《Harbinger of the Rift》 Chapter 1: The Day the System Descended February 10, 2025 It started as a normal day. Nothing special. Nothing strange. Ethan Voss had woken up in his cramped one-bedroom apartment, barely making it to his morning shift at Harrison¡¯s Repair Shop on time. His boss had been grumbling about late shipments. Customers had come in, asking about parts they couldn¡¯t afford. Everything had been mundane. Routine. Until, suddenly¡ª It wasn¡¯t. Ethan had been walking home when it happened. One second, the city hummed with life. Cars rolling by, streetlights flickering as the sun began to set. The next¡ª The sky cracked. Not a sound. Not an explosion. A shimmering fracture spread across the atmosphere, glowing with eerie, pulsating red veins. And then¡ª The messages appeared. [SYSTEM INITIALIZATION COMPLETE.] [WELCOME, HUMANITY. YOUR EXISTENCE HAS BEEN RECALIBRATED.] [THE NEW ORDER BEGINS NOW.] Ethan froze. It wasn¡¯t just on his phone. It wasn¡¯t just on a billboard or some kind of elaborate ad. The text hovered in the air itself, a projection burned into reality. And when he turned¡ª Everyone around him was seeing it too. A man in a suit stumbled back, staring at the sky. A woman on the phone dropped it, her face pale. The entire world had just been hijacked. Something bigger than governments, bigger than science, bigger than anything humanity had ever seen. And before Ethan could even begin to process it¡ª The screams started. The air shuddered. Not just in one place. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Everywhere. All at once. Across the city, crimson gashes split open reality, swirling masses of darkness forming in their centers. Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. People froze in the streets, their gazes locked onto the unnatural distortions. Then, suddenly¡ª The first monster emerged. It lunged forward, claws flashing, eyes burning with a hunger that didn¡¯t belong in this world. And chaos erupted. Cars crashed as drivers panicked, swerving onto sidewalks. People sprinted for their lives, trampling those too slow to move. And from every Rift, more creatures poured out. Not just one species. Not just one kind. Dozens of different monstrosities. Some massive, their bodies covered in jagged bone plates. Some small and fast, darting between the panicked masses with horrifying speed. And worst of all? Humanity¡¯s weapons barely slowed them down. Gunshots rang out as police fired, but the bullets only staggered the larger beasts. Explosions from military vehicles tore through buildings, but some of the creatures walked through fire untouched. The world wasn¡¯t just under attack. It was being reset. And Ethan? He only had one thought. Emma. Ethan tore through the streets. His legs burned, his lungs screamed, but he didn¡¯t stop. His sister¡¯s school was only three blocks away. If he could get to her¡ªif he could find her before these things did¡ª But when he rounded the corner, his breath caught in his throat. The school was already in flames. Windows shattered. Bodies¡ªteachers, parents, children¡ªscattered across the pavement, lifeless. And standing amidst the destruction¡ª Was a new Rift. Not like the others. This one was bigger. Darker. And from within¡ª Something else stepped out. The Creature That Took Her It wasn¡¯t like the monsters that had come before. They had been savage, feral. This one? It walked. Slow. Deliberate. With purpose. It was tall¡ªeasily seven feet, draped in something like armor, but its body wasn¡¯t metal or flesh. It was wrong. Like its form didn¡¯t quite fit in this reality. Its limbs shifted as it moved, its shape flickering for half a second¡ª As if it was deciding what to be. And its eyes. Ethan would never forget those eyes. Black voids, with a single, glowing red ring in the center. Not like an animal. Not like a machine. Something old. Something watching. Something choosing. And when its head tilted, its empty gaze locking onto him¡ª A sickening pulse of energy rippled outward. A single, unspoken command. The monsters around it stopped attacking. They moved aside. And Ethan realized¡ª This thing wasn¡¯t here to kill at random. It was here to collect. To take something specific. And then¡ª It turned. And reached for Emma. Ethan didn¡¯t think. Didn¡¯t hesitate. He threw himself forward, his body colliding with the creature, fists slamming against its unnatural form. It felt like punching stone wrapped in silk. It didn¡¯t react. Didn¡¯t even acknowledge him. It simply gripped Emma¡¯s arm¡ªgently, almost carefully. She screamed, tears running down her face. ¡°ETHAN!¡± Ethan grabbed her other arm, pulling with everything he had. ¡°No¡ªNO! You¡¯re not taking her! LET GO!¡± The creature studied him. Then, slowly¡ª It raised one hand. And placed it on Ethan¡¯s forehead. A pulse of energy ripped through him, sending agony tearing through his skull. His vision blurred. His body went limp. His grip on Emma¡¯s hand weakened. And in that single moment of weakness¡ª The creature stepped backward. Into the Rift. Dragging Emma with it. The last thing Ethan saw was her terrified face, reaching for him. The last thing he heard was her scream. And then¡ª The Rift collapsed. Gone. Like it had never been there at all. And Ethan¡ªpowerless, broken, bleeding¡ª Was left alone. Two Years Later The world had adapted. Cities rebuilt. Humanity adjusted. Adventurers, guilds, dungeons. The strong thrived. And Ethan? He was still a nobody. No class. No Awakening. Just a porter. A nobody scraping by. But he wasn¡¯t giving up. Because if Emma was alive somewhere¡ª Then he was going to find her. No matter what it took. Chapter 2: The Struggles of the Unranked Two Years Later ¨C The World Has Moved On The world didn¡¯t end when the System descended. It changed. People adapted. Cities were rebuilt. Guilds formed. Governments fractured and restructured under the pressure of the new order. Monsters still roamed outside city limits, but humanity had fought back. Adventurers were now the world¡¯s elite. The strongest controlled wealth, respect, and influence. And those without power? They barely scraped by. Ethan knew this better than anyone. Because he was still one of them. Life as an Unranked Ethan pulled his hood lower, shielding his face from the chill of Portland¡¯s morning wind. His coat was thin, barely holding together at the seams. Not much protection against the cold, but it was all he had. The streets were already alive with activity¡ªmerchants setting up their stalls, adventurers in shining armor strolling confidently toward the Guild Hall, civilians rushing to their daily work. Ethan wasn¡¯t one of them. He wasn¡¯t an adventurer. He wasn¡¯t even considered useful. He was Unranked. Two years had passed since the System¡¯s arrival, and he still hadn¡¯t awakened a class. Most people awakened within weeks. Some had even gained Legendary-tier abilities on Day One. But Ethan? Nothing. No skills. No power. Nothing but bad luck. His stomach growled. He had exactly three silver and sixteen copper left in his pouch. Not enough for a proper meal. Not unless he skipped dinner again. His boots scuffed against the cracked pavement as he walked toward the local Guild Hall¡ªa towering structure reinforced with mana-imbued stone, banners displaying the crest of the Portland Adventurers¡¯ Guild. Ethan hated this place. Not because of the building itself¡ªbut because of what it represented. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. A world where he didn¡¯t belong. Inside, adventurers lounged in expensive gear, laughing over tavern-style breakfasts served to those who could afford them. Some had enchanted weapons strapped to their backs. Others had glowing rings on their fingers, each one proof of their status. Ethan wasn¡¯t jealous of their strength. He was jealous of their choices. Of their ability to do something. Because for two years, he had been stuck. Unranked. Unwanted. Useless. And no one let him forget it. The Guild Hall ¨C Another Day, Another Failure Ethan approached the job board, scanning for anything that didn¡¯t require a rank. Most requests were out of reach. [D-Rank Raid: Cursed Hollow Dungeon] ¨C Min. Strength 30 required. [C-Rank Boss Hunt: Infernal Basilisk] ¨C No Unranked allowed. [B-Rank Rift Expedition] ¨C Must be Level 20+. His fists clenched. Nothing. As usual. The adventurers nearby noticed him. They always did. ¡°You still looking, Voss?¡± Ethan turned his head toward the voice¡ªReiner, a Level 18 swordsman with a smug grin. ¡°Gonna keep standing there like an idiot, or finally take the hint that no one¡¯s hiring a porter who can¡¯t even defend himself?¡± Ethan ignored him. He had learned long ago that responding only made it worse. Another adventurer¡ªSarah, a healer¡ªleaned in. ¡°Hey, maybe he¡¯s hoping for a miracle.¡± She laughed, nudging Reiner. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s waiting for the System to finally pity him and give him a class.¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. He forced himself to breathe. They weren¡¯t worth it. They weren¡¯t the reason he was here. A Chance at Something More Then¡ªhe saw it. A small handwritten job request, tacked to the bottom of the board. [Porter Needed ¨C F-Rank Dungeon, Nightshade Caverns.] Low-risk. Team already assembled. Looking for supply carrier. Pay: 5 silver per trip. It wasn¡¯t a combat job. It wasn¡¯t prestigious. But it was a foot in the door. A chance to step into a dungeon. A chance to¡ª Maybe¡ªfinally Awaken. Ethan reached out¡ª Only for another hand to grab the paper first. His stomach dropped. He turned¡ªand came face-to-face with another Unranked. Competition for Survival The guy was a little younger than Ethan, maybe nineteen. Thin. Undernourished. And just as desperate. The kid¡¯s eyes darted toward him, grip tightening on the paper. ¡°I¡­ I need this job,¡± he said quickly. ¡°I won¡¯t get another chance.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t move. Because he understood. This wasn¡¯t just a job. For Unranked people like them, it was survival. If Ethan took it, this guy might not eat for the next week. If Ethan let it go¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t eat. Their eyes met. A silent war. Ethan¡¯s stomach churned. But in the end¡ª He did what he had to do. His fingers tightened around the paper. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he muttered. Then, before the kid could argue¡ª Ethan ripped the request free and walked away. Because there was no room for mercy in desperation. Meeting the Team The rendezvous point was a small adventurer¡¯s guild branch, near the city¡¯s southern exit. Ethan entered, spotting the team immediately. They were already geared up. Three of them. Gareth ¨C The Spear-Wielder. Tall, muscular, and looked like he could break Ethan in half. Kara ¨C The Swordswoman. Red-haired, sharp-eyed, and already annoyed by his presence. Leah ¨C The Healer. The only one who didn¡¯t look like she wanted to throw him out. Gareth frowned. ¡°You¡¯re the porter?¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°That¡¯s me.¡± Kara groaned. ¡°Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake. We¡¯re taking another Unranked?¡± Leah sighed. ¡°It¡¯s just a simple run. We need someone to carry supplies.¡± Gareth grunted. ¡°Fine. But listen up, Voss.¡± He stepped forward, looming over Ethan. ¡°You¡¯re not a fighter. You¡¯re not an adventurer. You¡¯re baggage.¡± His voice was cold. ¡°You fall behind? You get left behind.¡± Ethan¡¯s hands curled into fists. He said nothing. Just nodded. Because he wasn¡¯t here to argue. He was here to survive. And if this dungeon was the only way to start climbing out of the pit he¡¯d been trapped in¡ª Then he¡¯d take whatever they threw at him. Chapter 3: Into the Nightshade Caverns The tension was immediate. As the team left the city limits and made their way toward Nightshade Caverns, Ethan could feel the unspoken distrust radiating from his new party members. He wasn¡¯t one of them. He wasn¡¯t a real adventurer. And they weren¡¯t going to let him forget it. The Road to the Dungeon They traveled along a worn dirt path, cutting through the outskirts of Portland¡¯s safe zone. Beyond the protective barriers of the city, the world was still wild. Ruined buildings sat in overgrown fields, abandoned cars rusting along the roadside. It was a graveyard of the old world¡ªa reminder of what had been lost when the System took over. Ethan kept his head down, adjusting the heavy supply pack strapped to his back. It was filled with extra rations, medical kits, torches, and emergency gear. His job was simple: carry supplies and stay out of the way. That didn¡¯t stop Kara from shooting him a glare every few minutes, like she was waiting for him to collapse under the weight. Ethan wouldn¡¯t give her the satisfaction. ¡°Alright, listen up.¡± Gareth¡¯s voice cut through the quiet as they neared the dungeon entrance. ¡°This is an F-Rank dungeon, but that doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s safe. You slip up, you die. Simple as that.¡± His sharp eyes flicked to Ethan. ¡°And that goes double for you, porter. We¡¯re not here to babysit.¡± Ethan nodded, biting back his irritation. ¡°Understood.¡± Leah, the team¡¯s healer, offered a small smile. ¡°Just stick close and you¡¯ll be fine,¡± she said, voice softer than the others. Ethan didn¡¯t reply. Because deep down, he knew. If something went wrong¡ª They weren¡¯t going to save him. The Entrance to the Dungeon The entrance to Nightshade Caverns was a massive, jagged tunnel carved into the earth. Black stone walls pulsed faintly with an eerie purple glow, as if the dungeon itself was alive. Ethan swallowed hard. This was his first time inside a dungeon. The moment he stepped through¡ªhe wasn¡¯t in the real world anymore. He was in the System¡¯s domain. Gareth stepped forward and held out his hand. [DUNGEON IDENTIFICATION: NIGHTSHADE CAVERNS] [F-RANK ¨C RECOMMENDED LEVEL: 5-10] [PARTY LIMIT: 5] [MONSTER TYPE: NIGHTFANGS] Ethan read the notification, his chest tightening. Nightfangs. He had heard of them before. Small, wolf-like creatures with razor-sharp claws and an unnatural hunger for human flesh. They weren¡¯t as bad as higher-ranked monsters¡ªbut they were still killers. Gareth clenched his fist. [ENTER DUNGEON] YES/NO A red light pulsed around the cavern entrance. Then¡ª The air shifted. The world around them twisted. And suddenly¡ª They were inside. The moment they entered, the outside world disappeared. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Ethan shivered. The air was colder here. Thicker. The cavern walls were smooth and unnatural, as if they had been carved by something other than time. Faint purple crystals jutted from the ceiling, casting a ghostly glow. The tunnel stretched deeper, fading into pure blackness. ¡°Light up,¡± Gareth ordered. Kara pulled a torch from her belt, striking it alight. The flame flickered against the cave walls, pushing back the shadows. Ethan followed silently, his heart pounding. This wasn¡¯t like the outside world. This was different. The System controlled this space. And if they made a mistake¡ªit wouldn¡¯t let them leave. A Party That Doesn¡¯t Trust Him As they moved forward, Ethan noticed how tightly the others moved together. A well-practiced formation. Gareth led from the front, spear raised and eyes scanning for movement. Kara stayed just behind him, sword in hand. Leah followed in the middle, keeping a protective distance. And Ethan? Ethan was in the back. He wasn¡¯t part of their formation. He wasn¡¯t part of their team. He was just a porter. An afterthought. ¡°Keep up, Voss,¡± Kara muttered. ¡°I don¡¯t want to have to drag your body out later.¡± Ethan gritted his teeth but didn¡¯t respond. He knew how they saw him. Weak. Useless. Expendable. But he wasn¡¯t here to prove anything to them. He was here to survive. And maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªfind a way to awaken his class. The tunnel twisted, leading into a larger cavern. Gareth held up a hand, signaling for them to stop. ¡°Something¡¯s close,¡± he muttered. Ethan strained his ears. For a moment, there was only silence. Then¡ª A low, guttural growl echoed from the darkness ahead. Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. Then came the eyes. Small, glowing yellow orbs appeared in the shadows¡ªdozens of them. The Nightfangs were watching. Kara grinned. ¡°Finally.¡± Then the monsters attacked. The Chaos of Battle The Nightfangs lunged from the darkness, their forms a blur of black fur and flashing claws. Gareth reacted first, thrusting his spear forward with practiced precision. It impaled the first Nightfang mid-air, slamming it against the cavern floor. Kara was next¡ªher blade flashed, slicing through the neck of another beast before it could reach her. Ethan stumbled backward, heart hammering. He wasn¡¯t fighting. He wasn¡¯t supposed to. But watching them move¡ª Watching them fight like it was second nature¡ª He felt pathetic. Another Nightfang broke through, darting past Gareth¡¯s defenses. Straight for Ethan. His breath caught. It was too fast. He had no time to move. Then¡ª A burst of light flared beside him. Leah¡¯s staff glowed bright blue, and a surge of mana slammed into the monster, sending it skidding backward. ¡°Stick to the back!¡± she snapped at Ethan. Her voice was sharp¡ªbut not cruel. Ethan forced himself to move, pressing against the cavern wall. The battle ended as quickly as it had started. The last Nightfang collapsed, its body lifeless on the cold stone. Kara flicked the blood from her sword. ¡°Easy.¡± Ethan¡¯s breathing was shaky. It had been easy for them. For him? He had frozen. A harsh reminder of what he already knew. He didn¡¯t belong here. Not yet. But he would one way or another. Chapter 4: The Weight of Weakness The stench of blood filled the cavern. The bodies of Nightfangs lay scattered across the cold stone floor, their dark fur slick with fresh wounds. Gareth wiped his spear clean, his expression unreadable. Kara rolled her shoulders, exhaling like she had just finished a warm-up. Leah checked her mana reserves, her staff still glowing faintly from the last spell. And Ethan? Ethan stood frozen. His hands trembled. His breath was uneven. Because he had come face-to-face with death. And he had done nothing. A Harsh Reality ¡°You almost got yourself killed.¡± Kara¡¯s voice cut through the silence, sharp and irritated. Ethan flinched. She turned toward him, expression full of disdain. ¡°You were standing there like a damn statue,¡± she snapped. ¡°If Leah hadn¡¯t been watching your back, that Nightfang would¡¯ve ripped your throat out.¡± Ethan looked away. Because she wasn¡¯t wrong. He had frozen. When the Nightfang lunged at him, his body had refused to move. Not because he hadn¡¯t expected danger. But because in that split second¡ª He had realized something terrifying. He didn¡¯t belong here. He wasn¡¯t strong enough. He wasn¡¯t like them. ¡°Leave him alone, Kara,¡± Leah sighed, brushing her blonde bangs out of her face. ¡°He¡¯s not a fighter. He¡¯s just here to carry supplies.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly my point,¡± Kara shot back. ¡°He doesn¡¯t belong here. He¡¯s a liability.¡± Ethan¡¯s hands curled into tight fists. Gareth finally spoke. ¡°Enough.¡± Kara clicked her tongue but didn¡¯t push further. Ethan let out a quiet breath. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Not because he was grateful. But because he knew¡ª Gareth didn¡¯t defend him because he cared. He just didn¡¯t want drama in the middle of a dungeon. ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± Gareth ordered. ¡°We still have a ways to go.¡± They pressed deeper into the Nightshade Caverns. The air grew colder, the passageways narrower. Ethan forced himself to focus on his breathing, keeping his steps light to avoid making unnecessary noise. The others moved fluidly, their formation tight and efficient. They didn¡¯t need to talk much. They understood their roles. They knew how to watch each other¡¯s backs. Ethan wasn¡¯t part of that. He was extra weight. The thought dug into his chest like a blade. It wasn¡¯t the first time he had been made to feel worthless. But here¡ªinside a dungeon, where one mistake meant death¡ª That weight felt so much heavier. His grip tightened on the straps of his pack. He was supposed to be here to learn. To gain experience. But all he had learned so far? Was how utterly useless he was. A Dungeon is Not a Place for the Weak They reached a fork in the path. Two tunnels stretched ahead¡ªone veering left, the other sloping downward into thicker darkness. Gareth frowned. ¡°The left path loops back toward the entrance,¡± he murmured. ¡°The right one leads deeper.¡± A pause. Then he looked at Ethan. ¡°You carrying the map?¡± Ethan snapped out of his thoughts. ¡°Uh, yeah.¡± He quickly pulled the rolled parchment from his pack, hands fumbling slightly. He felt Kara¡¯s eyes boring into him but ignored it. Gareth took the map, scanning the faded lines before nodding. ¡°We take the right path.¡± ¡°Great,¡± Kara muttered. ¡°More of them will be waiting.¡± She wasn¡¯t wrong. Ethan didn¡¯t have a class or a skill, but even he could tell¡ªsomething was lurking in that darkness. The deeper they went, the heavier the air became. The cavern walls seemed to close in around them, the flickering torchlight barely cutting through the thick blackness. Then¡ª A low snarl. Not close. But waiting. Watching. Ethan swallowed. His gut told him this next fight wouldn¡¯t be as easy. As they prepared to move forward, Ethan felt a strange pressure in his skull. It wasn¡¯t exhaustion. It wasn¡¯t fear. It was something else. And then¡ª The memory hit. The school was already in flames. Windows shattered. Bodies¡ªteachers, parents, children¡ªscattered across the pavement, lifeless. And standing amidst the destruction¡ª Was a new Rift. Not like the others. This one was bigger. Darker. And from within¡ª Something else stepped out. The Creature That Took Her It wasn¡¯t like the monsters that had come before. They had been savage, feral. This one? It walked. Slow. Deliberate. With purpose. It was tall¡ªeasily seven feet, draped in something like armor, but its body wasn¡¯t metal or flesh. It was wrong. Like its form didn¡¯t quite fit in this reality. Its limbs shifted as it moved, its shape flickering for half a second¡ª As if it was deciding what to be. And its eyes. Ethan would never forget those eyes. Black voids, with a single, glowing red ring in the center. Not like an animal. Not like a machine. Something old. Something watching. Something choosing. And when its head tilted, its empty gaze locking onto him¡ª A sickening pulse of energy rippled outward. A single, unspoken command. The monsters around it stopped attacking. They moved aside. And Ethan realized¡ª This thing wasn¡¯t here to kill at random. It was here to collect. To take something specific. And then¡ª It turned. And reached for Emma. She screamed, tears running down her face. ¡°ETHAN!¡± The memory shattered. Back in the Dungeon Ethan staggered. His breath was ragged, his vision blurry. The nightmare had felt so real. For a moment, he had been there again. Watching her disappear all over again. ¡°Voss.¡± Gareth¡¯s voice snapped him back. He turned, eyes wide, hands clenched into fists. The entire team was staring at him. He had frozen again. Kara scoffed. ¡°Are you serious?¡± Ethan exhaled shakily. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°No,¡± Kara said bluntly. ¡°You¡¯re a mess.¡± She stepped closer, eyes cold. ¡°I don¡¯t know what your deal is, but you better get your shit together. Because we¡¯re moving forward, with or without you.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t respond. Because he knew¡ªshe was right. If he didn¡¯t fix whatever was wrong with him¡ª He was going to get himself killed. Chapter 5: Breaking Point The deeper they went into Nightshade Caverns, the worse it became. The tunnel walls pressed in around them, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and something else¡ªsomething rotten. Ethan could feel it in the air. Something was waiting ahead. Watching. And for the first time since stepping into the dungeon, he felt a terrible certainty. I might not make it out of here alive. The Team Moves Forward ¡°Stay sharp,¡± Gareth muttered. He took the lead, spear raised, eyes scanning the dark passage ahead. Kara followed just behind him, fingers tight around the grip of her sword. Leah was near the back, her staff glowing faintly with protective magic. And Ethan? He was in the very rear. Alone. Not because of strategy. Because that¡¯s where they wanted him. Not part of the formation. Not worth protecting. He was just baggage. And after freezing in the last fight, Ethan couldn¡¯t blame them. He hadn¡¯t earned their trust, not yet. A low growl echoed from up ahead. Ethan tensed. It was different from before. Lower. Hungrier. Then¡ª The attack came. Three Nightfangs lunged from the darkness, their sleek black forms almost invisible in the dim light. Gareth was faster. His spear pierced the first one¡¯s skull mid-air, slamming it into the cave floor. Kara dodged left, her sword flashing in a clean arc. Blood splattered the stone. The third monster twisted¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t going for Gareth or Kara. It was going for Ethan. The Moment That Changed Everything It was fast. Too fast. It lunged at him, its fangs gleaming in the flickering torchlight. Ethan¡¯s body locked up. His breath hitched¡ªjust like last time. His legs refused to move. His mind screamed at him to dodge¡ª But he couldn¡¯t. The monster was on him. He barely had time to raise his arms before it slammed into him, claws raking across his chest. Pain exploded through his body as he was sent crashing backward. His back hit the cavern wall hard, knocking the air from his lungs. His vision blurred. The Nightfang pinned him, its claws digging into his arms¡ª And then¡ª The jaws snapped forward. Right for his throat. Ethan had just enough time to realize¡ª This is it. He was about to die. No. No, no, NO! Ethan¡¯s hands scrambled against the stone, desperate for anything¡ªanything¡ª And then¡ª His fingers closed around a loose rock. He didn¡¯t think. Didn¡¯t hesitate. With every ounce of desperation in his body, he swung it upward. The sharp edge of the rock smashed into the Nightfang¡¯s skull. The beast jerked, letting out a pained snarl. Ethan didn¡¯t stop. He swung again. And again. Something inside him snapped. A flood of pure survival instinct drowned out the pain, the fear. He didn¡¯t think. He just kept hitting it. Blood splattered across his hands. The Nightfang twitched. Then¡ª It collapsed. Dead. Silence. Then Judgement. Ethan panted, staring at the unmoving corpse. His arms shook. His fingers dripped with blood. And when he looked up¡ª The team was watching. Kara¡¯s expression was a mix of shock and annoyance. Leah¡¯s eyes were wide. Gareth, as always, was unreadable. Ethan struggled to his feet, his legs weak beneath him. And then Kara spoke. ¡°You hesitated.¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. She stepped forward, her sword still in hand. ¡°You almost got yourself killed. Again.¡± ¡°I¡ª¡± ¡°You think we have time to babysit you?¡± Her voice was sharp, cutting through the cavern air like a blade. ¡°You think you get two chances out here?¡± Ethan swallowed back the anger rising in his chest. ¡°I killed it.¡± ¡°Barely.¡± Kara shook her head, disgust flickering across her face. ¡°Pathetic.¡± Ethan clenched his fists. He wanted to argue. Wanted to tell her that he was trying. But what was the point? She was right. He had hesitated. And in a dungeon, hesitation was death. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Then¡ª A ding echoed in his mind. Ethan stiffened. It was the first time he had ever heard it. [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] You have slain a Nightfang. Calculating EXP¡­ LEVEL UP! +5 Stat Points Awarded! Ethan¡¯s breath caught. His first level up. His first real step toward power. He had felt nothing change¡ªno sudden strength, no rush of energy. But something inside him had shifted. And when he opened his status screen, it was there. His first real progress. It wasn¡¯t much. But it was something. And that meant he wasn¡¯t helpless anymore. Moving Forward Ethan wiped the blood from his hands. His chest still ached from the attack, his body still felt weak. But inside, a new feeling stirred. Determination. No more freezing up. No more hesitation. He wasn¡¯t going to stay at the bottom forever. He was going to climb. He was going to get stronger. And one day¡ª He was going to find Emma. No matter what it took. Chapter 6: The First Step Toward Power Ethan¡¯s hands still trembled. His breath came in ragged gasps, his chest aching from where the Nightfang had slammed him into the cavern wall. But more than the pain¡ª More than the exhaustion¡ª There was something new. A notification. A single line of text that changed everything. [LEVEL UP!] +5 Stat Points Awarded! Ethan stared at the glowing text, his mind racing. His first level up. His first step forward. And the first time he had ever felt like he wasn¡¯t completely powerless. The Team¡¯s Reaction Kara was still watching him, arms crossed, expression filled with annoyance. Leah was checking her mana reserves, stealing occasional glances toward Ethan like she wanted to say something but didn¡¯t. Gareth, as usual, remained silent. Then, finally¡ª ¡°Are we done standing around?¡± Kara muttered. ¡°Or do we need to wait for the porter to have an emotional breakdown?¡± Ethan exhaled slowly. He wasn¡¯t going to argue with her. Not now. Instead, he took a deep breath and opened his status screen for the first time.
Chapter 7: The Alpha’s Challenge The cavern was silent. Not the kind of silence that came from peace, but the kind that preceded something violent. The kind that made the hairs on the back of Ethan¡¯s neck stand on edge. A pair of glowing yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness ahead. The Alpha Nightfang. It stood taller than the others¡ªeasily twice their size, thick with muscle and matted black fur. But its eyes weren¡¯t filled with blind hunger. They were calm. Focused. Ethan had seen it before. Not in monsters. In predators. And right now? They were on its territory. And it was about to remind them of that. The Alpha Strikes It moved before anyone had time to react. A black blur, closing the distance between them in less than a second. ¡°MOVE!¡± Gareth roared. The entire team reacted instantly. Kara sidestepped, her sword flashing through the dim light. The Alpha twisted mid-air, dodging the blade with unnatural precision. Leah threw up a barrier, just in time for the Alpha¡¯s claws to slam into it. A burst of golden energy flared, the shield cracking under the impact. ¡°Shit,¡± Leah muttered. ¡°It¡¯s stronger than I thought.¡± Ethan barely had time to process before Gareth charged forward. Gareth lunged with his spear, aiming for the Alpha¡¯s ribs. The beast dodged left¡ªbut Kara was already waiting. Her sword flashed, cutting a deep gash along its flank. Black blood splattered across the stone floor. The Alpha snarled. Not in pain. In frustration. It was being outmaneuvered. And that meant it was about to change tactics. Ethan could see it. The way its muscles tensed, coiling like a spring. And when it moved¡ª It wasn¡¯t toward Gareth. Or Kara. It was going straight for Leah. The Decision That Changed Everything Ethan didn¡¯t think. Didn¡¯t hesitate. He moved. Leah¡¯s eyes widened as the Alpha lunged toward her. Ethan reached her first. Not fast enough to stop it. Not strong enough to fight it head-on. But fast enough to shove her out of the way. The Alpha¡¯s claws ripped across Ethan¡¯s chest instead. Pain exploded through his body as he was sent flying backward. He hit the ground hard, the wind ripped from his lungs. His vision blurred. The cavern spun. And then¡ª A System notification appeared. [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] Fatal damage detected. Unique Awakening Triggered. CLASS ASSIGNED: ??? SSS-RANK PASSIVE SKILL ACQUIRED: PREDATOR¡¯S ABSORPTION. Ethan¡¯s breath caught. His body burned. Not from pain. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. From something else. Something awakening. It was subtle. Not a sudden surge of power. Not a flood of knowledge. Just a quiet, deep hunger. A feeling that something inside him had changed. And for the first time¡ª The Alpha turned its eyes toward him. It wasn¡¯t looking at him as prey anymore. It was looking at him as competition. The Final Strike Kara didn¡¯t wait. She moved in, blade flashing. The Alpha dodged, but Gareth was already there. His spear lunged forward, piercing deep into the beast¡¯s leg. The monster staggered, its movements slowing. It was injured. It was tiring. And Ethan saw his chance. He forced himself up, despite the burning pain in his chest. He scanned the ground¡ª And found what he needed. A sharp piece of broken stalactite. Heavy. Jagged. And lethal if used correctly. His body moved before his mind could process. He rushed forward, gripping the stone tightly. The Alpha was still focused on Gareth and Kara. It didn¡¯t see him coming. Ethan used every last ounce of strength he had¡ª And drove the stone deep into the Alpha¡¯s neck. The beast howled in agony, its muscles convulsing. Black blood gushed, staining Ethan¡¯s hands. Its breath faltered. Then¡ª It collapsed. The cavern was silent. Then, in Ethan¡¯s mind¡ª A ding. [You have slain an Alpha Nightfang.] Calculating EXP¡­ +2,300 EXP Earned. LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! +10 Stat Points Awarded Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. Level 5. Just like that. His hands shook. Not just from exhaustion. From something else. A feeling that this was only the beginning. A Moment of Rest The party set up camp in a side chamber. Gareth cleaned his spear. Kara sat against the cavern wall, arms crossed, watching Ethan. Leah was tending to Gareth¡¯s wounds, but her eyes flickered toward Ethan occasionally. Ethan sat near the fire, hands still covered in black blood. He had done it. He had killed it. Not alone. But he had done it. And yet¡ª His chest still felt tight. Like something was waiting. Lurking just beneath the surface. Sleep came fast. And with it¡ª The nightmares. Ethan didn¡¯t hear it. Didn¡¯t see Gareth and Kara talking nearby. ¡°You need to lay off the kid,¡± Gareth muttered. Kara scoffed. ¡°What?¡± ¡°He¡¯s weak. I get it. But he was hired because he was cheap.¡± Kara sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean I have to like it.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t,¡± Gareth said. ¡°But he¡¯s trying. And right now? That¡¯s enough.¡± Kara didn¡¯t argue. But she didn¡¯t agree, either. The Nightmare Ethan¡¯s sleep was anything but peaceful. He saw it again. Emma. Her small hands reaching for him. Her screams as she was dragged into the Rift. ¡°ETHAN!¡± His eyes snapped open. And he screamed. The Truth Comes Out The others stirred awake. Leah blinked at him. ¡°Ethan¡­?¡± His breath was ragged. His hands shook. And this time¡ª He told them. About Emma. About the day she was taken. About the creatures with glowing red-ringed eyes. And when he was finished¡ª No one spoke. But for the first time¡ª Kara didn¡¯t look at him with annoyance. She just looked quiet. And maybe¡ª Just maybe¡ª She finally understood. Chapter 8: The Path Forward The Fire Burns Low The fire flickered, casting faint shadows across the damp cavern walls. Ethan sat near the edge of the camp, his back against the rough stone, head still heavy from his nightmare. His hands were clenched into fists, his breathing still a little uneven. But the others? They weren¡¯t looking at him with disdain anymore. Not even Kara. For the first time since joining them, they weren¡¯t treating him like an outsider. Not completely. An Unspoken Shift Leah sat cross-legged near the fire, arms resting on her knees. She wasn¡¯t prying. Just watching. Gareth was tending to his spear, running a whetstone over the metal with practiced ease. Kara was sitting off to the side, arms still crossed, but her expression was less sharp than usual. The air was different now. For the first time, Ethan felt like he wasn¡¯t completely alone. He exhaled. Then opened his status screen. Ethan¡¯s First Real Growth [STATUS SCREEN] Name: Ethan Voss Class: ??? (Unawakened ¨C In Progress) Level: 5 Health: 180/200 Mana: 40/40 Strength: 12 ¡ú 16 Agility: 16 ¡ú 22 Endurance: 13 ¡ú 16 Perception: 14 ¡ú 17 Mana Control: 5 ¡ú 6 Available Stat Points: 0 Ethan stared at the numbers, heart pounding slightly. It was working. His agility was faster, his stamina was lasting longer, and he wasn¡¯t completely useless in a fight anymore. But there was still a long way to go. And Gareth? He seemed to sense Ethan¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Five levels already, huh?¡± Gareth muttered, glancing toward him. Ethan nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­ it feels like a lot, but at the same time, not enough.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because it isn¡¯t.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Gareth finished sharpening his spear, setting it aside. He leaned forward slightly, expression serious. ¡°Once you hit Level 10, the System assigns you a Class.¡± Ethan¡¯s breath caught. ¡°A¡­ Class?¡± Gareth nodded. ¡°Every adventurer has one. Fighters, mages, archers¡ªit doesn¡¯t matter. Once you reach Level 10, the System scans your growth and assigns you a path.¡± He tilted his head. ¡°You ever wonder why you never got one?¡± Ethan hesitated. He had. More times than he could count. Most people awakened within weeks of the System descending. Some had even gained Legendary-tier abilities on day one. But Ethan? Nothing. No skills. No power. No Class. Until now. Gareth continued, ¡°The fact that you¡¯re only getting a Class now means one of two things.¡± ¡°One, you were never meant to be an adventurer, and the System finally took pity on you.¡± Ethan gritted his teeth. ¡°And two?¡± Gareth exhaled. ¡°Two? It means whatever you¡¯re getting¡­ it¡¯s not normal.¡± A Weapon for Survival There was a moment of silence. Then¡ªGareth reached into his pack. He pulled out a small, curved dagger. The blade was simple. Steel. A little worn. But functional. He tossed it to Ethan. Ethan caught it instinctively, eyes widening slightly. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± ¡°A weapon,¡± Gareth said simply. ¡°You¡¯re not going to survive down here swinging rocks around like a caveman.¡± Ethan glanced at Kara. She was watching, but didn¡¯t say anything. Didn¡¯t argue. That alone was progress. Ethan gripped the dagger¡¯s handle. For the first time, he had something real to fight with. Something that wasn¡¯t just desperation. Something his own. ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered. Gareth just nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t die with it.¡± Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! They set out the next morning. The further they went into Nightshade Caverns, the denser the air became. The dungeon was changing. The System¡¯s presence was stronger here. And the monsters? They were getting bolder. The first fight came quickly. A lone Nightfang, smaller than the Alpha but still dangerous. Gareth held up a hand. ¡°You take this one,¡± he told Ethan. Ethan blinked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You need practice.¡± The Nightfang growled, muscles tensed. Ethan¡¯s fingers tightened around his dagger. The monster lunged. And this time? Ethan moved. He sidestepped, using his new Agility boost to avoid the strike. The Nightfang skidded on the stone¡ªexposed. Ethan reacted. He struck fast¡ªdagger flashing forward¡ª And buried the blade into its throat. The creature gurgled, legs twitching. Then¡ªit collapsed. Ethan panted. Then¡ªa notification. [You have slain a Nightfang.] +540 EXP Earned. He wasn¡¯t just surviving anymore. He was fighting. And winning. The next fights were team battles. Each one pushed Ethan further. He wasn¡¯t standing in the back anymore. He was part of the fight. Leah covered him with barriers. Kara begrudgingly called out enemy movements. Even Gareth seemed slightly less irritated with him. Slowly¡ª Step by step¡ª He was becoming one of them. The tunnel narrowed. Too late, Gareth realized. ¡°This is a choke point,¡± he muttered. ¡°We need to¡ª¡± The walls shook. And from above¡ª A Nightfang dropped directly onto Ethan. He barely had time to react before claws dug into his shoulder. Pain shot through his body as he staggered. The creature¡¯s jaws snapped at his face¡ª And before he could move¡ª A sword flashed. Kara¡¯s blade slammed into the Nightfang¡¯s skull, piercing clean through. The creature twitched. Then, with a sharp yank¡ªshe tore the blade free. Blood splattered across the stone. The monster slumped over. Dead. Kara clicked her tongue, flicking the blood from her sword. ¡°Try not to get crushed next time, yeah?¡± Ethan exhaled. For her? That was probably the closest thing to a compliment. The Final Room Awaits They regrouped. Their torches flickered against the massive stone doors ahead. A sign of the final chamber. Gareth narrowed his eyes. ¡°This is it,¡± he murmured. ¡°The boss is behind that door.