Chapter 131: Depths of the Unknown
We moved cautiously down the twisting corridor, the glow of the altar's lingering energy fading behind us. My heart still pounded from the last encounter, the weight of those final whispered words—
"This is only the beginning…"
—echoing in my mind. It was like something was waiting for us, anticipating our next move.
"Thanks for sticking with me, chat," I said, glancing at the screen as the messages scrolled by. "This floor… it's different. More intense than any dungeon I've seen. Whatever's down here, we're going to figure it out together."
The chat was alive with a mix of support and nervous excitement.
: Tsukasa, we're with you all the way! Let's see what else this place has hidden.
: Whatever you do, don't let your guard down. This isn't like the other floors.
: I'm seriously on edge right now. The Forbidden Floors are a whole other level.
Kijin moved ahead, his form blending with the shadows as he scouted the path. Raijuu stayed close to me, sparks crackling along his fur, his gaze sharp and alert. I kept the camera trained on the tunnel ahead, letting the viewers see every eerie twist and turn.
The air grew colder as we descended further, and the walls seemed to close in, etched with even more intricate symbols and markings. These carvings weren't just decoration—they felt deliberate, as if each symbol was a piece of a larger puzzle.
"Look at these markings," I murmured, bringing the camera closer. "It's almost like… a story, maybe? Or a warning?"
: They look ancient. What language is that? I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.
: It definitely feels like they're telling a story. Maybe about what's trapped here?
: Be careful, Tsukasa. Those symbols don't look friendly.
I studied the symbols, trying to make sense of them. Lines and shapes converged, creating patterns that seemed almost alive, pulsing faintly with a strange, inner glow. As I traced my fingers over one of the symbols, a sudden rush of energy surged through me, filling my mind with fragmented images—visions of creatures, towering structures, shadows stretching across an endless horizon.
I stumbled back, breaking contact, the images vanishing as quickly as they'd appeared. Kijin and Raijuu looked at me, both of them tense, sensing the disturbance.
"Just… some flashes," I muttered, steadying myself. "Something ancient is here. It's almost like these symbols are… memories."
: Did you see something? You looked totally zoned out for a second.
: This is way creepier than a normal dungeon. What did you see?
: I've got goosebumps just watching this. Be careful, Tsukasa!
I nodded, catching my breath. "It's nothing concrete—just flashes of something… old. Like memories imprinted on these walls. Whatever's down here, it's connected to these symbols."
We continued, the passage narrowing as we descended further. The flickering lights from crystals embedded in the walls cast distorted shadows, making it difficult to tell what was real and what was just an illusion. Raijuu's fur bristled, his gaze fixed on something up ahead, and I tightened my grip on my weapon, ready for whatever might come next.
Suddenly, the passage opened into a cavernous chamber, its ceiling towering high above, disappearing into darkness. At the center of the room was a massive, circular pool, its surface as still as glass, reflecting the eerie glow of the crystals lining the walls.
"Chat, check this out," I whispered, panning the camera over the room. "This place… it's like a sanctuary, or maybe… a resting place?"
: That pool gives me the creeps. What do you think it's for?
: Is it just me, or does it feel like something's watching you?
: Forbidden Floors, where the danger is in every shadow… Tsukasa, keep your guard up!
I approached the edge of the pool, peering into the depths. The water was so clear I could see straight to the bottom, where more symbols were etched into the stone, glowing faintly. But there was something else down there—an object, half-buried in the silt, glinting faintly in the dim light.
"Kijin, Raijuu, stay close," I murmured, reaching down to brush the silt away from the object. It was cold to the touch, metallic, with engravings that matched the symbols on the walls. As I lifted it, a faint pulse echoed through the room, and a whisper drifted through my mind.
"You have awakened us…"
The voice was different this time, deeper, resonating with a strength that made my skin prickle. I froze, feeling the weight of that voice settle over me, ancient and vast, as though the dungeon itself were speaking.
The chat erupted in a frenzy.
: Did anyone else hear that? It sounded like it was speaking directly to us!
: This isn't just a dungeon anymore. It feels… alive.
: Tsukasa, put that thing back! Whatever it is, it's not worth the risk.
