Chapter 1: From Ashes to the Abyss

A dimly lit room filled with stifling silence; the only sound, shallow breaths and the slow ticking of an unseen clock. Kai sat on his bed, the walls around him echoing with painful memories. He wasn't just another misunderstood teenager—his life had been plagued by darkness, manipulation, and betrayal from those he trusted most. In a world where everyone else seemed to thrive, Kai was left behind, broken by betrayal, until one fateful night when everything changed.

As he drifted into sleep, feeling his own rage and sorrow choke him, he whispered to himself, "I wish I could leave it all behind…" In that moment, the darkness around him seemed to respond. Shadows curled and twisted around his room, forming symbols and whispers of ancient languages that beckoned him. And then—a flash of light, searing and cold.

---

Kai opened his eyes. He felt different, lighter, and—when he looked around—he realized he was in a forest with mist swirling around his feet. Trees rose ominously on all sides, cloaked in an unsettling darkness, as if they guarded secrets meant for the dead. Bewildered, Kai stumbled forward, his eyes widening as he noticed a glimmering symbol etched on the back of his hand, faintly pulsing with an eerie blue light.

A cold, whispering voice echoed in his mind.

"Welcome, Reborn One. You are now bound to the Abyssal System."

Kai flinched, but his mind registered it immediately: he was in another world. An isekai, like the ones he used to read about as an escape from his life. But this wasn't just any new world; something about it felt sinister, as if it held only dark promises for anyone who dared venture too far.

The voice continued.

"You are the sole bearer of the Abyssal System. Unlike ordinary systems, this one is bound only to you. It grants you power—power that could make kings kneel, but at a cost."

He shivered at the words, but something within him, a defiant spark, urged him on. He clutched his fist, feeling the surge of energy within the symbol. Whatever this power was, he would wield it. He wouldn't allow anyone to trample on him again, not in this world.

The voice in his mind continued.

"Quest Initiation: Prove your Worth."

A screen appeared before him, displaying:

Objective: Survive. Time limit: 10 minutes. Failure: Death.

Without a chance to gather his thoughts, he felt an unnatural chill creeping closer, like icy fingers brushing his skin. A monstrous howl shattered the silence, and through the mist, shadowed forms with glowing red eyes lurked.

A notification blinked in front of him.

[Abyssal Weapon Unlocked: Shadow Blade]

He extended his hand, and a dark blade materialized, its surface swirling with shadows, as if made from pure night. It felt cold and menacing, but at the same time, natural, as if it were an extension of himself. His heart pounded, excitement and fear mixing, but his resolve was iron-clad.

The beasts lunged, fangs bared and claws outstretched. Kai swung the blade, slicing through the creatures with ease. Each swing felt like an instinct, as if he'd wielded the weapon for a lifetime. He could feel the Abyssal System feeding him knowledge of combat, every move precise and deadly. Blood splattered, and as each beast fell, his system responded.

[You have slain Abyssal Hound x1. Power increased by 5%]

With each kill, he felt himself grow stronger, more attuned to the shadows, to the power that pulsed through him. This world, filled with darkness, was beginning to feel like home—a place where he could unleash the pent-up rage of his past, a place that didn't judge him but rewarded his ruthlessness.

As the last hound fell, Kai felt a rush of energy flood his body, his senses sharpening. He was breathing heavily, but he had done it. He had survived, overcome his first trial, and with each passing moment, he felt a new life begin to stir within him.

---

The voice returned, approving yet calculating.

"Congratulations, Reborn One. You have proven your worth to the Abyssal System. This world has now opened its doors to you, and with every creature you slay, your power will grow. But remember, this power comes at a price…"

A chill settled over him, but he only smirked. He wasn't afraid of a price, not anymore.

"Whatever it is, I'll pay it," he whispered, his voice steady and dark. In this world, he wouldn't be the victim anymore. No longer was he Kai, the broken soul from another world. Here, he was something more, someone feared. He would climb to the heights of power, leaving a trail of shadows in his wake.

But deep within, the Abyssal System stirred, as if waiting for a moment to reveal its true intentions. For Kai, the journey had only just begun.