LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Abyssal Rift
The cold air in the dungeon thickened as Ethan stepped deeper into the Tomb of the Forgotten. The faint echoes of his boots against the stone floor were soon swallowed by an ominous silence. The Corruption debuff was gone, but the cleansing had left him alert and on edge, as though the Abyss itself was watching him.
Ahead, the passage widened into an expansive chamber. Floating in the center of the room was a swirling mass of dark energy, its surface rippling like liquid shadow. Small sparks of blue and violet lightning danced along its edges. Ethan instinctively activated Shadow Cloak, concealing his presence as he approached cautiously.
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[System Alert: Abyssal Rift Detected]
Abyssal Rifts are tears in reality where the Abyss leaks into the material plane. Entering a Rift grants access to powerful rewards but comes at significant risk. Time within a Rift is limited, and the environment is unpredictable.
Rewards: Unique items, high XP, rare Abyssal materials.
Risks: Increased Abyssal Corruption, powerful enemies, limited safe zones.
Do you wish to enter the Abyssal Rift?
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Ethan stared at the swirling vortex. The promise of rewards was tempting, but the warnings were clear. He hesitated, knowing he was already pushing his luck. Then, the Rift pulsed, emitting a low hum that resonated deep within his chest.
"The Core reacts," he realized. "This Rift might hold answers… or more trouble."
He tightened his grip on the Darksteel Dagger and nodded.
"Let's see what you've got."
The world shifted violently as Ethan stepped through the Rift. A cold, suffocating pressure gripped him, and for a moment, he felt like he was falling through endless darkness. Then, with a jarring lurch, he landed on solid ground.
The Abyssal Rift was unlike anything he'd seen before. The sky was a swirling void of black and crimson, with jagged rocks floating aimlessly in the distance. The ground beneath his feet was a patchwork of cracked obsidian and glowing veins of molten energy.
A notification blinked in his vision.
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[System Alert: Rift Conditions]
Corruption Level: Moderate (Corruption debuff increases over time).
Safe Zone: None.
Objective: Survive and claim the Rift Core.
Time Limit: 15 minutes.
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"Great," Ethan muttered. "No pressure."
As he surveyed the area, grotesque figures began to emerge from the shadows. They were hunched, malformed creatures with glowing red eyes and gaping maws. Their clawed hands dragged across the ground, leaving behind trails of smoldering ash.
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[Status Window: Abyssal Wretch]
Name: Abyssal Wretch
Race: Abyssal Creature
Level: 8
HP: 200 / 200
Attack: 18
Skills:
Lunge: A quick, powerful leap attack that deals 35 damage.
Abyssal Bite: Deals 40 damage and applies a bleed effect for 5 seconds.
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"Not wasting any time, are we?" Ethan thought as the Wretches lunged.
Ethan uses shadow step and teleported behind the first Wretch, slashing its back with the Darksteel Dagger.
Damage Dealt: 54
The Wretch shrieked and turned, only to be immobilized by Ethan's Abyssal Chains, which drained 72 HP per second for 5 seconds.
Total Damage: 360
Two more Wretches closed in. Ethan summoned his Shadow Servants, directing them to attack. The shadowy figures swarmed the creatures, dealing 36 damage per round until they fell.
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[Battle Complete]
XP Gained: 300
Loot Acquired: Abyssal Shard x3
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The ground beneath Ethan trembled, and a new notification appeared.
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[System Alert: Rift Boss Approaching]
A massive figure emerged from the horizon, its form towering over the jagged landscape. It had the appearance of a humanoid wrapped in tendrils of shadow, with molten cracks running across its skin. Its glowing, hollow eyes locked onto Ethan as it spoke in a voice that echoed with power.
"You… carry the Core, yet you stand against the Abyss. Foolish mortal. You cannot comprehend the depths of what you oppose."
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[Status Window: Abyssal Revenant]
Name: Abyssal Revenant
Race: Abyssal Creature
Level: 12
HP: 800 / 800
Attack: 45
Skills:
Shadow Slam: Slams the ground, dealing 80 AOE damage and knocking back enemies.
Abyssal Flames: Summons a wave of fire that deals 50 damage over 10 seconds.
Corruption Aura: Passively increases Corruption levels of nearby enemies.
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Ethan gritted his teeth. "Big and ugly. Perfect."
The Revenant raised its arms, summoning a wall of Abyssal Flames. Ethan dodged with Shadow Step, narrowly avoiding the searing wave.
Ethan immobilized the Revenant, dealing 72 damage per second for 5 seconds.
Total Damage: 360
The Revenant roared, breaking free and slamming the ground. Ethan was thrown back, his HP dropping by 80 to 95/180.
Ethan activated Creation of Shadows, summoning three servants to distract the Revenant. While it was occupied, Ethan closed the distance, slashing at its molten cracks with the Darksteel Dagger.
Damage Dealt: 58 per hit
The Revenant retaliated with a massive swing, hitting Ethan and his servants. Ethan's HP dropped to 35/180, and his Shadow Servants dissipated.
Desperate, Ethan used Abyssal Grasp, summoning a shadowy hand to crush the Revenant.
Damage Dealt: 150
The Revenant staggered, its HP nearing zero. Ethan delivered the final blow with a precise dagger strike to its core.
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[Boss Defeated]
XP Gained: 500
Loot Acquired: Rift Core, Abyssal Essence x5, Abyssal Key
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The Rift began to collapse, the edges of reality folding in on themselves. Ethan sprinted toward the exit, clutching the Rift Core. As he crossed the threshold, the Rift sealed behind him with a deafening roar.
The voice of the Revenant echoed in Ethan's mind. "You think you've won, mortal? The Core binds you to the Abyss. It is not a gift—it is a curse. Every step you take brings you closer to the Void."
Ethan sat against the wall, catching his breath. The Rift Core in his hand pulsed faintly, a tangible piece of the Abyss' power.
"Curse or not," he muttered, "I'll use it to survive."
The Abyss wasn't just a force; it was a sentient, malevolent entity with its own agenda. Ethan's journey wasn't just about uncovering the truth—it was about resisting the pull of something that sought to consume him.