[Filler Chapter]

[Leonel, Isolde, Roz, Avaris, Lethargia]

Niccoli's teeth were gritting as he declared, "It's not enough just to make you suffer and kill you. I will make you an undead and kill you many times over, each death more grotesque than the last!"

A sinister wave of necrotic magic swept over the cemetery, but Leonel repelled it once more with his shield.

He didn't like the sound of being turned into an undead and be killed many times over. That's for sure. Even in a game the idea was repulsive. When roused to battle, Niccoli unleashed cruelty and overwhelming force. His childlike fury, almost amusing if not for the onslaught of necromantic spells, tore through both body and mind.

When roused to battle, Niccoli unleashed cruelty and overwhelming force. His childlike fury, almost amusing if not for the onslaught of necromantic spells, tore through both body and mind.

With a genius intellect, Niccoli was prepared for nearly any combat scenario, as long as he wasn't in the throes of a tantrum.

Becoming a lich wasn't merely about eternal life for Niccoli; it was to prove a point. And that point couldn't be made by lurking in a lair, waiting for enemies.

The lich child reveled in bringing the fight to his enemies, relishing in demonstrating his hard-earned power by obliterating hapless creatures with unstoppable magic.

Though prone to leaving survivors, Niccoli ensured they bore enough scars to ensure they'd never willingly cross paths again.

After all, how could one truly appreciate the lich child's strength if there were no witnesses left to speak of it?

When truly threatened, particularly by the destruction or loss of his phylactery, Niccoli fought with savage intensity. Arrogance and cruelty faded, replaced by shrieking rage, a disturbing sight for any unfortunate enough to bear witness.

The battlefield was a chaotic scene of swirling magic and clashing weapons as Leonel, Roz, and Isolde squared off against Niccoli, the formidable spellcasting enemy. Each member of the group knew they were facing a daunting opponent, but they were determined to stand their ground and emerge victorious.

. . . or Ren would kill them for sure. Leonel positioned himself at the forefront, his shield raised in a defensive stance. His muscles tensed as he braced himself for the onslaught of spells that Niccoli was sure to unleash.

Meanwhile, Roz began to chant incantations, summoning forth his monstrous creations to join the fray. With a wave of his hand, grotesque creatures emerged from the shadows, ready to heed their master's command and engage the enemy.

Isolde scanned the battlefield her fingers itching to pull the trigger of her arsenal of firearms. She knew that precision and timing would be crucial in this battle, and she stood ready to unleash a hail of bullets at the moment that Niccoli showed an opening.

As Niccoli prepared to cast his spells, the air crackled with malevolent energy, and the ground beneath them trembled. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a barrage of magical attacks, each more devastating than the last.

Leonel gritted his teeth as he deflected the onslaught with his shield, the force of the spells sending shockwaves through his armor. He could feel his strength waning with each passing moment, but he refused to yield.

Roz's monsters charged forward, their monstrous forms crashing into the undead and Niccoli's defenses with brute force. With a roar, they unleashed their own attacks, tearing into their opponent with tooth and claw.

Isolde fired her guns with deadly accuracy, each bullet finding its mark. She danced between the chaos of battle, her movements fluid and graceful as she dodged incoming attacks and returned fire.

But Niccoli was a formidable demon, and he countered their every move. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a Death Ray, a beam of necrotic energy that cut through the air.

Leonel cried out in pain as the beam struck him, the necrotic energy searing his flesh and draining his HP. He staggered backward, his shield barely holding against Niccoli's magic.

Roz's monsters fared no better, their bodies crumbling beneath the force of Niccoli's magic. With each passing moment, their numbers dwindled, until only a few remained standing.

Isolde gritted her teeth as she continued to fire her guns, her movements becoming more frenzied as she desperately tried to keep Niccoli at bay. But it was clear that they were fighting a losing battle.

"He's too strong!" Roz bellowed.

"Just keep firing!" Isolde shouted back.

Leonel reached for another [Full Recovery Potion], gulping it down to replenish his health. If things took a turn for the worse, he'd have to resort to Ren's items, their saving grace in this fight.

However, Niccoli wasn't the only challenge they would face. Saving those items became crucial as they prepared for more bosses in the Netherworld.

Unless Ren had a change of heart and decided to provide them with more items, their fate hung in the balance here.

As Niccoli gathered his power for another devastating attack, the group knew they had to act fast. Together, they launched a coordinated assault, their combined strength finally breaking through Niccoli's defenses. But this only fueled Niccoli's rage, pushing him into [Berserk Mode].

The fog thickened, and the necrotic damage in the surrounding area intensified, adding to the chaos.

"What are you doing? Finish him off!" Avaris hollered at them, urgency lacing his voice.

"Easy for you to say! Go and finish him off if you can withstand this burst of magic!" Isolde shot back, frustration evident in her tone.

Closing the distance to finish Niccoli off became increasingly difficult as the child lich roared and raged, unleashing suffocating bursts of magic that threatened to topple them at any moment.

Avaris clicked his tongue in exasperation, his expression betraying a mix of frustration and resignation. "Must I do everything myself?" he muttered, his voice a low growl, as he gently laid the still-sleeping Lethargia on the ground. With a sigh, he closed his eyes, steeling himself for what he was about to do. "I really don't like to do this, but . . . this is our only chance to kill that motherfucker," he whispered under his breath.