Kyrian stepped through the icy archway and into the frigid depths of the third floor. A blast of freezing air rushed to meet him, carrying tiny shards of ice that pricked at his skin. He glanced around, taking in the pale blue light that bathed the entire cavernous space. The floors and walls were coated in frost so thick it looked almost furry. Massive icicles hung from the ceilings and jutted up precariously from the ground. His breath came out in white puffs as he slowly made his way forward.
The cold was bitter, but Kyrian's primordial nature protected him from its harmful effects. Kyrian had only gone a short distance when the air before him began to shimmer. He halted, watching as ghostly forms materialized .
**Beast Identified. Level 106 Ice Wraiths**
Their semi-transparent bodies swirled with shades of white and blue, their clawed hands reaching for him. Kyrian acted on instinct, calling on his mastery over Fire Authority. With a few deft movements of his fingers, he wove strands of primordial fire into fireball, launching them at the wraiths.
The fireballs sizzled through the frigid air, impacting the wraiths in small explosions of steam. The creatures let out chilling screeches as the intense heat began melting their icy flesh. Their smoky forms writhed and contorted, trying futilely to avoid the flames. But Kyrian's onslaught was relentless, each precisely aimed fireball hitting its mark and dissolving the wraiths into puddles of water.
Soon, no trace of the creatures remained except fading wisps of icy vapor. Kyrian stood motionless, scanning the empty halls for any other threats. When none appeared, he continued his cautious advance into the icy depths. He would purge this place of corruption.
Kyrian proceeded down the frozen corridor, his senses on high alert. The air seemed to grow colder with each step, and he could see his breath crystallizing before him. Strange, muted sounds echoed through the halls - whispers, crackling, groans of shifting ice.
He entered a large, domed chamber and paused. The room was surrounded by flawless ice mirrors, each reflecting distorted images that seemed to move independently. Kyrian watched his own reflection fracture into pieces, rearranging in unnatural ways. Immediately, he felt foreign energy attempt to enter his mindscape. This was a hall of deception, designed to confuse and disorient. Well, he would not fall for such tricks.
Kyrian focused, calling on primordial strands of fire once more. His hands blazed with power as he unleashed the magic, torrents of fire streaming forth to strike the nearest mirror. The ice hissed and steamed under the intense heat. Cracks spiderwebbed across its surface before it shattered completely.
He pivoted, redirecting the fire to the next mirror, and the next. The fiery magic surged and swirled around him as shards of enchanted ice rained down. In moments, the deceptive mirrors were no more, melted to puddles on the fractured floor.
Kyrian extinguished the flames, the room now cleansed. His primordial power had purified this place of the Adjudicators' foul magic. Steeling himself, he strode towards the chamber's far exit, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Kyrian stepped through the open doorway, entering a massive chamber covered in thick layers of ice. Jagged icicles hung from the ceiling, and the temperature plummeted well below freezing. His breath misted before him as he scanned the frigid room.
At the far end stood a towering figure.
**Beast Identified. Level 107 Ice Warden**
It appeared to be hewn from living ice, a humanoid form clad in spiked armor with a frost-rimed greatsword clutched in its clawed hands. Soulless blue eyes fixed on Kyrian as the Warden emitted an unearthly roar.
Kyrian tensed, ready for combat. He called on his Fire Authority once more, wreathing his hands in flickering flames. The Warden stomped forward, flanked by smaller ice elementals that had risen from the frozen ground. It swung its massive blade in a wide arc, sending a blast of icy wind shrieking towards Kyrian.
He leapt aside, the freezing gale just missing him to crash against the wall in an explosion of ice shards. Kyrian retaliated, hurling a fireball that melted through the chest of an advancing elemental. He ducked under the Warden's next swing, pressing both palms to its icy armor. Fire bloomed against the construct, melting chunks of enchanted ice.
The Warden recoiled with an unearthly shriek. It swiped at Kyrian with razor-sharp claws, but he tumbled clear. More fireballs flew from his hands, chipping away at the Warden's defenses. Bit by bit, the primordial flames overcame the vile ice magic sustaining the guardian.
With a final, defiant roar, the Warden collapsed into a steaming pool. Kyrian stood victorious, surrounded by rapidly melting elemental corpses.
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Now, to begin restoring Kendreia's mana...
Kyrian closed his eyes, beginning the ritual to cleanse the corrupted system mana. He began to weave strands of pure primordial mana. With deft motions, he wove those strands into his own fire mana, burning away the unnatural System magic.
