The sea was quiet that morning—too quiet. Dock 13's walls loomed over calm, glassy waters that reflected the iron citadel like a mirror. But beneath the tranquil surface, something stirred. The tremors had begun again.
Ethan stood at the edge of the pier, his armor faintly glowing with the abyssal energy of his class. He could feel it—a pulse from the depths. It wasn't natural. It wasn't from any beast. It was… calling.
[System Notification]
New Quest Unlocked: "Echoes Beneath the Waves"
Investigate the abnormal seismic activity detected beneath Dock 13. Warning: The source may be linked to ancient abyssal power.
Quest Difficulty: S
Rewards: Unknown
Preparing for Descent
"Are you sure about this?" Brandon asked, adjusting the clasp of his reinforced diving harness. "We just got the dock secured, and now you wanna go poking at the thing shaking it?"
Ethan smirked. "If it's shaking the dock, it's already poking us. I'd rather know what's down there before it decides to surface."
Kaela stood nearby, holding a crystalline tablet etched with runes. "The readings are consistent with deep mana vibrations. Whatever's below us isn't moving randomly—it's rhythmic. Almost like… breathing."
Grumhald grunted, hammer slung over his shoulder. "Breathing? Then ye best hope it's asleep. But if ye must go, take these." He handed Ethan a small chest.
[Item Acquired: Abyssal Resonance Beacon]
Description: Emits a low-frequency pulse that reveals mana-rich structures underwater. Can also disrupt minor abyssal entities.
Effect: Temporarily weakens abyssal-type enemies by 10% in a 25-meter radius.
"Deploy that beacon once ye reach the deep shelf," Grumhald said. "If ye find somethin' worse than expected, send up the flare. The Bastion'll be ready."
Descent into the Abyss
They dove into the cold dark, guided by glowing runes inscribed into their armor. Ethan led the way, his Abyssal Harbinger cloak trailing behind like smoke. Below them, the ocean floor stretched endlessly—a jagged scar of black rock and strange coral illuminated by faint blue light.
[System Notification]
Entering Zone: Sublevel Trench – Depth 1,200m
Environmental Status: High Pressure / Mana Saturation: 72% / Threat Level: Very High
They passed rusted anchors, broken ships, and skeletons of monsters long dead. Strange glyphs shimmered on the ocean floor, half-buried in sediment.
Kaela's voice crackled through the comms rune. "Ethan, you're not gonna believe this. I'm detecting… a massive mana structure just ahead."
A dull tremor rippled through the water, followed by a thunderous boom. The seabed cracked open, revealing a colossal gate of blackened stone adorned with abyssal runes.
[System Notification]
Discovered: Abyssal Gate (Sealed)
Condition: Dormant – Requires Abyssal Resonance to Unlock
Unsealing the Abyssal Gate
Ethan hovered before the gate, the pressure crushing but manageable under his enhanced stats. He raised the Abyssal Resonance Beacon and activated it.
A deep, echoing hum filled the water as the beacon's runes flared to life. The gate's surface pulsed, one rune at a time igniting in a pattern.
[System Notification]
Resonance Successful! Abyssal Gate Awakening Sequence Initiated...
Warning: Abyssal Entity Detected Nearby!
The water grew colder. Shadows coalesced behind the team, forming into twisted shapes.
[Enemy Status Window]
Name: Abyssal Guardian – Depth Sentinel
HP: 128,000 / 128,000
Attack: 2,450
Defense: 1,980
Skills: [Crushing Depth], [Void Pulse], [Pressure Slam]
Weakness: Light-type Damage
The creature let out a guttural roar, its body glowing with streaks of violet.
"Back formation!" Ethan barked, summoning his abyssal energy.
[Skill Activated: Abyssal Rend]
Damage: 1,013 | 1,017 | 1,029 | Critical: 1,141!
The blows tore into the guardian's armor, but it barely flinched. The creature swung its massive tail, striking Brandon and sending him spinning.
Brandon's HP: 24,313 → 19,977 (-4,336)
"Damn, that thing hits like a truck!" Brandon coughed, stabilizing himself.
Kaela floated higher, her staff glowing. "Try this then—[Arcane Flare]!"
Damage: 851 | 867 | 875!
The light seared the guardian's carapace, forcing it back slightly. Ethan saw his opening.
"Brandon—link up!"
"Got it!"
[Skill Combination: Twin Strike – Abyssal Convergence]
Damage: 1,115 | 1,133 | 1,147 | 1,151 | 1,163 (Combo Multiplier x2.0)
The attack tore through the guardian's chest. With a final roar, the creature imploded into black mist, leaving fragments of glowing coral behind.
[System Notification]
Abyssal Guardian Defeated!
EXP Gained: +225,000
Loot: [Abyssal Coral Fragment], [Depth Sentinel Core], [Tidebreaker Scale]
The Gate Opens
The gate's runes now shone brightly, and the hum of the abyss grew louder until the water vibrated with power. Slowly, the doors creaked open, revealing a chamber filled with eerie blue light.
Inside, a massive crystal pulsed with energy, surrounded by runic pillars. The crystal itself bore a single carving—the Mark of the Abyssal Keepers.
Kaela gasped. "That symbol... It matches the relic we found in the ruins. The Abyssal Keepers must have built this place."
Ethan approached the crystal cautiously. "Then this isn't just a gate. It's a vault."
[System Notification]
Discovered: Abyssal Vault (Dormant)
Interact?
[Yes] / [No]
Ethan pressed [Yes].
The crystal flared, and a projection of a robed figure appeared—ancient, spectral, and impossibly tall.
"We are the Keepers of the Deep. When the world above turned to dust, we sealed the old powers beneath the waves. If you hear this… then the seal weakens once more."
Ethan clenched his fist. "The Leviathan."
"The Leviathan was but one guardian. There are more. If balance fails again, the Abyss will reclaim all."
The projection flickered and faded, leaving behind a small object—an orb of pulsing blue energy.
[Item Acquired: Heart of the Abyssal Vault]
Description: Contains the condensed essence of the Abyssal Keepers. Can strengthen abyssal-related classes or activate sealed structures.
Effect: Enhances all Abyssal Skills by 25%.
Return to the Surface
They resurfaced hours later, the first rays of dawn casting golden streaks over the ocean. Dock 13 shimmered in the light—stronger, fortified, alive.
Brandon collapsed onto the pier, exhausted but grinning. "Next time, let's not piss off giant underwater monsters, yeah?"
Kaela smiled faintly. "You say that every time."
Ethan stared at the orb in his hand. Its light reflected in his eyes—an ominous glow. "We've only scratched the surface. The Abyss isn't just a dungeon or a boss… it's part of the world itself."
Kaela's tone turned cold. "Then the world's in more danger than we thought."
[System Notification]
Quest Completed: Echoes Beneath the Waves
Rewards: +2 Levels, +1 Iron Bastion Reputation Tier, [Heart of the Abyssal Vault]