Dexter’s mind raced as he led the team towards the Old City. The system’s countdown was now ticking in his head, and the pressure was mounting with every passing second. The rain was coming down in sheets, the storm around them adding an ominous weight to the atmosphere. The sounds of distant thunder rumbled like a warning, and the shadows cast by the ruins of the city ahead felt as if they were closing in. There was no turning back now.“This is it,” Dexter muttered to himself, his fingers curling around the hilt of his sword. It was his primary weapon for combat, enhanced by the system’s upgrades. He could feel the hum of energy pulsing through the blade, but he knew it wouldn't be enough to take on the Void Beasts. They needed strategy. They needed to be quick.Ava adjusted her gloves, her eyes sharp and determined as she turned to him. “We’re not just fighting these beasts, are we? We need to take down their power source too, don’t we?”Dexter nodded grimly. “Exactly. The Void Cor

Dexter took a deep breath, letting the last echoes of the Void Leader's scream fade into the stillness of the ruined city. The dust began to settle, revealing the scattered remains of dark creatures disintegrating into ash around him, Ava, and Henry. The sight was satisfying, but the exhaustion weighed heavy on him, a reminder of how close they’d come to losing.The system’s chime rang in his head again, but this time, instead of rewards, a new notification appeared, scrolling down with an almost foreboding tone."New Mission Unlocked: Convergence of the Abyss. Difficulty Level: SSS. Mission Brief: Investigate the sudden surge of darkness emanating from the Forbidden Canyon. Additional anomaly signatures detected."Dexter’s heart sank. He’d barely caught his breath from defeating the Void Leader, and now the system was already assigning him another high-stakes mission.Ava looked over, catching his troubled expression. “Another mission, huh?”“Yeah,” Dexter muttered, rubbing his foreh

Dexter, Ava, and Henry staggered out of the fortress, barely managing to stay upright after the grueling battle. Dexter clutched his newly acquired Abyssal Armor Fragment, its energy pulsing faintly, as if syncing with the other fragments in his possession. He couldn’t help but wonder just how much power these pieces would grant him when the set was complete.“Mission Update: Convergence of the Abyss Phase Two Unlocked.”The notification blinked in Dexter’s vision, urging him to open the system panel. He braced himself, expecting an ominous challenge, and sure enough, the update confirmed his suspicions.“Convergence of the Abyss, Phase Two: Acquire the third Abyssal Sword fragment. Warning: The third guardian, an Abyssal Seraph, has been awakened. Estimated Threat Level: SSS+. Team coordination and strategic planning are advised. Mission Reward: Abyssal Gauntlets.”Dexter shared a look with Ava and Henry, who were equally worn out but looked ready to face whatever came next. The thre

The silence that filled the chamber was thick, the air seeming to settle around them as they took in what had just happened. Dexter’s body felt like lead, the intense strain of the battle catching up with him. He gripped his sword tightly, using it to steady himself as he scanned the chamber for any sign of lingering danger. But the shadows had stilled, and the oppressive weight that had filled the air was gone, leaving only a strange emptiness in its place.Beside him, Ava leaned against the wall, breathing heavily, her face pale but resolute. Henry was doubled over, hands on his knees, catching his breath with a small, triumphant grin breaking through his exhaustion.Dexter straightened, his gaze drawn to the pedestal at the far end of the chamber, where a faint light pulsed softly. He could feel the energy radiating from it even from a distance—the Abyssal Core. The prize they’d fought so hard for, the source of the Sovereign’s power.“This… is it,” Dexter said quietly, his voice f

The victory was brief. As Dexter, Ava, and Henry caught their breath, the fortress’s dark walls shivered, pulsing as though alive. A new system notification flickered before their eyes, and a deep, foreboding chime sounded from the core."Alert: Primary Barrier Breached. Fortress Defense System Entering Emergency Mode."Ava's brows knitted in confusion. "Emergency mode? But we defeated them! What else could be out there?"Henry’s eyes narrowed, his gaze darting around the room. “Feels like we’ve only scratched the surface. They wouldn’t just send three elites and leave it at that.”Dexter grimaced. The Abyssal Core’s lingering energy in his veins was running low, its initial boost fading. He steadied himself, looking at his companions. "This fortress is too valuable for them to abandon. If the core is activating emergency mode, it’s because a real force is headed our way."They heard a distant rumbling, the low sound of footsteps and armor clanking, as if an army was marching from the