Abyss Mirror (3)
My god. That was Leviathan?
Leviathan was quite famous.
Traces of it could be found in all sorts of ancient texts, the Abyss Tower, the Tower of Trials, and other high-level dungeons.
Superhuman Net. Search.
I immediately pulled up the post I'd seen before on Superhuman Net about Leviathan.
This time, we're diving into the legendary monster Leviathan.
Everyone's heard of the ruler of the abyss from legends, right? Yeah, that Leviathan you're thinking of... (excerpt)...
This beast doesn't just live in the ocean depths—it freely traverses vast skies and the deepest seabeds. Its core feature, the Heart of the Abyss, doesn't merely store mana; it absorbs and amplifies surrounding mana with astonishing efficiency. Its inner core purity is known to reach 99.8%, surpassing even a dragon hatchling at minimum.
That's why Leviathan is classified as a Sea Dragonkin. Its scale is utterly overwhelming. Legends say that when it moves at full power, an ocean the size of the Pacific swirls into a vortex, and its mana output warps celestial gravity.
Its scales, nicknamed Abyssal Sapphires, make armor that resists not just physical attacks but all magic with exceptional prowess. It's one of the most coveted materials for mana equipment crafters worldwide.
Moreover, legend has it that a superhuman once tamed a Leviathan in the past. His name was Aion, called the King of the Abyss, recorded as the only being to harmonize the essence of mana.
Aion roamed seas and skies freely with his tamed Leviathan, vanquishing any who invaded his territory. The tale still echoes among superhumans today, planting hope that one might tame a Leviathan.
But that's just legend. If you spot one in the ocean, your wisest choice might be to run. Unless you want to risk greed pulling you into eternal sleep in the abyssal depths.
The records in ancient texts were described with meticulous precision, without a single discrepancy.
True to its fame as a legendary monster, Leviathan exuded overwhelming majesty.
"Grrr... That thing feels like a dragonkin and a monster combined."
Azkai had sensed Leviathan's aura too.
His fur stood on end as he fixed his gaze on it.
"Insane."
"If that thing had moved earlier..."
『Lulu...』
The other guardians gulped hard.
They could feel viscerally that it was still beyond them.
Then!
Flash— whoosh.
Two red lights gleamed briefly, sweeping over my body.
"You still lack the qualifications. Until you obtain them, I, Leviathan, shall await you here."
Leviathan's voice pierced my ear like a declaration.
And then.
Roooar!!!
A massive waterspout erupted around Leviathan once more, shooting skyward like an explosion.
Soon, the faint silhouette within the pillar faded away.
The swirling waters calmed, returning the lake to serene stillness.
Insane.
Even after Leviathan vanished, the intense residual mana left my skin crawling, refusing to settle.
What did that mean?
Lacking qualifications. It would wait.
The cryptic words lingered.
The records on Leviathan I'd just read flashed in my mind.
Aion succeeded in taming one.
Maybe I could tame Leviathan too?
The resonance between my Dragon Heart and its mana wouldn't leave my thoughts.
Leviathan was a dragon.
So...
Could it be a target for my Oath of the Dragon (EX) trait?
Nothing's certain, but I should look into it later.
It said I lacked qualifications—probably my level.
I checked my level.
Lv200.
Definitely.
Compared to beings like the Leviathan I'd just seen, I might not even qualify for comparison.
But...
Lv200 was my first major milestone.
I clenched my fists tight.
At least now, wandering outside the lair, I wouldn't drop dead to random monsters.
Still a long way to go.
To fight alongside my guardians, I'd need at least 400.
And leveling wasn't the only task.
You have entered the Enlightenment Phase.
Right after hitting 200, that message had appeared.
I instinctively knew it was the key to ascending to the 10th Circle.
I needed to gain enlightenment and advance my magic realm too.
Lots to do.
No complacency at 200—I had to keep pushing.
What about the others...?
They'd all leveled up substantially.
Especially Crimson.
He'd lagged a bit behind Azkai and Wispent.
But this Dimensional Ring had closed the gap massively.
Lulumiel's closing in on 400 too.
