Zar breathed heavily, bone blade clenched in his hand, body trembling from exertion. His green skin glistened with sweat and grime, knees bent in a low stance. The tunnel echoed with the aftermath of combat—panting breath, the drip of blood on stone.
Kael stood above, on a jagged stone ledge, arms crossed and silver eyes like daggers. Shadows twisted lazily around his body, curling up his arms like dark tattoos. He said nothing. He didn't need to. Every swing Zar took, every grunt of effort, every scratch endured—it echoed in Kael's chest like a distant mirror.
Weak. Unrefined. But… determined.
[Zar – Named Goblin | Rank: F+ | Progress to Rank E: 62%]
"Physical coordination improving. Combat awareness: evolving," SAGE noted, its voice sharp and crystalline in Kael's mind.
He didn't smile. Not outwardly. But deep in his abyssal heart, something flickered. Approval.
He's growing. Like me.
The tunnel ahead whispered. Not in words, but in danger.
Kael turned. "Come," he said.
Zar obeyed, limping slightly but with fire in his eyes.
The cavern they entered was different.
Larger. Older. The stone was smoother, walls marked with glowing violet sigils pulsing like slow heartbeats. Something had lived here — something powerful. Magic residue clung to every surface like the scent of blood.
Zar sniffed the air. "Master… I smell blood. And fear."
Kael didn't hesitate. "Good."
At the clearing's center stood a beast. Horned. Massive. Its skin was thick like armored bark, and steam hissed from its flared nostrils.
[Threat Detected: Horned Cavefiend – Rank E] [Estimated Victory: 38% (Solo) / 64% (With Ally)]
Kael narrowed his eyes. The odds didn't matter. Not to him.
He vanished—
[Skill Activated: Shadow Step Lv.1]
—and reappeared midair, directly above the Cavefiend.
His fingers slashed downward, cloaked in spiraling black mana.
[Skill: Abyss Claw Lv.1 – Critical Hit!]
The beast screamed. A chunk of its hide tore open, dark blood pouring. Kael landed, rolled, and darted to the side.
Zar attacked from behind, burying his bone blade into the creature's thigh. It roared, spinning violently, throwing Zar back. The goblin hit the wall hard but scrambled to his feet.
They moved like shadows. Hunter and ally.
Kael lifted both hands. The air grew cold.
[New Skill Activated: Abyss Bind Lv.1]
Chains of pure darkness burst from the ground, wrapping the beast's limbs. It shrieked in fury, unable to move.
Kael dashed in. Slashed. Zar followed, piercing the heart.
[Combo Bonus Achieved!] [EXP Gained: +180]
The beast dropped. Dead. Heavy. Silent.
Zar collapsed beside it, breathing heavily. "We… won."
Kael didn't answer. He stared at the corpse. Then knelt.
"Naming available. Corpse contains high-mana potential."
He paused. "No. Not this one. This one's a message."
Using his clawed finger, he carved a jagged rune into the beast's chest. One symbol.
Abyssborn.
Let them find it. Let them wonder. Let fear spread.
That night, under a pale flicker of glowing moss fire, Kael stared into his palm. Dark mana curled, alive and willing.
[Kael – Rank: E– | Title: The Abyssborn]
[New Passive Unlocked: Commander's Presence Lv.1]
[Followers: 1]
[Dungeon Zone Progress: 12%]
Zar slept nearby, bandaged and snoring lightly. His loyalty was absolute. His progress undeniable.
Kael whispered to the fire, "SAGE."
"Yes?"
"How many monsters like him are out there?"
"Thousands. Perhaps millions. Forgotten. Feared. Broken."
Kael stared at the flickering blue flame. Then I'll find them. All of them.
And we will rise.
[Title Progress: Lord of the Fallen – 39%]
[Hidden Trait Developing: Monarch Instinct]
The abyss didn't just birth him. It gave him a kingdom waiting to be claimed.
He was Kael.
And weak things?
They could rise.