The serpent's roar echoed through the chamber, vibrating through the very marrow of their bones. The group was scattered, each member struggling to stay on their feet against the overwhelming power of the Abyssal Serpent.
Qin wiped the blood from his forehead, his breaths ragged. The chaos was too much. Their attacks were disorganized, their teamwork fractured, and the serpent was exploiting every weakness.
"System," he growled under his breath, desperation sharpening his tone. "What do you have for me?"
A flicker of blue light pulsed in the corner of his vision, the familiar interface of the system appearing with a quiet chime.
New feature available in the Abyssal Skill Tree: Command.
Command: Allows the user to direct and coordinate allies with unparalleled precision, amplifying their effectiveness in combat. Requires activation through Abyssal Energy.
"Unlock it," Qin whispered, the words almost lost in the noise of the battle.
A rush of Abyssal Energy coursed through him, sharper and more intense than anything he had felt before. His mind cleared, and a strange sense of awareness washed over him. He could feel the presence of each of his allies—their strengths, their positions, and even their injuries.
The system's voice whispered in his mind. Activate Command now?
"Yes," he said firmly.
A surge of power exploded outward, unseen but palpable. His voice rang clear, cutting through the chaos.
"Everyone, regroup! Now!"
The others hesitated for only a moment before responding instinctively. Zhao Yue sprinted toward him, her blade already dripping with the serpent's ichor. Feng Lan's gloves crackled as she lashed out with another burst of energy, creating a brief distraction that allowed Mei Ling and Chen to retreat to safety.
"What's happening?" Li Hao demanded, stumbling back with blood staining his armor.
"I've got a plan," Qin said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "But you have to trust me."
The serpent reared again, its eyes blazing with malevolent energy. Qin's mind worked faster than ever before, the system feeding him tactical insights in real-time.
"Feng Lan, target its eyes! Keep it blinded. Zhao Yue, aim for the weaker scales near its midsection. Mei Ling, you're on distraction duty—hit it hard and loud. Chen, stay on the perimeter and fire bolts at its joints. Yan, cover him. Wu, channel your energy into suppressing its Abyssal attacks. Li Hao, with me—we're going for the head!"
"What about you?" Feng Lan asked, her voice tinged with doubt.
"I'll keep us together," Qin said, a glint of determination in his eyes.
The group sprang into action, moving as one. Feng Lan unleashed a series of precise energy blasts, forcing the serpent to shield its eyes with its massive coils. Zhao Yue darted in, her blade carving deep gashes into its vulnerable flank.
"Keep going!" Qin shouted, his voice resonating with an authority he hadn't known he possessed.
Mei Ling roared as she slammed her war hammer into the serpent's tail, the impact reverberating through the chamber. The serpent whipped around, its focus fractured between too many threats.
Chen's bolts struck true, embedding themselves in the serpent's joints and slowing its movements. Yan moved like a shadow, protecting Chen from the serpent's retaliatory strikes.
Meanwhile, Wu's dark energy swirled around the serpent, suppressing its Abyssal aura and weakening its attacks.
"Now!" Qin yelled, signaling Li Hao.
The two of them charged, their blades gleaming with Abyssal energy. Qin's dagger found purchase just beneath the serpent's jaw, while Li Hao's sword sliced through one of its horns.
The serpent shrieked, its movements becoming erratic. It lashed out wildly, catching Mei Ling and sending her crashing into a wall.
"Mei Ling's down!" Chen shouted.
"Focus!" Qin barked, his voice cutting through the panic. "Stick to the plan!"
The battle raged on, each strike chipping away at the serpent's strength. Blood—both human and Abyssal—stained the ground, and exhaustion began to set in.
But Qin didn't falter. His newfound ability allowed him to anticipate the serpent's movements, guiding the group to exploit every opening.
Finally, with one last coordinated assault, Zhao Yue leaped onto the serpent's back, driving her blade deep into its skull. The creature thrashed once more before collapsing with a deafening crash.
For a moment, there was silence. The serpent's massive body lay motionless, its glowing eyes dimming into darkness.
"We... did it," Feng Lan said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Li Hao collapsed onto the ground, his sword slipping from his grasp. "That was insane."
"Good job, everyone," Zhao Yue said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
Qin sank to his knees, his body trembling from the exertion. The system's voice echoed in his mind.
Congratulations! Abyssal Serpent defeated.
Reward distribution commencing.
The group watched in awe as glowing orbs of light emerged from the serpent's body, floating toward each of them.
"Is this...?" Mei Ling began, her voice filled with wonder.
"Abyssal rewards," Wu said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Rich ones, by the looks of it."
The rewards varied for each member, tailored to their abilities and contributions. Zhao Yue received an enchanted blade, its edge glowing faintly with Abyssal runes. Feng Lan's gloves were upgraded, their energy output significantly enhanced.
For Qin, the system delivered something unexpected.
Skill Upgrade: Command—Advanced.
New Feature Unlocked: Tactical Overload.
Temporarily boosts all allies' abilities and synchronizes their movements for maximum efficiency.
"Looks like you've found your calling," Feng Lan said, smirking at him.
"Let's just hope we don't need to use it again anytime soon," Qin replied, though a part of him relished the power he had wielded.
As the group rested, the system provided one final notification.
Floor Cleared. Proceed to the next level when ready.
The massive doors at the far end of the chamber rumbled open, revealing a staircase spiraling upward.
"We survived," Zhao Yue said, her voice filled with quiet pride.
"But it's only going to get harder from here," Li Hao said grimly.
Qin looked at his team—their faces bloodied, their bodies battered, but their spirits unbroken.
"We'll face it together," he said.
The others nodded, and together, they stepped toward the next challenge.