The walls were closing in.Not literally — but the deeper Hayate and Lyria ventured, the heavier the air became. Every breath felt thick with something unseen, something ancient.
The crimson sigil on Hayate's chest still glowed faintly, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. Every pulse whispered a voice — distant, layered, and full of anguish.
"They came from above… they burned the sky…""We fought for nothing… we became nothing…"
He pressed a hand to his head.
"These voices again…"
Lyria turned sharply. "You hear something?"
"Yeah. And it's not the System this time."
They paused at a fork in the tunnel. The left path led upward — toward the surface — while the right led downward into an abyss of shadow and red mist.
[System: Two possible routes detected.][Path A: Exit Route (Low Danger)][Path B: Abyssal Passage (Unknown)]
Hayate took one look at the paths and smirked.
"Figures the 'safe route' looks boring."
Lyria frowned. "You can't be serious. We barely survived that serpent!"
"Exactly why we need to see what it was guarding."
The whispering grew louder as they descended. With each step, the torches on the walls flickered and warped, their light bending around Hayate like the dungeon itself recognized him.
When they reached the bottom, they found a stone door engraved with ancient text.
Lyria squinted. "I can't read it all… but the symbols mention 'Revenants' — and something about a throne."
The sigil on Hayate's chest reacted again. The door trembled and slowly opened with a low groan.
Inside was a vast chamber, circular and dim. Hundreds of ghostly figures floated around — faded warriors in broken armor, their eyes empty yet glowing faintly red.
Hayate froze. "What the hell…"
The nearest ghost turned its head toward him.
"You… bear the mark."
Its voice was hollow but powerful. The others began to whisper in unison — hundreds of overlapping tones forming a mournful chant.
"The heir returns…""The chain of ruin lives again…"
Lyria stepped back, trembling. "They're spirits — Revenant souls."
"Yeah," Hayate murmured, "and I think they remember me."
[Revenant Monarch Synchronization: 23%]
A wave of cold energy surged from the floor, surrounding Hayate. Visions flashed again — this time clearer: the Monarch's army falling, kingdoms burning, and a promise made in blood.
"When the seal breaks… vengeance will rise."
Hayate gasped and dropped to one knee. The spirits circled faster.
Lyria shouted, "Hayate! Snap out of it!"
He clenched his teeth, forcing the energy down. "I'm fine… just—give me a second."
The ghost closest to him raised its sword, pressing it against its own chest.
"We will lend you our strength, successor of ruin… until the throne is reclaimed."
The spectral blade dissolved into particles of crimson light and shot into Hayate's arm.
[Skill Acquired: Revenant's Echo – Passive (Level 1)][Effect: Allows brief synchronization with ancient Revenant souls.]
The spirits faded, leaving behind silence — and a faint red mist that swirled around his feet.
Hayate stood slowly, breathing hard. "They were soldiers… my soldiers."
Lyria looked at him uncertainly. "Then what does that make you?"
He didn't answer. But the look in his eyes said it all — a mix of fear, power, and grim acceptance.
"Let's go," he said finally. "We've got an exit to find."
They turned toward the light ahead — a stairway leading upward.
But behind them, the shadows shifted, forming the faint outline of a crowned figure watching silently.
[Quest Progress: Vengeance Begins.]New Path Unlocked:"The Revenant's Oath."