The remnants of the king ogre's shattered code dissolved into the swirling mist as Indra's stormfire eyes scanned the labyrinth's depths. A sudden pulse vibrated through the ground beneath him — subtle yet unmistakable, like the heartbeat of the very Gauntlet itself. His breath caught. The air rippled, and before him, a translucent holographic interface materialized, shimmering with an iridescent glow.
The system's voice echoed softly in his mind — calm, mechanical, yet laced with an eerie omnipresence.
"Welcome, Indra. The Abyssal Gauntlet acknowledges your conquest."
He stared, pulse quickening, as the interface displayed a stream of cryptic data — stats rising, skills unlocked, potential pathways branching like an infinite web. Numerical values pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat: Strength, Agility, Recovery, Stamina — each one climbing steadily.
Then, a new line appeared, glowing brighter than the rest:
"Task 1: Secure the Fragmented Sigil. Location: Deep Core Sector. Reward: Thunderous Empowerment +5, New Skill Unlocked."
Indra's mind raced. The Fragmented Sigil — a legendary artifact whispered about in ancient storm lore, rumored to amplify elemental power beyond measure. Its presence within the Gauntlet could mean the key to mastering his burgeoning abilities.
As the system's ethereal hum filled the space, Indra's senses sharpened anew. He could feel the storm vein thrumming within his veins, syncing with the Gauntlet's code. His limbs tingled with renewed vigor, his stamina seemingly boundless. The promise of new power beckoned, but so did the lurking dangers that surely guarded the sigil.
A faint map appeared beside the task — twisting corridors, unstable platforms, and zones cloaked in shadows where monsters yet unknown awaited. The Gauntlet was no mere prison; it was a proving ground designed to push him beyond every limit.
Indra flexed his fingers, electricity crackling softly at his fingertips.
"I accept," he murmured, voice steady but charged with determination.
With a surge of energy, the system confirmed the task acceptance. The walls around him warped, revealing a hidden passage descending into darkness. The real test was only beginning.
He stepped forward, the whisper of thunder trailing in his wake.
The Abyssal Gauntlet was awakening — and so was the true storm within Indra.