The dissipation of the base symbiotes left behind a silence that was almost more oppressive than the noise of combat. The air in Knull's domain didn't feel clean after the "death" of his creatures; on the contrary, it seemed to grow denser, charged with dissipated energy and a growing sense of... awareness. Knull knew they were here.
Jinwoo remained on guard, his senses heightened. The strange resonance with his own shadow power was now stronger, a haunting echo that vibrated deep within his being. He felt the immense presence of the god of darkness around him, not as an individual at a fixed point, but as the very essence of the place. Every breath, every step on the dark matter floor, was a reminder that they were within the very source of the Void.
Cid, unfazed as ever, nodded forward, his cloaked figure seeming to fit perfectly into the nightmarish landscape. To him, this silence wasn't threatening, but rather the expected pause after overcoming "low-level perimeter security." It was time to "infiltrate deeper into the enemy base."
Cid thought: First line of defense neutralized. The symbiotic drones didn't pose a significant challenge to the Level 7 Agent/Designated Shadow Asset synergy. Now, the real infiltration begins. We must push deeper into the core of the Ultimate Cult's territory. We're likely to encounter more sophisticated defenses and... internal security systems.
They began to move across the elevated plateau, gradually descending into valleys and canyons whose walls pulsed with an unhealthy light and were covered in strange formations that looked like twisted organs or corrupted biomechanical machinery. The ground shifted beneath their feet, becoming more rubbery, more viscous in some places, or crystallized into sharp, dark formations in others. The "sky" above remained an endless blackness, sometimes illuminated by the erratic flashes of distant energies.
As they delved deeper, the psychic oppression intensified. They weren't coherent thoughts, but a constant tide of negative emotions: cosmic fear, primordial hatred, the utter loneliness of the Void, and Knull's unquenchable hunger. Jinwoo struggled to keep his mind clear, relying on the discipline forged in countless battles and the stability provided by his own power. His army of shadows, though silent, felt agitated, shadowy followers whispering at the edges of his perception, alerting him to the unnatural nature of this place.
Cid, however, seemed unaffected. He walked with a firm stride, scanning his surroundings with an appraising gaze.
Cid thought: The 'psychic atmospheric pressure' of the final boss's domain is... remarkable. An attempt to disorient infiltrating agents. It's an expected tactic of the Cult. Fortunately, the Level 7 Agent's mental resistance training is unparalleled. Or perhaps... my mind already operates on a plane that transcends this form of attack. Yes, that's more accurate. My innate 'mental filtration device' is working perfectly.
Soon, they encountered new creatures. They didn't emerge from the ground, but moved with greater speed and purpose. They were crawling symbiotes, larger than basic drones, with segmented bodies, multiple grasping limbs ending in claws, and heads that opened to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth and a long, stinging tongue. They moved silently along the twisting walls and organic rock formations, ambushing them from above and the flanks.
Jinwoo reacted with his speed. He cut down a crawler launching itself from a wall with a swift slash of his dagger, its blade leaving a trail of dark energy that dissipated the symbiote. He ordered a group of his Shadow Knights to form a defensive formation above them to intercept aerial attacks.
Cid faced another tracker that tried to flank him. Instead of slashing at it, he simply raised a hand. An invisible barrier of energy, so subtle it was almost imperceptible, appeared for an instant between him and the creature. The symbiote collided with it at full speed and bounced back, stunned. Before it could recover, Cid appeared at its side and tapped it lightly in the side. The tracker twisted, disintegrating in an instant, leaving only the smoking dark matter.
Cid thought: Medium assault symbiotes, Tracker class. Greater mobility and more concentrated attack. They require a slightly more advanced neutralization protocol. Use of 'Kinetic Displacement Barrier' followed by 'Focused Molecular Disintegration' Level 2. Efficient and precise.
As they fought the crawlers, another threat manifested itself. From the depths of a nearby canyon, larger and more ominous creatures emerged: Abyssal Symbiotes. They were muscular masses of living darkness, with thick, heavy limbs, capable of carrying immense destructive force. They bore appendages that functioned as blunt or slashing weapons, and their symbiote hide seemed denser, more resilient. A pair of them emitted a guttural roar, a Void vibration that resonated in the air.
