Chapter 37: The Abyssal Guardian’s Wrath

Chapter 37: The Abyssal Guardian's Wrath

The entire dungeon trembled as the Abyssal Guardian entered its Final Phase. The once-contained black flames exploded outward, filling the chamber with unbearable heat. The walls, once ancient stone, cracked and melted, turning into molten slag.

> [Warning: Abyssal Flame Intensity Increased by 200%]

[All Healing Effects Reduced by 50%]

Jin's breath hitched. His body was already near its limit, but now the very air itself burned his lungs. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright.

"This is bad," Aerin gasped, staggering back. Her armor, enchanted to withstand extreme heat, was beginning to warp. "It's not just getting stronger—it's corrupting the entire battlefield."

Lee Hwan cursed under his breath. "This thing just won't die, huh?"

The Abyssal Guardian lifted its sword, now glowing with pure abyssal energy. The sheer presence of the weapon made the ground around it collapse into darkness.

Then—

It swung.

A single slash, but the force shattered the very air. A shockwave of black fire ripped through the chamber, splitting the battlefield in two.

Jin barely had time to react.

> [Phantom Step Activated]

He vanished, reappearing a few meters away—but the heat from the attack still seared his back. His HP plummeted.

> [HP: 34%]

"Jin!" Aerin called out, but she had her own problems. The flames had begun spreading toward her, forming living tendrils of fire that sought to consume her whole.

Lee Hwan punched the ground, sending a shockwave of dark energy to extinguish the advancing flames. "We can't keep dodging forever! We need a way to finish this thing!"

Jin narrowed his eyes. They had already weakened the Guardian's armor. Its core was exposed. But if they didn't act fast, they'd be burnt to ash before landing another clean hit.

Then it hit him.

"Aerin!" Jin shouted. "Use your strongest piercing skill on my mark!"

She hesitated but nodded, trusting him.

"Lee Hwan—" Jin turned to him. "We need to trap it for just a second."

Hwan let out a breath and grinned. "Oh, I've got just the thing."

Jin dashed forward, weaving through the flames, closing the distance between himself and the Abyssal Guardian. The monster turned, locking its glowing red eyes onto him.

It swung down.

Jin dodged left, barely avoiding decapitation. He could feel the heat of the blade slicing through the air beside his face.

Then—

Lee Hwan slammed his fists into the ground.

"Shadow Coffin!"

Dark chains erupted from below, wrapping around the Guardian's limbs, freezing it in place. The monster let out an inhuman snarl, its body struggling against the binding darkness.

> [Abyssal Guardian's Movement Restricted for 3 seconds.]

Three seconds.

That was all they had.

Jin took a deep breath. Then he activated everything.

> [Phantom Step – Overdrive]

[Celestial Swordplay – Limit Break]

He vanished—then reappeared directly beneath the Guardian.

His blade glowed.

"Aerin! NOW!"

Aerin appeared mid-air, her sword glowing with radiant power.

"Celestial Blade—Final Arc!"

She descended like a meteor, her blade piercing straight through the Guardian's exposed core.

A deafening crack echoed through the dungeon.

The Guardian froze.

Its flames flickered.

Then—

BOOM.

Its entire body shattered into glowing embers, scattering into the abyss.

> [Abyssal Guardian Defeated.]

[Boss Clear Rewards Calculating…]

Jin fell to his knees, panting heavily. His body screamed in exhaustion, but the fight was finally over.

Aerin landed beside him, gripping her sword for balance. "That… was insane."

Lee Hwan whistled, looking at the ashes of the fallen Guardian. "Damn. I think I lost ten years of my life back there."

Jin let out a small laugh, despite the pain. "Worth it."

Then—

> [Congratulations! You have cleared the Abyssal Chamber.]

[You may now claim your rewards.]

A golden treasure chest materialized before them.

Jin's eyes lit up. "Let's see what we fought so hard for."