FROM THE SKY
Chapter 7 – When Darkness Begins to Learn
The ruined dungeon was silent except for the slow drip of corrupted Aether falling from the cracked ceiling. Broken stone and fragments of the dungeon core lay scattered across the floor, glowing faintly with dying energy. At the center of the destruction stood Lux, breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling as pain and power warred inside him.
His clothes were soaked in blood—some his, some not. His arms trembled, yet his eyes were sharp, burning with a dangerous resolve.
Then suddenly—
The black ring on his finger began to glow.
A deep crimson light pulsed from its surface, sending waves of heat through Lux's veins. Symbols he had never seen before appeared in the air.
[Ancient Artifact Activated]
[New Ability Unlocked: Stat Absorption]
Lux's eyes widened. A flood of knowledge struck his mind like lightning.
"Stat… absorption?"
He understood it instantly.
Every enemy he killed—every monster he destroyed—would now surrender a part of their power to him. Their strength, their skills, even fragments of their combat instincts would be pulled into his own body.
The shattered remains of the corrupted dungeon beasts began dissolving into dark mist. That energy rushed into Lux.
[Absorbed: Corruption Resistance]
[Absorbed: Undead Combat Trait]
[Absorbed: Minor Dark Aether Affinity]
Lux gasped as power surged through him.
"So this ring… it was waiting for me."
But then something went wrong.
A crushing pressure formed in his chest. It felt like chains tightening around his soul.
[Seal 3 – Near Breaking]
[Soul Stability: Critical]
Lux fell to one knee, gripping his heart. His vision blurred as an immense force pressed against him from the inside.
"Not yet…!" he growled through clenched teeth. "I won't lose control now!"
Slowly, the pressure stabilized.
[Seal 3 Stabilized – Locked]
Lux collapsed forward, breathing hard.
He had survived.
But the power inside him was growing… far too fast.
Sky Guard Empire – Holy Church
Inside the Holy Cathedral, a different kind of energy filled the air.
Alya knelt beneath towering white pillars as golden light flowed around her body. Priests and high clerics stood in a circle, chanting ancient blessings.
[Holy Maiden Ascension – Ongoing]
A radiant halo formed above her head.
Yet Alya's heart was restless.
"Lux…"
She didn't know why, but a strange feeling squeezed her chest—like something dark was calling to him.
Something dangerous.
Demon Realm – Abyssal Border
Far beyond human lands, deep within the Demon Realm, a massive dungeon gate began to tremble.
Dark Aether erupted like black smoke.
Demonic soldiers gathered—warriors with claws, horns, burning eyes, and twisted armor.
A towering Demon Commander watched from above.
"A disturbance has been detected in the human realm," he said coldly. "A new Holy Maiden has emerged."
The demons hissed.
"Prepare the Abyss Dungeon," he commanded. "If the humans are awakening their light… then we shall awaken our darkness."
The dungeon gate flared with crimson runes.
Inside it, countless monsters stirred.
Unaware…
That Lux was already walking toward them.
---PRIMe ✨