The twelfth floor of the Abyssal Tower shuddered beneath Kael's feet. Shadows pooled into chaotic forms, mana surged violently, and the very air felt thick with the Outer God's influence. The third node's suppression had been hard-won, but the fourth node radiated an intensity that pressed on the mind as much as the body.
Kael adjusted his grip on the blade, undead legion flanking him in perfect formation. Malina's beasts growled, sensing the amplified corruption. Pallas hovered above, scanning terrain distortions, while Amara's aura flared with raw arcane energy.
"This node… it's not just powerful—it's aware," Kael muttered. "The Outer God's influence is concentrated here. Be ready for direct assaults on both mind and body."
SYSTEM ALERT
Corruption Node Detected – Level 12
Outer God Influence: Maximum – Physical & Psychic Threats
Environmental Hazards: Reality Warping, Gravity Flux, Mana Overload, Psychic Intrusion
Primary Threats: Abyssal Leviathan, Shadow Spire Constructs, Corruption Infused Wraiths, Mind Devourers
Recommended Action: Full Multi-System Coordination, Hazard Suppression, Mental Resistance, Adaptive Combat
Amara's gaze was sharp. "The psychic intrusion is strong. It will distort perception, weaken coordination, and attempt to make allies attack each other. Everyone, focus. Concentration is survival."
Kael nodded. "Malina, deploy Phantom Beasts and Titan Bond for hazard suppression. Ember, Thorne, hold the frontline against Abyssal Leviathan. Luminor, dynamic barriers for gravity and psychic hazards. Brown, maintain perimeter. Vex, prepare alchemy nodes. Everyone else, adapt, predict, and counter."
The fourth corruption node pulsed violently, sending out ripples that twisted gravity and mana flows simultaneously. Shadows coalesced into humanoid and beastly forms. Abyssal Leviathan emerged—a towering creature with multiple shadowy limbs and eyes that glowed with corrupt energy. Mind Devourers floated nearby, semi-intangible entities that reached into minds to distort perception.
Kael's pulse flared. He activated Integrated Hazard Mastery and Domain Domination, instantly analyzing the behavior patterns of the node and its guardians. Repetitive tactics were no longer viable; adaptability was mandatory.
Umbra Wraiths darted through the shadows, while Shadow Spire Constructs erupted from unstable terrain. The floor itself warped, forcing erratic movement and threatening to separate the team.
Kael called out, "Split tasks. Suppress hazard nodes, neutralize corruption entities, and strike the node core simultaneously. Timing and adaptability are critical!"
Amara's clones spread out using Astral Projection Burst, suppressing Umbra Wraiths while void energy targeted exposed nodes. Mana Singularity absorbed residual energy and released it as focused beams toward the corruption core.
Ember's Radiant Cleave clashed with Abyssal Leviathan's shadow limbs, while Thorne's Shockwave Fist destabilized platforms, creating openings. Luminor adjusted barriers dynamically, reflecting mana surges and stabilizing footing.
Malina activated Titan Bond, combining all her beasts into a single strike aimed at Shadow Spire Constructs. Phantom Beasts intercepted hazards and redirected energy flows.
Vex hurled Explosive Catalyst Potions at convergence points, destabilizing terrain and giving the team openings. Pallas mapped platform shifts in real-time, guiding allies around gravity flux and psychic distortions.
Kael activated Copy, integrating Corruption Adaptation Analysis and Apex Hazard Mastery – Phase 4 Enhanced, predicting entity behavior faster than raw reaction time. Synchronization was now seamless.
The corruption pulsed violently, forming jagged humanoid constructs infused with Outer God energy. Shadows and Abyssal Phantoms attacked indiscriminately, while Mind Devourers attempted to confuse and paralyze allies mentally.
Kael's undead legion moved strategically. Forty Shadow Mages drained minor corruption energy, while forty Death Knights assaulted Shadow Spire Constructs. Skeleton Warriors stabilized platforms, intercepting hazard waves.
SYSTEM ALERT
Corruption Node Weakness Detected – Phase 5
EXP Reward Potential: +55,000
Skill Copy: Corruption Resistance Phase 5 Initiated
Kael's blade blazed. "Now! Strike the core together!"
The team executed perfect coordination: Kael's Dual Mana Burst pierced the node core, Amara's void energy surged, Ember and Thorne shattered protective constructs, and Malina's Titan Bond pulverized surrounding corruption energy. Brown's undead contained residual threats, preventing regeneration.
The fourth node pulsed violently one final time, releasing a psychic shockwave, but the team held formation. Platforms stabilized, shadows recoiled, and mana flows normalized.
SYSTEM ALERT
Corruption Node Suppressed – Phase 5 Complete
EXP Reward: 70,000 × Team Allocation
Skill Copy: Corruption Resistance Phase 5 Enhanced
Environmental Hazards Neutralized: 95%
Kael exhaled, scanning the battlefield. "Phase 5 suppression successful, but the floor isn't done. Multiple secondary nodes remain, feeding the central corruption core faster than before. We need to move quickly and precisely."
Amara's expression was grim. "Outer God influence is relentless. Every node we suppress strengthens us, but the floor regenerates rapidly. Coordination and speed are key."
Kael nodded. "Exactly. We've weakened this node, but total neutralization requires multi-layered assaults. Vex, prepare additional alchemy nodes. Malina, keep beasts alert. Pallas, scout hidden nodes immediately. We move as one, or the corruption regenerates faster than we can fight."
The floor pulsed with black energy, shadows twisting violently. The Outer God's whispers grew louder, urging them to fail, to succumb.
Kael clenched his fists. "We won't fail. Every skill, every summon, every ounce of coordination counts. The fourth node is suppressed, but the heart of corruption lies ahead. Let's move."
The team advanced deeper into the floor, ready to confront the central corruption core. Shadows writhed, gravity shifted, and mana surged—but Kael, his undead legion, and his team pressed on, prepared for the ultimate battle against the Abyssal Tower's corrupted heart.