No More Pain For This Villain.

The door is grand and imposing, standing tall and wide. It is made of dark, polished wood that seems almost black in the dim light of the corridor. Intricate carvings adorn its surface, depicting scenes of battles, mythical creatures, and swirling mists. The carvings come to life, their details so finely crafted that they appear three-dimensional.

*Tap*

"..." Just as I tap on the door, glowing runes inscribe themselves around the edges of the door, pulsating with a faint, ethereal light. They seem to hold some kind of ancient power, adding an air of mystique to the entrance.

In the center of the door, there is a large, circular handle made of tarnished bronze-like metal. It has an ornate design, resembling intertwined vines with thorns, giving it an intimidating yet captivating allure. It beckons to be turned, as if it holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the ninth floor.

"!" As I reach out to grasp the handle, a chill runs down my spine. I can sense a powerful presence emanating from the other side of the door, filling me with a mix of excitement and trepidation. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what awaits me, and turn the handle.

With a creaking sound, the door slowly swings open, revealing a swirling mist that engulfs the entrance to the ninth floor. The mist seems to hold a hidden world within it, concealing the true nature of what lies ahead.

As I step through the threshold, the door closes behind me with a resounding thud, severing the connection to the previous floor. I find myself standing in a vast chamber, the mist swirling around me, obscuring my vision and heightening my senses.

The anticipation within me grows, and I prepare myself for the challenges and wonders that await on this floor of the Nightshade Sanctum.

..... silence.....

\'Don\'t talk! Keep an eye on the walls and see if there are any kind of swirling engravings.\' Blaze says in my mind.

I slowly lower myself, ready to launch a counterattack if I am suddenly attacked.

\'If it were to even catch a glimpse of you, you wouldn\'t be alive,\' Blaze emphasizes every time the monster\'s topic is brought up.

Sigh*

"Well, it\'s just a dog anyway," I reply, wondering why I should be scared of a do-

\'It\'s a freaking Colossus, and it\'s not just a dog, its name is Gorthan!! Do you get it?\' Blaze shouts, getting on my nerves,in a literal sense.

According to this floor, there exists a fearsome creature known as Gorthan, the Abyssal Guardian. Gorthan is a colossal beast that strikes terror into the hearts of all who encounter it.

\'Haa, who cares though?\' I just have to find the engravings and touch them, and it\'ll be done. I don\'t even have to fight that son of a bitch.

...

As I cautiously navigate through the mist, my senses on high alert, the vastness of the floor becomes more apparent with each step. The swirling mist obscures my vision, making it challenging to determine the direction I should take. I rely on my instincts and the occasional glimpses of faint light that pierce through the haze, guiding me forward.

Every sound seems amplified in this eerie atmosphere, amplifying the tension that hangs in the air. I can hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears, a steady rhythm of determination and unease. The silence is broken only by the echo of my footsteps, which reverberates through the chamber, reminding me of my solitary journey.

As I progress deeper into the floor, I remain vigilant, scanning the walls for any signs of swirling engravings. I carefully examine every inch, searching for the key that will unlock the next stage of my quest. The engravings hold the answers I seek, and their discovery is vital to my success.

Minutes turn into hours as I methodically explore the chamber, my focus unyielding. The mist continues to dance around me, teasing me with glimpses of hidden passages and unknown dangers. Each step feels like a leap of faith, as the path ahead remains uncertain.

The weight of Gorthan\'s presence hangs heavy in the air, an unseen force that keeps me on edge. I can sense its power, its malevolence, lurking just beyond my line of sight. 

Grrr

I heard some kind of distinct sound from ....

Below? Yes, I heard something but not from my surroundings it came from beneath me.

Gulp*

Blaze\'s warnings echo in my mind, reminding me of the perils that await. I understand the gravity of the situation, and I refuse to underestimate the threat that Gorthan poses. Though it may be "just a dog," its ferocity and strength make it a force to be reckoned with.

With every passing moment, the mist seems to grow thicker, enveloping me in its ethereal embrace. It becomes harder to distinguish reality from illusion, as if the very fabric of this floor is playing tricks on my mind. But I press on.

..

"Huh." Suddenly, a faint glimmer catches my eye—a swirling engraving etched onto the wall. It is subtle, almost hidden within the intricate patterns that adorn the chamber. A surge of excitement courses through me as I realize that I have found what I\'ve been searching for.

