Chapter 55: The Pit of Names

The smoke had barely cleared from the scorched tunnel, and already the next horror welcomed them.

The survivors descended into a cavern so vast it made their previous trials feel like nursery rhymes. Jagged walls extended endlessly, covered in pulsing flesh, whispering voices in forgotten tongues. But it wasn't the darkness that paralyzed them.

It was the names.

Etched into the stone and sinew of the cavern walls, every few meters, glowing faintly — were names.

Names they recognized.

Jayce saw it first.

Jayce O'Malley – Survivor's Guilt: Chose to save himself over his brother.

His knees almost buckled.

Lian stopped beside him, only for his eyes to catch the words:

Lian Arashi – Hidden Cowardice: Lied about trying to save others. Fled alone.

"No…" Lian whispered. "That's not… I tried—"

Boom – Failed Protector: Watched his unit die. Froze. Lived.

Boom clenched his fists until they bled. "I… tried to move. I did."

Sera – Betrayer of Hope: Took the last ration. Watched the child starve.

She turned away, expression unreadable. The silence around her was unbearable.

Melia – Unspoken Jealousy: Let her sister take the lead. Let her die.

"No one ever knew," she murmured, eyes distant.

---

System Message – Domain of Truth Activated

> You have entered the Pit of Names.

You may not progress until you acknowledge your sins aloud.

Lying will result in mental collapse.

Delay will result in memory degradation.

Choose: Confession, or Erasure.

---

Suddenly, it wasn't just about moving forward — it was about staying themselves.

Lian stepped toward the center platform. The pulsing core of the chamber lit with every footstep.

He spoke, voice trembling:

> "I ran. When the Earth broke apart, when I saw people die, I ran and didn't look back. I told myself I'd come back, but I didn't."

Jayce followed, pain etched in every movement.

> "I left my brother. He begged me to wait. I said I would. But I didn't. I lived. He didn't."

Boom's voice was a growl.

> "I watched my squad scream my name as they burned. I froze. I had the extinguisher. I just… froze."

Melia's eyes glistened.

> "I was jealous of my sister. She always did everything better. When the fire came, I didn't shout. She went in. I let her."

Sera's voice was flat.

> "I had the last food packet. The girl was eight. I told her to sleep first. She didn't wake up."

---

The moment the last confession was spoken, the walls began to shift.

Their names turned from red to white.

> Acknowledged. Pain Accepted. Identity Stabilized.

The system whispered again.

---

System Update – Trait Unlocked: Iron Willed (Group Bonus)

> You have acknowledged your deepest failures under pressure.

+50% resistance to mental effects.

+10% resilience to fear-based damage.

Group bond strengthened.

Future temptation effects reduced.

---

But the price wasn't over.

The platform cracked.

The pit collapsed — and they fell again.

But this time, they landed on their feet.

Their strength hadn't returned, but their resolve had hardened like forged steel.

---

New Area Discovered: The Hollow Sprawl

This new level was different. No more creeping horror.

Now there was chaos.

Buildings twisted into the ground, streets hung upside down, gravity warped unpredictably. Lightning streaked sideways. And in the distance — they saw them:

Demons in armor.

Real demons. Not mutations. Not failed humans.

The Obsidian Choir — demon soldiers from the world's native legion.

They marched in tune, blades forged from screams, shields made of living bone.

And standing in front of them was a monster twice as tall, horned and cloaked in molten ash.

Captain Za'Varon.

---

The system spoke once more:

> Demonic Invasion Protocol Engaged

Boss Encounter: Captain Za'Varon, Flame-Blood Warden

Conditions: No escape.

Victory Bonus: Demonic Weapon Core + Infernal Ride Token

Failure Penalty: One party member will be claimed.

"Get ready," Lian said, voice sharp.

"No matter what happens," Melia added, "none of us die here."

Boom smiled bitterly. "Then let's make this bastard regret showing up."

Jayce grinned through the blood. "Hope he brought friends. I owe the universe a few screams."

They lifted scavenged weapons, their footsteps unbroken even as the corrupted choir began to sing a war anthem.

And together, the five ran headfirst into hell.

---

End of Chapter 55