Chapter 89: Hell's Gate Keeper Cerberus

The instant the gate was breached, a cacophony of screams and howls erupted from within. Cheol Su's grin broadened as he stepped forward, relishing the challenge ahead.

"Let's show them the meaning of fear," he said, his voice resonating with power.

**23:59:59...23:59:58...23:59:57...**

The timer appeared before them, a silent reminder of their dwindling time.

"Stay close, Alari," Cheol Su said, his gaze never leaving the dark portal before them. Together, Cheol Su and Alari entered the Gate of Hell, descending into the darkness like phantoms. The screams and howls grew louder, echoing off the walls as they plunged deeper into the heart of the abyss.

"Eyes open, Alari," Cheol Su said, his words barely audible over the din of the demons. "If they spot us, you'll need to be quick."

Alari's fingers tightened around her dagger, the cold steel reminding her of the task at hand. She nodded, her heart pounding as she fell into step behind Cheol Su. Suddenly, a deep, guttural growl rang out, the sound reverberating through the chamber. Cheol Su halted, his gaze flicking to Alari.

"Cyberus," he said, his voice a low hiss. "The gatekeeper. Prepare yourself."

From the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged, each the size of a wagon wheel. They blazed with malevolent intent, fixated on the trespassers in their domain.

"Who dares intrude upon the Gate of Hell?" a voice boomed, the sound like thunder cracking the earth. Cyprus holographic interface materialized in front of Cheol Su, revealing the profile of their formidable foe.

**Legendary Creature: Cerberus**

**Title:** Gatekeeper of the Fourth Floor

**Description:** Cerberus is a three-headed hound from the deepest pits of hell, with razor-sharp fangs and a serpentine tail. He is known for his unrelenting ferocity and overwhelming strength.

**Stakes:** Defeat Cerberus to clear the fourth floor of the Tower of Chaos. Failure will result in a penalty to your progress in the Tower and could put your life at risk.

**Weaknesses:** Cerberus is susceptible to magical attacks, particularly those of the Light element. His massive size and unruly nature make him slow and prone to distraction.

**Strategies:** Take advantage of Cerberus' size and distract him with magic to separate his three heads and create openings for physical attacks. Use Alari's speed and agility to strike at his vulnerable points while you engage his main head.

Cheol Su glanced at Alari, his eyes flickering with determination. "It's time to make our move," he said, raising his scythe and readying himself for battle. With a mighty roar, Cerberus lunged at Cheol Su, his three heads snapping like hungry serpents. But Cheol Su was ready, darting to the side at the last second, letting the hound's mass and momentum carry it past.

As Cerberus turned to face him again, Cheol Su called out, "Alari, now!"

From behind, Alari raced towards the hound, her silver-white hair streaming behind her like a banner of war. Indeed, Cheol Su knew that Alari was no mere companion. She was a force to be reckoned with, an emotionless tempest of power and precision.

As Cerberus whirled to confront her, Alari ducked low, sweeping her dagger in a shimmering arc. A blast of ice tore through the air, slamming into the hound's front legs and encasing them in a prison of glistening frost.

Cerberus howled, the sound deafening in the confines of the chamber. Alari's icy prison did not hold for long. With a fierce shake of his massive shoulders, Cerberus shattered the ice, freeing himself to face his adversaries.

Cheol Su seized the opportunity. With a silent command, he conjured a wall of shadow and stone behind Cerberus, trapping the beast between the two fighters.

"Now!" he shouted, his voice ringing like a clarion call.

Alari darted forward, striking at the hound's left flank. At the same time, Cheol Su swung his Black Scythe, driving the blade deep into Cerberus' hide. The Black Scythe tore through Cerberus' hide, the steel biting deep into the hound's flesh. But Cheol Su was not done. With a muttered incantation, he activated his Void Reaver skill.

The blade of his scythe pulsed with black fire, the air around it crackling with arcane energy. In an instant, the weapon seemed to take on a life of its own, tearing through the hound's flesh with even greater ferocity.

Cerberus howled, a sound of agony and fury that shook the very walls of the chamber. But the beast was not yet defeated. Alari's face was calm, her gaze fixed on Cerberus with cold intensity. A smile, more of a baring of teeth, touched the corners of her mouth as she spoke in a language that Cheol Su could not understand.

The air around her crackled and twisted, distorting the very fabric of space and time. Dark energy wove itself around her, coiling around her slender frame.

With a swift, fluid motion, Alari drew a circle in the air with her dagger.