The group's footsteps echoed heavily as they traversed the dark corridor. The walls were etched with strange symbols, seemingly narrating ancient tales of the cult and its crimes. The air was thick with the stench of death, and the echoes of their steps made the silence feel even heavier.
Rio stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the ground.
• "There are traps here. Don't move recklessly."
The system spoke in a calm but cautious tone:
• "There are four visible traps ahead, but that's not all. The energy here is disrupting even my detection capabilities. Proceed with care."
Jin knelt to inspect the ground, then said:
• "These aren't ordinary traps. They're tied to dark energy. If they're triggered, we could be completely surrounded."
Rio smirked, placing his sword on the ground and running his hand cautiously over the symbols.
• "Let me handle this. I'm used to things like this."
As Rio worked on disabling the traps, shadowy figures suddenly emerged from the walls. Mysterious whispers filled the air, and deformed, dark creatures began to approach slowly.
Jin swiftly raised his sword, ready for battle.
• "These aren't ordinary creatures. They're manifestations of dark energy. Don't underestimate them!"
Khalid shouted to the group:
• "Form a defensive line! Don't let them get near Rio!"
The battle erupted once more. Khalid stood at the forefront, his massive sword cleaving through the creatures with powerful swings. The Seven Squad worked in perfect harmony, moving quickly and efficiently to eliminate the enemies.
Jin moved like a phantom, darting between the creatures and cutting them down with precision. His eyes, however, never left Rio for long, ready to intervene if necessary.
The system spoke to Rio as he worked:
• "If you take any longer, the number of these creatures will increase. You must hurry!"
Sweating from the strain, Rio replied in a low voice:
• "I'm working on it. Just give me one more minute!"
At last, with the final trap disabled, the corridor ahead opened, and the walls that had been producing the shadowy creatures ceased their movement. Everyone exhaled in relief, but there was no time to rest.
Rio stood, wiping the sweat from his brow, and said:
• "That's the first part done. But that was just a test. What lies ahead will be far worse."
The system added:
• "There are three rooms ahead. Each one contains a unique challenge. Darex designed these trials to ensure only the strongest reach him."
Jin glanced at Rio and said:
• "It won't be easy, but we've faced worse before. We're not stopping now."
As they entered the first room, they found themselves surrounded by shadows resembling individuals they had fought before. Among them were Seigor and Silas, appearing exactly as they had in life.
Rio's eyes widened momentarily, but he tightened his grip on his sword.
• "These are just illusions. Don't let the past control you."
But the shadows spoke in familiar voices:
• "Just illusions? Were we not the truth? Were we not the ones who shaped your first steps?"
Jin stood beside Rio, his gaze fixed on the shadow of Seigor.
• "This cult knows how to mess with minds. Don't let them shake you."
The battle began once more. The shadows moved like their real counterparts, with the same strength and skill. Each move brought back memories of previous battles.
As they fought the shadows, the voices of Seigor and Silas echoed in their minds, reopening old wounds.
Rio, facing off against Seigor's shadow, shouted:
• "We've overcome you before, and we'll do it again!"
The shadows began to fade, but the room itself disappeared with them, as if being pulled into the void.
The system spoke in a warning tone:
• "This was only the beginning. The next challenge will be far more dangerous."
Taking a deep breath, Rio said:
• "Let's see what Darex has in store for us next."
Silence engulfed the ancient temple, broken only by the labored breathing of the heroes and the hesitant sound of their footsteps. The dark walls, etched with mysterious carvings, seemed to narrate ancient tales of suffering and betrayal.
Rio walked at the forefront, his eyes fixed on the massive black doors ahead. He spoke quietly but with a firm tone:
• "Beyond these doors lies the end of everything. Darex is waiting."
Jin stood beside him, gripping his heavy sword, which gleamed under the dim torchlight.
• "Don't underestimate this fight. If we slip up this time… there won't be another chance."
The system cut through the silence with its cold voice, as if its words were meant to warn them:
• "Warning: Detected energy levels behind the door equal a Tier-1 threat. Survival probability: 27%."
Rio raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
• "27%? That's better than I expected."
As the door creaked open with a resounding groan, a horrifying scene was revealed inside. In the center of the colossal hall, Darex sat on a throne made of shifting shadows, surrounded by a dark aura that choked the air. His crimson eyes added an overwhelming sense of dread to his menacing presence.
• "You've finally arrived," Darex said, his deep voice laced with a cold tone of mockery. "Heroes. Saviors of the weak. What a pathetic sight."
Rio placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and responded sharply:
• "Darex, your cult is finished. Everything you've built here ends today."
Darex rose from his throne with heavy steps as the shadows around him began to swirl chaotically.
• "Finished? You don't understand. What I've built here isn't a cult—it's a world free of betrayal, a world ruled by true order. Is that what you seek to destroy?"
Jin twirled his sword in his hand, his face reflecting the cold fury he was known for.
• "Your world is built on the suffering of the innocent, on the enslavement of the weak. It's not order—it's chaos in disguise."
• "Enough talk!" Darex roared, unleashing a massive wave of shadows that engulfed the entire room. The darkness was so dense that visibility became impossible.
The system spoke quickly:
• "Alert: Detected movement on the right side. Evade within three seconds."
Rio leaped aside, narrowly avoiding a shadow creature lunging at him.
• "He's using the room against us!" he shouted as he retreated to stand beside Jin.
Jin replied while blocking another creature with his sword:
• "This is more than just a fight. He's turning the shadows themselves into weapons!"
Clenching his fist tightly, Rio responded with a cold smile:
• "If he wants to play with shadows, we'll make him regret it."