The dark waters surrounding the Abyssal Rift pulsed with a sentient malevolence, rippling like a heartbeat from some ancient slumbering god. Stood at the edge of the shattered reef overlooking the cavernous trench where the Abyssal Leviathan stirred beneath. A deathly silence echoed across the surface, only interrupted by the deep rumble below.
They had wounded the beast—barely—but their attempt to slay it head-on had nearly cost them their lives.
Now, with the Relic in hand and clues provided by the Deep-Sea Scholar Elrin, the mission had shifted: bind the beast and seal its prison forever.
[Main Quest: Abyssal Chains of Final Binding]
Objective: Discover and activate the four ancient Binding Pillars hidden within the ruins to weaken the Abyssal Leviathan.
Reward: Unlock a new Abyssal Skill, gain full control over Dock 13's regional influence, and prevent Leviathan resurgence.
Warning: Pillars are heavily guarded by Abyssal Keepers. Retreating from combat will reset the pillar's state.
Ethan's party regrouped near a newly exposed entrance to a collapsed temple. The Relic—known now as the Chainheart Sigil—glowed faintly, tugging toward the first Binding Pillar.
"We need to move quickly," Ethan said, turning to Brandon, Kaela the healer-mage, and the twin scouts, Eren and Kye. "The longer it sleeps, the deeper it dreams. And those dreams are starting to corrupt the trench."
They nodded grimly. All of them had seen the corruption—fish with voided eyes, bloated humanoid corpses writhing in pain, and whispering shadows pulling at their minds.
[System Notification]
Abyssal Corruption: 13%
If Corruption reaches 100%, the Abyssal Leviathan will awaken fully and begin the Consumption Event.
— Defeating Keepers and activating Pillars will reduce corruption.
The First Pillar – Temple of Chains
The party entered a submerged corridor choked with algae and barnacle-covered stone. Faint lights shimmered across Ethan's Shadow Cloak as he moved silently between collapsed pillars and defunct Abyssal wards.
Suddenly—
[Abyssal Keeper – Torth, the Chain-Watcher Appears!]
[Status Window – Abyssal Keeper Torth]
Level: 55
HP: 8,700
Type: Elite Abyssal Undead
Skills:
Abyssal Whip – Deals 375 damage + 30% missing HP as dark-type damage.
Choking Binding – Roots a target for 6 seconds, inflicts 187 damage every 2 seconds.
Tormented Echo – Reduces all healing by 50%, inflicts mental confusion.
Without hesitation, Ethan activated his new class skill.
[Skill Used – Abyssal Dominion: Shadowbind]
Effect: Reduces target movement by 35%, weakens all Abyssal-type resistances by 20% for 10 seconds.
"Now!" he shouted.
Brandon lunged in with his crafted spear, Piercing the Keeper's shoulder for 741 damage. Kaela flung a sanctified chain of light, burning away part of its undead carapace for 599 damage.
The Keeper roared, flailing its barbed whip into Eren's ribs.
Eren receives 963 damage! [Critical]
Eren screamed and dropped, health teetering at 5%. Kaela rushed to cast a fast heal.
Heal: +443 HP restored.
Torth launched a Choking Binding at Brandon, immobilizing him, then began casting Tormented Echo. The air rippled. Shadows laughed.
Ethan's eyes glinted. This was his chance.
He activated his ultimate.
[Skill Used – Abyssal Rift Implosion]
Effect: Creates a miniature black hole at the target location, dealing massive damage over time.
Damage dealt to Torth: 1,111... 977... 849... 723...
As the Keeper staggered, Brandon broke free and thrust his spear directly into Torth's exposed core. Final damage: 1,177
The Keeper crumbled with a shriek that reverberated through the entire temple.
[System Notification]
Abyssal Keeper Torth has been defeated.
Corruption reduced by 5%.
Binding Pillar One Activated.
The pillar pulsed to life, and the sigil on Ethan's relic resonated with it. One chain shimmered in the distance, binding a ghostly outline of the Leviathan far below.
Campfire Strategy Discussion
Later, the party rested inside a makeshift bubble Kaela created using a water-repelling rune. Ethan unrolled a map etched with Leviathan runes.
"There are three pillars left," he said. "Northwest is a submerged abyssal garden. Northeast lies a sunken library where knowledge guards itself."
"And the last?" Brandon asked.
Ethan's brow furrowed. "It's hidden… beneath the trench floor."
They all exchanged looks.
"I'm not backing down," Kaela said firmly. "If this is the only way to keep people alive… we do it."
"Same here," the twins said in unison.
Ethan nodded, gripping the relic.
The party prepared to head toward the second Binding Pillar.
But as they emerged from the trench corridor, the water turned murky. Glowing eyes lit up ahead.
An army of Abyssal Wretches was forming.
And at its center… floated a massive humanoid wrapped in chains and coral.
Another Keeper had come.