The corpse of the Crimson Dreadwolf lay still, its life force completely drained. Ash took a slow breath, his body thrumming with newfound power. The absorption process always left him feeling invigorated, but this time, it was different.
The +5 Strength, +4 Agility, and +3 Endurance he had gained weren't just numbers—they were raw, tangible improvements that reshaped his physique. His muscles felt denser, his reactions faster, his body lighter.
And yet, his vision remained shrouded in darkness.
He clenched his jaw. His blindness wasn't going away. Even with his increased stats, there was no sign of his eyes recovering. The price for his past victories still held him in its grip.
But it didn't matter.
He had Observation Haki.
And right now, it painted a vivid picture of his surroundings, allowing him to move through the battlefield with ease. Every subtle shift in the wind, every displaced particle of dust—it was all part of his new perception.
It wasn't perfect. Not yet.
But it was his.
And if there was one thing Ash knew, it was that he would refine it until it became a weapon sharper than any blade.
---
The Battlefield Settles
The crimson mist began to thin, revealing the bodies of fallen creatures. The Nightmare had been brutal, but he had survived.
No, he had done more than that.
He had evolved.
Checking his surroundings once more, Ash took a moment to assess himself.
> [Checking Status…]
Name: Ash
Rank: Dormant
Strength: 29
Agility: 28
Endurance: 27
Perception: 32
Resilience: 21
Abilities:
• Sovereign of the Abyss (Divine-Level Aspect)
- Absorbs stats from fallen enemies
- Gains increased control over areas where enemies are defeated
• Predator's Conquest
- Permanently copies enemy's physical/martial techniques
- Techniques improve during battle
• Tyrant's Form
- Temporary boost to speed, strength, and reflexes
- High stamina drain
• Observation Haki (New!)
- Heightened awareness of surroundings
- Can perceive movements and attacks without sight
Equipment:
• Midnight Fang (Dormant-Rank Sword)
• Shadow Cloak (Dormant-Rank Armor)
His strength had risen significantly since the beginning of the Nightmare Realm, and his new skill, Observation Haki, had already proven invaluable.
Still, he had a long way to go.
His rank remained Dormant, which meant that despite his stats being above average for his level, he was still nowhere near the true powerhouses of this world.
He needed to advance.
---
A New Destination
A faint vibration ran through the air.
Ash turned his head slightly, his Haki alerting him to an approaching presence. A humanoid figure emerged from the fog—another survivor.
He didn't recognize them, but from the way they stiffened upon seeing him, they had already noticed the trail of bodies he had left behind.
They hesitated.
Good choice.
Ash wasn't in the mood for unnecessary fights. Instead, he turned away and began moving.
Somewhere ahead, a new challenge awaited.
And with it, more power to claim. The scent of blood lingered in the air, mingling with the acrid stench of burnt flesh. Ash stood motionless amidst the battlefield, letting the sensations of his new Observation Haki wash over him. Though his vision remained shrouded in darkness, the world had never felt clearer.
Every shift in the wind, every heartbeat in his vicinity—it was all laid bare before him.
Still, he wasn't invincible.
He could tell that his perception had limits—the further an enemy was, the blurrier their presence became. And against particularly fast or unpredictable foes, he would need to refine his instincts even further.
One step at a time.
His muscles still thrummed with energy, the stat absorption working its way into his system. He clenched his fists experimentally—his grip was stronger, his balance sharper.
But he wasn't satisfied.
He needed more.
Ash exhaled and refocused. There was no time to rest.
---
An Unseen Predator
A faint vibration against his skin alerted him to movement.
Not human.
His instincts flared as he felt the presence of something watching him—a predator lurking just beyond his Haki's range. Its breathing was controlled, its approach stealthy.
Something is hunting me.
Ash tightened his grip on Midnight Fang. He slowly adjusted his stance, allowing his perception to stretch outward.
Then—
A blur of motion.
The creature struck from his blind spot, its claws slashing through the air like razor-sharp daggers. Ash barely had time to twist his body, avoiding a fatal wound as the beast's strike tore through his shoulder instead.
Pain flared through his nerves, but he didn't hesitate.
Counter.
With practiced efficiency, he rotated his body and swung Midnight Fang in a brutal arc. The edge of his blade connected, slicing cleanly through flesh and bone.
A choked snarl.
The creature's body collapsed to the ground, its last breath escaping in a faint gurgle.
Ash exhaled, stepping back as warm blood dripped from his wound.
