Chapter 21 – The Severing Depths
The chamber shook as the Tidebound Colossus unfurled its limbs.
Dozens of glowing tethers pierced its twisted body, each one vibrating like a fishing line under immense tension. Fragments of broken player avatars clung to its arms, their faces flickering between anguish and rage.
Its massive head turned toward Soren. A single, glowing eye fixed on him.
TETHER DETECTED. SOUL LINK MUST BE REELED IN.
FINAL WORLD BOSS ENCOUNTER
Tidebound Colossus (Lv. 50)
Special Effects:
– Soul Shatter
– Tether Drain
– Corruption Overload
The tether in Soren's chest pulsed violently.
Tether Stability: 6%
Warning: Critical Failure Imminent
Kryssa, Selene, Haruka… this ends now.
Phase One – The Pull
The Colossus raised a hand, and the entire chamber vibrated.
[Status Effect: Tether Pull]
– Movement speed reduced by 50%
– Damage dealt reduced by 30%
"Don't let it grab your tether!" Kryssa shouted, darting forward with her spear.
Selene floated weakly behind them, clutching her whip. "Soren… don't… let it take her…"
⸻
Soren activated Deathcurrent Step, flickering to the Colossus's side. His dagger slashed through a glowing tether anchored to its arm.
Critical Hit!
Tether Anchor Destroyed (1/6)
The Colossus roared, swinging a massive fist in retaliation.
[Status Effect: Tether Drain]
– Tether Stability -1%
Soren staggered as the tether in his chest flickered violently.
Killing me won't be enough for it. It wants her too.
⸻
Phase Two – The Shatter
The Colossus's body split apart, revealing a hollow core filled with writhing tethers.
PHASE SHIFT: Soul Shatter Activated
– Boss regenerates 2% HP per second until all Tether Anchors are destroyed.
– Corruption Level: 98%
Selene let out a strangled scream as a tether from the Colossus lashed out, piercing her chest.
ALERT: Selene Grayfin – Corruption Level: 100%
Status: Fully Corrupted
Her avatar convulsed and stilled.
"SELENE!" Kryssa roared.
Selene's eyes opened—pure black.
WARNING: Corrupted Player Detected
Selene Grayfin (Lv. 35) – Enemy
"She's gone…" Kryssa whispered. Then she turned to Soren, her face a mask of rage.
"This is your fault. When this is over, rogue, I don't care if you saved her or not—I'm killing you."
⸻
Phase Three – Corruption Overload
The Colossus's core glowed brighter, tendrils of code spiraling outward like fishing lines.
FINAL PHASE: Corruption Overload
– All Tethered Players will be consumed in 60 seconds.
SEVER, OR BE SEVERED.
Kryssa and Soren launched their final assault, darting between tethers as the Colossus's body began collapsing inward.
Soren gripped the tether in his chest.
This is it. One chance.
[Skill Activated: Abyssal Break]
– Sacrifice Remaining Tether Stability for Massive AoE Damage.
"FOR HARUKA!"
His dagger glowed with a blinding blue light as he hurled it into the Colossus's core.
Critical Hit!
Tidebound Colossus – HP: 0%
WORLD BOSS DEFEATED
The Severing
The chamber fell silent.
The tethers snapped, one by one, like breaking fishing lines.
The core shattered, releasing Haruka. Her limp body floated toward Soren.
Tether Stability: 0%
Warning: Soul Link Severed
Soren caught her in his arms.
"Soren…"
Her eyes fluttered open. A faint smile.
"Thank you… for reeling me back…"
Then she went still.
PLAYER: Haruka Ayane
Status: Disconnected
Kryssa's Wrath
Kryssa hovered a few feet away, her spear dripping with corrupted ichor.
"You saved her."
Her voice was low, deadly calm.
"But Selene's gone. And for that… you're next."
Soren stood, clutching Haruka's body.
"Then come for me."