Chapter 25 — The Heart of the Dungeon
It's been three days since Hulk fought Grimar and stopped the army of forgotten souls. But even victory did not bring peace. At night, he dreamed of chains descending into an endless abyss, where something alive pulsed. It was calling him.
"Are you okay?" Ais asked at dawn, when the Hulk was silently gathering his equipment.
"I need to go to the dungeon,— he said softly. — Deeper. Where no adventurer has ever set foot. I have to find the source of my chains. And that's what woke up Grimard.
"Do you think it's connected?"
"I can feel it."
⸻
Gathering at the entrance to the dungeon.
Loki's last name gathered at the lowest known level, the 50th. There were only legends below. But the Hulk felt that that was where the key was.
"This is madness,— said Bethe, looking around the yawning abyss leading into the unknown. "Even magic doesn't work there."
"I'm not counting on magic,— the Hulk replied and stepped in first.
⸻
Level 51.
Dark. Wetly. The air pressure breaks bones. Even Ais is barely breathing. There are no monsters here, but it feels like you've already lost.
The Hulk moves as if he feels the way. The chains on his arms vibrate, indicating the direction.
The passive effect is active: The Instinct of Rage.
They reach a cave where the walls are covered with strange symbols — a language that no one knows. But the Hulk understands.
You're getting closer to the Heart of the Rage. Retreat is impossible.
⸻
Inside the cave.
In the center of the hall is a huge heart suspended in the air by chains. It doesn't beat, but its every pulse resonates in the Hulk's chest. There are the remains of others around, those who tried to get here. Everyone is dead. Everything is in chains.
"That's it,— Finn whispered. "It's not magic. It is an ancient entity.
Suddenly, one of the chains breaks free and pierces the ground at the Hulk's feet.
The connection with the Heart has begun…
The trial is activated: "Confessor's Shackles."
The heart comes alive. A shadow copy of the Hulk appears from its core — his appearance, but his eyes glow with a crimson light, and the chains are black as night.
"I'm you." Without pity. Without a doubt. Without weakness.
The battle begins.
⸻
Battle: Hulk vs Hulk.
The copy moves faster, hits harder. Her every move is familiar. She's immune to magic, just like him. The only way is rage.
The Hulk closes his eyes. His mind returns to all the moments of pain—slavery, battles, loneliness. But then he remembers what came after: friends, freedom, freedom.
"I'm not just rage! I am the man who chose to live!
He releases all the power:
The form of Awakening is active: The Chains of Rage are the Final Stage.
The chains are being cleaned. The real power is revealed.
The silhouette of the replica cracks, crumbles, and the heart under the ground falls silent. The chains are falling. And the voice sounds inside.
You've cleared the Core. You have become not the bearer of chains, but their master.
Received: Rage Core.
Unlocked ability: Soul Forge.
⸻
Exit.
When the Hulk returns, Ais meets his gaze.
"You've changed.
— I just became myself.
Now he's not just a fighter. He is the Master of the Chains, and he knows that Grimard is not the last enemy. There will be a war ahead. But now he's ready.