FROM THE SKY
Chapter 6 – When the Abyss Stirred
The black doors of the Dungeon Core Chamber groaned as they slowly opened, releasing a crushing wave of corrupted Aether that rolled out like a dark storm. Lux felt the pressure immediately, his lungs tightening as if the air itself had become thick and heavy.
His wounds burned.
The scars across his body glowed faintly, reacting to the dense energy flooding the chamber. Even after everything he had endured, the power inside this place was on a completely different level.
At the center of the vast, circular chamber floated a massive crimson crystal, suspended in midair by chains of black energy that pulsed like veins. It beat rhythmically, just like a living heart.
The Dungeon Core.
> [Eternal Corruption – Core Detected]
Threat Level: Extreme
"So this is the source of everything…" Lux whispered.
The moment his words left his lips, the crystal pulsed violently. Dark mist poured out from it, thickening until it twisted into a monstrous shape. Bones formed, then jagged limbs, and finally a towering figure of corruption stood between Lux and the crystal.
> [Core Guardian – Corruption Construct]
The creature let out a deafening roar, shaking the entire chamber. Cracks spread across the black stone floor as it slammed one of its massive arms down, sending a shockwave of cursed Aether toward Lux.
Lux was thrown backward, smashing into a broken pillar.
> [Critical Damage]
[Pain Converted → Strength +22%]
Blood spilled from his mouth, but instead of despair, his eyes burned with fierce determination.
"So this is what protects the core…"
He pushed himself back to his feet, gripping the Corrupt Skeleton Knight Sword tighter. The cursed blade vibrated as if it, too, hungered for destruction.
The guardian charged.
Lux activated Brutal Flow, forcing his battered body to move with unnatural speed. He ducked beneath a sweeping arm and slashed upward, carving deep into the creature's shadowy flesh. Black mist exploded—but the wound closed almost instantly as the crystal behind it pulsed.
"It's regenerating…" Lux realized. "The Core is feeding it."
The guardian struck again, sending Lux crashing into the wall. His bones screamed. His vision blurred.
> [Life-Threatening Condition]
Yet Lux still stood.
He laughed weakly.
"You and I… we're the same."
Both of them were being kept alive by something else.
Lux's gaze shifted past the guardian and locked onto the glowing crystal.
"That thing is your heart… isn't it?"
Ignoring the monster, Lux forced his legs to move and sprinted straight toward the Dungeon Core.
The guardian roared in rage and stabbed a jagged spike of darkness through Lux's side.
> [Critical Damage]
Lux cried out, but his momentum didn't stop.
With every ounce of strength left in his body, he raised the cursed sword and brought it down on the crystal.
Cracks spread across its surface like shattered glass.
> [Dungeon Core Integrity: 38%]
The entire chamber shook violently. The guardian screamed as its body began to destabilize.
Lux swung again.
> [Dungeon Core Integrity: 12%]
His hands were slick with blood. His vision was fading. But he didn't stop.
"Break…!"
One final strike—
The crystal shattered.
A violent shockwave of corrupted Aether exploded outward, tearing through the chamber. The guardian let out a final, distorted howl before dissolving into nothingness.
> [Dungeon Cleared]
[Rewards Generated]
[Seal 3 Weakening]
Lux collapsed to one knee, gasping for breath.
The dungeon around him began to crumble, but he was alive.
And he was stronger than before.
---
Far Away – Abyssal Watchtower
Deep within demon territory, in a fortress carved from black stone, several powerful beings suddenly paused.
A strange ripple of energy had passed through the world.
One Demon General opened his eyes slowly.
"A dungeon in the human lands has collapsed…"
Another frowned. "Such fluctuations are rare."
A third Demon General laughed softly.
"The Sky Guard Empire just created a new Holy Maiden."
The others turned their gazes toward the distant human capital.
"That must be the cause," one said.
"Holy light always disrupts Abyss domains."
They nodded in agreement.
None of them considered the wounded boy in a collapsing dungeon.
The true storm…
Was still hidden from their sight.
---PRIMe ✨