Silence filled the hospital room.


    Ethan could feel both Leah and Gareth’s gazes locked onto him, waiting—demanding an explanation.


    And honestly?


    He didn’t know where to start.


    Because how do you explain the impossible?


    How do you tell people that you spent what felt like months in a world that shouldn’t exist, only to wake up and realize that years had passed in reality?


    How do you explain that you were taken, broken, remade—that you were forged in something beyond human understanding?


    Ethan exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.


    "The last thing I remember before waking up here," he began, "was going home after a mission. I was exhausted, so I went to sleep."


    He glanced at Leah.


    "But I didn’t wake up here."


    Leah frowned. "Then where?"


    Ethan’s grip tightened.


    "I woke up in the Abyss."


    Gareth’s brows furrowed. "The Abyss?"


    Ethan nodded. "It wasn’t a dungeon. It wasn’t a nightmare. It was something… deeper. A place outside of time, outside of this world."


    He let the weight of his words settle before continuing.


    "There was someone waiting for me there. A man—no, not a man. Something else."


    Leah shifted uncomfortably. "Who?"


    Ethan’s jaw clenched.


    "He called himself The Master."


    The air in the room seemed to tighten, as if even speaking the name carried some unseen weight.


    "He took me. He didn’t ask. He didn’t explain. He just—ripped me from this world and threw me into something I still don’t understand."


    Gareth’s hands balled into fists. "And what did he do?"


    Ethan’s breath was slow, steady.


    "He trained me."


    He paused.


    "No—that’s not the right word. He broke me."


    Leah’s face paled.


    "Torture?" she whispered.


    Ethan laughed dryly. "Torture would’ve been mercy."


    He shook his head. "Every day was survival. Every moment was a test. I fought creatures that shouldn’t exist, faced horrors that would shatter the minds of normal people. I died over and over—at least, I think I did. And every time, I came back. Stronger. Different."


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    His hands clenched into fists.


    "Until, eventually… I became something else."


    As if on cue, a chime echoed through his mind.


    A deep, resonant hum vibrated through his bones, and suddenly, a system window materialized before his eyes—larger, more detailed than ever before.


    <blockquote>


    [SYSTEM UPDATE – STATUS CHECK]


    [Name:] Ethan Voss


    [Title:] Abysswalker | Warden of the Forgotten | Titan Slayer | Marked by the Abyss


    [Race:] Abyssborne Human (Evolving)


    [Level:] 30


    [Health:] Fully Stable


    [Mana:] 400/400 (+80 Bonus Pool)


    [Primary Attributes:]


    ?? Strength: 62 (+6 absorbed)


    ?? Agility: 65 (+5 absorbed)


    ?? Endurance: 70 (+7 absorbed)


    ?? Intelligence: 50


    ?? Perception: 55


    ?? Abyssal Affinity: ??? (Unmeasurable)


    [Race Evolution Effects:]


    ?? Abyssborne Resilience (Passive): Your body has fully adapted to abyssal energy. Increased resistance to all shadow-based attacks and corruption effects.


    ?? Warden’s Echo (Passive): Your existence has left an imprint in the Abyss. You may experience visions or instinctual warnings related to abyssal forces.


    ?? Predator’s Absorption (SSS – Passive): A portion of slain enemies'' stats are absorbed at random. Extremely low chance of acquiring their abilities.


    [Abilities:]


    ?? Void Step (Active): Teleports the user a short distance through shadows. Can now be used in rapid succession.


    ?? Abyssal Chain (Active): Summons binding chains that weaken and immobilize enemies. Increased effectiveness against abyssal creatures.


    ?? Abyssal Execution (Active – Locked): A single devastating strike that ignores armor and targets an enemy’s core energy. Requires additional conditions to unlock.


    ?? Abyssborne Domain (Active – New): For a limited time, create an area where abyssal energy strengthens allies and weakens enemies.


    [Titles & Effects:]


    ?? Abysswalker: Grants unique growth rate and affinity for shadow-based magic.


    ?? Titan Slayer: Larger and stronger enemies now recognize you as a significant threat. Some will instinctively avoid battle; others will seek you out.


    ?? Marked by the Abyss: The Abyss has acknowledged your existence. Those who serve the Abyss may recognize you—some as an ally, others as an enemy.


    [Unspent Stat Points Available: 10]


    </blockquote>


    The moment the status screen faded, Ethan could still feel it.


    The weight of his evolution.


    The undeniable truth that he was no longer just human.


    Not fully.


    Not anymore.


    Leah was silent.


    Gareth had stopped breathing entirely, his fists so tight that his knuckles had turned white.


    Ethan’s voice was quiet.


    "You see it now, don’t you?"


    Leah swallowed. "Your… race. It says Abyssborne."


    Ethan nodded. "I’m not the same as I was."


    Gareth exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face. "Damn it, kid." His voice was heavy—not with anger, but with something close to grief.


    Ethan clenched his jaw. "I don’t regret what happened to me."


    Leah stared at him. "How can you not?!" Her voice rose. "You were taken, Ethan! You were—" She cut herself off, shaking her head. "We thought you were dead."


    Ethan looked at her, something deep and dark in his gaze.


    "I was."


    Leah’s breath hitched.


    "I died in that place, Leah," he said. "Maybe not in body. But in every other way that mattered? I was shattered. And then I was put back together—into whatever I am now."


    He exhaled. "And that’s why I don’t regret it."


    Gareth sighed. "You know they’re going to find out."


    Ethan nodded. "I know."


    The Guild. The government.


    People were going to start asking questions.


    Because Ethan Voss was no longer just a missing adventurer.


    He was something else entirely.


    Something no one understood.


    And that made him dangerous.


    Ethan straightened his back, pushing himself to stand.


    His muscles ached, but they obeyed.


    Leah shot up. "Ethan, you’re not—"


    "I’m fine," he interrupted, rolling his shoulders. His body felt heavy but powerful. Stronger than before.


    He looked at them both.


    "You wanted to know the truth?" His gaze was hard. "Now you do. I was taken. I was trained. And now, I’m back."


    His jaw clenched.


    "And whatever’s coming—I’m going to be ready for it."


    Leah and Gareth shared a look.


    Then, slowly, Gareth nodded.


    "Then let’s get to work."