Exo-Arcana Online

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Hoshigari's voice boomed across the battlefield, infused with unwavering determination.

"EXO ABILITY, ACTIVATE: OVERCLOCK!"

Glowing blue and yellow circuit markings etched and spread around his eyes like pulsating veins of raw energy.

[Overclock Exo Ability Activated!]

[Enhanced Perception!]

[Enhanced Focus!]

[Enhanced Speed!]

[Enhanced Reflexes!]

[Infinite Stamina!]

...

[Time Duration: 4:99]

[Time Duration: 4:98]

[Time Duration: 4:97]

[Time Duration: 4:96]

...

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A newfound surge of power coursed through Hoshigari's body, his senses sharpening to near superhuman levels. To him, time itself felt slowed, every movement of his enemy calculated and dissected in mere moments. His gaze locked onto Vhalzakyr's descending greatsword, analyzing the best course of attack with inhuman precision. Then, he moved.

A blur of motion, Hoshigari dashed into Vhalzakyr's guard. With his left hand, he unleashed Ebonflame Skill: Phoenix Wing Impact, while simultaneously plunging his Spark Light Shooter Handgun deep into Vhalzakyr's gut. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger, unloading point-blank rounds of electrified energy into his foe.

"THIS IS FOR BREAKIN' HOWITZER!" he roared, his voice burning with righteous fury. The combined force of fire and lightning exploded upon impact, launching Vhalzakyr backward.

Yukihikari stood momentarily stunned by the sheer ferocity of the attack, while Yukinox watched in awe, admiration sparking in his eyes.

"I'm gettin' bored! Done playin' from the sidelines! Done playin' it safe! It'll only take five minutes! FIVE MINUTES TO BEAT YOUR RIGHTEOUS POMPOUS ASS!"

With a defiant grin, Hoshigari flipped both his Ebonflame and Spark Light Shooter, gripping them by their barrels as he wielded them like a pair of dual shortswords.

Vhalzakyr, shaken but resolute, forced himself upright, gripping his greatsword and falling into a battle-ready stance.

"LEMME SHOW YA WHAT MELEE MASTER REALLY MEANS!"

Both warriors lunged at each other with blinding speed, the battlefield shaking with their clash.

"RANGER DUAL-WIELD PISTOL SKILL: PISTOL WHIP RUSH!"

Hoshigari struck with a relentless barrage of pistol-whip attacks, his movements fluid, precise, and devastatingly fast. Vhalzakyr retaliated with powerful greatsword slashes, each one capable of leveling the ground, yet Hoshigari weaved through them effortlessly—dipping, dodging, and shifting like a ghost.

As a horizontal greatsword sweep nearly cut through him, Hoshigari bent backward in a gravity-defying dodge—a perfect matrix-style weave—before springing up and delivering a lightning-charged pistol whip directly to Vhalzakyr's chest.

Capitalizing on the opening, he pivoted mid-motion and slammed another Phoenix Wing Impact into Vhalzakyr's gut, sending the towering warrior skidding backward.

But Hoshigari didn't relent.

With masterful dexterity, he reloaded his Spark Light Shooter, unloading a relentless volley of magma and lightning bullets toward his foe. Vhalzakyr was forced into a defensive stance, raising his greatsword to block the onslaught.

Seizing the moment, Hoshigari channeled his next attack. Flames and molten energy spiraled around his gun as he activated Ebonflame Skill: Thermal Ignition Shot.

The charged shot screamed through the battlefield, piercing through Vhalzakyr's greatsword and piercing through his chest with explosive force. The impact sent the mighty warrior staggering, his body wracked with immense damage.

Hoshigari smirked. "That hurt didn't it?~"

Without missing a beat, he sprinted forward, leaped into the air, and—grabbing onto Vhalzakyr's head—drove a crushing knee strike into his face. The force cracked the ground beneath them.

Then, in one fluid motion, he spun mid-air and delivered a devastating tornado kick, sending Vhalzakyr tumbling violently to the ground.

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As Hoshigari landed back on the ground, he flipped his pistols once again, readying for another Pistol Whip Strike.

"Did that widdle kick huwrt the big bad ghost knight?~" Hoshigari mocked with a confident grin.

