The third floor of the tower greeted them with an oppressive stillness, the air heavy with a suffocating energy that made every breath feel like a struggle. The walls, carved from dark stone, were streaked with pulsating veins of Abyssal energy, casting an eerie glow across the cavernous expanse. Unlike the previous levels, this floor was more open, with towering columns of jagged stone rising into the darkness above.
"Feels... different," Qin said, his voice echoing faintly.
"That's because it is," Zhao Yue replied, her hand resting on her sword. "The Abyssal energy here is stronger. It's like the tower itself is alive, feeding on it."
"Alive or not, it's creepy as hell," Feng Lan said, her eyes scanning the shadows. "Stay sharp. This place feels like a trap."
As they moved deeper into the chamber, the faint sound of voices reached them. Qin tensed, his grip tightening on his dagger.
"People," Zhao Yue said, her expression cautious. "We're not the only ones here."
The group rounded a massive column and came face-to-face with another team. Five figures stood before them, each armed and on edge.
"Whoa, easy!" a man at the front said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a confident grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "We're not here to fight."
"Neither are we," Zhao Yue said, her tone guarded.
The man stepped forward, his movements deliberate. "Name's Li Hao. We're hunters, same as you. Trying to survive this damn tower."
"Zhao Yue," she replied. "This is Qin and Feng Lan."
Li Hao's gaze flicked to Qin, sizing him up. "Newbie?"
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Qin muttered, earning a chuckle from Feng Lan.
"He's learning," Zhao Yue said simply.
Li Hao nodded. "Good. We'll need every blade we can get."
"What do you mean?"
Li Hao's grin faded, replaced by a grim seriousness. "There's a boss monster up ahead. We scouted it but didn't have the firepower to take it down alone."
"What kind of boss?" Zhao Yue asked.
"Abyssal Serpent," Li Hao said. "Big, fast, and nasty as hell. It's guarding the way to the next floor."
The two groups merged, their footsteps echoing in the vast chamber as Li Hao led the way. Qin couldn't help but study the new arrivals.
Aside from Li Hao, there was a woman with short, fiery red hair and a massive war hammer slung across her back. She introduced herself as Mei Ling, her brash attitude matching her weapon.
A wiry man named Chen carried a crossbow, his sharp eyes darting constantly as if expecting an ambush. Then there was a quiet, stoic figure named Yan, whose twin daggers gleamed with Abyssal runes. Finally, a hooded figure who only introduced himself as Wu exuded an unsettling aura, his dark robes practically blending into the shadows.
"You've been in the tower long?" Qin asked Mei Ling as they walked.
"Long enough to know it's a nightmare," she said with a grim laugh. "But the rewards are worth it—if you survive."
"And if you don't?"
She shrugged. "Then you die. Simple as that."
The casualness of her tone sent a chill through Qin.
As they neared the serpent's lair, the oppressive energy intensified. The walls seemed to pulse in time with a deep, resonant thrum that vibrated through their bones.
"This is it," Li Hao said, stopping before a massive archway carved into the stone. "The serpent's in there."
"Any plan?" Zhao Yue asked.
Li Hao grinned. "Hit it hard and fast. Don't let it corner you, and watch out for its tail—it's like a damn battering ram."
"That's your plan?" Feng Lan said, raising an eyebrow.
"Got a better one?"
She smirked. "Not really. Let's do it."
The group entered the chamber, their weapons at the ready. The lair was a vast, circular arena, the floor covered in a slick, dark substance that shimmered with Abyssal energy. At the center of the room lay the Abyssal Serpent.
The creature was massive, its coiled body easily spanning twenty feet in diameter. Its scales were black and glossy, each one edged with a faint, sickly green glow. Its head, adorned with jagged horns, lifted as they entered, its glowing yellow eyes locking onto them.
"Oh, that's big," Qin muttered, his heart racing.
The serpent hissed, the sound reverberating through the chamber like a storm. It uncoiled, its movements unnaturally fluid, and reared up, towering over them.
"Spread out!" Zhao Yue shouted.
The battle began in chaos.
Li Hao charged first, his blade flashing as he aimed for the serpent's side. The creature reacted with terrifying speed, its tail whipping around and sending him flying into the wall with a sickening thud.
"Damn it!" Mei Ling roared, swinging her war hammer with all her might. The impact cracked one of the serpent's scales, eliciting a furious screech.
Chen fired his crossbow from the edge of the arena, the bolts embedding themselves in the serpent's hide. They didn't seem to do much damage, but they distracted it long enough for Zhao Yue to close in.
Her blade sliced into the serpent's flank, black ichor spraying from the wound. The serpent retaliated, its massive head snapping toward her. Zhao rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding its jaws.
Qin hesitated, his grip on his dagger tightening. The serpent was unlike anything he'd faced before—massive, powerful, and utterly terrifying.
"Don't just stand there!" Feng Lan shouted, her gloves glowing as she unleashed a burst of energy that struck the serpent's face. "Move!"
The serpent roared, its tail sweeping across the arena. Qin dove to the ground, the force of the attack sending shards of stone flying.
Gritting his teeth, he activated the Shadow Veil. The shadows around him coiled and twisted, cloaking him in darkness. Moving silently, he approached the serpent's side, his dagger aimed for a weak spot between its scales.
The blade sank into the flesh, and the serpent screeched, thrashing violently. Qin was thrown back, landing hard on the slick floor.
"Careful!" Zhao Yue shouted.
"I noticed!" Qin snapped, scrambling to his feet.
The serpent's movements grew more frantic as the group pressed their attack, but its power was overwhelming. It lashed out with its tail, sent bursts of Abyssal energy surging through the floor, and snapped at anyone who got too close.
Despite their efforts, the creature showed no signs of slowing.
"This thing's not going down easy," Mei Ling growled, her war hammer cracking against its head.
"Keep hitting it!" Li Hao shouted, blood dripping from a gash on his forehead. "We've got it on the ropes!"
But Qin wasn't so sure. The serpent's eyes glowed brighter, and the Abyssal energy in the chamber surged, making the air feel heavy and electric.
"We need to regroup," Zhao Yue said, her voice tight. "This isn't working."
Before anyone could respond, the serpent reared back and unleashed a deafening roar. A shockwave of Abyssal energy exploded outward, throwing everyone off their feet.
Qin hit the ground hard, his vision swimming. As he struggled to rise, he saw the serpent coiling, its energy building to a dangerous crescendo.
"We're running out of time!" Feng Lan shouted, her voice laced with urgency.
The serpent struck again, its jaws snapping inches from Qin's face. He rolled away, his heart pounding.
The group was scattered, battered, and bloodied. And the serpent was far from finished.