Exploiting the Abyss

Zami stepped into the chamber of the Wailing Dread once more, his silver eyes locked onto the grotesque form that loomed before him. The creature remained still, its pitch-black cape draped over its multiple arms, blue crystal eyes glowing ominously in the dim light. Crystals still jutted from its grotesque limbs, and its distorted mouth twitched as it emitted a low, guttural hum.

"You return yet again," the Wailing Dread spoke, its voice layered with distorted echoes. "Futile. You are no more than a pest."

Zami gripped his katana, the Bone Monarch shard tucked securely in his pouch. His mind replayed every mistake he'd made in their previous encounters, but this time, he had a plan.

"I'll die again if I have to," Zami said coldly. "But I'll tear you apart in the end."

The Wailing Dread raised its arms, and the chamber vibrated with an unholy resonance. The cape unfurled, revealing the writhing forms of phantom serpents, their translucent bodies glowing faintly as they surged toward him.

Zami planted his feet firmly, his senses sharpening as he entered *Flow State*. The serpents moved like blurs, but to Zami, they were manageable. His focus narrowed to the nearest one as he dashed forward, deflecting its lunge with a calculated slash.

The serpent recoiled, but Zami grabbed its ethereal form, using its momentum to hurl it back at the Wailing Dread. The creature staggered slightly as the phantom serpent collided with its body, its crystalline eyes narrowing in irritation.

Another serpent lashed at him, but Zami ducked low, spinning with a precise slash to sever its head.

"Your tricks are predictable," Zami said, his voice steady as his blank expression remained unfazed.

The Wailing Dread extended its arms, summoning its scythe-like crystals. The weapons spun with deadly precision as the creature advanced. Zami met the first strike with a parry, deflecting the scythe upward before countering with a *Multiple Slash* aimed at the creature's torso.

The Wailing Dread recoiled but retaliated with a wide swing of its second scythe. Zami ducked, sidestepped, and redirected the blow with his katana, sending the weapon crashing into the creature's own arm.

"You're strong," Zami admitted, his voice low. "But you're reckless."

The Wailing Dread snarled, releasing chains from beneath its cloak. They shot toward Zami like striking vipers, but he was ready. He dashed behind a nearby pillar, forcing the chains to wrap around it. With a sharp pull, the pillar cracked and collapsed, its weight crashing onto the Wailing Dread.

The creature roared, its voice splitting the air with an ear-shattering frequency. Zami winced as his ears bled, but he pushed forward, using the debris as cover.

A massive crystal fell from the Wailing Dread's shoulder during the commotion, shattering near Zami's feet. He glanced at it, an idea forming. When the Wailing Dread unleashed another sonic wave, Zami positioned the crystal between them. The high-frequency sound hit the crystal, refracting and redirecting it back toward the creature.

The Wailing Dread howled as its own attack struck its body, cracks forming along its crystalline arms. Zami capitalized on the moment, rushing in with a combination of strikes.

He delivered a *Hawk Drop*, slamming his foot into the creature's knee joint, followed by a *Critical Dues*—a double-palm strike aimed at its distorted face. The creature staggered but lashed out with its scythe, forcing Zami to retreat.

Zami circled the chamber, analyzing the Wailing Dread's movements and searching for a weakness. The creature's crystalline arms seemed sturdy but brittle under enough pressure. Its sonic attacks were devastating, but they required a brief wind-up. And its serpents, while fast, were fragile.

Karesh's voice echoed in his mind. "Focus. Watch. The answer is there."

Zami's gaze fell on the glowing crystals embedded in the creature's arms and shoulders. They pulsed faintly, in sync with its attacks.

"The crystals..." Zami murmured.

The Wailing Dread lunged at him, its cape billowing as phantom snakes surged forward once more. Zami activated *Blood Cell Explosion*, igniting his katana with crimson flames. The heat intensified as he combined it with *Multiple Slash*, creating a flurry of fiery strikes that burned through the serpents.

"I'll die anyway," Zami muttered to himself. "So I'll give it everything."

The Wailing Dread raised its scythes again, but Zami moved faster, closing the distance and driving his blade into one of the glowing crystals on its arm. The crystal shattered, sending shards flying as the creature let out a deafening scream.

He followed up with a *1-in Various Punch*, targeting the remaining crystals on the creature's torso. Each strike sent tremors through the Wailing Dread's body, further destabilizing it.

But even as Zami pressed his advantage, the Wailing Dread retaliated with chains and sonic blasts, forcing him to retreat once more. Blood dripped from his mouth and ears, his body trembling from exhaustion.

"It's not enough..." Zami muttered, his vision blurring.

The Wailing Dread loomed over him, its distorted mouth curling into a sinister grin. "Futile. You cannot win."

As the creature raised its scythes for a final blow, Zami's legs gave out, and he collapsed to his knees. His mind raced, but his body refused to move.

The scythes descended.

And then everything went dark.

When Zami opened his eyes, he was once again standing outside the chamber. His katana was sheathed, and the Bone Monarch shard rested securely in his pouch.

"I'm alive," he said softly, his voice echoing in the empty corridor.

Karesh's voice was quiet. "You've seen its weakness. Now, you must exploit it completely."

Zami clenched his fists, his determination hardening. He would enter the chamber again—and this time, he wouldn't leave until the Wailing Dread was destroyed.