The remnants of the central corruption core writhed in jagged shadows, the echo of Outer God energy lingering like a pulse beneath the floor. Platforms were fractured, mana flows erratic, and the air still hummed with latent psychic intrusion. Though Phase 4 had been defeated, the twelfth floor was far from safe.
Kael wiped sweat from his brow, scanning the battlefield. "Everyone, residual nodes may still contain traces of corruption. Brown, undead maintain perimeter control. Malina, beasts sweep all zones for unstable energy. Pallas, map and detect any lingering distortions. Vex, prepare alchemy nodes for mana stabilization. Luminor, reinforce barriers in high-risk areas."
Amara's aura flared gently, calming the chaotic mana around her. "The psychic intrusion is weaker but still present. Any misstep could cause a resurgence of the core's residual power. Concentration is vital."
SYSTEM ALERT
Residual Corruption Detected – Level 12 Twelfth Floor
Threat Level: Moderate
Environmental Hazards: Mana Residue, Shadow Echo, Gravity Instability, Psychic Residuals
Primary Tasks: Node Purge, Residual Mana Stabilization, Hazard Containment
Recommended Action: Full Team Coordination, Adaptive Combat, Multi-System Deployment
Kael nodded, undead legion moving in calculated formation. "We've stabilized the floor once, but now is the cleanup phase. Every skill and summon must be precise—errors could reawaken corrupted nodes."
Malina activated Phantom Beast Sweep, sending spirit beasts across fractured platforms to detect hidden nodes. Titan Bond amplified their senses, revealing even the faintest traces of Outer God energy.
Vex deployed Supreme Elixir Brew at key junctures, stabilizing volatile mana flows while converting residual energy into usable power for allies.
Pallas hovered above, wings beating steadily as she utilized Ultra Sense and Mapping Vision to detect corrupted nodes invisible to the naked eye. "Three residual nodes detected northeast quadrant, one near gravity flux zone," she called out.
Kael nodded. "Amara, void energy. Ember, radiant strikes. Thorne, shockwave precision. Luminor, barrier reinforcement. Brown, undead containment. Let's purge these nodes simultaneously."
The first node flickered violently, shadows attempting to regain cohesion. Amara's Mana Singularity absorbed residual energy, while Ember's Radiant Cleave struck the heart of the corruption. Thorne's Shockwave Fist shattered surrounding debris, preventing node regeneration.
The undead legion formed a containment ring, preventing residual energy from spreading. Forty Shadow Mages drained lingering shadow essence, while forty Death Knights destroyed corrupted fragments. Skeleton Warriors reinforced platforms destabilized by the energy purge.
SYSTEM ALERT
Residual Node Neutralized – Twelfth Floor
EXP Reward: +25,000 × Team Allocation
Skill Copy: Residual Corruption Analysis Initiated
Kael moved to the second node. Its shadows writhed aggressively, psychic tendrils probing at the minds of nearby allies. Amara's Astral Projection Burst created multiple clones to absorb psychic backlash, while Malina's Soul Link shared the stress across all beasts, preventing overload.
Vex unleashed Explosive Catalyst Potions at the base of the node, destabilizing the corrupted matter while Ember and Thorne executed simultaneous strikes to obliterate the node.
SYSTEM ALERT
Residual Node Neutralized – Twelfth Floor
EXP Reward: +25,000 × Team Allocation
Skill Copy: Residual Corruption Phase Stabilization – Level 1
The third and final node pulsed violently, attempting to re-synchronize with the destroyed central core. Gravity shifted unpredictably, platforms fractured under mana pressure, and shadows coalesced into a phantom double of Kael himself.
Kael smirked. "Predictable, yet persistent. Everyone, stay focused. This is the final node."
Malina activated Phantom Beast Sweep – Apex Evolution, evolving spirit beasts into temporary superior forms, ready to suppress any lingering threats. Pallas's Rapid Escape Shift allowed her to reposition instantly, identifying weak points in the corrupted shadow double.
Kael drew upon Dual Mana Burst and Void Edge, striking the phantom double precisely at its core. Ember's Radiant Cleave cut through residual shadows while Thorne's Shockwave Fist destabilized the node's foundation. Luminor's Eternal Shield Manifestation protected all allies from residual mana surges.
Brown's undead legion sealed the remaining energy flux, preventing further regeneration. The final node shrieked, shattering into fragments that dissipated into harmless wisps.
SYSTEM ALERT
Residual Node Neutralized – Twelfth Floor
EXP Reward: +30,000 × Team Allocation
Skill Copy: Residual Corruption Phase Stabilization – Level 2
Environmental Hazards Neutralized: 100%
Kael exhaled, scanning the now-stable floor. "All residual nodes purged. The twelfth floor is secure, but we remain alert. Outer God influence may have lingering echoes."
Amara lowered her aura, exhaustion etched on her face. "It's stable. The psychic disturbances are gone… for now."
Malina recalled her beasts, Titan Bond dissipating. "Scans indicate no residual corruption beyond minor mana fluctuations. The floor is safe to occupy and analyze further."
Pallas landed gracefully, wings folding behind her. "The mapping is complete. No hidden threats detected. Floor stabilization confirmed."
Vex collected her alchemy nodes, neutralizing residual mana surges. "Volatile energy has been converted. Any remaining Outer God remnants are negligible. Floor analysis is complete."
Kael looked at his team, his undead legion still in perfect formation. "Excellent work. Coordination, skill synergy, and persistence ensured this floor is fully purged. We'll need to prepare for the next level, but take a moment to recover."
SYSTEM ALERT
Twelfth Floor – Full Stabilization Achieved
EXP Allocation Complete
Skill Copy: Residual Corruption Phase Stabilization – Level 3
Environmental Hazards: Cleared
Kael checked his personal stats.
PERSONAL STATS WINDOW
NAME: Kael
CLASS: Special magic swordmaster
RANK: SSS
STRENGTH: 15,800
SPEED: 14,200
EXP: 1,245,000
MANA: 280,000
HP: 98,500
TITLE: Protector of Realms
STORAGE: Full
SKILLS: Mana Blade Extension, Dual Mana Burst, Void Edge, Domain Domination, Copy, Identify, Limit Breaker, Item Sub-Space, Ultimate Supreme Integration
INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional
Kael's undead legion responded to his subtle command, forming a defensive perimeter around the twelfth floor. "We've secured this level. Prepare for next floor reconnaissance. This is just the beginning—the Abyssal Tower's challenges are only going to escalate."
The team, battered but victorious, paused to recover and synchronize their systems. Shadows had been purged, nodes neutralized, and the twelfth floor was stabilized. Yet the distant echoes of the Outer God whispered, a promise that deeper floors would test them beyond measure.
Kael's gaze hardened. "We've overcome the core… but the war isn't over. Other worlds, other realms… and the Outer God's influence will not relent. Let's move forward.