Chapter 85 – Dance of the Abyss
Chapter 85 – Dance of the Abyss
Tyler’s heart slammed against his ribs as though it might burst. His breath came in ragged gasps, the salt of blood and ocean stinging his tongue. The deck beneath his feet tilted violently, broken planks buckling beneath the weight of two titanic sea monsters — Kraken the Coiling Cataclysm and Tortugan the Tidal Fortress.
One… one of them. If I can take out just one, I might have a chance…
His gaze locked onto Tortugan. The massive turtle’s shell glistened under moonlight, barnacles as large as boulders embedded across its back. Its eyes glimmered with cold indifference.
Tyler’s fingers twitched around the hilt of his magma sword. Without another thought, he activated [Berserk], heat surging through his veins like molten iron.
[Activated Skill: Berserk]
His muscles ballooned, veins bulging, breath escaping as ragged snarls. He lunged forward, the magma sword igniting with a savage blaze as he swung down, each strike leaving a burning trail. Sparks and embers scattered into the sea spray, illuminating his blood-streaked face in wild flashes.
[Tyler’s HP: 650/650]
[Tortugan’s HP: 3000 → 3000 → 3000]
Tyler’s eyes widened, disbelief tightening around his heart like a vice. His blows echoed like hammer strikes on a steel vault, yet the turtle didn’t flinch.
Tch… why isn’t it taking any damage?!
A system message flickered, cruel in its simplicity.
[Tortugan Activated Skill: Absolute Defence]
Ughh… so that’s how it can ignore everything…!
His throat burned as he roared in frustration, his blade bouncing harmlessly against the armour-like shell. His arms felt heavy, his movements sluggish.
Before he could reassess, a shadow loomed from the side. Kraken’s massive tentacles sliced across the deck, crashing through the wreckage, wrapping around splintered masts and pulling them into the sea.
Tyler turned, teeth grit, veins still searing under the [Berserk] effect. Fine! If Tortugan won’t fall, I’ll crush you first!
His fingers fumbled across his skill menu, eyes wild.
[Activated Skill: Gigantify]
An explosion of energy coursed through him, bones expanding, muscles ballooning until he dwarfed even the towering monsters. His roar split the air, sea spray shattering against his colossal form.
Tyler didn’t hesitate — he raised his giant fists, swung them down onto Kraken’s head in a single, monstrous blow.
[Kraken’s HP: 2000 → 1700]
Kraken’s entire body shuddered, waves erupting in towering walls of water. But before Tyler could deliver another punch, a thick, noxious mist burst upward.
[Kraken Activated Skill: Ink Cloud]
“Agh—! My eyes!”
A searing pain stabbed into his skull as darkness clawed at his vision. Tentacles shot out, coiling around his arms, chest, and legs, pinning him in place.
[Tyler’s HP: 650 → 560 → 470]
A scream ripped from his throat as Kraken’s beaked maw clamped onto his ribs, and Tortugan’s massive jaws bit down on his thigh.
[Tyler’s HP: 470 → 390 → 320 → 240]
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Blood gushed from the gaping wounds, sizzling as it splashed onto heated scales. Tyler’s mind buckled under the weight of agony.
I… can’t… move…!
His heart thrashed, every nerve burning. In a final desperate gamble, he deactivated [Gigantify]. His body shrank rapidly, slipping out from the crushing tentacles and jaws.
He crashed onto Kraken’s slick tentacle, rolling and coughing up blood-soaked seawater.
Move… MOVE!
Forcing his legs beneath him, he sprang forward, feet slamming into the rubbery flesh. The deck below was a shredded graveyard of wood and bone, tilting violently as if the sea itself convulsed.
With every staggered breath, he dashed up Kraken’s thrashing tentacle. The beast swung wildly, trying to shake him off. But Tyler was relentless, each step pushing him closer to Tortugan’s monstrous maw.
At the last second, he pivoted — Kraken’s tentacle crashed forward, straight into Tortugan’s snapping jaws.
[Tortugan’s HP: 3000 → 2920]
Kraken screeched, flailing, its remaining limbs whipping in frenzied agony. Tortugan bit down again, blackish ichor spraying into the air like a foul geyser.
[Kraken’s HP: 1700 → 1620]
Tyler saw his opening — he launched himself upward, flipping through the night air, landing on Kraken’s slick, convulsing back.
NOW!
He plunged his magma sword deep into the pale, rubbery flesh. Flames licked along Kraken’s hide, cauterizing and searing every wound.
