The thick purple mist shifted slowly like a living creature that had just awakened from a long slumber. It pulsed gently, as if possessing its own heartbeat, seeping into every crevice of the ancient stone ruins scattered across the dungeon floor. The thick black smoke from the giant monster's corpse that had exploded moments ago still drifted lazily, mixing with the mist and creating a second layer that was even more damp, sticky, and acrid. The fishy stench of dark blood stung the nose, blended with sharp ozone like after a lightning strike, and the smell of scorched wet earth. Every breath felt like swallowing thin needles bitter, heavy, and leaving a cold metallic taste on the tongue along with an irritating tickle in the throat and lungs.
Hssssssss…