¡± Ethan gripped his dagger. His chest felt tight. Not from fear. Not anymore. But from anticipation. Because this time? He wasn¡¯t just surviving. He was ready to fight. Chapter 9: The Brink of Death The cavern walls pressed in around them as they stood before the final chamber. The massive stone doors were covered in jagged claw marks, deep grooves torn into the rock. Something powerful was inside. Something waiting. Ethan could feel it¡ªthe weight in the air, the tension crawling up his spine. This wasn¡¯t just another monster. This was the final test. And they weren¡¯t ready for it. Not really. But they had no choice. Checking His Status Ethan exhaled slowly, then pulled up his status screen. He needed to see how much he had gained since entering this dungeon. [STATUS SCREEN] Name: Ethan Voss Class: ??? (Unawakened ¨C In Progress) Level: 6 Health: 220/240 Mana: 50/50 Strength: 16 ¡ú 20 (+4 Absorbed) Agility: 22 ¡ú 26 (+4 Absorbed) Endurance: 16 ¡ú 19 (+3 Absorbed) Perception: 17 ¡ú 21 (+4 Absorbed) Mana Control: 6 ¡ú 7 (+1 Absorbed) Available Stat Points: 5 Skill Effect ¨C Predator¡¯s Absorption Absorbs a random number of stat points from slain enemies. (Variable Rate Absorption) 1/10,000 chance to absorb a skill from a defeated opponent. (No skills absorbed yet.) His eyes widened slightly. Even though he hadn¡¯t gained a skill yet, the stats he had absorbed were stacking. His Agility was higher, his Strength better. And while he was still nowhere near Gareth, Kara, or Leah¡¯s level¡­ It was progress. ¡°Once we go in, there¡¯s no turning back,¡± Gareth said, tightening his grip on his spear. Leah adjusted her staff, her face tense. ¡°I¡¯ve only got so much mana left. We need to make this count.¡± Kara rolled her shoulders, cracking her neck. ¡°Then let¡¯s make it count.¡± Ethan tightened his grip on his dagger. His first real weapon. The one Gareth had given him. His heart pounded. This was the moment that would decide everything. Gareth pushed the doors open. And inside¡ª Hell awaited them. The Boss ¨C Mutated Alpha Nightfang The chamber was massive. A hollowed-out cavern, its walls lined with bioluminescent fungi, casting an eerie green light. And at the far end of the room, curled atop a mound of bones¡ª Was a monster. The final boss. The Mutated Alpha Nightfang. [BOSS MONSTER IDENTIFIED] [MUTATED ALPHA NIGHTFANG ¨C LEVEL 20] [ENHANCED STRENGTH, SPEED, AND REGENERATION DETECTED] Ethan¡¯s blood turned to ice. It was twice the size of the Alpha they had fought earlier. Its fur was slick with blackened veins, twisted and pulsing with something unnatural. Its claws weren¡¯t just longer. They were dripping with venom. And when it lifted its head¡ª Its yellow eyes locked onto them. And it smiled.Ethan barely had time to react before it moved. The boss launched forward, faster than anything they had seen before. It was on Kara in an instant. She barely had time to dodge, rolling out of the way as its claws ripped through stone. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡°SHIT¡ª!¡± Gareth was already moving. His spear thrust forward, aiming for its ribs. But the beast pivoted, swiping the weapon aside like a toy. It wasn¡¯t just strong. It was smart. It had learned. And that made it twice as dangerous. The Party Fights Back Kara¡¯s sword flashed, cutting deep into its flank. It snarled, but instead of retreating, its wounds pulsed¡ª And started closing. Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°It¡¯s regenerating.¡± Gareth gritted his teeth. ¡°Then we need to hit it harder.¡± Leah raised her staff. Her mana flared, golden light wrapping around Gareth and Kara. ¡°Blessing of Endurance¡ªDefense Up!¡± Gareth and Kara charged. Their weapons clashed against the beast, forcing it back step by step. It was working. They were wearing it down. Then¡ª Everything went wrong. The Nightfang suddenly twisted, its eyes locking onto Leah. It moved faster than anyone could react. One second, it was fighting Gareth and Kara¡ª The next, it was on top of Leah. Its jaws snapped down, aiming for her throat. Leah screamed. And Ethan moved. His body reacted before his mind could. He threw himself forward, slamming into Leah just as the monster¡¯s fangs snapped shut. Pain ripped through Ethan¡¯s side. His vision blurred. Blood splattered across the ground. For a second¡ª Everything was silent. Then he hit the floor. A Desperate Gamble Leah¡¯s shocked face hovered over him. He could barely breathe. His chest felt wrong. Then¡ª Another ding. [CRITICAL INJURY DETECTED] [EMERGENCY STAT ALLOCATION AVAILABLE] [RECOMMENDED DISTRIBUTION ¨C ENDURANCE +5] ACCEPT? Y/N His fingers trembled. He forced them to move. YES. Warmth flooded through him. Not much. Just enough. He pushed himself up. The Mutated Alpha was still rampaging, throwing Gareth and Kara aside. Leah was exhausted, her mana almost gone. They were losing. But Ethan was still standing. And he had one last chance. Kara and Gareth made a final push. Their weapons clashed against the beast, forcing it down. It was weakened. Wounded. But still alive. Ethan stumbled forward. His dagger felt heavy. But he gripped it tight. And with one final surge¡ª He drove the blade into the creature¡¯s skull. The monster spasmed. Its body twitched. Then¡ª It went still. The fight was over. Victory Comes with a Price The dungeon shook. The System¡¯s voice rang in Ethan¡¯s mind. [BOSS DEFEATED.] [DUNGEON CLEARED.] +8,400 EXP Earned. LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! LEVEL UP! +20 Stat Points Awarded! Ethan collapsed. His body refused to move. The last thing he heard before passing out¡ª Was Gareth¡¯s voice. ¡°Good work, kid.¡± Boss Drops ¨C Mutated Alpha Nightfang (Level 20) After the battle, the System processed the dungeon clear and rewarded the party with loot based on their contribution and final blow. [DUNGEON CLEARED ¨C LOOT DISTRIBUTION INITIATED] Mutated Alpha Nightfang¡¯s Core (Rare) ¨C 1 Nightfang¡¯s Shadowhide (Rare) ¨C 3 pieces Venomfang Claws (Uncommon) ¨C 2 pairs Darkfang Fang Necklace (Uncommon) ¨C 1 Nightshade Essence (Rare) ¨C 1 vial 300 Gold (Split among the party) Reward Breakdown & Party Split Mutated Alpha Nightfang¡¯s Core (Rare) ¡ú Given to the Guild for Research Since this dungeon was unusual, Gareth suggested turning in the boss core to the Guild. It was too dangerous to sell on the open market. Nightfang¡¯s Shadowhide (Rare) ¡ú One piece each to Gareth, Kara, and Ethan This material was valuable for crafting light armor. Ethan received one piece (likely for future armor upgrades). Venomfang Claws (Uncommon) ¡ú Given to Kara The claws were light, sharp, and could be reforged into daggers. Since Kara fought up close the most, she took these. Darkfang Fang Necklace (Uncommon) ¡ú Given to Leah The necklace had a small magic enhancement for mana recovery. Since Leah was the team¡¯s healer, she kept it. Nightshade Essence (Rare) ¡ú Given to Ethan This was a rare magical extract from the boss. It had shadow-related properties, perfect for his new Class. He had no idea how to use it yet, but Gareth told him to hold onto it. 300 Gold (Split 4 Ways ¡ú 75 Gold Each) [PREDATOR¡¯S ABSORPTION TRIGGERED] Random Stat Absorption: +3 Strength, +4 Agility, +2 Mana Control Skill Absorption Roll: SUCCESS (1/10,000 CHANCE ACTIVATED) New Skill Gained: Shadow Cloak (Rare - Passive) New Skill Acquired ¨C Shadow Cloak (Rare - Passive) Shadow Cloak (Passive ¨C Rare) Ethan¡¯s presence is harder to detect in low-light environments. Increases stealth effectiveness by 30%. Reduces enemy perception range toward Ethan by 20%. Gains a 5% chance to avoid detection from skills that reveal hidden enemies. Chapter 10: A New Path Returning to the Guild The streets of Portland were still quiet in the early morning light as the party made their way back to the Adventurers¡¯ Guild. After everything they had endured in Nightshade Caverns, returning to civilization felt strange¡ªalmost wrong. Ethan¡¯s body still ached from the battle with the Mutated Alpha Nightfang. His side throbbed where the monster¡¯s fangs had nearly torn into him, and though Leah had patched him up, he was still sore. But beneath the exhaustion and pain¡ª He felt different. More alive than he had in a long time. Because for the first time since the System descended¡ª He wasn¡¯t just surviving. He was growing. The Truth Behind the Mission The moment they stepped inside the Guild Hall, the usual noise of adventurers drinking and haggling over jobs barely registered. Gareth led the party to the reception desk, where a stern-looking man in formal robes was waiting. Elias Thurman. A Guild Overseer. His gray eyes scanned the group, pausing briefly on Ethan. ¡°You made it back,¡± Elias said. Kara scoffed. ¡°Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.¡± Gareth ignored her. ¡°You sent us into that dungeon for a reason,¡± he said. ¡°Why?¡± Elias exhaled. Then, he pulled out a tattered leather journal and placed it on the desk. ¡°This belonged to an F-Rank adventuring team that entered Nightshade Caverns two weeks ago,¡± he said. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ethan felt a cold weight settle in his stomach. ¡°They never came back.¡± Leah¡¯s face paled. ¡°You sent us to find out what happened to them.¡± Elias nodded. ¡°And based on the fact that you all look half-dead, I assume you found your answer.¡± Ethan clenched his fists. That mutated boss¡­ it hadn¡¯t been normal. Had the previous team triggered something? Had they died feeding the monster that nearly killed them? Elias¡¯ expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°Your report will confirm whether we need to close the Rift permanently.¡± That was it? They were just a test run? Ethan hated it. But there was nothing he could do. Not yet. Elias turned his gaze to Ethan. ¡°You. You entered that dungeon as a porter.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°But now?¡± Elias studied him for a moment. ¡°You¡¯re not just a porter anymore, are you?¡± A flicker of curiosity crossed the Guild Overseer¡¯s face. ¡°We need to determine your Adventurer Rank.¡± Ethan¡¯s heart pounded. A Guild worker motioned toward a large, circular stone platform. [RANK ASSESSMENT STONE] Scans and measures a combatant¡¯s Class, Level, and Power. Determines their starting Adventurer Rank. Elias gestured. ¡°Step forward. Place your hand on the crystal.¡± Ethan did as he was told, pressing his palm against the cold surface. And suddenly¡ª The crystal glowed. Ethan¡¯s Awakening & Skill Gain [RANK ASSESSMENT IN PROGRESS¡­] [ANALYZING CLASS¡­] [CALCULATING POWER LEVEL¡­] [DETERMINING ABILITIES¡­] A new window appeared in Ethan¡¯s vision. Class Assigned: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage) [CLASS TYPE: HYBRID ¨C ROGUE/MAGE] [BASE ATTRIBUTES: HIGH AGILITY, BALANCED MAGIC] [SPECIALTY: STEALTH, DARK MAGIC, HIGH MOBILITY] Starting Skills Unlocked: Rogue Skills: Shadow Step (Active ¨C Movement) Instantly dash 5 meters in any direction. Grants momentary invisibility for 1 second. (Cost: 20 MP, Cooldown: 15 sec.) Silent Blade (Active ¨C Attack) Enhances melee weapons with shadow energy. Attacks deal +15% extra damage and ignore weak armor. (Cost: 25 MP, Duration: 30 sec.) Mage Skills: Dark Grasp (Active ¨C Control) [5:37 PM]Rine Frostfang: Creates shadow tendrils that restrain enemies for up to 5 seconds. Weaker enemies are immobilized completely, stronger enemies slowed. (Cost: 35 MP, Cooldown: 25 sec.) Void Lance (Active ¨C Attack) Fires a compressed bolt of dark energy at high speed. Pierces non-magical defenses and causes minor splash damage. (Cost: 40 MP, Cooldown: 10 sec.) Predator¡¯s Absorption Activation: [PREDATOR¡¯S ABSORPTION TRIGGERED] Skill Absorption Roll: SUCCESS (1/10,000 CHANCE ACTIVATED) New Skill Gained: Shadow Cloak (Rare - Passive) Shadow Cloak (Passive ¨C Rare) Ethan¡¯s presence is harder to detect in low-light environments. Increases stealth effectiveness by 30%. Reduces enemy perception range toward Ethan by 20%. Gains a 5% chance to avoid detection from skills that reveal hidden enemies. Elias frowned slightly, staring at the crystal. ¡°¡­Odd,¡± he muttered. Kara leaned in, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Something wrong?¡± Elias shook his head. ¡°No. Everything checks out¡ªbut there¡¯s a gap in the system scan.¡± His gaze flicked to Ethan. ¡°You don¡¯t have any registered Passive Skills.¡± Ethan¡¯s heart skipped a beat. It didn¡¯t register Predator¡¯s Absorption. His SSS-Rank skill was hidden. But for now? That was his secret. And his journey was just beginning Chapter 11: A Place Among Them An Unexpected Invitation Ethan sat at a corner table in the Guild Hall, still trying to process everything that had happened. The dungeon, the battle, his new class¡ªShadowcaster. He had walked into Nightshade Caverns as a porter. Now? He was a recognized adventurer. But that didn¡¯t change one fact¡ªhe was alone. Until Gareth walked up to him. ¡°We¡¯re getting a drink. You coming or not?¡± Ethan blinked, caught off guard. Kara and Leah were already settled at a nearby table, a couple of drinks in hand. He hesitated. ¡°I¡ª¡± Kara rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, for the love of¡ªjust sit down already.¡± Leah smiled. ¡°You earned it.¡± Ethan slowly stood and walked over, unsure what to expect. And just like that¡ª He wasn¡¯t sitting alone anymore. The Offer to Stay Gareth took a long drink before setting his mug down. ¡°So. You did good back there.¡± Ethan nearly choked on his drink. Kara snorted. ¡°Is that the closest thing to a compliment you can give?¡± Gareth ignored her. ¡°Point is,¡± he continued, looking directly at Ethan, ¡°we could use another blade in the group.¡± Ethan stilled. Was he saying what he thought he was? Leah nodded. ¡°You handled yourself well. And after that nightmare of a dungeon, we¡¯d rather not go back to three-man jobs for a while.¡± Kara sighed dramatically. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re saying we like you or anything.¡± Ethan smirked. ¡°Of course not.¡± But beneath her words, he could tell¡ª She wasn¡¯t against the idea either. Gareth leaned back in his chair. ¡°So? You in?¡± Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°¡­Yeah. I¡¯m in.¡± And for the first time since this all began¡ª He felt like he belonged. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. A Few Days Off With the job officially completed, the party agreed to take a few days off before picking up another assignment. Leah had mana exhaustion from excessive spell use. Kara needed to repair her sword. Gareth wanted to line up a worthwhile contract. Ethan? He needed to figure out his next steps. ¡°Take a breather,¡± Gareth said. ¡°We¡¯ll reach out when we line up the next job.¡± Ethan nodded. After everything they¡¯d been through, a break was well deserved. A Currency Lesson Ethan stayed behind in the Guild Hall after the others left, heading toward the reception counter. Elias Thurman was still there, flipping through a stack of reports. Ethan hesitated, then cleared his throat. Elias didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I¡­ have a question.¡± Finally, Elias glanced up. ¡°Go on.¡± Ethan took out one of the gold coins he had received from the dungeon. ¡°I¡¯m still new to this. Can you explain the currency system? How much is this actually worth?¡± Elias sighed but set his papers aside. He gestured to a metal chart on the counter that listed currency conversions. Currency Breakdown: 100 Copper = 1 Silver 10 Silver = 1 Gold 100 Gold = 1 Platinum Ethan frowned. ¡°And in real money?¡± Elias smirked slightly. ¡°Comparing it to pre-System currency?¡± Ethan nodded. Elias tapped the chart. 1 Copper = $0.10 (10 cents USD) 1 Silver = $10 USD 1 Gold = $100 USD 1 Platinum = $10,000 USD Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So¡­ my 75 gold is worth¡ª¡± ¡°About $7,500.¡± Ethan nearly choked. His first job had paid him more than three months of working in the old world. Elias chuckled. ¡°Welcome to adventuring, kid.¡± Chapter 12: Foundations of the Future A New Direction The streets of Portland were alive with activity as Ethan left the Adventurers¡¯ Guild. Even though it was still early, the city was bustling¡ªmerchants calling out their wares, street performers gathering small crowds, adventurers heading toward the Guild to pick up contracts. It wasn¡¯t the world he had grown up in. But it was the world now. And for the first time since the System¡¯s arrival¡ª Ethan didn¡¯t feel like he was on the outside looking in. He had a party. He had a class. He had a path forward. But there was still one problem. He wasn¡¯t strong enough. Not yet. The Weight of the Unknown Ethan made his way down one of the side streets, hands in his pockets as he processed everything. There was a thrill in knowing he had leveled up, that he had his own Class and real abilities now. But with that came questions. Why had the System delayed his Awakening for so long? Why had his SSS-Rank skill stayed hidden during the rank assessment? And what the hell was the Nightshade Essence he had received from the dungeon boss? He pulled the small, obsidian vial from his pouch, holding it up to the light. The liquid inside was thick, almost like ink, swirling in slow, unnatural patterns. There was no System description when he focused on it. No explanation. Just a single line: An essence steeped in shadow. It calls to those who dwell in the dark. Ethan frowned. That didn¡¯t sound ominous at all. But before he could dwell on it further¡ª A loud shouting match nearby pulled him from his thoughts. A Glimpse Into Adventuring Culture Down one of the market streets, two adventurers were yelling at each other. A larger man, built like a brawler, was red-faced, towering over a leaner rogue-type. Ethan caught only bits of the argument. ¡°-your fault we lost the contract!¡± ¡°Maybe if you weren¡¯t so slow, I wouldn¡¯t have had to cut and run¡ª¡± The larger man shoved the rogue, nearly knocking him off his feet. A few bystanders backed away, but nobody interfered. Not even the City Guards standing nearby. Ethan narrowed his eyes. This wasn¡¯t the old world. Adventurers operated under different rules. Reputation, strength, and personal grudges meant everything. If you couldn¡¯t defend yourself, you had no business being out here. The fight didn¡¯t last long. The larger adventurer swung first, but the rogue ducked under the strike and retaliated¡ªhis fist colliding hard with the man¡¯s gut. The bigger man stumbled back, cursing, but didn¡¯t press the fight. Instead, he spat on the ground. ¡°This isn¡¯t over.¡± The rogue only smirked. Ethan shook his head and kept walking. The world had changed. And the rules were still being written. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Gearing Up His first priority was getting better gear. The dagger Gareth had given him was functional¡ªbut barely. And if he was going to be an Assassin-Mage hybrid, he needed something better suited for his fighting style. He found a small, but well-kept smithy tucked into a quieter district of the city. A wooden sign hung above the entrance: "Hollow Fang Forge ¨C Weapons & Armor for Professionals." Stepping inside, the scent of burning metal and oil filled the air. Weapons lined the walls¡ªdaggers, swords, spears, even enchanted throwing knives. A hulking man with a scarred face looked up from behind the counter. ¡°You buying or wasting my time?¡± he grunted. Ethan met his gaze. ¡°Depends on the price.¡± The man grunted in approval. ¡°Then you¡¯ve got my attention.¡± Choosing the Right Weapon Ethan scanned the weapons, searching for something that fit his new Class. He needed something fast. Precise. Deadly. A massive broadsword? Too slow. A set of throwing knives? Useful, but not enough stopping power. Then¡ªhe saw them. A pair of twin daggers, displayed on a deep violet cloth. The black steel blades had a faint shimmer of purple, almost as if they were absorbing light rather than reflecting it. They weren¡¯t just normal weapons. They were enchanted. [Shadow fang Daggers ¨C Uncommon] Forged using shadow-infused steel. Grants +5% bonus damage in darkness. Slightly reduces enemy perception of the user when in low-light environments. Ethan felt his heartbeat quicken. These were perfect. ¡°How much?¡± The smith gave him a long look. ¡°450 Gold.¡± Ethan nearly choked. That was over $45,000 in old-world money. His entire dungeon payout had been 75 gold. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t have that.¡± The smith snorted. ¡°No shit. You¡¯re a fresh Adventurer.¡± Ethan sighed, setting the daggers back down. For now, he¡¯d have to make do with his current weapon. But one day¡ª He was coming back for them. A Reminder of What¡¯s at Stake As he left the shop, his mind drifted back to his sister. Emma. The nightmares hadn¡¯t stopped. Even after leveling up, even after getting stronger, her screams still haunted him. He clenched his fists. He wasn¡¯t doing this just for gold. He wasn¡¯t doing this just to survive. He had a goal. A mission. And no matter how long it took¡ª He was going to find out what happened to her. Even if he had to tear through the System itself to do it. Chapter 13: The First Solo Mission A City of Opportunity and Danger The morning air was crisp and cool as Ethan wandered through the bustling streets of Portland. The city had changed so much since the arrival of the System. Once, Portland had been a modern metropolis filled with office buildings, cars, and tech startups. Now? It was a city of adventurers. The streets were filled with blacksmiths, potion makers, and mana crystal traders. Taverns had become gathering spots for mercenaries and dungeon raiders. And looming in the distance, just beyond the city walls, were the Rift Gates¡ªmassive structures glowing with eerie energy, leading to unknown worlds. For better or worse, this was the new reality. And Ethan had finally taken his first steps into it. An Unexpected Message Ethan was on his way back to his inn when a small blue notification window appeared in his vision. [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] You have received a private request. Sender: Portland Adventurers¡¯ Guild Mission Rank: F Request Details: Speak with Guild Overseer Elias Thurman regarding a job opportunity. Ethan frowned. He wasn¡¯t expecting a job so soon¡ªespecially not a private request. Most adventurers had to fight for contracts, competing with other parties for the best paying jobs. So why was the Guild contacting him directly? He exhaled sharply and turned back toward the Guild Hall. Something about this felt off. But if he was going to make a name for himself, he couldn¡¯t afford to ignore it. A Job Offer from Elias The Guild Hall was just as busy as before, adventurers coming and going as they picked up contracts and reported missions. Ethan made his way to the main reception desk, where Elias Thurman stood reviewing paperwork. The Guild Overseer barely looked up as Ethan approached. ¡°You got my message,¡± Elias said simply. Ethan nodded. ¡°What¡¯s the job?¡± Elias finally set down his papers and folded his arms. ¡°There¡¯s a minor situation that needs handling outside the city.¡± He tapped a map pinned to the counter. ¡°About six miles west of here, there¡¯s a small supply outpost that regularly delivers materials to the Guild. They¡¯ve been late on their shipments.¡± Ethan raised an eyebrow. ¡°And you think something happened?¡± Elias gave a short nod. ¡°It¡¯s probably nothing serious¡ªmaybe a few wild beasts. But the Guild can¡¯t afford delays, so we need someone to check it out.¡± Ethan hesitated. ¡°¡­Why me?¡± There were plenty of experienced adventurers who could handle something like this. So why was the Guild reaching out to a brand-new F-Rank? Elias smirked slightly. ¡°You survived Nightshade Caverns.¡± That was all he said. But Ethan understood. That dungeon should have killed him. The fact that he made it out¡ªnot just alive, but stronger¡ªmeant the Guild was watching. Testing him. He clenched his fists. This was his first real job. A chance to prove that he wasn¡¯t just lucky. ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± he said. Preparation and Planning Before setting out, Ethan took stock of his gear and status. His Shadowcaster class was versatile, but he still had a long way to go before he could hold his own against higher-ranked threats. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. [STATUS SCREEN] Name: Ethan Voss Class: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage) Level: 10 Health: 320/320 Mana: 80/80 trength: 24 Agility: 32 Endurance: 23 Perception: 25 Mana Control: 10 Available Stat Points: 5 Current Skills: Shadow Step (Short-range dash + invisibility for 1 second) Silent Blade (Infuses melee attacks with shadow energy for extra damage) Dark Grasp (Summons shadow tendrils to restrain enemies) Void Lance (Launches a piercing bolt of dark energy at enemies) Shadow Cloak (Passive - Rare) (Enhances stealth in low-light environments, reduces enemy perception range.) Ethan still needed better weapons¡ªbut for now, he had to work with what he had. He stopped by a small supply shop, spending 10 Gold to stock up on: Rations (for travel) Basic healing potions (x2) Whetstone (to keep his dagger sharp) His remaining balance was 65 Gold. Not great. But if he played this right, this job could be the first step toward real independence. The Road to the Outpost The western roads leading out of Portland were worn but well-traveled. Caravans passed by, pulled by strange System-born beasts that had replaced traditional animals. Other adventurers occasionally rode past on mana-powered mounts, heading toward their own assignments. Ethan walked with purpose, keeping an eye on his surroundings. His Perception stat had increased thanks to his leveling, and he was starting to notice details he would have missed before. A broken wooden signpost, claw marks embedded in the wood. Small tufts of fur caught on nearby bushes. Something had happened here. And the closer he got to the outpost¡ª The more uneasy he felt. Something¡¯s Not Right By the time Ethan reached the outpost, the sun was beginning to dip lower in the sky. The place was silent. Too silent. The small cluster of wooden buildings stood intact, but there were no signs of people. No movement. No supplies stacked outside, even though shipments were supposed to be prepared. He approached cautiously, dagger in hand. Something felt wrong. Chapter 14: Shadows in the Outpost The Silence Before the Storm Ethan stood at the edge of the abandoned outpost, his grip tight around his dagger. The place was eerily quiet. Too quiet. No signs of workers, no torches burning, no wagons loaded with goods. Just empty buildings, the occasional creak of wood in the breeze, and the lingering scent of something rotten. Then¡ª A System notification flashed across his vision. [DANGER DETECTED] [THREAT LEVEL: UNKNOWN] His heartbeat quickened. Something was here. And it was watching him. Examining the Outpost Ethan moved carefully, keeping his footsteps light. The outpost consisted of: A main storage house ¨C The largest building, where shipments were likely prepared. A small barracks ¨C Where the workers slept. A blacksmith¡¯s workshop ¨C Likely used for repairing tools and weapons. A stable ¨C Empty, the doors slightly ajar. No signs of struggle. No blood. No bodies. But the longer Ethan stayed, the more unnatural the silence felt. Like the place itself was holding its breath. And then¡ª A faint sound. A low, wet scratching noise coming from inside the storage house. Something was inside. Waiting. A Shadow Moves Ethan crouched low, keeping to the edges of the building. His Shadow Cloak passive made it easier to move unseen in the dim light. Step by step, he approached the storage house door. The scratching sound grew louder. More frantic. Like something was tearing through wood or cloth. Then¡ª A soft click. A floorboard creaked behind him. Ethan froze. Then whipped around¡ª Just in time to see a dark, twisted shape lunging at him. First Strike He barely had time to react. Shadow Step¡ªActivated. In an instant, he flashed backward, the creature¡¯s claws slashing through empty air. It landed where he had just stood¡ª A grotesque, twisted humanoid figure, its skin blackened like charred flesh. Its eyes burned red, hollow and empty, like embers in a dying fire. And its mouth was too wide. Too inhuman. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. [IDENTIFYING ENTITY¡­] ??? ¨C UNKNOWN CLASSIFICATION THREAT LEVEL: MID-F-RANK ¨C POSSIBLY HIGHER Ethan gritted his teeth. What the hell is this thing? It wasn¡¯t like the monsters in the dungeon. It wasn¡¯t like the beasts that roamed outside the city. It felt¡­ different. Familiar, somehow. And then it moved. Faster than something that size should be able to. A Desperate Battle The creature lunged again, its clawed hands reaching for Ethan¡¯s throat. He ducked, twisting to the side¡ª Then countered with Silent Blade. [Silent Blade ¨C Activated] Daggers infused with shadow energy +15% bonus damage His dagger sliced across the creature¡¯s ribs. Dark, tar-like blood splattered onto the dirt. The creature let out a horrible, gurgling snarl. But it didn¡¯t slow down. Instead, its body shifted, bones cracking as it moved at an unnatural angle. Then it attacked again¡ª This time faster. It¡¯s learning. A Losing Fight Ethan dodged left, barely avoiding a clawed swipe. He was faster. But the creature was relentless. It didn¡¯t feel pain. It didn¡¯t hesitate. And Ethan? He was already tiring. I need to end this fast. Dark Grasp¡ªActivated. Shadows erupted from the ground, coiling around the creature¡¯s limbs, restraining it. It thrashed violently, snarling¡ª Forcing Ethan to act. Void Lance¡ªActivated. A bolt of dark energy exploded from his palm, hitting the creature square in the chest. The force sent it crashing backward, its body twitching. For a brief moment¡ª Ethan thought it was over. Then the creature stood up. Its wounds were already closing. Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. It¡¯s regenerating. More Are Coming The air grew thick. Heavy. And then¡ª A second pair of glowing red eyes appeared from the shadows. Then a third. And a fourth. Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. The first one had been bad enough. But now? There were more. Too many. He needed to get out of here. Now. He activated Shadow Step, retreating toward the edge of the outpost. The creatures didn¡¯t chase him immediately. They just stood there, staring. Watching. Almost as if they were letting him leave. And that terrified him more than anything. A Fading Whisper As Ethan reached the edge of the outpost, a new System message appeared. [UNKNOWN PRESENCE DETECTED] [RECORDING ENTITY SIGNATURE¡­] [INCOMPLETE DATA¡ªERROR] And beneath it¡ª A faint whisper. Not from the System. Not from his own thoughts. Just a single, chilling voice in the back of his mind. ¡°You are not ready yet¡­ But soon.¡± Ethan¡¯s breath caught. And when he turned back toward the outpost¡ª The creatures were gone. Only the silence remained. Chapter 15: Whispers in the Dark The Long Walk Back Ethan moved quickly, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the outpost. The further he got, the more his heartbeat slowed, but the uneasy feeling in his chest didn¡¯t fade. Something about those creatures was wrong. They weren¡¯t just monsters. They felt different. Intelligent. Wrong. And the whisper he had heard? That chilled him more than anything. ¡°You are not ready yet¡­ but soon.¡± His hands clenched into fists as he walked. Who¡ªor what¡ªhad spoken those words? And why had the creatures let him leave? What Was That Thing? Ethan mentally reviewed the fight. The creature had a humanoid shape but wasn¡¯t human. Its skin was blackened, like burnt flesh. It moved unnaturally, shifting and adapting mid-fight. It had red, glowing eyes. It regenerated. And worst of all? It wasn¡¯t alone. A cold shiver ran down his spine. This wasn¡¯t like the Night fangs in the dungeon. This was something else. Something deliberate. And the Guild had no idea it existed. Ethan exhaled sharply they need to know. Reporting to the Guild By the time Ethan reached the Guild Hall, night had already fallen. The building was still alive with activity¡ªadventurers drinking, laughing, sharing stories of their latest hunts. It felt¡­ normal. Like there weren¡¯t monsters lurking just miles away. Ethan pushed through the noise toward the reception desk, where Elias Thurman was reviewing reports. Elias barely glanced up. ¡°You¡¯re back early,¡± he muttered. Ethan slammed his hands on the counter. ¡°I found something.¡± That got Elias¡¯ attention. The older man set his papers aside and studied him carefully. ¡°Go on.¡± The Truth About the Outpost Ethan took a deep breath. ¡°There¡¯s no one at the outpost,¡± he said. ¡°No bodies. No blood. Just¡­ gone.¡± Elias didn¡¯t react¡ªjust listened. ¡°But that¡¯s not the worst part.¡± Ethan leaned in. ¡°There were creatures there,¡± he said in a low voice. ¡°Not beasts. Not dungeon monsters. Something else.¡± Elias¡¯s expression finally shifted. ¡°Describe them.¡± Ethan did¡ªeverything he could remember. The blackened skin. The red eyes. The unnatural movements. The way they regenerated. The way they learned. By the time he finished, Elias was silent. Then he slowly exhaled. ¡°...Shit.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Something the Guild Didn¡¯t Expect Ethan frowned. ¡°You recognize them.¡± Elias didn¡¯t answer right away. But his silence spoke volumes. Finally, he sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know what they are,¡± he admitted. ¡°But I know this much¡ª¡± His gaze hardened. ¡°This isn¡¯t the first report.¡± Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°There have been other sightings?¡± Elias nodded. ¡°Mostly near Rift Zones. Disappearances. Signs of fights, but no bodies.¡± He folded his arms. ¡°The Guild assumed it was high-level dungeon monsters breaking containment. But if you saw them that far from a Rift?¡± He shook his head. ¡°This is worse than we thought.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach twisted. That meant¡ªwhatever these things were, they were spreading. And no one had stopped them yet. An Unsettling Choice Elias drummed his fingers against the desk. ¡°We need more information,¡± he said finally. ¡°But we can¡¯t send just anyone.¡± Ethan narrowed his eyes. ¡°¡­You want me to go back.¡± Elias met his gaze. ¡°You survived,¡± he said. ¡°That means something.¡± Ethan hesitated. Going back alone was a death sentence. But if he went with Gareth and the others¡­ Maybe they could find answers. Maybe they could stop this. He exhaled. ¡°Let me talk to my team.¡± Elias nodded. ¡°Do it fast,¡± he said. ¡°Because if these things are spreading? We¡¯re already running out of time.¡± Chapter 16: A Team’s Decision A Heavy Truth Ethan left the Guild Hall, his mind racing. The encounter at the outpost was worse than he had thought. Not just because of the creatures¡ªbut because the Guild already knew something was happening. They just didn¡¯t know how bad it was. And now? It was his problem. He needed to tell his party. Because if he was going back¡ªhe wasn¡¯t going alone. Finding the Team Gareth, Kara, and Leah were exactly where Ethan expected them¡ªThe Iron Flask Tavern. The place was loud with the sounds of rowdy adventurers, the air thick with the scent of roasted meat and ale. The party sat at a corner table, relaxed for the first time in days. But when Gareth saw Ethan¡¯s face, his expression hardened. ¡°You look like someone just told you your sword broke.¡± Ethan slid into the seat next to them. ¡°We have a problem.¡± The Conversation Turns Serious Kara raised an eyebrow. ¡°That was fast. Didn¡¯t we just finish a dungeon?¡± Ethan took a breath, then told them everything. The empty outpost. The creatures. The way they moved, adapted, regenerated. The way they let him leave. By the time he finished, the tavern noise faded into the background. Kara had gone completely still. Leah¡¯s face was pale. And Gareth? His expression was grim. ¡°You¡¯re sure about this?¡± Gareth asked. Ethan nodded. ¡°Elias said the Guild has gotten other reports. But no one¡¯s actually seen these things¡ªuntil now.¡± Leah swallowed. ¡°If they¡¯re that dangerous¡­ why did they let you go?¡± Ethan hesitated. Then he told them the worst part. ¡°The System recorded an error when I fought them,¡± he said. ¡°Like it couldn¡¯t recognize what they were.¡± Kara sat up straighter. ¡°The System¡­ didn¡¯t register them?¡± Ethan shook his head. ¡°Not completely.¡± Then he hesitated. ¡°¡­And I heard something. A voice.¡± Gareth¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°A voice?¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°You are not ready yet¡­ but soon.¡± Silence. The weight of those words settled over the table like a storm cloud. Finally, Gareth exhaled. ¡°Shit.¡± A Party Decision ¡°So let me get this straight,¡± Kara said, leaning back. ¡°The Guild wants you to go back. And you¡¯re actually considering it?¡± Ethan met her gaze. ¡°Yes.¡± Kara scoffed. ¡°Are you insane? You barely survived the first time.¡± Leah spoke up, her voice quieter. ¡°But if we don¡¯t go, what happens?¡± Gareth¡¯s expression was unreadable. But Ethan could tell¡ªhe was already thinking ahead. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Weighing the risks. Judging whether this was worth it. Then¡ªhe sighed. ¡°We¡¯re not letting you go alone.¡± Ethan felt a mix of relief and gratitude. ¡°¡­So we¡¯re doing this?¡± Kara groaned. ¡°Looks like it.¡± Leah nodded. ¡°If these things are spreading, we need to know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡± Gareth folded his arms. ¡°Then we prepare. We¡¯re not walking into a trap unarmed.¡± Checking His Status Before anything else, Ethan needed to see his growth. He opened his status screen. Name: Ethan Voss Class: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage) Level: 10 ¡ú 11 (+1 Level from last battle) Health: 320 ¡ú 340 Mana: 80 ¡ú 90 Strength: 24 ¡ú 25 (+1 Level Gain) Agility: 32 ¡ú 34 (+2 Level Gains) Endurance: 23 ¡ú 24 (+1 Level Gain) Perception: 25 ¡ú 26 (+1 Level Gain) Mana Control: 10 ¡ú 12 (+2 Level Gains) Available Stat Points: 5 New System Log from Predator¡¯s Absorption: Random Stat Absorption: +2 Agility, +1 Endurance Skill Absorption Roll: FAILED (No new skills acquired this time.) Ethan frowned slightly. His agility boost would help him move faster, but he had hoped for another skill. Still¡ªevery stat counted. Preparing for the Next Mission Gareth stood. ¡°We need gear,¡± he said. ¡°Better weapons, better supplies.¡± Ethan nodded. He still had his dagger, but if he was going to fight these things again¡ªhe needed more. Kara sighed. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll get my sword reforged.¡± Leah adjusted her cloak. ¡°I¡¯ll stock up on potions.¡± Gareth glanced at Ethan. ¡°We head out at sunrise. Be ready.¡± Ethan exhaled slowly. They were doing this. Chapter 17: Shadows in the Market Morning Preparations The sun was still rising over Portland, casting long shadows across the city''s stone streets as Ethan moved through the bustling marketplace. They were leaving for the outpost at noon, and Gareth had given everyone a simple task¡ªgear up, stock supplies, and meet back at the Guild. It felt almost routine. Except it wasn¡¯t. Because this time, they weren¡¯t just hunting monsters. They were walking into the unknown. And Ethan wasn¡¯t sure they¡¯d all walk back out. A Weapon Worthy of the Hunt The Hollow Fang Forge was quieter than the rest of the market, its front sign worn but sturdy. Inside, the scent of burning metal filled the air, and a massive, scarred blacksmith was hammering away at a glowing-hot blade. Ethan stepped forward. The smith, Boros, glanced up. ¡°Back again?¡± he grunted. Ethan nodded. ¡°I need something better than this.¡± He set his old dagger on the counter. Boros barely spared it a glance. ¡°That thing¡¯s barely worth scrap metal.¡± Ethan exhaled. ¡°I need a real weapon.¡± The blacksmith rubbed his jaw. ¡°You¡¯re a Shadowcaster, right?¡± Ethan tensed slightly. ¡°How¡¯d you know?¡± Boros snorted. ¡°You walk quiet, your stance is balanced, and you¡¯ve got the look of someone who fights better in the dark.¡± He turned and grabbed a case from behind the counter, setting it down with a heavy thud. Inside were a pair of daggers¡ªsleek, black steel with faint purple runes carved along the blades. [Twin Shadowfangs ¨C Uncommon] Forged from shadow-infused steel. Grants +5% bonus damage in darkness. Slightly reduces enemy perception of the user when in low-light environments. Ethan felt his pulse quicken. These were perfect. ¡°How much?¡± he asked. Boros eyed him. ¡°450 Gold.¡± Ethan winced. ¡°I have 65.¡± The blacksmith sighed. ¡°Look, kid. You¡¯re not walking out of here with those for that price.¡± Ethan gritted his teeth. He needed those daggers. But before he could speak, Boros tapped the counter. ¡°I¡¯ll make you a deal.¡± Ethan looked up. ¡°What kind of deal?¡± Boros smirked. ¡°I¡¯ve got a job that needs handling. You take care of it, and I¡¯ll knock the price down.¡± Ethan hesitated. ¡°What kind of job?¡± The blacksmith leaned forward. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°There¡¯s something lurking in the sewers beneath the city¡ªsomething that¡¯s been attacking workers.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡°A monster?¡± Boros shrugged. ¡°Could be. Or it could be something worse.¡± He folded his arms. ¡°You bring me proof it¡¯s dead? I¡¯ll cut the price in half.¡± Ethan exhaled. A side job right before heading back to the outpost? But¡­ He glanced at the daggers. He needed them. And this was his only chance. ¡°¡­Deal.¡± Boros nodded. ¡°Then I suggest you don¡¯t waste time.