locking onto outcroppings of creatures crawling out of the ocean.

"Oh, shit," he breathed, the situation shifting in an instant.

He turned to the other adventurers. "LET'S GO! I'LL HAVE MY PHANTOMS HOLD THE FRONT!"

With a silent understanding, Colm sprinted toward the beach, yelling over his shoulder, "I'll leave this to you three—don't let any through!"

He arrived beside Levi, who stood tense, his grip tight around his weapon.

Colm barely caught the muttered words under Levi's breath.

"Should've picked a fucking mage," the man whispered, barely audible.

Colm couldn't help but agree. Yeah, I can see how being up close to the undead is terrifying.

Turning his focus to the oncoming horde, Colm immediately noticed something off.

There are fewer of them… but they look different.

The grotesque, bloated figures shambled forward, barnacles clinging to rotting flesh, seaweed tangled around exposed bones.

For lack of a better term, they look… oceanified.

Undead Mariner (Level 24)

"Shit," he muttered under his breath before raising his voice. "They're higher level!" A tense silence stretched across the group, broken only by the endless groans of the undead.

The ten adventurers stood frozen, watching as the shambling horrors drew closer. More notifications flared in Colm's vision.

Undead Walker (Level 7) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 3) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Undead Walker (Level 4) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

…

Undead Walker (Level 10) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Carver, Lance, and Robin are putting in the work, Colm thought as he glanced to his side. The other adventurers stood tense, weapons ready, but no one was moving. He dismissed the notifications, focusing on what was in front of him entrusting his phantoms to cover the rear. Right now, his fight was about to begin.

Guess expecting a quiet trip makes it harder to react when the fight actually comes to you.

Surprisingly, Colm felt calm, handling the situation far better than most. Probably helps that I don't have to worry about getting infected.

Stepping forward, he cracked his neck. "Well, in that case… let's have some fun."

And with a yell, he charged.

"LET'S FUCKING GO!"

A loud crunch echoed through the battlefield as Colm slammed into the nearest Undead Mariner, his enhanced strength shattering bone on impact. The force of the collision sent both of them crashing to the ground.

Undead Mariner (Level 20) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Colm exhaled sharply. That was dumb. Wasn't thinking about anything except obliterating it.

Then a grin split across his face.

But that was fun. Forget being a caster right now—let's fucking brawl.

He burst forward, closing the gap with the next Mariner in an instant. With all his strength, he swung—cleaving its head clean off its body.

Undead Mariner (Level 27) Defeated. No Experience Gained.

Colm's chest rose and fell with exhilarated breaths. "Why. Is. This. So. Fun?" he muttered between strikes, each punch connecting with a sickening force.

Not having to worry about infection, combined with his enhanced strength, effortlessly crushing bone, made unarmed combat thrilling. His grin widened, blood dripping from his knuckles.

He focused solely on the undead horde, occasionally unleashing Wavebound Surge when too many swarmed him at once.

Okay—fists mixed with magic is fantastic. Just as he had that thought a notification blurred into his vision.

Skill Acquired

Unarmed Combat (Level 1) – Through instinct and battle experience, you have learned how to fight effectively without weapons. Your strikes hit with greater force, and your movements flow more naturally, allowing for improved precision and control in close-quarters combat. This is just the beginning—further refinement will unlock greater efficiency and devastating techniques.

Colm grinned, feeling a subtle shift in his attacks. The onslaught continued, but Colm's breath steadied, his mind unwavering.

Jab. Dodge. Jab. Repeat.

The fight fell into a rhythm, his body moving instinctively, each strike hitting with perfect precision.

From the corner of his eye, he caught glimpses of the other adventurers fighting their way through the horde, emboldened by his opening charge.

And Colm couldn't help but grin.

"I feel fucking alive."

[ Status ]

Name: Colm Arden

Race: Morvyn

Level: 65

Health: 1450 / 1450

Mana: 380 / 720

Strength: 70 (84)

Dexterity: 75 (90)

Intelligence: 120 (144)

Constitution: 121 (145)

Bonded Weapon: Abyssal Ledger (Tier 3, Level 4)

Weapon Ability: Abyssal Lance (Tier 3, Level 4)

Attunement: Tide

Attunement Abilities:

- Rising Current (Level 6)

- Wavebound Surge (Level 5)

Class: Spirit Warden (Tier 5)

Specialization: Resonance

Active Class Abilities:

- Phantom Warrior (Tier 2, Level 2) [Carver]

- Phantom Spearman (Tier 2, Level 1) [Lance]

- Phantom Archer (Tier 2, Level 1) [Robin]

- Empty

- Empty

Passive Class Abilities:

- Lingering Vitality (Tier 2, Level 10)

- Spectral Persistence (Level 10)

- Phantom Sacrifice (Level 10)

- Empty

- Empty

Skills:

- Analyze (Level 7)

- Stealth (Level 7)

- Pain Resistance (Tier 2, Level 1)

- Hardened Skin (Level 8)

- Slash Resistance (Level 7)

- Spear Mastery (Level 10)

- Sprint Mastery (Level 10)

- Poison Resistance (Level 6)

- Stun Resistance (Level 5)

- Dual Wielding (Level 4)

- Infection Resistance (Tier 3, Level 10)

- Heightened Instincts (Level 3)

- Meditation (Level 8)

- Unarmed Combat (Level 1)

Achievements:

- Through the Rift

- Champion of the Lucent Grove

- Bane of the Undead

- Echo Sprinter I

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