The chamber behind Jian faded into silence as the echo of his footsteps diminished. Each step carried him further from the trial, yet the mark it left within him remained. The faint hum of the Abyssal Resonance skill pulsed through his veins like a second heartbeat, a reminder of the darkness he had embraced and tamed.
The corridors of the Tower stretched before him, twisting like veins in a labyrinth. As he ventured deeper, a new sensation prickled at his senses—an ominous pull, faint but persistent, as though the Tower itself was testing his resolve to move forward.
He stopped, summoning his Nexus interface to examine his newly gained skill.
[Abyssal Resonance]
Rank: Mythical
Effect:
Grants the user an innate connection to Abyssal energy, allowing for manipulation of shadow-based attacks and defensive techniques. Increases adaptability in environments saturated with darkness or corruption. Passive ability to sense hidden entities or threats lurking in shadowy domains. Temporarily amplifies strength and speed by absorbing ambient Abyssal energy. Overuse risks mental strain.
[Title: Shadow Conqueror]
Effect:
Resistance to fear and mind-affecting abilities increased by 50%. Recognition among shadow-aligned entities as a being of superior will. Some may revere or challenge you.
Jian frowned. While the new skill was undoubtedly powerful, it came with risks—overuse of the Abyssal Resonance could lead to mental strain. He would need to tread carefully, balancing its strength against his own limits.
Suddenly, the air around him shifted, the walls trembling as if the Tower itself reacted to his progress. The ground beneath his feet rippled, and before he could react, the corridor disintegrated into shards of black glass.
He fell.
The sensation was disorienting, a plummet through an endless void. The cold tendrils of shadow clawed at him, but the Abyssal Resonance within him pulsed, keeping the darkness at bay. After what felt like an eternity, Jian landed softly on a surface that wasn't there.
A voice, familiar yet distant, echoed around him.
"Shadow Conqueror... You have proven your strength, but the Abyss is not easily tamed. Will you walk its path willingly, knowing it may consume you?"
Jian stood, his gaze steady. "I've already faced my darkness. I won't let it control me."
The voice chuckled, a deep, resonant sound. "Brave words. But the Abyss doesn't just test your strength—it tests your loyalty. Will you wield its power for yourself, or for others? Will you break the chains of morality to achieve your goals?"
Jian narrowed his eyes. "I'll decide my own path."
The voice fell silent, and the void around him began to shift. Shadows swirled, coalescing into forms—humanoid shapes with glowing crimson eyes, their movements fluid and unnatural. Each carried a weapon of shadowy design, and their presence exuded an aura of malice.
The Abyss was testing him again.
[New Mission: Trial of the Abyss]
Objective: Defeat the Shadow Sentinels.
Reward: Abyssal Mastery Skill Fragment.
Penalty: Loss of Abyssal Resonance.
Jian drew his blade, its edge gleaming with faint light. The first Shadow Sentinel lunged, its movements erratic but impossibly fast. Jian sidestepped, countering with a precise slash. His blade connected, but the shadow reformed, its laughter echoing through the void.
"Abyssal energy…" Jian muttered. His mind raced, recalling the description of his new skill. If these entities were made of shadows, he could manipulate them.
He activated Abyssal Resonance, and a surge of energy flooded his body. The shadows around him responded, bending slightly toward him. When the next Sentinel attacked, Jian extended his free hand, willing the Abyssal energy to halt its movement. The Sentinel froze mid-strike, its form writhing as Jian's will overpowered it.
With a sharp motion, Jian redirected the shadow's energy, forcing it to dissolve into tendrils that faded into the void. The remaining Sentinels hesitated, their crimson eyes flickering.
"Looks like even shadows can fear," Jian said, his voice steady.
The Sentinels regrouped, attacking in unison. Jian's movements became a dance of precision and power, his blade cutting through the void while his Abyssal Resonance allowed him to manipulate the battlefield. He wove between the shadows, using their own energy against them, dismantling them one by one.
As the final Sentinel fell, the void trembled. The shadows receded, revealing a path of dimly glowing stones leading to a towering black obelisk. Jian approached cautiously, his instincts on high alert.
The obelisk pulsed with energy, and a fragment of light emerged, floating toward him.
[Abyssal Mastery Skill Fragment Acquired]
Combine with three additional fragments to unlock the full skill.
Jian reached out, letting the fragment sink into his palm. A warmth spread through him, mingling with the Abyssal Resonance. The obelisk began to crumble, and the voice returned.
"You walk the path of the Abyss, but remember: power comes at a price. The deeper you go, the harder it will be to return. Choose wisely, Shadow Conqueror."
The world shifted again, and Jian found himself back in the Tower. The corridor ahead was different now, lined with faintly glowing runes that pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat.
He sheathed his sword, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. Each trial was a step closer to his goal, but the weight of the Tower's challenges grew heavier with every floor.
With renewed determination, Jian pressed forward, ready to face whatever awaited him.
End of Chapter 19