The process was gradual, requiring intense focus and precision. But as Kyrian meditated, he could feel the environment changing. The oppressive chill in the air faded away, replaced by a calm warmth. The icy walls and floors melted, revealing sturdy stone underneath.
When Kyrian opened his eyes, the entire floor had been transformed. Gone were the frigid halls and spectral guardians. In their place stood a sanctuary glowing with primordial light. Kyrian exhaled, sending the purified mana streaming towards the distant Realm Core.
Three floors cleansed, but his journey was far from over. Kyrian steeled himself and turned towards the staircase leading down. The next level awaited, as did the next test of his abilities. While it had been easy for him to clear the floors so far, he had been far more powerful during his prime. His weakened powers, he surmised, were due to the pervasive System mana that he couldn't harness.
With graceful steps, the silver-haired primordial descended into the depths. His cosmic eyes gleamed with determination under flickering torchlight. Soon, the vile System magic infecting this dungeon would be no more.
**Congratulations. You have successfully cleared the 3rd floor of the Nether Dungeon.
Rewards:
* Experience Points (XP): Error%)
* Item Obtained: [Mirror of Truth] (Epic)
Level Up!
Current Level: ∞ERROR ➜ ∞ERROR
Objective cleared. Transporting to 4th floor**
Kyrian's arrival on the fourth floor was met with a sharp tang of decay. Rancid fumes hung heavy in the air, emanating from bubbling pools of vile toxic sludge along the passageway. The slime-coated walls seemed to pulse with foul magic.
Kyrian extended his hand, and sparkling tendrils of purified water mana materialized at his fingertips. With precise movements, he wove them into a protective barrier around himself, shielding against the toxic fumes that swirled in the air. Although the poison did not affect him directly, the stench was enough to make his stomach churn, and he refused to let it come near him.
Pressing deeper into the fetid darkness, Kyrian remained vigilant. His cosmic eyes pierced the gloom, watching for any sign of movement.
Without warning, a swarm of grotesque insects surged from the shadows. Mandibles clacking, they descended upon the group in a wave.
**Beasts Identified. Level 108 Nether Swarm**
Kyrian moved swiftly, calling upon his Authority over Water. With sweeping motions, he weaved strands of divine aqua mana. The brilliant energies swirled and crashed like tidal waves, smashing into the insect horde. Their chitinous bodies dissolved under the purifying onslaught.
The darkness seemed to shift and writhe as more of the grotesque insects swarmed from the shadows, their sharp mandibles clicking with deadly intent as they advanced.
Kyrian conjured whipping tendrils of water. They lashed out in all directions, slicing through exoskeletons and scattering ichor. The insects fell by the dozens, overwhelmed by Kyrian's masterful control of his Water Authority.
Soon, the swarm was no more, its numbers decimated. Kyrian nodded in satisfaction and turned his focus back to the path ahead. The System's hold on this place was weakening.
Kyrian tread carefully as the path led into a fetid mire. Bubbling pools of toxic sludge surrounded him, the fumes threatening to choke his lungs. He called upon his Authority over Water once more, weaving shimmering strands of aqua mana.
With a sweeping gesture, he parted the sludge, revealing safe footing underneath. As Kyrian walked on, purifying energy radiated from his steps, clearing a path through the treacherous bog.
Suddenly, hulking forms rose from the muck. Sludge oozed from their misshapen bodies as they lumbered towards Kyrian. He regarded them calmly, unfazed by their intimidating size.
**Beasts Identified. Level 109 Sludge**
"Your corruption shall be cleansed," Kyrian declared. More strands of water wove between his fingers as he prepared to attack.
The sludge creatures roared and charged, poison dripping from their gnashing maws. Kyrian thrust his hands forward, unleashing a concentrated jet of purifying water. It smashed into the lead creature with the force of a battering ram, bursting its body apart in a spray of dark ichor.
The others pressed their advance, heedless of their fallen ally. With liquid grace, Kyrian evaded their attacks while summoning whips of water to slice through their ranks. One by one, the creatures dissolved under his precise onslaught.
Soon, the mire was still, its monstrous inhabitants purified by Kyrian's Authority. He surveyed the carnage with detached stoicism before proceeding to perform the cleansing ritual.
**Congratulations. You have successfully cleared the 3rd floor of the Nether Dungeon.
Rewards:
* Experience Points (XP): Error%)
* Item Obtained: Venomstrike Gauntlets (Epic)
Level Up!
Current Level: ∞ERROR ➜ ∞ERROR
Objective cleared. Transporting to Final floor**