Chapter 2: Last Stand

Sue stood her ground, her heart hammering like a war drum in her chest. She forced a steady breath, anchoring her nerves as the Corrupted Abomination’s burning eyes locked onto her. It snarled, its molten gaze narrowing with predatory intent as it registered her as a threat. With a guttural roar, it charged, its massive frame shaking the chamber and dislodging debris that rained down like a grim warning.

Her HUD flared with updates, a vital tool in this brutal world where survival hinged on split-second decisions:

[Abomination Threat: Locked on Target - Sue]

[Damage Threshold Increased: 10% Boost Active]

These readouts weren’t just data; they were lifelines, tracking every action and response in real time. To anyone outside this deadly reality, it might have seemed impersonal, but to Sue, the HUD’s cold efficiency was a trusted ally.

She tightened her grip on the mace, the cold steel grounding her as the creature’s massive tentacle swept toward her like a battering ram. Instinct took over, and she rolled to the side just in time. The impact shattered the ground where she had stood moments before, sending shards of stone slicing through the air.

"You’re going to have to do better than that," she muttered, her voice low and defiant as she rose to her feet. Her muscles protested with every movement, but she shoved the pain aside, her focus laser-sharp. She pivoted to face the beast again, her pulse roaring in her ears.

Behind her, the faint echoes of retreating footsteps reminded her of what was at stake. The group was almost out, their survival hinging on her keeping the Abomination locked in the chamber. She grit her teeth. If it broke through to them, none of them would make it.

But it was too late.

The Corrupted Abomination turned sharply, its molten gaze flickering toward the retreating party. Its massive frame shifted, its intent clear.

[Threat Priority Recalibrating: Target - Party]

A tentacle lashed out with brutal speed, catching one of the fleeing party members square in the back. The impact sent them sprawling, their HUD flickering with critical alerts before falling silent. Mark, running ahead, didn’t even glance back. His focus remained locked on the door they had come through earlier, now seeming impossibly far away.

Another tentacle whipped through the air, striking down another member in a spray of debris and chaos. Their HUD blinked red before fading entirely, signaling their demise. The remaining party members faltered. Two of them—a burly warrior and a mage—turned back, weapons raised, ready to make a stand.

"Hold it here! Give them time!" the warrior shouted, his shield raised as the Abomination loomed closer.

Mark, Jenny the healer, and Nick the thief didn’t stop. They sprinted toward the distant door, their breaths ragged, panic etched across their faces. Mark’s focus remained on survival, his shouts urging them onward, while Jenny clutched her staff tightly, her face pale with the weight of the injured left behind. Nick’s movements were quick and calculated, his eyes darting nervously for threats, but his resolve to escape kept him close to the others. The sound of clashing weapons and the Abomination’s guttural roars echoed behind them, a grim testament to the sacrifice being made in their name.

"Jenny, let’s go!" Mark’s urgent shout echoed through the chamber, cutting through the chaos as he grabbed Jenny’s arm and pulled her along. Without looking back, he bolted toward the door, leaving Sue and the others behind to face the Abomination alone. She didn’t have the luxury to see if anyone else had followed. Her focus was on survival.

[Party Members Disconnected: Mark]

[Party Members Disconnected: Jenny]

[Party Members Disconnected: Nick]

The System’s alerts flashed in her HUD, cold and unfeeling, a mechanical reminder of the dwindling numbers. Sue had entered this dungeon with ten Hunters. Now, only she and two others remained.

Well...

Dodging a sweeping tentacle, Sue’s eyes darted to the warrior, his shield barely holding against the relentless assault. Each strike from the Abomination rattled his frame, his feet skidding against the fractured stone. Just a few meters behind him, the mage struggled to channel a spell, her hands glowing faintly with magical energy. Mages needed time to cast; that’s why they always stayed at the back, shielded and protected. But now, there was no back line—just a crumbling front.

"Hold on!" Sue yelled, slamming her mace against another tentacle to draw the beast’s attention. She knew the others couldn’t last much longer. The warrior’s shield splintered with another devastating blow, and the mage flinched, her concentration breaking for a heartbeat.

