Chapter 2: The Path of the Ruthless
The cold wind howled through the mountain pass as Jaden approached the entrance of the Crimson Abyss. The dungeon loomed before him like the maw of a great beast, its dark, jagged stones covered in ancient moss and grime. The very air seemed to thrum with malevolent energy, warning off anyone foolish enough to venture inside.
But Jaden was no fool. Not anymore.
He stood at the edge of the entrance, gazing into the black void that stretched before him. In the original novel, Revan had struggled to survive the Crimson Abyss, barely scraping through with his life and a handful of allies. For Jaden, this was not a trial. It was an opportunity—a chance to claim the dungeon's secrets and grow even stronger.
---
[Quest: Enter the Crimson Abyss]
[Recommended Level: 30+]
[Objective: Clear the Dungeon and Claim the Abyssal Core]
[Reward: 1000 Skill Points, Unique Skill Unlocked]
---
The Abyssal Core. In the novel, Revan had obtained this artifact, which gave him the power to control dark magic. It had been a pivotal moment in his journey. But Jaden had no interest in playing the hero's role. He wanted that power for himself—and he would take it by any means necessary.
He stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the dungeon. As soon as he did, a strange sensation washed over him, as if the world itself had shifted. The air grew thicker, colder. The walls seemed to pulse with an eerie, crimson light, casting long shadows that danced like twisted figures in the darkness.
The first room of the dungeon was silent. Too silent.
Jaden's eyes narrowed as he drew his sword, the blade gleaming with a cold, deadly edge. He had long since learned that silence in a dungeon meant danger was near. His senses sharpened, every fiber of his being alert to the slightest movement. The system hadn't given him an easy path; he had to earn his strength with blood and steel.
Suddenly, the ground trembled, and the stone floor cracked beneath his feet. From the darkness emerged a creature—a massive, hulking beast with matted fur and glowing red eyes. Its jaws dripped with venom, and its claws scraped against the stone, sending sparks flying.
---
[Beast Type: Abyssal Hound]
[Level: 35]
[Weakness: Fire]
---
Jaden smirked. "Abyssal Hound, huh? Let's see if you're worth the trouble."
Without hesitation, he lunged forward, closing the distance between him and the beast in an instant. The Hound roared, swiping at him with one massive paw, but Jaden was faster. He dodged to the side, his sword flashing in a deadly arc. Blood sprayed into the air as the blade sliced deep into the creature's flank.
The Hound howled in pain, its body thrashing as it tried to retaliate. But Jaden was relentless, his movements precise and efficient. Every strike was calculated, every step taken with purpose. He was not here to play games—he was here to kill.
The Hound lunged again, its jaws snapping dangerously close to Jaden's throat. But before it could land a hit, Jaden activated one of his skills.
---
[Shadow Step Activated]
---
In an instant, he disappeared from sight, vanishing into the shadows. The Hound's head whipped around, searching for him, but it was too late. Jaden reappeared behind the beast, his sword raised high. With a single, brutal strike, he brought the blade down, cleaving through the Hound's neck.
The creature collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud, its body twitching as the life drained from its eyes.
---
[Abyssal Hound Defeated]
[Skill Points Acquired: 150]
---
Jaden wiped the blood from his blade, his face expressionless as the notification flashed before him. The Hound had been strong, but not nearly strong enough. If this was the kind of opposition the Crimson Abyss had to offer, he would breeze through it with ease.
He glanced around the room, his gaze falling on a massive stone door at the far end. Runes etched into its surface glowed faintly, pulsing with the same crimson light that filled the dungeon. Jaden knew what lay beyond that door—the deeper levels of the Abyss, where the real challenges awaited.
He sheathed his sword and moved toward the door, placing a hand on the cold stone. The runes flickered, and the door began to creak open, revealing a dark staircase leading down into the depths.
Jaden took a deep breath and descended into the unknown, the weight of the dungeon's oppressive energy pressing down on him. But he wasn't afraid. He had faced worse before—and he had emerged stronger every time.
As he made his way deeper into the dungeon, he couldn't help but think about Revan. The so-called hero, destined to save the world. Jaden scoffed at the thought. Revan was nothing more than a pawn in the grand scheme of things, just like all the other characters in the novel. But Jaden was different. He wasn't bound by fate. He wasn't limited by the story's constraints.
He would carve his own path, and no one—especially not Revan—would stand in his way.
After what felt like hours, Jaden reached the second level of the dungeon. The air here was even colder, and the crimson light was more intense, casting an eerie glow over everything. The monsters would be stronger here—more dangerous.
And that suited Jaden just fine.
He unsheathed his sword once again, his eyes gleaming with a cold, ruthless determination. The deeper he went, the stronger he would become. And when he finally claimed the Abyssal Core, no one would be able to stop him.
"Let the hunt begin," he muttered, stepping forward into the darkness.
---
[New Monsters Detected]
[Prepare for Battle]
---
Jaden smiled. The system's cold, mechanical voice was almost comforting now. It was the only thing that made sense in this twisted world.
And it was the key to his survival.