The weight of the First Key settled heavily within Jian's mind, not in its physical form, but in its sheer significance. The Gate of Shadows—it wasn't just a door; it was a promise of power, a beacon of danger, and a mystery that could unravel the very fabric of the Tower.
Emerging from the dungeon, Jian's senses were instantly assaulted by the cacophony of the Nexus System's notifications.
[World Announcement: Player Jian Valen has acquired the First Key of the Abyss.]
[Warning: The Abyss stirs. The Tower's guardians grow restless.]
[New Challenge Tier Unlocked: Abyssal Trials.]
The notifications ended with a sharp chime, leaving Jian standing at the dungeon's mouth. His clones, ever silent, exchanged glances as if mirroring the unease he felt.
The air outside was colder, darker—as if the Abyss itself had begun to bleed into the Tower. Jian's gaze shifted to the faint outline of the next gate, its towering presence distant but unmistakable. His path was clear, yet the journey ahead felt heavier with each step.
A Growing Threat
Jian's rest was short-lived. Before he could fully process the implications of his new quest, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the silence. He turned to see a group of challengers—five in total, their armor marked with symbols of various guilds.
"You're the one who claimed the First Key," said the leader, a broad-shouldered man wielding a massive warhammer. His tone wasn't hostile, but the tension in the air was undeniable.
Jian didn't respond immediately. Instead, he studied the group—calculating. They were strong, likely seasoned challengers from higher-ranked guilds, but their eyes betrayed a mix of envy and suspicion.
"What of it?" Jian finally said, his voice calm but edged with caution.
The man stepped forward, his warhammer resting against his shoulder. "The keys aren't meant for one person. Hand it over, and we'll let you leave unscathed."
Jian smirked, his grip tightening on his dagger. "And if I refuse?"
The group shifted uneasily, their weapons ready. The leader sneered. "Then we'll take it by force. You may have cleared the dungeon, but you're outnumbered."
Jian's clones stepped forward, their daggers drawn, forming a protective circle around him. The challengers froze, their confidence faltering as they realized the true extent of Jian's abilities.
"You think numbers matter?" Jian said, his tone icy. "Come, then. Test your resolve."
The leader hesitated, his bravado wavering. Before he could respond, a shadow fell across the group—a presence far more oppressive than any of them.
The Envoy of the Abyss
From the darkness beyond the gate emerged a figure cloaked in blackened mist, its form shifting and undefined. Its voice echoed like a chorus of whispers, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present.
"Be still, mortals," it intoned. "The Abyss does not tolerate discord among its chosen."
The challengers stepped back, their faces pale. Jian, however, held his ground, his eyes narrowing as he studied the figure.
"What are you?" he demanded.
The figure turned its gaze to Jian, its eyes glowing like twin voids. "I am the Envoy—a fragment of the Abyss, sent to guide those who seek its power. You have taken the First Key, Jian Valen. You are now bound to its destiny."
"And what does that mean?" Jian asked, his tone guarded.
The Envoy's form shifted, its mist-like body rippling. "The keys are more than mere artifacts. They are pieces of a greater whole, each tied to a trial that will test your very soul. You have passed the first trial, but the road ahead is fraught with peril. Others will come for you—seekers of power, servants of the Tower, and even the Abyss itself."
Jian's jaw tightened. "Let them come. I'll deal with anyone who stands in my way."
The Envoy let out a low, echoing chuckle. "Such confidence. But be warned—the Abyss is not your ally. It is a force that hungers, and those who walk its path must tread carefully."
Before Jian could respond, the Envoy's form began to dissipate, its final words lingering in the air.
"Seek the second key, Jian Valen. It lies within the Shattered Expanse, guarded by a beast born of despair. Survive, and you may yet prove worthy of the Abyss's power."
Preparations for War
The challengers, now thoroughly shaken, retreated without another word. Jian watched them go, his expression unreadable. The weight of the Envoy's warning settled over him, but he pushed it aside.
"We move," Jian said, addressing his clones. "The Shattered Expanse isn't far. We need to be ready."
The clones nodded in unison, and the group set off toward the next gate.
As they traveled, Jian began to formulate a plan. The Shattered Expanse was one of the more infamous regions of the Tower—a labyrinthine wasteland filled with deadly creatures and environmental hazards. If the Envoy's words were true, the second key's guardian would be unlike anything he'd faced before.
But Jian wasn't the same person he had been when he first entered the Tower. His abilities had grown, and so had his resolve. The Abyss may have been a force beyond comprehension, but he would bend it to his will—or die trying.
A New Threat
Unbeknownst to Jian, word of his acquisition of the First Key had spread far beyond the dungeon. In the upper levels of the Tower, powerful figures were already taking notice.
In a grand hall filled with banners of gold and crimson, a woman clad in radiant armor knelt before a throne. Her eyes burned with a divine light, and her voice was steady as she addressed the figure seated above her.
"The First Key has been claimed," she said. "By an Irregular named Jian Valen."
The figure on the throne leaned forward, their face obscured by shadows. "An Irregular, you say? Interesting. Perhaps this Jian will prove to be more than just another pawn."
The woman rose, her expression resolute. "Shall I intervene?"
The figure chuckled softly. "No, not yet. Let him gather the keys. Let him grow stronger. When the time is right, we will see if he is worthy of the Tower's true secrets."
End of Chapter 9