Chapter 52 – Shadows Beyond the Abyss
As the enormous body of the Mythril Dragon collapsed, its glowing blue eyes dimming into silence, the dungeon trembled for a final time. A victorious glow surrounded Rio, Iris, and Retina as they were bathed in shimmering light—signifying the end of the dungeon and their massive level-up. The system notifications rapidly appeared:
> DUNGEON CLEARED: Abyssal Dungeon - Mythril Class (Double Dungeon)
REWARDS GRANTED: • Abyssal Core (x1)
• Mythril Dragon Scale (x10)
• Hidden Title Unlocked: "Abysswalker"
• Skill Unlocked: Abyssal Will
But the moment of celebration was short-lived.
As the team looked up, the sky within the dungeon's ceiling began to distort. A vortex of shadows swirled above them, almost like a second portal.
Retina narrowed her eyes. "This wasn't part of the dungeon's pattern…"
Rio stepped forward cautiously. "I've got a bad feeling about this."
Suddenly, a cold, chilling wind blew through the dungeon. The vortex slowly parted, revealing a floating figure cloaked in pitch-black robes, their face hidden behind a silver mask etched with strange runes.
The figure's voice echoed through the dungeon like a whisper carried by the dead wind.
> "So… you're the ones who awakened the Abyss."
Iris's body stiffened, her instincts screaming danger. "That mana… it's not human. Not even demonic."
The figure slowly descended, hovering above the dragon's corpse.
> "You've slain the Warden. Impressive. But you've also broken the seal he protected…"
Rio raised his blade cautiously. "Seal?"
The figure gave a low chuckle. "The Abyssal Dungeon was not just a trial. It was a lock. And now, thanks to your strength, it has been undone. Soon… the true abyss will bleed into your world."
Before anyone could react, the figure pointed a skeletal finger at Rio. A surge of shadow energy pulsed forward—but at the last second, a glowing barrier formed around the team. A system voice echoed:
> You have completed the Abyssal Dungeon. Extraction initiated.
The team was instantly engulfed in light.
They reappeared outside the dungeon, standing on a crumbling stone platform surrounded by mist and ancient ruins.
Iris gasped. "What was that?!"
Retina clutched her staff. "Whoever that was… they were far above S-rank. That wasn't a normal monster or dungeon master. That was something else."
Rio sheathed his sword, his face serious. "We need to report this. Whatever that seal was holding back… we just let it out."
Suddenly, another notification rang out.
> New Quest Unlocked: The Abyss Awakens – Investigate the Origins of the Shadowed Seal
Rio glanced at the quest window, then looked at the girls. "Looks like our journey just took a dark turn."
Retina nodded. "We'll face it. Together."
Iris added, her voice calm but fierce, "No matter how deep the abyss is—we'll conquer it."
As they stood on the edge of the ruins, the camera of fate panned away from them… deep into the broken seal of the dungeon—where shadowed figures moved in silence. The true war was only beginning.