"Is it the one?" I ask.

"Yes, that\'s the one! Go push mana into it quickly!" Blaze confirms in an excited tone.

I take a step closer to the engraving, my heart pounding with anticipation. As I extend my hand towards it, a sudden tremble shakes the ground beneath me, causing me to lose my balance and fall backwards.

"What\'s happening?" I exclaim, trying to gather myself amidst the chaos.

The earth begins to split apart between me and the wall, revealing a gaping chasm. I scramble to stand up, but my movements halt as I witness a massive claw emerging from the ground.

Thud.

The resounding impact echoes through the chamber as the claw tears through the surroundings. It becomes clear that something formidable is about to surface, and it dawns on me that the dog-like monster, Gorthan, has been lurking underground all this time.

I quickly channel my mana, focusing on my legs, feeling the energy flow through my veins. With a firm grip on the hilt of Emberclad Longsword, I propel myself forward.

"I need to reach the engravings behind Gorthan," I remind myself, determined to complete my mission.

But before I can react, a deafening roar shakes the chamber, sending shockwaves through the air. Gorthan emerges from the ground with astonishing speed, as if it\'s an everyday occurrence for the colossal beast.

Grrr.

Its menacing growl sends a shiver down my spine. I tighten my grip on the sword, readying myself for the imminent confrontation.

The engravings I seek lie just beyond Gorthan, within reach if I can find a momentary opening. However, the problem lies in...

"It\'s fucking huge!" Gorthan stands at an astonishing height, towering over the landscape. Its body is covered in thick, scaled armor, offering formidable protection against any would-be attackers. The scales vary in shades of deep, obsidian black and shimmering dark purple, giving the creature... tamed look.

Gorthan possesses a single massive head adorned with sharp, jagged horns that curve backward. Its face is a fusion of reptilian and demonic features, with glowing, piercing red eyes that radiate a malevolent energy. Its mouth is filled with rows of razor-sharp fangs, capable of rending its foes with ease.

Gorthan\'s limbs are muscular and robust, equipped with clawed appendages that can tear through solid stone. Its forelimbs end in massive, hooked talons that allow it to latch onto its prey or enemies with deadly precision.

Tud

It stepped forward a little and took a closer look at me,is it..... I don\'t know what it\'s doing but it feels like it\'s sniffing me.

Each step of Gorthan shakes the ground, causing tremors that add to the atmosphere of impending doom.

"?"One of Gorthan\'s most distinctive features is its elongated tail, which ends in a wickedly barbed stinger. 

\'That\'s something you must be aware of this stinger is infused with a potent venom that can paralyze and incapacitate its victims. It serves as both a weapon and a means of defense, allowing Gorthan to swiftly dispatch any threats that dare to challenge it.\' Blaze explained.

The presence of Gorthan is accompanied by an eerie aura, a palpable darkness that surrounds the creature. 

According to Blaze It is said that the mere sight of Gorthan strikes fear into the hearts of even the bravest warriors, as if they are glimpsing the embodiment of their darkest nightmares.

Gorthan, the Abyssal Guardian, is a relentless and merciless hunter, a force of pure destruction. Its appearance, with its massive stature, scaled armor, menacing horns, and venomous stinger, instills a sense of dread and awe in all who encounter it. It is a new monster that has become a legend in the world.

"Too bad I can\'t make it into a pet.\' I would love to have such a ferocious beast as a pet, I swear.

I step back, gathering mana along my entire being, preparing for a decisive dash forward.

****Roar****

Gorthan lunges at me with tremendous force.

Thud.

My vision blurs for a second, and a sharp pain shoots through my body. "Aghhhhhhhhh!" I sprawl on the ground, feeling the impact on my back, but also sensing another blow hitting me from the side.

I struggle to get up, my gaze scanning the surroundings. "What happened... fuck," I curse, realizing that I\'m no longer in the same location. This damn creature didn\'t even budge an inch, yet it managed to hurl me several meters away without me even noticing the attack. The impact was brutal... I believe I\'ve shattered my entire rib cage in one blow.

"Grrr," Gorthan growled, its eyes filled with a manic intensity as it closed in on me, each heavy step causing the ground to tremble beneath its weight.

"Let\'s meet in the next life," Blaze spoke calmly, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. In that moment, I too made a silent promise to myself.

I\'ll survive.... Maybe.

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