EXT. SHANGRI-LA FRONTIER – VARIOUS LOCATIONS – EVENING
The skies across all regions shimmer gold as a majestic bell tolls once, echoing through every player's interface.
A radiant system-wide notification appears midair, impossible to miss.
SYSTEM ANNOUNCEMENT (female voice, ethereal):
"Attention, all Shangri-La Frontier players:Unique Monster Wethermon the Tombguard has been defeated!Victors: Sunraku, Oikatzo, Arthur Pencilgon.With this victory, the World Story of Shangri-La Frontier advances to Phase Two."
EXT. BURIED RUINS – NIGHT
Vidarath leans against his folded-down Titan, his shard-glass visor reflecting the golden hue of the skies. He watches the notification fade, then claps his hands together with a childish grin.
VIDARATH (laughing to himself):
"Yay! Finally, we can maybe meet Sunraku! This is going to be fun."
INT. UTORIA INC. – UNDERGROUND SERVER ROOM – NIGHT
In the chilled silence of a restricted floor below Utopia Inc., a lone, dusty PC monitor flashes with encrypted text.
The SLF progress bar, previously sitting static for months, ticks from 11% to 12%.
Then
GLITCH.
Static.
The screen momentarily fractures into shadowed shapes circles, runes, a blinking symbol resembling an eye before stabilizing.
CLOSE-UP OF SCREEN:
"World Story Progress: 12%Phase: Alignment of Hollow ThreadsError: [External Entity Sync – Pending]"
Back above, in the sleek boardroom
Tsukuyo Tsukuri sips her cold tea, eyes twitching as her phone buzzes with the automated anomaly alert. She doesn't even blink.
TSUKUYO (softly):
"Twelve percent.The gates are cracking."
INT. PLAYER FORUMS – REAL WORLD – STREAMING CHAT EXPLOSION
As players celebrate the Wethermon victory, a smaller wave of buzz builds about the three mystery characters.
EXT. SHANGRI-LA FRONTIER – A RISING MOON
Back in the world, somewhere unseen, Nyxia stands atop a cliff, watching a dark castle rumble in the far distance.
He doesn't speak.
But his blade Noctem's Veil hums lightly…As if something deep in the game's code just noticed him.
INT. PRIVATE EQUINOX COMMUNICATION CHANNEL – DAY
A virtual HUD flickers open inside Dr. Wagner's view. The sleek, obsidian-tinted interface of the Equinox Commlink pulses faintly.
A new message appears from Vidarath.
VIDARATH [voice chat, groaning dramatically]:
"Ughhh… it's so boring now. I've been wandering for days.Every time I show up, players scatter like chickens. I even waved. Waved, Wagner!Nobody waves back."
DR. WAGNER [deadpan]:
"Perhaps it is your entrance, ja?A three-meter war machine stepping out of a glowing rift with a shotgun does not scream approachable."
NYXIA [chuckling]:
"You did pop out of a castle wall last time.And then you called someone a 'tree rat.' That probably didn't help."
VIDARATH:
"She was hiding in a tree!Look, all I want is to meet the main cast of this anime. You know Sunraku, Pencilgon, the bunny girl…"
A dramatic pause.
"Is that too much to ask?! I've earned this! I helped save a multiverse. I read the wiki!"
EXT. SHANGRI-LA FRONTIER – RUINS OF A SUNKEN BATTLEFIELD – SUNSET
Vidarath sits on top of his Titan's shoulder, legs swinging, gazing toward the horizon. Birds fly across the setting sun, and a group of players spot him from far away… then log out immediately.
He sighs.
VIDARATH [quietly into the channel]:
"You'd think I was the final boss or something…"
NYXIA [teasing]:
"Oh no, you're not the final boss. You're just the mid-game anxiety trigger."
DR. WAGNER:
"Your suffering brings me joy."
NYXIA:
"Same."
INT. UTORIA INC. – TSUKUYO'S OFFICE – NIGHT
Tsukuyo Tsukuri leans forward, rewatching footage of Vidarath waving at a frightened raid party.
TSUKUYO (smirking):
"He really is trying to play nice, huh?A pity no one trusts the walking satellite cannon."
Back in-game, as Vidarath doodles in the dirt with a stick, a faint ping echoes in his comms.
Unknown Message Incoming…Sender: [REDACTED]
He lifts an eyebrow.
VIDARATH (perking up):
"Oho? Maybe this day won't be so boring after all."
EXT. SHANGRI-LA FRONTIER – FOREST RUINS – DAY
Vidarath's Titan stands silently among broken columns and fallen trees, the sunlight casting flickering shadows across the worn stone. He's idly scanning the horizon when a loud, joyful scream pierces the air.
He turns sharply.
RUST (avatar: platinum white hair, brown eyes, olive skin, 148 cm tall) comes barreling toward him, face glowing with excitement, eyes sparkling like a child's.