¡± A Descent Into Darkness The entrance to the sewers was at the edge of the marketplace, a rusted iron grate leading down into the tunnels. Ethan crouched, gripping the bars. The air was stale and damp. Whatever was down there, it had been lurking for a while. He exhaled, activated Shadow Cloak, and slipped inside. The tunnel walls were lined with stone and old pipes, the sound of dripping water echoing through the darkness. Step by step, he moved deeper. Then he saw it. A trail of blood leading further into the tunnels. Something was waiting for him. And he was about to find out what. Chapter 18: Into the Depths A Deal with the Smith The scent of burning metal and oil still clung to Ethan¡¯s clothes as he left Hollow Fang Forge, his mind racing. A monster in the sewers. A side job right before their outpost mission. It was a risk. But if he completed it, he¡¯d get a massive discount on the Twin Shadowfangs¡ªa pair of daggers tailor-made for his fighting style. And if there was one thing he had learned from Nightshade Caverns¡ª A good weapon could mean the difference between life and death. So now? He was hunting. The Sewers of Portland The sewer entrance was exactly where Boros said it would be¡ªbeneath a rusted iron grate, half-hidden in an alley at the edge of the market district. Ethan crouched beside it, gripping the bars. The air reeking of stagnant water and something else. Something rotting. He exhaled. Then he dropped down. Navigating the Tunnels The moment his boots hit solid stone, the System reacted. [NEW LOCATION DISCOVERED: PORTLAND SEWER SYSTEM] [DUNGEON STATUS: UNRANKED ¨C NON-STANDARD THREATS DETECTED] Ethan frowned. Non-standard threats? He activated Shadow Cloak, blending into the dim surroundings as he moved forward. The tunnels stretched ahead in three directions: Left: A narrow passage with flowing water, its surface murky. Right: A corridor collapsed inward, rubble blocking the path. Forward: A larger tunnel, where the blood trail led deeper. Ethan had a choice. But deep down, he already knew where he was going. He followed the blood. Something Watches The further he went, the more unnatural the silence became. No rats. No dripping water. Just his own breathing and the faint squelch of blood beneath his boots. Then¡ª He felt it. The sensation of being watched. A slow, crawling tension at the back of his skull. Ethan didn¡¯t stop moving. But his grip on his dagger tightened. It knows I¡¯m here. He reached the end of the passage¡ª And saw the first body. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. The First Victim A Guild worker, slumped against the stone wall. Their face was frozen in a look of pure terror, their hands clutching at their torso¡ªwhere something had torn them open. Ethan crouched, his pulse steady. [EXAMINING CORPSE¡­] Cause of Death: Severe lacerations. Organs removed post-mortem. Time of Death: 12¨C16 hours ago. Infection Risk: Low. Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. This wasn¡¯t a random kill. Something had hunted this person. And worse? It had taken something from them. The First Attack A soft click. A faint splash of water. Ethan moved before his brain even registered it¡ª [Shadow Step ¨C Activated.] In an instant, he flashed backward, just as a clawed hand ripped through the space he had just occupied. He landed in a low crouch, weapons drawn. And finally, he saw it. The Sewer Stalker It was partially human. Or at least, it had been once. Its flesh was twisted and blackened, stretched too tightly over its frame. Its arms were too long, its fingers ending in razor-sharp claws. And its eyes¡ª They were glowing red. The same red eyes he had seen at the outpost. Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. It¡¯s one of them. And then it moved. The Fight Begins The creature lunged, its speed unnatural. Ethan dodged left, feeling the wind of its claws slashing past his face. [Silent Blade ¨C Activated.] His dagger flashed, slicing across the creature¡¯s ribs. It howled. But it didn¡¯t fall. Instead¡ª Its wounds sealed instantly. Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. Regeneration. Just like the ones from the outpost. This fight just got a lot harder. Adapt or Die Ethan switched tactics. [Dark Grasp ¨C Activated.] Shadows erupted from the ground, coiling around the creature¡¯s limbs. For a brief second, it struggled. Then¡ª Its form shifted, slipping through the tendrils like liquid. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. It adapted. He needed to end this now. [Void Lance ¨C Activated.] A bolt of dark energy shot from his palm, slamming into the creature¡¯s chest. The force sent it flying backward¡ª But before Ethan could move¡ª It vanished. The tunnel was empty. Like it had never been there. The Aftermath Ethan¡¯s chest heaved. The air was thick with tension. Then, the System pinged. [THREAT EVASION DETECTED] Enemy has retreated. Warning: Unknown entities may learn from failed engagements. Ethan exhaled slowly. It hadn¡¯t fled out of fear. It had watched. Tested him. And next time? It would be stronger. He glanced back at the dead worker. At the bloodstained floor. At the dark tunnels stretching ahead. Then he turned and walked away. This fight wasn¡¯t over. Chapter 19: A Warning Unspoken The Long Walk Back Ethan emerged from the sewer tunnels, his boots splattered with filthy water and blood. His heartbeat was steady, but his mind was racing. That thing he fought¡ªit wasn¡¯t just a sewer beast. It was one of them. The same kind of creature that had been at the outpost. And that meant this wasn¡¯t an isolated event. These creatures were moving. Spreading. And no one was stopping them. The Smith¡¯s Reward The streets of Portland were still buzzing with life as Ethan made his way back to Hollow Fang Forge. The familiar scent of molten metal greeted him as he stepped inside. Boros, the scarred blacksmith, looked up from his workbench. ¡°Well?¡± Ethan pulled a severed, blackened claw from his pouch and dropped it on the counter. Boros raised an eyebrow. ¡°¡­That¡¯s not a sewer rat.¡± Ethan exhaled. ¡°No. It¡¯s not.¡± Boros studied the claw, frowning. ¡°Damn thing looks¡­ wrong.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t respond. Because Boros was right. The longer you stared at the twisted, charred flesh, the more it seemed to shift¡ªlike something was still alive beneath it. Finally, the blacksmith shook his head. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. You did the job.¡± He reached under the counter, pulled out the Twin Shadowfangs, and set them down with a heavy thunk. [Twin Shadowfangs ¨C Uncommon] Forged from shadow-infused steel. Grants +5% bonus damage in darkness. Slightly reduces enemy perception of the user in low-light environments. Boros crossed his arms. ¡°You still owe me 225 Gold. But I¡¯ll let you pay that off later.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll get it to you soon.¡± Boros grunted. ¡°Take care of those blades. You¡¯re gonna need ¡®em.¡± This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. A Silent Realization As Ethan left the forge, he felt the weight of the daggers on his belt. They were better than his old weapon. Sharper. Faster. But they didn¡¯t make him invincible. Not against whatever was coming. He glanced at the claw in his hand. Then, without a word¡ª He tossed it into a nearby gutter. Some things weren¡¯t meant to be kept. Chapter 20: Gathering Shadows The Weight of Knowledge Ethan moved through the streets of Portland, the weight of his new daggers pressing against his belt. The encounter in the sewers had left him with more questions than answers. The Shadow-Touched, as he had begun calling them, weren¡¯t just dungeon creatures. They weren¡¯t like the Nightfangs or any monsters categorized by the System. They were something else. Something that wasn¡¯t supposed to exist. And that terrified him. Because if the System itself couldn¡¯t recognize them¡ª Then how the hell was he supposed to fight them? A City on Edge Despite the familiar bustle of the market, Ethan noticed something different. People were uneasy. Adventurers spoke in hushed tones, some glancing toward the Guild Hall with wary expressions. A merchant muttered to his assistant, ¡°¡­another one gone.¡± Another adventurer, a heavily armored warrior, shook his head. ¡°They¡¯re not saying much, but the Guild¡¯s looking into it. I¡¯d stay close to the city if I were you.¡± Ethan frowned. This wasn¡¯t normal. He stepped toward one of the murmuring adventurers. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± The man turned, blinking in surprise before recognizing Ethan. ¡°You¡¯re the one who went to the outpost, right?¡± Ethan hesitated, then nodded. ¡°Yeah. What¡¯s going on?¡± The adventurer¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°More disappearances.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach tightened. Returning to the Guild By the time Ethan reached the Guild Hall, the tension in the air was thick. He pushed through the crowd, ignoring the noise around him as he headed straight for the reception desk. Elias Thurman was there, talking in low tones with another Guild official. When Elias saw him, he barely hesitated before nodding. ¡°Inside. Now.¡± Ethan followed him through the Guild¡¯s restricted door, leading into a private office. Elias shut the door behind him. ¡°You heard?¡± Ethan exhaled. ¡°Disappearances.¡± Elias nodded. ¡°Two more last night. Both F-Rank adventurers. No bodies, no signs of struggle. Same as before.¡± Ethan gritted his teeth. The pattern was clear. Whatever was happening was spreading. A Choice to Make Elias leaned against his desk, studying Ethan. ¡°I know you¡¯re already heading back to the outpost with your team.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°Good.¡± Elias crossed his arms. ¡°Because whatever you found last time? I think we¡¯re only seeing the beginning.¡± A pause. Then¡ª ¡°Do you want the Guild¡¯s help?¡± Ethan blinked. ¡°What?¡± Elias¡¯s expression was unreadable. ¡°You¡¯re the only one who has fought one of these things and survived.¡± ¡°I can send other adventurers to investigate. I can authorize better gear for you and your team. But if I do that¡­¡± His gaze hardened. ¡°¡­The Guild takes full control of this mission. That means you report directly to me¡ªand anything you find is classified.¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. This was a calculated move. Elias wasn¡¯t offering help out of kindness¡ªhe wanted control. If Ethan accepted, he¡¯d gain resources and information¡­ But he¡¯d lose his ability to act freely. He thought of his sister. Emma was taken when the System first descended. And no one had ever given him answers. Would the Guild really help? Or would they bury the truth if it didn¡¯t fit their agenda? Ethan¡¯s fingers curled into a fist. ¡°¡­No.¡± Elias raised an eyebrow. ¡°No?¡± Ethan exhaled. ¡°My team and I are handling this. If I find something, I¡¯ll decide what to do with it.¡± For a long moment, Elias said nothing. Then¡ª The corner of his mouth twitched upward. ¡°Good answer.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. A Team Reunited Ethan left the Guild office, his mind still processing everything. The moment he stepped into the main hall, a familiar voice called out. ¡°About time.¡± Gareth, Kara, and Leah were waiting near their usual table. Kara was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, while Leah sipped from a cup of tea. Gareth eyed Ethan. ¡°You¡¯re late.¡± Ethan shrugged. ¡°Had a conversation with Elias.¡± Leah arched an eyebrow. ¡°That can¡¯t have been fun.¡± Ethan exhaled. ¡°He offered to back us with Guild support. I turned him down.¡± Gareth gave a small nod, like he had expected it. ¡°Good. That would have put us under their thumb.¡± Kara snorted. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not looking to be a Guild puppet.¡± Leah hesitated. ¡°Still¡­ I can¡¯t help but wonder what they¡¯re not telling us.¡± Ethan agreed. But they¡¯d find out soon enough. Because now? They were going back. The Journey to the Outpost Begins The next morning, the party set out before dawn. This time, they were better prepared. Gareth had upgraded his spear, reforging it with a stronger metal alloy. Kara had a fresh blade, newly sharpened and reinforced. Leah carried extra mana potions, ensuring she wouldn¡¯t run dry mid-battle. Ethan had his new daggers, the Twin Shadowfangs resting at his sides. The road stretched ahead of them, the faint glow of sunrise painting the horizon. And with every step¡ª Ethan felt the shadows growing closer. Waiting. Watching. And this time? He was ready to face them. Chapter 21: The Path to Shadows The Road Back The sun hung low on the horizon as Ethan and his party left the gates of Portland, the city shrinking behind them as they traveled toward the outpost. Unlike their first journey, the mood was different. There was no lighthearted banter this time. No complaints from Kara. No casual observations from Leah. Even Gareth, usually the one to keep things focused and efficient, had been quieter than usual. Because this time, they knew what they were walking into. And none of them were sure if they¡¯d come back. Ethan¡¯s Thoughts Ethan moved near the front, eyes scanning the trees that lined the road. It had been only a few days since he had first stepped into the outpost, following a trail of blood into the unknown. And now? They were heading straight back into it. He exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of his new daggers. [Twin Shadow fangs ¨C Uncommon] Grants +5% bonus damage in darkness. Slightly reduces enemy perception of the user in low-light environments. They felt right in his hands. But would they be enough? He wasn¡¯t just fighting monsters anymore. He was hunting something else. Something the System itself couldn¡¯t identify. He glanced at Gareth. ¡°What¡¯s the plan when we get there?¡± Gareth didn¡¯t answer immediately. Then, finally¡ª ¡°We assess first. Check for survivors. See if there are new tracks.¡± His jaw tightened. ¡°And if those things are waiting for us?¡± Kara answered for him, her voice hard. ¡°We kill them.¡± Simple. But Ethan had a feeling it wouldn¡¯t be that easy. A Restless Camp They traveled for hours, pushing forward until the sun had dipped beyond the trees. By nightfall, they made camp just off the main road, setting up in a small clearing. Ethan crouched by the fire, watching the flames flicker against the dark. Leah sat across from him, murmuring a quiet spell, letting her mana flow through a small stone as it absorbed residual energy from the environment. Kara leaned against a tree, sharpening her sword with slow, methodical movements. And Gareth stood at the edge of the clearing, spear resting against his shoulder, watching the woods. The silence stretched. Then¡ª Leah broke it. ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll find anything different this time?¡± Ethan didn¡¯t answer right away. Then, finally¡ª ¡°I think we¡¯re going to find something worse.¡± Leah frowned, looking up. ¡°You sound sure.¡± Ethan hesitated. Then he told them. About the sewers. About the thing he fought. About how it was the same as the creatures from the outpost. Gareth¡¯s grip on his spear tightened. Kara had stopped sharpening her sword. Leah¡¯s face had gone pale. Ethan finished, exhaling slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t think these things are just hiding in dungeons.¡± Gareth exhaled. ¡°I was afraid of that.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Gareth looked at him. ¡°The first few times we fought dungeon creatures, what did they do?¡± Ethan paused, thinking. ¡°¡­They fought to kill.¡± Gareth nodded. ¡°Exactly. They acted like normal monsters¡ªaggressive, territorial, mindless.¡± He stared into the flames. ¡°But the thing you fought?¡± His voice was calm, but heavy. ¡°It left.¡± Leah whispered, ¡°It was testing you.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°¡­Yeah.¡± Silence fell again. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Then Kara scowled, throwing a small rock into the fire. ¡°Great. So now we¡¯re fighting smart monsters.¡± Leah exhaled. ¡°No. Smarter.¡± Kara scoffed, but there was no real bite in it. Gareth finally sat down, resting his arms on his knees. ¡°Get some sleep,¡± he muttered. ¡°We reach the outpost by midday.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t argue. But as he lay back, staring at the stars, he knew none of them were going to sleep well tonight. The Outpost Revisited By midday, the outpost was in sight. Ethan stared at it, something cold curling in his gut. It looked exactly the same. Empty. Silent. Undisturbed. As if nothing had ever happened. Gareth motioned with his hand, signaling them to spread out. Kara took the left side, moving toward the storage sheds. Leah checked the barracks, scanning for any traces of mana. Ethan and Gareth moved toward the center. The silence was worse than before. The first time, Ethan had felt an unsettling emptiness. But now? Now he felt like he was being watched. He saw Gareth tense beside him. ¡°You feel that?¡± Ethan nodded, hand on his dagger. Then¡ª A rustling noise. Both men turned instantly. A figure stumbled out from behind one of the buildings¡ª A man. His clothes were torn, his skin pale, his eyes wide with terror. And the moment he saw them¡ª He collapsed. A Survivor? Leah rushed forward before Gareth could even give an order, her hands glowing with soft golden mana as she checked the man¡¯s vitals. ¡°He¡¯s alive,¡± she breathed. ¡°But barely.¡± Ethan crouched beside her. The man¡¯s lips were dry, cracked. His breathing was shallow. Then¡ª His eyes fluttered open. For a moment, he just stared at them. Then¡ª ¡°R¡ªRun.¡± The whisper barely escaped his lips. Ethan¡¯s blood turned ice-cold. Gareth cursed. ¡°Shit. Where¡¯s Kara¡ª¡± A scream. Then¡ª A horrible, wet snarl. Ethan¡¯s head snapped up¡ª Kara was already moving. And behind her¡ª Crawling out from the shadows¡ª Were three of them. The Shadow-Touched. Ethan ripped his daggers free. No time to think. No time to run. This time, there was no escape. The fight was already here. Chapter 22: The Hunt Begins The Ambush The first snarl cut through the silence like a blade. The Shadow-Touched emerged from the edges of the outpost, their movements unnatural¡ªalmost as if they were gliding rather than walking. Their charred, twisted flesh shifted as they moved, their red eyes glowing with a sickening hunger. Ethan counted three of them. No¡ªfour. One had just crawled out from the shadows near the barracks. His pulse quickened. They were surrounded. Kara had already drawn her blade, eyes locked onto the closest creature¡ªthe one that had come from her side. Gareth gritted his teeth, adjusting his grip on his spear. Leah stood frozen, torn between reaching for her staff or the injured man at her feet. And Ethan? He took a slow breath and tightened his grip on his daggers. There was no running this time. This was a fight. And they had no idea how many would be left standing when it was over. The First Clash The creatures moved first. The one closest to Kara lunged, its limbs bending at unnatural angles. She sidestepped, but the moment she did¡ª The creature¡¯s fingers stretched, extending into thin, whip-like claws. Kara barely dodged in time. ¡°Shit¡ª!¡± she hissed, rolling to avoid another slash. Gareth moved next, striking at the one to his right. His spear found its mark, stabbing clean through the thing¡¯s shoulder. For a split second, it froze. Then, without hesitation¡ª It grabbed the spear shaft with its bare hands. And pulled. Gareth was yanked forward, off balance, as the creature opened its mouth¡ªtoo wide¡ªrevealing jagged, shifting teeth. Leah reacted fast, thrusting a hand forward. [Barrier Ward ¨C Activated.] A glowing shield of mana slammed into the creature¡¯s chest, sending it stumbling back. Gareth ripped his spear free, spinning it into position. But the moment he did¡ª A second creature was already charging from the left. Ethan¡¯s Instincts Kick In Ethan had no time to think. [Shadow Step ¨C Activated.] His body blurred, moving instantly to the side as the third creature swiped at where he had just been. He landed behind it¡ª And struck. [Silent Blade ¨C Activated.] His daggers sliced deep, cutting into the thing¡¯s side. Dark, tar-like blood spilled onto the dirt. It should have been crippling. But instead? The creature twisted unnaturally, as if its body had no bones. And then¡ª It lashed out, faster than before. Ethan barely ducked under the counterattack. His breath caught. It¡¯s adapting. It had already adjusted to his speed. His daggers wouldn¡¯t be enough. Not alone. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The Tide of Battle Gareth held the front line, blocking two creatures at once. His spear flashed, but the Shadow-Touched were getting faster, avoiding his strikes with inhuman flexibility. Kara was engaging the fourth, moving with fluid precision, her sword cutting through the air. But her opponent was predicting her movements, shifting in ways that should have been impossible. Leah was barely keeping up, her healing magic already draining her mana. And Ethan? His mind raced. They couldn¡¯t just fight these things head-on. They had to change the approach. A New Strategy Ethan¡¯s eyes flicked to the barracks¡ªits entrance wide open. They could funnel the creatures inside. Limit their movement. Make it harder for them to dodge. He called out. ¡°Gareth¡ªfall back toward the barracks!¡± Gareth didn¡¯t argue. He moved immediately, forcing his two opponents closer to the entrance. Kara caught on, leading hers in the same direction. Ethan slashed at his own enemy, forcing it back. Then¡ª He ran. The others followed. One by one, the creatures pursued them, snarling. And the moment they were all inside¡ª Leah raised her hand. [Barrier Ward ¨C Activated.] A wall of mana sealed the entrance. The creatures were trapped. And now? It was time to finish the fight. A Brutal Finish Inside the tight space of the barracks, the Shadow-Touched had no room to move. They were fast¡ªbut not faster than steel and magic combined. Gareth drove his spear straight through one¡¯s skull. Kara severed another¡¯s head in a single, clean strike. Leah blasted a third with raw, radiant energy, burning it from the inside out. And Ethan? He faced the last one alone. It lunged at him¡ª And he let it. Then¡ª [Void Lance ¨C Activated.] A bolt of pure shadow energy erupted from his palm, hitting the creature square in the chest. It screamed¡ªlouder than before. Its body shuddered violently. Then, finally¡ª It collapsed. The barracks fell silent. And the fight was over. The Aftermath For a long moment, no one spoke. Ethan¡¯s chest heaved, sweat dripping from his brow. Kara wiped blood from her cheek, shaking her head. Gareth exhaled. ¡°That was too close.¡± Leah sank to her knees, completely drained. But then¡ª A soft noise made Ethan¡¯s head snap up. The survivor. He was still on the ground, his breathing shallow. And now? He was staring at them. His lips trembled. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper¡ª ¡°They¡¯re not the worst thing here.¡± Ethan froze. Gareth narrowed his eyes. ¡°What do you mean?¡± The man¡¯s hands shook violently. ¡°They¡ª¡± He swallowed hard. ¡°They have a master.¡± The air felt heavier. Ethan¡¯s blood turned to ice. ¡°¡­What?¡± The man¡¯s eyes darted toward the far end of the outpost. Toward a small, ruined building. Then¡ª His voice cracked. ¡°He¡¯s still here.¡± Chapter 23: The Master of Shadows The Survivor¡¯s Warning The man¡¯s words hung in the stale air of the barracks, heavier than the blood still dripping from their weapons. "They have a master¡­ He¡¯s still here." No one spoke. Ethan¡¯s heart pounded in his chest, his grip tightening on the hilts of his daggers. His body was still running hot from the fight, adrenaline thrumming in his veins¡ª But this? This was something else. Gareth was the first to break the silence. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®a master¡¯?¡± The survivor¡¯s hands trembled. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know,¡± he stammered. ¡°But I saw him. It¡­ it wasn''t like them.¡± His breath hitched. ¡°It looked human.¡± A deep, uneasy silence followed. Kara scoffed, but it was forced. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous,¡± she muttered. ¡°You¡¯re saying one of these things is¡­ what? A person?¡± The man swallowed. ¡°Not a person. But it used to be.¡± Ethan¡¯s blood turned cold. Leah stepped forward, kneeling beside the man. ¡°Where did you see it?¡± The survivor raised a shaky hand, pointing toward the ruined building at the far end of the outpost. Ethan followed his gaze. The structure was half-collapsed, its stone walls cracked with age. It had been a watchtower once. Now? It was nothing but a grave of forgotten things. And yet¡ª Ethan felt something. A quiet, pulsing wrongness emanating from within the ruins. Like something was waiting. Watching. Gareth exhaled sharply, rising to his feet. ¡°We need to check it out.¡± Leah¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Gareth nodded. ¡°We don¡¯t leave unknown threats behind.¡± Ethan tightened his grip on his daggers. ¡°We end this now.¡± Approaching the Watchtower The air grew thick as they made their way toward the ruins. The outpost had been silent before, but now? Now it felt like the entire world was holding its breath. Every step was measured. Careful. Ethan¡¯s senses were sharp, his Perception on high alert. Kara walked beside him, her sword drawn, her usual smirk gone. Leah whispered a soft incantation, weaving mana into a barrier spell, ready to defend if needed. And Gareth? He led them forward, his spear gripped tightly, his eyes focused. Unwavering. The ruined tower loomed before them, its stone walls cracked and covered in creeping vines. Ethan felt it now. A pulse of darkness. Like a faint heartbeat, thrumming in the air. Something was inside. Something was awake. A Voice in the Dark They stepped past the crumbling threshold, weapons drawn. Inside, the air was colder. Dust swirled in the dim light, the broken ceiling casting long, jagged shadows across the ruined floor. Ethan felt it immediately. The presence. The feeling of something watching. And then¡ª A voice. Low. Smooth. Mocking. "You¡¯re late." Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. The others tensed. Kara spun, her sword raised. Leah whispered, ¡°Who¡ª?¡± Then, from the far end of the room, a figure stepped forward. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. The Master Revealed At first glance, he looked human. But Ethan knew better. He was tall and slender, draped in a long, tattered black coat. His skin was ashen gray, as if drained of life. And his eyes¡ª They weren¡¯t red. They were void-black, swirling with shifting darkness. Ethan felt his chest tighten. The Shadow-Touched had red eyes. But this thing? This was something worse. Gareth¡¯s voice was low. ¡°¡­Who are you?¡± The figure tilted his head, a faint smile curling his lips. ¡°No one important,¡± he murmured. His voice was calm, unnervingly smooth¡ªlike a blade being sharpened against stone. ¡°Just a remnant. A whisper. A shadow of what came before.¡± His gaze swept over them, lingering on Ethan. ¡°Though, I must say¡­ I¡¯m surprised.¡± Ethan¡¯s fingers curled tighter around his daggers. ¡°Surprised about what?¡± The man¡ªthe Master, as the survivor had called him¡ªsmiled. ¡°That you¡¯re still alive.¡± An Impossible Fight The moment the words left his lips¡ª He moved. Fast. Too fast. One second he was standing still¡ª The next, he was right in front of Ethan. Ethan barely had time to react. [Shadow Step ¨C Activated.] He blinked backward, dodging by inches¡ª But the Master¡¯s hand brushed his chest as he moved. And suddenly¡ª Ethan felt like he¡¯d been hit by lightning. Pain exploded through his body, shadows curling along his limbs like smoke made of ice. He gasped, dropping to a knee. Gareth lunged. His spear pierced straight through the Master¡¯s chest. For a second¡ª It looked like a clean hit. But then¡ª The Master¡¯s body rippled. Like a reflection in disturbed water. Gareth¡¯s spear passed through him. Through nothing. The Master laughed softly. ¡°Predictable.¡± Then¡ªhe struck back. A wave of black force erupted from his hand, slamming into Gareth¡¯s chest. Gareth was flung backward, crashing through a crumbling wooden beam. Kara moved next, her blade flashing. [Blade Arc ¨C Activated.] A crescent of pure mana shot toward the Master. It hit. But he didn¡¯t react. Kara¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°¡­What the fuck?¡± The Master stepped forward, unaffected. Leah threw up her hands. [Barrier Ward ¨C Activated.] A shimmering shield formed around the group. The Master paused. Then¡ª He smiled. ¡°Interesting.¡± The air grew heavier. Ethan forced himself to his feet, his body aching. This wasn¡¯t a fight. This was a massacre waiting to happen. They had to get out. Now. The Escape Gareth coughed, pushing himself up. His voice was firm. ¡°We¡¯re leaving. Now.¡± Leah was already pulling mana, reinforcing the barrier. Kara gritted her teeth. ¡°And how exactly¡ª¡± Ethan didn¡¯t wait. [Dark Grasp ¨C Activated.] Shadows erupted from the ground, wrapping around the ruined ceiling¡ª And then¡ª He pulled. The entire roof caved in. Dust and rubble filled the air, cutting off their view of the Master. Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°MOVE!¡± They ran. Through the ruined entrance. Past the bodies. Out into the dying light. And behind them¡ª Somewhere in the shadows¡ª Laughter echoed. Low. Amused. And very, very patient. Chapter 24: Marked by the Abyss The Flight from the Watchtower The sky was a deepening shade of red as Ethan and his team ran. The watchtower collapsed behind them, sending a cloud of stone dust and shattered wood into the air. But even as they gained distance, Ethan knew¡ª They weren¡¯t safe. Not yet. His body ached, his chest burned where the Master had touched him. But there was no time to stop. Not while the laughter of that thing still echoed in his ears. Not while the weight of its presence still clung to his skin like oil. Kara was breathing heavily beside him, her sword still gripped in white-knuckled fists. Gareth was running wounded, but he didn¡¯t slow down. And Leah? She looked exhausted, but her hands still glowed faintly with mana, ready to throw up a barrier at any second. The outpost was behind them now. But Ethan didn¡¯t dare look back. Because he knew¡ª The Master was still watching. The Unseen Chase The road ahead was a blur of trees and broken ruins. Ethan pushed himself harder, faster, his legs burning with every step. And then¡ª A whisper. Faint. Wrong. "You can''t run from the shadows, little predator." Ethan stumbled mid-stride, his vision blurring for a second. Pain flashed across his chest, searing through his ribs like ice-cold fire. [SYSTEM ERROR: UNKNOWN INFLUENCE DETECTED] [CONDITIONS UNRECOGNIZED¡ªSTATUS UNSTABLE] Ethan gritted his teeth. The hell does that mean?! His heartbeat pounded in his ears, but he forced himself to keep going. If they stopped now¡ª They were dead. Breaking Through the Tree Line The thick forest finally gave way to open land. Ahead, the faint outline of Portland¡¯s outer gates was visible in the fading light. They weren¡¯t far now. Gareth glanced back, his expression dark. ¡°Kara¡ªcheck our rear.¡± Kara, still running, turned her head. Her breath caught. ¡°¡­They¡¯re not following.¡± Ethan felt his stomach tighten. That wasn¡¯t a relief. That was a warning. Because if the Shadow-Touched weren¡¯t chasing them¡ª Then they didn¡¯t need to. Something worse was coming. And it wasn¡¯t in a hurry. That was what scared Ethan the most. Because it meant the Master had let them go. And that? That meant he was playing a bigger game. Collapsing at the Gates They reached the city¡¯s outer checkpoint just as exhaustion hit them all at once. The guards at the gate looked startled at their condition. One stepped forward. ¡°You look like hell. What happened¡ª?¡± ¡°We need to see Elias,¡± Gareth said, his voice hoarse but firm. ¡°Now.¡± The guards hesitated, but Gareth¡¯s tone left no room for argument. Ethan barely heard the rest of the conversation. His mind was fading in and out, his chest aching worse by the second. Leah was suddenly beside him, gripping his arm. ¡°Ethan?¡± He tried to say something, but¡ª Pain. Sharp. Deep. His vision tilted¡ª And then everything went black. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Darkness & The Voice Within Ethan drifted. Not asleep. Not awake. Somewhere between. And in that space¡ª A presence. Familiar. Wrong. "You should have died in that tower, little predator." The voice was inside his mind. Ethan tried to move, but his body wasn¡¯t his own. His limbs were trapped in shadows, sinking into an abyss without end. "But I am patient." The voice curled around him, smooth as silk. "You are marked now." A slow pulse of energy burned through his chest. "And soon¡­ you will understand why." Ethan¡¯s vision flared white. Waking in the Guildhall He gasped awake, lungs heaving like he had just surfaced from deep water. The world snapped back into focus. The familiar scent of wood, parchment, and burning torches. A bed beneath him. Sheets rough against his skin. The Guild infirmary. He blinked, his head pounding. Someone was sitting nearby. Leah. Her expression was tight with worry, but the second his eyes opened, her shoulders relaxed slightly. ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± Ethan exhaled. ¡°How long?¡± ¡°About half a day.¡± Ethan swallowed. ¡°The others?¡± ¡°They¡¯re fine. Gareth¡¯s already talking to Elias.¡± Ethan tried to sit up¡ª A sharp pain ripped through his chest. He winced, pressing a hand to his ribs. Then¡ª He froze. His fingers brushed against something. A mark. Something etched into his skin¡ªburned into his flesh. ¡°Leah,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°What the hell happened to me?¡± Leah hesitated. Then¡ªslowly¡ªshe lifted his shirt enough to expose his upper chest. Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. Because there¡ªright over his heart¡ª Was a black sigil. A twisted, swirling mark, shaped like an eye hidden within shifting shadows. It burned faintly, pulsing with a cold energy. And when Ethan focused on it¡ª A System message appeared. [SYSTEM ERROR: UNKNOWN MARK DETECTED] [INFORMATION LOCKED¡ªCANNOT BE REMOVED] [STATUS: MARKED] Ethan¡¯s fingers curled into the sheets. Marked. By him. By the Master of the Shadow-Touched. His stomach twisted. ¡°What the hell does it mean?¡± Leah looked just as shaken. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she admitted. Her voice was quiet. ¡°But whatever it is¡­ I don¡¯t think it¡¯s going away.¡± A New Path¡ªAnd an Unseen Chain Ethan let the truth settle over him. He had fought monsters. Survived dungeons. Barely escaped the Shadow-Touched. But this? This was different. This was personal. The Master had let him go. Had marked him for a reason. And Ethan knew¡ª This wasn¡¯t over. Not by a long shot. Because he wasn¡¯t just hunting the darkness anymore. Now? The darkness was hunting him. Chapter 25: Secrets Beneath the Surface The Weight of the Mark Ethan sat on the edge of the infirmary bed, staring at the black sigil burned into his chest. It pulsed with a slow, unnatural rhythm, as if it had its own heartbeat. His heartbeat. The moment he touched it, a sharp static-like sensation ran through his fingers¡ªnot quite pain, but not far from it. Leah watched him from across the room, her expression tight with concern. ¡°Does it hurt?¡± she asked. Ethan exhaled, lowering his shirt. ¡°No.¡± That was a lie. It didn¡¯t hurt in the way a wound would¡ª But it felt wrong. Like something buried beneath his skin, pressing against his very existence. And the worst part? The System didn¡¯t recognize it. [SYSTEM ERROR: UNKNOWN MARK DETECTED] [INFORMATION LOCKED¡ªCANNOT BE REMOVED] [STATUS: MARKED] Ethan clenched his fists. Even the System didn¡¯t know what it was. Which meant whatever the Master had done to him¡ª It was beyond the rules of this world. A Deepening Concern Leah was still watching him, her fingers lightly tapping against her arm. ¡°You should let Elias examine it.¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°The Guild doesn¡¯t know what this is any more than we do.¡± Leah sighed, rubbing her temples. ¡°They might not know yet, but if this is something dangerous¡ª¡± ¡°It is dangerous,¡± Ethan cut in, standing. Leah blinked at him, surprised. Ethan turned away, running a hand through his hair. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t need them experimenting on me just to confirm that.¡± Leah was silent for a moment. Then¡ªsoftly: ¡°We¡¯re in over our heads, Ethan.¡± Ethan knew that. But he wasn¡¯t ready to trust the Guild with something he didn¡¯t even understand himself. Not yet. First¡ªhe needed answers. And for that, he needed to check something. Ethan¡¯s Status¡ªA Growing Change He exhaled, pulling up his System Status. The numbers flashed across his vision. [STATUS SCREEN] Name: Ethan Voss Class: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage) Level: 11 ¡ú 12 (+1 Level from recent battle) Health: 340 ¡ú 360 Mana: 90 ¡ú 105 Strength: 25 ¡ú 27 (+2 Level Gain) Agility: 34 ¡ú 36 (+2 Level Gains) Endurance: 24 ¡ú 26 (+2 Level Gains) If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Perception: 26 ¡ú 28 (+2 Level Gains) Mana Control: 12 ¡ú 14 (+2 Level Gains) Available Stat Points: 5 New System Log from Predator¡¯s Absorption: Random Stat Absorption: +1 Strength, +2 Perception, +1 Endurance Skill Absorption Roll: SUCCESS (New Skill Acquired.) Ethan stiffened. A new skill? His pulse quickened as he scrolled down. And then¡ª NEW SKILL ACQUIRED ¨C [Umbral Echo] (Shadowcaster Exclusive ¨C Rare Rank) Creates a temporary shadow clone that mimics the user¡¯s last attack. Clone lasts 3 seconds before fading. Can be used for feints, distractions, or chaining attacks. (Mana Cost: 50 | Cooldown: 30 sec.) Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. This was huge. A skill like this meant he could create openings in battle. Misdirect enemies. Outmaneuver opponents. And the best part? He had absorbed it. Which meant¡­ One of the Shadow-Touched had this ability. That sent a chill down his spine. Because if he had it now¡ª Then that meant they were using it against him before. A Meeting with Elias Leah left to get Gareth and Kara. Ethan forced himself to focus, taking a few deep breaths before heading toward the Guild¡¯s main hall. He needed to stay in control. He needed to make sure the Guild didn¡¯t find out about the mark. Not yet. By the time he arrived, Gareth and Kara were already seated across from Elias. The Guild Overseer¡¯s expression was grim. ¡°You all look like shit.¡± Kara rolled her eyes. ¡°Nice to see you too, Elias.¡± Elias ignored her, his focus shifting to Ethan. ¡°So,¡± he said, steepling his fingers. ¡°Tell me exactly what happened.¡± Ethan sat down. And for the next ten minutes, they told him everything. When they finished, Elias sat in complete silence. Then, finally¡ªhe exhaled. ¡°This is worse than I thought.¡± A Truth They Weren¡¯t Supposed to Know Ethan narrowed his eyes. ¡°You knew something like this existed, didn¡¯t you?¡± Elias didn¡¯t answer immediately. Then¡ªquietly: ¡°¡­Not exactly.¡± Kara crossed her arms. ¡°That¡¯s vague as hell.¡± Elias sighed. ¡°There have been whispers.¡± ¡°Whispers?¡± Leah asked. Elias met Ethan¡¯s gaze. ¡°Disappearing parties. F-Ranks going missing. At first, we assumed it was standard dungeon losses.¡± ¡°But now?¡± He leaned forward, his eyes hard. ¡°Now I think the System is hiding something from us.¡± The room went silent. Leah looked shaken. Gareth¡¯s expression remained unreadable. And Ethan? He felt a cold certainty settle in his chest. Because this confirmed something he had already suspected. The System was broken. Or worse¡ª It was never meant to help them at all. The Next Move Elias exhaled. ¡°We need information,¡± he said. Kara scoffed. ¡°No shit.¡± Elias shot her a look before turning back to Ethan. ¡°You saw him. You felt his presence. If we¡¯re going to figure out what¡¯s happening, you need to retrace your steps.¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°You¡¯re asking us to go back?¡± Elias shook his head. ¡°Not yet.¡± He tapped his fingers against the desk. ¡°There¡¯s a place. A library¡ªnot in Portland, but in the ruins beyond the northern fields. Old world knowledge. If anything still holds answers about what we¡¯re dealing with, it¡¯s there.¡± A long pause. Then Gareth spoke. ¡°When do we leave?¡± Elias smirked. ¡°As soon as you¡¯re ready.¡± Ethan¡¯s grip tightened. A library with forgotten knowledge? A place where the truth about the Shadow-Touched might be buried? Something about this felt right. Like the next piece of the puzzle. And maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ª It would tell him what the hell was happening to him. Chapter 26: The Road to Forgotten Knowledge Ethan stood in the Guild Hall, the weight of their next mission settling on his shoulders. An ancient library hidden in the ruins beyond the northern fields¡ª A place where forgotten knowledge might hold the key to understanding the Shadow-Touched and the Master who had marked him. The System wouldn¡¯t recognize these creatures. The Guild had no answers. If there was any hope of figuring out what was happening to him, it would be there. And this time? They weren¡¯t heading into another dungeon. They were heading into history itself. Preparations Begin Ethan pulled up his status screen one last time before leaving the Guild. [STATUS SCREEN] Name: Ethan Voss Class: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage) Level: 12 Health: 360/360 Mana: 105/105 Strength: 27 Agility: 36 Endurance: 26 Perception: 28 Mana Control: 14 Available Stat Points: 5 Skills: Shadow Step (Short-range teleport with momentary invisibility.) Silent Blade (Enhances melee weapons with shadow energy for extra damage.) Dark Grasp (Summons shadow tendrils to restrain enemies.) Void Lance (Launches a piercing bolt of dark energy at enemies.) Shadow Cloak (Passive ¨C Rare) (Enhances stealth and reduces enemy perception range.) NEW: Umbral Echo (Rare ¨C Shadowcaster Exclusive) (Creates a temporary shadow clone that mimics Ethan¡¯s last attack for three seconds.) Ethan exhaled. His abilities were growing, but so were his enemies. He allocated his five free stat points, boosting Perception (+2), Endurance (+2), and Mana Control (+1). He needed to survive longer. He needed to sense danger before it struck. And most importantly¡ª He needed control. Because whatever was happening to him wasn¡¯t normal. And the mark on his chest? It was a constant reminder that something inside him was changing. Meeting at Hollow Fang Forge They agreed to meet at Hollow Fang Forge before setting out. The blacksmith, Boros, stood behind the counter, hammering out the finishing touches on Gareth¡¯s newly reforged obsidian-tipped spear. Kara inspected her newly enhanced sword¡ªa longer, slightly curved blade, enchanted with wind-affinity runes for faster strikes. Leah had stocked up on extra mana potions and defensive scrolls. Ethan adjusted the Twin Shadow fangs at his belt, their black steel reflecting the low forge light. Boros grunted, setting down his tools. ¡°You lot are gearing up like you¡¯re heading into a war.