[Party Integrity Critical: Warrior - 35% | Mage - 50%]

The HUD’s grim updates glared in the corner of her vision as she repositioned herself, her breathing labored. This wasn’t just a fight anymore—it was survival, and the odds were closing in fast.

The Corrupted Abomination seized the moment, its molten eyes narrowing with predatory intent. A tentacle whipped forward, faster than any of them could react, coiling around the warrior’s shield arm with brutal precision. The warrior let out a strangled yell as the shield was ripped away, leaving him vulnerable. The creature reared back, ready to deliver a crushing blow.

Sue’s HUD flashed with urgent updates:

[Party Member Critical: Warrior - 15% Integrity]

[Threat Level Escalating: Lethal State Detected]

"No!" Sue shouted, charging forward. Her mace swung in a wide arc, connecting with the Abomination’s writhing limb in a desperate bid to free the warrior. The impact forced the tentacle to recoil, but the beast hardly staggered.

"Mage, cast now!" Sue yelled, her voice sharp with urgency. The mage’s hands flared with energy, her incantation nearly complete. It was a gamble, but they had no choice.

None of them noticed the tentacle slithering through the chaos, its movements eerily quiet as it positioned itself behind the mage. She was focused entirely on her incantation, the glowing energy in her hands growing brighter with each passing second. A flicker of realization crossed her face, her eyes widening in horror as she sensed the movement too late. The tentacle struck like a viper, coiling around her midsection and yanking her off the ground. Her concentration shattered, and the glowing energy in her hands dissipated into sparks.

The mage’s scream tore through the chamber as the tentacle lifted her higher, coiling tighter with every second. Sue’s HUD flared again:

[Party Member Critical: Mage - 10% Integrity]

The warrior, still reeling from the loss of his shield, staggered to his feet. “Damn it! Hold on, I’ll—” He tried to charge, but the Abomination’s focus shifted. Another tentacle lashed out, slamming into him and sending him flying across the chamber. He landed with a sickening thud, unmoving.

Sue barely registered the update flashing in her vision:

[Party Member Status: Warrior - Deceased]

Her grip tightened on her mace as the Abomination turned its attention back to the mage. “Not on my watch,” she growled. She sprinted forward, leaping over debris, and swung her mace with all her strength at the tentacle holding the mage. The impact made the monster recoil, dropping its captive, who crumpled to the floor.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Get up!” Sue barked, positioning herself between the mage and the beast. The mage coughed, clutching her side but managed to stagger upright, her face pale and her hands trembling.

“We can’t win this,” the mage whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I know,” Sue said, her tone grim. “But we can still make it out. Cast a barrier spell—now!”

The Abomination roared, its massive frame shifting as it prepared another strike. Sue braced herself, her HUD flashing warnings, but she didn’t falter. Every second she bought was another for the mage to survive.

[Incoming Attack: Lethal Threat Detected]

The chamber shook as the beast charged again. Sue swung her mace, but the beast anticipated her move. A second tentacle lashed out, wrapping around the mage before she could finish her incantation. The glowing barrier she had been trying to summon flickered and collapsed.

“No!” Sue screamed, her voice raw, but the Abomination was relentless. It coiled tighter, lifting the mage high into the air as her struggles weakened. Sparks of mana fizzled out from her trembling hands, dissipating into the darkness.

[Party Member Status: Mage - Critical]

[Party Member Status: Mage - Deceased]

The tentacle discarded the mage like broken prey, her lifeless body crumpling to the ground. Sue’s throat tightened, but she forced herself to turn away. She couldn’t stop now—hesitation would mean her own end.

Her HUD pulsed another grim notification:

[Party Integrity: Sue - 65% | Solo Status: Initiated]

“Damn it!” Sue hissed, gripping her mace tighter as the Abomination turned its molten eyes back to her. She was alone now, the last one standing. The group was gone—those who hadn’t fled were dead—and the beast was coming for her.

The System’s voice chimed coldly in her mind:

[Victory Probability: <5%]

[Escape Probability: Calculating...]