RUST
"Whoa! Whoa! You have to be the coolest thing I've seen in this game!The Wayward Pilot you're like a walking fortress! That armor, those gravitational nodes, the wings holy hell! This is insane!"
Behind her, Mold cautiously follows, his Blue Butterfly Garb swaying as he adjusts his Impudent Owl Rod nervously. He glances warily at the towering Titan, gripping his staff tighter.
MOLD (whispering to Rust)
"Are you sure this thing is friendly?That's not exactly your typical player character…"
Rust laughs, still beaming.
RUST: "Friendly? Maybe! Scary? Sure! But awesome? Absolutely."
She looks up at Vidarath with awe.
RUST (excitedly)
"I've been watching you from afar for days!Finally got the courage to come say hi."
Vidarath removes his helmet, revealing a grin beneath the visor.
VIDARAT: "About time someone did. Been feeling like a ghost out here."
YOH KABIYA (offscreen, calling)
"Rust! What's taking so long? We gotta get back for the next raid!"
Yoh Kabiya arrives, nodding respectfully at Vidarath but eyes full of curiosity.
YOH KABIYA: "So this is the Wayward Pilot? Heard rumors, but seeing is believing."
Vidarath chuckles.
VIDARATH: "Rumors, huh? Guess I've made an impression."
Rust beams and pulls out a small charm from her inventory.
RUST: "We gotta stick together now imagine what kind of chaos we can stir up."
Mold nods hesitantly, still eyeing the Titan.
MOLD: "I'll keep an eye out for glitches.This one looks like trouble."
Vidarath laughs and flexes a gauntleted hand.
VIDARATH: "Trouble is my middle name."
The group shares a brief laugh, the first real connection between the legendary Wayward Pilot and these determined adventurers.
EXT. CRYSTAL NEST CLIFF – DAY
The shimmering cliffside sparkles with jagged crystal formations that catch the light like diamonds. Dr. Mortalis Varn wanders silently, his cloak billowing in the wind. His gas mask lenses flicker with a soft green glow as he surveys the area.
Suddenly, a loud CLASH echoes nearby.
Sunraku, wearing his distinctive blue bird mask and minimal attire, battles fiercely against a swarm of crystal scorpions. His bare arms glint with sweat as he dodges the creatures' stinging pincers.
Beside him, Emul, a small white Vorpal Bunny dressed like a stage magician, waves a tiny spellbook and twirls her top hat, casting magic to support Sunraku.
Dr. Mortalis Varn steps forward calmly, unzipping his leather medical bag and pulling out a vial filled with bubbling acid. With precise aim, he hurls it at one of the scorpions, dissolving its crystalline armor instantly.
Sunraku and Emul glance over, startled.
Without hesitation, Dr. Varn pulls out a small scalpel from his belt and expertly slices through the remaining scorpions like cutting through silk. The creatures shatter into glittering fragments.
DR. MORTALIS VARN: "That should clear the path."
He tosses the pile of loot to Sunraku.
DR. MORTALIS VARN (matter-of-fact)
"I have no use for these."
Sunraku removes his bird mask slightly, peering at the newcomer.
SUNRAKU: "You're a player, right? I haven't seen you around before."
Emul hops forward, bowing respectfully.
EMUL: "Greetings, Doctor Mortalis Varn. It is an honor. The entirety of Rabituza holds you in high esteem."
Sunraku blinks, realization dawning.
SUNRAKU: "Wait… You're an NPC too?"
Dr. Mortalis Varn inclines his head slightly.
DR. MORTALIS VARN: "More than that. I am... part of the world's lore. Crafted with care by Equinox and Vidarath."
Emul nods proudly, pulling her pocket watch and spellbook closer.
EMUL: "Your reputation precedes you."
Sunraku smiles, a mixture of surprise and respect.
SUNRAKU: "Well, I guess that makes this fight a lot more interesting."
The three share a moment of mutual understanding as the crystal wind whistles softly.
EXT. ANCIENT RUINS TRAINING GROUNDS – DAY
Nyxia stands alone amid cracked stone pillars and fallen statues. His weapons shift fluidly in his hands from a gleaming scythe to twin greatswords, then to a pair of sleek guns. With practiced precision, he slashes, swings, and fires into the air, each strike sharper and faster than the last.
Suddenly, a group of players approaches cautiously, led by Psyger-100 a tall warrior clad in shimmering silver-white armor and Professor, whose striking pink twin tails and magical girl outfit contrast sharply with his deep, mature voice.
Psyger-100 raises a hand, signaling the group to halt. She steps forward, eyes narrowed with determination.
PSYGER-100: "Stop! We're not here to fight."
Nyxia stops his training and turns to face them, weapons still at the ready, eyes calculating. The group watches him warily.