¡± Gareth glanced at Ethan. ¡°We might be.¡± Boros wiped his hands, studying them carefully. ¡°If this has anything to do with those things from the sewers¡­ then be careful.¡± Ethan nodded. They didn¡¯t know exactly what they were walking into. But they knew what they were looking for. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. The journey north was different from their past excursions. No dungeons. No System-marked beasts lurking in caves or abandoned ruins. Just open plains, scattered ruins, and a path that had long been forgotten by adventurers. For a while, it was quiet. No signs of monsters. No signs of Shadow-Touched. Just the wind whispering through the abandoned landscape. Then¡ª Ethan felt it. A shift in the air. A faint, crawling wrongness prickling at the edges of his perception. ¡°Stop.¡± Gareth halted instantly. Kara tensed, her fingers tightening around her sword. Leah glanced at him. ¡°What is it?¡± Ethan focused, stretching his Perception as far as it would go¡ª Then¡ª A whisper. Faint. Distant. Not words. Just¡­ presence. ¡°We¡¯re not alone,¡± he murmured. As they crested the next ridge, the ruins finally came into view. Once, it had been a great structure. Now, it was nothing but stone and collapsed archways, overtaken by twisted, blackened vines. A broken, forgotten place¡ªlost to time. And yet¡ª Ethan could feel it. A deep, pulsing wrongness radiating from within. Like the watchtower. Like the sewers. Like the Master. Gareth adjusted his grip on his spear. ¡°Library¡¯s inside that?¡± Leah nodded, scanning the ruins. ¡°If it still exists, it¡¯ll be underground. We should look for an entrance.¡± Kara sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Because that¡¯s not ominous at all.¡± Ethan exhaled. He took one step forward¡ª And the moment his foot touched the ruins¡ª The mark on his chest flared. Pain shot through him, sudden and sharp. His vision tilted. And for a brief second¡ª He wasn¡¯t standing in the ruins anymore. The world around him shifted. He was somewhere else. The ruins were whole again. Towering black spires stretched toward a blood-red sky. Figures in robes of shifting darkness stood in a circle, whispering in a language Ethan couldn¡¯t understand. A door stood before them¡ª A massive, imposing gate of obsidian. Chains wrapped around it, pulsing with sickly green runes. And behind that door¡ª A presence. A force so vast, so consuming, that Ethan felt his mind teeter on the edge of breaking. ¡°You are close now, little predator.¡± The voice echoed in his skull. The whisper of the Master. ¡°Go deeper. See what they tried to hide.¡± A sharp, cracking sound. The door began to move. Something on the other side stirred. And then¡ª A hand shot through. Dark. Unnatural. Reaching for him. Ethan gasped¡ª And the vision snapped. He stumbled back, gasping. The ruins were ruined again. The sky was blue, not red. His heart hammered against his ribs. Leah grabbed his arm. ¡°Ethan! Are you¡ª¡± Ethan inhaled sharply, shaking his head. ¡°I saw something.¡± Gareth frowned. ¡°What?¡± Ethan looked back at the ruins. And he knew¡ª Whatever was buried here¡­ It had been sealed away for a reason. And now? They were about to break that seal. Chapter 27: The Seal of Forgotten Knowledge. The Ruins of the Lost Library The sun cast long shadows over the ruins as Ethan and his team stood before the crumbling remains of what was once a grand structure. Pillars lay in scattered heaps, walls collapsed inward, and twisted blackened vines choked the remnants of archways that had once led to knowledge long forgotten. But despite the destruction, there was something alive here. Ethan could feel it. The mark on his chest pulsed, the energy beneath his skin shifting like ink in water. Something in these ruins was reacting to him. Or worse¡ªwaiting for him. Gareth ran a hand over the edge of a fallen pillar, his expression unreadable. ¡°If the library was built underground, there has to be an entrance,¡± he muttered. Leah nodded. ¡°These ruins were part of an ancient Order. If the records are true, the entrance should be hidden beneath the foundation.¡± Kara sighed. ¡°Which means digging through a bunch of collapsed stone. Fantastic.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t respond. He was still processing what he had just seen¡ªthe vision that had struck him the moment he stepped onto the ruins. A massive obsidian gate, wrapped in chains of pulsing green runes¡­ And something behind it, waking up. His fingers unconsciously brushed over his chest, where the sigil burned beneath his shirt. The Master¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡°Go deeper. See what they tried to hide.¡± Ethan swallowed hard. What the hell were they about to uncover? They split up, searching the ruins. Leah examined the scattered remains of symbols and carvings, searching for magical traces. Kara checked the old archways for structural weaknesses. Gareth focused on moving debris, looking for anything that resembled a passage. Ethan? He followed the mark¡¯s pull. There was a strange sensation beneath his skin, like a faint whisper guiding him. Step by step, he moved through the ruins¡ª Until his foot hit something hollow. He froze. Then¡ªslowly¡ªhe knelt, brushing away the dirt and debris beneath him. And there, beneath the dust of time, was a stone slab. A door. Marked with a symbol identical to the one on his chest. Ethan¡¯s breath caught. ¡°Found something.¡± The others gathered as Ethan finished unearthing the stone slab. Gareth crouched beside him, running a hand over the surface. ¡°It¡¯s not just any door,¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s sealed.¡± Leah frowned, pressing her fingers against the etched runes lining the stone. ¡°There¡¯s magic here,¡± she whispered. ¡°Old magic. And powerful.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach twisted. Something about this felt wrong. This wasn¡¯t just a hidden entrance¡ª It was a barrier. A lock. A warning. And if his mark was connected to this place¡ª Did that mean it was meant to be opened? Or meant to be kept shut? The Mark Reacts Leah took a step back. ¡°I can try to break the seal, but this magic is ancient. If I mess up¡ª¡± She hesitated. Kara crossed her arms. ¡°Then let¡¯s not mess up.¡± Gareth exhaled. ¡°We don¡¯t have a choice. If this is the entrance, we need to open it.¡± Ethan barely heard them. Because the moment he placed his hand on the stone slab¡ª The mark on his chest burned. Not just a dull ache¡ª A searing, pulsing pain that sent a shockwave through his entire body. His vision blurred. The whispers returned. Faint. Echoing. Calling. The runes on the stone flickered to life, pulsing in time with his heartbeat. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. [SYSTEM ERROR: UNKNOWN AUTHORIZATION DETECTED] [BYPASSING RESTRICTIONS¡­] [SEAL BREAKING] Leah gasped. ¡°Ethan¡ªwhat did you do?!¡± The runes cracked. The entire ground trembled. And then¡ª With a deep, resonating boom¡ª The stone slab split in half. Dust poured into the air as an ancient staircase spiraled downward, disappearing into the darkness below. Silence followed. Then¡ª Kara sighed. ¡°Well. That¡¯s not ominous at all.¡± The air grew colder as they made their way down the stairs. Leah lit a mana orb, casting a soft glow against the rough stone walls. The deeper they went, the heavier the air became. It wasn¡¯t just stale air. It was pressing. Watching. Like the very walls were alive with unseen eyes. Ethan¡¯s grip tightened on his daggers. Every step felt like crossing a threshold that could never be undone. Then¡ª They reached the bottom. And the library was revealed. The Library of the Forgotten Order The chamber was massive. A cathedral of stone and shadow, stretching further than their light could reach. Towering bookshelves lined the walls, filled with scrolls and tomes covered in dust and age. Columns rose like skeletal remains, their carved surfaces etched with forgotten symbols. And at the far end¡ª A grand podium stood beneath a massive, circular archway. And in the center of that archway¡ª Chains. Rust-covered, thick as **tree trunks, wrapped around an enormous obsidian door. The door Ethan had seen in his vision. The one that had been sealed. And yet¡ª Even with the chains still intact, something on the other side was moving. A slow, rhythmic pulse. Like the heartbeat of something asleep¡­ but dreaming. Kara let out a slow breath. ¡°Tell me I¡¯m not the only one who feels that.¡± Leah whispered, ¡°The magic here¡­ it¡¯s ancient.¡± Gareth studied the bookshelves. ¡°This place hasn¡¯t been touched in centuries.¡± Ethan barely heard them. Because he was still staring at the chains wrapped around the black door. The mark on his chest was burning again. Not in pain. In recognition. The Master¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡°You are close now, little predator.¡± Ethan clenched his jaw. They had come looking for answers. But they had found something else entirely. And whatever was behind that sealed door¡ª It was waiting. Chapter 28: Reading the Forbidden. A Library of the Lost The Library of the Forgotten Order stretched before them, a vast and ancient archive buried beneath centuries of ruin. Dust filled the air, disturbed by their movements as they stepped deeper into the cathedral-like space. The bookshelves rose like skeletal ribs, rows of forgotten tomes and crumbling scrolls looming over them. But Ethan¡¯s attention wasn¡¯t on the books. It was on the massive obsidian door at the far end of the library. Thick chains wrapped around it, their rusted metal covered in arcane symbols that still pulsed faintly with power. And behind it? Something moved. Slow. Rhythmic. Like the heartbeat of something asleep¡­ but aware. His mark burned against his chest. ¡°You are close now, little predator.¡± Ethan exhaled sharply, shaking the Master¡¯s voice from his thoughts. Gareth was already moving, scanning the rows of shelves with a careful gaze. Kara ran a gloved hand across the spines of old tomes, wrinkling her nose at the layers of dust. Leah stood near the entrance, her fingers barely grazing the surface of a stone pedestal, whispering words of magic as she tried to sense the lingering energy in this place. ¡°This place is¡­¡± Leah¡¯s voice trailed off, her brows furrowing. ¡°¡­Strange.¡± Gareth gave her a sideways glance. ¡°Strange how?¡± Leah hesitated, then shook her head. ¡°There¡¯s power here, but it¡¯s¡­ incomplete. Like something was removed.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡°Removed?¡± Leah¡¯s fingers traced the edge of an empty book slot on the pedestal. ¡°This place wasn¡¯t just abandoned,¡± she murmured. ¡°Someone tried to erase it.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach tightened. That didn¡¯t feel like a coincidence. Kara pulled a thick, leather-bound book from one of the nearby shelves. The cover was worn, the title faded beyond recognition. She flipped it open, only for the pages to crumble into dust. She cursed, shaking the remnants off her fingers. ¡°Well, that¡¯s helpful.¡± Gareth sighed. ¡°Check the stone shelves. Older texts are sometimes preserved better there.¡± Leah moved toward one of the archivist desks, carefully brushing away debris. She squinted at an engraving on the tabletop. Then her breath caught. ¡°¡­I¡¯ve seen this before.¡± Ethan stepped closer. ¡°Seen what?¡± Leah pointed to the engraved symbol. It was a swirling sigil, a design of interlocking spirals forming an eerie eye-like shape. It was identical to the mark on Ethan¡¯s chest. Silence fell over the group. Ethan felt a chill creep up his spine. ¡°¡­This place is connected to them,¡± he muttered. Leah nodded. ¡°This is proof.¡± Gareth exhaled sharply. ¡°Then we need to find out what exactly was studied here.¡± The Forgotten Records Leah eventually found a set of stone tablets, stacked neatly in the farthest section of the library. Unlike the books, these were perfectly preserved. Almost as if someone had sealed them away from time. She carefully ran her fingers over the ancient runes etched into their surface. ¡°This language is¡­ old. Older than any recorded kingdom.¡± Kara crossed her arms. ¡°Can you read it?¡± Leah bit her lip, concentrating. ¡°¡­Parts of it.¡± She took a deep breath and began translating aloud. ¡°When the Veil first cracked, the Abyss spilled forth.¡± ¡°The Masters of Shadow came bearing their gifts¡ªimmortal, unseen, everlasting.¡± You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°The Order of Black Dawn sought to understand their power¡­ but in doing so, they welcomed the curse.¡± ¡°A seal was forged. A door was made. And the first war against the abyss began.¡± A long silence followed. Kara¡¯s face twisted in confusion. ¡°What the hell does that even mean?¡± Gareth exhaled, his expression dark. ¡°The Veil¡­ the Abyss¡­¡± He looked at Leah. ¡°Does this sound like anything recorded in the history books?¡± Leah shook her head. ¡°No. This isn¡¯t in any of the archives back in Portland.¡± Ethan frowned, glancing toward the sealed door at the far end of the library. A door was made. A seal was forged. And now, that seal was cracking. The Chain is Weakening Ethan stepped toward the black door, every instinct in his body screaming not to. The closer he got, the louder the whispers became. ¡°You are almost there.¡± ¡°Break the chains. Let us in.¡± Ethan gritted his teeth. The mark on his chest flared, sending a sharp, searing pain through his body. And then¡ª The chains moved. Not breaking. Not falling. Just shifting. Like they were reacting to him. A breath of cold air escaped from beneath the cracks. A sliver of darkness. Something beyond this door was alive. And it knew he was here. Ethan staggered back. Leah grabbed his arm, steadying him. ¡°Ethan!¡± He sucked in a sharp breath, forcing himself to focus. Gareth¡¯s gaze was hard. ¡°We need to leave.¡± Ethan looked at him. ¡°But we just got here¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly why we need to leave,¡± Gareth interrupted. ¡°We came for information. We got it. We don¡¯t know what the hell is behind that door, and I¡¯m not about to find out while standing in the middle of its prison.¡± Kara nodded. ¡°For once, I agree. I¡¯d rather not be here when whatever¡¯s in there decides to say hello.¡± Ethan hesitated. His gut screamed at him. There was more here. More to understand. More to uncover. But he knew Gareth was right. If they stayed too long, they might never leave. Ethan exhaled. ¡°¡­Fine.¡± Leah grabbed a few of the stone tablets, wrapping them carefully in cloth before securing them in her satchel. Gareth started toward the stairs, keeping his spear raised. Or a promise. Kara lingered for a moment, casting one last glance at the black door¡ª Then shook her head and followed. Ethan was the last to move. As he turned away from the door, the whispers faded. But one final message echoed in his mind. ¡°You will return.¡± ¡°You will finish what they started.¡± And for the first time¡ª Ethan wasn¡¯t sure if it was a threat. Chapter 29: A Trail of Shadows. Leaving the Library The journey out of the ruins was tense. Not because they were being chased. Not because something had attacked. But because the silence was worse. Ethan could feel it¡ªthe weight of something watching them, lingering just beyond the edges of perception. The whispers from the obsidian door had faded, but the mark on his chest still burned. Faintly. Steady. Like an ember waiting to reignite. And that terrified him. Because whatever was sealed behind those chains? It hadn¡¯t been speaking to them. It had been speaking to him. On the Road Again They left the ruins by midday, retracing their path back toward Portland. Leah carried the stone tablets, carefully wrapped in cloth. Gareth led the way, keeping them moving at a steady pace. Kara walked at the rear, her sword loose in her grip, eyes scanning the horizon. Ethan kept his head down, deep in thought. They had found more than just knowledge. They had found proof that the Shadow-Touched weren¡¯t just a new phenomenon. They had existed long before the System descended. And worse? People had tried to study them. Understand them. And in doing so, they had nearly destroyed themselves. Ethan exhaled, rubbing his chest where the sigil pulsed beneath his shirt. He had a bad feeling about what was coming next. And for the first time, he wasn¡¯t sure if he wanted to know the answers. They made camp just before sunset, setting up in a clearing near a river. Ethan sat near the edge of the fire, sharpening his daggers. The Twin Shadowfangs gleamed under the flickering light, their black steel reflecting the embers. Kara stretched her arms, letting out a long breath. ¡°Well. That was sufficiently horrible.¡± Leah gave her a tired look. ¡°You say that about every mission.¡± ¡°Because every mission is horrible,¡± Kara shot back. ¡°Especially when they involve ancient, cursed ruins and possibly evil magic doors.¡± Gareth, who had been silent most of the trip back, finally spoke. ¡°We need to decide what we¡¯re telling Elias.¡± That killed the conversation immediately. Ethan glanced up. Leah shifted. ¡°We have to tell him something. The Guild has a right to know.¡± Kara scoffed. ¡°You think they¡¯ll believe us? That we found some secret ancient order experimenting with monsters the System won¡¯t even register?¡± She shook her head. ¡°No chance.¡± Gareth exhaled. ¡°We tell them about the library. We tell them about the records we found. But we don¡¯t mention¡­¡± He hesitated. ¡°¡­the door.¡± Ethan frowned. ¡°You think they¡¯ll try to open it?¡± Gareth nodded. ¡°If we give the Guild a reason to investigate, they¡¯ll send someone. And we have no idea what happens if that seal breaks.¡± Ethan looked down at his chest. He had a feeling he knew exactly what would happen. And it wouldn¡¯t be good. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The others settled in, taking turns on watch. Ethan took the last shift, sitting by the dying fire as the night stretched on. The stars were bright, the world quiet. But Ethan couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was still wrong. The air felt too still. The trees too silent. Then¡ª A flicker of movement in the darkness. Ethan¡¯s grip tightened on his daggers. His Perception spiked, stretching outward¡ª And for a brief moment, he felt it. Not a monster. Not a beast. Something human-shaped. Watching. Waiting. Just beyond the tree line. And then¡ª Gone. Like it had never been there. Ethan exhaled slowly. If someone was tracking them¡ª It wasn¡¯t just the Shadow-Touched anymore. It was something else. Something new. And that was almost worse. They reached Portland by midday, passing through the city gates without issue. But the Guild Hall was different this time. Ethan noticed it the second they stepped inside. The air was tense. Adventurers sat in tight clusters, speaking in hushed voices. There was an undercurrent of unease. Something had happened. And then¡ª A familiar voice. ¡°Ethan.¡± Elias Thurman stood near the Guild¡¯s mission board, arms crossed. His sharp gray eyes studied them carefully. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± Ethan nodded. Elias motioned toward the private meeting room. ¡°Let¡¯s talk.¡± A Partial Truth Elias listened in silence as they relayed the events at the library ruins. They told him about the ancient records, the Order of Black Dawn, and the studies on the Shadow-Touched. But they didn¡¯t mention the obsidian door. Or the chains holding it shut. Elias sat back when they finished, his fingers tapping against the table. ¡°This changes things,¡± he murmured. Leah frowned. ¡°You believe us?¡± Elias sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve heard stories before. Stories about things older than the System.¡± He looked at Ethan. ¡°And I know you¡¯re not lying.¡± Ethan stiffened slightly. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Elias¡¯ gaze flickered toward his chest. ¡°You¡¯ve changed,¡± he said simply. Ethan¡¯s pulse spiked. Did he know about the mark? Did he see it? But Elias didn¡¯t press. Instead, he exhaled. ¡°There¡¯s something you need to know.¡± He leaned forward. ¡°While you were gone¡­ another team went missing.¡± Silence. Kara¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Another one?¡± Elias nodded. ¡°A high-ranked party. Sent to investigate the eastern forest ruins.¡± Leah frowned. ¡°But we just came from the north. Are you saying¡ª¡± ¡°They never reported back,¡± Elias said. His next words were calm. Even. But heavy. ¡°We think they ran into the same things you did.¡± Ethan felt a cold weight settle in his stomach. This wasn¡¯t just one incident. It was spreading. The Shadow-Touched. The disappearances. The Guild was starting to realize something was wrong. But Ethan already knew the truth. This wasn¡¯t just getting worse. It had already begun. And the Master was waiting for him to realize it. Chapter 30: A Widening Abyss. A World on Edge Ethan stood in the Guild¡¯s private meeting room, his mind racing. Another party had vanished. The Guild was starting to notice the pattern. But they were still missing the truth. The Shadow-Touched weren¡¯t just random anomalies. They weren¡¯t dungeon creatures. They weren¡¯t even supposed to exist. And yet¡ª They were multiplying. Spreading. And Ethan knew, deep in his bones, that the Master¡¯s influence was growing with them. The obsidian door in the library ruins had been sealed for a reason. But if these disappearances meant what he thought they did¡ª Then something was breaking those seals. And soon? They wouldn¡¯t just be hunting Shadow-Touched. They¡¯d be fighting whatever came next. The Guild¡¯s Response Elias exhaled, rubbing his temple as he looked at Ethan¡¯s team. ¡°You¡¯re telling me you found evidence that the Shadow-Touched existed before the System?¡± Leah nodded. ¡°The records were clear. They were known as Masters of Shadow. The Order of Black Dawn studied them¡ªtried to contain them.¡± Kara crossed her arms. ¡°And failed, apparently.¡± Elias didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he looked at Ethan. ¡°What do you think?¡± Ethan hesitated. Then¡ªquietly: ¡°I think history is repeating itself.¡± Elias narrowed his eyes. ¡°Explain.¡± Ethan¡¯s fingers tensed around his belt. ¡°The ancient Order tried to stop them¡ªtried to lock them away.¡± His voice dropped lower. ¡°¡­But they didn¡¯t succeed.¡± Elias was silent. Then¡ªfinally¡ªhe leaned forward. ¡°I want you four to investigate the eastern ruins.¡± Ethan blinked. ¡°That¡¯s where the missing party went.¡± Elias nodded. ¡°If these disappearances are connected¡­ we need to know why.¡± His gray eyes sharpened. ¡°We need to know what we¡¯re up against.¡± A New Mission: The Eastern Ruins Mission Type: Investigation & Recovery Objective: Locate missing high-rank adventurers Secondary Objective: Identify any new Shadow-Touched activity Location: Abandoned ruins deep within the eastern forest Estimated Threat Level: Unknown Ethan and his team left the meeting with heavy thoughts. ¡°We¡¯re running straight into another cursed ruin,¡± Kara muttered. ¡°This is becoming a habit.¡± Gareth sighed. ¡°It¡¯s worse than that. If we don¡¯t figure this out, we¡¯re going to start seeing Shadow-Touched inside city walls.¡± That thought made everyone pause. Leah swallowed. ¡°Then we better be ready.¡± Kara visited the weaponsmith, reinforcing her sword with a sharper mana-conductive edge. areth replaced his damaged armor, upgrading to a reinforced chest plate. Leah stocked up on potions, scrolls, and mana restoration elixirs. Ethan¡ª Ethan went to Boros. The blacksmith looked up as Ethan entered the Hollow Fang Forge. ¡°Back already?¡± Ethan set his Twin Shadowfangs on the counter. ¡°I need them upgraded.¡± Boros studied him for a long moment. Then¡ªwith a knowing grunt¡ªhe took the daggers. ¡°I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡± Ethan exhaled. He had a feeling he was going to need every advantage he could get. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The eastern ruins were a day¡¯s travel from Portland. The first half of the journey was uneventful. No monsters. No signs of other adventurers. No attacks. But the silence was almost worse. The deeper they traveled, the heavier the air became. The sky seemed darker, even in daylight. The trees twisted slightly, their branches curling in unnatural angles. And worst of all? The System notifications stopped. No new location discovered. No danger level alerts. It was as if the System itself refused to acknowledge this place. That sent a chill through Ethan¡¯s bones. ¡°Does anyone else feel that?¡± Kara muttered. Leah nodded. ¡°It¡¯s like the air is¡­ watching us.¡± Ethan clenched his jaw. This wasn¡¯t just a missing persons mission. This was a warning. And they had already stepped past the threshold. By mid-afternoon, they reached the first signs of the lost adventurers. Footprints in the dirt¡ªleading toward the ruins. A discarded Guild-issued dagger, half-buried in mud. **Faint traces of mana residue¡ªevidence of a battle. Gareth knelt, running a hand over the dagger. ¡°This belonged to one of the missing party members,¡± he muttered. Ethan frowned. ¡°They made it here. But they didn¡¯t come back.¡± Leah¡¯s fingers tightened on her staff. ¡°They were fighting something.¡± And that meant they were walking into the same fight. Ethan exhaled, gripping his daggers. Then they pushed forward. The ruins appeared just past the tree line. Crumbling stone walls, half-covered in moss. A massive, circular courtyard¡ªworn symbols carved into the ground. Statues of cloaked figures, their faces long since eroded. And in the center of the ruins? A staircase leading underground. The entrance was wide open. Kara scowled. ¡°That¡¯s not a good sign.¡± Gareth nodded. ¡°They went down there.¡± Leah¡¯s hands trembled slightly. ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with this place,¡± she whispered. Ethan didn¡¯t argue. He felt it too. The mark on his chest throbbed. The same way it had in the library ruins. This wasn¡¯t just an ancient ruin. It was another sealed site. And if the Shadow-Touched were here¡­ That meant something was trying to get out. They stepped into the ruins. The air grew heavier. The moment Ethan¡¯s foot touched the first step of the staircase¡ª The whispers returned. ¡°Ah¡­ you¡¯ve come again.¡± Ethan froze. It wasn¡¯t the Master¡¯s voice. It was something else. Something older. Something buried deep beneath these ruins. His breath came out shaky. This wasn¡¯t just another forgotten place. This was something far worse. And by stepping into it¡ª They had already awakened something waiting inside. Chapter 31: A Prison Unlocked The first step into the ruins felt like crossing an invisible threshold. The air grew thick, pressing against Ethan¡¯s skin like an unseen weight. The temperature dropped, the scent of old stone and damp air filling his lungs. His boots echoed against the carved steps, each one leading deeper into the underground. And with every step¡ª The whispers grew stronger. ¡°Ah¡­ you have returned.¡± Ethan¡¯s chest tightened. This voice¡ªit wasn¡¯t the Master. It was something else. Something buried beneath this place. His fingers unconsciously brushed over the mark on his chest. The sigil throbbed, pulsing in time with an unseen heartbeat. And Ethan had a horrible feeling. Whatever had been sealed away here? It was already waking up. The staircase spiraled downward, the air growing colder, heavier with each passing second. Leah¡¯s mana orb floated ahead, casting an eerie glow over the ancient stone walls. The carvings were old¡ªfar older than the System. Symbols of cloaked figures, their arms raised toward a swirling abyss. Chains carved into the stone, wrapping around a figure that had no face. Kara let out a slow breath. ¡°This place is cursed.¡± Gareth, his spear held tight, didn¡¯t argue. Ethan, however, wasn¡¯t looking at the walls. He was looking at the floor. Blood. Not fresh, but not ancient either. Dark stains painted the ground, leading deeper into the ruins. ¡°¡­They made it this far,¡± he muttered. Leah swallowed hard. ¡°Then where are they now?¡± No one had an answer. But they kept moving. And then¡ª They found the first body. The Missing Adventurers The corpse was slumped against the wall, its armor torn open by deep, jagged wounds. A Guild insignia was barely visible beneath the blood. Leah¡¯s breath caught. ¡°That¡¯s one of them.¡± Gareth knelt, checking for any signs of life. Nothing. The adventurer had been dead for at least a day. Kara scowled. ¡°What did this?¡± Ethan didn¡¯t need to guess. He already knew. The same thing that was waiting for them below. He turned toward the darkness, gripping his daggers. ¡°¡­We¡¯re not alone down here.¡± The tunnel finally opened into a massive chamber. And Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. This was it. This was another prison. Just like the library. But unlike before¡ª This one was already broken. The chains were shattered, lying in pieces on the ground. The stone carvings of the seal were cracked, barely holding their form and the air was alive with something¡­ unnatural. Stolen novel; please report. Ethan¡¯s chest burned as his sigil pulsed. ¡°Closer¡­¡± His grip on his daggers tightened. And that¡¯s when he saw the second body. Unlike the first, this one was different. Its flesh was blackened, veins twisting like darkened roots. Its eyes were gone, leaving only hollow sockets filled with shadow. And worst of all¡ª Its mouth was open. As if it had died screaming. Leah took a staggered step back. ¡°¡­This one changed.¡± Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. Because if that was true¡ª Then whatever was sealed here¡­ Had already infected someone. And that meant¡ª They weren¡¯t just dealing with a broken prison. They were dealing with a spreading curse. The air shifted. A flicker of movement in the darkness. Ethan¡¯s Perception spiked. Then¡ª A deep, inhuman growl. From above. Ethan looked up¡ª And his stomach dropped. A figure hung from the ceiling, its body twisted beyond recognition. Blackened veins crawled across too-long limbs, its fingers ending in razor-sharp claws. Its head snapped toward them, empty sockets glowing with a sickly, shifting light. And then¡ª It dropped. Straight toward them. [Shadow Step ¨C Activated.] Ethan blinked backward, narrowly dodging as the creature slammed into the ground. The stone shattered, dust exploding into the air. Gareth lunged, his spear flashing forward. The creature moved too fast. One unnatural twist¡ª And it was suddenly behind him. Kara reacted instantly. [Blade Arc ¨C Activated.] A crescent of mana sliced toward the creature¡ª It dodged, barely, the attack carving deep into the stone. Leah raised her staff. [Barrier Ward ¨C Activated.] A glowing shield surrounded Gareth just as the creature¡¯s claws lashed out. The impact rattled the air, the force of the blow sending shockwaves through the chamber. Ethan moved. His daggers flashed, striking out¡ª [Silent Blade ¨C Activated.] The creature screeched as his attack cut through its side. Black, tar-like blood splattered onto the ground. But instead of falling back¡ª It grinned. Its mouth stretched too wide, teeth shifting like jagged shards of bone. And then¡ª It spoke. ¡°You are marked.¡± Ethan¡¯s breath caught. The creature¡¯s twisted voice echoed in his skull. ¡°He is waiting for you.¡± And for the first time¡ª Ethan realized something horrifying. This wasn¡¯t just a Shadow-Touched. This was something worse. Something that had been locked away for centuries. Something that knew him. And as it lunged again¡ª Ethan knew that this time¡­ It wasn¡¯t just a fight for survival. It was a fight for the truth. Chapter 32: The Corrupted One The creature lunged, its too-long limbs twisting unnaturally as it blurred through the air. Ethan barely had time to react. [Shadow Step ¨C Activated.] He blinked backward, his body slipping into the darkness just as claws slashed through empty space where his chest had been. But the creature was too fast. It twisted mid-air, landing on all fours, its head snapping toward him with an unnatural crack. ¡°You are marked.¡± Its voice wasn''t human. It wasn¡¯t even fully real. The words rippled through Ethan¡¯s mind, crawling beneath his skin like venom. ¡°He is waiting for you.¡± The Master. Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. The creature knew. And that meant¡ª This wasn¡¯t just some random Shadow-Touched. It was something else entirely. Something that had been sealed here for a reason. Gareth moved first, his spear striking out with lethal precision. [Piercing Strike ¨C Activated.] The tip of the weapon flashed forward¡ª Only for the creature to vanish. One moment, it was right in front of them. The next¡ª It was on the ceiling, clinging to the stone like an insect. Kara cursed. ¡°That¡¯s just cheating.¡± The creature¡¯s head snapped downward, grinning. Then it dropped again¡ª Straight toward Leah. [Barrier Ward ¨C Activated.] A shimmering golden shield formed around her just as the creature slammed against it. The entire chamber shook. Leah staggered, her arms trembling from the sheer impact. ¡°We can¡¯t keep up with it!¡± she gasped. Ethan gritted his teeth. If they couldn¡¯t match its speed¡ª They had to trap it instead. [Dark Grasp ¨C Activated.] Ethan threw a hand forward. Shadows burst from the ground, writhing like living tendrils as they lashed toward the creature. The corrupted being hissed, twisting away¡ª But Ethan had expected that. And that¡¯s when he struck. [Umbral Echo ¨C Activated.] A shadow clone flickered into existence, mirroring Ethan¡¯s exact movement. Both Ethans lunged at once¡ª The creature dodged the clone¡¯s attack¡ª But that left it wide open. Ethan¡¯s dagger sank deep into its side. The creature shrieked. Black, thick blood splattered onto the stone. But the moment Ethan pulled his blade back¡ª The wound was already closing. His stomach dropped. It¡¯s regenerating. Leah clenched her teeth. ¡°Something¡¯s keeping it alive!¡± Kara dodged a swipe, rolling to the side. ¡°Then we need to find what¡¯s fueling it.¡± Ethan scanned the chamber, his Perception pushing outward. That¡¯s when he felt it. A pulse. A wrongness in the air. His gaze snapped toward the far wall. There¡ªhidden behind crumbling stone and dust¡ª Was a blackened crystal. It pulsed with faint, dark energy. Ethan¡¯s heart slammed against his ribs. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± Gareth followed his gaze. ¡°The anchor?¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°That thing isn¡¯t just a Shadow-Touched,¡± he muttered. ¡°It¡¯s something that¡¯s been mutated by whatever¡¯s inside that crystal.¡± Leah¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°It¡¯s not just regenerating¡ªit¡¯s being rebuilt in real time.¡± Kara scowled. ¡°So we break it.¡± Ethan exhaled. They didn¡¯t have much time. Because the creature was recovering¡ªfast. And the longer they waited¡ª The stronger it would become. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Ethan moved first, sprinting toward the blackened crystal. The creature¡¯s head snapped toward him. It knew. ¡°No.¡± It vanished¡ª And reappeared in front of him. Ethan had no time to dodge. The claw came down¡ª Straight toward his chest. [Void Lance ¨C Activated.] Ethan thrust his hand forward. A bolt of shadow energy erupted from his palm, slamming into the creature¡¯s face at point-blank range. It shrieked, its momentum halting just enough¡ª For Gareth to intercept. [Titan¡¯s Rush ¨C Activated.] Gareth slammed into the creature like a battering ram, his spear driving straight through its shoulder. It roared, trying to twist free¡ª But Kara was already there. [Wind Cutter ¨C Activated.] A flash of silver¡ª And the creature¡¯s left arm hit the ground. It shrieked¡ªa horrible, soul-wrenching sound. But Ethan didn¡¯t stop. He reached the crystal¡ª And drove his dagger straight into it. The effect was instant. The moment the blade pierced the core¡ª The chamber trembled. The creature screamed, its body convulsing as cracks ripped through its skin. And then¡ª It collapsed. The dark energy faded. And the chamber fell silent. Ethan exhaled, his entire body shaking. It was over. But as he looked down at the shattered crystal¡­ Leah leaned against the wall, her hands trembling. ¡°That¡­ was too close.¡± Gareth wiped his spear clean. ¡°It was more than that,¡± he muttered. Ethan stared at the blackened remains of the crystal, his fingers still gripping his daggers. This was a prison. Not for the creature they fought¡ª But for the corruption itself. And if these things were starting to break free¡­ Then that meant the Master¡¯s influence was spreading. Kara exhaled sharply, kicking a loose stone across the chamber. ¡°So let¡¯s recap.¡± She counted on her fingers. ¡°One: That wasn¡¯t a normal Shadow-Touched.¡± ¡°Two: It was being controlled by some corrupted magic.¡± ¡°And three?¡± She narrowed her eyes. ¡°We have no idea how many more of these ¡®anchors¡¯ exist.¡± Ethan¡¯s grip tightened. That was the worst part. Because if this place was connected to the library ruins¡­ Then how many other sealed sites were out there? How many prisons had already been broken? And the most important question¡ª Who was breaking them? The Master¡¯s Reach As they turned to leave, Ethan felt a final whisper crawl through his mind. ¡°You cannot stop it.¡± ¡°The chains will break.¡± ¡°And you, little predator¡­¡± ¡°Will be the one to finish what they started.¡± Ethan staggered. Leah caught his arm. ¡°Ethan?¡± He forced himself to breathe. ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine.¡± But he wasn¡¯t. Because this wasn¡¯t just about surviving anymore. The Master was planning something. And Ethan was part of it. Whether he wanted to be or not. Chapter 33: A Gathering Storm The weight of silence pressed against them as Ethan and his team climbed the winding staircase, leaving the broken prison behind. Every step felt heavier, as if the darkness below was trying to pull them back. Ethan¡¯s fingers itched near the hilts of his daggers. Not from fear. From certainty. Something had been released. Not the creature they had slain¡ª But something deeper. And the Master¡¯s voice still echoed in his mind. ¡°The chains will break.¡± His mark pulsed beneath his shirt, a cold, rhythmic reminder that the fight wasn¡¯t over. It was just beginning. A Forest Changed The ruins behind them faded into the trees, but the unease didn¡¯t leave. Kara narrowed her eyes, gripping her sword. ¡°Tell me I¡¯m not the only one who thinks this place is¡­ off.¡± Leah frowned, glancing around. ¡°It wasn¡¯t like this when we arrived.¡± Gareth slowed his pace, scanning their surroundings. ¡°Something¡¯s changed.¡± Ethan felt it too. The forest wasn¡¯t just quiet. It was waiting. And that was worse than anything they had fought so far. They pushed through, moving fast, covering ground in near silence. there were no signs of wildlife and no monsters crossing their path, not even a System notification. As if the System itself refused to acknowledge this part of the world. By the time they reached the gates of Portland, the sun had already started to set. Ethan felt the tension ease slightly as the familiar sight of the city loomed ahead. But the moment they entered the Guild Hall¡ª He realized something was wrong. A City on Edge The Guild was different. The usual boisterous energy was gone. Adventurers sat in tight groups, whispering. Ethan caught fragments of conversation as they moved through the hall. ¡°Another patrol missing¡­¡± ¡°They¡¯re keeping it quiet, but¡­¡± ¡°A whole team. Gone. Just like the others.¡± Leah stiffened. ¡°More disappearances?¡± Kara exhaled. ¡°That¡¯s not good.¡± Gareth didn¡¯t say anything¡ª He was already walking toward the Guild¡¯s meeting chambers. And Ethan? He followed. Because he knew¡ªwithout a doubt¡ª Something was happening. And it was about to get much worse. Elias Thurman sat behind his desk, staring down at a map covered in red-marked locations. He looked up the moment they entered. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± Gareth nodded. ¡°We found them.¡± Elias¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°And?¡± A long pause. Then Gareth shook his head. ¡°No survivors.¡± Elias¡¯s fingers curled into a fist. Kara crossed her arms. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a normal attack. Something changed them.¡± Leah placed the wrapped stone tablets onto Elias¡¯s desk. ¡°These ruins¡­ they weren¡¯t just dungeons,¡± she said quietly. ¡°They were prisons.¡± Elias¡¯s gaze flicked toward the tablets. Ethan saw the sharp tension in his posture. ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± Elias asked. Leah nodded. Kara scowled. ¡°I think the better question is¡ªwhy the hell were they locked away in the first place?¡± Silence. Then Elias exhaled, rubbing his temple. ¡°Because someone knew,¡± he muttered. ¡°Someone¡ªlong before the System¡ªknew what these things were.¡± He looked at Ethan, his expression unreadable. ¡°And now¡­ we¡¯re waking them up.¡± The Growing Shadow Elias unrolled the map, tapping a spot farther east. ¡°This is where the last missing team was last seen,¡± he said. Ethan frowned. It wasn¡¯t random. It was another ruin. Another prison. Another place where something was waiting. Leah¡¯s face darkened. ¡°They¡¯re all connected.¡± Elias nodded. ¡°And the more we look, the more we¡¯re going to find.¡± A pause. Then¡ªquietly¡ª ¡°Which means the real question is¡­¡± He met Ethan¡¯s gaze. ¡°How many have already been broken?