Vhalzakyr, using his greatsword as a crutch, slowly pushed himself back up before shifting into a battle-ready stance once more.

"Sigh... Of course, that ain't stoppin' you..." Hoshigari muttered in an annoyed yet semi-serious tone as he dashed forward to engage once more.

The battle intensified as he delivered his Ranger Dual-Wield Pistol Skill: Pistol Whip Rush again. His strikes landed with rapid precision, but Vhalzakyr retaliated with powerful greatsword slashes. The two clashed repeatedly, sparks flying as Hoshigari expertly parried and deflected some of the strikes.

Vhalzakyr attempted a wide sideways slash—Hoshigari jumped back just in time to evade. Undeterred, Vhalzakyr stepped forward and executed his signature FALL Strike, forcing Hoshigari to dash to the side. The ghostly knight immediately transitioned into a RISE Slash, the massive blade slicing upward with devastating force. Hoshigari barely managed to weave backward, narrowly dodging the attack.

Seizing the moment while Vhalzakyr's blade was raised high, Hoshigari rushed in, gritting his teeth with determination.

"RANGER DUAL-WIELD PISTOL SKILL: WEAPON ASSESSED, SHOCK FLAME IMPACT!"

He delivered a thunderous dual Pistol Whip Strike, imbued with fire and lightning, directly into Vhalzakyr's chest. The impact sent a surge of power through the knight's spectral form, staggering him.

But then—

ZZZSSSSSRRRT!!!!---

"AAAAGGGHH! MY HEAD! THE HUD!"

Yukihikari, Yukinox, and the recovered Noctatsu watched in shock as Hoshigari suddenly clutched his head.

His Overclock duration had reached zero. The backlash hit instantly—his HUD scrambled for five agonizing seconds.

"WORST! TIMING! EVER!" he grunted in frustration and anger.

Unfortunately, for Hoshigari, this brief vulnerability was all Vhalzakyr needed.

"Ye... will... falter..."

The ghostly knight steadied himself, his grip tightening around his greatsword.

"...FALL!"

Vhalzakyr swung his greatsword downward just as Hoshigari's HUD returned to normal.

"PISTOL WHIP PARRY!" Hoshigari reacted instantly, deflecting the strike.

TWING!

...

"FALL!"

"PISTOL WHIP PARRY!" He parried the strike again.

TWING!

...

"FALL!"

"PARRY!" He deflected the strike once more.

TWING!

...

"FALL!"

"JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!" Hoshigari growled, deflecting the attack once more.

TWING!

...

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But suddenly, an eerie aura radiated from Vhalzakyr's ghastly form, forcing Hoshigari to a complete stop. His body froze in place, his instincts screaming that something was very wrong.

"Wait, why is he just standing still?" Yukihikari, Yukinox, and the recovered Noctatsu thought in unison, confused by what they were witnessing.

Then—

"Impressive of ye, O Fateforger, for still standing before me even after thy relentless assault..."

"Huh? YOU STOPPED ME FOR SOME STORY LORE-RELATED DIALOGUE BULLSHIT?!" Hoshigari shouted in frustration.

Yukihikari, Yukinox, and Noctatsu—who had been taking cover behind tombstones, preparing buffs and enhancements—were just as bewildered as he was.

Vhalzakyr continued, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Ye deserve a well-earned rest... a rest I could never achieve."

Then, without warning, the ghostly knight muttered an incantation:

"Spectral Arms Binding."

From the ground, ghostly arms erupted, grabbing onto Hoshigari's legs, restraining him in place.

"THE HELL IS THIS NOW?!" he exclaimed, struggling against the spectral chains.

Yukihikari, Yukinox, and Noctatsu saw what was happening and immediately began rushing to his aid.

"Rest... in... peace..." Vhalzakyr intoned, raising his greatsword to the sky. Dark spectral energy crackled around the blade, coalescing into a massive surge of power.

Hoshigari desperately fired at the ghostly arms binding him, trying to break free. But then—

"SPLITTER SLASH!"

Vhalzakyr brought his greatsword crashing down, the energy splitting the ground beneath him.

"HOSHIGARI!!!"

The three shouted in unison.

...