[Kraken’s HP: 1620 → 1540 → 1460 → 1380]
Kraken writhed, tentacles smashing masts, sending debris into the star-streaked sky. Tyler’s muscles screamed, the sword handle slippery with blood.
[Kraken’s HP: 1380 → 1300 → 1220 → 1140]
Don’t stop… don’t you dare stop!
Each strike burned deeper, glowing brighter. Tyler’s roars turned guttural, his vision narrowing into a bloody tunnel.
[Kraken’s HP: 1140 → 1060 → 980 → 900]
[Activated Skill: Berserk]
His veins pulsed, his eyes blazing like molten orbs. He swung faster, each slash echoing through the night.
[Kraken’s HP: 900 → 580 → 260]
Kraken screeched, flailing to throw him, but Tyler’s hands gripped its hide with death’s tenacity.
With a final, thunderous roar, Tyler activated [Ram], launching forward, blade poised.
[Kraken’s HP: 260 → 0]
[+90 XP]
[Level Up! Tyler Level 133 → 135]
[Attribute Points: +2]
[Achievement Unlocked: Abyssal Slayer]
[Grade: A]
[Condition: Slay the sea demon feared across all oceans — Kraken the Coiling Cataclysm]
[Acquired Runestone — Ink Cloud]
[Skill: Ink Cloud]
[All enemies within range fall into a state of blindness and confusion for 5 seconds. PE Cost: 4]
Kraken’s shriek tore through the stars before its limp form crashed beneath the waves, leaving a churning whirlpool in its place.
Tyler slumped to his knees atop a drifting mast, gasping. Every heartbeat pounded through his skull like a war drum.
[Full health restored]
“Tortugan… still… left…”
The turtle glared at him, its massive head twisting, eyes ignited with primal wrath. Tyler coughed, thick red splatter streaking down his chin.
“Last… chance…”
[Activated Skill: Ink Cloud]
[Activated Skill: Screech]
A black mist exploded outward, swallowing Tortugan in total darkness. It bellowed, snapping and flailing blindly, its massive flippers smashing wreckage and creating towering waves.
[Tortugan’s HP: 3000 → 2920 → 2840]
Tyler lunged forward, slamming his blade into seams along the neck and flippers. Flames burst with each strike, illuminating his face like a twisted lantern.
[Tortugan’s HP: 2840 → 2760 → 2680 → 2600]
His arms trembled violently. Each swing threatened to wrench his shoulders from their sockets.
[Tortugan’s HP: 2600 → 2520 → 2440 → 2360]
Keep… going… don’t stop…!
Blood poured from his side, each step leaving crimson footprints. He howled, dragging the magma sword across Tortugan’s gills.
[Tortugan’s HP: 2360 → 2280 → 2200]
“Almost… almost…”
Tyler leapt, flipping high above Tortugan. With a ragged scream, he plunged the blade down, fire erupting on contact.
[Tortugan’s HP: 2200 → 1880]
It roared, ocean erupting around it, flippers smashing violently. Tyler staggered, caught in a wave, but steadied himself, rage blazing hotter than ever.
[Tortugan’s HP: 1880 → 1560 → 1240]
Tyler sprinted forward again, carving gashes across its face and neck.
[Tortugan’s HP: 1240 → 920 → 600]
A final surge of energy roared through him. He leapt once more, activated [Ram], and slammed his entire body weight and sword downward.
[Tortugan’s HP: 600 → 200 → 0]
[+90 XP]
[Level Up! Tyler Level 135 → 137]
[Attribute Points: +2]
[Achievement Unlocked: Fortress Breaker]
[Grade: A]
[Condition: Overcome the ocean’s immovable guardian — Tortugan the Tidal Fortress]
[Acquired Runestone — Absolute Defence]
[Skill: Absolute Defence]
[Makes the user invulnerable to any kind of physical damage for 1 second. PE Cost: 6]
Tortugan’s death cry shook the horizon before it crashed backward, sending monstrous waves into the night as its titanic form sank, vanishing into the abyss.
Tyler collapsed forward, forehead pressed against the battered deck. His arms hung limp, magma sword clattering from his fingers. His pulse thundered in his ears; each breath felt like inhaling fire.
Salt spray lashed across his face, mixing with blood and tears. His body shuddered, every muscle screaming in agony.
I… actually… did it…
His mind wavered at the edge of consciousness, a thin, hysterical laugh echoing inside. In the moon’s cold glow, amidst the wreckage and swirling foam, Tyler remained — a lone, trembling silhouette atop a sea of ghosts.