Solid gains across the board.
Back in the lair, I hadn't obsessed over their levels much.
But now? Totally different.
Every level felt reassuring.
Those guys from the northern canyon... Titanos too.
All monstrous.
Leviathan just now, and that insect horde leader Vermith.
To stay safe here, we couldn't stop leveling.
Anyway, everyone gained a ton this time.
With new skills too, tracking and harassing the remaining insect horde would be easier.
And crushing them would keep our levels climbing steadily.
Alright then.
My gaze shifted.
To Archeron.
Whirr, hum!
He emitted a faint golden glow from his entire body.
From his energy core, up close.
Archeron has completed preparations for potential breakthrough.
Break through Archeron's potential?
Yeah.
I'd held off during retreat earlier.
No reason to hesitate now.
With my will.
Roooar!!
A golden pillar burst from Archeron's body.
***
The insect horde.
With Commander-in-Chief Karmarks dead, Titanos had been elevated to interim commander.
"Hoo."
Titanos, with his mountain-like frame, sighed deeply from a rock perch.
Lava Great Tiger...
The one he'd clashed with moments ago.
Its power lived up to the hype.
Even stripped of its origin power, that strength.
Still not enough?
Crunch.
He gripped his signature weapon, the Steel Horn Staff.
Innumerable scars marked it like medals—untouched by any foe before.
All from clashing with Azkai.
Even fallen from transcendence, one who's touched it is different.
Clearly.
His raw power surpassed Azkai's.
Yet.
Azkai's presence dwarfed his own.
Even drawing his bloodline fully couldn't match a fallen transcendent's dignity.
If the fight dragged, he'd have surely lost.
I must complete Hercules' power.
His eyes calmed.
Snapping from reverie, he turned.
Morale-crushed troops filled his view.
"Titanos."
Someone approached.
Legionix, king of the cockroaches.
"What is it?"
"Came to ask what we do next."
"...?"
Titanos tilted his head.
Just retreat per Vermith's orders, no?
What to do?
"Hm."
Reading Titanos's face, Legionix crossed his arms.
"You think this is fine?"
"What?"
"Irreversible losses already. Go back, and Vermith might devour us all. You know that."
"That's..."
True.
Vermith he knew would eat most commanders.
"Going back's foolish."
"Then what? Defy Vermith and hunt them?"
"Not necessarily."
"What do y—"
"Hear me out. Titanos. How long you gonna wander under Vermith?"
"...!"
Titanos caught Legionix's drift.
"You're no subordinate type. Your potential might surpass Vermith."
"You telling me to betray Vermith?"
Grrrrr.
Titanos glared irritably.
Air churned, earth flipped.
"Kh. Wait. Listen. Not betrayal—find your path. Don't you want to complete your power?"
"...!"
His surging mana halted.
Sneer.
Legionix continued smiling.
"I know how to complete your bloodline. I'll help. Walk the path of a new king."
"..."
Titanos wavered.
Completing his bloodline.
Becoming a true Hercules stag beetle—his lifelong dream.
"...What's your plan?"
His tone softened.
Legionix's grin widened.
***
Congratulations.
Archeron's potential has broken through its limit.
Flash!
With the message.
Mana density from Archeron's core surged denser.
Whoa.
I admired openly.
Archeron had gone from 356 to 365 post-battle.
Breakthrough added a star, jumping straight to 376.
<Giant Mode> unlocked.
Archeron's mobility enhanced.
Nice.
『Keron. Master, my gratitude for your grace.』
Archeron seemed happier than usual.
Flickering lights in his eyes.
His emotions shone through.
"Congrats, Archeron."
"Khat, congrats."
"Congratulations."
"Oho. You've surpassed your limits. Well deserved."
『Archeron, congrats!』
He bowed deeply at our cheers.
Good. Next up.
Distributing the stars and triangles we'd earned.
I'll fill my stars first this time.
Grin.
As my lips curled.
I opened the subspatial pouch Crimson had collected the star gems in.
Shiiiine!!
Piles of radiant ★ gems sparkled before me.