[Divine Descent System - Godslayer]
Host: Kael Voss | In-Game ID: Zhu ShenPartner: Gareth | In-Game ID: ShadowCompanion: Lila Elias | In-Game ID: LunaAlly: Yun Feng | In-Game ID: PhantomLocation: Crescent Glade → Emberwood Deep Zone → Abyssal Depths Outer GateCurrent Level: Zhu Shen Lv.23 | Shadow Lv.23 | Luna Lv.18 | Phantom Lv.25Core Objective: March to Abyssal Depths → Eliminate Crimson Horde rearguard → Break through Abyssal Gate → Defeat Lv.35 Gatekeeper → Secure entry to mid-zone
Three days of nonstop preparation transformed Crescent Glade into a fortress. The western wall was reinforced with steel plates forged from Frost Crystal Ore; the guild hall's alchemy lab brimmed with potions (300+ Enhanced Stardust Healing Potions, 200+ Anti-Venom Elixirs, 150+ Frost Resistance Potions); and every core member sported upgraded gear—Kael now wielded [Frostpierce Dagger] (Silver-grade, Attack 85-92, Penetration +20%, Frost Damage +30%), crafted from Frost Hydra Scales and Frost Crystal Ore.
As dawn broke over Duskfall City, the core team gathered at the guild hall's main gate, flanked by 20 elite recruits (all Lv.28+). Yun Feng (Phantom) unfurled a massive map, marking the route to the Abyssal Depths: "We'll cut through Emberwood Deep Zone—faster than going around, and we can hunt Lv.32+ Dark Wolves for extra EXP. The Abyssal Depths Outer Gate is guarded by the [Abyssal Gatekeeper]—Lv.35 Elite, dark-frost dual affinity. We need to take him down to enter the mid-zone, where the Dark Relic is hidden."
Gareth (Shadow) adjusted his Froststeel Greatsword, its blade glinting with a faint blue aura. "Scouts reported Crimson Horde rearguard in Emberwood Deep Zone—20+ Lv.29-30 players. They're blocking the path, probably waiting for Eve to catch up."
Kael (Zhu Shen) gripped his Frostpierce Dagger, the Frostheart Relic pulsing in his inventory. "We'll take them down fast. No delays—Eve could reach the gate before us." He glanced at Luna (Lila), who'd braided her hair back and strapped a pouch of [Stardust Barrier Scrolls] to her waist. "You stay in the middle of the formation. Use the scrolls if we're overwhelmed—no heroics."
Luna nodded, her Stardust Aura flaring to life—all allies within 10 meters gained 5% HP Regen and 5% Frost Resistance. "I'll cover you. And I brought [Dark Resistance Elixirs]—blocks 40% dark damage for 15s. Everyone take one."
The team set out, marching through Duskfall City's western gate and into Emberwood Deep Zone. The forest here was darker than before, the trees twisted into gnarled shapes, their bark oozing black sap. The air smelled of rot and sulfur, a stark contrast to the Frost Realm's crisp cold.
Two hours into the march, Gareth froze, his hand raised. "Crimson Horde ahead—10 o'clock, behind the black oaks."
Kael activated [Detection Lv.1], and 22 red dots popped up on his mini-map—Crimson Horde rearguard, led by a Lv.30 Warrior named [Crimson Horde·Raze] (Eve's second-in-command).
[Crimson Horde·Raze]Level: 30Class: BerserkerHealth: 1,800Attack: 240 (Dark + Physical)Defense: 110Special Skill: [Berserk Rage] (Attack +70%, Defense -30%, Duration 8s)Threat Level: High
"Raze is mine," Kael said, unsheathing his Frostpierce Dagger. "Yun, hit the group with Firestorm. Shadow, take the left flank. Luna, keep the aura up and heal the recruits. Let's end this in 5 minutes."
Yun Feng raised his Fireweave Staff, and a vortex of flames erupted, engulfing the rearguard. The dark-furred oaks caught fire, casting orange light over the battle.