Sue steadied her breath, her resolve hardening. She couldn’t win, but if she was going to fall, she’d do it on her terms. Her gaze darted across the Abomination, searching for anything she could exploit.

[Weak Point Detected: Core Stabilizer - Exposed]

[Critical Hit Potential: 400%]

Her eyes darted to the throne looming behind the Corrupted Abomination, something she had barely registered before. It was constructed from a strange, iridescent material, its surface shifting with shimmering hues like liquid light. The faint, rhythmic pulsing emanating from the throne seemed to match the Abomination's movements, as though the two were connected. Her HUD flickered with an unexpected update:

[Object Identified: Iridescent Throne | Source of Power Detected]

Sue’s breath hitched. That’s it. That’s what’s keeping this thing alive. Her grip tightened on her mace as realization hit. Memories of previous battles flashed through her mind—near-deaths, hard-fought victories, and the teammates she had already lost. Her jaw clenched. If this throne is the key, I can’t fail now. Not with everything I’ve endured to get here. Taking out the throne might be the only way to stop the Abomination. But the path to it was blocked by the monstrous bulk of the creature, its tentacles writhing in anticipation.

"System," she muttered, sweat dripping down her temple. "Analysis: Best approach."

[Analysis: High-Risk Maneuver | Distraction Required for Approach to Throne]

[Probability of Success: 18%]

"Eighteen percent," she murmured, her lips curving into a bitter smile. "Better odds than nothing."

An idea began to form in Sue's mind, reckless and desperate, but it was all she had. She couldn’t outlast the Corrupted Abomination in a direct fight, not with her depleted stamina and its overwhelming power. Her only chance was to disrupt its connection to the throne—the source of its strength.

Her HUD pulsed with an urgent update:

[Disruption Strategy: Throne Integrity Critical | Immediate Action Required]

Sue feinted a strike, her mace swinging wide to draw the Abomination’s attention, then darted to the side. The beast roared, its tentacles lashing out in chaotic fury to intercept her. She ducked, narrowly avoiding a strike that shattered the stone beside her, and pressed forward, weaving through the debris. Adrenaline surged through her veins, sharpening her senses to a razor’s edge.

The throne loomed closer, its iridescent glow intensifying with each step. Shadows danced across the chamber walls, pulsating in rhythm with the Abomination’s rage. Sue gritted her teeth, her heart pounding like a war drum as she closed the gap. Each step brought her closer to the faint hope of victory—or the certainty of death.

But the Corrupted Abomination was having none of it. With a deafening roar, it summoned a massive, writhing tentacle, blocking her path. Sue skidded to a halt, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She was so close, yet so far. She could see the throne, its strange, pulsating light beckoning her, promising an end to this nightmare.

The tentacle lashed out, its tip morphing into a grotesque, snarling face. It snapped at her, its teeth clicking together like a trap. Sue leaped back, her heart pounding in her chest. She was running out of time, and options. She couldn't keep dodging forever. She needed to end this, now.

Her eyes darted around, desperate for anything she could use to gain an edge. That’s when she noticed it—a small, glowing mushroom nestled against the wall behind the throne. Unlike the faintly luminescent fungi scattered across the chamber, this one stood out. Its cap pulsed a deep, ominous red, each rhythm synchronized with the Abomination’s movements. It seemed out of place, its energy as alien as the throne itself.

Her HUD flared with a new update:

[Environmental Anomaly Detected: Volatile Catalyst Identified]

[Effect: High Energy Disruption on Impact]

Sue’s breath hitched as the pieces clicked together in her mind. That’s it. That’s how I break the throne. It was a gamble—a reckless, desperate idea—but there was no other choice. If the mushroom’s volatile energy could disrupt the throne, it might sever the Abomination’s connection entirely.

The beast roared again, its massive tentacle snapping inches from her head as she dodged. “Alright, you bastard,” she muttered, adrenaline coursing through her veins. “Let’s see if you can keep up.”

She adjusted her grip on the mace and pivoted, focusing all her effort on reaching the glowing mushroom. The path was a gauntlet of debris and writhing tentacles, each one a potential death sentence. But Sue was out of options, and this was her only shot.

