Chapter 7: Corruption's Core
Back in the sewers, Mano followed the last echo of dark mana. His system map updated in real time, revealing a final corridor behind a false wall.
He pressed through—emerging into a hall lit with green crystals and a foul altar that pulsed like a beating heart.
One cultist stood waiting, draped in violet robes, face half-covered by bone.
"So, the system has chosen you again," the man rasped. "Heaven returns... in the wrong hands."
Mano raised his blade.
"Then you already know how this ends."
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[Mini-Boss Encounter: Herald of Decay – Tier B]
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The cultist raised both hands—and the altar exploded in dark energy.
A massive, mutated beast rose behind him, stitched together with limbs from several corpses. It roared, shaking the very floor.
Mano's system flared:
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[Warning: Corrupted Mana Surge Detected – Defensive Stat Halved]
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He moved fast.
Dashing under the beast's strike, Mano leapt, blade gleaming.
[Skill Activated: Ghost Echo]
A spectral version of himself mirrored his movement—a ghostly second slash struck with him in perfect sync.
CRACK!
The corrupted beast's chest split open.
But the Herald wasn't finished. With a scream, he sent a volley of curses, and one struck Mano's shoulder, burning through flesh like acid.
He gritted his teeth and retaliated with Skycut Slash, following up with a piercing thrust into the cultist's heart.
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[Mini-Boss Defeated]
Rewards: 1,000 EXP | Item: Dark Relic Core | Title: Purifier of the Depths
Level Up! Mano is now Level 5.
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The altar cracked… then shattered.
And from the debris, something floated upward—a black orb, filled with swirling silver light.
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[Item Acquired: Heaven Fragment – Sealed]
"A shard of the original Heavenly Blade, bound by unknown forces."
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Mano stared at the orb, heart pounding.
"Heaven Fragment… they were after this."
He sheathed his blade and turned away.
Behind him, the last of the corruption faded, but new questions now burned brighter than ever.