Magnus's warning made Marcos tense slightly, his senses immediately sweeping across the chamber. The magma chamber was an odd contradiction—chaotic yet rhythmic. The deep, guttural bubbling of molten rock echoed through the space, underscored by the constant shifting of tons of rock just beneath the surface. Steam from the waterhole they'd entered through partially obscured their surroundings, though it dissipated quickly under the relentless heat.
The only reason they could endure this infernal place was because of Marcos's aura and Magnus's ability to regulate his temperature using elementrix magic.
After a few moments, Magnus motioned to Marcos, and they began to move. Step by cautious step, they avoided the molten patches on the ground, their eyes scanning for any signs of movement. Eventually, they found cover behind a large rock that shielded them from direct view of whatever might be lurking further inside the chamber.
"Are you sure your spell picked up something?" Marcos whispered, glancing at Magnus.
"I didn't sense anything." He hadn't spotted, heard, or felt anything unusual—nothing beyond the constant micro-eruptions around them. Even his sixth sense, usually reliable, came up empty.
"I'm sure," Magnus replied with a nod.
"The spell didn't analyze right away, so whatever it is, it's still a ways off. But it's here, in this chamber." Magnus hesitated for a moment, considering the possibility of a conceptual anomaly like the BGM Glitch or the Dharma Glitch. But Monlam's teacher had been clear—this was an anomalous beast and he was inclined to believe that. Marcos studied Magnus briefly before nodding.
"Alright. Then we need to find it before it finds us. Getting the drop on it will make closing the distance much easier." They peered around the rock, scanning the chamber again. The oppressive heat distorted the air, making it difficult to focus on anything beyond the shimmering motes of magma or the occasional plumes of black smoke rising to the jagged ceiling.
There was nothing else in sight.
"This place is huge," Magnus murmured. The chamber's ceiling towered some fifty meters overhead, though its exact height was hard to gauge. The further in they went, the chamber seemed to twist and split into tunnels and sections, forming what felt more like a sprawling cave system than a single room.
"In that case, I'll take point," Marcos said firmly.
"It'll be safer that way. You follow me once I make sure it's clear." Magnus raised an eyebrow, silently asking, Are you sure? Marcos didn't bother answering with words. Instead, he exhaled slowly, his breath steady and deliberate. A dark haze began to flow around his body, the abyssal fog blending seamlessly with his dark cloak, obscuring his form.
"What... what's going on?" Magnus asked, rubbing his eyes. The question caused Marcos to glance at him through the haze surrounding his form.
"You've seen will manifestation before, right?" Magnus nodded slowly, though something about Marcos's voice seemed off. It felt distant like a whisper carried on the wind—more a ghostly echo than a sound reaching his ears.
"Yeah, plenty of times during the Live Examination, but it never made me feel like this," Magnus replied, his brow furrowing.
"It's the same principle as aura styles," Marcos explained.
"Everyone's aura is unique, shaped from the moment they awaken it by their willpower and existence. These differences create natural properties in every aura, but most of the time, they're so subtle they don't have any noticeable effect. That's why knights use aura styles—to temporarily change their aura's properties into something more combat-effective." He paused, letting the explanation settle. Will manifestation was used to describe the phenomenon that occurred when the intensity of one's willpower controlling their aura crossed a specific threshold—in other words, when their Aura Intensity reached a certain level. It often happened just before knights entered combat, either to prepare themselves or to activate aura styles, which required highly focused wills.
"Huh... I didn't know that," Magnus admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
"But I still don't get why I can't look at you properly right now." His gaze wavered as he struggled to focus on Marcos's figure, which flickered like a shadow at the edge of his vision. It didn't make sense, but it was the only way to describe it.
"I was getting to that," Marcos chided, though his tone as steady as ever.
"Below the Adept level, will manifestation is difficult to maintain for long periods. That's why aura styles tend to burn out quickly. But once someone reaches the Adept level and practices enough, they can enter a state of semi-permanent will manifestation. It has plenty of benefits, one of which is the magnification of an aura's natural properties."
"Wait, so your aura's natural properties..." Magnus trailed off, watching as Marcos raised an arm, his hazy aura swirling faintly around it.
"Exactly. My aura's always been hazy," Marcos confirmed.
"You can usually tell a lot about an aura's natural properties just by looking at it. In my case, during will manifestation, the obscuration properties of my aura are amplified. It makes me harder to pin down in pretty much every way." Magnus let out an understanding 'oh' as it clicked. That explained why focusing on Marcos was so unnervingly difficult. Magnus could hear Marcos's voice, but he couldn't quite tell where it was coming from. Close, far, or maybe just in his head—it was impossible to tell.
