A sharp, jagged line of crimson static ripped across Ye Chen’s retinas, fracturing the golden status window into jagged geometric shards.
SKRRRRT-BZZZZZZT.
The familiar translucent interface that had cataloged his physical parameters, mapped enemy weak points, and regulated his kinetic output since the manure pits of the lower stables began to flicker in violent, erratic spasms.
“Critical System Failure: Kernel Integrity Compromised,” the synthetic voice chimed, though the tone was warped, dropping three octaves into a distorted, metallic groan. “Unable to parse Abyssal Core miasma. Host energetic reserves exhausted. Terminating background routines in three, two, one.”
WZZZZZZZZZT—
A harsh, descending digital whine cut through the cavern air, dropping in pitch until it abruptly flatli
