Andrey’s voice was strained as the tentacles tightened around him, but he forced the words out clearly.

"Morgana, this is critical. Can you help us?"

Morgana’s red eyes gleamed with loyalty and devotion as she met his gaze. Her voice was smooth and steady, carrying no hesitation.

"Master, you only need to command me. I will do whatever you ask."

Andrey’s mind raced as he assessed the situation. The Ebon Star was still focused on him, its tentacles coiled around his limbs. Hope was carving a path toward the core, but her movements were slowing. Sein was trading blows with the dark tendrils, her flames flickering.

"Morgana, I need you to create a distraction. Draw its attention away from me. Keep it busy long enough for me to break free and strike its core."

Morgana’s smile widened, a seductive confidence radiating from her. "A distraction? I can do more than that, Master. I can make it regret ever focusing on you."

She raised her hand, and violet energy crackled around her palm. Her tail swayed behind her, and when she spoke, her voice carried a playful, predatory edge.

"Come now, you oversized shadow. Let’s dance."

She launched herself at the Ebon Star, violet energy erupting from her body in a wave. The tentacles that had been holding Andrey loosened as the creature turned its attention toward the new threat.

Morgana moved with fluid grace, dodging and weaving through the tentacles as if she had been fighting them her entire life. Her hands blazed with violet light, and every strike she landed left a shimmering mark on the Ebon Star’s body—a mark that pulsed and spread, weakening the dark energy around it.

"My, my~ You’re quite persistent, aren’t you? But I’ve dealt with worse pests than you."

She ducked under a sweeping tentacle, pivoted, and drove her palm into the creature’s torso, sending a shockwave of violet energy through its body.

Andrey seized the opening. He activated Overdrive, his body surging with power, and shattered the remaining tentacles that held him. He landed on his feet, staff in hand, and sprinted toward the Ebon Star’s core.

"Hope! Now!"

Hope’s greatsword blazed with golden light as she swung it in a wide arc, carving a path through the remaining tentacles. "Radiant Judgment!"

The golden blade struck the Ebon Star’s torso, cracking the outer layer of corrupted flesh. Beneath it, the pulsing glow of the Laplace fragment was visible, beating like a second heart.

Sein was there a second later, flames roaring. "Crimson Cataclysm!" The fire exploded against the exposed core, widening the crack.

Sarah raised her wand high, pink energy gathering. "Heartstorm Apocalypse!" The column of pink light struck the core directly, and the Ebon Star convulsed, its shriek echoing through the chamber.

Lisa’s hands glowed as she cast Purifying Light, a beam of mint-green energy striking the exposed core and weakening its connection to the dark mana around it.

Andrey launched himself forward, staff extended, Ki blade blazing along its length. He drove it into the exposed core with all his strength.

The Laplace fragment shattered.

A shockwave of dark energy erupted from the Ebon Star’s body, and the creature let out a final, deafening shriek. Its form convulsed violently before collapsing inward, dissolving into a pool of black ichor that seeped into the cracks in the stone floor.

Silence fell over the chamber.

Andrey stood over the fading remains, his staff still extended, his breathing heavy. The Overdrive faded, and exhaustion washed over him, but he stayed upright.

The team gathered around him, their weapons lowered, their faces reflecting a mix of relief and exhaustion. The faint pulse of the Laplace fragment had gone silent, its dark energy scattering into nothing.

The System window appeared in front of them.

System: Hidden Boss Defeated!

Ebon Star – Eliminated.

Laplace Soul Fragment #2 Acquired.

Performance Rating: S+

Rewards Calculating...

Andrey Thompson:

+5000 EXP | Level 79 → Level 83!

Ki Manipulation Lv20 → Lv22 (Ki flow efficiency +140%, Ki Pulse range and damage significantly increased).

Damage Absorb capacity increased to 30 hits.

Overdrive cooldown reduced: 1.5 minutes → 1 minute.

New Passive Unlocked: Dark Resistance – Reduces damage from dark and shadow-based attacks by 30%.

Sarah Chen:

+5000 EXP | Level 74 → Level 78!

Heartstorm Apocalypse damage increased by 30%.

Pink Nova upgraded (now also reduces the target’s dark resistance by 15% for 10 seconds).

New Passive Unlocked: Aura Sense – Sarah can now sense the presence of dark-aligned entities within a 100-meter radius.

Lisa Sadine:

+5000 EXP | Level 74 → Level 78!

Aegis of Dawn upgraded (now reflects 45% of physical damage, +25% resistance to elemental attacks).

Gentle Radiance healing increased by 30%.

New Passive Unlocked: Purifier’s Touch – Lisa’s healing spells now cleanse dark corruption effects from allies.

Sein Alphis:

+5000 EXP | Level 74 → Level 78!

Crimson Cataclysm upgraded (damage increased by 25%, burning ground duration increased to 35 seconds).

Relentless Flame max stack increased to 22.

New Passive Unlocked: Blazing Heart – When Sein’s HP drops below 30%, her flames deal 50% bonus damage for 15 seconds.

Morgana:

+5000 EXP | Level 1 → Level 31!

Violet Dusk Mastery Lv1 → Lv4 (damage output +25%, attack speed +15%, violet attacks have 10% chance to apply Dark Mark, reducing target’s defense by 10% for 8 seconds).

New Skills Unlocked: Shadow Embrace – Immobilizes a target for 4 seconds, increasing all damage taken by 20%. Cooldown: 30 seconds. Demonic Resilience – Morgana regenerates mana 30% faster when near corrupted entities or dark-aligned enemies. Gains 10% damage reduction when HP falls below 40%. Alluring Presence – Enemies within 10 meters have focus and accuracy reduced by 10%. Humanoid enemies are 15% more likely to target her instead of allies.

Team Bonus: +600 Affection Points, +550 Mana Points.

System: The Laplace Soul Fragment has been safely secured. All trapped heroes have been freed. The gate will now begin to stabilize and collapse. Please exit the gate within the next 10 minutes.

Andrey let out a long breath, the tension finally leaving his shoulders. "We’re done."

Lisa let out a soft sigh of relief, her barrier finally fading. "Everyone’s safe..."

Sarah floated down, landing beside them, her wand dimming. "That thing was insane. I never want to fight something like that again."

Sein cracked her neck, a tired but satisfied grin on her face. "Speak for yourself. That was actually fun."

Hope sheathed her greatsword, offering a small smile. "We should head back. The gate is collapsing."

Andrey nodded, turning toward the exit. "Let’s go home."

As Andrey turned to leave the chamber, he felt a soft, warm pressure against his side. Morgana pressed herself against him, her body flush against his arm, her tail curling lightly around his waist. Her voice was low, almost possessive, as she whispered near his ear.

"Master... you were wonderful tonight. Truly magnificent."

She let out a soft, contented hum, her hand resting on his chest. "What a pity we have to go back to reality so soon... I would have loved to continue celebrating our victory somewhere more... private."

Lisa’s face went red. Sarah crossed her arms, a mix of embarrassment and frustration flickering across her face. Sein just rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath about "demons having no shame."

Hope cleared her throat, her cheeks slightly pink. "Ahem. Perhaps we should focus on leaving the gate first."

Andrey gently but firmly peeled Morgana off him, his voice steady. "Not now, Morgana. We still need to report to the Association."

Morgana pouted, her tail curling in disappointment, but she relented. "Hmph. I suppose I can be patient. But I expect proper compensation later."