The Corrupted Syndicate

Meanwhile, Mattheos had reached his destination and peered down into the room below. The space teemed with small serpents, each with red shimmering scales and amber flames tracing their spines.

They moved around the area as if it were their natural habitat. Scanning the room, Mattheos spotted the tail of his main target in the far corner. Swallowing nervously, he noted the creature's immense size.

He faced a choice: he could either jump down and clear out the smaller serpents to pave a path or confront the main enemy directly.

"I have a big giant sword, I'm sure this will clear those familiars," whispered Mattheos to himself.

With that, he leaped down into the room from the shaft. As he landed, the rabbit transformed into his Alter form, sensing the Mad King's eagerness for battle. Perhaps combat was the only way for the Mad King to truly feel alive again.

Matt was not very sure but it also could be the joy of battle and slaughter. The serpents sprang into action, swarming the rabbit with a mix of hunger and hostility.

With a single powerful swing of his oversized blade, Mattheos unleashed a massive wave of black and amber mana. The surge of energy swept through the room, clearing nearly a quarter of the serpents in a single, decisive blow.

The remaining serpents, now fully enraged by the relentless assault, writhed in anger. The once-organized swarm turned chaotic, their hissing and thrashing intensifying as they surged toward the source of their anger—Mattheos.

The room was filled with frenzied energy as the remaining serpents gathered their resolve, readying themselves for a counterattack against the relentless rabbit.

"Second Sin: Doomed Flare, Asmodeus!" shouted Matt as he rushed forward and sent out two spirals of black and orange mana against the serpents.

"This isn't getting me anywhere..." complained Matt as he threw another wave.

He was trying his best not to use too much but with this many serpents coming at him, the rabbit contemplated using one of his Sins. However, he had a better idea as he grabbed the little dancing flame surrounding him.

"Off you go now, my little Spark... Go and devour as much as you want," ordered Mattheos, tossing the little flame minion toward an incoming horde.

The mini black and purple flame rapidly expanded, engulfing the entire cluster of serpents within seconds. The intense heat and power of it consumed everything in its path, leaving nothing but a smoldering haze.

As the flame returned to its owner's side, the area began to tremble, a clear signal that all the enemies throughout the pagoda were now fully activated and mobilizing for combat.

The rumble echoed through the structure, preparing the battleground for a fierce confrontation.

Mattheos, standing amidst the growing chaos, braced himself for what lay ahead. The initial wave of enemies had been dispatched, but the real challenge was about to begin.

He turned his focus to the main attraction of the first level, knowing that the fight was only going to get tougher from there.

The rabbit then sucked in a breath and steadied his stance, ready to block any incoming attack from the Inti. The Solar Serpent, a behemoth of a creature, occupied a vast portion of the floor.

Its scales glimmered with the fierce radiance of the sun, streaked with flickering orange flames that seemed to pulse with each movement. The serpent's enormous body coiled and undulated, each segment of its form writhing like a wave of molten gold.

As the Inti lowered its head to confront its next prey, its eyes blazed with an eerie, electric blue fire, casting a cold light that contrasted with the searing heat of its scales. The air around it shimmered with the intense heat, warping the space in a dazzling mirage.

Matt's heart pounded as he gripped his blade tighter, the weapon's edge gleaming with a faint, reassuring light. He braced himself, knowing that any misstep could mean disaster.

The serpent's immense form seemed to breathe with a rhythm of solar fury, and the very ground seemed to quiver in anticipation of the impending clash.

"Who bares his fangs at me? Who has brought about death to my babies? And who dares to disturb my slumber?!" thundered the Solar Serpent.

"I have. Now do me a solid and die for me as well!" shouted the rabbit as he quickly rushed towards the Inti's, hoping to land a blow.

Much to his horror, the blade glanced off the serpent's scales, barely leaving a scratch. Matt cursed under his breath and quickly pulled back, retreating into the shadows to reassess his approach. His mind raced for a solution, but time was slipping away.

The Inti reared back, its massive jaws opening wide, revealing rows of fangs that glowed like molten metal.