¡± Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. Because he knew. It wasn¡¯t just one. It wasn¡¯t even just a few. This was happening everywhere. And the Master? He was waiting for it. Waiting for the moment when the final chain would break. And when it did¡ª Everything would change. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. The room was tense. Gareth¡¯s voice was steady. ¡°What¡¯s our next move?¡± Elias exhaled. ¡°You¡¯re the only team who¡¯s been to two of these sites and lived.¡± His gray eyes hardened. ¡°I need you to go again.¡± Leah swallowed. ¡°Where?¡± Elias tapped the easternmost location. ¡°It¡¯s farther out. Almost at the edge of the mapped world.¡± Kara groaned. ¡°Oh great. Even less System coverage.¡± Elias ignored her. ¡°If these sites are connected, then we need to get ahead of them.¡± He leaned forward. ¡°Because if we don¡¯t stop this now¡­¡± His next words sent a chill down Ethan¡¯s spine. ¡°¡­There won¡¯t be anything left to save.¡± A Path into the Unknown The mission was set. They would be walking straight into it. As they left the room, Ethan¡¯s chest tightened. The mark pulsed again. And this time¡ª It wasn¡¯t a whisper. It was a command. ¡°Come, little predator.¡± ¡°Come and see what was left behind.¡± Ethan exhaled sharply. Because he wasn¡¯t just hunting the truth anymore. The truth was hunting him back. Chapter 34: A New Rank, A Greater Burden Ethan stood in the Guild Hall, arms crossed as he and his team waited near the mission board. The news had spread fast. And because of that¡ª They were being promoted. But as Ethan stood there, listening to the murmurs of adventurers around them, he wasn¡¯t sure if that was a reward¡­ or a warning. Because their next mission? It was taking them farther than they had ever gone. Into a place even the System refused to acknowledge. And he had a sinking feeling that once they left, there would be no turning back. Guild Promotion Ceremony Elias stood before them, his usual composed expression unreadable. ¡°The Guild rarely promotes teams this quickly,¡± he said. ¡°But circumstances are¡­ unusual.¡± Understatement of the year. Kara smirked, crossing her arms. ¡°Just say it, Elias. We¡¯re too good for our rank.¡± Elias sighed. ¡°You¡¯re just tolerable enough.¡± Leah rolled her eyes. Gareth, as usual, remained silent, but Ethan saw the tension in his posture. This wasn¡¯t just a rank-up. It was a sign. The Guild was preparing for something. And they needed stronger adventurers¡ªfast. Elias continued, ¡°Effective immediately, you are promoted from C-Rank to B-Rank.¡± A few adventurers in the crowd muttered. Most teams took years to climb ranks. They had done it in weeks. Elias handed each of them a new identification card. ¡°Your access to higher-tier quests will be unlocked,¡± Elias continued. ¡°You will also receive a bonus stipend.¡± Kara perked up. ¡°Finally.¡± Elias shot her a look before turning back to Ethan. ¡°But make no mistake,¡± he said. ¡°This promotion isn¡¯t a reward.¡± His gray eyes darkened. ¡°It¡¯s a necessity.¡± Because what was coming next¡­ Was going to be far worse than anything they had faced before. With the rank-up confirmed, they gathered in one of the private training halls to go over their updated stats. Ethan Voss ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage) Level: 14 Health: 390/390 Mana: 120/120 Strength: 30 Agility: 40 Endurance: 28 Perception: 32 Mana Control: 18 Available Stat Points: 5 Skills: Shadow Step (Uncommon) ¨C Short-range teleportation with momentary invisibility. Silent Blade (Rare) ¨C Coats melee weapons in shadow energy for increased damage. Dark Grasp (Uncommon) ¨C Summons shadow tendrils to bind enemies. Void Lance (Rare) ¨C Fires a concentrated blast of dark energy. Shadow Cloak (Passive ¨C Rare) ¨C Enhances stealth and reduces enemy perception. Umbral Echo (Rare ¨C Shadowcaster Exclusive) ¨C Creates a temporary shadow clone that mimics Ethan¡¯s last attack. NEW: Abyssal Resilience (??? ¨C System Unrecognized) ¨C The mark on Ethan¡¯s chest has strengthened his resistance against unknown energy types. Ethan stared at the new skill. Abyssal Resilience. The System didn¡¯t even recognize what it was. And that was the part that terrified him the most. Checking Their Status With the rank-up confirmed, they gathered in one of the private training halls to go over their updated stats. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Ethan Voss ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage) Level: 14 Health: 390/390 Mana: 120/120 Strength: 30 Agility: 40 Endurance: 28 Perception: 32 Mana Control: 18 Available Stat Points: 5 Skills: ?? Shadow Step (Uncommon) ¨C Short-range teleportation with momentary invisibility. ?? Silent Blade (Rare) ¨C Coats melee weapons in shadow energy for increased damage. ?? Dark Grasp (Uncommon) ¨C Summons shadow tendrils to bind enemies. ?? Void Lance (Rare) ¨C Fires a concentrated blast of dark energy. ?? Shadow Cloak (Passive ¨C Rare) ¨C Enhances stealth and reduces enemy perception. ?? Umbral Echo (Rare ¨C Shadowcaster Exclusive) ¨C Creates a temporary shadow clone that mimics Ethan¡¯s last attack. ?? NEW: Abyssal Resilience (??? ¨C System Unrecognized) ¨C The mark on Ethan¡¯s chest has strengthened his resistance against unknown energy types. Ethan stared at the new skill. Abyssal Resilience. The System didn¡¯t even recognize what it was. And that was the part that terrified him the most. Gareth Halloway ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Titan Vanguard (Frontline Tank & Spear Specialist) Level: 16 Health: 540/540 Mana: 90/90 Strength: 44 Agility: 26 Endurance: 50 Perception: 20 Mana Control: 14 Available Stat Points: 5 Titan¡¯s Rush (Uncommon) ¨C Gains temporary damage resistance when charging into battle. Piercing Strike (Rare) ¨C A precise spear thrust that ignores partial armor. Iron Guard (Uncommon) ¨C Enhances defensive posture, reducing incoming damage. Anchor Stance (Rare) ¨C Cannot be forcibly moved for 5 seconds. Earthshatter (Epic ¨C One-Time Skill Drop) ¨C A ground-breaking slam that stuns nearby enemies. Gareth grunted, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Solid enough,¡± he muttered. Ethan couldn¡¯t help but think: If Gareth is worried about what¡¯s next, we¡¯re in trouble. Kara Vale ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Stormblade Duelist (Speed-Focused Melee Fighter) Level: 15 Health: 370/370 Mana: 100/100 S trength: 35 Agility: 42 Endurance: 25 Perception: 28 Mana Control: 22 Available Stat Points: 5 Kara Vale ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Stormblade Duelist (Speed-Focused Melee Fighter) Level: 15 Health: 370/370 Mana: 100/100 Strength: 35 Agility: 42 Endurance: 25 Perception: 28 Mana Control: 22 Available Stat Points: 5 Skills: ?? Wind Cutter (Uncommon) ¨C Fires a high-speed blade of compressed air. ?? Blade Arc (Rare) ¨C A rapid spinning slash that releases energy. ?? Storm Step (Uncommon) ¨C Dashes in an unpredictable zigzag, increasing evasion. ?? Skyward Strike (Rare) ¨C A rising slash that boosts into the air. ?? Thunderous Edge (Epic) ¨C Temporarily coats weapon in lightning, increasing speed & impact. Kara grinned. ¡°Oh, hell yes.¡± Ethan smirked. ¡°Try not to electrocute yourself.¡± Kara rolled her eyes. ¡°No promises.¡± Leah Morrin ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Celestial Warden (Light Magic Healer & Barrier Specialist) Level: 15 Health: 350/350 Mana: 210/210 Strength: 18 Agility: 24 Endurance: 28 Perception: 30 Mana Control: 50 Available Stat Points: 5 Skills: Barrier Ward (Rare) ¨C Generates a defensive shield against physical and magical attacks. Healing Light (Uncommon) ¨C A focused burst of healing energy. Divine Sigil (Rare) ¨C Places a magic seal that purifies minor corruption. Light Lance (Uncommon) ¨C Fires a concentrated spear of light energy. Sanctuary Zone (Epic) ¨C Creates a wide area where allies regenerate health and resist dark magic. Kara grinned. ¡°Oh, hell yes.¡± Ethan smirked. ¡°Try not to electrocute yourself.¡± Kara rolled her eyes. ¡°No promises.¡± Kara Vale ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Stormblade Duelist (Speed-Focused Melee Fighter) Level: 15 Health: 370/370 Mana: 100/100 Strength: 35 Agility: 42 Endurance: 25 Perception: 28 Mana Control: 22 Available Stat Points: 5 Skills: ?? Wind Cutter (Uncommon) ¨C Fires a high-speed blade of compressed air. ?? Blade Arc (Rare) ¨C A rapid spinning slash that releases energy. ?? Storm Step (Uncommon) ¨C Dashes in an unpredictable zigzag, increasing evasion. ?? Skyward Strike (Rare) ¨C A rising slash that boosts into the air. ?? Thunderous Edge (Epic) ¨C Temporarily coats weapon in lightning, increasing speed & impact. Kara grinned. ¡°Oh, hell yes.¡± Ethan smirked. ¡°Try not to electrocute yourself.¡± Kara rolled her eyes. ¡°No promises.¡± Leah Morrin ¨C B-Rank Adventurer Class: Celestial Warden (Light Magic Healer & Barrier Specialist) Level: 15 Health: 350/350 Mana: 210/210 Strength: 18 Agility: 24 Endurance: 28 Perception: 30 Mana Control: 50 Available Stat Points: 5 Skills: Barrier Ward (Rare) ¨C Generates a defensive shield against physical and magical attacks. Healing Light (Uncommon) ¨C A focused burst of healing energy. Divine Sigil (Rare) ¨C Places a magic seal that purifies minor corruption. Light Lance (Uncommon) ¨C Fires a concentrated spear of light energy. Sanctuary Zone (Epic) ¨C Creates a wide area where allies regenerate health and resist dark magic. Leah sighed. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll be working overtime.¡± Ethan smirked. ¡°As always.¡± She nudged his arm, but the worry didn¡¯t leave her eyes. Because this wasn¡¯t just another rank-up. It was a step deeper into the unknown. And none of them knew if they¡¯d come back from it. Chapter 35: Beyond the System’s Reach The weight of their promotion still lingered as Ethan and his team prepared to leave the city. B-Rank. It was supposed to be a step forward. Instead, it felt like a final warning. Because this time, they weren¡¯t heading into another dungeon. They weren¡¯t tracking random disappearances. They were heading into the farthest edges of the known world. A place so forgotten that even the System refused to acknowledge it. And something deep in Ethan¡¯s gut told him¡ª This mission wouldn¡¯t just change them. It would decide everything. Elias met them at dawn, standing at the Guild¡¯s war table, where a map was unfurled across the surface. ¡°This is where you¡¯re going.¡± His finger tapped against the easternmost location. A ruin so deep into uncharted territory that the System didn¡¯t even mark it. Kara frowned. ¡°You said this is where the last missing team was sent?¡± Elias nodded. ¡°They were tracking another possible ruin.¡± Gareth¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°No contact?¡± Elias shook his head. ¡°They vanished three days ago. No distress signals. No return.¡± Leah¡¯s fingers curled near her staff. ¡°That¡¯s the same pattern as before.¡± Elias exhaled. ¡°Except this time, they had B-Rank adventurers.¡± Silence. That changed everything. The last missing teams had been lower-ranked. But if B-Rank adventurers had disappeared¡ª Then whatever they were walking into wasn¡¯t just another prison. It was something worse. Two days of supplies. Extra weapons and enchanted gear. Mana-restoration potions, healing salves, and emergency scrolls. They took horses to cut down travel time, pushing east toward the final outposts of civilization. By noon on the second day, the landscape had changed. No roads, No villages, No traces of adventurer patrols. It was like the world had stopped existing past a certain point. Leah swallowed hard. ¡°I don¡¯t like this.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t either. The further they traveled¡ª The quieter the System became. It wasn¡¯t just silent. It was absent. Like whatever was ahead of them wasn¡¯t just beyond the map. It was beyond the System¡¯s control. And that meant anything was possible. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. By the time they reached the ruins, the sun was setting. And the sight before them made Ethan¡¯s stomach drop. Massive stone structures, half-buried in overgrowth. Collapsed towers, their skeletal remains reaching toward the sky. Strange symbols carved into every surface¡ªsymbols that pulsed faintly in the dark. But the worst part? It wasn¡¯t abandoned. Because the moment they stepped past the first ruined gate¡ª The shadows moved it felt like the ruins themselves, It felt like something was watching them. Waiting. Kara gripped her sword. ¡°¡­Yeah. This place is cursed as hell.¡± Gareth scanned the area. ¡°Where¡¯s the missing team?¡± Ethan¡¯s Perception stretched outward. Then¡ª A faint pulse. Weak. Almost gone. ¡°¡­There¡¯s someone still here.¡± Leah stiffened. ¡°A survivor?¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± But whoever it was¡ª They were waiting for them in the city¡¯s heart. And Ethan had a terrible feeling about what they were about to find. Chapter 36: The Last Survivor The wind whispered through the ruins, carrying the scent of age and decay. Ethan¡¯s hand rested on the Twin Shadow fang draggers at his belt, his body tense. They weren¡¯t C-Rank rookies anymore. They were B-Rank adventurers now. And yet, as he stared into the darkness of the Forgotten City¡­ He didn¡¯t feel stronger. He felt like he had just stepped into something much bigger than himself. Because if a team of experienced B-Rank adventurers had vanished here¡­ Then their new rank wouldn¡¯t mean anything. Not against what was waiting in the dark. Signs of a Struggle They moved cautiously, weaving through the overgrown streets. The stone beneath their feet was cracked and uneven, covered in a web of eerie symbols that pulsed faintly in the dim light. Weapons lay scattered in the dirt. Deep claw marks carved into walls. The faint scent of blood lingering in the air. Leah whispered, ¡°This wasn¡¯t a normal fight.¡± Ethan nodded. The attacks weren¡¯t random. Something had hunted them. And from the looks of it¡ª It had won. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Ethan closed his eyes, stretching his Perception outward. At first, there was nothing. Then¡ª A faint, flickering presence. Weak. Fading. ¡°¡­There,¡± he muttered, pointing toward a collapsed temple. Without another word, they moved. The Last Survivor Inside the ruins of the temple, the air was thick with the scent of death. Ethan found him near the altar. A man. Slumped against the stone, his armor torn, bloodied, and covered in dark veins. Leah rushed forward. She placed a hand over his chest, her magic flaring. [Healing Light ¨C Activated.] The man jerked awake, gasping. His eyes snapped open. And Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. Because his left eye¡­ It wasn¡¯t normal. It was blackened, with a faint, swirling pattern inside¡ª Like the sigil on Ethan¡¯s chest. And then¡ª The man spoke. ¡°You¡­ shouldn¡¯t have come here.¡± Chapter 37: The Marked One Ethan stared at the injured man, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. The adventurer¡¯s left eye¡ªonce human¡ªwas now blackened, swirling with unnatural patterns. A mark. A symbol Ethan recognized. Because it was just like his. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have come here.¡± The man¡¯s voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper. Leah¡¯s magic flared as she pressed her hands against his chest, trying to stabilize him. [Healing Light ¨C Activated.] The golden glow pulsed, sealing the worst of his wounds. But the black veins creeping across his skin? They didn¡¯t fade. Leah¡¯s breath caught. ¡°I can¡¯t heal it.¡± The man laughed weakly. ¡°¡­You won¡¯t be able to.¡± His glowing eye flickered toward Ethan. ¡°Not unless he wills it.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach twisted. Because he knew exactly who the survivor was talking about. The Master. And that meant whatever had marked this man¡­ It wasn¡¯t just some curse. It was a claim. The man coughed, blood speckling his lips. Gareth knelt beside him, voice firm. ¡°What happened to your team?¡± The man¡¯s fingers twitched. ¡°¡­We were looking for the ruins.¡± His breath hitched. ¡°We found them.¡± His marked eye pulsed. ¡°And then¡­ they found us.¡± Kara¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Shadow-Touched?¡± The man shook his head. ¡°No.¡± His fingers clenched against the stone floor. ¡°They weren¡¯t like the others.¡± Ethan¡¯s grip tightened on his daggers. ¡°Then what were they?¡± The survivor¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper. ¡°¡­They used to be us.¡± A Nightmare Reborn Silence fell. Ethan felt his chest tighten. ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡± The man¡¯s blackened eye flickered. His lips curled into a tired, broken smile. ¡°They weren¡¯t monsters when they entered the city.¡± His voice shook. ¡°They were adventurers.¡± Leah froze. Kara¡¯s fingers tightened around her sword. Gareth¡¯s expression darkened. Ethan felt cold. Because if this man was telling the truth¡ª If the creatures that had attacked his team were once adventurers¡­ That meant the corruption wasn¡¯t just spreading. It was turning people. And the worst part? The survivor had been left alive. Not saved. Not spared. But left as a warning. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Ethan stepped closer. The mark on his chest burned, reacting to the survivor¡¯s tainted presence. The man noticed. His glowing eye narrowed. ¡°¡­You have it too.¡± Ethan¡¯s breath caught. The survivor¡¯s voice was barely a whisper now. ¡°¡­Then he¡¯s already watching you.¡± Ethan clenched his fists. ¡°Who is he?¡± The man chuckled weakly. ¡°You already know.¡± Ethan¡¯s pulse spiked. And the moment the words left the survivor¡¯s lips¡ª The air changed. A pulse of dark energy rippled through the ruins. And Ethan knew. Something had arrived. Something had found them. And it was too late to run. Chapter 38: The Corrupted Ones The air shifted. A deep, wrongness seeped into the ruins, twisting the space around them like an unseen pressure. Ethan¡¯s mark burned, a cold pulse running beneath his skin. A warning. A whisper. ¡°You are seen.¡± He whirled around, daggers drawn. Kara and Gareth tensed, weapons ready. Leah¡¯s magic flared, forming a protective barrier around the injured survivor. Then¡ª A low growl echoed from the temple¡¯s entrance. And the shadows moved. A New Horror Figures stepped forward, emerging from the ruined streets beyond. Their bodies were humanoid¡­ but wrong. Pale, stretched skin clung too tightly to their bones. Blackened veins pulsed beneath their flesh, crawling like living roots.Their eyes were gone¡ªnothing but swirling pits of darkness. Ethan¡¯s breath caught. Because he recognized what they had once been. Adventurers. ¡°They weren¡¯t monsters when they entered the city¡­¡± The survivor¡¯s words echoed in his head. These weren¡¯t just enemies. They were the missing team. Or at least¡ªwhat was left of them. The first corrupted one lunged. It moved faster than expected, closing the gap in an instant. [Shadow Step ¨C Activated.] Ethan blinked back, dodging by inches as claws slashed through empty air. Gareth met the next one head-on, his spear slamming forward. [Titan¡¯s Rush ¨C Activated.] The impact sent the creature skidding back, but it didn¡¯t fall. Kara dashed in, her blade glowing with wind energy. [Blade Arc ¨C Activated.] A sharp crescent of light slashed through the nearest enemy¡ªbut the wound barely slowed it. Leah¡¯s voice rang out¡ª [Barrier Ward ¨C Activated.] A golden shield blocked an incoming strike, barely holding against the sheer force. Ethan cursed. They were stronger than expected. And worse¡ª They were coordinating. These things weren¡¯t mindless beasts. They were thinking. Remembering. And that meant this fight was going to be a hell of a lot harder. The battle escalated. Gareth struck out, but the creatures adapted, dodging his spear at the last second. Kara landed a clean cut¡ªonly for the wound to seal almost instantly. Leah¡¯s light magic slowed them down, but it didn¡¯t stop them. And Ethan? Ethan was starting to realize something worse. With every failed attack¡ªthe corrupted were getting faster. Stronger. Like they were learning. Like they were evolving mid-fight. His mark burned hotter. And then¡ª One of the creatures spoke. ¡°You resist¡­ but you will join us.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. Because the voice¡­ It wasn¡¯t monstrous. It was human. A fragmented, broken echo of what these people had once been. They weren¡¯t just puppets. They were still in there. And something¡ªor someone¡ªwas controlling them. A Desperate Gamble They couldn¡¯t keep up this fight forever. Ethan¡¯s mind raced. If they could adapt¡ªif they were learning mid-battle¡­ Then they had to end this now. ¡°Leah!¡± Ethan called out. ¡°Can you purify them?¡± Leah¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°I¡ª¡± She hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Ethan gritted his teeth. There was only one way to find out. He dodged left, throwing a dagger into the ground¡ª [Dark Grasp ¨C Activated.] Shadow tendrils erupted, wrapping around the nearest corrupted. It snarled, struggling¡ª ¡°NOW, LEAH!¡± [Divine Sigil ¨C Activated.] Leah thrust her staff forward. A bright sigil formed in the air¡ª And then slammed down onto the trapped creature. The effect was instant. The black veins recoiled. The creature screamed¡ª And for a split second, Ethan saw something behind the darkness. A face. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Eyes filled with fear. With pain. With recognition. Then¡ª The sigil flashed once more. And the corrupted one collapsed. Dead. Gone. But not before whispering¡ª ¡°¡­Thank you.¡± Silence fell over the battlefield. The remaining corrupted ones hesitated. Kara exhaled. ¡°Holy shit. That worked?¡± Leah trembled, her hands shaking around her staff. ¡°I don¡¯t know if that was saving them¡­ or just putting them out of their misery.¡± Ethan swallowed hard. Because he had seen it in those final moments. A flicker of humanity. A glimpse of the person who had once been there. And that meant¡ª They weren¡¯t just fighting monsters anymore. They were killing people. Or worse¡­ They were mercy killing people who were already trapped. And that realization sat heavy in his chest. Because what if, one day¡ª He was the one looking back from behind that darkness? An Unseen Watcher The remaining corrupted ones didn¡¯t attack. Instead¡ª They turned. Retreating. Fading into the ruins, disappearing into the blackened corridors beyond. Ethan didn¡¯t chase. Because something told him this wasn¡¯t over. Kara wiped blood from her cheek. ¡°Well. That was new.¡± Gareth watched the retreating figures, his grip tight on his spear. ¡°They weren¡¯t trying to kill us.¡± Leah shuddered. ¡°No. They were trying to turn us.¡± Ethan stilled. Because she was right. This hadn¡¯t been a hunt. This had been a test. A trial. And somewhere, beyond the ruins¡ª Something had been watching. Waiting. The Master. Ethan¡¯s mark pulsed. A whisper curled through his mind¡ªcalm, assured, inevitable. ¡°Not yet, little predator.¡± ¡°But soon.¡± Ethan¡¯s fingers curled into a fist. Because no matter what the Master had planned¡ª Ethan wasn¡¯t going to wait for him to make the first move. Chapter 39: A Path to the Truth The silence after the battle weighed heavily on Ethan¡¯s team. The corrupted ones had retreated, disappearing into the ruins. Not defeated. Not eradicated. Just waiting. Watching. Planning. Kara exhaled, gripping her sword. ¡°They were learning mid-fight.¡± Gareth wiped his spear against his sleeve. ¡°No, worse. They were testing us.¡± Leah still knelt beside the survivor, her hands shaking slightly. ¡°They weren¡¯t trying to kill us,¡± she murmured. ¡°They were trying to change us.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach twisted. Because she was right. That battle hadn¡¯t been about survival. It had been about corruption. And Ethan knew¡ªif they had lost¡­ They wouldn¡¯t be dead. They would be something else. The wounded adventurer¡ªthe last of the missing team¡ª coughed, his breathing ragged. His blackened eye flickered as he looked at Ethan. ¡°You¡­ can still stop it.¡± Ethan tensed. ¡°Stop what?¡± The survivor¡¯s fingers trembled. ¡°The city¡­ it was sealed for a reason.¡± His body shuddered, veins pulsing. ¡°They locked something away here¡­ but the seal is weakening.¡± Leah¡¯s breath caught. ¡°Like the other ruins?¡± The man shook his head. ¡°No. Worse.¡± His marked eye pulsed. And Ethan felt it¡ªa flicker of recognition, deep within his own brand. The Master¡¯s influence. ¡°You don¡¯t have much time,¡± the man rasped. His fingers curled against the stone. ¡°The last chain will break soon.¡± Ethan¡¯s chest tightened. ¡°¡­What¡¯s behind the chain?¡± The survivor¡¯s lips parted¡ª Then his entire body seized. A violent tremor racked his frame, his blackened veins pulsing unnaturally. Leah gasped. ¡°His body¡ª! It¡¯s¡ª¡± The man jerked forward. His blackened eye flared¡ª And he screamed. His voice wasn¡¯t human. It was a twisting, fractured howl that shook the ruins. Dark tendrils burst from his back, twisting wildly like a creature trying to rip free from his body. Ethan reacted instantly. [Shadow Step ¨C Activated.] He blinked forward, daggers flashing¡ª But Gareth was faster. His spear struck true, piercing the man¡¯s chest before he could fully transform. The survivor¡¯s marked eye dimmed. His breathing slowed. And then¡ª He collapsed. Lifeless. Gone. Leah covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking. ¡°¡­He wasn¡¯t turning,¡± she whispered. ¡°He was being used.¡± Kara exhaled sharply. ¡°He was already dead the moment they let him go.¡± Gareth wiped his spear clean. ¡°They wanted us to hear that message.¡± Ethan looked down at the man¡¯s still body. His mark pulsed again. Because they were right. This had been deliberate. The Master had let them find him. Not out of mercy. But because he wanted them to know. The last chain was breaking. And they were already too late to stop it. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Leah swallowed hard. ¡°We can¡¯t leave yet.¡± Kara shot her a look. ¡°You want to stay?¡± ¡°We need to know what was sealed here,¡± Leah insisted. Ethan nodded. ¡°She¡¯s right.¡± They had come this far. And if there was even a chance they could find answers before whatever was locked away woke up¡­ Then they had to try. Gareth sighed, adjusting his grip on his spear. ¡°¡­Then we go deeper.¡± The team moved forward, pushing past the outer ruins. The city loomed ahead, its massive blackened towers stretching toward the sky. Ethan felt the pressure growing. Like something was waiting for them. Like something was calling him. And as they passed beneath a massive stone archway¡ª A System notification flashed. But it wasn¡¯t normal. It wasn¡¯t calm. It was urgent. [SYSTEM WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED] [LOCATION: ???? ¡ª OUTSIDE SYSTEM JURISDICTION] [DANGER LEVEL: UNCLASSIFIED] [RECOMMENDATION: LEAVE IMMEDIATELY] Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. Because the System itself¡ªthe thing that had rewritten their entire world¡ª Didn¡¯t know what this place was. And that meant one thing. They had just stepped into something far beyond its control. Chapter 40: The Heart of the Forgotten City The System Warning still hovered in Ethan¡¯s vision, pulsing in an angry red glow. [SYSTEM WARNING: UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED] [LOCATION: ???? ¡ª OUTSIDE SYSTEM JURISDICTION] DANGER LEVEL: UNCLASSIFIED] [RECOMMENDATION: LEAVE IMMEDIATELY] But the System¡¯s authority ended here. That much was clear. Ethan dismissed the message, his chest tightening as they moved forward. The air was heavier, the shadows stretched too far the city felt¡­ awake. Like it had been waiting. And the further they walked, the stronger that feeling became. Kara gritted her teeth, adjusting her grip on her sword. ¡°Okay. Anyone else feel like we¡¯re being¡­ herded?¡± Leah swallowed. ¡°Not just herded. Watched.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t respond. Because she was right. Something was guiding them deeper. And the worst part? He was letting it. A City That Shouldn¡¯t Exist They passed through the ruins, moving cautiously. Massive stone towers loomed above them, covered in twisting carvings that seemed to shift when no one was looking. Buildings stood in impossible angles. Strange, humming symbols pulsed in the walls. The deeper they went, the more the city looked¡­ untouched. As if it hadn¡¯t been abandoned. As if it had been preserved. Waiting for someone to wake it up. Gareth¡¯s expression was grim. ¡°This place isn¡¯t dead.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°No.¡± It was alive. They reached the center of the city. And there it was. A massive obelisk, towering over the ruined streets. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Black stone, covered in glowing veins of red. Ancient symbols that hummed in a language none of them understood. The same sigil that was on Ethan¡¯s chest¡ªcarved into its base. Ethan¡¯s mark burned. Leah took a shaky step back. ¡°¡­This isn¡¯t just some ruin.¡± Her voice shook. ¡°This was a temple.¡± Ethan felt his stomach drop. A temple. Not for humans. Not for the System. But for something else. Something older. Something buried. And they had just stepped into its domain. The air shivered. And then¡ª A whisper. Faint. Ancient. But not in his mind. This wasn¡¯t the Master. This was something else. Something left behind. ¡°You have come.¡± Ethan froze. The others heard it too. Gareth¡¯s spear snapped upward, his stance tightening. ¡°What the hell was that?¡± ¡°The chains weaken.¡± ¡°The gate stirs.¡± Leah¡¯s face was pale. ¡°Ethan¡­ what is this?¡± Ethan¡¯s breath came out slow. Because he didn¡¯t know. But he was about to find out. Because the ground beneath the obelisk shifted¡ª And a hidden staircase spiraled downward. The air was suffocating. Cold, damp stone beneath their feet. Walls lined with more of the strange pulsing sigils. A deep thrumming, like a heartbeat beneath the city. And then¡ª They reached the bottom. A massive chamber stretched before them. And in the center¡ª A gate. Black, obsidian-like material with massive rusted chains wrapped around it a crack in its surface, pulsing with an eerie glow. Ethan¡¯s mark burned hotter than ever. Leah¡¯s voice was barely a whisper. ¡°¡­This is what was sealed away.¡± Kara exhaled sharply. ¡°And it¡¯s already breaking.¡± Ethan stepped forward. The whispers grew louder. And this time¡ª He understood them. ¡°Open the door, little predator.¡± ¡°Let us finish what was started.¡± His fingers brushed against the chains. And for the first time, Ethan felt it¡ª A presence behind the gate. Waiting. Hungry. And he knew¡ª Whatever was sealed here¡­ It wasn¡¯t the Master. It was something worse. Chapter 41: The Gate of the Forgotten Ethan stood before the gate, his breath uneven. The obsidian structure pulsed with an unnatural energy, the massive rusted chains straining against an unseen force. The whispers from beyond were louder now. Not the Master¡¯s voice. Something else. Something older. ¡°You are close now.¡± Ethan¡¯s mark burned, the sigil on his chest pulsing in perfect rhythm with the cracks in the gate. He shouldn¡¯t be here. None of them should. But it was too late to turn back. The Others Feel It Too Leah¡¯s fingers tightened around her staff. ¡°This place¡­ it¡¯s not like the others.¡± Gareth¡¯s jaw was set, his grip firm on his spear. ¡°No. This one was meant to stay hidden.¡± Kara scoffed, though there was unease in her eyes. ¡°So why the hell is it waking up now?¡± Ethan exhaled. Because someone was breaking the chains. And whether it was the Master¡­ or something else¡­ It was already too late to stop it. A notification flashed in Ethan¡¯s vision. But this one was different. [SYSTEM ALERT: DANGER CLASSIFICATION: UNIDENTIFIED] [LOCATION: GATE OF THE FORGOTTEN] [WARNING: UNKNOWN ENTITY PRESENCE DETECTED] The System didn¡¯t recognize this place. Just like the library ruins. Just like the eastern prison. And that meant one thing. Whatever was behind this gate¡­ It existed outside the System¡¯s design. Something that wasn¡¯t meant to be part of this world. And now, it was about to return. The First Chain Breaks A deep, grinding sound echoed through the chamber. Ethan¡¯s chest tightened. One of the chains cracked. The metal shattered, pieces falling to the ground like broken stone. Leah took a step back. ¡°¡­Did we do that?¡± Ethan shook his head. ¡°No.¡± The chain had weakened on its own. And that meant whatever was on the other side¡­ It was fighting to get out. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Ethan¡¯s vision blurred. For a split second¡ªhe wasn¡¯t in the ruins anymore. He was somewhere else. A battlefield of shadows, stretching into endless darkness. Figures in cloaks, wielding glowing weapons chanting forbidden incantations a massive towering entity¡ªa being that shifted between shapes, its form never staying constant. The people fought. And they failed. One by one, they fell, their bodies turning to twisted, blackened husks. Until the last survivor¡ª A figure wearing the same sigil Ethan bore on his chest¡ª Sealed the gate shut. And then¡ª Everything faded. Ethan gasped, stumbling back into reality. Leah grabbed his arm. ¡°Ethan! What was that?¡± He blinked hard. ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know.¡± But something inside him did. Because he had felt it. This thing¡ªwhatever was locked away here¡ª It had been defeated once. Barely. And now¡ª It was about to wake up. Gareth¡¯s voice was grim. ¡°We need to decide.¡± Kara narrowed her eyes. ¡°Decide what?¡± Leah exhaled, looking at Ethan. ¡°¡­Whether we finish what they started.¡± Ethan looked back at the gate. At the remaining chains. The thing behind it was waiting. And he knew¡ª They had two choices. Leave now. Tell the Guild. Hope someone stronger could handle it or try to reseal the gate themselves¡­ before the last chain broke. But there was a third choice. One Ethan didn¡¯t want to admit. Or open the gate¡­ and face whatever was inside. Because deep down¡ª Something in his mark was telling him one thing. The Master wasn¡¯t the real threat. The real threat¡­ Was the thing the Master was trying to release. And if it broke free? There wouldn¡¯t be a world left to save. Chapter 42: The Breaking Point The air hummed with tension. Ethan¡¯s fingers hovered over his daggers, his heart pounding like a war drum. The Gate of the Forgotten loomed before them, its remaining chains trembling, resisting the force that tried to shatter them from within. One chain had already broken and the second was cracking, pulsing with dark energy. Only one remained untouched¡­ for now. And in his mind¡¯s eye, Ethan saw what came next. The chains would fail. The thing inside would wake up. And the world¡ªthe entire world¡ªwould never be the same. A Choice No One Wants to Make Kara¡¯s grip tightened around her sword. ¡°Tell me we¡¯re not seriously considering opening that thing.¡± Gareth shook his head. ¡°No. But we need to decide what we¡¯re doing before it happens on its own.¡± Leah¡¯s voice was uneven. ¡°If we leave now, we might still have time to warn the Guild¡ª¡± Ethan clenched his fists. ¡°We don¡¯t have time.¡± His mark burned, an undeniable truth searing into his bones. The gate was already failing. They could either act now¡­ or deal with what came next. And something told him¡ªif they let this thing loose, even an army wouldn¡¯t be able to stop it. A low, grinding noise echoed through the ruins. The second chain cracked. Then¡ªshattered. A pulse of raw energy blasted outward, shaking the entire city. Kara staggered. ¡°Shit¡ª¡± Leah¡¯s light magic flared, forming a barrier just in time to block a wave of unnatural force. Gareth braced himself, his spear planted firmly in the ground. Ethan¡¯s vision blurred. The whispers turned into a roar. ¡°Come, little predator.¡± ¡°Witness what was taken from us.¡± Something on the other side was awake now. And it knew he was here. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Ethan staggered forward, barely aware of the others shouting his name. The gate pulled at him, his mark pulsing in sync with the sigils along its surface. He saw flashes of another time of figures in black robes, performing ancient rites and a city standing at the edge of oblivion, swallowed in darkness. A war that ended with a desperate act¡ªa final sealing. And in the center of it all¡ª A towering, shifting figure, wrapped in chains of light and shadow. Something that was never meant to be seen again. Something that was about to return. A New Presence Arrives Then¡ªa voice broke through the madness. But it wasn¡¯t the Master. And it wasn¡¯t the thing behind the gate. It was human. ¡°Step away from the seal.¡± Ethan¡¯s body froze. A presence unlike anything he had ever felt descended upon the ruins¡ª Heavy. Commanding. Unshakable. And then¡ª From the shadows beyond the chamber, they appeared. A team of five figures, clad in high-grade enchanted armor, their weapons glowing with raw power. They weren¡¯t normal adventurers. They weren¡¯t even A-Rank. They were S-Rank. The strongest of the strong. And they had come for the gate. Chapter 43: Power Beyond Understanding The S-Rank Arrival Ethan could barely breathe. The six S-Rank adventurers stood before the Gate of the Forgotten, their presence crushing in its sheer intensity. eylan Stormrider, the Voidblade Warlord, radiated power, his hand resting on the hilt of his legendary blade. Kaela Ravencrown, the Arcane Executioner, scanned the gate with piercing violet eyes, analyzing its magic. Darius Ironheart, the Unbreakable Guardian, planted his massive shield into the ground, ready for war. Lira Moonveil, the Celestial Healer, whispered a soft incantation, her golden aura calming the space. Razik Thornfang, the Phantom Slayer, barely moved, his form flickering like a shadow in the mist. Orin Blackthorn, the Arcane Juggernaut, cracked his knuckles, arcs of raw mana flickering around him. Their eyes fell on Ethan¡¯s team. Assessing. Measuring. And then¡ªVeylan spoke. ¡°Step away from the gate.¡± Ethan¡¯s pulse pounded. These weren¡¯t just adventurers. These were living legends. But this wasn¡¯t their fight. Not yet Gareth took a measured breath. ¡°We¡¯ve been investigating these ruins for days. That gate¡ª¡± he gestured, ¡°is about to break open. You just got here.¡± Kaela¡¯s gaze flickered, unimpressed. ¡°And your point?¡± Kara scowled. ¡°Our point is¡ªwe know more about what¡¯s happening than you do.¡± Orin let out a short, amused laugh. ¡°Cute,¡± he mused, folding his arms. ¡°But irrelevant.¡± Ethan stepped forward. ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± he said. ¡°Something behind that gate¡ªsomething older than the System¡ªis waking up.¡± Veylan¡¯s silver eyes locked onto him. ¡°And you think we don¡¯t know that?¡± His voice was calm. Controlled. But Ethan felt the weight behind it. This is a man who has faced horrors beyond imagination. And survived. Veylan continued, ¡°We were sent from the capital to handle this situation. You were not.¡± Leah¡¯s voice shook. ¡°So you¡¯re just going to barge in and expect us to step aside?¡± Darius Ironheart tilted his head. ¡°Yes.¡± The word was spoken with absolute certainty. Like a fact. Like an undeniable truth. And for the first time¡ªEthan felt something dangerous. Something he hadn¡¯t expected. We are outclassed. Completely. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. A sudden pulse of dark energy exploded outward. The Gate of the Forgotten trembled¡ªanother crack forming along its surface. A voice¡ªdeep, ancient, and cold¡ªwhispered through the air. ¡°More have come.¡± ¡°More to witness.¡± ¡°More to break.¡± Ethan staggered, his mark burning white-hot. Veylan¡¯s eyes narrowed. Kaela¡¯s arcane senses flared. Orin cursed, stepping back. ¡°¡­That thing¡¯s alive.¡± The chains rattled violently. The city itself trembled. And then¡ª A System message flashed. [SYSTEM ALERT: FINAL SEAL WEAKENING] [GATE STATUS: 92% COMPROMISED] [RECOMMENDATION: IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION] Kaela¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Well. That¡¯s new.¡± Ethan¡¯s fists clenched. They were running out of time. And now¡ªthey had to decide who was going to stop it. Chapter 44: A Plan Divided The tremors from the Gate of the Forgotten had finally subsided. For now. But the air remained thick, charged with an unseen force. The S-Rank team stood like statues, their presence overwhelming. Ethan¡¯s team, despite their B-Rank status, refused to back down. Two forces. Two different approaches. And the gate stood between them¡ªa ticking bomb waiting to go off. The Dispute Begins Veylan Stormrider¡¯s cold silver eyes scanned the group before him. ¡°You¡¯ve done well reaching this far,¡± he said, his tone measured, unwavering. ¡°But your part in this is over.¡± Kara scoffed. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry¡ªdid we call for backup?¡± Kaela Ravencrown, the Arcane Executioner, let out a short laugh. ¡°No,¡± she said simply. ¡°But you should have.¡± Leah clenched her fists. ¡°The last team sent here disappeared. You think we¡¯re just going to leave and hope you don¡¯t meet the same fate?¡± Darius Ironheart, the Unbreakable Guardian, crossed his arms. ¡°If we fail, there¡¯s nothing left for you to stop.¡± Ethan felt a cold weight in his chest. They weren¡¯t wrong. These six were the strongest adventurers alive. But that didn¡¯t mean they understood the true danger. Because Ethan knew something they didn¡¯t. He had felt it through his mark. The thing behind the gate¡ªwhatever it was¡ªwanted him there. Ethan took a step forward. ¡°No.¡± The S-Ranks turned their attention to him. He met Veylan¡¯s steel-hard gaze and continued. ¡°We¡¯re not leaving.¡± Razik Thornfang, the Phantom Slayer, raised an eyebrow. ¡°That¡¯s bold.¡± Ethan exhaled sharply. ¡°You don¡¯t know what¡¯s behind this gate. You don¡¯t know what¡¯s waiting.