A chorus of unnatural screeches erupted around Karl and Celeste.The noise came from everywhere—rooftops, windows, and the very shadows themselves.The city, once eerily silent, now pulsed with movement.Dark shapes slithered through the dim glow of the streetlamps, their outlines flickering like ghosts.

Then, the system notifications appeared.

[Level 23 Hollow Striders]

Humanoid figures with elongated limbs emerged from the gloom, their bodies moving with disturbing, jerky motions.Their hollow eye sockets seemed to drink in the light, as if their very existence drained the energy around them.

[Level 24 Screeching Banshees]

Unlike the Striders, the second type of monster was airborne—small, bat-like creatures with grotesquely oversized mouths lined with rows of needle-like teeth.Their wings flapped in rapid, erratic beats, and their empty white eyes locked onto Karl and Celeste with unmistakable hunger.

Karl didn't hesitate.His arm snapped up, fingers crackling with energy as he uttered the command that would even the odds.

"Spirit Summoning."

The air shimmered.A pulse of ethereal light rippled outward as four figures took shape, materializing like shadows solidifying under the moonlight.

First came the [Verdant Dreadwolf], its emerald fur bristling as thorned vines lashed out like living whips.Its eyes gleamed with an eerie green glow, energy pulsating through its frame.

Beside it appeared the [Dire Duskfang], sleek and shadowy, its crimson-streaked coat flickering with spectral mist.Its body rippled with pent-up energy, claws digging into the pavement.

The [Duskforged Golem] landed next with an earth-shaking THUD, its obsidian frame wreathed in purple energy.The massive axe in its hand gleamed as if hungry for battle.

And finally, emerging in a low, assassin-like stance, twin daggers glinting in its clawed hands, was the [Shadow Assassin Lizard].Its scales blended into the darkness, its slit pupils locked onto the enemy with lethal precision.

Karl stood firm, observing his summoned creatures with quiet satisfaction.Four should be enough.

In a trial where dozens of other awakeners roamed the area, holding back was the smart choice.He couldn't afford to waste unnecessary energy, not when survival meant outlasting others.Until his summons were strong enough to endure heavy hits without crumbling, he wouldn't be reckless.

Besides, this was the perfect opportunity to see just how powerful his fused spirits truly were.

Celeste's eyes widened as she took in the new summons mid-battle."Wow… are these the fusioned ones?"

Karl grinned."You get a front-row seat for the show."

The Hollow Striders and Screeching Banshees, now fully aggroed, let out more inhuman noises.

"Skiriiiiiiiii—""Krakrkak—"

Then they lunged.

Some of the Striders threw themselves from rooftops and windows, their long, spindly limbs stretching unnaturally as they descended onto the street like living nightmares.Meanwhile, the Banshees remained airborne, their wings flapping furiously as they circled above, waiting for an opening.

Karl's gaze sharpened, counting their numbers."Twenty," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else."Should be good training for them."

He glanced at Celeste, who noticed the eager anticipation in his expression.Amused, she lowered her staff slightly but kept her [Mana Missiles] hovering around her, ready to fire at any moment.

Karl raised his [Spirit Gun], steadying his aim toward the flying creatures.He considered testing its power here, but the cost of each bullet—one entire spirit—made him hesitate.

'If only I had picked [Master of Training]...' he mused.If the Reaper's words were true, the Spirit Cemetery could grow and unlock new functionalities.Maybe one day, it would provide a sustainable source of spirits.

But for now, he had to work with what he had.And that meant making every shot count.

The Banshees shrieked in unison.Then they dove.

They attacked with sudden, chaotic movements, their grotesque mouths snapping hungrily as they aimed for Karl and Celeste's throats.

The [Shadow Assassin Lizard] reacted instantly.Its daggers flashed, slicing through the air as it intercepted a diving Banshee, cutting its leathery wing clean off.The creature screeched in agony before crashing to the ground, where the [Duskforged Golem] promptly crushed it underfoot.

At the same time, the [Verdant Dreadwolf] lashed out with its six thorned vines.They struck upward like serpents, piercing through the wings of two Banshees and violently yanking them down.As soon as they hit the ground, the vines pulsed, draining energy from their shrieking forms.

Karl's eyes gleamed, "It can do that?" he muttered, fascinated.His summons didn't usually have active skills, but perhaps some possessed hidden passives that weren't explicitly listed.

Meanwhile, the [Dire Duskfang] blurred into motion, it lunged, its spectral mist trailing behind it like a dark comet.The Hollow Striders barely had time to react before its claws tore through them, ripping into their hollow bodies like paper.

The [Duskforged Golem] took a different approach—sheer brute force.

Raising its massive shadow-axe, it swung in a wide arc, cleaving through three Striders at once.

Their bodies crumbled into dark mist before they could even retaliate.

Celeste, not wanting to remain idle, finally acted.

"[Mana Missiles]."

The spell streaked toward the sky, multiple glowing projectiles locking onto the remaining Banshees.

The magical detonations tore through their wings, sending them plummeting to the ground.

Karl saw his chance, raising his [Spirit Gun], he took careful aim at one of the remaining Banshees.

Bang!

The first shot went wide, vanishing into the darkness.

"Damn," he muttered, feeling the spirit cost of that wasted shot.

He adjusted, fired again.

This time, the bullet grazed a Banshee's wing, sending it spiraling but not quite finishing it off.

On his third attempt—Bang! Bang!—two bullets found their mark.

One struck a Banshee directly in its grotesque mouth, exploding its head on impact, while the second tore through another's chest, sending it crashing lifelessly onto the pavement.

Karl exhaled, his grip tightening around the gun.

Each bullet was undeniably powerful, but missing was costly, if he wanted to rely on this weapon, his accuracy needed improvement.

Within moments, the battle was over.

The street fell eerily silent once more, save for the dissolving remains of monsters.

Karl took a moment to assess his summons.

The Verdant Dreadwolf, despite its newfound draining ability, seemed untouched.

The Dire Duskfang looked equally fine, its mist pulsing stronger than ever.

The Duskforged Golem had tanked a few blows, but nothing serious.

Even the Shadow Assassin Lizard—which had taken on defensive duty—had managed to avoid injury.

They had fought far better than Karl expected.

Celeste sighed, stretching, "That wasn't bad at all."

Karl smirked, "Told you it'd be a good show."

Then—his gaze landed on something glowing.

Near the corpses of five fallen monsters, faintly shimmering fragments floated in the air.

He reached out, and they drifted toward his hand, vanishing upon contact.

[Fragments of Key Obtained: 5/25]

Karl frowned slightly, "Twenty-five per key…" He glanced at Celeste, "We need fifty total for both of us."

She nodded, understanding the unspoken meaning.

This was just the start, they had a long way to go before securing their spots.

Karl swiped his hand over the remaining spirit orbs, absorbing their energy.

As he did, he couldn't help but feel a rising sense of confidence.

His summons had proven their worth, this trial wouldn't be a problem for them.

And if the [Verdant Dreadwolf] had an energy-draining ability…

Who knew what else they were capable of?

He was looking forward to finding out.

"Let's keep moving," Karl said, eyes gleaming with determination, "We need to secure our keys before things get messy."

Celeste smiled, "Agreed."

Together, they stepped deeper into the city.

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