Chapter 37: The Princess of the Naga Realm
The underground world of the Naga Realm felt both beautiful and dangerous.
Glowing crystals illuminated the vast underground city. Giant stone pillars supported the ceiling, and countless Naga citizens moved around gracefully.
Arif stood silently, observing everything.
"This place… it's incredible."
But his thoughts quickly returned to Lina.
His expression hardened.
"I don't have time to admire."
The Naga Princess slowly descended from the palace stairs.
Her presence alone made the surrounding warriors bow.
She had long silver hair and golden eyes that glowed faintly.
Her lower body transformed into a long elegant serpent tail.
She stopped in front of Arif.
"So… you're the human who entered the Naga Realm."
Arif nodded.
"My name is Arif."
She looked at him calmly.
"I am Princess Seraphina."
Her voice was calm but powerful.
Arif spoke immediately.
"You said you know about Lina."
Seraphina looked serious.
"Yes."
Arif stepped forward.
"Where is she?"
Seraphina shook her head slightly.
"I don't know her exact location."
Arif frowned.
"Then—"
"But…" she continued.
"I know where she was taken."
Arif's heart raced.
"Where?"
Seraphina's expression darkened.
"Shadow Abyss."
The surrounding Naga warriors murmured nervously.
Even Sera, who had just arrived, looked surprised.
"Shadow Abyss…"
Arif clenched his fists.
"I'll go there."
Seraphina looked at him carefully.
"You can't."
Arif frowned.
"Why?"
She spoke calmly.
"The Shadow Abyss is sealed."
Arif's eyes narrowed.
"Then how do I open it?"
Seraphina hesitated for a moment.
"There is only one way."
Arif leaned forward slightly.
"What is it?"
She answered.
"You must obtain the Naga Relic."
Arif frowned.
"Naga Relic?"
Seraphina nodded.
"The ancient relic of our kingdom."
She turned and pointed toward the far mountains inside the realm.
"The Serpent Ruins."
Sera spoke quietly.
"That place is dangerous…"
Seraphina nodded.
"The relic is guarded by the Ancient Serpent."
Arif didn't hesitate.
"I'll go."
Seraphina studied him carefully.
"You're not afraid?"
Arif looked serious.
"I don't have time to be afraid."
Seraphina smiled slightly.
"You really care about her."
Arif didn't reply.
But his silence gave the answer.
Seraphina turned to the guards.
"Prepare him."
An hour later…
Arif stood at the edge of the Serpent Ruins.
Massive stone structures stood broken.
Ancient symbols covered the walls.
Dark fog covered the ground.
Sera stood beside him.
"I'll guide you until the entrance."
Arif nodded.
"Thanks."
They walked slowly.
Strange noises echoed.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled.
A group of snake monsters appeared.
Sera drew her weapon.
"They're guardians."
Arif activated Shadow Step.
The battle began.
The monsters attacked fiercely.
Arif moved quickly.
His blade flashed repeatedly.
Sera supported him with poison attacks.
After several minutes—
The monsters fell.
They continued deeper.
Soon—
They reached a massive stone gate.
"This is the entrance," Sera said.
Arif nodded.
"I'll go alone from here."
Sera looked worried.
"Be careful."
Arif smiled faintly.
"I will."
He stepped inside.
The gate closed behind him.
Darkness surrounded him.
Suddenly—
Torches lit automatically.
The ancient ruin revealed itself.
Broken statues.
Long corridors.
Strange symbols.
Arif walked slowly.
Suddenly—
The system alerted.
[Warning: Ancient Guardian Nearby]
Arif tightened his grip.
He moved carefully.
Suddenly—
A loud roar echoed.
The ground cracked.
A massive serpent appeared.
Golden scales.
Glowing eyes.
The Ancient Serpent.
Arif's eyes narrowed.
"So this is the guardian…"
The serpent attacked instantly.
Arif dodged.
The battle began.
The serpent moved quickly.
Faster than expected.
Arif blocked several attacks.
But the power was overwhelming.
He activated Shadow Domain.
Darkness spread.
The serpent slowed slightly.
Arif attacked repeatedly.
The serpent hissed angrily.
It slammed its tail.
Arif blocked but was pushed back.
"So strong…"
Arif created Shadow Clone.
Together—
They attacked from both sides.
The serpent roared.
The battle intensified.
Arif jumped high.
"Shadow Strike!"
He hit the serpent's head.
The serpent staggered.
But it didn't fall.
Instead—
It became enraged.
Its eyes glowed brighter.
The entire ruin trembled.
Arif frowned.
"It's getting stronger…"
The serpent charged again.
Arif gathered all his energy.
"Shadow Awakening!"
Dark aura exploded around him.
He rushed forward.
Their clash shook the ruins.
Finally—
Arif found an opening.
He attacked the serpent's core.
The serpent screamed.
Cracks spread across its body.
It collapsed.
Silence filled the ruins.
Arif breathed heavily.
Then—
A glowing object appeared.
The Naga Relic.
A crystal shaped like a serpent.
Arif picked it up.
The system appeared.
[Naga Relic Obtained]
[New Path Unlocked: Shadow Abyss Gate]
Arif smiled faintly.
"Lina… I'm coming."
But suddenly—
The ground trembled again.
A dark presence appeared behind him.
A voice echoed.
"So… you defeated the guardian."
Arif turned.
A mysterious masked figure stood in the shadows.
Dark aura surrounded him.
Arif frowned.
"Who are you?"
The figure smiled.
"I'm the one… who won't let you reach her."
To Be Continued…