Chapter 20: Last Light of the city
The entrance to the building was a massive set of double doors, their wood rotted and splintered. Cruz hesitated for a moment, his hand resting on the door. Something about this place felt… wrong. It was as if the very walls were alive, humming with a dark energy that made his skin crawl. He took a deep breath, bracing himself. Before he entered, he decided to take a closer look at the building.
It looked like a cathedral.
The once-grand structure towered above him, its crumbling stonework and deep cracks snaking through the tall walls, giving the impression that the entire building was struggling to hold itself together. Vines twisted through the cracks, reclaiming the stone as they wove around shattered statues that had once depicted celestial beings. Now, they were nearly unrecognizable—just shadows of their former glory.
Above him, fractured towers sagged, and the broken spires leaned dangerously. The iron gates of the massive arched doorway hung rusted and crooked, creaking ominously in the wind. Cruz felt a sense of foreboding wash over him. This place wasn't just abandoned—it was forsaken.
Yet, something drew him inside.
He pushed through the heavy doors, which groaned loudly as they swung inward. Stepping through, he was greeted by an overwhelming sense of decay. The air was heavy, thick with dust and something more—something darker.
The stained-glass windows, which had once depicted scenes of the god's radiant miracles, were completely blackened, as though the very light had been sucked from them. The shadows clung to every corner, and the cathedral felt less like a place of worship and more like a tomb.
And yet, there was light.
At the far end of the cathedral, near the altar, a faint, pulsing glow caught his eye. The light was dim but persistent, a beacon of hope in the overwhelming darkness.
Cruz stepped cautiously down the central aisle, the sound of his boots echoing in the vast, empty space. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the cathedral's oppressive atmosphere pressing down on him. As he moved closer to the source of the light, a figure appeared in the shadows.
A hulking silhouette, standing motionless near the altar.
Cruz froze, instinctively reaching for the dagger strapped to his waist. His eyes narrowed as he used his skill, [Identify], hoping to gather more information.
[Knight of Solara – Level 40 (suppressed)]
Stats:
Strength: 120 (-200) originally (*320)
Agility: 90
Endurance: 70
Toughness: 60
Wisdom: 250 (+100) originally (*150)
Intelligence: 150
Willpower: 300 (+100) originally (*200)
Vitality: 60 (-90) originally (*150)
Mana Capacity: 100 (-200) originally (*300)
Light Mastery: 200 (-300) originally (*500)
[You have cast Identify and scanned a high-level life form]
[Upgrade imminent]
[Identify Rank: F, upgrading rank…]
[Identify upgraded to Rank E]
[Interference from...(error??//𐌗𐌘𐌗𐌡𐌕 𐌢 𐌡𐌠𐌢𐌔)]
[Skill is being adjusted]
[New skill created in accordance to...(error??//𐌗𐌘𐌗𐌡𐌕 𐌢 𐌡𐌠𐌢𐌔)]
[Analyze – Rank E (0/100)]
Skill Type: Advanced Knowledge/Observation
Effect: Allows the user to gain detailed information about an object, creature, or entity. Unlike Identify, Analyze provides deeper insights, such as the target's weaknesses, hidden abilities, resistances, and a broader scope of stats. The user can also detect energy signatures, magical imprints, and subtle changes in the environment. This skill is useful for planning strategies in battles and uncovering more complex information than Identify can reveal.
Cruz blinked, both shocked and pleased. His skill had upgraded. Yet again, his [Descent of Primus] had interfered, granting him an even more potent tool. He didn't fully understand the nature of his strange, evolving abilities, but the results were undeniable. His power was growing—whether he liked it or not.
As he observed the towering knight, awe mixed with fear. Even with its stats heavily suppressed, the Knight of Solara was formidable. Cruz didn't want to imagine what it could do if it were at full strength. The armor alone was mesmerizing—silvery-white, radiating with an almost divine glow despite the thin veil of dust.
The knight stood sentinel in the dilapidated cathedral, his armor gleaming like a beacon of hope. The sunburst crown on his helm glowed faintly, casting a golden light from the eye slits. Every inch of the armor was covered in intricate patterns, etched rays of light and swirling designs that caught the dim glow from the front of the cathedral.
Cruz's breath caught as he looked closer at the knight. The long, flowing cape trailing behind him was tattered but still elegant, bearing the sun emblem of Solara, a radiant god of light. The longsword in the knight's hand had a crossguard shaped like outstretched wings, and its pommel seemed to pulse with energy. His shield, though dented and scarred, shimmered with an ethereal light, etched prayers tracing the edges.