And visually, it was the same. Marcos was there, standing right in front of him, but at the same time, he wasn't. It was like trying to catch a glimpse of something in your peripheral vision—always slipping away the moment you looked directly at it. If Magnus hadn't seen Marcos activate his will manifestation with his own eyes, he might not even have known he was there. It wasn't invisibility, not exactly, but something much stranger—something between being seen and unseen.
"Geez, this is a mindfuck," Magnus muttered under his breath.
"Perhaps," Marcos admitted, "but this makes it harder for whatever we're looking for to detect me before I find it. Since you saw me enter this state, as long as you keep me in your line of sight, you should be able to track me."
With that, he began to move, darting out from behind the rock and navigating the blistering terrain of the magma chamber with ease. Magnus watched him closely. True to his word, Marcos's hazy form remained just discernible enough to follow. As long as he focused, he could track Marcos's movements without losing him entirely.
It didn't take long for Marcos to reach the far end of the chamber, where multiple molten rivers converged into a massive lake of churning magma before branching off again into smaller streams. He scanned the area briefly, stepping aside with precision as a spray of magma erupted from the lake, splattering the ground he'd just been standing on. He was about to raise a hand to signal Magnus to follow his path when he froze mid-motion. At the same moment, both of their heads snapped toward the magma lake.
They had seen something.
"Agh!" Magnus winced as a sharp pain shot through his eyes, forcing him to look away briefly. It felt like the throbbing ache from staring at a bright screen too long—only far worse, crashing over him in relentless waves.
Marcos was no better off. Closer to the source, he grunted as the pain twisted his expression into a grimace. One hand instinctively clutched his head while the other groped for the knives strapped to his belt.
What the hell is that thing!?
Magnus's mind reeled.
I can see it, but it's... wrong!
Rising from the magma lake was something that could only be described as alien. It resembled the massive head of a snake, but its shape was grotesque and unnatural—elongated like a screwdriver, with cross-shaped protrusions that could have been bones or scales.
Yet their nature defied comprehension.
Its surface wasn't textured like the rest of the world. Each scale shimmered with static, like the fuzz on a TV screen with no signal. The static wasn't just black and white; it flickered with every imaginable color—and colors beyond imagination. Hues that didn't belong in any known spectrum danced across its shifting surface, an endless cascade of imperceptible dots. The creature moved through the magma with an eerie grace, yet the molten lake showed no reaction to its presence. There were no ripples, no waves, no displacement. It was as if the creature and the magma occupied entirely different planes of reality.
They existed within each other, yet utterly apart.
Neither Magnus nor Marcos dared to move. Part of it was worry that the creature might notice them, but the other part was sheer inability to watch its movements for long without the searing pain in their eyes.
The creature glided to the edge of the magma lake, its static scales gradually giving way to something more tangible. Starting from its elongated head, its form shifted as it emerged onto solid ground. The static receded, and its body became textured—a deep brown resembling the jagged, rough bark of an ancient tree. Its long tongue flickered through the air as it surveyed its surroundings with gleaming yellow eyes, their elongated vertical pupils narrowing like slits.
Tha- That's the glitch!? A giant, static TV snake or something?
Magnus's thoughts spiraled as he stared at the massive creature. It had to be at least fifty meters long and four meters wide, and that was just the part visible to him. The thing wasn't even fully stretched out yet. He watched as the snake coiled itself on the solid ground. Neither the searing heat nor the magma surrounding it seemed to bother the creature, even now that its body had returned to a "normal" texture.
With the static gone, the painful sensation in Magnus's eyes faded as well. As he tried to process what kind of glitch he was dealing with, Marcos—still closer to the creature and concealed in his will manifestation—frowned deeply.
Is that... a Brownback Burrowing Snake? But that's impossible. They don't grow this big, and they definitely can't swim through magma. They're not even supposed to be in this part of the kingdom—they live near the border in the mountain regions. And what was that flashing on its scales?
His thoughts churned as he recalled the strange flickering.
Was it magic? Did it transform into a mana beast from living down here?
Yet, as he focused his senses, he felt nothing—no mana fluctuations, no signs of mana absorption, no reactions at all. Even when the snake had swum through the magma lake, the mana in the area had remained unaffected.
Then if it's not magic, then what the hell is it?
Marcos didn't have an answer. Taking a slow, measured breath, he turned his attention toward Magnus and gestured with his hands. He indicated that he'd sneak closer to the snake while Magnus should take the high route. Or at least, that's what Magnus interpreted when Marcos pointed toward the chamber's roof.
