Ethan''s fingers curled into fists, his breath steady despite the weight of the battle pressing down on him. The Abyssal Colossus thrashed against the chains binding its massive limbs, the runes etched into its dark flesh flickering erratically as its resistance surged. Each movement sent tremors rippling across the arena, cracks webbing through the obsidian ground.


    Ethan felt the energy flowing through him, the abyssal power reacting to his will as his chains tightened, restricting the creature''s movement. This was no ordinary restraint—his abilities had evolved. These bindings didn’t just hold the creature.


    They weakened it.


    The Colossus let out a deep, guttural roar, its amber eyes flaring as it yanked against the chains. One snapped. Then another. The power within it surged, raw and untamed, and the bindings began to falter.


    Ethan’s pulse spiked. It’s adapting. Too fast.


    But so was he.


    With a flick of his wrist, he redirected the abyssal energy, reinforcing the chains just as they threatened to break. They snapped back into place, glowing darker, heavier. The beast staggered, its strength wavering under the abyssal force.


    This was his chance.


    Ethan pushed forward, his blade igniting with abyssal fire, shifting between a dagger and a short sword as his combat instincts adjusted. He moved fast, weaving between the titan’s struggling limbs, his footsteps silent against the shattered stone.


    He aimed for the exposed runes on its ankles first, slashing through them in a single, fluid motion. The impact sent ripples of energy tearing through the creature’s body, forcing it to stumble.


    The Colossus reacted immediately.


    One massive fist came crashing down, the force alone displacing the air with enough power to shatter boulders. Ethan barely managed to dodge, the wind from the attack knocking him off balance. He rolled, springing back onto his feet just as the creature’s other arm swung in a wide arc.


    Too fast.


    Too powerful.


    He couldn''t dodge.


    Instead, he did something reckless.


    Instead of moving away, Ethan phased through the attack, reappearing inside the creature’s guard. It was an opening the Colossus hadn’t expected, and Ethan took full advantage.


    With a powerful upward slash, he carved a deep wound into the creature’s knee, aiming for the joint that supported its weight.


    The titan roared.


    It buckled, momentarily dropping to one knee.


    The chains tightened further, dragging it lower.


    The moment the Colossus hit the ground, its body trembled violently.


    The runes across its flesh flared a deep, crimson red, pulsing in an erratic rhythm. The chains binding it quivered, the abyssal power struggling against whatever surge of energy the creature was unleashing.


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    Then Ethan felt it.


    A massive spike in raw energy.


    The Colossus roared, and the chains that had bound it shattered completely.


    A shockwave erupted outward, and before Ethan could react, he was sent hurtling across the arena.


    His back slammed against an obsidian pillar, the impact forcing the air from his lungs. His vision swam, the world tilting as he forced himself to stay conscious. Every inch of his body ached, but his regeneration was already working, repairing the damage as fast as it could.


    He wiped blood from his lip and looked up—just in time to see the Colossus charging.


    It wasn’t weakened anymore.


    It was furious.


    Ethan’s mind raced. He needed to end this—now.


    The Colossus lunged, both fists raised to crush him.


    Ethan reacted instinctively.


    He raised his hand, and the abyss responded.


    <blockquote>


    [Abyssal Chain – Overcharge Activated.]


    </blockquote>


    Dark tendrils of abyssal energy erupted from the ground, surging forward like living serpents, wrapping around the titan’s limbs with ten times the force as before.


    The creature staggered mid-charge, its body violently constricted, the runes across its skin flickering wildly.


    It was trapped.


    But Ethan wasn’t finished.


    The power surged through him, stronger than before. His mind was clear, his body pulsing with energy.


    He could feel it—the Abysswalker’s true potential.


    His weapon shifted, growing longer, sharper. The blade now hummed with unstable energy, crackling as if it were barely holding itself together.


    Ethan surged forward, his speed unnatural, a blur of darkness moving across the battlefield. He leaped onto the creature’s massive forearm, running up its arm with precise, effortless footwork.


    The Colossus thrashed, but he didn’t stop.


    He reached the base of its neck, where the largest rune pulsed.


    Then, with all the power he could muster—he drove his blade into the core of the mark.


    The effect was instantaneous.


    The rune shattered, its glow imploding into itself. The Colossus let out a deafening howl, its body convulsing violently as abyssal fire erupted from within.


    Its form cracked, pieces of shadow and stone breaking apart, dissolving into the mist.


    Ethan jumped back, landing on solid ground just as the titan’s body collapsed, shaking the entire arena.


    For a moment, everything was silent.


    Then, the remnants of the Colossus faded into black mist, scattering into the abyss.


    Ethan let out a slow breath.


    It was over.


    A familiar chime echoed in his mind.


    <blockquote>


    [SYSTEM UPDATE ]


    New Passive Skill Unlocked:


    ?? Abyssforged Endurance (Passive): Damage resistance increases the longer a battle continues.


    New Active Skill Unlocked:


    ?? Abyssal Execution (Active): Unleashes a single devastating strike that ignores armor and directly attacks an opponent’s core energy.


    New Title Earned:


    ?? Titan Slayer – You have slain an abyssal construct of immense power. Your presence is now feared by larger entities.


    </blockquote>


    Ethan flexed his fingers, feeling the new strength coursing through him.


    His body was adapting.


    But it wasn’t just about gaining power.


    He was becoming something else.


    A slow clap echoed through the air.


    Ethan looked up, breathing steady despite the lingering exhaustion.


    The Master stood atop one of the arena’s ruined pillars, his smirk as sharp as ever.


    "Well," he mused, tilting his head. "I must admit, that was faster than I expected." His silver eyes gleamed with amusement. "You truly are something different."


    Ethan rolled his shoulders. "Was that the final test?"


    The Master laughed. "Oh, no. That was merely the foundation."


    Ethan’s jaw clenched.


    Of course it was.


    The Master’s grin widened. "Rest while you can, little predator."


    The space around them began to shift again, the battlefield dissolving into darkness.


    The next challenge was waiting.


    And Ethan had a feeling it would make the Colossus seem like a warm-up.