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"SHUT THE HELL UP!!!" Hoshigari roared in defiance, as with precise shots, he shattered the spectral arms binding him, dispersing their ghostly grip. As Vhalzakyr's greatsword descended with the force of his Splitter Slash, Hoshigari reacted instantly, executing a powerful but risky double pistol whip parry.

[Ebonflame - Durability: 65/100]

[Spark Light Shooter - Durability: 45/100]

[Health: 65/130]

The clash reverberated through the battlefield, stunning not only Vhalzakyr but also his watching allies.

"I TOLD YA, DIDN'T I?! 5 MINUTES!-"

Flames erupted from the chamber of his Ebonflame Desert Eagle, forming fiery wings as a small jet-black sphere of dark energy materialized at the barrel's end. Hoshigari locked onto the staggered Vhalzakyr, his stance firm, his aim unshaken.

"-5 MINUTES TO BEAT YOUR RIGHTEOUS POMPOUS ASS!"

The Ebonflame's chamber rang with a resonating hum, signaling the skill's peak readiness.

"Now... EAT IT WHOLE, ASSHOLE!" he bellowed, his voice carrying both frustration and unbreakable determination.

With a decisive pull of the trigger, he unleashed his ultimate technique. "SOAR, DARK PHOENIX!!"

The blazing bullet surged forward, merging with the dark sphere at the muzzle's tip. As they fused, the bullet transformed—expanding, shifting, and taking shape. The dark phoenix, wreathed in black flames, erupted into existence, streaking toward its target with relentless fury.

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Vhalzakyr instinctively attempted to evade, but his retreat was cut off. From the left, Yukihikari struck with a Spear Striker Skill: Draconic Lance. From the right, Yukinox lunged with his Longsword Warrior Skill: Straight Piercer. And from behind, Noctatsu's Tongue Whip lashed around Vhalzakyr's neck, choking him and pulling him back.

"YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" they roared in unison.

Trapped, Vhalzakyr could only watch as the Dark Phoenix bore down upon him. It struck him dead center, engulfing him in its fiery embrace before launching skyward, dragging him along its searing path. The four warriors watched as their threatening adversary was carried into the cemetary's sky—

Then the Dark Phoenix detonated and exploded in a red and black supernova.

The explosion illuminated the battlefield, sending waves of black and crimson fire cascading in every direction. The force of the blast was undeniable, and when the smoke cleared, there was no trace of Vhalzakyr.

The battle was done... it was finally over.

Vhalzakyr had finally fallen... 

[VHALZAKYR, THE RESTLESS REVENANT - UNIQUE WORLD BOSS SLAIN!]

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Hoshigari exhaled, his weapon still raised, his chest rising and falling with exhaustion and triumph.

"Panting IT'S FINALLY OVER! HOLY HELL!"

Noctatsu hopped back onto his shoulder and sat down, catching his breath. "Indeed, I feel tired and relieved as well..."

Yukinox steadied himself as he walked before plopping onto the ground, heavily panting. "Haha... See? I was right! Haha... Told you I'd have an amazing time playing alongside you!"

Yukihikari placed her hands on her knees, sighing in relief. "After all this time... the very first sighted Unique World Boss has been seen and even defeated. I really can't believe we did that! Oh my god!"

As she looked at Hoshigari, her mind raced. "So... that's how skilled Akito is... It was neither a fluke nor a lie... I might need to send him a friend request to be on good terms with him."

The battlefield transformed before their eyes. The eerie cemetery faded, its haunting gravestones dissolving into mist as the fog lifted, revealing nothing more than a cavernous chamber. The oppressive atmosphere that once loomed over them had vanished, replaced by an almost tranquil silence. At the heart of the cave stood a lone tombstone, the final resting place of their fallen foe.

They turned to see a spectral figure emerging from the tombstone—Vhalzakyr, now radiating a calm, ethereal glow of green and white.

"Fateforgers who have freed me from my torment... I ask for thy presence before I depart..." Vhalzakyr's voice echoed softly.

Still in awe, they stepped forward, standing before the tranquil spirit of the once-mighty world boss.

"For severing the chains that bound me, for proving your might in battle, and for granting me the peace I longed for... I bestow upon thee rightful and righteous rewards. My gratitude knows no bounds, and now, I may finally rest in peace."

