Chapter 11 - To the Shattered Depths Pt. 2

Towering before them were two imposing knight-like beings, their forms shrouded in void-like armor. One held a massive, mystical sword, the other an ominous wand, each standing sentinel on either side of the darkened entrance to the Shattered Depths.

They directed their cold stares to the group.

"Leave, or die." the Sword Guardian stated bluntly, his voice like metal scraping stone.

Key stepped forward, unfazed, his gaze hard. "No one's dying here. Let us through."

The Wand Guardian tilted his head. "Isn't he the Ascended One?"

The Sword Guardian scoffed. "You believe those foolish Void Runners? The Ascended One would never set foot here… Let's kill them for their insolence."

The Wand Guardian nodded, lifting his wand as a purple aura spiraled around it.

[The Wand Guardian has used Active Skill Summon LV. ??]

With a flick of his wand, dark energy swirled, condensing into a massive army of Abyssal Beasts. The creatures stretched out before them, nearly 50,000 strong, snarling, and seething with malevolence.

"Damn.." Sketch chuckled. "Looks like they really want us dead."

"No kidding!" Speedy whistled, her tone tinged with humor. "That's one hell of a welcoming party."

"More like a Beast Apocalypse…" Spam muttered, shaking her head at the sight.

Gamble nodded in agreement and stood guard.

"Key…" Nythra's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes drawn to the calm, smoldering rage building within him.

Key himself was the only one unamused and started to seethe with rage.

He held his hand up and snapped his fingers. "Enough."

A dark purple light erupted around them, forming a protective barrier that shielded the group while trapping the Guardians within.

[Active Skill Black Hole Nova LV.1 has been activated.]

This destructive ability triggers a black hole to rapidly release its accumulated mass and energy in a single, devastating explosion, akin to a supernova. The explosion is capable of annihilating everything in a considerable radius, leaving behind a vacuum.

A roaring, whistling sound filled the air as a black hole vortex appeared, pulling Abyssal Beasts toward it like a relentless vacuum. The creatures clawed and snarled, but the black hole consumed them all in seconds before collapsing on itself. Then, in a pulse of destructive energy, it erupted in a supernova, obliterating every creature caught within its radius.

When the energy finally subsided, nothing remained of the beasts.

Key stepped forward, his gaze cold as he looked upon the Guardians, who stared back in shock. The others were flabbergasted as well.

"S-So you really a-are the A-Ascended O-One..Please F-"

"Silence." Key's voice was cold. "If you try that shit again, I'll leave you trapped in an infinite loop of death."

Both Guardians nodded quickly, stepping aside to allow the group through.

Key didn't glance back as he started toward the entrance. "Come."

Speedy caught up to him with a playful laugh. "Coming, Mr. Ascended!"

Spam smirked, falling in beside him. "Might have to start calling you Daddy Key instead of dear if you keep talking like that."

Sketch grinned as he and Gamble followed, clapping Key on the shoulder. "Good shit, Key. That was insane."

Nythra hesitated, watching Key's back with a pensive gaze. 'Could he really be…?' She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it, and hurried to catch up with the others.

[All enemies have been defeated!]

[Guild Rank has increased to C Rank!]

[You can review the rewards later]

Level Up!

'Shouldn't take any time to get to S Rank..maybe even SSS Rank.' Key thought as he and the others stepped into the Entrance to the Shattered Depths.

[Transporting to the Shattered Depths..]

[Complete!!]

As the group passed through the looming entrance of the Shattered Depths, the air thickened, tinged with a strange, ominous pressure. The darkened surroundings flickered with faint traces of void energy, shifting and twisting as though alive.

"There." Sketch pointed ahead. "The Echo Village."

They looked ahead at a small, fortified village surrounded by wooden spikes, its entrance bustling with guards.

"The Echo Village?" Key asked, eyes narrowing.

"Yeah, Dear Key." Spam explained with a grin. "It's a place where outcast sorcerers and mercenaries gather. Whenever there's trouble, an 'Echo' sounds to warn everyone."

"Come on, we should hurry before they close up," Sketch urged, leading the way.

As they approached, one of the guards called out, "Halt! Who goes there?"

"It's us, The Nightcrawlers!" Speedy shouted back.

The guard's face lit up. "The Nightcrawlers? Hurry, get in! Welcome back!"

Nythra raised an eyebrow as they moved through the gate. "Seems you guys have some fans here."

Gamble nodded with a slight smile. "We've kept bandits and Abyssal Beasts away before. We're pretty known in this village."

The group barely made it through the gate when two twin scarlet-haired women appeared, their long, crimson hair flowing like embers, each wrapped in robes embroidered with mystic symbols.

"Thana! Ravenna!" Speedy and Spam cried, running up to embrace them.

"Speedy!" one of the twins cheered. "Spam!" the other squealed, her voice bright with excitement. "It feels like centuries since we last saw you!"

"Oh, it hasn't been that long, Ray." Spam laughed as they released each other.

"Definitely hasn't." Sketch joined in with a smirk. "You both must've missed us."

"Aww, Sketch! And Gamble! What's up, big guy?" Thana called out, grinning.

Gamble offered a small smile. "It's been a while."

"That's what I said!" Ravenna beamed, then her gaze landed on Key and Nythra, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Ooh, new faces!"

"Name's Key." Key gave a respectful nod.

"Nythra." She smiled warmly.

The twins exchanged a look before Ravenna gasped. "Wow, what a gorgeous couple!"

"Couple?" Key raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

Nythra's face flushed heavily. "W-We're not—"

"Yeah, right!" Ravenna teased. "You don't have to lie! Anyway, Speedy, Spam, come on, let's show Nythra around! Girls' night!"

"On it, Ray!" Speedy laughed, scooping up Nythra and zipping off.

Thana winked at the men. "We'll be back, lovelies." With a playful grin, she followed the others.

Once they were alone, Sketch leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Well, while the ladies do their thing, I know just the spot for us."

Key raised a brow. "And that would be?"

Sketch's grin widened. "The Annihilation Games."