Conan and the others quickly assumed fighting stances to meet the attacks of the shadowy figures. The figures moved with incredible speed, darting through the woods like ghosts, making them difficult to predict. Ran Mouri launched the first attack, spotting a shadowy figure and kicking it with tremendous force, sending it flying backward. However, the figure quickly rose again and continued its attack.
Nightshade, wielding a short sword, charged into the horde of shadows like a black lightning bolt, each swing striking with pinpoint accuracy. However, the shadows were numerous, surging forward relentlessly, gradually surrounding them.
Lin Yu activated his high-tech equipment, and beams of laser light shot out from the device in his hand, illuminating the dark forest. The lasers struck the shadowy figure, which hissed in pain, but did not stop its attack.
Ai Haibara assisted Conan, carefully observing the shadowy figures' patterns of movement, trying to find their weaknesses. "Conan, these shadowy figures seem to be more sensitive to light. The Shield of Light might be able to inflict greater damage on them."
Conan nodded and raised the Shield of Light. The Shield of Light emitted a soft yet intense light; wherever the light touched, the shadows retreated, letting out painful howls. Taking advantage of the shadows' confusion, Conan shouted, "Everyone, now's your chance! Concentrate your attack!"
Hearing this, the group attacked the shadowy figures even more fiercely. Ran Mouri's karate techniques became increasingly sharp, Night Shadow's short sword flashed relentlessly, and Lin Yu's laser beams rained down on the shadowy figures. With the aid of the Shield of Light's glow, they gradually gained the upper hand, and the number of shadowy figures dwindled.
Finally, the last shadowy figure was vanquished, and peace was temporarily restored to the forest. But everyone knew that this was only the beginning; the core of the cursed power on the island had not yet been found and neutralized.
They continued deeper into the island, the surroundings becoming increasingly eerie. Black smoke rose intermittently from the ground, and the trees were twisted and deformed, as if corrupted by some evil force. Suddenly, a massive black castle appeared ahead, emanating a strong aura of malevolence, as if it were the source of a curse.
“The core of the curse must be in that castle,” Conan said, pointing to the castle.
As they approached the castle, the castle gates slowly opened, and a powerful suction force emanated from within, attempting to pull them inside. Conan quickly shouted, "Everyone, hold on! Don't get sucked in!"
Everyone used their individual skills to resist the suction force. Nightshade clung tightly to the tree trunk beside him, Ran Mouri braced her feet against the ground, and Lin Yu used his equipment to generate a reaction force to counteract the suction. Conan and Ai Haibara, meanwhile, diligently searched for a way to break free from the suction.
Conan noticed two grooves on either side of the castle gate, their shape resembling the Ring of Protection and the Book of Wisdom. "Perhaps placing the Ring of Protection and the Book of Wisdom in these grooves will break this suction force," Conan remarked.
Nightshade and Ran Mouri laboriously approached the gate, placing the Guardian Ring and the Book of Wisdom into the slots. Instantly, the suction disappeared, and the scene inside the gate gradually became clear.
They entered the castle, its interior dark and damp, with eerie black flames burning on the walls. Following the corridors, they came to a vast hall. In the center of the hall stood a black stone platform, upon which rested a crystal radiating an malevolent light—the very core of the curse.
However, a powerful magical barrier surrounded the crystal, preventing them from approaching. Just then, a voice echoed through the hall: "You think you can easily break the curse? It's impossible! You will all perish here!"
"Who are you? Why are you cursing this island?" Conan shouted.
"I was once the guardian of this island, but human greed has utterly disappointed me. I will use a curse to drive everyone away from here and protect the island's secrets," the voice said angrily.
“But your curse has caused too much harm, and we must lift it,” Conan said firmly.
"Then let's see if you have the ability!" As soon as the voice fell, a group of monsters made of dark energy surged out of the hall. These monsters had different shapes, some like giant werewolves, and some like winged demons. They bared their fangs and claws and pounced on Conan and the others.
Conan quickly analyzed the monsters' characteristics. He discovered that although these monsters were powerful, the magical barrier seemed to restrict their movement. As long as they didn't get close to the magical barrier, they could avoid being attacked by the powerful magic. "Everyone, keep your distance and fight them using ranged attacks and agile movements!" Conan shouted.
Lin Yu immediately launched various energy projectiles from his high-tech equipment at the monsters. The energy projectiles struck the monsters, causing explosions, but the monsters continued their frenzied charge. Ran Mouri picked up stones from the ground and, with her exceptional strength and accuracy, hurled them at the monsters' eyes and other vital areas. Nightshade used her agility to weave among the monsters, seeking opportunities to attack their weaknesses. Ai Haibara provided tactical advice while simultaneously monitoring the changes in the magical barrier.
While dodging the monster's attacks, Conan pondered how to break through the magical barrier. He reopened the Book of Wisdom, hoping to find a solution. The book described an ancient magic circle that could weaken the power of dark magic.
“Listen to me, everyone,” Conan said. “If we set up a magic circle according to the method in the Book of Wisdom, it might be able to weaken the power of the magic barrier.”
Following Conan's instructions, the group searched the hall for suitable items to set up a magic circle. During this process, they also had to constantly dodge monster attacks; every step was fraught with danger.
Finally, the magic circle was completed. Conan recited the incantation from the Book of Wisdom, and the magic circle emitted a beam of light that shot towards the magic barrier. Under the light, the magic barrier began to fluctuate, and its power gradually weakened.
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