The spiral-lit chamber vibrated with rising heat.
The first Sentinel moved—a grinding sound of stone muscles and warping joints. Its carved body cracked open at the chest to reveal a pulsing core of spiraling light, bleeding thin trails of red mist into the cold air.
"Incoming," I said sharply, adjusting my stance.
Lira's sigil flared to life—a defensive barrier forming a soft glow around her. "We hold, or we die."
Four Spiral Sentinels.
They were humanoid, but barely. Their limbs were too long, their proportions off. Joints rotated in ways they shouldn't. Spirals carved into their forearms and chests began to rotate, not as an effect—but physically, as if something inside them spun.
[System Notice: Combat Initiated]Enemy Units: Spiral Sentinels (Construct – Intermediate Tier)Warning: Active Rot Aura Detected – Extended proximity will degrade HP and Defense
"I'll take left!" I shouted, sprinting forward.
The closest Sentinel raised its arms. The air shimmered—and it vanished.
[Skill Detected: Shatterstep – Phase blink. Range: 5 meters]
It reappeared behind me mid-swing. I twisted, parrying with my blade.
Sparks flew. My arm stung from the impact, but I held my footing.
[Clawing Swipe – Rank C – Level 2]I activated it mid-spin, slashing across its chest. The spiral glyph there cracked—but didn't break.
'Tough bastard…'
Lira engaged another. She ducked under a swing, her sigil flaring with a counter pulse that shattered part of the Sentinel's forearm. She moved with grace—faster than before. I wasn't sure if she'd grown stronger, or if my perception had simply sharpened.
Probably both.
Another Sentinel rushed me.
I activated Spiral Rend.
[Spiral Rend – Rank B – Level 1]A spiraling arc of energy burst from my blade. It struck the second Sentinel full-on, the spiral sigil on its chest shattering with a dull shriek.
[Enemy Core Exposed – Critical Opportunity]
I didn't hesitate—I plunged my blade into the exposed spiral.
The Sentinel froze, twitched, and collapsed into ash and black crystal.
[EXP Gained: +64][Soul Echo Triggered – +1 STR, +1 AGI][Skill Fragment Acquired: Rot Pulse (Rank C)]
Rot Pulse – Rank C
Type: Active – Area EffectDescription: Unleash a pulse of decaying energy that spreads outward in a 3-meter radius, weakening the physical integrity of enemies and corroding magical protections. Particularly effective against constructs, cursed beings, or enemies using barrier-type defenses.
Effects:
Deals minor initial Dark or Necrotic damage
Reduces affected enemies' Defense and Magic Resistance by 10–20% for 10 seconds
Applies a Weakened Armor debuff that stacks up to 3 times
Slight chance (15%) to inflict Rotting Wound – a minor damage-over-time effect
Cooldown: 20 seconds
Special Trait:
Corrosion Synergy: If used in conjunction with Spiral Rend or other disruption-based skills, Rot Pulse's debuff duration is extended by 5 seconds and its defense reduction increases by 5%.
I staggered back, grinning.
"One down."
Lira shouted, "Two down!" as her barrier exploded into a pulse that erased her Sentinel in light and flame.
I turned in time to see the final Sentinel lunging at her exposed back.
My legs moved before I thought.
[Clawing Swipe – Level 2]
I closed the gap fast enough to catch it mid-leap and slammed my blade into its throat. Lira turned and finished it with a flare of her sigil, slicing it apart mid-air.
Silence returned.
Dust settled.
Only the spiral basin continued to glow faintly in the background.
We leaned against a cracked wall, breathing hard.
"That… was harder than expected," I said between gulps of air.
"They were only guardians," Lira said. "There's worse. Much worse."
I eyed the sealed archway on the far side of the room. Spiral runes still glowed there—dim now, but alive.
"Let me guess… that door opens next."
[System Notice: Spiral Lock Weakening – Passage Available Shortly][Warning: Spiral Entity Signature Detected Beyond Threshold]Category: Spiral-Bound Elite
My grin faded.
"What do you know about spiral elites?"
Lira didn't answer right away. When she did, her voice was quiet.
"They don't chant like the others. They don't speak. They just listen. And whatever they're listening to—it's not sane."