Chapter 62: The Trial of the Abyssal Crucible


    <hr>


    The moment I accepted the quest, the ground beneath me shattered.


    A massive sigil burned into existence, warping with an energy I had never felt before.


    Then—


    <blockquote>


    [SUB-QUEST INITIATED: TRIAL OF THE ABYSSAL CRUCIBLE.]


    [YOU HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY TELEPORTED.]


    </blockquote>


    I barely had time to curse before the world around me vanished.


    <hr>


    Abyssal Crucible – The Training Dungeon of Legends


    When my vision cleared, I was no longer in the stronghold.


    I stood in an endless void, filled with floating ruins and massive black chains stretching into the darkness.


    The air hummed with raw, oppressive power.


    The System’s voice echoed in my mind.


    <blockquote>


    "Only those prepared for the horrors beyond mortality may proceed."


    "Prove your worth… or be erased."


    </blockquote>


    Danielle shifted around my neck, tighter than usual. "Ohhh~ this place reeks of old magic, Master~."


    Nyx purred from the shadows. "I like it."


    Purn growled, his golden eyes gleaming. "Something… ancient is watching us."


    Then, the first trial appeared.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    <hr>


    Trial One: The Beast of Reflection


    A massive portal tore open, and from it stepped—


    Me.


    Or rather, a distorted version of myself.


    Its body was covered in abyssal runes, its eyes pitch-black, filled with nothing but hunger.


    Then, it spoke in my own voice.


    "You cannot defeat what you refuse to accept."


    And then it attacked.


    <hr>


    Fighting Myself – And Losing


    I barely raised Eclipse Embrace before the dark version of me struck first.


    It moved faster, fought harder, and countered everything I did.


    Gwaine roared. "Brother, this thing’s reading your damn mind!"


    Darius had once told me—the hardest enemy to fight is yourself.


    And he was right.


    Because this thing knew me.


    It dodged every strike before I even thought of making it.


    It countered with my own techniques, but faster, stronger, sharper.


    Within minutes, I was already on the defensive.


    <hr>


    The Answer Lies in Change


    I dodged another strike, panting.


    I couldn’t win like this.


    Then—I understood.


    This wasn’t just a fight.


    It was a lesson.


    I wasn’t supposed to beat myself by being better at my own game.


    I had to evolve past it.


    I smirked. "Fine, then. Let’s try something new."


    <blockquote>


    [NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED: DARK HAREM MASTER – UNITY SUMMON.]


    </blockquote>


    Danielle and Nyx shivered.


    "Ohhh, Master, you’re making me feel tingly~."


    Then, the two of them merged into my armor.


    I felt their power surge through me, shifting my stance, changing my flow.


    The dark version of me hesitated.


    It hadn’t seen this before.


    And that was all I needed.


    I struck—fast, fluid, unpredictable.


    The reflection shattered.


    And I won.


    <hr>


    The Dungeon’s Warning


    The System flared again.


    <blockquote>


    [TRIAL ONE COMPLETE.]


    [WARNING: THE FINAL MONSTER YOU WILL FACE… IS BEYOND EVEN THIS.]


    </blockquote>


    The ground shook.


    A new portal opened.


    And the next trial began.