¡± Orin Blackthorn, the Arcane Juggernaut, smirked. ¡°And you do?¡± Ethan¡¯s mark pulsed under his shirt. ¡°I do.¡± Veylan¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Explain.¡± Ethan clenched his fists. ¡°It¡¯s not just a seal. It¡¯s a prison. And it wasn¡¯t made by the System.¡± Silence. Even Lira Moonveil, the Celestial Healer, looked taken aback. Kaela tilted her head. ¡°That¡¯s a hell of a claim.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t waver. ¡°This thing¡ªit¡¯s older than the System. Older than our world.¡± The words felt heavy, as if someone else was speaking through him. The visions he¡¯d seen. The ancient battle long before the System descended. The figures in black robes. The final survivor sealing the gate. He could still hear the whispers. ¡°Come closer.¡± ¡°You already know what must be done.¡± Ethan¡¯s heart pounded. If the S-Rank team failed¡ª If they didn¡¯t understand what they were dealing with¡ª It was over. Not just for them. For everyone. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Veylan studied Ethan for a long moment. The other S-Ranks remained silent. Then¡ª ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± His voice was calm, yet edged with something dangerous. Ethan nodded. Veylan turned to his team. ¡°What do you think?¡± Darius grunted. ¡°If the kid¡¯s right, then brute force won¡¯t be enough.¡± Kaela sighed. ¡°Much as I hate to admit it¡­ we don¡¯t know what¡¯s behind that gate.¡± Lira¡¯s golden eyes flickered toward Ethan¡¯s chest¡ªas if she could sense the mark. ¡°¡­He¡¯s connected to it,¡± she murmured. Orin smirked. ¡°Great. So we¡¯ve got a ¡®chosen one¡¯ situation?¡± Razik chuckled. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be the first.¡± Veylan exhaled. ¡°Fine.¡± He looked at Ethan, his gaze sharp. ¡°We¡¯re handling the gate.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re coming with us.¡± Ethan¡¯s team exchanged glances. Gareth nodded. Leah sighed, gripping her staff. Kara scowled. ¡°If they screw this up, I¡¯m saying I told you so.¡± Ethan swallowed. This is happening. He was about to fight alongside legends. Against something none of them understood. And if they failed¡ª It wouldn¡¯t just be the city that fell. It would be the entire world. Chapter 45: The Final Seal—A Battle for Control The air was suffocating. The final chain rattled violently, its glowing inscriptions flickering like a dying flame. Ethan could feel it. The Gate of the Forgotten was seconds away from breaking and the thing inside was waiting and his mark burning hotter than ever. The six S-Rank adventurers stood ready, their expressions grim but composed. Ethan¡¯s team wasn¡¯t as calm. Leah¡¯s hands trembled around her staff. Kara¡¯s knuckles were white, gripping her sword too tightly. Gareth¡¯s usual stillness was broken by the faint tension in his stance. They all knew. This wasn¡¯t a battle they were supposed to win. This was a battle to survive. And for the first time in his life¡ªEthan wasn¡¯t sure if survival was an option. Veylan Stormrider, the leader of the S-Rank team, exhaled slowly. ¡°We only get one shot at this.¡± His voice cut through the tension like a blade. Darius Ironheart, the Unbreakable Guardian, planted his massive tower shield into the stone floor. ¡°We¡¯re forming a defensive perimeter,¡± he rumbled. ¡°Whatever comes out of that thing¡ªwe hold the line.¡± Kaela Ravencrown, the Arcane Executioner, flicked her wrist. Floating runes formed around her fingertips, crackling with raw power. ¡°I¡¯ll suppress whatever magic leaks through,¡± she said. ¡°If it tries to use spells, I cancel them.¡± Razik Thornfang, the Phantom Slayer, chuckled darkly. ¡°And if something too fast gets through¡ª¡± He twirled a blackened dagger. ¡°I take care of it.¡± Lira Moonveil, the Celestial Healer, whispered a soft prayer, her aura glowing with golden light. ¡°We have no idea how corrupting this thing is,¡± she murmured. ¡°I¡¯ll keep us stable¡ªbut if anyone feels influenced, say something immediately.¡± Orin Blackthorn, the Arcane Juggernaut, cracked his neck. ¡°And me?¡± His grin widened. ¡°I break things.¡± Ethan nodded slowly. ¡°And me?¡± Veylan¡¯s gaze locked onto his. ¡°You stay alive.¡± A deep rumble shook the ruins. The final chain cracked. Then¡ª It shattered. A wave of black energy exploded outward¡ªso powerful that even the S-Rank adventurers were forced to brace themselves. Ethan¡¯s vision blurred. The whispers turned into a roar. ¡°THE SEAL BREAKS.¡± ¡°WE ARE FREE.¡± ¡°COME FORWARD, LITTLE PREDATOR.¡± The Gate of the Forgotten cracked open. And something stepped through. At first, it was just darkness. A void-like mist spilling from the gate, crawling along the ground like living tendrils. Then¡ªthe shape formed. A shifting figure, too tall and too thin and its limbs twisted unnaturally, moving with an unnatural grace and its ¡®face¡¯ was an empty void, a gaping abyss where no features should exist, black sigils burned across its skin, shifting constantly, as if reality itself couldn¡¯t define what it was. Ethan¡¯s heart stopped. Because it wasn¡¯t just a monster. It was a forgotten entity. Something that shouldn¡¯t exist. Something that had been sealed away long before the System came into this world. Something that had been waiting for this exact moment. And when it spoke¡ªit didn¡¯t use words. It used thoughts. It used power. It used everything. ¡°You are late.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The thing moved first. Not with steps. It glided. One moment, it was standing still. The next¡ª It was inside the group. A blackened claw lashed toward Leah. Darius slammed his shield down, intercepting the strike with a force that shook the entire chamber. [Titan¡¯s Wall ¨C Activated.] A shockwave rippled outward. The creature hissed, recoiling slightly. But not much. Kaela raised her hand. [Mana Disruption ¨C Activated.] A ripple of anti-magic surged forward¡ª But the creature simply absorbed it. Then flickered forward. Kaela barely had time to blink away, reappearing a few feet back. Orin cursed. ¡°It¡¯s fast.¡± Veylan¡¯s sword glowed with void energy. [Void Slash ¨C Activated.] His blade cut through the air¡ª And landed. A deep gash appeared across the creature¡¯s chest¡ª Only for the wound to stitch itself back together instantly. Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. His mark pulsed violently. The entity turned toward him. ¡°You hold the Key.¡± Ethan staggered. His mind blurred. And suddenly¡ª He wasn¡¯t in the ruins anymore. He stood in a world of shadows. He saw them. The ancient sorcerers who had sealed this thing away. The warriors who had fought and died to stop it. The final survivor, carving the sigil into their own chest¡ªthe same mark Ethan now bore. And then¡ª He saw what was coming. A future where the seal was completely gone. A world where this thing walked freely. A world without light. A world where no one survived. And Ethan realized¡ª He wasn¡¯t supposed to fight it. He was supposed to seal it again. Back to Reality Ethan gasped, his body snapping back to the present. The battle was still raging. The S-Rank adventurers were pushing the creature back, but barely. It wasn¡¯t losing. It was learning. Adapting. Waiting for the moment it could completely escape. And Ethan knew¡ª They didn¡¯t have the strength to kill it. But they might have the strength to bind it. We have to seal it again. His voice rang out. ¡°We need to restrain it¡ªnot kill it!¡± Veylan¡¯s head snapped toward him. ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°Then tell us how.¡± Ethan swallowed hard. Because he had seen it. The ritual. The ancient binding. And now¡ªhe had to recreate it. Before the creature broke free completely. And before it was too late. Chapter 46: The Ancient Binding—A Ritual Against Time A Fight Against the Unstoppable The ruins trembled, cracks forming along the ancient walls as the battle raged. The entity¡ªthe Forgotten One¡ªshifted and warped, a being of pure corruption barely contained in a twisted, unstable form. It could not be wounded. It could not be killed. It was learning with every second. The six S-Rank adventurers fought like legends, their attacks powerful enough to shatter mountains¡ª But it wasn¡¯t enough. Ethan¡¯s team was already struggling to keep up. Leah¡¯s barriers cracked under the pressure. Kara¡¯s blades barely cut before the wounds sealed. Gareth¡¯s strikes landed, but the thing didn¡¯t even flinch. They were fighting a force beyond mortality. And Ethan knew the truth now. ¡°We can¡¯t win this fight.¡± They had one chance. One way to stop it. They had to seal it away¡ªbefore it fully escaped. And he was the key. Ethan gritted his teeth, his mark pulsing violently beneath his shirt. He remembered the vision. The ancient sorcerers who had bound this thing before. The sacrificial mark they had used to fuel the seal. The runes, the incantations, the blood price. He had to recreate it. And if he failed¡ª This thing would be free forever. ¡°I need space!¡± Ethan shouted. Veylan Stormrider, the Voidblade Warlord, didn¡¯t hesitate. [Void Severance ¨C Activated.] He slashed through the air, tearing a rift of nothingness between Ethan and the Forgotten One¡ªforcing the entity back. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re doing,¡± Veylan said, silver eyes blazing, ¡°do it fast.¡± Ethan¡¯s heart pounded. This was it. He spread his arms, and the mark on his chest flared with light. [System Override Detected.] [Warning: You Are Attempting to Use Ancient Magic Outside the System¡¯s Jurisdiction.] [Proceed?] Ethan ignored the warnings. He slammed his hand against the ground. [Sealing Sigil¡ªActivation Initiated.] A circle of glowing runes erupted from the stone beneath them, stretching fifty meters wide. The same sigils that had been burned into his mind from the visions¡ªthey formed exactly as he remembered. Kaela Ravencrown, the Arcane Executioner, cursed. ¡°That¡¯s not modern magic.¡± Lira Moonveil, the Celestial Healer, paled. ¡°That¡¯s forbidden.¡± Ethan didn¡¯t care. He had no other choice. He lifted his arms and spoke the words of the ancients. A language no one should know, a spell no one should cast, a power that even the System itself feared. The runes flared, burning white-hot. And the Forgotten One screamed. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. The moment Ethan invoked the binding magic¡ª The Forgotten One attacked. It moved faster than ever. It twisted space around it, trying to break free. It screamed in a voice that wasn¡¯t a sound¡ªbut a force. ¡°YOU CANNOT BIND ME AGAIN.¡± ¡°THIS WORLD IS MINE.¡± Darius Ironheart, the Unbreakable Guardian, roared as he slammed his shield into the ground. [Bulwark of the Gods ¨C Activated.] A massive golden barrier erupted, blocking the creature¡¯s wild tendrils from reaching Ethan. Razik Thornfang, the Phantom Slayer, blurred into the shadows. He reappeared directly behind the entity¡ª And drove his daggers into the shifting void. [Soul Rend ¨C Activated.] For the first time, the Forgotten One shuddered. Not in pain. Ethan¡¯s arms burned. The sealing magic was taking its toll. The ancient script demanded power. A sacrifice of mana, of body, of life force. It was consuming him to complete the seal. His vision blurred. The voices grew louder. ¡°One must bear the mark.¡± ¡°One must be the anchor.¡± Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. He finally understood. The reason the last survivor in his vision had carved the sigil into their own chest. The seal wasn¡¯t just magic. It was a living link. A chain that required a soul. And if they were going to contain this thing again¡ª Someone had to be the chain. Someone had to stay behind. Ethan steeled himself. He knew what he had to do. But before he could act¡ª Veylan grabbed him. ¡°You¡¯re not doing this alone,¡± the Voidblade Warlord snapped. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You can¡¯t¡ª¡± Veylan¡¯s silver eyes burned. ¡°I¡¯ve fought nightmares before,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ve lost friends to things like this. And I won¡¯t let a damn kid carry this burden alone.¡± Lira Moonveil stepped forward. ¡°Neither will I.¡± Kaela sighed. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m agreeing to this, but fine.¡± Darius cracked his knuckles. ¡°We all hold the line.¡± The S-Rank team wasn¡¯t just watching anymore. They were binding it with him. The Binding Complete The runes flared one last time. Ethan gritted his teeth as the seal locked into place. The Forgotten One screamed, its form twisting, warping¡ª Being dragged back. The black mist pulled inward. The runes sealed the cracks. The entity was forced back into its prison. The final word of the ritual left Ethan¡¯s lips¡ª And the gate slammed shut. A deep BOOM echoed through the ruins. And then¡ª Silence. Ethan collapsed to his knees. The seal was intact. The gate was closed again. His body shook, exhausted, every muscle screaming from the magical toll. But it was done. The world was safe¡ªfor now. Leah rushed to his side. ¡°Ethan!¡± Kara let out a shaky laugh. ¡°Holy shit, that worked?¡± Gareth simply let out a deep breath. Veylan exhaled, sheathing his sword. ¡°We need to reinforce the seal,¡± he said. ¡°Make sure this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± Ethan nodded, barely able to move. Because he knew¡ª This wasn¡¯t over. This was just the beginning. Because whatever that thing was¡ª It wasn¡¯t just a prisoner. It was a god forgotten by time. And Ethan had just become its warden. Chapter 47: A Price Paid—The Truth of the Seal The ruins no longer trembled. The Gate of the Forgotten stood sealed once more, its surface dull and lifeless, the last of its corrupted energy fading into nothing. But everyone could feel it. The world had changed. The seal had worked¡ªbut at a cost. And Ethan was no longer the same. Ethan stared at his hands, his body numb, his breath ragged. Something inside him had shifted. The mark on his chest still pulsed faintly¡ªbut it wasn¡¯t the same as before. Before, it had been a burden. Now¡ª It felt like a key. [System Override Detected.] [Warning: You Have Interacted With An Entity Beyond System Classification.] [Processing Changes¡­] Ethan¡¯s vision blurred as a new status screen forced its way into his mind. [STATUS UPDATE: Ethan Voss] [Class Evolution: Abysswalker] [Title Earned: Warden of the Forgotten] [New Passive Ability Unlocked: Eternal Chain] [New Skill Unlocked: Abyssal Lock] His heartbeat slammed against his ribs. This isn¡¯t just an upgrade¡­ The System is rewriting me. Leah¡¯s voice broke through his haze. ¡°Ethan?¡± He looked up. His friends, the S-Rank team¡ª they were all staring at him. And he realized¡ªthey had seen it. The moment the seal completed, something about him had changed. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Lira Moonveil, the Celestial Healer, stepped forward, her golden eyes scanning him with an unreadable expression. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ different.¡± Ethan swallowed. ¡°Yeah.¡± Kaela Ravencrown, the Arcane Executioner, crossed her arms. ¡°The System gave you a title, didn¡¯t it?¡± He hesitated. ¡°¡­Warden of the Forgotten.¡± The air grew colder. Even the S-Rank adventurers reacted. Veylan Stormrider¡¯s gaze hardened. ¡°That¡¯s not just a title,¡± he said. ¡°That¡¯s a binding.¡± Darius Ironheart frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t earn something like that without a cost.¡± Razik Thornfang, the Phantom Slayer, tilted his head. ¡°So what did you lose?¡± Ethan clenched his fists. That was the problem. He didn¡¯t know yet. But he could feel it. The weight. The chains. He wasn¡¯t just connected to the seal. He was part of it now. And that meant¡ªif the gate ever broke again¡­ So would he. Gareth placed a heavy hand on Ethan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t carry this alone.¡± Leah nodded, her expression full of worry. ¡°You always act like you can handle everything. But this is different.¡± Kara, for once, didn¡¯t argue. She just muttered, ¡°Yeah. This one¡¯s a bit above your pay grade.¡± Ethan let out a weak laugh. ¡°¡­Understatement of the year.¡± But deep down¡ªhe knew. This was his burden now. And nothing was ever going to change that. Veylan studied Ethan for a long time before speaking. ¡°¡­You¡¯ve been marked by something beyond the System.¡± His silver eyes darkened. ¡°This isn¡¯t over. Not for you.¡± Ethan nodded. ¡°I know.¡± Veylan exhaled. ¡°We¡¯ll report this to the capital,¡± he said. ¡°But you need to understand something.¡± Kaela picked up where he left off. ¡°You¡¯re not just some B-Rank adventurer anymore,¡± she said. ¡°You¡¯re something else.¡± Razik smirked. ¡°Something dangerous.¡± Orin chuckled. ¡°Yeah, that title of yours? That¡¯s gonna make you real popular with people who want to know what you are now.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach twisted. So it¡¯s not just the Master I have to worry about¡­ It¡¯s everyone else, too. A New Path¡ªA New Threat The capital would learn of this. The Adventurer¡¯s Guild would learn of this. And soon¡ªso would the Master. Because even though they had sealed the gate again¡­ Ethan could still hear it. A whisper. Faint. Lingering. ¡°This is not the end.¡± ¡°The chains will break again.¡± ¡°And next time, little Warden¡­¡± ¡°You will not stop us.¡± Ethan closed his eyes. Because he knew one thing for certain. Chapter 48: The Journey Back—And the Capital’s Reaction The Gate of the Forgotten was sealed. The battle was over. But the world beyond these ruins had already begun to change. Ethan could feel it. The weight of the new title pressed against him. The whispers of the Forgotten One still lingered in his mind. The System¡¯s silence unnerved him more than its warnings ever had. This wasn¡¯t just about surviving anymore. This was about what came next. And Ethan had the sinking feeling that¡ªwhatever it was¡ª It wouldn¡¯t be waiting long. The Departure The trek back to Portland was silent. The S-Rank team led the way, their presence looming even in stillness. Ethan¡¯s party followed, their exhaustion heavy in every step. No monsters attacked. No disturbances arose. It was unnatural. Like even the wilds could sense that something had changed. Or perhaps¡ª Something was watching. Waiting. Letting them leave for now. By the third day of travel, the reality of what had happened settled in. Kara sighed, adjusting the strap on her pack. ¡°Y¡¯know, normally after we finish a dungeon, I like to celebrate.¡± Leah shot her a tired glare. ¡°You nearly died.¡± Kara shrugged. ¡°Yeah. Which is why I wanna drink.¡± Gareth let out a quiet chuckle. ¡°You always want to drink.¡± Ethan, however, didn¡¯t respond. His mark still pulsed faintly under his skin. A reminder. A warning. Because he knew¡ª They had stopped it for now. But it wouldn¡¯t hold forever. And when it broke again? No one would be ready. A Tense Arrival at the Guild By the time they reached Portland, word had already spread. The Adventurer¡¯s Guild was buzzing with energy. Reports of the missing B-Rank team¡¯s fate had leaked. Rumors of a sealed, ancient entity circulated the halls. And Ethan¡¯s name was being whispered everywhere. He felt the stares. Not just at him. At all of them. But especially at the six S-Rank adventurers walking beside them. Because S-Ranks never showed up unless something truly dangerous had happened. And this? This was beyond dangerous. This was something else. The moment they stepped into the Guild Hall, Elias was waiting. The Guild master''s sharp eyes locked onto them, his usually composed face grim. ¡°Inside,¡± he ordered, motioning toward the Guild¡¯s private meeting room. No hesitation. No questioning. The moment they entered, Elias closed the door. Then he turned to Veylan, arms crossed. ¡°Tell me,¡± Elias said, his voice cold. ¡°What the hell happened out there?¡± The Report Veylan didn¡¯t waste words. He explained everything. The disappearance of the B-Rank team. The Gate of the Forgotten and its breaking chains. The ancient being that nearly escaped. The sealing ritual¡ªand Ethan¡¯s unexpected role in it. Elias listened without interruption. But the more Veylan spoke¡ª The darker his expression became. And when the report was finished¡ª Elias exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. ¡°This is worse than I expected.¡± The Guild¡¯s Decision Elias looked at Veylan. ¡°Did the capital send you to assess the ruins or to eliminate the threat?¡± Veylan¡¯s silver eyes hardened. ¡°Both.¡± Silence. Then Elias turned to Ethan. ¡°You understand what this means, don¡¯t you?¡± Ethan nodded slowly. He wasn¡¯t stupid. The Guild wouldn¡¯t just ignore this. The capital would demand answers. And Ethan? He was now a piece in a much larger game. A game he hadn¡¯t agreed to play. But one he was stuck in nonetheless. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Elias¡¯s gaze softened¡ªjust slightly. ¡°You¡¯ve done good work, Ethan,¡± he said. ¡°You all have.¡± A pause. ¡°But you¡¯re not just an adventurer anymore.¡± Ethan¡¯s stomach twisted. He had known that. But hearing it out loud made it real. ¡°You need to be careful,¡± Elias continued. ¡°The capital will want to control you.¡± Veylan nodded. ¡°They¡¯ll want to study you,¡± the S-Rank leader said. ¡°Use you.¡± Kaela sighed. ¡°They¡¯ll probably send someone to ¡®invite¡¯ you to the capital soon.¡± Orin smirked. ¡°And it won¡¯t be optional.¡± Ethan exhaled. Of course. The moment the System gave him a title beyond their understanding¡­ The moment the gate recognized him as its Warden¡­ The moment he changed¡ª The world took notice. And now? It was only a matter of time before they came knocking. Leah frowned. ¡°So what do we do?¡± Elias crossed his arms. ¡°For now, nothing.¡± His gaze flickered toward Ethan. ¡°Lay low. Keep working. Don¡¯t draw attention.¡± Kara scoffed. ¡°Kinda late for that, don¡¯t you think?¡± Elias sighed. ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t make it worse.¡± Ethan nodded slowly. For now¡ªhe had no choice but to wait. But deep down? He already knew. This wasn¡¯t over. Not even close. And when the capital finally made their move¡ª Ethan would have to decide his next step. Before someone decided for him. Chapter 49: The Class Examination—And the End of the Beginning Ethan should have expected this. After everything¡ªthe battle, the seal, the capital¡¯s interference¡ª The Adventurer¡¯s Guild wasn¡¯t about to let him walk away without answers. His class had evolved. His title had changed. His power was now beyond standard classification. And that meant one thing. A Class Examination. A mandatory test to determine what he had become. Ethan stood in the center of the Guild¡¯s assessment chamber, surrounded by Guild officials, magic analysts, and combat instructors. Leah, Kara, and Gareth were watching from the side, tension clear in their expressions. The S-Rank adventurers had left the city earlier that morning. But their warning remained. This test wasn¡¯t just about ranking Ethan. It was about control. And if the Guild didn¡¯t like what they found? They might try to take control of him themselves. The Guildmaster, Elias Thurman, stood at the front of the room, arms crossed. "Alright, Ethan," he said. "Let¡¯s begin." A System interface materialized in the air¡ªa modified assessment tool used only for rare cases. Ethan took a deep breath. The moment he placed his hand on the crystal panel, the System reacted violently. [ERROR: UNKNOWN CLASS DETECTED.] [PROCESSING...] [CALIBRATING NEW CLASS PARAMETERS¡­] The entire chamber darkened. A pulse of void-like energy rippled outward¡ªunlike any standard class assessment before. The observers tensed. Then, after several tense seconds¡­ The results flashed. Assessing the Unknown The Guildmaster, Elias Thurman, stood at the front of the room, arms crossed. "Alright, Ethan," he said. "Let¡¯s begin." A System interface materialized in the air¡ªa modified assessment tool used only for rare cases. Ethan took a deep breath. The moment he placed his hand on the crystal panel, the System reacted violently. [ERROR: UNKNOWN CLASS DETECTED.] [PROCESSING...] [CALIBRATING NEW CLASS PARAMETERS¡­] The entire chamber darkened. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. A pulse of void-like energy rippled outward¡ªunlike any standard class assessment before. The observers tensed. Then, after several tense seconds¡­ The results flashed. Ethan¡¯s New Class: Abysswalker [NAME: Ethan Voss] [RANK: B-Rank Adventurer] [CLASS: Abysswalker (Unique)] [SUB-CLASS: Warden of the Forgotten] Abysswalker: A hybrid combat class specializing in dark magic, stealth, and binding techniques. Warden of the Forgotten: A sub-class tied to the sealed entity, granting access to unknown energies. [NEW CLASS ABILITIES UNLOCKED:] Abyssal Lock (Unique - Binding Magic) ¨C Ethan can momentarily seal an enemy¡¯s abilities, weakening them significantly. Void Step (Rare - Movement Ability) ¨C Ethan can teleport through shadows, ignoring normal terrain. Predator¡¯s Chain (Unique - Passive) ¨C Allows Ethan to strengthen his abilities against entities connected to the Forgotten One. Mark of the Warden (??? - Passive) ¨C Unidentified effect. Awaiting further growth. The room was silent. Ethan exhaled slowly This wasn¡¯t just an evolution. It was a shift into something entirely new Elias studied the results. The other Guild officials murmured amongst themselves. Kara muttered, "That¡¯s¡­ not normal, right?" Gareth crossed his arms. "Not even close." Leah looked at Ethan. "How do you feel?" Ethan clenched his fists. Stronger. But also¡­ different. Before he could answer, Elias finally spoke. "You¡¯re officially classified as a Unique-Path Adventurer." A rare category outside traditional ranking structures. But then¡ª Elias¡¯s gaze darkened. "Which means from this point forward¡­ the Guild will be keeping a close eye on you." The Celebration¡ªAnd the Weight of It All Despite the tension of the examination, the Guild still insisted on a celebration. The successful mission. The survival of Ethan¡¯s team. The defeat¡ªor at least sealing¡ªof the Forgotten One. The Guild Hall was lively that evening. Drinks were poured. Stories were told. Even Kara and Leah managed to laugh¡ªdespite their exhaustion. But Ethan? He felt the weight of everything. The title. The class. The thing still waiting in the dark. And worst of all¡ª The inevitable approach of the capital. He knew this peace wouldn¡¯t last. But for tonight? He let himself pretend. Just for a while. The streets of Portland were quiet as Ethan made his way home. His body was heavy with exhaustion. His mind swirled with everything that had happened. By the time he locked his door, he barely made it to his bed. As soon as he hit the mattress¡ª His body gave in. Sleep took him instantly. And for the first time in days, there were no nightmares. Or so he thought. End of Book 1: The Abysswalker¡¯s Awakening A look into Book 2: The Master¡¯s Invitation Ethan awoke with a start. But something was wrong. The bed beneath him was gone. The warmth of his home¡ªvanished. The familiar weight of Portland¡¯s air¡ªmissing. Instead¡ª Cold stone beneath him. A vast, endless darkness stretching in every direction. A presence¡ªwatching. Then¡ªa voice. Smooth. Amused. Inevitable. "Finally awake, little predator?" Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. Because he knew who it was. The Master had taken him. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 1: The Master’s Domain Ethan¡¯s eyes snapped open. Cold stone beneath him. An air so heavy, it felt like he was sinking into the abyss. A silence that wasn¡¯t empty¡ªbut filled with something watching. He sat up too fast, his heart hammering. This wasn¡¯t Portland. This wasn¡¯t his room. This was somewhere else. Somewhere wrong. And he wasn¡¯t alone. A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the darkness. Then¡ªa voice. Smooth. Amused. Unmistakable.
"Finally awake, little predator?"
Ethan¡¯s stomach twisted. Because he knew who it was. The Master had taken him. A figure stepped forward from the shadows. Tall, impossibly so. Draped in a long, flowing black coat. A face that wasn¡¯t quite human¡ªbut close enough to be unsettling. Eyes like swirling voids, shifting between endless patterns. A smile curved his lips. "Welcome," the Master said, spreading his arms. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "To my domain." Ethan forced himself to breathe. No chains. No physical restraints. Yet, his body felt heavy¡ªas if unseen forces bound him in place.
Where the hell am I?
He didn¡¯t speak those words aloud. Not yet. The Master was waiting. Studying him. Like a predator amused by its prey. And Ethan refused to be prey. Ethan forced himself to stand. His knees felt weak, but he didn¡¯t show it. "Where are we?" he asked, his voice steady. The Master¡¯s smile widened. "A place outside of places." He stepped closer¡ª**too close¡ª**but Ethan refused to flinch. "A realm that exists between the waking and the forgotten," the Master mused. "A space not bound by the System¡¯s rules." Ethan¡¯s breath slowed. Outside the System? Beyond the laws of magic and physics? A place where reality could be shaped by the one in control? His fingers twitched toward his daggers. The Master laughed. "You won¡¯t need those." Ethan gritted his teeth. "Why am I here?" The Master¡¯s gaze darkened¡ªjust slightly. "Because it¡¯s time for you to learn, little predator." He tilted his head. "Tell me, do you truly understand what you¡¯ve become?" Ethan¡¯s stomach clenched. Because the answer was no. The Master took another step forward, circling Ethan. "You sealed the Forgotten One." His voice was low, measured. "But in doing so, you bound yourself to something far greater than you realize." Ethan clenched his fists.
I already know that.
The Master smirked. "Ah. But you don¡¯t know what it means." He stopped directly in front of Ethan, his presence suffocating. "You are not just an adventurer anymore." His voice lowered¡ªalmost a whisper. "You are something more." Ethan¡¯s mark burned. And then¡ª A wave of knowledge crashed into him. Visions. Memories that weren¡¯t his. The first Warden¡ªthe one who sealed the entity before. A war fought in secret, outside of time. A cycle¡ªone that had repeated over and over. His breath caught. "You¡¯re lying." The Master chuckled. "Am I?" The Master stepped back, spreading his arms. "Let¡¯s find out, shall we?" Dark energy swirled around him. And then¡ª Ethan¡¯s vision shattered. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 2: A Trial in the Abyss Ethan¡¯s vision shattered. One moment, he was standing before the Master, locked in a battle of words. The next¡ª He was falling. Endless blackness stretched in every direction. No up, no down¡ªjust a vast, infinite void. A weightless descent, yet his stomach churned like he was plummeting. The air was cold, pressing against his skin like an unseen force. Then¡ª A whisper.
¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯re truly made of, little predator.¡±
The Master¡¯s voice echoed, but he was nowhere to be seen. Ethan gritted his teeth. This wasn¡¯t real. It wasn¡¯t a normal place. t was something created¡ªan illusion, a trial. But that didn¡¯t mean it wasn¡¯t dangerous. Suddenly¡ª Impact. Ethan¡¯s body hit solid ground. Not painfully¡ªbut suddenly. Like the void had simply decided to stop his fall. He stumbled to his feet, blinking against the gloom. Blackened stone stretched in every direction. No walls, no sky¡ªjust endless space. And in the distance, a single figure stood. A humanoid shape. Wrong. Distorted. Its body was shrouded in swirling shadows. No face¡ªjust a hollow abyss where its features should be. Its arms twitched unnaturally, as if its limbs didn¡¯t fully belong to it. Ethan¡¯s mark burned. The thing watched him. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Waiting. Then¡ªit moved. The shadow lunged¡ª Faster than any monster Ethan had faced before. His instincts screamed.
[Void Step ¨C Activated.]
He blinked to the side, the creature¡¯s blackened claws missing him by inches. It didn¡¯t pause. It twisted¡ª**too fast¡ª**and attacked again. Ethan barely managed to block with his daggers, the force rattling his bones. It was strong. Faster than him. And worst of all¡ªit was learning. The thing didn¡¯t move like a beast. It moved like a fighter. A hunter. Like it had fought Ethan before. And it was adapting. Ethan gritted his teeth. His normal attacks weren¡¯t working. ts movements mirrored his¡ªlike it already knew his combat style. It was his shadow. His own reflection, stripped of its humanity. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut.
This thing is me.
The Master¡¯s voice echoed from the void¡ªamused.
¡°Ah. You see it now.¡±
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
So this is the trial? Fighting my own reflection?
No. It was more than that. This wasn¡¯t just a test of strength. It was a test of control. Ethan stopped dodging. He planted his feet, shifting his stance. The shadow hesitated. Ethan exhaled.
If it¡¯s learning from me¡­
Then I need to do something it can¡¯t predict.
The shadow lunged again. But this time¡ª Ethan didn¡¯t just block. He reached into his mark¡ªthe strange power that had been growing inside him since the gate. And he let it flow.
[Abyssal Lock ¨C Activated.]
Chains of black energy erupted from the void, wrapping around the shadow. The creature thrashed, its form distorting, its movements slowing¡ª Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate.
[Twin Fang Strike ¨C Activated.]
He rushed forward, his daggers flashing. One blade tore through the creature¡¯s chest. The other buried deep into its throat. For a moment¡ªsilence. Then¡ª The shadow collapsed. And as it faded, Ethan felt something shift inside him. Like a piece of himself had been restored. A slow clap echoed through the void. Ethan turned, chest heaving, his daggers still gripped tightly. The Master stood there, watching him with dark amusement. "Not bad," he mused. Ethan glared. "What the hell was that?" The Master tilted his head. "A lesson." He stepped forward, eyes gleaming. "You see, little predator¡ªpower is nothing without control." Ethan clenched his fists. "That thing was me." The Master smirked. "Yes. And no." He gestured around them. "This realm? It is a reflection of your potential." He leaned closer, voice smooth. "And potential can be your greatest strength¡­ or your greatest enemy." Ethan¡¯s mark pulsed. And deep down, he knew¡ª This trial was far from over. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 3: The Labyrinth of Shadows Ethan gasped awake. His chest rose and fell in quick, uneven breaths, his body drenched in sweat. The air was thick and damp, pressing against his skin like a suffocating weight. The scent of burnt metal and rotting stone filled his lungs, sharp and bitter. Something was wrong. He pushed himself upright, his hands pressing against cold, unyielding stone. The ground beneath him was smooth but unnatural, like it had been polished by something that wasn¡¯t human. His fingers twitched toward his daggers, but the familiar weight of his weapons was missing. A chill ran through him as realization set in¡ªhe had nothing. No blades, no supplies, no allies. Panic threatened to claw its way up his throat, but he swallowed it down, forcing himself to focus. This wasn¡¯t Portland. It wasn¡¯t the ruins. He wasn¡¯t in any place he recognized. Wherever he was, the Master had brought him here for a reason. That meant this wasn¡¯t just a prison. This was a test. He slowly got to his feet, scanning his surroundings. The corridor stretched endlessly in both directions, its walls carved from dark obsidian stone. Torches burned with an eerie blue light, flickering unnaturally, casting twisting shadows against the ground. The ceiling arched high above, covered in crimson runes that pulsed with an energy Ethan didn¡¯t recognize. The whole place felt wrong. Something was watching him. Ethan placed a hand against the wall. The stone was cool under his fingers, but as he held it there, he felt a faint pulse beneath his palm. A rhythm, like a slow heartbeat. He jerked his hand away. The walls weren¡¯t just stone. They were something else. Something alive. A whisper drifted through the air. "Little predator¡­" Ethan froze, his muscles tensing. The voice wasn¡¯t coming from any direction¡ªit was everywhere at once, seeping into his bones like an infection. "Still so blind. So weak." His jaw clenched. "Show yourself." A soft chuckle echoed through the corridor. "You have much to learn." The air grew colder. A low growl rumbled behind him. Ethan turned sharply. The shadows ahead shifted, bending unnaturally, and then something stepped forward. A creature, tall and twisted, emerged from the darkness. Its body was skeletal, wrapped in rotting black tendrils that pulsed like veins beneath decayed flesh. Its mouth stretched too wide, jagged fangs dripping with thick black ichor. Hollow blue light burned within its empty sockets, staring at Ethan with something that wasn¡¯t quite intelligence¡ªbut wasn¡¯t mindless, either. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. A Corrupted Warden. One of the Master¡¯s creations. The thing inhaled slowly, its body jerking as though it wasn¡¯t fully in control of itself. And then it lunged. Ethan barely had time to react. He threw himself to the side, rolling across the cold stone floor as the Warden¡¯s claws carved through the air where he had just stood. He came up quickly, instinctively reaching for weapons that weren¡¯t there. His breath was ragged. No blades. No backup. Just himself. Think. The Warden turned its head toward him, its mouth twisting into something that almost resembled a grin. It moved slowly now, studying him, knowing he was unarmed. It was toying with him. Ethan¡¯s eyes darted to the torches lining the walls. Blue flames flickered, casting just enough light to reveal the creature¡¯s shifting form. He saw it then¡ªthe way its body recoiled slightly whenever it moved too close to the fire. It was weak to fire. His gaze locked onto the nearest torch. It was his only shot. The Warden lunged again, faster this time. Ethan surged forward, ducking beneath its swipe and reaching for the torch in one fluid motion. His fingers closed around the wooden shaft, yanking it free from its iron holder. The blue flames danced violently, but they didn¡¯t go out. The creature hesitated. Its hollow eyes flickered, its body shuddering. Ethan raised the torch. "Come on, then." A shriek tore from the Warden¡¯s throat, and it attacked. Ethan swung the torch wide, the flames slicing through the air. The fire caught on the Warden¡¯s tendrils, spreading across its decayed flesh in an instant. The creature screeched, convulsing as its body blistered under the flames. It staggered back, limbs twitching uncontrollably. But it wasn¡¯t dying. It was weakening, slowing¡ªbut not enough. The fire wasn¡¯t enough to kill it. Ethan¡¯s heartbeat thundered in his ears. He had to finish this. Pain flared across his chest. The mark¡ªthe sigil the Gate had burned into him¡ªwas pulsing violently now, a deep, resonant hum that filled his mind. He felt something stir inside him, something ancient, something waiting. Use it. The thought came unbidden, but he didn¡¯t question it. He let the power rise, let it fill his limbs, let it flow through him like a current. Dark chains erupted from his palm, coiling around the Warden¡¯s limbs like living tendrils. The creature howled, thrashing violently as the chains constricted, pulling tighter and tighter. The strain of holding the power was immense, his body screaming in protest, but Ethan refused to let go. The Warden¡¯s body convulsed once, twice¡ªthen shattered into a heap of blackened ash. Silence filled the corridor. Ethan staggered back, gasping for air. His arms felt like lead, his vision swimming. Every muscle in his body ached. But he had won. A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the air. Ethan turned, chest still heaving. The Master stood a few feet away, watching with that same infuriating smile. His coat billowed slightly, though there was no wind, the fabric shifting like living shadows. "Impressive," the Master mused. "For a first attempt." Ethan clenched his fists. His body was still recovering, but his mind was sharp. "You did this." The Master tilted his head. "Of course I did." He stepped forward, the ground beneath him rippling like liquid darkness. "You are in my domain, little predator." His voice was smooth, filled with something almost like amusement. "And I will break you down¡ª" He raised a hand, and the walls around them shattered like glass. "¡ªso I can rebuild you properly." The world spun. Ethan¡¯s vision darkened. And then he was falling. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 4: The Abyss Beckons Ethan fell. The sensation wasn¡¯t just physical¡ªit was something deeper, more fundamental. The world around him had shattered like glass, breaking apart into an endless abyss, and now he was plunging into the unknown. There was no wind, no sense of acceleration, just the vast weight of nothing pressing down on him. The Master¡¯s last words echoed in his mind. "I will break you down¡­ so I can rebuild you properly." His fingers clawed at empty air, instinct demanding he find something¡ªanything¡ªto stop his descent. But there was nothing. No ground. No sky. Just darkness stretching infinitely in all directions. A pulse of cold energy shot through his chest. The sigil burned into his skin flared to life, sending jagged streaks of pain through his veins. His vision blurred, and then¡ª Impact. Not a crash. Not a bone-breaking collision. One moment he was falling, the next his body was on solid ground, his knees hitting hard stone. It was like the abyss had simply decided his descent was over. The transition was so unnatural that his stomach lurched. He gasped, pressing a hand to the ground to steady himself. The air was thick. Heavy. The atmosphere here was different. Slowly, he lifted his head.