"Shit... I really don't want to get close to a glitch I know nothing about," Magnus muttered under his breath.
"But I don't have a choice." He glanced upward, visualizing his approach. His movements were careful, jumping through the air in a way that avoided any noise or making any shockwaves that might overpower the molten symphony of the chamber. Keeping close to the wall, he used the rocky formations as cover to minimize the chance of being spotted. As he neared the roof, Magnus extended his hands, and visualized mana constructs to form sharp, clawed extensions around his fingers. These constructs, textured with ridges and grooves for better grip, melded perfectly with his natural movements.
Combined with [Self Body Puppetry], they allowed him to cling to the ceiling like a predator stalking from above. This method, though slower, was far stealthier than walking through the air or rushing directly at the creature. The rugged ceiling texture provided enough cover to keep him hidden as he crawled toward the position directly above the snake.
If I get spotted—and I'm pretty sure I will—it has to be at the last second.
He would need to buy enough time for the Command Console to start its analysis. After that, it would all be up to Marcos to extract him.
It didn't take long for Magnus to reach his position. Hanging upside down, he looked down at the top of the snake's coiled body. Its sleek, bark-textured scales gleamed faintly under the chamber's fiery glow. Magnus shifted his focus toward Marcos, who had crept within ten meters of the creature.
Their eyes met.
Though Marcos's obscured form was hard to read, Magnus recognized the signal—a subtle gesture asking if he was ready. Magnus took a deep, steadying breath before nodding. Marcos nodded back.
Marcos reached for his belt and grabbed a throwing knife, twirling it briefly in his fingers as the dark haze of his aura began to fade. The knife itself seemed to drink in the light, shrouded in a tangible shadow. The moment his will manifestation dropped, the snake's attention snapped to him.
Its head rose, and it let out a hissing sound that vibrated the air like a physical force. As its mouth opened wide, it revealed rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth—not the fangs of a typical snake but tools seemingly made to rend flesh with brutal efficiency.
Marcos didn't flinch. Instead, he seized the opening, his arm snapping forward as he hurled the knife. It tore through the air like a bullet, breaking the sound barrier with a sharp crack and leaving a faint trail of black haze behind it. The knife struck true, punching into the snake's eye and continuing straight through, spraying blood into the air as the creature's head recoiled.
The snake let out a pained, otherworldly noise, and that was Magnus's cue. Letting his mana construct claws dissipate, he released his grip on the ceiling and dropped, hot air rushing past him as he descended. His focus locked on the Command Console, waiting for it to begin the analysis process. Meanwhile, Marcos reached for another knife, his eyes narrowing as he aimed for the snake's remaining eye. His aura once again coated the blade, leaving a phantom-like trail as he prepared his next strike.
If I can blind it now, killing it next time will be much easier.
Marcos thought's narrowed as he threw the knife. The weapon streaked through the air as fast as the first, but this time, the snake's movements shifted. Its writhing stopped abruptly, and its focus zeroed in on Marcos. The knife struck its target—only to shatter into fragments on impact. Marcos's eyes widened as he saw the snake's remaining eye, now transformed into the same multicolored static that had covered its scales earlier.
"What the hell?" Marcos muttered, stunned. Before he could process further, Magnus's voice rang out.
"Marcos!" Marcos glanced up and didn't hesitate. His legs tensed, and in an instant, he vanished from his spot, cloak fluttering violently as he cut through the air. He intercepted Magnus mid-fall, just as he was about to crash into the snake's massive body. The force of his launch sent them hurtling toward the chamber wall. Marcos twisted midair, absorbing the brunt of the force with his legs as he slammed into the wall. The impact sent heavy tremors through the chamber, shattering the rock and widening cracks that oozed magma. Nearby magma bubbles ruptured, splattering molten rock around them.
"Did you do it?" Marcos asked, holding Magnus tightly.
"Yeah, now get us out of here!" Magnus replied, his eyes darting briefly to the Command Console to confirm its progress.
"Hold on tight." Without another word, Marcos launched off the wall, heading straight for the waterhole they'd entered through. Although he couldn't move at full speed while carrying Magnus, Marcos was still a blur of motion. He landed on the ground in a crouch, then immediately leaped toward a hanging stalactite. Using it as a springboard, he launched himself again, leaving behind a black streak of his form.
As Marcos carried him at breakneck speed, Magnus glanced back and saw the snake catch sight of them. Without hesitation, it uncoiled and launched itself through the air, its massive body arcing gracefully before diving headfirst toward the ground.
Huh?
