Chapter 125: Into the Corrupted Depths

The morning sun filtered through the inn's windows, casting warm golden rays on the wooden floor. The scent of fresh bread, roasted vegetables, and sweet herbs filled the air. Sitting around a table, Noah and the girls quietly ate their breakfast, each lost in thought.

Layla stole glances at Noah every few seconds, while Scarlett cleaned her dagger with a cloth, and Lyra sipped her tea calmly.

"Noah," Scarlett finally said, "Are you sure we should go in today?"

Noah nodded, placing a small pouch of berries into his inventory. "Yeah… I have a bad feeling. I don't think we'll be coming back anytime soon. So I stocked up—food, water, and supplies."

After finishing their meal, they left the inn and made their way toward the forest. The trees stood tall and silent, their bark darkened and leaves tinted with an unnatural shade. A subtle, pulsing black mist clung to the roots.

They weren't even fifteen minutes in when they were ambushed.

"GRRRRAAHH!!"

A corrupted troll, its flesh oozing with black slime and its eyes glowing crimson, burst from the foliage.

SLASH!

Scarlett was faster, her dagger cleaving across its chest. A corrupted wolf leapt from behind.

THUD!

It was met mid-air by Lyra's Frost Lance, freezing it mid-pounce.

Noah dashed through the chaos, blade in hand.

SWOOSH! CRACK!

His sword danced with wind and flame, slicing through the wave of corrupted beasts.

More monsters emerged—boars with rotting tusks, birds with broken wings shrieking overhead. They kept coming.

By the time they cleared a path, the group had already fought through two hours of tainted woodland. Despite the victories, everyone was breathing heavier.

Scarlett wiped blood from her cheek. "There's more corruption than we expected…"

Noah's eyes narrowed, locked onto a strange, unnatural fog ahead. The trees parted, revealing a jagged opening in the ground—twisted with roots and pulsing dark light.

A dungeon.

It wasn't marked on any map.

Blackened stones framed the entrance, and corrupted vines coiled across the edges like veins feeding a beating heart.

"This is it," Lyra whispered. "This is the source."

Noah stepped forward. "It's completely corrupted. I can feel the mana… it's wrong."

Layla leaned into him with a smile. "Are we going in, husband?"

He turned to the group. "If we enter, we may not be able to leave until it's cleared. Are you all ready for this?"

One by one, they nodded. No hesitation.

Noah exhaled, gripping his sword tighter. "Then let's purge this place."

They stepped into the dungeon.

Instantly, a wave of oppressive energy washed over them. The air was thick, every breath tasting like metal and ash. The stone walls pulsed with red veins, and the ceiling wept black droplets that sizzled on the ground.

Layla flinched, clenching her chest. "Ugh… it's hard to breathe."

Lyra staggered for a second, gripping the wall. Even Scarlett seemed shaken.

"Hold still," Noah said.

He raised a hand, golden-blue light radiating from his palm.

"Purification."

Waves of radiant energy washed over the group, pushing back the corruption clinging to their bodies. Their expressions eased, breath returning to normal.

"Thanks," Scarlett whispered.

As they adjusted, a sound echoed in Noah's mind.

DING!

[System Quest: Purge the Hollow Gloom]

Type: Main Quest | Difficulty: A | Time Limit: 6 Hours

(You've discovered a fully corrupted dungeon where demonic influence festers unchecked. The presence of altars bound by a powerful demon prevents the land from healing. Purify the altars. Cleanse the corruption. Slay the source.)

Objectives:

-Purify 3 Altars of Corruption

-Defeat the Dungeon Boss: Unknown Demon

-Escape with your team alive

[Rewards]

[Purification skill –> SS+]

[Corruption Resistance]

[5000 CP]

Noah opened his eyes.

"We've got a problem. A big one," he muttered.

Scarlett raised a brow. "What kind?"

He turned to them, expression serious. "Its an A-rank purge mission. We need to clear the entire dungeon and kill the demon inside. If we don't… this corruption could spread across the entire region."

Layla's grin widened. "Let's burn this place to the ground."

"First," Lyra said coldly, her eyes scanning the hallway, "let's clear this floor."

Noah nodded. "Stick close. Let's move."

To be continued...