The fourth day in the Goblin's Den began with an unsettling sense of foreboding. Alypos awoke with the echoes of the previous day's battles still fresh in his mind, the weight of the Hell Viewing skill pressing against his thoughts. Nibbles had already scouted the area, his tiny body a blur of movement as he darted around the alcove, ready for the next adventure.
"Are you ready for whatever horrors lie ahead?" Alypos asked, stretching as he rose to his feet. Nibbles stopped his frenzied movements and struck a pose, puffing out his chest in a display of courage. Alypos chuckled, appreciating the squirrel's unwavering spirit.
They gathered their supplies, and Alypos felt the comforting weight of the spear in his hand. He still needed to hone his new skill, but he was cautious about when and how to use it. There was a part of him that feared the repercussions of sharing his pain too freely. Would it truly help others understand? Or would it only serve to sow discord?
As they navigated deeper into the dungeon, the passageways became narrower, the air thicker with the smell of damp earth and decay. The flickering torchlight barely penetrated the gloom, and shadows danced along the walls, taunting him with their elusive forms.
Hours passed in silence as they fought their way through the goblin-infested tunnels. Alypos had grown more adept at handling the creatures, dispatching them with cold efficiency. Each encounter honed his skills further, reinforcing the techniques of his Flowing Style. He could almost feel the water moving through him, guiding his actions in a graceful, lethal dance.
Nibbles remained close, alerting Alypos to any danger. Their bond deepened with each skirmish, and Alypos began to rely on the squirrel's instinctive warnings.
Suddenly, the walls opened into a large cavern, revealing a stunning sight. Glittering crystals adorned the walls, casting shimmering reflections across the chamber. At the center stood a massive stone altar, etched with ancient runes that pulsed with a faint light.
"What do you think, Nibbles?" Alypos whispered, his eyes scanning the room for threats. "Could be a trap."
Nibbles, picking up on Alypos's cautious tone, mimicked a wide-eyed expression, then gestured toward the altar with a flick of his tail. It was clear the squirrel was intrigued, though Alypos could sense the tension radiating from him.
"Alright, let's approach carefully," he said, moving forward with caution. The atmosphere shifted, an undercurrent of energy thrumming through the air.
As they reached the altar, Alypos examined the runes closely. They seemed to depict scenes of battles long forgotten, perhaps hinting at the history of this dungeon. Before he could decipher the meanings, a rumbling sound echoed through the chamber.
Alypos turned just in time to see a horde of goblins emerging from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with malice. This time, however, they weren't alone. Flanking the goblins was a Goblin Shaman, adorned in robes made from tattered cloth and feathers. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and it cackled maniacally as it raised a gnarled staff, chanting incantations that echoed through the cavern.
Alypos felt a chill run down his spine. This was no ordinary encounter; the Shaman was known for its ability to manipulate dark magic, and he could already sense the oppressive energy building in the room.
"Nibbles, we need to move!" Alypos shouted, gripping his spear tightly. The little squirrel darted forward, determined to help despite the overwhelming odds.
The goblins charged, a chaotic wave of fury, and Alypos met them head-on. He utilized his Flowing Style, twisting and turning through their ranks, his spear becoming an extension of himself. Water surged around him, creating barriers and whirlpools that tripped and disoriented his foes.
But the Shaman was relentless. With a flick of its wrist, it unleashed a wave of dark energy that shot toward Alypos, forcing him to leap aside just in time. The blast exploded against the wall, sending shards of stone flying.
"Focus on the Shaman!" he yelled to Nibbles, who had taken up a defensive position, ready to distract any goblins that approached.
Alypos calculated his next move. He had to take down the Shaman quickly before its magic could overwhelm him. He could already feel the oppressive weight of the dark energy pressing down on him, threatening to drain his strength.
Summoning his Hell Viewing skill, Alypos concentrated on the memories of his past—the extermination, the chaos, the screams of those who had perished. He felt the pain swell within him, pouring out to envelop the Shaman in its grasp.
"Hell Viewing!" he shouted, activating the skill. Shadows flickered and twisted around the Shaman, manifesting visions of destruction and loss, a torrent of despair washing over the creature.
The Shaman's laughter faltered, its eyes widening in terror as it was forced to endure the horrors Alypos had endured. The energy surged, a powerful wave of anguish that left the Shaman trembling.
"What is this?" it hissed, struggling against the onslaught of emotions and pain.
"Only a taste of what you deserve," Alypos said coldly, feeling the satisfaction of having turned their cruelty back upon them. He quickly used Water spear to skewer the Shaman killing it.
As the Shaman died, the remaining goblins hesitated, confusion spreading among their ranks. Alypos seized the moment, dispatching them one by one with ruthless precision, the weight of their fear fueling his resolve.
When the last goblin fell, Alypos stood panting, the adrenaline coursing through him. He felt a strange energy around him as if the very essence of the dungeon acknowledged his victory. The altar pulsed softly, the runes glowing brighter.
He approached it cautiously, sensing that the Shaman's defeat had awakened something within the stone structure. As he examined the altar, he discovered a ring lying among the debris, shimmering with arcane energy.
The notification echoed in his mind:
{Artifact detected...Analyzing..Spatial ring (D-)}
{Spatial ring consists of 100m, use mana to access items}
Nibbles scampered up to him, tugging at his pant leg, sensing the shift in his emotions. Alypos knelt, looking into the squirrel's concerned eyes.
"I'm okay, little guy. Just... thinking."
He couldn't afford to dwell on the past; he needed to focus on survival. They had defeated the Shaman, but there was still much to uncover within the dungeon.