PROFESSOR (with a calm but curious tone)
"We just have some questions. You look like a player, but... you seem different."
Nyxia smirks slightly, shifting his stance but keeping weapons in hand.
NYXIA: "I'm no ordinary player. What do you want to know?"
Psyger-100 steps closer, scanning him carefully.
PSYGER-100: "Are you a boss NPC? A special event entity? We've been tracking unusual activity."
The Professor nods, his youthful avatar expression serious despite the girlish costume.
PROFESSOR: "This world has secrets. We want to understand more about you... and the lore surrounding your existence."
Nyxia laughs softly, lowering his weapons just a bit, amused.
NYXIA: "You're sharp. Yes, I'm more than a player, but I'm not here to be a threat. Ask what you want, but beware some truths may be harder to accept than you think."
Nyxia finishes a powerful swing, the air shimmering from the force. He turns, weapons still poised, as Psyger-100 and the Professor approach with their group.
PSYGER-100: "Wait! You're not like the usual players we see.""Are you some kind of boss NPC or special event entity?"
Nyxia tilts his head, a faint smirk curling on his lips.
NYXIA: "Boss NPC? Players? Those sound like labels. I'm just a traveler here, like you. Maybe with a few more tricks up my sleeve."
The Professor narrows his eyes, sensing something unusual.
PROFESSOR: "You move and fight like you're more than just a player character. You seem... scripted."
Nyxia chuckles, sheathing his weapons slowly.
NYXIA: "Scripted? That's a funny way to put it. I prefer to think of myself as someone who's mastered the game's deeper mechanics. No scripts, just experience."
A player in the group whispers to Psyger-100:
PLAYER: "He doesn't sound like the typical NPC... but something's definitely off."
Nyxia catches the whisper and smiles knowingly.
NYXIA: "Off, huh? Maybe you're the ones missing the bigger picture. This world is more than codes and commands.Maybe it's time you looked beyond your player status."
Professor steps forward, voice low but insistent.
PROFESSOR: "Then tell us what do you really know about this place? About the mysteries buried in Shangri-La Frontier?"
Nyxia's eyes gleam.
NYXIA: "Answers come at a price.But I'll share one thing sometimes, what you think you know isn't the truth at all."
NYXIA: "Listen closely. Not all ruins are abandoned. Some hold echoes of the past forgotten secrets that shape the fate of this world. But only those brave enough to seek the truth will uncover them... and face what lies beneath."
As Nyxia finishes speaking, the world around the group subtly shifts the colors dim and the air thickens.
Suddenly, a panel materializes before the players' eyes, shimmering with arcane symbols and glowing edges.
GAME PROMPT (on screen):
"Unique Encounter Discovered: 'Echoes of the Forgotten Ruins'Would you like to join?[YES] [NO]"
As the group selects [YES], a soft chime echoes across the ruined battleground. The world distorts slightly particles swirl around Nyxia like gathering stormclouds.
Nyxia, calm and composed, lifts his weapon.
With a single movement, his weapon morphs its shifting frame twisting and snapping into a massive greatsword, glowing faintly with violet runes.
Nyxia (calm, firm): "Then let your actions speak. Time for you to prove your worth... Come at me."
A surge of pressure crashes down upon the players like a wave. The Unique Encounter has officially begun.
Nyxia's stance is relaxed but his presence is suffocating, like a coiled predator ready to strike. The arena subtly seals around them, glowing runes locking the encounter space.
This isn't just a fight it's a test. Of skill. Of will. Of lore.
The battle begins.
Psyger-100 steps forward first, instinctively raising her halberd. Her normally steady breath catches slightly.
Psyger-100 (Momo Saiga): "…That pressure… This isn't just some raid boss. This guy's different."
Her sharp eyes flicker to her team, reading their hesitation. Even her experienced fingers twitch with anticipation.
Professor blinks, visibly shaken despite his cheery, magical-girl outfit.
Professor (deep voice clashing with cute model): "Fascinating…! This aura, this transformation it's beyond anything in the known encounter scripts. Did the devs sneak this in under Tsukuri's back?"
He adjusts his hat, the frilly bow trembling slightly from the intensity in the air.
A DPS player behind them whispers nervously.
"W-Wait… Did his sword shift forms just now? Is that even allowed?"
Another adds:"No health bar… no marker… why is the music changing? This isn't in any event log!"
Professor (with a deep chuckle): "An unregistered unique… no name tag… This might be the most significant lore anomaly we've seen in SLF yet."
Psyger-100 plants her feet in a duelist's stance.
"Whatever he is, we're not backing down. Formation Gamm adapt on the fly!"
Professor grins, twin tails bouncing as he raises his staff.
"Let's see what this beautiful anomaly has in store…"
And Nyxia? He just stands there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Testing.
