The city quaked as the monstrous silhouette emerged from the veil of smoke a towering Corrupted Beast unlike any Levi had seen before. Its obsidian hide shimmered with blood-red veins pulsing like molten rivers, and its hollow eyes burned with unholy light. Each step cracked the earth beneath it, sending shockwaves down the fractured streets.
> "This… isn't just another beast," Levi whispered, sweat trickling down his temple. Ragnar's fur bristled, growling low as if sensing the abyss staring back.
Then the chime echoed inside Levi's mind:
[System Alert: New Boss Detected!]
[Designation: Abyssal Devourer – Class Ω]
[Level: ??? | HP: ???]
[Warning: Current power insufficient for solo engagement.]
[Quest Generated: Survive OR Slay.]
[Penalty for Failure: Eradication.]
The words burned in his vision. His pulse spiked. Eradication? The System wasn't joking.
The beast unleashed a guttural roar that shattered glass across skyscrapers, flinging debris like shrapnel. Mikoto leapt back, his crimson energy flaring around him like molten wings. Aizen gripped his katana so tight his knuckles turned white.
"Levi," Aizen barked, eyes never leaving the monstrosity. "Don't engage head-on. That thing will tear you apart."
Levi smirked despite the chaos. "Wasn't planning on dying today."
[System: Ragnar leveling up… 3 → 4 → 5.]
[Skill Unlocked: Crimson Howl.]
"Let's go, boy." Levi charged, Ragnar at his side like a streak of white lightning. The hound unleashed a howl so fierce the air vibrated, freezing nearby Whisperers mid-strike.
Aizen dashed forward, his blade igniting in spectral flames, colliding with the beast's claw in a shockwave that tore through concrete. Mikoto slammed his palm into the ground, unleashing a crimson surge that erupted into jagged spears impaling lesser beasts swarming the perimeter.
But then—whispers. A voice slithered into Levi's ears, venomous and cold. "End it… slit your throat… taste freedom…" His grip faltered for a second as the urge clawed at his mind.
[System Alert: Mental Corruption Detected.]
[New Quest: Resist and Kill the Source.]
[Targets: 5 Whisperers remaining.]
[Penalty: Death.]
"Not today!" Levi roared, slashing through the air as Ragnar lunged at the nearest Whisperer, ripping it apart in a spray of black ichor.
Above the chaos, the Abyssal Devourer reared back and screamed. The sky darkened, clouds spiraling into a vortex as black lightning speared downward. Aizen and Mikoto, side by side for the first time in years, glanced at each other—unspoken history burning between them.
"Aizen," Mikoto said coldly, crimson energy wrapping around his fists, "don't slow me down like last time."
"Tch," Aizen scoffed, flames dancing on his blade. "You were the one begging for backup."
They clashed forward as one, powers colliding with the beast in an explosion of crimson and sapphire light. The city trembled like the end of days.
And Levi—bloodied, breath ragged tightened his grip, whispering to Ragnar with a grin, "Time to make history."
[System Alert: Hidden Evolution Path Unlocked.]
[Do you accept? Y/N.]
Levi's smirk widened. Hell yes.