Chapter 49: The Heart of Darkness

The air was thick with the stench of decay, the ground beneath Victor's feet pulsating with a sickening rhythm. The creature, its tendrils twisting like serpents in the dark, loomed before him, its dark form impossible to fully comprehend. It wasn't just a monster—it was an embodiment of the Abyss itself, an ancient force that sought to consume everything in its path. The village trembled, as if the very earth itself was buckling under the weight of its presence.

Victor stood firm, his sword gripped tightly in his hand. The mark on his skin burned with a feverish intensity, responding to the surge of dark power before him. His breath came in short gasps, but his resolve remained unshaken. He had faced impossible odds before. He had stood against gods, monsters, and betrayals. This was no different.

"Is this really all you have, Abyss?" he spat, his voice filled with defiance. "I've fought worse than this before."