The energy of the rift surged around them as Hyeong Shin and the others landed in a distorted, pulsating expanse. The air crackled with an oppressive power, and the ground beneath their feet seemed alive, shifting and rippling like water frozen mid-movement. Ahead, a colossal archway pulsed with the same energy, leading toward the Celestial Core.
"This place gives me the creeps," Cheon Ho muttered, his eyes scanning the shifting horizon. His usual bravado was tinged with unease.
"It's unstable," Mirae said, her voice tight. "The closer we get to the Core, the more this dimension will fight us."
"Then we'd better not stick around," Min Seo added, unsheathing her blade. The light from its edge seemed to push back the strange energy, creating a small pocket of stability around them.