### Chapter 7: Shadows of the Abyss
The forest loomed denser as Rex ventured deeper, each step carrying him further into the heart of the Abyss. The trees twisted into grotesque shapes, their bark scarred as if by the claws of ancient monsters, and their branches tangled overhead, forming a canopy that blocked out all light. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and a chilling mist rolled over the ground like the breath of some unseen creature lurking in the darkness.
Rex moved silently, his senses heightened, his body still thrumming with the afterglow of the *Level Up Recovery* buff. He could feel his mana replenishing, a steady flow of energy that made him feel almost invincible. Yet, he knew better than to let his guard down. The Abyss was not a place for complacency.
He stopped in a small clearing, taking a moment to catch his breath and survey his surroundings. The silence around him was absolute, almost unnatural. Not even the chirp of insects or the rustling of leaves could be heard. It was as if the forest itself was holding its breath, watching him.
Rex clenched his fists, feeling the cool, calming Aura ripple across his skin. He couldn't help but reflect on his earlier discovery—his ability to regenerate mana faster than he could use it. The potential of this newfound power set his mind racing. *Infinite mana...* The thought sent a shiver of anticipation down his spine. It was a game-changing advantage, one that could elevate him far above the other players trapped in this hellish tutorial stage.
But before he could revel in the possibilities, a soft rustling sound reached his ears. Rex stiffened, his eyes darting toward the edge of the clearing. Shadows shifted between the trees, moving too fluidly to be a mere trick of the light.
Rex's gaze sharpened, and his hand instinctively moved to the hilt of the dagger strapped to his waist—a crude weapon he'd scavenged from a fallen player earlier. It wasn't much, but in the hands of someone with the *Prodigy* attribute, even a simple blade could become deadly.
He focused his senses, feeling the subtle movements in the air, the faint tremors in the ground. His eyes pierced through the darkness, and there, lurking just beyond the edge of the clearing, he spotted them: a pair of figures, cloaked in shadow, watching him with eyes that gleamed like amber coals.
*Not beasts,* he realized with a start. *Players.*
Two figures stepped forward from the shadows, their features becoming clear in the dim light that managed to penetrate the canopy. They wore dark, ragged cloaks that concealed most of their bodies, but Rex could see the cold, calculating look in their eyes—hunters assessing their prey.
"Well, well," one of them said with a smirk, his voice smooth but laced with malice. "Looks like we've found the infamous Rex, the one causing all that fuss. A new skill in under 30 minutes, they said. And now, he's got himself a fancy buff too. Must be our lucky day."
Rex's lips curled into a mocking smile. "You think I'm just going to roll over and hand you whatever you're after?"
The second figure, a tall woman with a scar running across her face, let out a dry laugh. "You've got guts, kid. But guts won't save you out here." Her eyes flickered to the dagger at his waist. "Not with that little toothpick, anyway."
Rex's grip tightened around the hilt of his dagger, but he forced himself to remain calm. He couldn't afford to show any sign of fear. These two were clearly experienced, likely players who had been stuck in the Abyss far longer than him. If they thought they could intimidate him, they were in for a surprise.
"Let me guess," Rex said, raising an eyebrow. "You're here to take me down, get some extra loot, and maybe make a name for yourselves?"
The man shrugged nonchalantly. "You're not wrong. But we're also here to see if all the hype around you is true. You know how it is—rumors spread, and people get curious. Besides, there's a pretty big bounty on your head now that you've made a name for yourself." He drew a sleek, curved blade from his belt, its edge gleaming wickedly in the dim light.
The woman brandished a pair of short swords, their surfaces etched with runes that glowed faintly with an eerie blue light. "And if we get to have a little fun in the process, all the better."
Rex's smile faded, replaced by a cold, focused expression. He could feel the tension rising, like a coiled spring ready to snap. These two were dangerous, no doubt, but they had underestimated him. And that would be their downfall.
"Well, if it's a fight you want," Rex said, summoning his Aura once more, letting the blue energy flare around him like a protective shroud, "then I'll make sure you regret picking a fight with me."
Without another word, the two attackers charged. The man was faster, his blade cutting through the air with a high-pitched whistle as he aimed for Rex's throat. But Rex's reflexes, honed by the *Prodigy* attribute, kicked in. He ducked low, feeling the blade pass inches above his head, then retaliated with a quick slash of his dagger aimed at the man's ribs.
The man twisted away, but not fast enough to avoid the shallow cut that Rex's blade left on his side. He winced, clutching his wound, but his eyes gleamed with something almost like excitement. "Not bad, kid. But you'll have to do better than that."
Before Rex could press his attack, the woman came at him from the side, her twin blades weaving through the air in a deadly dance. Rex pivoted, bringing his Aura to bear as a shield. The runed swords clashed against the barrier, sparks flying, but the force of the blow sent him stumbling back.
*They're coordinated,* Rex realized as he regained his footing. The woman pressed her advantage, while the man circled around to cut off his escape route. They were trying to box him in, trap him between their blades.
But Rex wasn't about to let that happen.
He tapped into his mana reserves, feeling the flow surge through his body, faster than ever thanks to the *Level Up Recovery*. A plan formed in his mind, one that relied on the element of surprise. He let the Aura around him fluctuate, making it seem like he was struggling to maintain it. The two attackers exchanged a glance, thinking they saw an opening.
The woman lunged, aiming to drive her blade through his weakened Aura, while the man closed in from behind. But just as they committed to their attacks, Rex's eyes flashed with a dangerous light.
"Got you."
With a sudden burst of speed, Rex dropped to the ground, rolling beneath the woman's thrust. Her blade passed harmlessly over him, and before she could react, Rex sprang up, slamming his dagger into her side. She let out a gasp, stumbling back as blood splattered onto the ground.
The man's eyes widened in shock, but he had no time to react before Rex spun around, unleashing a concentrated burst of his Aura directly into his chest. The force of the impact sent the man flying into a tree with a resounding crack, his body crumpling against the trunk.
Panting, Rex straightened, his Aura crackling around him. He glanced at the woman, who clutched her side, blood seeping between her fingers. Her face twisted with pain and rage, but there was a flicker of fear in her eyes now.
"Not so fun anymore, is it?" Rex said coldly, stepping closer.
The woman gritted her teeth, trying to raise her blades, but Rex was already upon her. He knocked the weapons from her hands with a swift kick, sending them clattering to the ground. Then, he leveled his dagger at her throat.
"Why don't you tell me more about that bounty?" Rex asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Who put it out? And what else do they know about me?"
She swallowed hard, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "You... you think you've won?" she spat, a twisted smile forming on her lips. "You've got no idea what you're dealing with. You're just a pawn, same as the rest of us."
Rex's eyes narrowed, but before he could press her for more information, the woman's body began to dissolve into black mist, just like the Hellhounds before her. She gave him one last, defiant look before she vanished completely, leaving behind only a faint, mocking laughter that echoed through the trees.
Rex stood alone in the clearing, his mind racing. He had survived the encounter, but the woman's words left him uneasy. *A pawn?* He glanced in the direction the attackers had come from, wondering what lay deeper in the Abyss.
His grip tightened around his dagger, and he set his jaw with newfound determination. Whatever secrets this place held, he would uncover them. And whatever enemies lay in wait, he would face them head-on.
With a final glance at the dark path ahead, Rex continued forward, his Aura flaring like a beacon in the darkness, ready to face the unknown.
**To be continued...**