But I couldn't bring myself to let go. The object pulsed in my hand, filling my mind with fragments of memories—images of creatures, cities, and battles long past. Whatever this was, it held knowledge, secrets that no one else had seen.
"Kijin, Raijuu," I whispered, turning to them. "We need to understand what this is. But stay ready… something is definitely here with us."
As I examined the object, the ground beneath us began to tremble. Cracks spidered across the floor, and the water in the pool began to ripple, small waves lapping against the edges as the room filled with a low, rumbling growl. The symbols along the walls flared to life, casting the chamber in a harsh, unearthly light.
The chat was going wild.
: Tsukasa, GET OUT OF THERE!
: This is bad. It's like the whole dungeon's waking up.
: I have a really, really bad feeling about this.
I took a step back, feeling the pressure in the room increase, as though something were pressing down on us from all sides. Kijin and Raijuu moved to flank me, their eyes fixed on the pool as the water began to bubble and churn, a dark shape rising from its depths.
The figure that emerged was massive, a creature unlike any I'd ever seen—its form shifting and morphing, as though it were made of smoke and shadow, its eyes glowing with a cold, piercing light. I felt the weight of its gaze settle on me, and a chill ran down my spine.
"You… dare disturb my rest…"
The words reverberated through the chamber, filling the air with an oppressive force. I could barely breathe under the weight of that voice, each syllable pressing down on me like a physical weight.
"All right, chat," I murmured, my voice barely steady. "Looks like we've found… something ancient. Let's see what it's made of."
The chat was a mix of fear and exhilaration.
: Tsukasa, be careful! This is like a boss fight from hell.
: You're literally facing an ancient god. This is insane!
: Go, Tsukasa! We're with you every step of the way!
Kijin darted forward, his form blending with the shadows as he struck, his claws aiming for the creature's shifting mass. Raijuu followed, his body crackling with electricity as he launched a powerful bolt straight at the creature's head.
The creature barely flinched, absorbing the attacks as though they were nothing. It twisted, its form flickering and reforming as it lashed out, sending a shockwave through the room that forced us back.
"Kijin, Raijuu—fall back!" I called, regrouping as the creature advanced, its gaze fixed on me with a cold, unyielding focus.
The chat was going wild with reactions.
: It's adapting to their attacks! This thing is seriously powerful.
: Tsukasa, how are you going to stop it? It's like nothing affects it!
: I've never seen anything like this in a dungeon. Forbidden Floors are insane.
I tightened my grip, feeling a surge of determination. "All right," I muttered, glancing at my Shikigami. "If we're going to beat this thing, we'll need to outsmart it."
Kijin and Raijuu nodded, their eyes fierce and ready. We moved in sync, Kijin slipping into the shadows, launching feints and diversions while Raijuu circled around, his lightning strikes coordinated with precision.
The creature twisted, trying to track our movements, but our combined efforts began to take effect, forcing it to shift and adapt with each attack. I watched its movements, analyzing its reactions, looking for any sign of a weakness.
Finally, I saw it—a flicker, a momentary instability in its form each time Raijuu's lightning struck. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there.
"Kijin, Raijuu—focus on that spot!" I directed, signaling to the weak point. They both responded immediately, their attacks honing in on the creature's vulnerable area. With a final surge of energy, Raijuu launched a concentrated bolt of lightning, striking the weak point dead-on.
The creature let out a guttural roar, its form shuddering and twisting as it struggled to hold itself together. I took a deep breath, channeling my energy into a final, decisive strike, aiming straight for the heart of the creature's form.
The impact sent a shockwave through the chamber, and the creature dissolved, its form dissipating into wisps of shadow that faded into the air. The room fell silent, the oppressive energy lifting as the creature vanished.
The chat exploded with cheers and celebration.
: HE DID IT! Tsukasa, you're a legend!
: That was the most intense fight I've ever seen. Forbidden Floors are no joke.
: Kijin and Raijuu are absolute beasts! That teamwork was unreal.
I let out a breath, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief wash over me. Kijin and Raijuu returned to my side, both of them visibly drained but triumphant. I turned back to the altar, the object still clutched in my hand.
"Looks like… we've uncovered something big," I murmured, glancing at the chat. "This is just the beginning, everyone. There's more down here, and I intend to find out exactly what it is."