Jinwoo felt the raw power of these creatures. They were Knull's heavy infantry. He summoned Beru and Igris, sending them to intercept the Nether Symbiotes while he and his army dealt with the remaining crawlers. Beru launched himself with his frenetic speed and claws, while Igris used his swordsmanship to deflect and counter the heavy blows.
Cid watched the emergence of the abyssal symbiotes.
Cid thought: Heavy assault units. Abyssal class. Increased endurance and area attack. They require a controlled, high-power neutralization protocol. It's a good opportunity for the Designated Shadow Asset to deploy its elite generals. My role is to ensure the rapid eradication of lesser threats and provide tactical support against larger ones.
As Jinwoo and his shadows contended with the remaining Abyssals and Crawlers, Cid moved expertly. If a Crawler tried to slip away from the fight to attack Jinwoo, Cid would intercept it and eliminate it in an instant. If an Abyssal managed to break through Beru or Igris's line, Cid would appear briefly, applying a disabling touch or a microscopic blast of energy that significantly weakened the creature, allowing the shadow generals to finish the job quickly.
The fight was more intense than the previous one. Knull's dominance not only threw numbers at his enemies, but also introduced creature types with different roles and resistances. But the combination of Jinwoo's organized military force (his Shadow Army) and Cid's ability to neutralize key threats with absolute efficiency proved formidable even in this hostile environment.
Finally, the wave of symbiotes ceased again. The abyssal and crawling creatures lay dissipated on the twisted ground. Silence returned, but now it weighed even more, heavy with the realization that Knull's defenses were becoming more complex.
Panting slightly, Jinwoo withdrew his shadows. Beru and Igris returned to his side, their loyalty unwavering. He looked at Cid, who, of course, looked as immaculate as when they arrived.
"Those were... different," Jinwoo said, his voice strained. "Stronger. And I felt... a more direct connection to the darkness in them."
Cid nodded, his internal monologue already sorting through the combat data.
Cid thought: Threat assessment: Tracker class - Medium danger. Abyssal class - High danger in groups. Both vulnerable to fundamental energy manipulation and concentrated Shadow power. The designated Shadow Asset handled the heavy infantry well with support. Synergy was optimal. Continued advance is required to identify central defense nodes.
"As expected, Monarch," Cid replied. "The 'Ultimate Cult' is scaling up its defenses as we approach its core. These are specialized units. Advance protocol: Maintain high alert for possible ambushes. Assess the environment for optimal routes to Knull's operations center."
He stared ahead, into the pulsing darkness that stretched out before them. In the distance, through the oppressive haze, he made out the colossal silhouette of a structure. It was immense, twisted, and clearly artificial, though made of symbiote matter. It looked like a mountain of flesh and dark metal, connected to the earth by pulsing veins. It was likely a strategic point of interest, a secondary base of operations, or perhaps... a key defense outpost.
Cid thought: An important landmark detected. A large-scale structure. Probably a boss outpost or key facility. The Level 7 Agent should investigate. It could contain tactical information or be an obstacle along the way.
He pointed toward the structure in the distance. "Our objective," Cid said, his voice calm. "That appears to be an enemy installation. It's likely... a checkpoint or resupply base for their forces. We must secure it or strategically bypass it."
Jinwoo followed his gaze. The structure looked like something out of the worst nightmare. It radiated a sense of corrupting power that even he, accustomed to the darkness, found unsettling. But Cid saw it simply as an " enemy control point." Cid's peculiar perspective, though often disconcerting, had a way of simplifying the horrendous into manageable objectives.
"Fine," Jinwoo said, clenching his fists. The journey through the horrors of the deep void had only just begun, and each step brought them closer to the Black King himself. "Let's go."
With the colossal structure as their next target, Cid and Jinwoo continued their infiltration into the twisted heart of Knull's domain, delving deeper into the horrors the Primordial Void could manifest.
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