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[UNIQUE WORLD BOSS DEFEAT - QUEST REWARDS]

[Gained - +50,000 XP]

[Level 17 >>> Level 33 (LEVEL UP!)]

[Ranger Level 19 >>> Ranger Level 30 (LEVEL UP!)]

[Fixer Level 13 >>> Fixer Level 25 (LEVEL UP!)]

[Gained - 6,000,000,000 Creds]

[Gained - +100 SP]

[Gained - +30 Shattered Spectral Armor Pieces {Material}]

[Gained - +15 Ethereal Essence {Material}]

[Gained - Tall Tales of Vhalzakyr (Tome)]

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Their eyes widened in disbelief as the sheer magnitude of their rewards set in. Before they could fully process their windfall, Vhalzakyr's voice commanded their attention once more.

"I ask thee... show me one or two weapons or equipment thou desireth restored or enhanced by my power. This is my final gift to thee."

Hoshigari leaned toward Yukinox, whispering, "What's he asking for?"

"I have no idea," Yukinox muttered back.

Yukihikari sighed. "He wants us to pick one or two weapons or pieces of gear for him to restore or upgrade."

"Ohh..." The two finally understood.

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Yukihikari stepped forward first, placing a broken spear—one that had been dear to her—along with a pair of agility-enhancing arm bracers onto the ground.

Vhalzakyr extended his hand, spectral and ethereal energy flowing into the items. The broken spear gleamed as it was restored to its former glory—[Winged Valkyrie (Exotic)]. Meanwhile, the bracers shimmered and transformed into [Spectral Bracers (Unique)].

"Unique Rarity...?" she mused, examining them.

"Probably even rarer than Exotic," Hoshigari remarked.

Yukihikari inspected the bracers closely. "It raised the agility boost by +20, making it +50 total. This is incredible!"

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Next, Yukinox placed down the cores of his Zenith Mecha for an upgrade and his 1CE 83RG Mecha for restoration. Spectral flames surged as the 1CE 83RG was restored to pristine condition, while his Zenith Mecha evolved into [Eidolon Zenith (Unique)]. Now, ethereal and spectral flames seeped from every pore of the towering machine.

"HELLA SWEEEET! My 1CE 83RG IS LOOKIN' BRAND NEW! AND MY ZENITH JUST GOT AN UPGRADE!"

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"Good for you," Hoshigari said before turning to Noctatsu. "Your turn, buddy."

"Are you sure, sir?" Noctatsu asked meekly.

"You earned it."

"Alright then, sir!" Noctatsu complied, hopping off Hoshigari's shoulder.

He carefully removed his scarf for restoration and placed his ninjato down for an upgrade. Vhalzakyr's energy surged through them, restoring the scarf to pristine condition while the ninjato transformed into [Wraithpiercer (Unique)].

Noctatsu spun the blade before smoothly sheathing it. "Aye, my blade feels more powerful and deadlier than ever."

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Hoshigari stepped forward, placing only his broken Howitzer before Vhalzakyr. "This is all I need restored."

Vhalzakyr observed him for a long moment, sensing the warrior's unyielding determination. "Ney! For being the fateforger who finally put thy soul to rest, thou hast rightfully earned more than restoration. Thou shall receive an upgrade as well."

"Really?" Hoshigari thought, stunned.

The spectral energy coiled around the air, lifting the Howitzer as it was infused with Vhalzakyr's lingering might. The others watched in amazement as the weapon's form shifted, sleek and refined, ethereal flames seeping from its metallic green surface. It no longer resembled a simple firearm; it had become something far more unique, [Viridian Coffin (Unique)]

"It is done, o' worthy fateforger."

The weapon floated gently back into Hoshigari's hands. He inspected it, the name engraved upon its frame.

"Huh... Viridian Coffin, huh?"

Noctatsu studied it curiously. "I sense an immense power seeping through your weapon, sir."

Hoshigari grinned, gripping it tightly. "Yeah... I can feel it too."

As Vhalzakyr stood before them, his spectral form flickering with the last remnants of his tether to the mortal plane, he spoke once more, his voice a solemn echo in the cavern.

