Void Walker IV

Floor 521 – The Immortal Crucible

The moment they stepped through the gate, a searing pulse crawled through their bodies—not pain, but a restriction. Roselia gasped and dropped to one knee. Roman clutched his shoulder, wincing.

Leon's HUD lit up in flashing red:

[WARNING: PAIN LOCK ENGAGED]

• Regeneration Disabled

• Healing Effects Nullified

• Revive Conditions: Locked

• Pain Sensitivity: 100%

Objective: Survive

Kael grunted as his legs buckled slightly. "What the hell is this?"

"Crucible," Aris said grimly. "A floor designed to break us."

They looked around.

The sky above was deep gray, choked with soot and hanging ash. The ground was cracked obsidian. Lava flowed through jagged trenches, and strange bone spires jutted out from the terrain like ancient fangs. The heat was unbearable—but not lethal. Not yet.

And then the whisper came.

Not from a speaker. Not from a Sovereign.