"See? This is the contaminating nature of Dark Corrosion power." Kmaal's expression was grave. He shone the white light of his staff over the area, and the black liquid churned and steamed violently under the illumination—but not very quickly. "It erodes matter, contaminates energy, and accelerates the collapse of the seal. We must obtain the Heart of Pure Light as soon as possible."
For the rest of the journey, the three became even more cautious. Relying on centuries of experience as a guardian, Kmaal precisely avoided one trap after another—stone doors that suddenly slammed shut, beast-head statues that spat poisonous fog, pits lined with razor-sharp blades…
Some traps were extremely well hidden. Even Doctor Strange's magical detection failed to warn them in time because the twisted spatial structure interfered with his senses.
"The mechanisms here aren't purely physical," Doctor Strange said grimly after narrowly avoiding a silent energy-cutting beam. "They're mixed with spatial folding and mental interference. The designers… or rather, the ancient sorcerers who reinforced the seal—were extremely skilled."
Saitama, meanwhile, was starting to look impatient. "What a hassle… can't we just punch through the wall and go?" He stared at yet another rune stone gate that required a complicated puzzle to open.
Kmaal hurriedly stopped him. "Absolutely not, warrior! The structure of the ruins is already fragile due to the loosening seal. Violent destruction could trigger a chain collapse, or even tear the seal directly! Please endure it a little longer—the Hall of Echoes is just ahead."
Finally, after pushing through layer after layer of danger, they arrived before a massive, towering gate covered in starry, complex runes. From within, a faint pulse of pure energy could be felt.
"This is it—the Hall of Echoes," Kmaal said, his voice carrying both excitement and heavy caution. "The Heart of Pure Light is inside. But…" He paused and looked at the glowing door. "The final guardian—the most dangerous trial—is waiting for us."
The enormous luminous gate slowly opened. But beyond it wasn't the holy, radiant hall they expected—rather, it was an even deeper darkness. Only the crystal atop Kmaal's staff, and the sparks of magic glowing in Doctor Strange's hand, could barely push back a small patch of the thick shadows.
The air was filled with suffocating oppression, and a… slick, fishy stench, like deep-sea sludge.
"Something's wrong!" Doctor Strange immediately raised Serafin no Tate (Shield of the Seraphim), scanning the surroundings warily. "Energy readings are chaotic, the darkness concentration is extremely high! Guardian, this place—"
Kmaal's face changed drastically. The crystal's light flickered urgently in his grip. "No… the Dark Corrosion has already polluted the Hall of Echoes! The Heart of Pure Light… it's been wrapped in darkness!"
As soon as he said it, as if to welcome their arrival, countless pairs of crimson, malicious eyes lit up within the depths of the blackness!
Hiss… gurgle…
A spine-chilling sound of writhing flesh and dripping slime came from all directions.
Then, several massive, twisted monsters slowly emerged from the shadows! They resembled deep-sea octopuses enlarged dozens of times—only far more grotesque. Their main body was a gigantic sac that constantly squirmed and oozed black slime, with a huge mouth split open across it, packed with spiraling serrated teeth. And from the sac extended not eight tentacles, but dozens of black tendrils like giant pythons, covered in bony barbs! From their tips, black liquid with intense corrosive power dripped continuously, smoking as it fell.
(End of Chapter)
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