The sky above me was a churning mass of dark clouds, heavy with the promise of violence. The gate before me shimmered with malevolent energy, a swirling vortex of black and crimson that seemed to pulse with life. This gate was unlike any I had encountered before. The Apex Order ranked it as an A-level gate—just barely within my clearance. But something about it felt… wrong. More dangerous than any challenge I'd faced.
Warning: High-level anomalies detected within the gate. Proceed with extreme caution.
The Abyssal Chaos System's cold voice echoed in my mind as I stood on the edge of the portal, and for a brief moment, I hesitated. The system had never issued a warning before. But that only fueled my hunger for what lay inside.
Danger meant power.
I stepped through.
The moment I entered, I felt it—a crushing, suffocating pressure that pressed down on me like a vice. The air was thick, laced with the metallic stench of blood and decay. The environment was a warped, nightmarish forest, its trees twisted and malformed, their blackened roots writhing like serpents. Blood-red mist hung low to the ground, obscuring the uneven terrain.
Warning: Hostile entities detected.
I barely had time to process the system's alert when they came—masses of shifting, grotesque shapes darting through the mist, their limbs long and sharp, their bodies malformed and dripping with Ichor. These weren't like the monsters I had faced before. They were faster, fiercer, their movements erratic and unpredictable. Their eyes glowed a sickly yellow, filled with primal rage.
With a thought, I summoned the Eclipse Blade, its cold, dark edge gleaming in my hand. I braced myself, the familiar weight of the weapon grounding me as the first creature lunged.
I slashed upward, slicing clean through its torso, black blood spraying across the ground in a grotesque arc. But before I could even register the kill, two more creatures were on me. Their claws tore at my sides, and I barely managed to sidestep, feeling the sting of their attacks rip into my flesh.
Pain exploded in my side, and I staggered, cursing under my breath. These things weren't just strong—they were relentless. I slashed again, the Eclipse Blade tearing through one monster's neck, but another clamped its jaws onto my shoulder.
Health: 900/1000.
The pain was searing, but I forced myself to focus, feeling the familiar pulse of power as the system's energy surged within me.
Sovereign's Harvest activated. Absorbing strength and abilities from slain enemies.
The moment the monster dropped, I felt the rush of power flood my veins. The wounds on my body healed slightly, but not fast enough. There were too many of them, and their numbers seemed endless. My blade flashed again and again, each strike spilling more blood, yet still they came, snapping and clawing, a relentless wave of teeth and talons.
Health: 600/1000.
"Damn it!" I snarled, narrowly avoiding another bite. I was getting overwhelmed. These monsters were too coordinated, too fast. Each one was an individual challenge, but together, they were a tide of death, and I was drowning.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath me, and the air grew colder, the mist swirling violently. From the shadows, something massive began to take shape. Its hulking form towered above the twisted trees, its skin like dark iron, covered in jagged, bone-like spines. A deep, guttural growl rumbled through the forest, vibrating in my bones.
A Titan of the Abyss.
My breath caught in my throat. This was no ordinary boss. Its eyes were like twin orbs of molten gold, and as it stepped forward, the earth itself cracked beneath its weight. The smaller creatures scattered before it, their primal fear evident.
System Warning: Extreme threat detected. Risk of death imminent.
The Titan roared, and the sound alone made my ears ring. I had never faced anything like this. For the first time, real fear gnawed at the edges of my mind.
But I wasn't about to back down.
I activated Shadow Step, vanishing into the darkness just as the Titan swung its massive arm. The impact shattered the trees around me, sending splinters and debris flying through the air. I reappeared behind it, slashing with the Eclipse Blade, but my attack barely scratched its armored hide.
Health: 500/1000.
I grit my teeth, my mind racing. I couldn't take this thing down by sheer force. Its armor was too thick, and its strength was on an entirely different level. I needed to weaken it—find an opening.
The Titan turned, its molten eyes locking onto me as it charged. I barely managed to dodge, the ground shaking with every step it took. My mind was a whirlwind of strategies, but nothing seemed to work.
Then, an idea struck me.
I quickly switched my focus, channeling my energy into my Sovereign's Harvest ability. If I could absorb enough of the lesser creatures' strength, I might be able to tip the scales.
With a roar of determination, I dived into the thick of the horde, cutting down the smaller monsters as quickly as I could. Each kill filled me with a rush of power, and though my wounds ached, I felt myself getting stronger.
Ability Absorbed: Flesh Warden (Regeneration).
A searing pain erupted in my chest as I absorbed the power, but almost immediately, my body began to heal faster, my flesh knitting itself together at an accelerated rate.
Health: 700/1000.
It wasn't enough. I needed more.
I slaughtered the next group of monsters, their screams filling the night, blood splattering across my face and arms as I absorbed their essence. Every kill made me stronger, faster, more lethal.
Health: 800/1000.
The Titan roared again, and this time, it unleashed a blast of dark energy from its mouth. I barely had time to react as the wave of power slammed into me, throwing me back into the twisted trees.
Health: 150/1000.
Pain flared through every inch of my body. My vision blurred, and for a moment, I thought it was over.
Warning: Health critical.
No.
I wasn't going to die here.
I forced myself to stand, the Abyssal Chaos System pulsing with raw energy as I summoned every ounce of strength left in me. The Titan of the Abyss charged again, but this time, I was ready.
I activated Eclipse Blade: Blood Moon, pouring all of my remaining power into the skill. My blade glowed with an eerie red light, and I could feel the energy coursing through it like a living thing.
The Titan swung its massive fist, but I didn't dodge. I stepped forward, slashing with everything I had.
The blade connected, slicing through the creature's arm with a deafening screech. Black blood sprayed across the forest, and the Titan roared in pain, staggering backward.
I didn't stop.
With a primal scream, I drove the Eclipse Blade deep into the Titan's chest, feeling the resistance as it tore through muscle and bone. The creature's molten eyes flickered, and with one final, guttural growl, it collapsed to the ground.
Congratulations! You have slain the Titan of the Abyss.
Experience gained: 3000. Level up.
Level: 32.
I stood there, breathing heavily, my body trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline. The Abyssal Chaos System hummed in the back of my mind, whispering of newfound power.
I had done it. But just barely.
As the Titan's body disintegrated into ash, I clenched my fists, feeling the power surge within me. I was stronger now. And this was only the beginning.