"O' fateforgers... I thank thee for granting me the rest I have long sought. My suffering ends at last, and I shall now depart the world of the living. But before I take my final leave, I must impart upon thee a grave truth..."

The four listened intently as a foreboding chill ran through the air, his next words carving themselves into their very souls.

"Thou must search for and finally take down the Entity..."

A silent pause hung between them before three of the four adventurers muttered in unison, their voices uncertain yet filled with an unshakable curiosity and dread.

"The Entity...?"

Noctatsu remained quiet, observing with his usual composed demeanor, but his narrowed eyes spoke volumes. Before any of them could ask for further clarification, Vhalzakyr simply gave a knowing nod and began ascending into the air, his form glowing brilliantly.

"Now I shall take my leave... Fare-thee-well, righteous fateforgers..."

With those final words, the great revenant's form shot upward, becoming a brilliant beam of green and white light that pierced through the cavern's ceiling, illuminating the once-dark chamber as he transcended into the afterlife. The illusion of the graveyard faded entirely, leaving behind only the cavern and his lone tombstone. Silence reigned, but only for a moment.

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A loud, reverberating chime shattered the stillness, signaling the arrival of something inevitable.

-[EXO-ARCANA WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT!]-

[UNIQUE WORLD BOSS; Vhalzakyr, The Restless Revenant, HAS BEEN DEFEATED!]

[THE EXO-ARCANA WORLD HAS PROGRESSED!!!]

The three standing adventurers—Hoshigari, Yukinox, and Yukihikari—felt their stomachs drop as they shared a collective realization.

"Oh no..." they muttered, their eyes widening in apprehension. They already knew what was coming next.

[CONGRATULATIONS! Player Yukinox, Player Yukihikari from the Lamp Lyte clan, and Player Hoshigari, FOR DEFEATING THE UNIQUE WORLD BOSS; Vhalzakyr, The Restless Revenant!]

The notification was sent out across the entirety of Exo-Arcana Online, a message that ignited a storm of reactions across the world...

...

In a quiet café inside their clan building, Lamp0Lyte leisurely sipped on her coffee while browsing through her interface. As the notification flashed before her eyes, she choked and spat out her drink in a dramatic fashion, coughing violently.

"What the hell—?!"

...

Meanwhile, Feihong 601D3N, currently leading a team expedition, was enjoying a bag of chips when her screen lit up with the message. She barely had time to register what she read before he instinctively spat out her chips, nearly choking on them.

"Yuki! Are you kidding me?!"

Her teammates turned to her in alarm, only for their own devices to ping simultaneously, each of them going pale at the revelation.

...

In another part of the city, Tsuchi—known as Sushi Slice—was returning home from a family dinner when her phone vibrated. With casual curiosity, she pulled it out, glancing at the screen. The moment she read the words, she stopped dead in her tracks and yelled out in disbelief.

"HUUUUUUUHH?!"

Her family turned to her, startled, while nearby pedestrians gave her strange looks, but she couldn't care less.

...

Elsewhere, Maki—better known as Makidon—was deep in her school assignments, diligently writing away when a sudden ping disrupted her focus. She reached for her phone with mild disinterest, only for her eyes to widen to the size of saucers upon seeing the notification.

"WHAAAAAAT!?"

She practically jumped out of her chair.

...

Akito's two closest gaming friends, Itsuki and Tsubasa, were scrolling through their social feeds during break time when their notifications exploded. Simultaneously, they turned to each other, eyes wide with sheer disbelief.

"No freaking way…"

...

The four players who had witnessed Hoshigari's seemingly impossible speedrun of the False Starter Quest were left utterly dumbfounded, each of them staring at the notification in sheer disbelief.

Throughout the world of Exo-Arcana Online, guilds, factions, and independent players alike were in an uproar. The top-ranking clans erupted into heated discussions, stunned that three players had managed to take down the first-ever seen Unique World Boss. Message boards flooded with speculations, theories, and even skepticism. Some refused to believe it, others demanded proof, and many more simply gawked at the unprecedented achievement.

Over 100 million players worldwide now knew their names.

The attention, the fame, and the chaos that would follow?

Oh, they were going to have one hell of a field day for sure.

...

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[THE EXO-ARCANA WORLD HAS PROGRESSED!!!]

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