Magnus's eyes widened as he expected an impact, but there was none. Instead, the snake's head shimmered with static once more, and it simply passed through the ground like a ghost through a wall.
"What the...?" He muttered.
The snake's entire body followed, sinking into the earth without disturbing it. Then, just as suddenly, it leaped out from another spot, arcing briefly before plunging back in. It moved as though it were swimming through the world itself, ignoring terrain, magma, or any obstacle in its way. Despite Marcos's speed, the creature managed to keep up, its unnatural movement allowing it to cut across distances effortlessly.
Magnus's heart raced as a muffled, primal melody began to echo in his ears. The music seemed to rise from nowhere like it was reverberating off the walls of unseen catacombs. Each guttural beat synced perfectly with the snake's rhythmic leaps from the ground.
"Marcos, I don't think we'll have time to slow down; it's coming fast!" Magnus warned. Marcos didn't respond, but his speed suddenly surged. The increase in velocity made the air resistance unbearable, battering Magnus's body like a solid wall. He winced, feeling as though his enhanced frame was the only thing keeping his bones from breaking under the strain.
"This is going to be rough," Marcos warned, his voice steady despite the chaos. Magnus felt an isolating presence settle over his body, numbing the sting of air resistance and the oppressive heat of the chamber. It was as though he'd been wrapped in a protective cocoon. Turning his gaze away from the snake, Magnus looked ahead just in time to see Marcos land directly in front of the steaming water entrance.
"Hold your breath!" Marcos yelled. Magnus barely had time to inhale before Marcos leaped through the steam and into the water. The protective feeling around Magnus shielded him from the scalding heat, but the crushing pressure of the deep water pressed against his body. It wasn't painful, but the resistance made him feel like he was being compacted into himself.
So that's it. Marcos must have extended his aura to me.
Marcos kicked furiously, his legs moving with impossible speed as he torpedoed through the branching underwater tunnel. The fiery light from the magma chamber dimmed rapidly, fading into absolute darkness. Magnus clung tightly to Marcos, his sense of direction completely lost. Up and down no longer existed. The only assurance he had was Marcos's firm grip, and the faint, primal rhythm of the snake's music still echoing in his mind.
The music, now slower and more subdued, offered a strange comfort. It distracted Magnus from the oppressive darkness and the disorienting sensations of the underwater world. But he remained on edge, knowing that until the music stopped entirely, the creature was still pursuing them.
Seconds stretched into what felt like an eternity, each moment amplified by the eerie silence and the weight of anticipation.
Then, it struck.
The rhythm shifted, climbing to a crescendo. Magnus's eyes darted toward the sound, and even in pitch darkness, he saw it.
The snake erupted from the tunnel wall, its multicolored static scales glowing with an otherworldly brilliance that defied the void surrounding them. Its form was a violent contrast of light and oppressive shadow, the static clashing against the blackness of its gaping maw. It was like watching a streak of countless shifting lights, shaped into a monstrous figure, chasing them through an endless void.
At first sight of the snake, Magnus instinctively clamped his hands over his mouth, fighting to hold on to the breath he had left. The creature didn't relent. It leaped through the walls and water with an unnerving rhythm, its glowing form flickering from one side of the tunnel to the other. Each time it lunged, its massive jaws snapped shut mere inches behind them, its razor-sharp teeth grazing the water with terrifying precision.
Magnus's heart pounded in his chest as the familiar burn in his lungs began to build.
Shit, I can't hold my breath much longer.
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the nightmarish sight of the snake pursuing them. He clung tightly to Marcos, resisting the primal panic clawing at his mind. But his body's instincts were relentless. The burning in his throat and chest grew more intense, threatening to overwhelm him.
Every fiber of his being screamed at him to inhale, to do something. The logical part of his brain reminded him that taking a breath would fill his lungs with water—but reason was slipping away. The pressure in his chest-mounted, and the world around him began to blur.
Fuck...
Magnus's vision swam as his body finally betrayed him overcoming his will. With a sharp gasp, water rushed into his airways, flooding his lungs. The burn that had tormented him only moments ago now exploded into searing agony, stabbing into him like knives. Sound faded first, the muffled chaos of the chase giving way to an eerie, deafening silence. Then came the loss of sensation—his grip on Marcos, the water rushing past his skin, even the crushing pressure around him—all of it ebbed away.
Despite the pain tearing through his chest, a strange calm began to settle over him. Magnus's dimming vision fixed on the blackness behind them, the faint glow of the snake's static form flickering in the periphery.
And then, everything went dark. Magnus's body went limp, surrendering as he slipped into unconsciousness.