LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Cleansing
Ethan leaned against the cold stone wall, his breathing ragged. The Corruption debuff pulsed through his body like a slow poison, gnawing at his strength and clarity. The Tomb of the Forgotten was relentless, its dangers growing more insidious the deeper he ventured.
His Status Window flickered to life, the Corruption effect glowing ominously in the corner of his vision.
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[Status Window]
Name: Ethan
Class: Abyss Walker
Level: 6
HP: 75 / 180
MP: 110 / 150
Strength: 22
Agility: 24
Endurance: 20
Intelligence: 18
Wisdom: 16
Luck: 14
Charm: 12
Skills:
Shadow Step: Teleports a short distance to evade attacks or reposition.
Abyssal Grasp: Summons a shadowy hand to immobilize and damage enemies.
Creation of Shadows: Summons shadowy servants to fight for you.
Abyssal Chains: Summons chains to bind and damage enemies over time.
Items:
Darksteel Dagger: A lightweight dagger with increased damage against shadow creatures.
Shadow Cloak: A cloak that enhances stealth and agility in dark environments.
Quests:
[Side Quest: Cleansing Shadows]
Objective: Remove the Corruption debuff by locating the Purifying Obelisk hidden within the Tomb of the Forgotten.
Reward: Cleansing Stone (Item), XP, and increased resistance to Abyssal effects.
Status: In Progress.
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As Ethan stood in the desolate chamber, a faint blue glow emerged from the ground. An ethereal figure materialized—a spectral knight clad in tattered armor, its presence exuding both power and sorrow.
"You… bear the Core," the knight said, its voice resonating like a distant echo. "But you are tainted by the Abyss. If you wish to survive, you must cleanse yourself."
Ethan frowned, gripping his dagger tighter. "And how do I do that?"
The knight raised its hand, pointing toward an unmarked section of the wall. "The Purifying Obelisk lies beyond. It can cleanse the darkness within you. But beware… the path is guarded by the Warden of Shadows."
"Of course, it is," Ethan muttered. "And what's the catch?"
The knight's form flickered, its voice growing fainter. "The Obelisk's power can only be activated with a Cleansing Stone… Find it, or perish."
Cleansing Stones: Rare items that remove Abyssal debuffs and grant temporary immunity to Corruption effects. These stones can be found in dungeons or crafted using materials harvested from Abyssal creatures.
Ethan's eyes narrowed as he approached the wall. The faint outline of a hidden door became visible, glowing faintly under the influence of his Abyssal Core. With a shove, the door creaked open, revealing a narrow passageway that spiraled downward.
As Ethan descended, carvings on the walls caught his attention. The murals depicted a vast, swirling void consuming entire civilizations. Great cities crumbled, and towering figures—gods or kings—fell to their knees before an encroaching shadow.
"The Abyss isn't just some random dungeon feature," Ethan muttered, running his fingers along the carvings. "It's a force. A destroyer."
The next mural showed a group of ancient warriors, wielding glowing artifacts, standing against the Abyss. Though they seemed victorious, cracks began forming in their shields, their expressions shifting from triumph to despair.
"The Abyss was sealed," Ethan realized aloud. "But it wasn't destroyed. It's still here… waiting."
The final carving depicted the Tomb itself. At its center stood a massive crystal, dark and pulsating—the heart of the Abyss. Surrounding it were figures clad in robes, channeling energy to keep the crystal contained.
"This whole dungeon is a seal," Ethan whispered. "And I'm walking straight into its core."
The passageway opened into a vast chamber filled with dense mist. From within, Ethan could hear guttural growls and the scraping of claws against stone.
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[Status Window: Abyssal Hunter]
Name: Abyssal Hunter
Race: Abyssal Creature
Level: 7
HP: 300 / 300
Attack: 25
Skills:
Pounce: A high-speed leap attack that deals 40 damage and stuns for 2 seconds.
Howl of Terror: A shriek that reduces the target's attack power by 20% for 10 seconds.
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Ethan activated Shadow Step, narrowly avoiding the first Hunter's pounce.
Ethan summoned shadowy chains to bind two Hunters, dealing 72 damage per second for 5 seconds.
Total Damage: 360 per Hunter
The first two Hunters disintegrated, leaving one behind.
The remaining Hunter let out a deafening howl, reducing Ethan's attack power. It lunged, claws swiping through the air. Ethan took a hit, his HP dropping by 40 to 35/180.
"Not today," he growled, activating Creation of Shadows to summon his servants.
The Shadow Servants swarmed the Hunter, dealing a combined 36 damage per round until it fell.
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[Battle Complete]
XP Gained: 200
Loot Acquired: Abyssal Essence x2, Cleansing Stone x1
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At the end of the chamber stood a towering obelisk, its surface inscribed with glowing runes. Ethan approached cautiously, holding the Cleansing Stone in his palm.
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[System Alert: Purification Available]
Effect: Using the Cleansing Stone will remove all Abyssal debuffs and grant temporary immunity to Corruption effects for 24 hours.
Do you wish to proceed?
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Ethan placed the stone against the obelisk. A surge of light enveloped him, and the Corruption debuff vanished. His HP and MP were fully restored, and a sense of clarity returned to his mind.
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[System Alert: Buff Acquired]
Effect: Abyssal Resistance increased by 20% for 24 hours.
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Ethan stepped back, feeling invigorated. But the respite was short-lived. The room trembled, and the voice from earlier returned, louder and angrier.
"You meddle in forces you cannot comprehend," it snarled. "You will regret this, mortal."
The walls cracked, revealing a hidden passage leading deeper into the Tomb. Ethan glanced at it, his determination solidifying.
"Let's see what else you've got."
The murals and the spectral knight hinted at a broader conflict: the Abyss was an ancient force sealed away by forgotten heroes. The dungeon served as a prison and a warning, but its influence was beginning to seep through the cracks. Ethan's Abyssal Core was both a key and a threat, tying him to the Abyss in ways he didn't fully understand.
As Ethan prepared to venture deeper, he realized his journey wasn't just about survival. It was about understanding the Abyss and the role he was destined to play in its resurgence—or its destruction.