The six companions emerged from the passage into an enormous underground chamber, where golden light illuminated towering pillars and walls covered in ancient runes.
Streams of concentrated mana flowed through channels carved into the floor, converging beneath a massive crystal suspended above a circular stone platform.
Sage immediately recognized the crystal.
The Dungeon Core.
It was considerably larger than the cores he had encountered in Evergreen, measuring nearly three meters across and radiating an extraordinary concentration of mana. However, something else occupied the platform beneath it.
An enormous armored figure knelt before the crystal, its body covered in dark silver plates engraved with glowing runes. Two curved horns protruded from its helmet, while a colossal sword rested between its hands.
Leon stopped immediately. "Everyone, remain behind me. That creature is considerably stronger than the enemies we encountered during the trials."
