The serpent's corpse had long since faded into ash, but its foul scent lingered in the air. The once-terrifying dungeon chamber now lay silent, lit only by the eerie red crystals that pulsed faintly on the walls.
Hayate wiped the blood from his arm. Lyria stood beside him, still clutching her staff, her breaths uneven.
"You… healed so fast," she said quietly. "Are you really human?"
Hayate smirked faintly.
"I don't even know anymore."
The System chimed softly.
[Quest Complete: Tyrant of the Depths Defeated.][Hidden Pathway Unlocked.]
The ground beneath the serpent's remains began to rumble. Part of the wall slid away, revealing a dark passage lined with ancient runes. A cold wind drifted out, whispering faintly — almost like a voice.
Lyria stepped back nervously.
"That wasn't here before…"
"No," Hayate said, eyes narrowing. "It appeared because we beat the boss. The dungeon just opened its secret."
The two exchanged a look, then moved cautiously into the passage.
The tunnel spiraled downward. Strange carvings decorated the stone — depictions of warriors kneeling before a great shadow, their eyes glowing red.
"These symbols…" Lyria whispered, tracing a rune with her fingertips. "They're ancient. Older than any kingdom I know."
"They look like they're worshipping something," Hayate muttered.
A few moments later, they reached a vast chamber — round, silent, and filled with black stone pillars. At its center stood an altar, and on it lay a single crimson crystal, beating like a living heart.
[Warning: High magical concentration detected.]
Hayate stepped closer, drawn to it as if by instinct.
"What is this place…?"
The crystal pulsed faster, reacting to his presence. Runes on the walls flared to life, flooding the chamber with red light.
[Bloodline resonance detected.][Revenant Monarch Fragment synchronization at 12%.]
A surge of energy shot through his body. Visions exploded in his mind — a battlefield covered in corpses, and a lone figure standing amidst the flames, wearing armor of black and gold.
That same voice from before echoed again, distant but commanding.
"Child of ruin… inherit my wrath."
The crystal shattered.
A crimson mark burned itself onto Hayate's chest — a sigil in the shape of a crown.
[Skill Unlocked: Revenant Domain (Unranked).]
Hayate fell to one knee, panting. The power within him surged wildly, but instead of pain, there was clarity — as if something ancient had accepted him.
Lyria rushed forward.
"Hayate! Are you alright?"
He looked up at her, eyes glowing faintly red.
"Yeah… I think I just unlocked something dangerous."
She stared at him, unsure whether to be amazed or terrified.
From the darkness above, a faint laugh echoed — ancient, mocking, and unmistakably aware.
"The Revenant blood… has awakened again."
Lyria froze.
"W-what was that voice?"
Hayate stood slowly, expression hardening.
"Whatever it was… it knows me now."
The dungeon shook once more — but this time, it felt less like rage and more like a warning.