Ready to awaken what lies dormant in every challenger.
Psyger-100 steps forward first, instinctively raising her halberd. Her normally steady breath catches slightly.
Psyger-100 (Momo Saiga): "…That pressure… This isn't just some raid boss. This guy's different."
Her sharp eyes flicker to her team, reading their hesitation. Even her experienced fingers twitch with anticipation.
Professor blinks, visibly shaken despite his cheery, magical-girl outfit.
Professor (deep voice clashing with cute model): "Fascinating…! This aura, this transformation—it's beyond anything in the known encounter scripts. Did the devs sneak this in under Tsukuri's back?"
He adjusts his hat, the frilly bow trembling slightly from the intensity in the air.
A DPS player behind them whispers nervously.
"W-Wait… Did his sword shift forms just now? Is that even allowed?"
Another adds:"No health bar… no marker… why is the music changing? This isn't in any event log!"
Professor (with a deep chuckle): "An unregistered unique… no name tag… This might be the most significant lore anomaly we've seen in SLF yet."
Psyger-100 plants her feet in a duelist's stance.
"Whatever he is, we're not backing down. Formation Gamma adapt on the fly!"
Professor grins, twin tails bouncing as he raises his staff.
"Let's see what this beautiful anomaly has in store…"
And Nyxia? He just stands there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Testing.
Ready to awaken what lies dormant in every challenger.
The players rallied. Spells flew, blades clashed, and commands echoed through the party chat. Psyger-100 took charge like the leader she was.
Psyger-100:"Pull him into the rune traps—blast him while he's grounded!"
Chains of light erupted from enchanted glyphs laid earlier. They snared Nyxia's leg—just for a moment. A chorus of spells and attacks slammed into him, distorting the air around his body.
Professor:"Now! That should've cracked any elite boss shield!"
The smoke cleared
Nyxia stood unmoved. Not a scratch. His expression unreadable.
Then, he grinned.
Nyxia: "Good. You struggle... You burn bright before you die."
With a flick, his greatsword splintered into a dozen spectral blades that hung behind him like a halo of death.
Then they fired.
Twelve players fell in an instant, impaled and deleted mid-motion. Their cries were cut off, only replaced by the system message:
[You have been defeated.]
Professor tried to retreat, but a spectral gunblade materialized, rotated midair, and fired once.
[You have been defeated.]
Only Psyger-100 remained, her armor scorched, breath heavy, eyes burning with defiance.
Psyger-100: "If this is how I go… I'm dragging some of you with me."
She activated her ultimate a light-speed dash combo, slicing at Nyxia's side. For a moment, the blade connected.
A spark flew.
Nyxia staggered half a step.
Then he raised a hand and caught her sword mid-swing.
Nyxia: "You're the strongest echo… but still just an echo."
He drove his knee into her gut, launched her into the air, and then—
Fired upward.
A clean, elegant shot from his transforming weapon struck her mid-air and shattered her avatar into particles.
[You have been defeated.]
The battlefield fell silent. The Unique Encounter panel flashed one final message:
[Your party has been annihilated.]Better luck next time.]
Nyxia stood alone, sword slowly reverting to its original form.
Nyxia (murmuring): "Still no challengers worthy of memory…"
He turned and walked away, fading into the deep shadows once more.
SLF Forums - "The Monarch of Shadows Annihilates an Entire Party"
Thread Title:Monarch of Shadows Solo Party Wipe?! What the hell just happened?!
User: ShadowSlayer92"Just watched the livestream from Psyger-100's party. Monarch of Shadows didn't just beat them he erased them like they were nothing. How is this even fair??"
User: MysticMomo"People said he was a boss NPC but holy crap, I thought bosses were supposed to be beatable. Psyger-100 lasted longest and still got wrecked. Is anyone even remotely prepared for this?"
User: LoreSeeker42"Has anyone else noticed Monarch of Shadows never talks like a normal NPC? He's too cryptic and actually seems... aware. Like he's not just code. Could he be something else? A hidden endgame entity?"
User: TitanWatch"I don't get how this fits the lore. They say he's connected to the 'Shadows' faction, but no quest or event has officially introduced him. Is he a glitch? A test? Or maybe a new boss coming soon?"
User: RustyGamer"I'm spamming party invites to anyone nearby. Gotta get a team ready for when this event comes back. Monarch of Shadows is the new nightmare of SLF."
User: AdminBot (Automated post)Reminder: Please keep discussions respectful and refrain from sharing spoilers. Official announcements will be posted on the Utopia Inc. website.
Pinned Post:Monarch of Shadows Encounter Fan Theories and Gameplay Tips
Some say he's a secret boss NPC tied to the main story.
His attacks have near-instant kill potential.
Avoid grouped attacks and watch for shadow disappearance moves.
No known item drops yet but the challenge rating is off the charts.