Quest Activated: Ritual of Containment
Objective: Perform the Binding Ritual at Abysswatch Reef to weaken the Abyssal Leviathan's influence.
Difficulty: S+
Warning: Failure will result in permanent region-wide abyssal corruption.
The waves roared with unnatural fury as Ethan and his team approached the Abysswatch Reef, the final location noted in the Deep-Sea Scholar's translation of the ancient relic. Enshrouded by a dark mist, the reef exuded a suffocating aura of dread. Strange shapes moved below the surface, and the sea whispered secrets not meant for the living.
"It's here," Ethan muttered, pulling his hood tight as corrosive sea spray hissed against his armor. Brandon, armed with a newly forged Abyss-Forged Halberd, scanned the depths ahead. Lira the Aqua-Sorceress NPC, now a bonded companion after the Underwater Ruins questline, floated beside them with an orb pulsing with azure energy.
"The binding must begin under the next full tide," she warned, her voice distant. "We'll need to form a protective ward circle while I chant the incantations. But beware—the Leviathan senses this. It will try to stop you."
System Notification:
You have entered a Danger Zone: Abysswatch Reef
All regenerative effects halved. Escape disabled until the ritual is completed.
Ethan placed the carved obsidian relic into the center of the reef's heart—a jagged pillar formed from abyssal stone. Tendrils of dark water coiled upward as if reacting to the intrusion.
[Abyssal Harbinger Skill Activated: Aura of Dread]
- Passive Debuff applied to enemies: -15% defense, -10% attack speed.
With defenses braced and weapons drawn, the team began forming the ritual perimeter. Lira floated into the center and began chanting in Old Aquan, her voice harmonizing with the waves. Light burst from the relic, forming glowing glyphs that etched themselves into the sea.
Then came the first wave.
ENEMY WAVE ONE: Abyssbound Eels (x12)
[Status Window]
Name: Abyssbound Eel
Level: 42
HP: 1,700
Attack: 195
Skills:
Spiral Bite: Piercing strike dealing 223 damage.
Abyss Current: Applies Slowness for 5 seconds.
They came from below—slithering and screeching. Ethan dashed in.
[Skill Activated: Dread Fang Strike]
Damage Dealt: 337 (Critical) + 189 + 243
Two eels burst into pixelated blood, dissipating. Brandon spun his halberd in a circle.
[Skill: Crescent Cleave]
Damage Dealt to Group: 271, 221, 213, 229 (4 eels destroyed)
Lira completed the first incantation. The runes brightened, and the water stilled—briefly.
ENEMY WAVE TWO: Abyssbound Sentinels (x4)
Name: Abyssbound Sentinel
Level: 49
HP: 4,200
Defense: High (30% resistance to physical)
Skills:
Shield Crush: Deals 407 blunt damage.
Staggering Roar: AoE fear for 3 seconds.
Ethan got clipped.
- Damage Taken: 407
[Status Effect: Minor Stagger]
Brandon leapt forward and activated his new skill:
[Skill: Anchor Chain Drag]
Damage Dealt: 353 + 287 (Pull effect engaged)
Ethan capitalized with a counter:
[Skill: Abyss Claw Rend]
Damage Dealt: 447 (Weak Spot) + 301
The Sentinel shrieked and imploded.
But Lira screamed as a shadow fell from above.
MINI-BOSS: Maw of the Abyss
Level: 55
HP: 8,800
Attack: 389
Skills:
Abyss Maw: Swallow a target below 20% HP.
Tentacle Slam: 341 AoE damage.
"Hold it off! I'm almost done!" Lira shouted.
Ethan gritted his teeth. The water churned violently.
[Skill Chain: Abyss Rush > Harbinger's Mark > Dread Implosion]
Damage Dealt: 309 + 377 + 611
Brandon followed up with:
[Skill: Drill Spike Assault]
Damage: 333 + 325
The Maw screamed but slammed down.
Damage Taken: Ethan (293), Brandon (317)
Lira completed the chant.
System Notification:
Binding Ritual Completed. Abyssal Influence at Abysswatch Reef has been contained.
Rewards Gained:
Item: Binding Rune Core x1
Material: Leviathan Scales x7
Faction Reputation Increased: Deep-Sea Scholars (+100)
The sea quieted. The dark mists receded. The Leviathan's influence had been pushed back, but not eradicated.
Ethan knelt beside the relic. "This place... will never be safe. But it's a start."
Brandon sheathed his weapon. "What's next?"
Lira looked toward the open ocean. "There are whispers of something far deeper. The Leviathan was only the beginning."