Chapter 6 — Claws of the Abyss
[Dungeon — "Claws of the Abyss" — Dark Corridors]
(Diopha's footsteps echoed faintly, slicing through the suffocating silence.
Around him, the mana pulsed unnaturally—almost alive.)
---
[System Window — Analysis]
Game Core:
— Anomaly detected: Mana flow is inverted.
— Danger level: Moderate to High.
— Recommendation: Extreme vigilance.
---
Diopha (thinking, focused):
This mana… it's warped.
This place doesn't generate energy—it devours it. A real mana sinkhole.
(Mini-Zenkai floated silently nearby, a faint smirk on his lips.)
Mini-Zenkai (telepathic):
— These ruins… They've swallowed plenty of arrogant fools before you.
Diopha (thinking, grim):
Yeah? I'm not here to add to the body count…
---
[Further ahead — A faint glow]
(A soft bluish light pulsed from deeper inside.)
Game Core:
— Unusual source detected. Distance: 50 meters.
Diopha (thinking, preparing):
Alright… This is the heart of it.
---
(He moved carefully, dagger in hand.
But an intrusive image flashed in his mind—
the Dragon of Despair he destroyed… at the cost of ten years of life.)
Diopha (thinking, gritting teeth):
No way I'm repeating that mistake…
---
[Suddenly — The ground shook]
(Fine cracks appeared beneath his feet.
The air grew heavy. Choking.
Something… was awakening.)
---
Mini-Zenkai (cold, amused):
— Hmph.
Looks like you're about to…
meet this place's true master.
---
[Dungeon Central Chamber]
(Diopha entered a colossal chamber.
At its center: a crystalline sphere, pulsing like a diseased heart.
Around it… massive chains of energy restrained a titanic silhouette hidden in the dark.)
---
[System Window — Red Alert]
Game Core:
— Main Guardian detected.
— Name: Behemor, Shadow of the Abyss.
— Class: A+ (unstable).
— Estimated destructive level:
Capable of erasing a mid-sized city.
---
(The silhouette stirred.
Two blood-red eyes opened in the void.)
Behemor (deep, guttural voice):
— Hhhrrr… Human…?
— Another insect… to crush…
---
Diopha (thinking, frowning):
Not good. This pressure… it's real.
---
Mini-Zenkai (voice cold but amused):
— You'd better strike fast.
Or you won't even have time to regret it.
---
[The battle erupts]
(Behemor broke part of his chains and lunged like a living missile of shadow.
The floor exploded beneath him. Diopha barely dodged in time.)
Diopha (gritting his teeth):
— This thing's fast… for a damn mountain!
(He instinctively triggered his movement skill.)
---
[System Window — Activation]
Game Core:
— Skill: Wind Step — Activated.
— Speed boost: +200%.
---
(Diopha blurred through the dungeon, narrowly evading the monster's massive claws.)
---
Diopha (thinking, heart racing):
No way I'm tapping into Zenkai's full power here…
Losing another ten years? No thanks.
---
(But Behemor, now fully unchained, roared—
sending out a dark shockwave that cracked the entire chamber.)
Game Core:
— Critical danger.
— Escape: Impossible.
— Combat: Mandatory.
---
Mini-Zenkai (calm but sharp):
— Choose well, boy.
Either draw a little…
or die here.
---
Diopha (growling):
— Tch… Just a tiny bit, damn it!
---
[System Window — Forced Synchronization]
Game Core:
— Synchronization with Zenkai Shin: +1%
(New total: 26%)
— Special authorization: Limited release.
---
[Invisible aura — Awakening]
(Around Diopha, the air trembled faintly.
His eyes flickered with a brief golden-blue glow.)
---
Diopha (muttering):
— "Lightning Pierce…"
(A spear of condensed lightning formed in his hand.
Weaker than Zenkai's true might… but enough for a finishing blow.)
---
(He vanished in a burst of lightning.
Time seemed to freeze for an instant.)
---
[Final Impact]
(The spear pierced through Behemor's massive chest.
The monster shrieked, its energy disintegrating under pure lightning.)
Behemor:
— HHHRRAAAAAA— !!!
(Explosion. The shockwave leveled the chamber, leaving Diopha standing, gasping.)
---
[System Window — Mission Complete]Game Core:
— Guardian eliminated.
— Dungeon marked as cleared.
— Reward: Synchronization +2%
(New total: 28%)
---
Diopha (panting, bitter smile):
— Hah… That was… almost worth it.
---
Mini-Zenkai (floating above him, cold but satisfied):
— Not entirely pathetic…
I might even start to believe… you have a chance.
---
*(Diopha gazed up at the cracked dungeon ceiling, heart pounding hard.
But deep down, a single, clear thought burned bright:) *
Diopha (thinking, resolved):
I will surpass them.
All of them.
Even you, Zenkai.
---
To be continued…