The space around him was vast and endless, but unlike the labyrinth from before, this place had no walls. No ceiling. Just an expanse of black stone stretching infinitely in every direction. Above, a swirling sky of deep violet and black churned like a living thing, streaks of silver lightning flashing through the void. Glowing symbols, ancient and incomprehensible, floated in the air like dying embers. Some pulsed gently. Others flickered, barely holding on to existence. Ethan¡¯s breath came slow and measured as he took it all in. Then he heard it. The sound of chains. A deep, distant clinking¡ªlike something massive shifting in the darkness. His body tensed. He wasn¡¯t alone. A shadow moved in the distance. It was tall. Humanoid. But not quite right. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Ethan¡¯s pulse quickened. His feet shifted into a defensive stance. The memory of the Corrupted Warden still burned fresh in his mind. But this¡­ this was different. It didn¡¯t lunge. Didn¡¯t attack. It simply stood there. Watching. His fingers curled into fists. "Who are you?" The figure didn¡¯t answer. Instead, it took a single step forward. The light from the floating runes flickered as it moved, and for the first time, Ethan saw it clearly. It looked like him. Not an exact replica, not like the shadow-wraith from before. This was something¡­ worse. The creature was wrapped in a shifting, liquid-black substance, almost like armor, its surface rippling like disturbed water. Its face was obscured, hidden beneath the inky darkness, but two glowing slits¡ªdeep violet, nearly identical to Ethan¡¯s own eyes¡ªpierced through the void. It radiated something ancient. Something overwhelming. Something familiar. Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. This wasn¡¯t just a shadow. This was him. Or at least, something that had once been. The realization hit him like a hammer. This was the mark¡¯s doing. The power of the Abysswalker¡ªthe weight of being the Warden of the Forgotten. The creature took another step forward, and the chains rattled again. Ethan frowned. The sound wasn¡¯t coming from the entity itself¡ªit was coming from somewhere beyond it. Somewhere behind it. His gaze shifted. And that¡¯s when he saw them. The chains stretched out into the darkness, disappearing into the void beyond. Some were broken. Others held firm. And at the center of it all, something vast and unknowable stirred. Ethan¡¯s body locked up. It wasn¡¯t fully awake, not yet. But the weight of its presence alone was enough to crush lesser minds. Even without seeing it, he knew what it was. The Forgotten One. The entity he had sealed away. It wasn¡¯t gone. It wasn¡¯t defeated. It was waiting. Watching. And even now, it was still whispering. "The chains will break again¡­" The shadow moved. Ethan barely had time to react before it was there, lunging at him with speed that blurred the space between them. His instincts screamed, and he twisted to the side just as a blackened blade¡ªan exact replica of his own daggers¡ªsliced through the air where his throat had been. There was no time to think. The thing came at him again, faster this time, its movements fluid and relentless. Ethan dodged back, barely keeping up, his body reacting on pure instinct. The ground cracked beneath his feet as the entity¡¯s next strike slammed down, sending shards of black stone flying in all directions. Ethan cursed. He needed a weapon. He needed¡ª Pain flared through his chest. The mark burned hotter, sending a surge of energy through his veins. His vision blurred¡ªthen sharpened. A voice. ¡±You do not need a weapon. You are the weapon.¡± His fingers twitched. And suddenly¡ª A dagger formed in his hand. Not metal. Not steel. A blade of pure abyssal energy, flickering between solid and smoke. His eyes widened, but there was no time to process. The shadow attacked again, and this time¡ªEthan met it head-on. The clash of their blades sent shockwaves through the void. Ethan¡¯s mind raced, adapting, reacting. The entity was strong, but so was he. Their movements mirrored each other. Every strike met with equal force. Every dodge countered with a relentless pursuit. It was like fighting a reflection. A test of what he had become. And for the first time, Ethan understood. This wasn¡¯t an enemy. It was the Abysswalker inside him. It wasn¡¯t trying to kill him. It was trying to see if he was worthy. A smirk pulled at his lips. "Fine. Let¡¯s see who lasts longer." He shifted his stance. His grip tightened. And then¡ª He attacked. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 5: The Abysswalker’s Reckoning Ethan¡¯s heartbeat thundered in his ears, his breath coming sharp and fast. The dagger of abyssal energy flickered in his grip, unstable, like it wasn¡¯t fully formed. Across from him, the shadowed reflection stood motionless, twin blades in its hands¡ªidentical to his own. Neither moved. The silence was suffocating. Then, without warning, the shadow lunged. Ethan barely had time to react before the first dagger lashed toward his throat. He twisted away, the blade slicing through the air where his neck had been a second ago. The creature moved like liquid darkness¡ªits body shifting unnaturally, flowing between attacks with a precision that made Ethan¡¯s own footwork feel clumsy. A second strike came, aimed for his ribs. He barely managed to parry, his abyssal dagger colliding with the shadow¡¯s weapon in a violent crack! The impact sent shockwaves through his arm, but he forced himself to stay grounded. The shadow¡¯s movements were flawless. It wasn¡¯t just attacking him. It was studying him. Testing him. Ethan gritted his teeth. "If you¡¯re supposed to be me, then you should know¡­" He pivoted, twisting into a counterstrike. The dagger lashed out, aimed at the creature¡¯s exposed side. The shadow vanished. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened. It reappeared behind him. The attack came fast¡ªa blade arcing toward his spine. He barely had time to react before his instincts kicked in.
[Void Step ¨C Activated.]
His body blinked out of existence for a fraction of a second, reforming a few feet away. The shadow¡¯s blade passed harmlessly through where he had stood. Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate. He lashed out, his dagger carving through the air toward its throat. This time, he made contact. The blade sliced deep¡ªbut no blood came. Instead, the creature¡¯s form rippled like liquid, absorbing the hit before reforming. Ethan¡¯s breath came harder. It wasn¡¯t just mirroring him. It was evolving. Ethan¡¯s feet moved before he could think. He dodged, weaved, countered. His dagger clashed against the shadow¡¯s blades in rapid succession¡ªstrike after strike, each faster than the last. Every time he landed a hit, the creature adapted, becoming even harder to touch. Sweat dripped from his brow. His muscles burned. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. It was learning too fast. But so was he. His eyes narrowed, taking in the shadow¡¯s movements. There was no hesitation. No wasted motion. Every step was calculated. Every attack perfectly executed. The realization hit him like a hammer. This wasn¡¯t just a version of himself. This was who he could become. Perfect. Precise. Deadly. And right now, that version was winning. Ethan¡¯s grip tightened around his dagger. "If I don¡¯t push past my limits right now¡­ I lose." The creature lunged again. Ethan met it head-on. They clashed in a flurry of steel and shadow, their blades striking so fast that sparks ignited from every impact. Ethan¡¯s body moved on instinct, weaving through attacks, countering when he could. His muscles screamed for relief, but he ignored them. He was getting faster. Stronger. More precise. But the shadow was still a step ahead. It twisted, feinted, and suddenly, it was inside his guard. Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. A blade plunged into his side. Pain exploded through his ribs as the dagger tore into him. He gasped, staggering back, his vision swimming. The creature stepped forward, raising its second blade for the finishing blow. Ethan¡¯s world slowed. He wasn¡¯t fast enough. He wasn¡¯t strong enough. And that¡¯s when the voice returned.
"Then become more."
Something inside him snapped. The sigil on his chest burned hotter than ever, black veins of abyssal energy surging through his skin. His wounds closed instantly, shadows knitting them shut. The shadow attacked. Ethan caught the blade with his bare hand. A pulse of energy erupted outward. The air around him cracked, distorting as raw abyssal power coursed through his veins. He stared at his opponent¡ªno, at himself. Then he crushed the blade in his grip. The shadow flinched. For the first time, it hesitated. Ethan smirked. "My turn." Power surged through his limbs, faster, stronger, more complete. His dagger expanded, the abyssal energy extending outward into a short sword of pure void. He moved. Faster than before. The shadow barely reacted as Ethan blinked forward, his blade carving through the air in a single, precise arc. A clean cut. The creature staggered, its form splitting in half. For a moment, it simply stood there. Then, it collapsed into nothing. Silence. Ethan exhaled slowly, his body trembling with exhaustion. The power in his veins flickered, then faded, leaving behind a strange¡­ completeness. A notification rang in his mind. [SYSTEM UPDATE ¨C STATUS & SKILLS]
[Ethan Voss ¨C Abysswalker] Level: 15 ¡ú 18 Health: Fully Restored Mana: +200 Bonus Pool New Skills Unlocked: ?? Abyssal Blade (Active): Forms a shifting weapon of pure abyssal energy. Weapon type depends on combat intent. ?? Predator¡¯s Flow (Passive): Allows faster combat adaptation. Increases reaction speed by 25%. ?? Void Suppression (Passive): Your presence becomes harder to detect in darkness.
Ethan¡¯s breath caught. His vision sharpened. He felt stronger. More in tune with his new abilities. The fight had awakened something in him. And the Master had known it would. A slow clap echoed through the abyss. Ethan turned. The Master stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching with a satisfied smile. "Now that," he said, "was a thing of beauty." Ethan wiped blood from his lip, glaring. "What the hell was that?" The Master chuckled. "That, little predator, was the first step." His grin widened. "Welcome to your real training." The air around them shifted. The battlefield changed. And Ethan knew¡ªthis was just the beginning. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 6: The Abyssal Gauntlet Ethan¡¯s breathing was still uneven, his heart hammering against his ribs as the power settled inside him. The battlefield around him was eerily silent, the shadow¡¯s form completely gone¡ªerased as if it had never existed. But its presence still lingered within him, woven into his movements, into the way his muscles coiled with newfound energy. His hand flexed, and with a mere thought, the Abyssal Blade flickered to life once more, its shape fluid and shifting. The weapon felt like an extension of himself now, responding not to force, but to intent. A slow clap echoed through the void. Ethan turned. The Master was watching him from a short distance away, arms folded, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Impressive," he mused, stepping forward with his usual lazy grace. "You learn faster than most." His void-like eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Not that I expected anything less." Ethan exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders as he straightened. "Is that your way of saying congratulations, or should I expect another surprise attack?" The Master chuckled. "Oh, you misunderstand." His fingers twitched, and suddenly, the space around them shifted¡ªwarping like rippling water. "That was merely the preliminary assessment." The floor beneath Ethan trembled. He tensed, instinct kicking in as the shadows around them began to move, shifting, rising. A dull hum resonated through the air, low and steady, like a heartbeat beneath the surface of the world. Then the world split open. The void beneath them gave way, and Ethan was falling again. But this time, there was no endless abyss¡ªonly the rush of wind as he plummeted into something new. He landed hard, knees bending to absorb the shock. His boots skidded across solid ground, dust and debris kicking up around him. The air was thick with heat and static energy. Ethan¡¯s gaze snapped up, scanning his surroundings. He was in an arena. Massive stone pillars, cracked and worn with time, jutted out from the earth at odd angles. The ground beneath him was ancient obsidian, slick with a faint sheen of mist that writhed unnaturally. Above, the sky was a churning mass of black and red, twisting like a living storm. And scattered around the arena were other figures¡ªsome humanoid, others monstrous, all locked in brutal combat. Ethan clenched his jaw. This wasn¡¯t just a battlefield. It was a trial. The Master¡¯s voice echoed through the space, his tone almost casual. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Welcome to the Gauntlet. You¡¯ll find it a bit more¡­ engaging than your last test." Ethan shifted his stance, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade. "What¡¯s the objective?" The Master¡¯s smirk widened. "Simple. Survive." A low, guttural growl came from behind him. Ethan didn¡¯t turn¡ªhe reacted. He moved. His body twisted, his abyssal blade igniting in a streak of darkness as he lashed out. His weapon met flesh, cutting clean through, and the thing behind him collapsed with a gurgled snarl. His feet barely hit the ground before another shape came hurtling toward him. A Nightfang. Its glowing red eyes locked onto him as it pounced, claws extended. Ethan dodged to the side, but not fast enough¡ªits claws ripped into his shoulder, sending a sharp bolt of pain through his arm. He gritted his teeth, shifting his weight. The moment the beast landed, he was already countering¡ªhis blade arcing down in a lethal sweep. The Nightfang snarled, its body splitting apart in a burst of shadow. Ethan exhaled, pressing a hand to his wound. It was shallow, but the sting was enough to remind him¡ªthis wasn¡¯t a sparring match. These creatures were real. And they were hunting him. More figures emerged from the mist. Three this time. A twisted, hulking humanoid, its flesh warped and shifting. A slender, insectoid-like creature, its limbs unnaturally long. And another Nightfang, prowling low to the ground, its fangs bared. Ethan adjusted his grip on his blade. He was outnumbered, but something in him welcomed the challenge. The hulking creature moved first, charging like a battering ram. Ethan sidestepped, his blade flashing in an upward arc¡ªsevering its arm at the joint. The thing barely reacted, its form twisting to compensate. The insectoid leapt, claws aiming for his throat. Ethan dropped low, sliding under its attack before twisting mid-motion, his dagger carving upward. The strike landed, sending the creature staggering back, shrieking in some inhuman tone. The Nightfang lunged. Ethan was ready. He blinked¡ªhis form dissolving into shadow for an instant before reappearing behind the beast. His blade drove deep into its spine, twisting. A sharp jolt ran through him as his ability activated.
[Predator¡¯s Absorption: Minor Strength Gained.]
His breath hitched. The power wasn¡¯t just theoretical anymore. It was real. Every enemy he struck down made him stronger. A thrill shot through him, but he shoved it down. He couldn¡¯t afford to get careless. The fight wasn¡¯t over. The space around him flickered for a brief moment as his mind registered a shift in his power. Ethan exhaled slowly. He could feel the difference. The weight of the blade in his hand, the way his movements felt more fluid, more precise¡ªit was all connected. Every fight was shaping him. Molding him into something new. The Master had been right about one thing. This was no ordinary training. It was transformation. And it wasn¡¯t over yet. [STATUS & SKILLS] Name: Ethan Voss New Passive Skill Unlocked: ?? Shadow Reflexes (Passive): Combat instincts heighten. Reaction time improves with sustained battle. Ethan exhaled slowly. He could feel the difference. The weight of the blade in his hand, the way his movements felt more fluid, more precise¡ªit was all connected. Every fight was shaping him. Molding him into something new. The Master had been right about one thing. This was no ordinary training. It was transformation. And it wasn¡¯t over yet. The arena trembled. The air grew colder. Ethan¡¯s muscles tensed as a massive shadow loomed before him. This wasn¡¯t just another beast. This was something else. The Master¡¯s voice drifted through the air, carrying a note of amusement. "Let¡¯s see if you can handle something a little more¡­ advanced." A pair of massive, glowing eyes opened in the darkness. The ground cracked beneath its weight. Ethan steadied himself. Whatever this was, it wasn¡¯t just another opponent. It was a lesson. And he was about to learn the hard way. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 7: The Colossus of the Abyss The ground trembled beneath Ethan¡¯s feet, cracks splitting the obsidian floor as something massive stirred within the abyss. The thick mist that had cloaked the arena swirled violently, retreating into the darkness like a living thing. Then, the air shifted. A weight¡ªnot physical, but oppressive¡ªpressed down on Ethan¡¯s chest, his lungs tightening as an unnatural force coiled around him. It wasn¡¯t fear. It was something deeper, something that gnawed at his instincts, whispering that he was nothing more than prey. Then the eyes opened. Two massive orbs of glowing amber ignited within the darkness. They were huge, easily the size of boulders, burning with an eerie inner fire. A silhouette took form around them¡ªsomething towering, ancient, and wrong. Ethan forced his breath to steady as the creature emerged from the mist. It was a colossus, standing at least thirty feet tall, its body a grotesque fusion of flesh, shadow, and jagged obsidian armor. Its arms were massive, tipped with clawed fingers the length of swords. Thick, pulsating chains wrapped around its torso and limbs, glowing with a dull crimson light. A blackened crown-like structure jutted from its misshapen skull, as if it had once been a king¡ªbefore it became this monstrosity. And then it moved. The Colossus took a step forward, and the entire arena shook. Ethan¡¯s pulse spiked. He had fought large creatures before¡ªNightfang Alphas, mutated dungeon bosses¡ªbut nothing like this. This was different. This wasn¡¯t just a monster. This was something that had been left behind in the abyss. A test. A warning. And it was looking directly at him. Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate. Waiting meant dying. His abyssal blade flickered to life in his grasp, its shape shifting slightly as it adjusted to his combat stance. The Colossus let out a low, guttural growl, the sound vibrating through the air like a death knell. Then it attacked. The massive arm swung downward in a brutal arc, the force behind it enough to shatter stone. Ethan moved, dodging left as the impact sent obsidian shards flying in all directions. A second strike followed immediately, the creature¡¯s clawed hand aiming to crush him outright.
[Void Step ¨C Activated.] Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.
Ethan¡¯s form blinked out of existence, reappearing several feet away just as the Colossus¡¯s strike obliterated the ground where he had stood. The shockwave sent him skidding backward, dust and debris clouding the air. His mind worked fast. This thing wasn¡¯t just big¡ªit was fast for its size. And that meant one thing: He couldn¡¯t win by trading blows. He needed to find a weak point. The Colossus turned toward him, the chains around its limbs rattling as it moved. Ethan¡¯s eyes scanned its body, searching for anything that stood out¡ªan opening, a vulnerable point. The chains¡­ They weren¡¯t just there for decoration. They meant something. And that was his way in. Ethan pushed off the ground, sprinting toward the massive creature. He zigzagged, avoiding another crushing blow as the Colossus swiped at him. His speed was the only thing keeping him alive¡ªone hit, and it would be over. He reached its leg, abyssal blade humming with power. With a precise upward slash, he aimed directly at the glowing runes etched into the chains. The moment his blade connected¡ªthe Colossus roared. Not in pain. In anger. The massive beast staggered, the impact of the strike disrupting something. Ethan grinned. Got you. But his satisfaction was short-lived. Because in response, the Colossus changed. The crimson glow of the chains intensified, the symbols shifting violently. A deep, earthen rumble spread through the battlefield. The air itself felt heavier. And then the creature¡¯s movements doubled in speed. Ethan barely had time to curse before a blackened fist the size of a boulder smashed into him. Pain. A wall of agony slammed into Ethan¡¯s entire body, launching him across the arena like a ragdoll. He crashed into one of the stone pillars with bone-jarring force, a sickening crack vibrating through his ribs. His vision blurred, his lungs burning as he gasped for air. He barely had time to register the damage before he felt the shift. The mark on his chest pulsed violently, a deep, resonant hum vibrating through his bones. His body was adjusting. Recovering. Not instantly. But faster than it should. The pain didn¡¯t fade, but his muscles repaired themselves at an unnatural speed. A notification flared in his vision. [SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
[Ethan Voss ¨C Abysswalker] New Passive Skill Unlocked: ?? Resilient Predator (Passive): Damage taken in battle increases regeneration speed. The more severe the injury, the faster recovery occurs. New Active Skill Unlocked: ?? Abyssal Chain (Active): Summons binding chains made of pure abyssal energy. Chains weaken foes and restrict movement for a short time. Ethan¡¯s breath steadied. His hands flexed. The pain was already fading. He had felt this before¡ªafter his battle against his shadow. The adaptation. The way his body absorbed conflict, shaped itself into something stronger with each encounter. He pushed himself to his feet, rolling his shoulders. The Colossus watched him, its massive head tilting slightly. As if realizing¡­ He wasn¡¯t breaking. He was getting back up. And he was angry. Ethan raised his hand. The abyssal energy responded instantly, crackling in the air as blackened chains burst from the ground, wrapping around the Colossus¡¯s legs like living tendrils. The runes along its body flickered violently, struggling against the sudden binding force. The beast roared, thrashing. Ethan didn¡¯t give it time to recover. He surged forward, moving faster than before, his blade flashing as he went for the exposed joints of the chains.
Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 8: Breaking the Titan 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¡ªhis 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. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. 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¡ªjust in time to see the Colossus charging. It wasn¡¯t weakened anymore. It was furious. Ethan¡¯s mind raced. He needed to end this¡ªnow. The Colossus lunged, both fists raised to crush him. Ethan reacted instinctively. He raised his hand, and the abyss responded.
[Abyssal Chain ¨C Overcharge Activated.]
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¡ªthe 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¡ªhe 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.
[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 ¨C You have slain an abyssal construct of immense power. Your presence is now feared by larger entities.
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. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 9: The Weight of Power Ethan stood amidst the ruins of the battlefield, the last remnants of the Abyssal Colossus dissolving into mist around him. The air was thick with the fading heat of battle, the ground beneath him still trembling from the sheer force of the titan¡¯s collapse. His chest rose and fell steadily, his body aching from exertion. But unlike before, the pain wasn¡¯t overwhelming. It was distant, manageable¡ªas though his body was already adapting, adjusting to the damage taken. This wasn¡¯t just stamina. It was something more. He could feel it in his limbs, in the way his muscles carried an unnatural lightness, as if the battle had conditioned them in ways beyond normal human limits. The Master had called this training. But Ethan was beginning to wonder if it was something else entirely. Was he being shaped into something? Or was he simply being prepared for what was to come? He shook the thought from his mind and exhaled. The weight of the fight had settled, and with it came the familiar pull of his status screen itching at the edge of his awareness. He needed to check his progress¡ªto see just how much he had changed. With a slow breath, he opened his System Interface. [STATUS UPDATE]
[Name:] Ethan Voss [Title:] Abysswalker | Warden of the Forgotten | Titan Slayer [Level:] 22 [Class:] Abysswalker (Evolving) [Sub-Class:] Warden of the Forgotten (Locked) [Health:] 100% (Regenerating) [Mana:] 320/320 (+150 Bonus Pool) [Strength:] 42 (+4 from Predator¡¯s Absorption) [Agility:] 48 (+6 from Predator¡¯s Absorption) [Endurance:] 45 (+3 from Predator¡¯s Absorption) [Intelligence:] 39 [Perception:] 41 [Abyssal Affinity:] ??? (Stat Cannot Be Measured) [Abilities:] Passive Skills: ?? Predator¡¯s Absorption (SSS - Passive) ¨C A portion of slain enemies'' stats are absorbed at random. Low chance to gain skills from enemies. ?? Shadow Reflexes ¨C Reaction time increases in sustained battle. ?? Resilient Predator ¨C The more damage taken, the faster wounds recover. ?? Abyssforged Endurance ¨C Resistance to physical and magical damage increases the longer a battle continues. Active Skills: If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ?? Void Step ¨C Teleports user a short distance through shadows. ?? Abyssal Chain ¨C Summons binding chains that weaken and immobilize enemies. ?? Abyssal Execution ¨C A single devastating strike that ignores armor and targets an enemy¡¯s core energy. (Locked until conditions met.) 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. ?? Warden of the Forgotten (???): Effects unknown.
Ethan let the information settle. Despite his rapid progression, he hadn¡¯t gained a new skill from the fight with the Colossus. He had absorbed a handful of stat points, but no abilities. A reminder that his Predator¡¯s Absorption skill was rare, even for him. He had gotten lucky in the past¡ªbut he couldn¡¯t rely on that luck forever. That was fine. Strength wasn¡¯t just about abilities. It was about knowing how to use them. He rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers as he felt the subtle shifts in his body. His speed had improved slightly, his endurance had risen, and his damage resistance was starting to show its effects. He was becoming something beyond human limitations. But what did that mean for him? Would he still be the same person when this training was over? Would he even recognize himself? A slow clap broke the silence. Ethan turned. The Master stood nearby, perched atop a shattered stone pillar, watching him with his usual air of amusement and curiosity. His long coat billowed unnaturally despite the still air, the black fabric shifting like liquid shadow. "Good," the Master mused, his silver eyes gleaming. "You¡¯re learning to analyze yourself. That will be useful." Ethan exhaled, forcing his muscles to relax. "You expected me to check my status." The Master smirked. "I expect you to do a great many things, little predator. The question is whether you¡¯ll realize why you do them before it''s too late." Ethan frowned. "Too late for what?" The Master didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he lifted a hand¡ªand the world around them began to shift. The ruined battlefield warped, the stone cracking and reshaping, the mist swirling into new formations. The sky above them darkened further, the abyss stirring as if aware of the change. And then Ethan felt it. A presence. Something watching. Something waiting. His grip on his blade tightened. "This next one," the Master said, stepping down from his perch, "is going to be... different." Ethan clenched his jaw. "How different?" The Master smiled. "You¡¯re about to fight something that isn¡¯t just strong, Ethan." His voice was calm, almost too casual. "You¡¯re about to fight something that thinks." The weight of those words settled over him. A test of power was one thing. But a test of strategy¡ªa battle against something intelligent¡ªwas another. This wasn¡¯t just about endurance anymore. This was a real fight. Ethan rolled his shoulders, the faint ache in his muscles already fading. His mind was sharp, his focus crystal clear. "Alright," he muttered. "Let¡¯s see what¡¯s next." The Master¡¯s smirk widened, his void-like eyes glinting with dark amusement. "Oh, you will." The world around them shattered once more. And Ethan stepped forward, ready for whatever came next. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 10: A Duel in the Dark The moment the world shattered, Ethan¡¯s instincts flared. A rush of cold air hit him like a storm wind, the battlefield beneath his feet vanishing into nothingness. For a fleeting second, he felt weightless¡ªadrift in the void. Then, solid ground slammed into him. His boots skidded against slick obsidian, his body adjusting instinctively to the sudden change. The air here was thicker, heavier with something unnatural. Shadows clung to the space around him, shifting, moving, as though the darkness itself was alive. He inhaled, steadying himself. This place was different. It wasn¡¯t just another combat arena. It felt like a trap. Ethan¡¯s eyes darted across the new terrain. The sky above was gone, replaced with an endless black void. The ground stretched outward, an uneven terrain of jagged, broken stone and shifting mist. Massive, spire-like structures jutted from the earth, casting impossibly long shadows. But the strangest part? There was no sound. Not even the faintest whisper of wind. Just absolute silence. His grip on his weapon tightened. That¡¯s when he felt it. A presence. It wasn¡¯t like the Colossus or the Nightfangs. This wasn¡¯t something brutish or mindless. This was something watching. Something waiting. A low chuckle echoed from the darkness. Ethan shifted his stance, his mind going sharp. Whatever was out there¡­ it wasn¡¯t just another beast. It was hunting him. A pair of glowing silver eyes ignited in the darkness. Then another. And another. Ethan¡¯s pulse spiked. The shadows ahead stirred, rippling outward as a figure stepped forward. At first, it looked human¡ªtall, lean, almost elegant in its movements. Its form was clad in flowing dark robes, the fabric shifting like liquid midnight. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. But then Ethan saw the face. There wasn¡¯t one. Instead, the creature¡¯s head was a smooth void, a swirling mass of black mist that pulsed with unnatural energy. And then it spoke. "You are not ready." The voice wasn¡¯t spoken. It was inside his mind. A cold, invasive whisper that coiled around his thoughts. Ethan gritted his teeth, his mark burning against his chest. He recognized this feeling. This was an enemy that didn¡¯t just fight with brute strength. It fought with the mind. The Shadowmind moved. One moment, it was several feet away¡ªthe next, it was in front of him. Too fast. Ethan barely had time to react before a blackened blade extended from its arm, slashing downward in a flash of dark energy. He dodged, barely twisting out of the way as the attack carved into the stone, leaving a deep, smoldering gash. It didn¡¯t stop. The creature flowed like smoke, its body shifting in ways that made no sense¡ªliquid, solid, then liquid again. It struck from different angles in rapid succession, each attack landing closer than the last. Ethan¡¯s instincts kicked in.
[Void Step ¨C Activated.]
His body blinked out of existence, reforming a few feet away. But the moment he reappeared¡ª A sharp, piercing pain shot through his skull. A whisper filled his mind. "Did you think that would work on me?" Ethan stumbled, gripping his head as a sudden wave of vertigo slammed into him. This wasn¡¯t just a physical fight. The Shadowmind was inside his head. The attack wasn¡¯t just external. The creature¡¯s presence was burrowing inside him, latching onto his thoughts, trying to unravel them. His vision flickered. He saw memories that weren¡¯t his own. Felt emotions that didn¡¯t belong to him. Voices whispered things he couldn¡¯t understand. He staggered, trying to focus. "You cannot resist." The voice slithered deeper into his thoughts. "You do not control the Abyss. It controls you." No. Ethan clenched his jaw, forcing himself to center. This was mind magic. A manipulation attack designed to break his focus, to make him doubt his own senses. He needed to fight back. Not with brute force. But with clarity. He shut his eyes. Took a slow breath. Focused only on himself. Ethan felt the Abyss inside him. The power that had been growing, shifting, evolving. He didn¡¯t fear it. He didn¡¯t resist it. He embraced it. A pulse of energy erupted outward, a sharp, controlled burst that sent the whispers recoiling. The pressure inside his skull lifted. The Shadowmind staggered backward. Ethan¡¯s eyes snapped open. The creature had expected him to crumble. Instead, he had adapted. His stance shifted. His breathing steadied. The fear was gone and Ethan moved. He closed the distance instantly, abyssal blade flashing in a perfect arc. The Shadowmind reacted too late. Ethan¡¯s blade sank deep into its torso. The creature let out a soundless shriek, its form convulsing, flickering like a broken projection. But Ethan didn¡¯t stop. With a sharp twist, he drove his dagger deeper, abyssal energy surging through the strike. The Shadowmind collapsed. Its body unraveled, dissolving into a thick, black mist. The pressure in the air vanished. The battlefield grew silent once more. Ethan stood over the fading remnants of the creature, his pulse steady. It was done. Ethan exhaled. No skill gain. Just minor stat improvements. That was fine. This fight had never been about power. It had been about control. And he had won. A slow, approving clap filled the silence. Ethan turned. The Master stood at the edge of the battlefield, his expression unreadable. "Now that," he said, "was very interesting." Ethan wiped sweat from his brow. "Enjoy the show?" The Master¡¯s smirk deepened. "Oh, immensely. But don¡¯t get comfortable just yet, little predator." He took a step forward, and the shadows stirred again. "There¡¯s still more to learn." Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 11: A Lesson in the Abyss Ethan¡¯s breath steadied as the remnants of the Shadowmind faded into mist, the thick abyssal energy dispersing into the air like smoke caught in a slow current. He could still feel the faint pressure lingering at the edge of his consciousness¡ªa whisper of the battle, of the creature¡¯s attempt to unravel his mind. But he had won. Not through brute strength, but by something far more dangerous. Control. He rolled his shoulders, stretching out the tension in his muscles. His regeneration had already patched the minor injuries, but his mana reserves were lower than he liked. The fight had forced him to rely on Void Step and his abyssal abilities more than usual, and now he could feel the exhaustion creeping in beneath the surface. A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the shifting darkness. Ethan turned, unsurprised to see the Master watching him from a short distance away, standing atop one of the jagged stone spires. His coat billowed around him, the fabric shifting like living shadows, responding to some unseen force. "Better," the Master mused, his silver eyes gleaming. "You didn¡¯t let it consume you." Ethan exhaled through his nose. "Figured that would be a bad idea." The Master smirked, stepping down from his perch. His movements were too smooth, as though gravity had no real hold on him. "Tell me, little predator," he said, folding his hands behind his back. "Do you know what that fight truly meant?" Ethan crossed his arms, gaze sharp. "You¡¯re going to tell me it was some deep metaphor about the Abyss and my own mind, right?" The Master chuckled. "Clever, but incomplete." He circled Ethan slowly, his tone calm, almost conversational. "The Shadowmind wasn¡¯t just an opponent. It was a reflection of something far older than you. Something you will encounter again. And when that time comes¡­" His silver eyes glinted. "You won¡¯t be fighting something so small." Ethan frowned. "You mean the Forgotten One." The Master tilted his head, an amused look flickering across his face. "You sealed it. But do you truly think that means it¡¯s gone?" A pit formed in Ethan¡¯s stomach. He already knew the answer to that question. The Forgotten One hadn¡¯t been defeated. It had been contained¡ªfor now. But the chains wouldn¡¯t hold forever. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. The Master¡¯s voice was quiet when he spoke again. "It¡¯s waiting for you, Ethan. And when those chains finally break, you will have two choices." Ethan held his gaze. "And what are those?" The Master¡¯s smirk faded. "You will either be the Warden that stands against it¡ª" The air around them shuddered, an unseen force pressing down on Ethan¡¯s chest. "¡ªor you will become part of it." Silence. The words settled into Ethan¡¯s bones like a weight. This entire trial. This entire process. It wasn¡¯t just about making him stronger. It was about preparing him for the moment that would decide everything. He didn¡¯t know how much time he had before that moment came. But he refused to let himself be unprepared. Ethan straightened, clenching his fists. "Then I guess I better make sure I¡¯m ready, huh?" The Master studied him for a long moment. Then, slowly, a grin crept back onto his face. "Good." The pressure in the air lifted, and the darkness around them began to shift again. "Then let¡¯s begin the next lesson." The battlefield melted away, shifting into something new. Ethan found himself standing on solid ground, but this time the terrain was different. The jagged ruins and cracked obsidian stone had been replaced by a vast, empty expanse, a smooth, circular platform made of something that looked like polished onyx. Above them, the sky remained an endless void. The Master strode to the center of the platform and turned, his expression unreadable. "Tell me, Ethan," he said. "What is the Abyss?" Ethan blinked. "It¡¯s¡­ shadow magic. A different kind of power." The Master sighed, shaking his head. "A child¡¯s answer." He gestured to the space around them. "The Abyss is not just an energy source. It is not a tool or a magic to be wielded." His silver eyes met Ethan¡¯s. "It is alive." Ethan frowned. "Alive how?" The Master stepped forward. "Every time you fight, every time you push yourself further, you feel it, don¡¯t you?" Ethan hesitated. Because he had. That moment in the fight with the Shadowmind¡ªthe way the power had surged when he stopped resisting. The way it felt like it responded to his will. The Master nodded, as if reading his thoughts. "You are beginning to understand. The Abyss doesn¡¯t just exist¡ªit chooses." "Chooses what?" Ethan asked, voice steady. The Master¡¯s grin returned, sharp as a blade. "Who is worthy." Ethan¡¯s jaw clenched. This power wasn¡¯t something that could just be taken. It wasn¡¯t something that anyone could learn. It was something that accepted you, or consumed you. The realization hit him hard. "So if I fail," he said slowly, "it won¡¯t be because I wasn¡¯t strong enough." The Master inclined his head. "It will be because you were not chosen." The silence between them was thick. Ethan took a slow breath. He could feel it now¡ªthe Abyss at the edge of his awareness, a presence that wasn¡¯t quite sentient, but wasn¡¯t mindless either. It was waiting. Watching. Testing. He exhaled, focusing. "Then let¡¯s stop talking and get back to training." The Master chuckled. "Eager, aren¡¯t we?" Ethan cracked his neck. "The Abyss isn¡¯t going to choose me if I sit around talking about it." The Master smirked. "No, it certainly won¡¯t." The platform beneath them rippled, the onyx surface shifting as new shapes began to rise¡ªweapons, obstacles, moving shadow forms that looked eerily humanoid. Ethan rolled his shoulders. Whatever this next phase of training was, he was ready for it. The Master¡¯s voice was calm as he raised a hand. "Then let¡¯s begin." The first opponent lunged. And Ethan met it head-on. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 12: The Abyssal Forge The first opponent lunged. Ethan barely had time to register its shape before it was on him, a blur of shifting darkness and violent intent. His body reacted instinctively, rolling to the side as the enemy¡¯s blade sliced through the space where his head had been. The thing moved like liquid shadow, humanoid in form but lacking any true definition¡ªits features blurred, its body flickering in and out of solid shape. Like a nightmare struggling to stay in reality. Ethan¡¯s grip on his weapon tightened. He had fought beasts, aberrations, and abyssal horrors. But this was different. This was a duel. Not against a mindless creature. Not against a towering brute. Against something designed to kill him. And he had a feeling it wasn¡¯t alone. The moment Ethan dodged the first strike, another shadow detached from the swirling darkness of the arena. Then another. And another. Within seconds, four figures surrounded him, their silhouettes flickering like living afterimages. Their weapons, if they could be called that, were blades of raw abyssal energy, shifting and reforming as they moved. Ethan exhaled slowly. This wasn¡¯t a fight he could brute-force. It was a test of precision. The first shadow moved again, closing the distance with a sudden burst of speed. Ethan raised his dagger, parrying just in time, the impact sending a cold vibration through his arm. The second followed immediately, striking from his left. Ethan ducked, rolling into a low crouch as the weapon sliced overhead. He twisted, lashing out with his own blade, but the third shadow intercepted, its own weapon locking against his in a perfect counter. His eyes narrowed. They weren¡¯t just attacking randomly. They were reading him. Anticipating his every move. A real sparring session. Only the consequence for failure wasn¡¯t a bruise. It was death. Ethan shifted his stance, adjusting mid-battle. He had made one mistake. He had been reacting to them. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. That had to change. He needed to force them to react to him. His next step wasn¡¯t a dodge. It was an attack. Ethan lunged forward, closing the gap with the nearest shadow before it could adjust. His abyssal blade flashed downward, a precise arc aimed at its core. The shadow tried to block. But Ethan was already moving. He let his strike feint, pulling back at the last second, twisting into a sharp side kick that slammed into the entity¡¯s ribs. The creature stumbled. For the first time, its form flickered violently. They can be staggered. Ethan didn¡¯t give it time to recover. He blinked forward, appearing behind the shadow before it could turn. His blade slashed clean through its chest, abyssal energy searing into the entity like fire. The creature shuddered, then dissolved into mist. One down. But there was no time to celebrate. The remaining three attacked at once. Ethan braced himself. The battle shifted. Gone was the early struggle of keeping up. Now? Ethan was leading the fight. His mind adapted faster than before. His movements became sharper, more fluid. His reflexes were no longer just instinctive¡ªthey were predictive. Every attack from the shadows felt slower. Every counter was easier. He could feel his body learning, adjusting, embracing the Abyss in a way that was no longer just power¡ª It was precision. The second shadow lunged. Ethan sidestepped cleanly, his blade slicing upward in a perfect arc. The creature vanished in a burst of mist. The third came from behind. Ethan twisted, dropping low, sweeping his leg beneath it. The shadow collapsed, and his blade drove downward, ending it before it could rise again. Only one remained. It hesitated. Ethan grinned. "Smart." But not smart enough. With one final, fluid motion, he surged forward, his dagger piercing straight through the last entity¡¯s chest. For a second, the shadow held its form. Then it collapsed, the last remnants of the battle fading into mist. Silence. Ethan turned, chest still rising and falling in steady rhythm. The Master watched him from the edge of the platform, his silver eyes gleaming with something between amusement and satisfaction. "Now that," he mused, "was a proper display." Ethan exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Starting to sound like you actually expected me to win that one." The Master smirked. "Oh, I didn¡¯t doubt you¡¯d win, little predator. I just wondered how long it would take." Ethan arched a brow. "And?" The Master chuckled. "You¡¯re adapting faster than I anticipated." He took a step forward, tilting his head. "But are you truly ready for what comes next?" Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate. "Try me." The Master¡¯s smirk widened. "Then check your progress." Ethan blinked. And then¡ªthe familiar notification chimed. [STATUS UPDATE ¨C SYSTEM CHECK] [Predator¡¯s Absorption: +2 Agility, +1 Strength Acquired.] [Passive Ability Unlocked:] ?? Abyssal Instincts (Passive): Your body automatically adjusts to combat situations faster, reducing reaction delay and increasing combat precision. Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. He could feel it. Not just strength. Not just speed. Instinct. A natural, sharpened awareness¡ªhis body adjusting in real-time, learning mid-fight. It wasn¡¯t just about power anymore. It was about efficiency. The Master hummed, watching him closely. "Interesting," he muttered. "Your Abysswalker path is shaping itself uniquely." Ethan glanced up. "What does that mean?" The Master grinned. "It means," he said, "you¡¯re starting to leave behind what you were before." Ethan didn¡¯t answer. Because deep down¡ªhe knew it was true. But whether that was a good thing? He wasn¡¯t sure yet. The Master clapped his hands together. "Enough reflection. We have work to do." Ethan exhaled, steadying himself. His mind was sharp, his new instincts already settling in. Whatever came next, he was ready for it. Or at least, he hoped he was. Because something told him the next fight wouldn¡¯t be just shadows. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 13: Facing the Abyss Ethan stood at the center of the arena, his breath steady despite the lingering tension in his muscles. His battle against the shadow constructs had been a lesson in precision, not raw strength. And yet, as the mist cleared and the platform beneath him settled, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the real test had yet to begin. The Master stood a short distance away, watching him with an unreadable expression. His silver eyes gleamed in the dim light, reflecting something both expectant and calculating. "You¡¯re beginning to understand now, aren¡¯t you?" he mused. Ethan exhaled slowly. "That wasn¡¯t just about winning a fight. It was about control." A smirk flickered across the Master¡¯s lips. "Correct." He took a slow step forward, his long coat shifting like liquid shadow. "You¡¯re learning, little predator. But tell me¡ªdo you know what comes next?" Ethan clenched his jaw. "Another fight." The Master chuckled. "You¡¯re not wrong. But this time, it won¡¯t be against something crafted for you." The air around them rippled. A chill ran down Ethan¡¯s spine. This wasn¡¯t like before. Something was different. The Master tilted his head slightly, as if listening to something Ethan couldn¡¯t hear. Then, in a voice softer than before, he said: "The Abyss is watching you now." And with those words, the arena changed. The ground beneath Ethan¡¯s feet trembled. The smooth obsidian of the training platform fractured, jagged cracks splitting outward in all directions. Chunks of stone broke free, floating weightlessly into the air like shattered debris caught in slow motion. The void above them swirled, a deep, inky black spiraling like a churning vortex. The edges of the world blurred¡ªno longer defined by physical space, but by something more fluid. More alive. Ethan¡¯s instincts screamed at him. This wasn¡¯t the Master¡¯s doing. This was the Abyss itself. The space twisted, pulsing with an eerie energy that made his skin prickle. Then¡ªout of the shifting darkness¡ªsomething began to take shape. A figure emerged. Ethan¡¯s breath hitched as the entity stepped forward. It was humanoid¡ªtall, imposing, clad in jagged armor made of abyssal energy. The plating shifted constantly, pulsing like a living thing, as if it wasn¡¯t entirely solid. Its helmet was featureless save for two piercing violet slits, burning like twin embers in the void. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. It carried no visible weapon. But the moment it raised its hand, a blade of pure black fire ignited in its grip¡ªa sword forged from the abyss itself. Ethan knew what this was. It was a Warden. Not a mere warrior. Not a construct. A true guardian of the Abyss. And it was here to test him. The Master¡¯s voice reached him, distant and almost amused. "If you want to claim the title of Warden¡­ you must first prove you deserve it." Ethan swallowed. His fingers curled around the hilt of his abyssal dagger. This wasn¡¯t like his previous fights. This wasn¡¯t a test of skill. This was a battle of inheritance. And he had no choice but to win. The Abyssborne Warden moved. It wasn¡¯t fast. It wasn¡¯t slow. It was inevitable. Ethan barely had time to brace before the blackened blade came down in a clean, perfect arc. He threw himself to the side, the strike carving through the air with a sound like tearing reality. His boots slid across the broken ground, his breath sharp. The Warden turned, its hollow gaze locked onto him. No hesitation. No wasted movement. Just pure efficiency. Ethan gritted his teeth. This thing fought like a swordsman perfected. If he wanted to survive, he had to match it. He surged forward, his abyssal dagger flashing in a counterstrike aimed at its ribs. The Warden deflected effortlessly. The impact of their blades sent a shockwave of energy outward, the very air distorting from the force. Ethan felt the weight of it vibrate through his arm, but he held firm. A second attack came¡ªa backhanded slice toward his shoulder. Ethan ducked, pivoting on his heel as he countered with a rapid reverse stab. Again, the Warden blocked. Then it twisted its wrist, locking Ethan¡¯s weapon in place. Ethan¡¯s eyes widened.