> Defeated: Abyssal Shadowfang
Stats Absorbed: +3 Strength, +2 Agility
A fresh surge of power coursed through him, momentarily drowning out the pain in his shoulder.
He rolled his arm experimentally. The wound was deep, but nothing he couldn't handle.
But more importantly…
That thing had been waiting for him.
Which meant there were likely more predators lurking nearby.
I need to move.
---
The Journey Continues
Ash pushed forward, weaving through the mist-covered ruins with a quiet grace. Every step was calculated, every breath measured.
His senses remained sharp, but no immediate threats revealed themselves.
Where am I headed?
The Nightmare Realm was vast, unpredictable. There were only vague landmarks to navigate by, and even those could change with each iteration of the trial.
His best bet? Follow the strongest presence.
If there were stronger creatures ahead, that meant two things:
1. There was more power to be gained.
2. There was an exit somewhere beyond them.
And so, he moved forward, disappearing into the endless fog.
He didn't know what awaited him.
But one thing was certain.
By the time this trial ended—
He would no longer be the same man who had entered it. The fog coiled around him like a living thing, dense and suffocating. Every breath Ash took was laced with the iron scent of blood, his own and that of his fallen enemies. His wound had begun to clot, but a dull ache still throbbed through his shoulder.
Pain was a constant companion, but he embraced it.
Each step forward felt heavier than the last, but his mind remained sharp. His newly heightened senses painted the world in invisible hues—he could hear the faint rustling of unseen creatures, feel the tremors of something massive moving far in the distance.
The Nightmare Realm was alive, shifting, watching.
And somewhere ahead, a true predator waited for him.
---
Shadows in the Mist
Ash moved like a phantom, his movements precise despite his lack of sight. His Observation Haki allowed him to 'see' in a way beyond vision. The landscape, however, remained a mystery—shrouded by the ever-present mist.
Then, a flicker—movement.
He spun to the side just as a dark claw lashed through the air where his head had been. A whisper of displaced air grazed his skin.
Silent. Fast. Lethal.
Ash didn't hesitate. He pivoted, blade flashing as he retaliated. Midnight Fang sliced through the fog, meeting resistance as it cut into something solid.
A bestial snarl erupted, followed by the sickening sound of flesh being severed. A thud echoed as the creature's body crumpled to the ground.
Ash exhaled sharply.
> Defeated: Abyssal Stalker
Stats Absorbed: +4 Agility, +2 Perception
The moment the notification appeared, a wave of power surged through his veins. His muscles grew more responsive, his senses sharper.
But before he could savor the feeling—
A chorus of growls surrounded him.
Ash clenched his teeth.
They were never alone.
---
A Fight Against the Pack
The mist twisted as more figures emerged. Their glowing crimson eyes burned through the darkness, their jagged fangs dripping with saliva.
There were at least six of them.
Abyssal Stalkers—pack hunters.
Ash tightened his grip on Midnight Fang. His breathing steadied, his stance shifting.
He had no choice but to cut through them.
The first lunged—Ash sidestepped effortlessly, his sword arcing downward. A flash of steel, a spray of blood. One down.
Another pounced from behind. His Haki screamed a warning. He ducked, pivoted, and drove his blade through its chest in a single, fluid motion. Two down.
The remaining four didn't hesitate. They attacked in unison.
Ash moved.
His body flowed between them like water, his blade an extension of his will. He twisted, slashed, and parried, his strikes growing sharper, deadlier.
Every second, his Predator's Conquest refined his movements—his technique evolving, perfecting itself with each swing.
A counter-slash severed a beast's throat. Three.
A precise thrust pierced another's heart. Four.
A spinning backslash decapitated the fifth. Five.
The last tried to flee.
Ash wouldn't allow it.
He vanished—his enhanced speed propelling him forward. A single, merciless strike cleaved the fleeing creature in half.
Six down.
The battlefield fell silent once more.
> Defeated: Abyssal Stalker Pack (6)
Stats Absorbed: +8 Strength, +6 Agility, +3 Perception
Ash inhaled deeply as the power flooded his being. His body adapted instantly—his speed had increased, his muscles felt denser.
But he was far from satisfied.
This is still just the beginning.
---
The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
The mist shifted.
A new presence descended upon the battlefield, its aura suffocating.
Even without seeing it, Ash felt the sheer malice radiating from the entity.
This was no mere predator.
This was something far worse.
A deep, guttural growl echoed from the fog. The ground trembled beneath his feet.
Ash's grip on his sword tightened.
His instincts whispered a single, undeniable truth—
Something monstrous was coming.
And this time, he wasn't the hunter.