The Abyssal Warden stepped forward, its massive form looming over Ronan like a shadow of impending death.
Dark ichor dripped from the gash he had inflicted, sizzling against the stone floor. But despite the wound, the creature stood unshaken. Its four violet eyes burned with something new—not just hostility, but interest.
"Few have drawn my blood and lived to tell the tale." The Warden's deep, rumbling voice echoed through the chamber. "Perhaps you will be worth killing after all."
Ronan exhaled, his grip tightening around the Voidwalker's Edge—his newly-formed abyssal blade.
I need to end this fast.
His body was already exhausted from the battle, the Mark of the Devourer eating away at his stamina as it adjusted to his growing power. Meanwhile, the Warden had barely begun to fight seriously.
The System Window flickered again.
—----------------------------------------
🔹 Abyssal Warden (HP: 71%)
🔹 Battle Synchronization: 40% (Opponent has partially recognized you as an equal.)
⚠ Warning: The opponent has begun activating its Core Authority.
—----------------------------------------
Ronan barely had time to react before the air in the chamber shifted.
The Warden's aura expanded, a suffocating pressure crushing down on the cathedral. The very stones beneath them groaned, fracturing beneath the sheer weight of its presence.
Then—
The Warden raised its greatsword, abyssal flames igniting along its length.
"Kneel."
Ronan's vision blurred. His muscles locked up. His very soul trembled under the overwhelming force of the Warden's will.
This wasn't just physical power.
It was Authority.
The System had always dictated the hierarchy of power—S-Rank Hunters ruled over A-Ranks, who in turn ruled over B-Ranks. But beyond even that, at the highest level of existence, there were those who wielded Authority—power that could force weaker beings to obey, simply through sheer dominance.
And right now, the Warden was forcing him to submit.
NO.
Ronan gritted his teeth, forcing his body to move, his will clashing against the Warden's command. His Mark of the Devourer burned against his skin, violet runes flaring to life as the abyssal energy within him fought back.
The System flickered.
—----------------------------------------
🔹 Authority Clash Detected.
🔹 Abyssal Influence Counteracting Suppression…
🔹 ERROR: System Cannot Intervene.
✅ Passive Skill Unlocked: Indomitable Will – You have defied a higher Authority and remained standing. Mental and soul-based attacks have reduced effect.
—----------------------------------------
Ronan's muscles unlocked.
The crushing weight shattered, and he surged forward.
"Nice trick," he spat, his abyssal blade flaring with violet light. "Now let me show you mine."
Abyssal Duel – Breaking the Warden
The Warden swung its greatsword downward, its flames roaring as the air warped around the attack. The sheer force of it was enough to split mountains.
Ronan dodged to the side, barely avoiding instant death. But the Warden's follow-up was already coming—its free hand lashing out, a massive fist wrapped in abyssal mist aimed straight for his ribs.
Too fast—!
He reacted on instinct, twisting his body mid-motion. His abyssal claw surged forward, intercepting the blow. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber, the ground beneath them shattering.
But—
Ronan held his ground.
And more than that—he saw an opening.
His Voidwalker's Edge shifted, the blade becoming more jagged, more unstable.
Then—
"Reality Severance."
The world screamed.
His blade tore through the Warden's armored forearm, not just cutting through it but unmaking it—severing the very essence that held it together.
The Warden roared, stumbling back, its severed limb disintegrating into pure abyssal mist.
It clutched the stump where its arm had once been, its violet eyes flickering in disbelief.
"Impossible…" it murmured.
Ronan didn't hesitate.
He charged, his abyssal claw lunging forward, tendrils of darkness wrapping around the Warden's exposed chest.
And then—
"Devour."
—----------------------------------------
🔹 Abyssal Assimilation Activated.
🔹 Consuming Target Essence…
🔹 Error: Target is a High-Ranked Guardian. Resistance is Strong.
🔹 Forcing Override…
—----------------------------------------
The Warden screamed as its very existence was being consumed.
Ronan felt the power rush into him, his body trembling as the abyss expanded within his veins. His Mark burned brighter, violet sigils etching themselves deeper into his flesh.
And then—
The Warden collapsed, its body dissolving into pure abyssal essence, flowing into Ronan like a tidal wave.
A final notification appeared.
—----------------------------------------
🔹 Abyssal Warden Defeated.
🔹 Essence Absorbed: 37%
New Traits Acquired:
✅ Abyssal Authority (Lesser) – Your will can now exert pressure on weaker abyssal entities.
✅ Abyssal Endurance – Damage received from abyssal creatures reduced by 30%.
—----------------------------------------
Ronan collapsed to one knee, his breath ragged. His entire body felt different—stronger, sharper, like he had truly stepped into something beyond human limits.
And in the silence that followed, a deep, rumbling voice filled the chamber.
"You have proven yourself, Lost One."
Ronan's gaze snapped toward the throne at the end of the hall.
Something was watching him.
"Now… claim your birthright."
The cathedral's inner sanctum groaned, the massive gates unlocking.
Beyond them lay something ancient.
Something that had been waiting for him.
The Forgotten Throne.
Ronan exhaled slowly.
Then, with steady steps, he walked forward.
Toward the next step of his Ascension.