The stone door groaned as Lucien stepped through.
Warm, dry air rushed past him. The chamber ahead was huge. Firelight flickered along the walls. Tall torches lit themselves one by one as he walked, casting long shadows over the stone floor.
[◆ You have entered: Flame Crypt – Trial Chamber]
Danger Level: High
Lucien stopped and looked around. The walls were covered in carvings—images of skeletons, fire, and a king holding a glowing sword. The ground ahead was divided into large stone tiles.
He took a careful step forward.
Suddenly, the room shook.
A deep voice echoed from the walls.
"He who walks among death must survive the fire… or turn to ash."
Lucien's eyes widened. Before he could react, the tile under his foot glowed red.
FOOM!
A burst of flame shot upward.
He jumped back just in time.
"What the—?!"
Another tile lit up. Then another. Randomly, flames burst from the floor. It was a deadly pattern.
He ran forward, dodging, rolling, jumping.
WHOOSH! A flame brushed his side, but the Pendant of Ember Skin glowed and absorbed most of the heat.
Still, his bones singed slightly.
[–5 HP]
[Fire Resistance Activated]
"This place is insane…"
After many close calls, he reached the end of the fire trap. He collapsed beside a wall, panting out of habit.
In front of him, a massive flame barrier blocked the path. It roared like a beast.
"Of course…" Lucien muttered.
Beside the barrier were three stone braziers, each unlit. Beneath them were strange carvings. He squinted.
"A puzzle?"
The carvings showed a skeleton kneeling before the king, lighting the left brazier first, then the center, then the right.
"Seems simple enough."
He lit the left brazier. It glowed red.
Then the center.
Then the right.
Nothing happened.
Suddenly, the air twisted.
Three Fire Wraiths appeared, floating above the ground, their bodies flickering with flame.
[◆ Enemy Detected: Fire Wraith – Lv. 3]
HP: 40/40
The first one launched a fireball.
Lucien ducked. The wall behind him exploded in flame.
He rolled and slashed at the second wraith.
[Hit! Enemy HP: 30/40]
The wraith hissed and flew back. Lucien activated his new skill.
[◆ Skill Activated: Ash Cloak]
Immune to Fire for 10 seconds
Flames passed through him like smoke. He charged forward and struck again, breaking the wraith into sparks.
One left.
Lucien dodged its last blast and tossed a broken sword shard into its skull.
It screamed and vanished.
[Enemies Defeated: +30 EXP]
The flame barrier vanished.
The next room lit up slowly, revealing an altar in the center. On it sat a glowing red orb.
Lucien walked over and reached out.
[◆ Skill Acquired: Ash Cloak]
Fire immunity for 10 seconds | Cooldown: 2 min
He grinned.
"This will help."
As he turned to leave, he saw a cracked mirror in the corner. He paused.
When he looked in it—he didn't see bones.
He saw himself, like before death. Human. Young. Blood dripping from his lips. A stab wound in his back.
His reflection stared at him with burning eyes.
Lucien clenched his fists.
"Darren… I'll make you pay."
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from deeper in the crypt.
The floor trembled.
Lucien's grin faded. He raised his blade.
"Something's down there…"
He stepped into the next tunnel, firelight behind him, darkness ahead.