The moment the colossal claw emerged from the fractured black sphere, the entire underground prison shook violently.
Stone pillars cracked.
Ancient runes flickered uncontrollably.
And an overwhelming aura of darkness flooded the chamber like a tidal wave.
Several Bureau operatives collapsed instantly, unable to withstand the pressure.
Even experienced awakened soldiers trembled instinctively.
The claw alone was nearly the size of a carriage, covered in black scales etched with dark crimson patterns that pulsed like veins. Corrupted energy leaked from between the scales continuously, distorting the air around it.
And worst of all
The creature was still mostly sealed.
Dev stared upward with widened eyes.
"That's just one hand?"
The claw suddenly tightened against the broken edge of the sphere.
CRACK.
Another fracture spread across the prison seal.
The monstrous roar from inside became louder.
Closer.
Alive
Krishak's expression turned colder than ever before.
He finally understood why the ancient civilization had sacrificed so much to contain this thing.
This was no ordinary corrupted beast.
It was something fundamentally different.
Something alien to Earth itself.
The voice inside the seal echoed once more.
"So fragile..."
The chamber darkened further.
"This world has weakened greatly since the last age..."
Another pulse of corrupted energy exploded outward.
Several ancient formation circles shattered completely.
The final silver chain dimmed dangerously.
Rudra moved instantly.
"All forces retreat from the center!"
The surviving Bureau soldiers pulled back while Dev and the others regrouped near Krishak.
Even Lunafang's fur stood on edge now.
The silver wolf growled deeply, moonlight gathering instinctively around his body in response to the overwhelming corruption.
Ananya's face had gone pale.
"What is that thing?"
Krishak answered quietly.
Krishak answered quietly.
"An invader."
Everyone looked toward him immediately.
He continued watching the sealed creature carefully.
"Not from Earth."
Silence spread through the group.
Even Ishita looked stunned.
"Another world?" she whispered.
Krishak nodded once.
"In ancient times, Earth was connected to broader cultivation realms."
The creature inside the sphere laughed again.
A low, horrifying sound filled with malice.
"At last one who remembers."
The claw pushed farther outward.
Darkness spread across the chamber floor wherever it touched.
The corrupted undead guardians became even more violent, as though empowered by the creature's awakening.
A massive explosion suddenly erupted along the defensive lines.
One Bureau operative was thrown violently across the chamber after being struck by a corrupted guardian captain wielding a blackened halberd.
The undead commander radiated significantly stronger energy than the others.
Red light burned fiercely within its helmet.
Raghav blocked one strike with difficulty.
"This one's stronger!"
Skyrend attacked from above, but the captain released dark energy sharp enough to force the spirit beast backward.
Dev charged immediately.
His star-infused spear collided against the corrupted halberd with enough force to shake nearby pillars.
Yet the undead captain barely moved.
Black energy surged across its armor.
The creature counterattacked instantly, nearly overwhelming Dev through sheer strength.
Meanwhile, the black sphere cracked further.
A second claw began emerging slowly from inside.
The prison was collapsing too quickly.
Krishak closed his eyes briefly.
His mind moved rapidly through countless possibilities.
The original seal could not be fully restored with current resources.
Destroying the creature directly was impossible at their current strength.
Retreating would eventually unleash disaster upon the outside world.
Which left only one option.
Temporary suppression.
But even that would require tremendous risk.
His eyes opened sharply.
"Rudra."
The Headmaster turned immediately.
"I can stabilize the seal temporarily."
Several nearby people looked relieved.
Then Krishak continued.
"But someone must enter the inner formation chamber beneath the prison."
The relief vanished instantly.
Professor Devika frowned.
"What for?"
"The main suppression array originates below this chamber," Krishak explained quickly. "If we reactivate it, the prison can be reinforced temporarily."
Rao's expression hardened.
"And the problem?"
Krishak looked toward the black sphere.
"The inner chamber is directly beneath " the seal."
Silence.
Everyone understood immediately.
Whoever entered would stand closest to the awakening creature.
Another violent crack echoed through the chamber.
The second claw fully emerged.
Dark energy erupted outward like a storm.
Several Bureau defensive barriers shattered instantly.
The creature inside was forcing the prison open through raw power alone.
Dev stepped forward immediately.
"I'll go."
Ananya looked shocked.
"Dev--"
"If someone has to do it, then stop wasting time arguing, he said firmly.
Krishak shook his head.
"You're needed here."
Raghav clenched his fists.
"Then I'll—"
"No," Krishak interrupted calmly.
Everyone looked toward him.
"I'm the only one who fully understands the suppression array.
Rudra's expression darkened immediately.
"You intend to go alone?"
"Yes."
"That's too dangerous," Ananya said instantly.
Even Ishita looked deeply uneasy.
Krishak remained calm.
"If the array activates properly, the creature cannot fully awaken yet.
"Yet?" Dev repeated.
Krishak looked toward the cracking sphere.
"This prison was damaged long before we arrived."
Another roar shook the chamber.
"This is only delaying the inevitable."
The creature inside the seal suddenly spoke again.
This time directly to Krishak.
"You cannot stop what is coming."
Dark crimson eyes became visible through the widening cracks.
Ancient.
Monstrous.
Filled with endless hatred.
"The gates between worlds will open once more.."
The chamber temperature dropped sharply.
"And Earth will fall again."
Krishak stared directly into those eyes without fear.
Then he answered calmly.
"No."
The single word carried absolute certainty.
For the first time...
The creature fell silent.