Malice in the Darkness

Having dealt with the unspeakable monster twisted from a fallen god, Ian stood in absolute darkness, his gaze crossing the sharply defined boundary toward the chaotic space that had returned to "calm."

The filthy mire slowly writhed beneath the dim dark-purple glow, exuding an aura of deathly stillness and finality.

"Science has once again helped me defeat evil."

The claim that Ian's genes had limits was proven correct, putting him in a rather good mood.

He slowly turned around to face the profound darkness behind him, a darkness that devoured everything and seemed capable of annihilating even concepts themselves. Curiosity clawed at his heart like a cat's paw, but his reason was sounding frantic alarms. Whatever lay hidden within had terrified that nearly immortal monster so badly that it had not dared cross the boundary.

Its level of danger was easy to imagine.

"Ha..."

Ian let out a soft sigh.

Unless he had no other choice, he truly did not want to set foot in this unknown domain.

The ancient corridor outside, which seemed to stretch on forever, was certainly strange, but at least it did not inspire this heart-pounding rejection born from the instincts of life itself.

After hesitating for a moment, he finally stepped forward and crossed the invisible boundary once more, returning from absolute darkness to the chaotic space with its faint light.

"This is really disgusting."

Carefully avoiding the enormous patch of filthy mire still bubbling sluggishly on the ground, Ian followed the path he had taken here and quickly exited through the stone door carved with sinister swirling patterns.

Beyond the door was still that ancient passageway that seemed to have no end, vast beyond any human scale.

The bluestone path extended infinitely in both directions. On either side stood rough rock walls that rose