Chapter 58: The Depths Awaken — Kael Faces the Phantom Wall

Chapter 58: The Depths Awaken — Kael Faces the Phantom Wall

The thunderous echo of storm-beasts had faded into distant growls. The inner Vault stretched deeper, forming a massive corridor lined with crystalline ruins and radiant fog, flickering with unstable mana pulses.

Kael stepped through a fractured archway, his breath steady, his eyes scanning for movement.

The deeper he went, the more the Vault pulsed with hostile life. His body was still sore from the battle with the Storm Serpent King, but his mind was razor-sharp.

[EXP: 8,750,000 / 13,800,000]

[System Alert: New Unlock Available — System Level 15 Achieved]

[Sin Points System Unlocked]

Kael paused mid-step. "Sin points?"

A new menu opened before him.

[SYSTEM UPDATE: SIN POINTS]

Sin Points are awarded for defeating powerful enemies, breaking dimensional laws, or triggering forbidden paths.

Sin Points can be exchanged for unique traits, temporary stat boosts, dark spells, or unlocking sealed paths.

⚠ Accumulating high Sin can attract cosmic threats or bounty hunters from other realms.

[SIN POINTS SHOP — Preview]

Bloodfire Infusion (5 SP): Temporarily boosts Strength +20% and Weapon Damage +30% for 10 minutes.

Forbidden Insight (3 SP): Reveals hidden monster weaknesses and nearby quests.

Phantom Echo Step (6 SP): Grants a temporary clone for 30 seconds that mirrors your actions.

Dark Pact Slot (10 SP): Unlocks a sealed dark trait slot.

Blasphemer's Gate Key (10 SP): Unlocks forbidden boss chamber entrance.

Demonic Surge (12 SP): Drains 25% HP for a massive Power/Speed boost.

[Sin Points Earned: +5]

[Cause: Defeated High-Tier Storm Entity — Realm Above]

A dark crimson mark faintly shimmered on the back of Kael's right hand, like an ethereal brand. It didn't hurt—but it felt hungry. Alive.

Kael exhaled slowly. "Another layer to this system, huh?"

Suddenly, the Vault trembled.

Dozens of monsters emerged from the mist—Vault Banshees, Rift Golems, and Shadowwrought Stalkers. Their eyes glowed silver-blue, and each pulsed with far more mana than those before.

Kael smiled. "Let's earn more points, then."

He dashed forward, flame sword crackling, aura bursting to life.

A single slash took down the nearest banshee, shattering it into violet sparks.

[Monster Defeated: Vault Banshee]

[EXP Gained: +500,000]

[Sin Points: +1 — Forbidden Soul Slay]

[EXP: 9,250,000 / 13,800,000]

Kael vanished into the fray.

His blade danced.

A Rift Golem fell, its core split open by a mana-imbued strike.

A stalker lunged, but Kael countered mid-air and broke its neck with a downward kick.

Bodies fell.

Mana surged.

[EXP Gained: +500,000] × 2

[Sin Points: +2]

[EXP: 10,250,000 / 13,800,000]

[Sin Points Total: 8]

He wasn't just killing now. He was evolving.

Meanwhile…

Side Story: Three Hearts Watching

Far beyond the Vault's reach, the shrine's lanterns flickered in the quiet.

Thalaria sat by the pool, eyes closed, her spear beside her.

"I feel his pulse," she said. "His heart races… he's fighting. Again."

Nysera sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. "We were too weak to follow. But Kael's always carried us forward."

Valeria tightened the straps on her armor. "Then we train. We advance. And next time, he won't have to do it alone."

All three turned their gazes to the sky—united in distance, bonded in soul.

Back in the Vault, Kael now stood before a sealed obsidian wall—etched with shifting runes.

It pulsed in rhythm with the crimson mark on his hand.

[Warning: Forbidden Barrier Detected]

[Unlock Available — Sin Points Required: 10]

[Sin Points: 8 / 10]

Kael clenched his fists.

"Two more beasts, and I tear it down."

The Vault moaned.

The next wave surged.

[STATUS WINDOW: KAEL VIREN]

Level: 15

EXP: 10,250,000 / 13,800,000

Realm: Starforged Realm — Tier 6/9

HP: 6,900 / 6,900

Mana: 7,300 / 7,300

Base Stats (+60% passive harem link):

Strength: 188 → 300

Endurance: 172 → 275

Willpower: 196 → 314

Charm: 218 → 348

Intellect: 164 → 263

Dexterity: 176 → 282

Bonded Wives (Realms):

Evelyne — Moonglade Realm — Tier 8/9 (Deep Meditation)

Selene — Skyshatter Realm — Tier 9/9 (Consolidating Power)

Thalaria — Sunbound Realm — Tier 2/9 (Outside)

Nysera — Skyshatter Realm — Tier 1/9 (Sealed)

Valeria — Skyshatter Realm — Tier 3/9 (Training)

[PET PANEL]

Emberfang — Flame Tiger Cub (Tier 3) — Ash Devourer — Outside Dimension

Vira — Sky Serpent Hatchling (Tier 2) — Storm Pulse — Resting

Cultivation Realms:

Initiate Realm

Essence Drawn Realm

Veinwoven Realm

Soulroot Realm

Starforged Realm

Sunbound Realm

Moonglade Realm

Skyshatter Realm

Worldpiercer Realm

Heaven's Echo Realm

Celestiaflame Realm

Worldbreaker Realm

Eternal Crown Realm