380 DMG! (Fire vs. Dark Bonus)15 Crimson Horde members burned (20 damage/sec for 5s)!
Raze roared, activating [Berserk Rage], his body bulging with muscle. He charged Kael, his axe swinging in a wide arc.
320 DMG! (Berserk Rage Bonus)Kael blocked with his dagger, the force sending him skidding back. But his Abyssal Frost Armor and Frostheart Relic absorbed 60% of the damage.
128 DMG! (Mitigated)
Kael's HP: 392/520
"Frost Slaughter!" Kael shouted, channeling the Frostheart's energy. His dagger blazed with blue light, and he lunged at Raze, stabbing him in the chest.
950 DMG! (Critical Strike + Penetration + Frost vs. Dark Bonus)Raze's HP: 850/1,800
Gareth sliced through three rearguard members in one swing, his greatsword cleaving through armor like butter. "Recruits—form a circle! Don't let them flank!"
Luna threw a [Stardust Barrier Scroll], creating a glowing green shield around the recruits. "Barrier up! Hold tight!"
[System Notification]
Luna used [Stardust Barrier Scroll]! Allies gain 500 damage absorption for 5s!Support Proficiency +50! Luna Level Up! Lv.18 → Lv.19!
Raze swung his axe again, but Kael dodged, stabbing him in the weak point—his unarmored neck.
880 DMG! (Weak Point + Backstab)Raze's HP: 0/1,800Crimson Horde·Raze has been slain!
With their leader dead, the remaining rearguard fled. The team chased them down, finishing off the stragglers.
[System Notification]
Ding! You have eliminated the Crimson Horde rearguard!Ding! Zhu Shen gains 6,000 EXP | Shadow gains 6,000 EXP | Luna gains 3,000 EXP | Phantom gains 6,000 EXP!Ding! Zhu Shen Level Up! Lv.23 → Lv.24!Ding! Shadow Level Up! Lv.23 → Lv.24!Ding! Collected [Dark Steel Ore] ×30, [Crimson Horde Insignia] ×22 (Guild Reputation +5 each)!
Kael dumped his 5 free points into Strength (Total 55), his attack jumping to 320-327. He looted Raze's [Darkaxe] (Silver-grade, Attack 90-98, Dark Damage +25%) and tossed it to a Lv.28 recruit. "Upgrade your weapon—you'll need it for the gatekeeper."
The team pressed on, reaching the Abyssal Depths Outer Gate by mid-afternoon (in-game time). The gate was a massive structure of black stone, carved with skulls and dark runes. A thick, black mist oozed from beneath it, and the air hummed with dark magic. Standing before the gate was the Abyssal Gatekeeper—a towering figure clad in spiked black armor, his face hidden behind a skull helmet, wielding a scythe of dark ice.
Kael activated [Detection Lv.1], and the gatekeeper's stats flooded his vision:
[Abyssal Gatekeeper]Level: 35Quality: Elite MonsterHealth: 3,500Attack: 280 (Dark + Frost)Defense: 150Special Skills:
[Dark Frost Scythe]: Single-target attack. Deals 350 dark-frost damage, applies "Corrupted Frost" (40 damage/sec + Defense -20%, Duration 6s). Cooldown: 10s.[Abyssal Wave]: AoE attack. Unleashes a wave of dark energy, dealing 200 damage to all targets in 12m range. Cooldown: 15s.[Gatekeeper's Aura]: Passive. Reduces all enemy stats by 10% within 15m.Weak Point: Helmet (Cracked section on the forehead)Threat Level: Extreme (Lethal to underleveled teams)
"The aura reduces our stats—we need to stay spread out," Yun Feng said, his staff glowing with fire. "I'll melt his armor with Firestorm. Shadow, flank and target the helmet crack. Kael, tank—your Frostheart makes you immune to his frost damage. Luna, keep Dark Resistance Elixirs handy—his dark damage will hurt."
Luna passed out Dark Resistance Elixirs to everyone. "Drink these—40% dark resistance for 15s. I'll reapply when they run out!"
Kael drank the elixir, his dark resistance spiking to 40%. "Let's go."
