The Flesh Tyrant roared, its maw splitting vertically into five jagged mouths. Each dripped with cursed bile and whispered like a dying god. The organic dungeon trembled, alive with anticipation and pain.
Kael's body blurred through the air—
[Skill: Shadow Rend Lv.1 – Activated]
He sliced across the boss's eye cluster mid-air. Black blood sprayed. The beast shrieked, the vibration crawling across the walls like thunder, and slammed its massive tail into the wall. The impact sent tremors that rippled through the Maw.
Zar dodged left, rolling beneath a falling chunk of ceiling that smashed the rotting floor behind him.
"Zar—hit its legs!" Kael shouted, mid-dodge.
"Understood, Master!"
The goblin darted forward with surprising speed, ducking under swiping tendrils, and stabbed his jagged bone blade into the Tyrant's underbelly where the flesh seemed slightly softer.
[Combo Initiated: Abyss Coordination Lv.1] [Weak Point Hit! +Critical Damage]
The monster let out a guttural roar, twisting violently as a pulse of cursed mana exploded outward.
"WARNING: Dark Pulse Incoming."
Kael spun around, raising his arms.
[Skill: Abyss Bind Lv.1 – Intercept] [Bind Failed – Mana Pressure Exceeded]
A wave of force slammed into him. Kael was thrown backward, crashing through a wall of rotting sinew. His body skidded to a stop beneath a writhing web of breathing veins. Blood dripped from a gash on his forehead.
He's fast… strong… but not invincible.
"Kael. Mana levels dropping rapidly. Suggest evasive tactics or sacrifice protocol."
He gritted his teeth. "No. I'm not losing to a worm."
The dark mist around his arms pulsed, now responding to his fury. He slammed his palm into the fleshy floor.
[Hidden Skill Unlocked: Consume: Essence Drain Lv.1]
Tendrils of black energy crawled out, dragging corrupted corpses and dissolved slime toward him. Mana siphoned into his body, his veins glowing faint black as his shadow thickened.
[Mana Restored: +34%] [Stat Boost: Temporary STR +10 | INT +5]
His hands no longer trembled.
Meanwhile, Zar ducked under a sweeping tentacle but couldn't avoid the follow-up tail slam. He was sent flying, landing hard with his blade snapping in half.
"Zar!" Kael called.
The goblin tried to rise, blood dripping from his mouth. "Still… breathing… Master."
Kael surged forward.
His right claw transformed — now a jagged gauntlet forged from abyssal essence.
He leapt —
Time slowed.
The Tyrant reared back, mouths howling as it prepared to crush him.
Kael's eyes burned silver.
[Skill Chain: Shadow Rend + Consume → Abyss Execution Lv.1]
A black arc tore the air. He landed directly atop the Tyrant's central spine, driving his claws deep into its core.
[Direct Hit – Core Damage!] [Boss Defeated.]
The Flesh Tyrant screamed in a voice not meant for mortals — then fell.
Its body split apart, collapsing into twitching hunks of steaming, corrupted flesh.
Silence overtook the Maw.
A message echoed.
[BOSS DEFEATED: Flesh Tyrant (D+)] [EXP Gained: +520] [Skill Unlocked: Bone Maw Armor Lv.1] [Item Obtained: Tyrant Core – High Dark Essence] [Follower Level Up: Zar → Rank E]
Zar fell to one knee, grinning weakly. "We… did it…"
Kael looked down at his reflection in the pool of black ichor. His arms were coated in dried blood. His claws no longer looked human.
They looked forged for war.
[Kael – Rank: E] [Title Progress: Lord of the Fallen – 59%] [New Trait Developing: Tyrant's Will]
The chamber dimmed.
Kael crouched beside Zar. The goblin's breathing was ragged.
"Don't die."
Zar opened one eye. "I won't. You named me, remember?"
Kael chuckled, standing. "Good."
He raised his hand. Shadows responded instantly.
"SAGE. Analyze the core."
"The Tyrant Core contains extremely high-density corrupted essence. Recommended usage: equipment upgrade or core synthesis."
Kael turned the glowing crystal in his hand. It pulsed with raw hatred.
He slipped it into his cloak.
"Let's move. This dungeon has more secrets."
Zar nodded.
Together, they limped deeper.
Past the fallen Tyrant, the Maw opened further — veins now golden-black. Something more ancient stirred in the depths.
And Kael felt it. A pull.
Not hunger.
Invitation.
He smiled.
"I'm coming."