Cruz swallowed hard. The power emanating from this figure was almost overwhelming, even in its dormant state. He had never encountered anything like it. Awakened knights of this caliber were rare, especially ones who seemed tied to long-forgotten gods.
He needed to be cautious.
Slowly, Cruz shifted his weight, trying to avoid making any sound. He didn't want to draw the knight's attention. But as he moved, the floor creaked under his boot, a sharp, betraying sound that echoed through the vast chamber.
The knight's head snapped toward him instantly. His glowing eyes locked on Cruz, and the faint light within them flared.
Cruz's pulse quickened. "Damn it."
He instinctively stepped back, but then something unexpected happened—the knight did not move. He remained in place, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword, but his gaze seemed fixed on the source of light behind him, near the altar. Cruz followed his gaze.
The object.
It rested on a raised platform at the far end of the cathedral. An ornate pedestal, adorned with carvings of rays and wings, supported the object, which was glowing with a bright, holy light. The closer Cruz got, the more he realized that the light wasn't just emanating from the object—it was alive, pulsing with a rhythm that echoed through the room, like the beating of a heart.
For a moment, Cruz was mesmerized. The light felt warm, hopeful, and inviting. It was as if the object itself was alive, beckoning him closer, offering some sort of solace in this decaying place.
But something wasn't right.
Cruz's gaze flickered back to the knight, whose focus hadn't wavered. He wasn't attacking, but he wasn't retreating either. It was as if the knight was guarding the light, not Cruz.
[Analyze – Target: Solara ???????]
Classification: Divine ?????
Energy Source: Solara ???Radiance
Effect: Unknown (Requires further proximity)
Protection Field: Active – High-level deterrent against dark forces and non-divine beings.
Warning: Proximity to relic may trigger defensive measures. Proceed with caution.
The glowing object is covered in a membrane, pulsating rhythmically like a beating heart. As Cruz peers closer, he sees that it is a small, pristine white finger—its shape delicate and flawless. It enchants all who gaze upon it, making them believe it is the most beautiful finger they have ever seen. The sight induces a mesmerizing state, compelling onlookers to worship it. The longer one stares the more profound the effect, leaving them in awe and unable to stand or resist its imposing aura. The finger, seemingly a woman's pinky, radiates an irresistible power that dominates the will of those who dare to gaze upon it.
Cruz's stomach dropped as the new information flooded his mind. The object wasn't just an ordinary light—it was a relic, a divine artifact tied to Solara. And the knight was its protector.
He wasn't sure what would happen if he got closer, but he had a sinking feeling that the knight wouldn't just let him walk away with it.
The divine energy was palpable now, filling the air around him with a hum of power. He could feel it prickling his skin, as if the very air was charged with electricity. The sheer strength of it was awe-inspiring, and part of Cruz wanted to reach out, to see if he could tap into it, harness the energy for himself.
But the knight was watching.
Cruz clenched his fists, his mind racing. He had a decision to make. He could attempt to approach the relic, risking whatever defensive measures it might trigger. Or he could try to engage the knight—though with his current strength, that felt like a suicide mission.
The light pulsed again, calling to him.
And then, from deep within the cathedral, a new sound echoed—a low rumbling, as if something massive was stirring.
Cruz's eyes widened. The knight turned sharply toward the noise, his grip tightening on his sword.
Something else was here.
The rumbling grew louder, shaking the cathedral walls. Dust fell from the rafters, and the blackened windows rattled in their frames. Cruz spun around, searching the shadows for the source of the disturbance. He could feel the ground vibrating beneath his feet.
Suddenly, the ground split open near the entrance, and from the chasm emerged a dark, hulking figure. Its form was cloaked in shadow, but Cruz could make out its grotesque, twisted shape—massive claws, gnarled limbs, and glowing red eyes that pierced through the darkness.
[Analyze – Target: Abyssal Warden]
Level: Unknown (Abyss-Tier)
Health: ???
Strength: ???
Speed: ???
Toughness: ???
Abilities: ???
[Warning!!!!!! This is an Abyssal Gatekeeper. Escape is advised.]
Cruz felt his blood run cold.
The Abyssal Warden towered over him, its presence oppressive and terrifying. Whatever this thing was, it had clawed its way out of an Abyss-tier gate.
And now it was coming for him.
"Great," Cruz muttered, drawing his spear and daggers "Just what I needed."