It¡¯s reading my movements too fast.
Before he could disengage, the Warden lashed out with its free hand, slamming a palm into his chest. The impact sent him flying. He crashed into the ground, his body skidding across the obsidian surface, pain flaring through his ribs. His breathing hitched, but his regeneration kicked in instantly. Still, he could tell. The Warden wasn¡¯t even trying yet. Ethan pushed himself up, shaking the dust from his cloak. He couldn¡¯t afford to fight on reaction alone. He needed a plan.
The Warden is precise. No wasted movement. No unnecessary attacks. It doesn¡¯t fight with emotion¡ªit fights with logic.
That meant it could be baited. Ethan adjusted his stance, loosening his grip on his dagger. His body shifted into something less aggressive, more reactive. The Warden noticed. It tilted its head slightly, as if analyzing the change. Then it attacked again. This time, Ethan didn¡¯t dodge immediately. He let the strike come closer¡ªcloser than was comfortable¡ªbefore twisting at the last second, just barely avoiding the lethal arc. The Warden¡¯s follow-up strike was already incoming¡ªbut that was what Ethan had been waiting for. Instead of backing away, he stepped forward. He parried at the last moment, twisting his body as his free hand shot toward the Warden¡¯s exposed flank. A clean hit. The impact wasn¡¯t deep, but it forced the Warden to stagger. Ethan grinned.
It can be thrown off balance.
But before he could follow up¡ª The Warden¡¯s free hand lashed out, gripping his throat. Ethan¡¯s vision blurred as he was lifted into the air. A voice, cold and hollow, resonated in his mind. "You are not ready." The grip tightened. The Abyss pulsed. And for the first time in a long time¡ª Ethan felt fear. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 14: Trial by Darkness Ethan struggled as the Abyssborne Warden¡¯s iron grip tightened around his throat. The pressure was unbearable. His lungs burned as his body dangled helplessly, feet barely scraping against the fractured stone beneath him. The Warden¡¯s glowing violet eyes bored into him, its featureless helmet revealing no emotion¡ªno satisfaction, no anger. Only judgment. "You are not ready." The words weren¡¯t spoken aloud. They resonated inside his mind. His vision flickered, black spots creeping into the edges of his sight. His hands clawed at the Warden¡¯s arm, but its form was solid as the abyss itself. This wasn¡¯t like fighting the Shadowmind. This wasn¡¯t a test of skill or strength. This was punishment. The Warden was not an opponent. It was an executioner. And Ethan was the condemned. A voice slithered through Ethan¡¯s thoughts. "You cannot win." The pressure increased, his ribs creaking under the crushing force. "You are not worthy." A sharp pulse of pain tore through his body. His mark¡ªthe sigil of the Abysswalker burned into his chest¡ªflared violently. The heat was unbearable, scorching him from the inside out. Ethan gasped, but no air came. This wasn¡¯t just a fight anymore. This was a choice. He could feel the Abyss watching him, waiting for him to submit. To let go. To fade into nothingness. But something inside him refused. Not out of fear. Not out of desperation. But out of something stronger. Something that had carried him through every fight, every loss, every painful moment since the system descended upon the world. Will. A will that had never broken. A will that never would. Ethan clenched his fists. And then¡ªhe acted. Ethan stopped resisting. Stopped struggling. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Instead, he focused. The Abyssborne Warden¡¯s grip was still tight, still crushing his windpipe, but Ethan could feel something else beneath it. A connection. A thread of abyssal energy, linking them together. It was faint¡ªalmost imperceptible¡ªbut it was there.
If it can affect me¡­ then I can affect it.
His body went still. The Warden hesitated for half a second¡ªjust long enough for Ethan to lash out with his own power. The sigil on his chest flared violently, sending a shockwave of abyssal energy surging outward. The Warden recoiled. Its grip loosened. That was all Ethan needed. His hand shot forward, grasping the Warden¡¯s wrist. The Abyss reacted instantly. Blackened tendrils of energy erupted from Ethan¡¯s palm, wrapping around the Warden¡¯s arm like living chains. For the first time, the Warden¡¯s movements faltered. Ethan felt it. The shift. The power dynamic between them was no longer one-sided. The Warden had recognized his resistance. And now? It was forced to acknowledge him. Ethan twisted his body, using the momentum to wrench himself free from the Warden¡¯s grasp. He hit the ground hard, rolling before coming up into a crouch, one hand pressed against the broken obsidian beneath him. His chest heaved, each breath sharp and ragged. His neck throbbed, but the pain was already fading¡ªhis regeneration surging to mend the damage. The Warden stood motionless, its violet eyes locked onto him. For a long moment, neither of them moved. Then, the Warden raised its hand once more. Its abyssal blade reignited, burning with an energy even darker than before. Ethan grinned through the pain. "Round two, then?" The Warden moved first. Its blade cut through the air in a lethal downward arc, a perfect, controlled motion aimed to end the fight in a single strike. But Ethan was ready this time. His own blade¡ªnow humming with abyssal energy¡ªmet the attack head-on. The collision sent a shockwave ripping through the battlefield, cracks webbing outward from where they stood. For the first time, Ethan didn¡¯t just react to the Warden¡¯s attacks. He matched them. Strike for strike. Blow for blow. He could feel the Abyss flowing through him, adjusting, refining his movements, sharpening his instincts to match the Warden¡¯s own perfection. This was more than just a fight now. This was a duel between equals. Ethan¡¯s perception shifted. The Warden wasn¡¯t unstoppable. ts movements weren¡¯t unpredictable. It had patterns¡ªflaws he could exploit. It had tested him before. Now he was testing it. The Warden slashed high¡ªEthan ducked low, countering with a sharp, precise stab toward its core. The Warden twisted, avoiding the blow, but Ethan was already moving, his blade shifting to match its counter. Their weapons clashed again and again, each strike faster than the last. The Warden fought with cold efficiency. Ethan fought with adaptation and will. And slowly¡ªstrike by strike, counter by counter¡ªhe gained ground. He could feel it. The Warden wasn¡¯t treating him like an intruder anymore. It was treating him like a potential successor. Like a Warden in the making. The Warden attacked again, a powerful horizontal slash meant to force Ethan into a corner. But this time? Ethan stepped forward. Instead of dodging, he pushed through the attack, weaving inside the Warden¡¯s guard. His dagger lashed out¡ªnot toward its body, but toward the mark on its chest. The moment his blade connected, the world shifted. The Warden froze. A sharp pulse of abyssal energy rippled outward, shattering the remnants of the battlefield. And then, for the first time¡­ The Warden spoke. "You have passed." Ethan barely had time to process those words before everything went black. [SYSTEM UPDATE ] [New Ability Unlocked:] ?? Abyssal Resonance (Passive): The Abyss recognizes you. Your presence influences abyssal entities, allowing certain creatures to hesitate before attacking¡ªor submit When Ethan opened his eyes, he was no longer in the shattered battlefield. He was back in the void. The Master stood nearby, watching him with an amused expression. "Well," he mused. "I have to admit¡ªI wasn¡¯t entirely sure you¡¯d survive that one." Ethan exhaled, flexing his fingers. His body felt different. Not just stronger. More attuned. The Master grinned. "Congratulations, little predator." He took a step forward, his silver eyes gleaming. "You are now recognized by the Abyss itself." Ethan clenched his fists. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 15: The Abyss Stirs The silence after the battle was deafening. Ethan stood in the endless void, his body alive with energy, yet unnervingly still. His breath was even. His pulse steady. He had won. But somehow, he knew¡ªthis wasn¡¯t the end. The Master stood a short distance away, arms folded across his chest, watching him with the same calculating gaze he always wore. His silver eyes gleamed in the shifting darkness, filled with something that might have been amusement¡­ or something else entirely. "Congratulations, little predator," he said smoothly. "You have been acknowledged." Ethan exhaled sharply, flexing his fingers. His body still tingled from the last pulse of abyssal energy, like a current of raw power had been branded into his very being. "Acknowledged by what?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with caution. The Master tilted his head slightly. "By the Abyss itself, of course." The words sent a chill through Ethan¡¯s spine. The Abyss. Not the Warden. Not the Master. But the force that governed them all. Ethan frowned. "And what exactly does that mean for me?" The Master¡¯s smirk widened. "It means that, for better or worse, the Abyss has taken interest in you." Ethan narrowed his eyes. "And what happens when the Abyss takes interest in something?" The Master let out a low chuckle. "It changes them." A flick of his wrist, and suddenly¡ªthe void around them moved. Ethan tensed, instinctively shifting into a defensive stance. But the darkness didn¡¯t attack. Instead, it formed shapes. Figures. Shadows twisting into something¡­ human. Or at least, something that once had been. The figures solidified, their details becoming clearer. Ethan¡¯s stomach clenched as he took them in. They wore armor of abyssal plating, but it was cracked, damaged¡ªas if they had fought one too many battles. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Their faces were hidden behind helmets, but the empty glow of violet eyes peered through the darkness. Some clutched weapons¡ªjagged swords, halberds, or twin daggers¡ªbut their grips were weak, loose. They stood motionless, like remnants of something long forgotten. Ethan took a slow step forward. And then¡ª The closest figure twitched. A low, distorted voice slithered through the void. "We¡­ were chosen too." Ethan¡¯s breath hitched. Before he could react, the figures collapsed into mist. The void swallowed them whole. And just like that, they were gone. Ethan turned sharply toward the Master, jaw clenched. "What the hell was that?" The Master¡¯s expression was unreadable. "A glimpse of the past." Ethan¡¯s fists tightened. "Past what?" The Master studied him, his usual amusement absent. "Past Wardens," he said finally. Ethan¡¯s breath caught. His mind raced, replaying what he had just seen. Those figures¡ªthose warriors¡ªhad once been like him. And now? They were nothing but echoes. "What happened to them?" Ethan asked quietly. The Master smiled, but this time, there was no humor in it. "The same thing that will happen to you," he said, "if you fail." Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. Ethan forced himself to stay calm. "So that¡¯s what this is? A test to see if I break like they did?" The Master shook his head. "Not a test. A process." Ethan frowned. "Process for what?" The Master¡¯s eyes gleamed. "For becoming something more." Ethan crossed his arms. "And if I don¡¯t want to?" The Master chuckled. "Then you already know the answer, don¡¯t you?" The figures in the mist. The ones who had come before him. The ones who had failed. Ethan exhaled, his mind working. He had always known that power came at a cost. But now, he was beginning to realize¡ªhe had never truly understood the price. Until now. A notification flared in Ethan¡¯s vision, but this time¡ªit felt heavier.
[SYSTEM UPDATE ¨C STATUS CHECK] [Ethan Voss ¨C Abysswalker] Level: 26 ¡ú 27 [Predator¡¯s Absorption: +3 Strength, +2 Endurance Acquired.] [Passive Ability Unlocked:] ?? Warden¡¯s Presence (Passive): Your presence carries the weight of the Abyss. Lesser abyssal creatures may recognize your authority¡ªor fear it. Ethan felt the shift immediately. Not just in his strength. But in the way the very air around him felt. The void no longer felt like an enemy. It felt like it was waiting for him. Like it was his to command. He exhaled sharply. This was his next step. Whether he liked it or not. The Master clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Well," he mused. "That¡¯s enough brooding for now." Ethan shot him a glare. "You just showed me ghosts of the guys who came before me and got erased. Excuse me if I need a minute." The Master grinned. "Minutes are for those who have time. You don¡¯t." Ethan groaned. "You really enjoy this, don¡¯t you?" The Master laughed. "Immensely." Ethan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. His mind was still processing everything, but he knew what this meant. He wasn¡¯t just fighting to survive anymore. He was fighting to keep himself from becoming one of them. The Master¡¯s voice cut through his thoughts. "Rest for now, little predator. You¡¯ll need it." Ethan narrowed his eyes. "Why?" The Master¡¯s smirk turned sharp. "Because the next thing you face," he said, "won¡¯t be a test." He took a step back, and the void began to dissolve around them. "It will be a war." The world vanished. And Ethan fell into darkness once more.
Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 16: Awakening to a Changed World The first thing Ethan felt was weight. Not pain. Not exhaustion. Just an overwhelming heaviness, pressing down on him like an anchor buried in his chest. His limbs felt wrong¡ªnot stiff, not weak, but strangely foreign, as if they weren¡¯t entirely his own. A dull ache radiated through his bones, an unnatural sensation of having been torn apart and put back together again. His lungs burned as if he had just surfaced from drowning, his heart too steady, too controlled. The air around him felt thicker than it should. Too much. Too loud. Too real. He forced his eyes open. At first, there was nothing but darkness. Then¡ªlight. Blurred shapes. Faint movement. The sterile scent of disinfectant and something metallic. His breath hitched. Where was he? He tried to move, but the moment his muscles tensed, a flood of sensations crashed into him all at once. His skin felt too tight. His limbs too strong. His senses too sharp. The steady beeping of a heart monitor rang in his ears. The sound of paper rustling was loud enough that it felt right beside him. A hospital. And sitting next to his bed, completely unaware that he had just awakened¡ª Was Leah. Leah sat curled up in a chair beside him, a worn book in her hands. Her long auburn hair had grown out slightly, her form leaner¡ªmore defined in a way that suggested months of training. She looked¡­ older. More tired. Ethan frowned. How long had he been out? His last memory was of going home. His body had been exhausted after the final trial with the Master. His entire being had screamed for rest, and the moment he had hit his bed, he had let himself sink into the darkness. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. And then¡­ Nothing. Now he was here. His lips parted, but his throat was too dry to speak. A choked sound escaped instead, rough and weak. Like he hadn¡¯t used his voice in years. Leah¡¯s head snapped up. Her emerald eyes locked onto his. For a moment, she froze. Then¡ªher book hit the floor, forgotten. "Ethan?" Her voice was small, disbelieving. Ethan swallowed, forcing his throat to work. "H¡­Hey." Leah¡¯s entire body tensed. Her chair scraped against the floor as she shot to her feet, gripping the side of his bed. "You¡¯re awake." Ethan tried to sit up, but his body resisted. His muscles felt alien¡ªstrong but sluggish, like they weren¡¯t used to being in this world anymore. "What¡­ happened?" His voice was hoarse. Leah exhaled sharply, her hands clenching into white-knuckled fists. "You tell me," she snapped. "You went missing, Ethan. For four days. We found you unconscious in your apartment. No sign of a break-in. No injuries. You were just¡ªgone." Ethan stilled. Four days? His mind recoiled at the timeline. He had spent **weeks¡ªmonths¡ª**inside the Abyss, but here? It had only been a few days? Something inside him twisted. Time had moved differently. The Abyss hadn¡¯t just taken him¡ªit had warped reality around him. Ethan exhaled slowly. "How did I look when you found me?" Leah¡¯s gaze darkened. "Like you were dying," she said flatly. Ethan stiffened. "You were skin and bones, Ethan. It was like your body was eating itself alive. And then¡ªtwo days later, you looked normal again." Her hands trembled. "We thought you were waking up. But instead, you just¡­ kept changing. Like your body was healing itself from something we couldn¡¯t see." She took a deep breath, her expression wavering between relief and frustration. "You scared the hell out of us," she muttered. Ethan offered a weak smile. "Sorry." Leah punched his arm. Hard. "Ow." "You''re not sorry." She glared at him, eyes red-rimmed. "You¡¯re just confused as hell and trying to pretend you understand everything." Ethan sighed. "Okay, yeah. Fair point." Leah scowled. "Damn right it is." But even as she spoke, Ethan could see the relief in her posture. She had been waiting for him. A familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[SYSTEM UPDATE ¨C STATUS CHECK] [Ethan Voss ¨C Abysswalker] Level: 27 ¡ú 30 [Physical Status:] ?? Height Increase: +2 inches ?? Muscle Density: 15% increase ?? Abyssal Infusion Detected ¨C Your body has undergone long-term exposure to abyssal energy, permanently enhancing your baseline attributes. [Stat Gains ¨C Unallocated Points Available:] ?? Strength: +6 ?? Agility: +5 ?? Endurance: +7 [Abilities Unlocked:] ?? Warden¡¯s Echo (Passive): Your existence has left an imprint in the Abyss. You may experience visions or instinctual warnings related to abyssal forces. [Unspent Stat Points Available: 10]
Ethan let the information settle. And then¡ªthe final realization hit him. This wasn¡¯t just some leftover side effect. This was permanent. He wasn¡¯t human anymore. Not fully. And that meant¡­ Nothing in his life would ever be the same again. Ethan exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. His muscles felt heavier, stronger¡ªbut different. Like they belonged to something else. "Leah," he said slowly. "The others. Gareth, Kara, the team¡­ What happened while I was gone?" Leah hesitated. "They¡¯re alive." Ethan caught the hesitation immediately. "But?" She bit her lip. "But things have changed, Ethan." Her gaze flickered to the window¡ªthe city lights outside seemed¡­ colder. "A lot changed in the past few days." Her voice was quiet. "And not all of it is good." Ethan clenched his fists. The world had moved forward without him. Now it was time to catch up. Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 17: A Changed World Ethan sat upright in the hospital bed, staring at the dim cityscape through the window. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound filling the silence. His mind was still processing everything. He was missing four days before his was found and then was in a coma two years in a coma. His body altered, his stats increased, his very existence forever linked to the Abyss. The realization settled into his chest like a stone. He had always known that power came at a price. Leah sat beside him, arms crossed, a mix of exhaustion and frustration on her face. She had barely taken her eyes off him since he had woken up. Her emerald gaze was sharp¡ªanalyzing, searching¡ªfor what, he wasn¡¯t sure. "You¡¯re really awake," she muttered, mostly to herself. Ethan sighed. "Unless this is the longest dream ever, yeah." Leah shot him a look, but he could see the relief beneath her sarcasm. "You have no idea what it¡¯s been like," she said, shaking her head. "Two years, Ethan. Two. When we found you in your apartment, we thought it was just exhaustion or some kind of mana burnout. But then you wouldn¡¯t wake up. And no matter what the healers did, you¡ª" She stopped, taking a breath. Ethan ran a hand over his face. "I¡¯m sorry." Leah glared. "Stop apologizing like that means anything. What the hell even happened to you?" He hesitated. Because how was he supposed to explain it? How did he tell her that he had spent what felt like months, maybe longer, inside a void that shouldn¡¯t exist? That he had trained under a being who wasn¡¯t human, fighting creatures that shouldn¡¯t be real? That while he had been sleeping in this world, he had been awake somewhere else? Leah watched him, waiting. He exhaled. "It¡¯s¡­ complicated." She scoffed. "Yeah, no shit." Ethan smirked. "Missed you too." Leah rolled her eyes, but there was something in her expression¡ªa flicker of something softer, more vulnerable. "You should know," she said. "Things aren¡¯t the same as they were." Ethan frowned. "What do you mean?" Leah hesitated. Then, quietly, she said: Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. "Everything changed while you were gone." Ethan listened as Leah explained what had happened in the past two years. The Guild had grown stronger¡ªnew adventurers rising through the ranks, new teams forming, new power dynamics shifting. Gareth and the others had become A-rank adventurers¡ªtaking on bigger contracts, becoming known as one of the strongest mid-tier teams in the city. But the threats had changed, too. "Stronger dungeons have been appearing," Leah said. "More unpredictable. New types of monsters. Some creatures we¡¯ve never even seen before." Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. Dungeons had always been a threat, but if new monsters were surfacing¡­ that meant something was escalating. "Something¡¯s coming," she murmured, echoing his thoughts. "And no one knows what." Ethan exhaled. The timing was too much of a coincidence. His trials in the Abyss. His changes. The Guild¡¯s evolution. Everything was connected. And now? He was being thrust back into a world that no longer resembled the one he had left. A knock on the door interrupted them. Leah turned, her expression softening slightly as Gareth stepped inside. The moment Ethan saw him, he realized just how much time had passed. Gareth looked the same¡ªbut older. More weathered. His short-cropped brown hair was streaked with a hint of silver, his broad frame even stronger than before. For a second, Gareth just stared. Then, with a huff, he crossed his arms. "Well," he said. "You¡¯re not dead. That¡¯s a relief." Ethan smirked. "Nice to see you too, old man." Gareth snorted. "Look who''s talking. You¡¯ve been sleeping for two years." Ethan was about to respond with another joke, but the look in Gareth¡¯s eyes stopped him. There was something there. Something deep. Something he wasn¡¯t saying. Ethan frowned. "Gareth." The older man sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, kid. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re awake. We all are. But you need to understand¡ªthis isn¡¯t the same Guild you left behind." Ethan stiffened. "Leah told me. The dungeons, the new threats¡ª" "It¡¯s worse than that," Gareth interrupted, his tone low. "The entire city is on edge. Something big is coming, and none of us are strong enough to stop it." Ethan¡¯s stomach dropped. Before he could respond, Gareth fixed him with a sharp look. "So, let me ask you something, Ethan." He took a step forward, his presence heavy. "You¡¯ve been gone for two years. You wake up, looking stronger, but none of us know how. And now, with everything that¡¯s been happening¡ª" He narrowed his eyes. "Are you the same person we knew?" Silence. Ethan¡¯s fingers twitched. Because he didn¡¯t know the answer. He wasn¡¯t sure if he ever would.
Status Check ¨C A Warden Returns A system notification flared in his mind.
[SYSTEM UPDATE ¨C STATUS CHECK] [Ethan Voss ¨C Abysswalker] Level: 30 Health: Stable Mana: 400/400 [Stat Gains ¨C Unallocated Points Available:] ?? Strength: +6 ?? Agility: +5 ?? Endurance: +7 [Abilities Unlocked:] ?? Warden¡¯s Echo (Passive): Your existence has left an imprint in the Abyss. You may experience visions or instinctual warnings related to abyssal forces. ?? Abyssborne Resilience (Passive): Your body has fully adapted to abyssal energy. Increased resistance to all shadow-based attacks and corruption effects. [Unspent Stat Points Available: 10]
Ethan clenched his fists. He could feel it. His body had changed. His very essence had shifted. But was he still Ethan Voss? Or was he something else now? Gareth¡¯s voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Well?" the older man asked. "Can you still fight?" Ethan took a slow breath. Then, with absolute certainty, he met Gareth¡¯s gaze. "Yeah," he said. "I can fight." Gareth nodded. "Good," he said. "Because we need you, kid. More than ever." Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 18: The Truth of the Abyss Silence filled the hospital room. Ethan could feel both Leah and Gareth¡¯s gazes locked onto him, waiting¡ªdemanding 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¡ªthat 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¡ªno, 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¡ªripped 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¡ªthat¡¯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¡ªat least, I think I did. And every time, I came back. Stronger. Different." Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. 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¡ªlarger, more detailed than ever before.
[SYSTEM UPDATE ¨C 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 ¨C 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 ¨C Locked): A single devastating strike that ignores armor and targets an enemy¡¯s core energy. Requires additional conditions to unlock. ?? Abyssborne Domain (Active ¨C 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¡ªsome as an ally, others as an enemy. [Unspent Stat Points Available: 10]
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¡ªnot 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¡ª" 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¡ªinto 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¡ª" "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¡ªI¡¯m going to be ready for it." Leah and Gareth shared a look. Then, slowly, Gareth nodded. "Then let¡¯s get to work." Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 19: Returning to the Guild—Facing the Fallout Ethan stood in front of the hospital window, his fingers idly flexing as he tested his body¡¯s responsiveness. Every movement felt smoother, more efficient, like his muscles had been rewired for precision and strength. Two years had passed. And yet, to him, it had only been months¡ªmonths of suffering, training, and transformation. Now, he was back in a world that had moved on without him. A world that would soon realize he wasn¡¯t the same man he used to be. Leah and Gareth remained seated behind him, still digesting everything he had told them about the Abyss, the Master, and his new existence. The silence between them was heavy. Finally, Gareth spoke. "You need to be careful," he said, his voice steady but firm. "Once word gets out that you¡¯re awake, the Guild will want answers." Ethan turned slightly, his sharp gaze meeting Gareth¡¯s. "I figured." Gareth leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "I mean it, kid. You didn¡¯t just disappear¡ªyou were declared missing. Presumed dead. Then suddenly, you wake up looking stronger than ever? The higher-ups are going to start asking questions." Ethan exhaled, his jaw tightening. "Then I¡¯ll give them answers." Gareth scoffed. "Not all of them, you won¡¯t." Leah crossed her arms. "He¡¯s right, Ethan. If you walk into the Guild and tell them you spent two years training in an eldritch void with some godlike entity, they¡¯ll either lock you up for study or label you a threat." Ethan smirked. "They wouldn¡¯t be wrong." Leah punched his arm. "Be serious!" she snapped. "We don¡¯t know what the Guild will do, and I am not going to stand by while they turn you into some kind of experiment." Ethan rubbed his arm, though the hit barely registered. "Fine. I won¡¯t tell them everything. But I still need to go back." Leah frowned. "Why?" Ethan¡¯s gaze darkened. "Because something¡¯s coming," he said. "And whether they trust me or not, they¡¯ll need me when it arrives." Gareth studied him for a long moment before nodding. "Then let¡¯s get you out of here." It took another two hours before Ethan was officially discharged. The hospital staff was reluctant to let him go, citing his mysterious two-year coma and sudden recovery as grounds for extended observation. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. But Gareth had pulled some serious strings, getting them to release Ethan under Guild supervision. As they walked out of the hospital doors, Ethan inhaled deeply, letting the cool evening air wash over him. The city felt¡­ off. Everything looked the same¡ªthe towering buildings, the bustling streets, the glow of neon lights in the distance¡ªbut something was different. It was in the way people moved. The way hunters patrolled the streets more frequently. The way the air itself felt tense. Leah followed his gaze. "Yeah, you¡¯re noticing it too, huh?" Ethan nodded. "Something changed." Gareth sighed. "Come on. You¡¯ll see soon enough." With that, they began their walk back to the Guild. The Guildhall loomed ahead, its massive structure dominating the city skyline. The building was a fortress, reinforced with magic-infused stone and reinforced steel. And for the first time in two years¡ªEthan walked through its doors. The moment they stepped inside, silence fell over the room. Hunters¡ªrookies, veterans, team leaders¡ªall turned to stare. Ethan didn¡¯t flinch. He met their gazes head-on, his golden eyes glinting with something new. Whispers spread through the crowd. "Is that¡­?" "It can¡¯t be." "Holy shit. Ethan Voss is alive?" A few hunters stood abruptly, as if unable to believe what they were seeing. Others watched cautiously, their instincts warning them that something was off. Leah stepped forward, scowling. "Alright, that¡¯s enough gawking! He¡¯s not a damn ghost!" The tension lessened slightly, though the stares remained. Ethan ignored them, focusing on the counter at the far end of the hall. Behind it, the familiar form of Elias, the Guild¡¯s senior receptionist, sat frozen, his normally calm face pale with shock. Ethan approached, resting his hands on the counter. "Hey, Elias," he said smoothly. "You miss me?" Elias blinked rapidly before shaking his head. "Ethan¡­ by the gods. We thought¡ª" He exhaled sharply. "You have no idea what kind of chaos this is about to cause." Ethan smirked. "Then let¡¯s get ahead of it. I need to talk to the Guildmaster." Elias paled further. Before he could answer, a new voice cut through the room. "You don¡¯t need to ask twice." A tall, imposing figure strode toward them, clad in black and gold battle armor, his presence commanding the room instantly. Ethan turned, his smirk fading. The Guild master had arrived. The man before him was Victor Caelum, a legend among hunters. S-Rank Adventurer. Leader of the Guild. One of the strongest warriors in the country. His scarred face was unreadable, his piercing gray eyes locking onto Ethan with intensity. "Follow me," Victor said simply. "Now." The room remained silent as Ethan, Gareth, and Leah followed the Guildmaster into a private chamber. The moment the door shut behind them, Victor turned sharply. "Talk." Ethan leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Straight to the point, huh?" Victor¡¯s gaze hardened. "You were missing for two years, Ethan. And now you show up stronger than ever, walking into my Guild like nothing happened. So I¡¯ll ask again. Talk." Ethan took a slow breath. He had already decided what to say. "I was taken," he said. "Not kidnapped. Not lost. Taken. By something that wasn¡¯t human." Victor¡¯s eyes narrowed. Ethan met his gaze, unwavering. "For two years, I was in a place called the Abyss. I was trained. I was tested. And now, I¡¯m back." He let that settle before continuing. "I don¡¯t expect you to believe me. But I¡¯ll prove it soon enough." Victor studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then¡ªhe smirked. "Good," he said. Ethan blinked. "Good?" Victor nodded. "Because we¡¯re going to need every bit of strength we can get." He crossed his arms. "The world¡¯s changing, Ethan. And whether you like it or not, you¡¯re going to be in the middle of it." Ethan smirked. "Wouldn¡¯t have it any other way." Book 2: The Abysswalker’s Trial Chapter 20: Truth and Consequences Ethan sat across from Guildmaster Victor Caelum, the weight of the conversation ahead settling onto his shoulders. The office was dimly lit, the warm glow from a few wall sconces casting long shadows across the bookshelves that lined the walls. A massive desk sat between them, adorned with old maps, mission reports, and a single crystal orb pulsing with faint magical energy. Gareth and Leah stood to the side, silent but attentive. Victor sat with his arms crossed, his gaze unwavering. He was a towering figure, built like a war machine, his battle-worn armor fitting him like a second skin. His gray eyes, sharp and calculating, watched Ethan with an intensity that made it clear¡ªhe would know if Ethan was lying. "Alright, kid," Victor said finally. "You wanted to explain yourself. Start talking." Ethan exhaled slowly, leaning forward. "I need you to listen carefully, because what I¡¯m about to say isn¡¯t going to make any sense." Victor smirked. "I deal with nonsense daily. Try me." Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate. And so¡ªhe told the truth. He started from the beginning. The night he went missing, feeling exhausted after a long mission. Waking up in a void that defied reality. Meeting the one called the Master¡ªa being that wasn¡¯t human. The endless battles, the torturous training, the constant cycle of death and rebirth. The way time moved differently in the Abyss¡ªwhere he spent what felt like months, only to return and realize two years had passed. is evolution¡ªhow his body had been changed, reforged into something more than before. Victor listened without interruption. He didn¡¯t laugh. He didn¡¯t scoff. He simply watched. By the time Ethan finished, the room was dead silent. Leah shifted uncomfortably. Gareth¡¯s expression was unreadable. Victor tapped a single finger against the desk, deep in thought. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke. "You know," he said, "if anyone else had told me this story, I¡¯d have thrown them out of my office." Ethan smirked. "But you believe me?" Victor leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Two years ago, you were an unranked adventurer barely scraping by." His gray eyes narrowed. "Now, you sit in front of me with a presence stronger than half the A-rankers in this Guild. So yeah, I believe you." Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Ethan exhaled. "That makes things easier." Victor¡¯s lips twitched. "Not really." Ethan raised a brow. "Why¡¯s that?" Victor¡¯s smirk faded. "Because things have changed since you¡¯ve been gone, Ethan," he said. "And not for the better." Victor stood, moving toward the bookshelf behind him. He pulled out a thick leather-bound file and tossed it onto the desk. "Read," he said simply. Ethan opened the file, his eyes quickly scanning the pages. Dungeons had become more unstable. Portals were appearing where they shouldn¡¯t be, and some were collapsing before teams could return. New creatures¡ªones that had never existed before¡ªwere emerging from the depths. Stronger, smarter, more organized. The Kingdom had tightened regulations on adventurers, demanding stricter ranking evaluations and forcing new guild policies. Three entire teams had gone missing in the past six months. No bodies. No traces. Just¡­ gone. Ethan clenched his jaw. "How the hell did things spiral this badly?" Victor sighed, rubbing his temples. "That¡¯s what we¡¯re trying to figure out." Leah stepped forward. "Ethan, the Guild isn¡¯t the same anymore. It¡¯s more¡­ controlled. More political." Ethan narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?" Gareth crossed his arms. "It means that after you vanished, the higher-ups used it as an excuse to start enforcing new rules. They said the Guild needed better oversight, stronger leadership. But all it really did was make things harder for adventurers." Leah scowled. "And it¡¯s only gotten worse." Victor sighed. "They¡¯ve been looking for someone to blame, Ethan." His gaze sharpened. "And your sudden return? It¡¯s going to put a target on your back." Ethan exhaled sharply. The Guild wanted control. The Kingdom wanted order. And he had just walked back into the middle of it. Something nagged at the back of Ethan¡¯s mind. He flipped through the reports again, his eyes narrowing. Then, suddenly¡ªhe froze. "Wait," he said slowly. "Why didn¡¯t the Guild know I was in the hospital?" Victor frowned. "What?" Ethan met his gaze. "You said I was missing. That everyone thought I was dead." He gestured toward Leah and Gareth. "But they knew where I was. They found me in my apartment. I was transferred to a hospital. Why wasn¡¯t the Guild informed?" Victor¡¯s expression darkened. He turned to Gareth and Leah. "You¡¯re sure he was in the hospital the entire time?" Leah crossed her arms. "Of course we¡¯re sure." Gareth frowned. "We visited him regularly." Victor¡¯s gaze flickered toward the crystal orb on his desk¡ªthe one pulsing with faint magical energy. His jaw tightened. "Ethan," he said slowly. "The Guild was informed of your disappearance." Ethan¡¯s blood ran cold. "But not of your survival." A sharp silence settled in the room. Ethan¡¯s fingers twitched. "So someone¡­ kept it from you." Victor nodded. "And I¡¯m going to find out who." Leah¡¯s face was pale. "Why would they do that?" Gareth¡¯s expression was grim. "Because someone wanted Ethan to stay missing." Ethan clenched his fists. Who the hell had been pulling the strings while he was gone? And more importantly¡ªwhy? Victor leaned forward, his expression serious. "Listen, Ethan. We don¡¯t know who¡¯s involved in this yet. But until we figure it out, you need to tread carefully." Ethan exhaled, forcing himself to stay calm. "Fine," he said. "Then what¡¯s next?" Victor smirked. "You wanted to know how much things have changed? You¡¯re about to find out firsthand." He turned to the bookshelf, pulling out a sealed envelope. "This," he said, tossing it onto the desk, "is your next assignment." Ethan raised a brow. "You¡¯re sending me on a mission already?" Victor grinned. "Welcome back, kid." Ethan picked up the envelope, breaking the seal. His eyes scanned the contents¡ª And then, his entire body went still. Mission Name: The Forgotten Ruins Objective: Investigate the re-emergence of an ancient dungeon lost for centuries. Threat Level: Unknown Additional Notes: Survivors of the last expedition reported encountering an entity described as ¡®Abyss-Touched.¡¯ Ethan¡¯s grip on the paper tightened. The Abyss. It was here. And it was waiting for him.