Incubus Ascension

The dim light filtering through the inn’s dusty window did nothing to ease the knot twisting in Liam’s gut. He pressed his forehead against the cool glass, staring at the shimmering barrier that pulsed like a living thing just beyond the street. A familiar weakness crawled through his veins—the same draining pull he’d felt near those cursed chains. His fists clenched until his knuckles whitened.

’Damn it... not now. Not after everything.’

"Medusa," he said, voice low and rough, turning from the window. "How the hell are they maintaining a barrier like this? I freed you. Shouldn’t that have broken their hold?"

Medusa leaned against the far wall, her serpentine hair shifting restlessly. She shook her head, golden eyes shadowed with old pain. "It’s not me, Liam. Your dark energy weakens near it... because of my blood. The Scorpion gang drained me for millennia. They built their power on it."

Liam exhaled sharply, the weight of her words settling like lead in his chest. He glanced at the others—Laila’s steady gaze, the princess’s quiet determination. These women had become his anchor in this brutal world. He couldn’t let them down. Not again. "If the barrier reaches underground... maybe we could slip through somehow—"

"Don’t," Laila cut in quickly, stepping closer. Her hand brushed his arm, a small touch that grounded him more than she probably realized. "The city was built on an old tomb. It’s filled with monsters—high-level ones from the old days. Going under like that would be suicide."

Liam rubbed his temple. "Tomb of what, exactly?"

Laila’s expression darkened. "The heroes’ tomb. Their dense mana from back then twisted everything inside. The monsters down there... they’re stronger than anything we’ve faced."

A string of curses slipped from Liam’s lips. He turned back to the window just in time to see them—Scorpion gang members fanning across the street, shouting questions at terrified locals, weapons glinting. His stomach dropped. ’How did they find us so fast?’

"They’re coming," he growled. "Stay here."

He bolted from the room, heart hammering, and took the stairs two at a time. Down in the common area, Ri sat at a scarred wooden table, nursing a mug of something strong. The woman who had risked everything to hide them earlier looked up as he approached, her sharp eyes reading the panic on his face.

"Ri," Liam said, breathless. "Do you have any way out of this? They’re right outside."

She looked at him, then past him to the girls gathered at the top of the stairs. Something flickered across her face—memories of every unlawful act, every cruel decree the Scorpions had forced on this city. She set her mug down with a decisive thud.

"I can help. Follow me. Back door. Now."

They moved quickly, boots silent on the creaky floorboards. Ri led them through a narrow kitchen and out into the shadowed back alley, the air thick with the smell of garbage and rain-soaked stone. Liam’s pulse thundered in his ears as distant shouts echoed from the front of the inn.

Once they were clear, he caught Ri’s arm. "The tomb. Do you know a way in?"

Her eyes widened. "My family guarded the tomb door for generations. The entrance is beneath our home... but it only opens to the blood of a hero bloodline descendant."

Liam nodded toward the princess. "We have one."

Ri’s expression shifted from shock to something like reverence. "Then it’s my family’s duty. We were meant to guide hero descendants to their tomb. Follow me."

They hurried through twisting alleys, sticking to shadows while the sounds of pursuit grew louder behind them. Ri’s modest house appeared at the end of a quiet lane. She ushered them inside and down creaking stairs into a cool basement lit by a single lantern. There, set into the far wall, stood an ancient gate etched with intricate symbols—a sun and moon crowning five heroic figures.

Ri placed her palm against the stone, voice thick with emotion. "Finally... in my generation, I can complete the task."

Liam gently pulled the princess forward. She met his eyes, bit down on her finger without hesitation, and let several drops of blood fall onto the gate. The crimson liquid spread across the carvings like living veins. Symbols flared to life, bathing the basement in brilliant white light. With a deep groan, the gate swung open.

They stepped through just as commotion erupted upstairs—heavy boots, angry voices shouting, "They’re here!"

"Hurry!" Liam urged. The girls rushed ahead. The gate began closing behind them with a grinding finality. Liam glanced back once, catching a final glimpse of Scorpion enforcers bursting into the basement.

They slammed against the barrier, faces twisted with rage. One snarled at Ri, "Where is the traitor, woman?"

Ri glared back, unflinching. "I didn’t see any traitor. I only fulfilled my duty—allowing the hero bloodline to enter their tomb."

The enforcers hesitated, unable to lay a hand on her. The sacred duty of her family protected her. Their leader sneered at the sealed gate. "Hmph. The tomb is filled with high-level horrors. They’ll be dead before they reach the bottom." With that, they turned and stomped back upstairs.

Ri pressed her hand to the closed gate, whispering softly, "I wish you make it out alive, Liam... all of you."

---

On the other side, the air grew heavy and ancient. A long hallway stretched before them, lined with unlit torches. As the group advanced, the torches suddenly flared to life one by one, casting flickering orange light across stone walls carved with forgotten battles.

Liam’s steps slowed. Up ahead, in the far corner, a skeleton lifted a dusty bow, its hollow sockets unaware of their presence yet. He pulled up his status window and cursed under his breath. Level 500. A basic mob, but ridiculously overpowered for their current strength.

He inspected it closer. A weak point glowed in the description: *Vulnerable to hero bloodline essence.*

Liam checked the princess next. Level 200. She was still so far behind. ’We’re not ready for this... but we don’t have a choice.’

"Princess," he said gently, "give us some of your blood. These monsters are weak against hero blood. We’ll coat our weapons."

She nodded, determination shining through her fear. Liam opened his system shop, fingers flying as he purchased several blood-regenerating potions and stamina restoratives. He slipped them into a small pouch and handed it to her.

"Drink one after every time you give blood. Don’t push yourself too hard."

They worked quickly, smearing the princess’s blood along blades and arrowheads. Then, with a shared look of resolve, they charged.

The skeleton turned too late. Their first strikes landed with unnatural force, the hero blood sizzling against bone. Even with its simple, predictable movements, the fight dragged on—thirty grueling minutes of dodging arrows, hacking limbs, and pressing every advantage. When the skeleton finally crumbled into dust, a rush of experience flooded through them. Levels surged.

Laila wiped sweat from her brow, a fierce grin breaking through. "Who knew that in such misfortune, we could still raise our levels like this?"

Liam managed a tired smile, the small victory anchoring him. "Keep moving. Stay together."

They pressed deeper, cutting through wave after wave of skeletal guardians. Each victory came harder but pushed them stronger. By the time they reached a massive gate mirroring the one at Ri’s house, Liam’s level had climbed to 550. The girls averaged 522. Progress, but the air here felt heavier, charged with something far more dangerous.

"This must be the chamber where the heroes’ graves lie," Liam said quietly. "The boss room."

They stepped inside. The gate slammed shut behind them with a deafening snap that shook the ground beneath their feet.

Five ornate graves dominated the center of the chamber. As they watched, stone lids began sliding aside with a grinding rumble. From each rose a skeleton—taller, more imposing, each one uniquely colored and armed, remnants of the legendary heroes twisted by time and dark mana.

Liam’s heart plummeted as he scanned them. Their levels were devastating. The descriptions confirmed his worst fears. He cursed sharply, the sound echoing off the walls.

’Of all the rotten luck...’

The skeletons turned toward them as one, empty eye sockets igniting with malevolent light. Liam gripped his weapon tighter, glancing at the women beside him—his reason to fight, his family in this broken world. Whatever came next, they would face it together.