He charged the gatekeeper, his Frostpierce Dagger raised. The gatekeeper swung his scythe, but Kael dodged, stabbing him in the chest.
380 DMG! (Critical Strike + Penetration)Aggro Locked: Abyssal Gatekeeper's target is Zhu Shen!
Yun Feng unleashed a [Firestorm], the flames swirling around the gatekeeper. His black armor sizzled, melting in patches.
520 DMG! (Fire vs. Dark-Frost Bonus + Armor Melting)Abyssal Gatekeeper's Defense -30%!Abyssal Gatekeeper's HP: 2,980/3,500
The gatekeeper roared, slamming his scythe into the ground. A wave of dark energy surged outward—[Abyssal Wave]. Kael's Frostheart blocked the frost damage, but the dark damage slipped through.
120 DMG! (Dark Resistance Mitigation)Kael's HP: 400/570 (Lv.24 + Amulet + Armor)
Luna threw an Enhanced Stardust Healing Potion at him. "Heal up!"
400 HP Restored! Kael's HP: 570/570
Gareth vanished into the mist, reappearing behind the gatekeeper. His greatsword sliced at the cracked helmet, shattering a chunk of skull.
420 DMG! (Critical Strike + Weak Point)Abyssal Gatekeeper's HP: 2,560/3,500
The gatekeeper swung his scythe at Gareth, but he rolled aside. Kael pressed his attack, stabbing the gatekeeper's chest repeatedly.
390 DMG!375 DMG!410 DMG! (Critical Strike)Abyssal Gatekeeper's HP: 1,385/3,500
The gatekeeper activated [Dark Frost Scythe], aiming at Kael. He dodged, but the scythe's energy grazed his shoulder.
168 DMG! (Dark Resistance + Frost Immunity)Corrupted Frost Applied! Kael's Defense -20% (Duration 6s)
Luna threw a [Stardust Barrier Scroll], blocking the remaining damage. "Barrier up! His next attack is coming!"
[System Notification]
Luna used [Stardust Barrier Scroll]! Zhu Shen gains 500 damage absorption!Support Proficiency +55! Luna Level Up! Lv.19 → Lv.20!
Kael activated [Frost Slaughter], channeling all his mana into the dagger. He leaped onto the gatekeeper's shoulder, driving the blade straight into the cracked helmet.
1,450 DMG! (Frost Slaughter + Critical Strike + Weak Point Breakthrough)Abyssal Gatekeeper's HP: 0/3,500
The gatekeeper froze, then collapsed to the ground, dissolving into black mist. The massive stone gate rumbled open, revealing a dark, winding path leading into the Abyssal Depths.
[System Notification]
Ding! You have slain Lv.35 Elite Abyssal Gatekeeper!Ding! Zhu Shen gains 12,000 EXP | Shadow gains 12,000 EXP | Luna gains 6,000 EXP | Phantom gains 12,000 EXP!Ding! Zhu Shen Level Up! Lv.24 → Lv.25!Ding! Shadow Level Up! Lv.24 → Lv.25!Ding! Phantom Level Up! Lv.25 → Lv.26!Ding! You have unlocked entry to the Abyssal Depths Mid-Zone!Loot obtained: [Abyssal Key] (Unlocks Abyssal Lord's Chamber) ×1, [Darkfrost Armor] (Silver-grade) ×1, [Abyssal Crystal] ×10!
Kael picked up the Abyssal Key, its surface cold and smooth. "This unlocks the Abyssal Lord's Chamber—where the Dark Relic is hidden." He glanced at the path ahead, where the mist grew thicker. "Eve isn't here yet—we have a head start."
Yun Feng grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Let's move. The Dark Relic is ours."
Luna adjusted her pouch, her Stardust Aura still active. "I'm ready. Let's find that relic before Eve does!"
The team stepped through the gate, into the Abyssal Depths Mid-Zone. The air grew colder, the mist thicker, and the sound of distant roars echoed through the darkness. The Dark Relic was close—but so was Eve.
Kael gripped the Abyssal Key, his Frostpierce Dagger glowing faintly. The final stretch of the race had begun. And this time, he wouldn't lose.