The portal shimmered before me, pulsing with an ominous, inviting light. Blood dripped from my blade, still warm from the slaughter of my so-called friends. Aria's and Ghost's bodies were crumpled in the cavern behind me, forgotten. Their deaths had only served one purpose: to make me stronger.
The system's dark whispers filled my mind, urging me onward.
More. There is always more.
I stepped through the portal without hesitation, the cool rush of magic wrapping around me like a shroud. When I emerged on the other side, I was greeted by the dense, twisted forest of a higher-tiered gate. Thick black trees towered overhead, their branches gnarled and sharp like claws. The ground beneath me was moist with rot, and a faint mist hung in the air, carrying the stench of death.
But none of it fazed me. All I saw was opportunity. A chance to carve my way through the hordes of monsters that lurked here. Every one of them was a stepping stone, a means to an end—my ascension to greater power.
The moment I stepped forward, the air shifted. A chorus of snarls echoed from the trees. From the shadows, grotesque creatures began to emerge—bipedal monstrosities covered in dark, leathery skin, their eyes glowing red with bloodlust. Their claws were sharp, their fangs bared. They were larger, more vicious than anything I had fought before.
Perfect.
Chaos System Activated.
Quest: Clear the Gate. Rewards: XP, Items, Potential Evolution.
I grinned, my heart pounding with excitement. The first monster lunged at me with a guttural roar, its claws slicing through the air. I sidestepped with ease, my Eclipse Blade already moving in a deadly arc. The blade cut through the creature's flesh like butter, black blood spraying across the forest floor.
Sovereign's Harvest Activated.
Absorbing Stats… Strength +5. Agility +3.
The rush of power surged through me, intoxicating, as if I was absorbing the very essence of the world itself. And it only fueled my hunger. More monsters charged from the shadows, howling and screeching, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. But I wasn't prey. I was their hunter.
I moved like a shadow, my blade dancing through the air, severing limbs, piercing hearts, leaving a trail of mangled corpses in my wake. Blood splattered across my armor, the scent of death thickening with every kill. The system chimed in the background, tracking my progress.
Level Up! Level 12.
Strength: +10. Agility: +5.
The forest became a battlefield of carnage. Every slash, every stab brought me closer to my goal. The monsters' claws raked across my armor, their fangs snapped inches from my face, but I barely registered the pain. The thrill of the fight consumed me, the desire for more power pushing me to the brink of madness.
The monsters came in waves, relentless in their assault, but they were no match. I cut through them like they were nothing, each one only adding to my growing strength. Their bodies littered the ground, their blood soaking the earth as I absorbed every drop of their power.
Level Up! Level 15.
Health: +50. Strength: +12. Agility: +8.
But just as I began to think there were no more challenges, the ground beneath me trembled. The trees swayed violently, their branches snapping as a heavy, oppressive presence filled the air. Something big was coming.
From the shadows, it emerged—a massive, hulking beast unlike anything I had ever seen. Its body was covered in black, stone-like scales, its eyes glowing a deep crimson. It stood nearly three times my height, its muscles rippling beneath its thick hide. Long, razor-sharp horns curled from its skull, and its maw opened to reveal rows of jagged teeth dripping with venom.
It wasn't just any monster. This was a Gate Guardian.
The creature roared, the sound reverberating through the forest, shaking the ground beneath my feet. Its massive clawed hands slammed into the earth, cracking the ground as it charged toward me with terrifying speed.
My eyes narrowed, my grip tightening on my blade. The thrill of the fight ignited in my veins. This was what I craved—an opponent worthy of my power.
I leaped to the side just as the creature's claws tore through the spot where I had been standing, leaving a deep trench in the earth. The force of the attack sent shockwaves through the ground, but I barely flinched. I spun around, my Eclipse Blade flashing as I slashed across its leg. The blade scraped against its thick scales, barely cutting through.
The beast roared in fury, swinging its massive tail toward me. I barely had time to react as the tail slammed into my side, sending me crashing into a nearby tree. Pain exploded through my body, my ribs cracking from the impact. I gasped, blood filling my mouth, but the pain only fueled my desire to kill.
Health: 50/150.
I wiped the blood from my lips, glaring at the creature. It was stronger than anything I had faced before. Good. That just meant more power when I killed it.
I charged forward, activating Shadow Step to close the distance. I reappeared behind the creature, my blade aimed at its spine. But the beast was faster than I anticipated. Its tail whipped around, slamming into me again, knocking the wind from my lungs. I hit the ground hard, rolling to avoid being crushed by its claws.
Health: 20/150.
The system flashed warnings in my mind, but I ignored them. Pain was temporary. Power was eternal. I wouldn't die here—not before I had taken everything this monster had to offer.
The creature roared again, its eyes glowing with bloodlust as it prepared to charge. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to my feet. I could barely stand, but I wasn't done yet. Not even close.
With a surge of energy, I activated Sovereign's Eclipse, merging the powers of light and darkness into my blade. The air around me crackled with energy as my weapon glowed with an ethereal light. I charged forward, ignoring the pain in my body, my mind focused solely on the kill.
The beast swung its massive claws at me, but this time I was ready. I ducked under the attack, my blade slicing through the air. The energy of the Eclipse Blade cut through its thick scales, carving deep into its flesh. Black blood sprayed across the ground, and the creature howled in agony.
I didn't stop. I struck again, and again, each slash more powerful than the last. My body moved on instinct, fueled by the system's dark whispers, by the overwhelming desire for more power. The creature staggered, its massive body swaying as it tried to stay upright.
With one final, brutal slash, I severed its head from its body.
The beast collapsed with a thunderous crash, its blood pooling around its massive corpse. The system chimed.
Sovereign's Harvest Activated.
Absorbing Gate Guardian's Stats… Strength: +30. Vitality: +20.
The rush of power that followed was unlike anything I had felt before. It was overwhelming, flooding every part of my being. My wounds healed instantly, my strength multiplying as the essence of the monster merged with mine.
Level Up! Level 20.
New Ability Unlocked: Abyssal Resilience (Increased durability and healing speed in combat).
I stood over the corpse, breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling with the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. My body throbbed with power, the energy of the Gate Guardian pulsing through me like a drug.
I had become something greater. Stronger. Faster. More powerful than ever before.
And still, it wasn't enough.