She feinted another attack, drawing the Corrupted Abomination's attention. As it lunged, she changed direction, darting towards the glowing mushroom. The monster roared, its tentacles whipping after her, but she was faster. She ducked, weaved, and dove, her fingers brushing against the mushroom's soft, fleshy cap.

The mushroom burst open, releasing a cloud of crimson spores into the air. The Corrupted Abomination recoiled, its burning eyes widening in surprise and fear. The spores hung in the air for a moment before they began to drift towards the throne, drawn by its pulsating light.

The Corrupted Abomination thrashed, its tentacles lashing out wildly as it tried to disperse the cloud, but it was too late. The spores were already settling on the throne, their crimson glow intensifying as they merged with the iridescent material.

The throne’s pulsating light grew erratic, shifting from a steady rhythm to chaotic flickers. The Abomination roared, its molten eyes glowing brighter as if fueled by rage—or fear. The tentacles whipped wildly, shattering stone and debris, but the spores clung stubbornly to the throne, seeping into its iridescent surface.

Sue staggered back, her chest heaving as her HUD lit up with cascading updates:

[Throne Integrity: 50%]

[Corrupted Abomination Vitality: Linked | Status: Weakening]

A faint smile tugged at her lips. It was working. The beast was faltering. But the fight wasn’t over yet.

The Abomination turned its full focus on her, its molten eyes blazing with a hatred she could feel in her bones. It reared back, summoning all its remaining strength, and charged. The ground shook violently as Sue braced herself, raising her mace.

[Incoming Threat: Fatal | Evasive Maneuver Recommended]

Sue gritted her teeth. “No more running,” she muttered. She pivoted, her gaze locking onto the throne. If she could destroy it completely, this would end.

With a burst of adrenaline, she sprinted toward the throne, weaving through the chaos as the beast’s tentacles lashed behind her. The spores continued to consume the throne’s energy, the crimson glow intensifying to a blinding radiance. The Abomination roared again, its body beginning to crack and splinter under the strain.

Her HUD flashed urgently:

[Throne Integrity: 25%]

[Critical Hit Opportunity Detected: Direct Impact Required]

Sue tightened her grip on the mace, her knuckles whitening. This was it—the final strike. With a battle cry that tore through the chamber, she leaped toward the throne, her mace arcing down in a decisive blow.

The mace connected with the throne in a resounding crash. The iridescent material shattered under the force of the blow. A wave of crimson light erupted from the throne, surging outward and enveloping the chamber in a blinding radiance.

The Abomination shrieked. Its body convulsed violently, cracks spidering across its molten surface as the connection to its power source was severed.

Sue was thrown backward. Her HUD flashed red with a cascade of warnings:

[Shockwave Detected: Damage Mitigation Active]

[Vitality: 30% | Status: Stabilizing]

She landed hard against a jagged outcrop of stone. Her vision swam, and the oppressive weight of the Abomination’s presence began to lift. The room was eerily quiet now.

Forcing herself upright, Sue scanned the battlefield. The Corrupted Abomination was no longer the towering, unstoppable force it had been. Cracks snaked across its molten body, faint trails of light spilling out as its form destabilized. It stumbled, its tentacles flailing weakly, and collapsed onto the shattered remains of the throne.

Her HUD updated again:

[Abomination Vitality: 10% | Core Critical]

[Victory Probability: 85% | Finishing Blow Required]

Sue’s breath came in ragged gasps as she pulled herself to her feet. Her mace felt impossibly heavy in her hands. Tightening her grip, she took a shaky step forward. This was it—the end was finally in sight.

The Abomination lifted its head. Its molten eyes dimmed, but they remained locked on her. Even in its weakened state, it radiated defiance. Sue raised her mace one final time, her muscles screaming in protest.

"Die, you son of a bitch," she muttered, her voice steady despite the exhaustion.

With all the strength she could muster, she brought the mace down onto the Abomination’s core. The impact triggered a final explosion of light. The beast disintegrated, its body crumbling into ash that scattered across the chamber.