Chapter 8 — The Heart Tier
Floor 49. Restricted level.
The first steps were... silence.
No monsters. There were no sounds. Only the pulsation of the wall, as if the Dungeon itself was breathing.
Riveria stopped.
— This is not just a floor. It's... part of the Dungeon's heart. I feel the structure. She's not natural.
—You mean... someone built this?" Finn frowned.
The Hulk led the way. His body, which usually radiated power, was as tense as a bowstring.
"It's calling." Something down there... remembers me.
⸻
They passed through the tunnel, and a gigantic stone arena opened up in front of them, ancient and overgrown with crystals. There is a seal in the center. A circle of symbols unknown even to Riveria.
Smoke was slowly flowing out of it—not magical, but... alive.
And he spoke.
— The Hulk. Chain. Knot. You've come again.
Gray tensed.
"What is this...?"
"This is... the heart of the Dungeon." Riveria said. "I've read the legends. The dungeon was born as a machine, a sleeping soul. But its core is the mind. It's... learning. And it remembers those who touched it.
The Hulk stepped closer.
"I'm not afraid.
The smoke stretched out, taking the shape of... a child. More precisely, the silhouette of the Hulk, in childhood.
"You were the first." Who survived in the depths. You're the key.
"The key to what?" - he asked.
— To freedom. Or destruction.
The seal flashed.
Four creatures escaped from it — the ancient guardians of the Dungeon core. They weren't monsters. They were... part of the system.
1. Nex is a speed killer like smoke.
2. Runar is one of the runes who wields the magic of ancient times.
3. Thunderstorm is a beast the size of the Hulk, made of metal.
4. Talosa is a shadow that copies the mind and memories.
— Core testing. If you survive, it recognizes you. If not, you will become a part of it.
⸻
The battle has begun.
Finn immediately jumped towards Nex, but he disappeared, cutting through the air. Only Gray was able to predict the trajectory and wounded him by reading the rhythm of breathing.
Ais rushed at Talos, and he... took on her form. The battle became a mirror image, Ais was fighting with herself. The only thing that brought her victory was chaos, a formless style learned in battle with Lyrax.
Riveria fought Runar. Their magics clashed, but the runes of the old world overwhelmed logic. She found a solution— to turn off her mind and act as a carrier of pure mana.
And the Hulk... stopped in front of the Thunderstorm.
"You're my projection. Strength without rage. I'm... not you.
He activated the Rage Skill, but... gently. He turned the force into a restrained blow. For the first time, he didn't scream.
"I'm not a beast. I am a warrior.
He smashed the Thunderstorm with a single blow — but without destroying it, only disabling the core.
⸻
The creatures were gone. The seal... opened.
A glowing crystal appeared from it, pulsating like a heart.
"You passed." Your heart accepted you. Dange whispered.
"What now?" Hulk asked.
"You can close the gate now." Or... open new ones.
Gray stepped next to her.
— The choice is ours.
⸻
When the party returned to the upper floor, Loki met them at the campfire.
"You've changed. — She said. "You're not just a force anymore. You have become... a will.
The Hulk remained silent, staring at the sky.
"I'll be a shield." For those I protect. Even if I become a wall between darkness and light.