The chamber was silent.
The Flesh Tyrant's remains steamed in the cold air, its massive corpse dissolving into black mist. The Maw — once pulsing with malevolent energy — now stood quiet, like a beast exhaling its last breath.
Kael stood over the monstrous body, expression blank. But inside — he was burning.
Power coiled through his veins like black smoke trapped beneath his skin. He could feel it crawling, remaking him.
[Item Consumed: Tyrant Core] [Passive Mutating...] [New Trait Gained: Tyrant's Will – Lv.1] "Dominance over lesser creatures increases. Resistance to fear effects: 100%."
His vision pulsed. He saw the world not in color — but in mana.
Zar, panting from the battle, watched him with awe.
"Master… your head…"
Dark energy swirled around Kael's brow, forming jagged, curved points. Not a crown forged by hand — but one sculpted from essence itself. A symbol. Of power. Of rule.
[Unique Title Evolved: The Abyssborn → Tyrant of the Deep]
Kael didn't smile. But his shadow flickered — larger than before. Hungrier.
They retreated to a quiet alcove near the edge of the Maw, where the breathing walls had begun to still.
Kael sat near a dim blue fire made from mana-rich moss. He chewed dried monster flesh in silence while his silver eyes studied the glowing system menus only he could see.
[Followers: 1 – Zar | Loyalty: 100% | Rank: E] [Mana Core: Stabilized. Evolution Path: Adaptive Darkness] [New Fusion Available: Shadow Step + Abyss Bind → Phantom Grasp Lv.1]
I'm still weak, he thought. But I'm moving fast. Faster than the world expects.
Zar stirred beside him, skin patched in bruises, but alive.
Then—
"Kael."
SAGE's voice echoed softly, like metal on water.
"You are nearing the exit of the First Layer. Above you lies the Surface. Are you prepared for light?"
Kael stared at the fire.
"…Yes."
He turned to Zar, who met his gaze with resolve.
"You've grown," Kael said. "But it's not enough. You need a weapon that grows with you."
He stood. The remains of monsters from the dungeon — bones, organs, black crystals — lay piled near the fire. He raised a hand over them.
Darkness curled.
[New Spell: Dark Forge Lv.1] [Crafting... Boneblade of the Abyss – Complete.]
The blade formed — sleek, serrated, pulsing with embedded shadow. He handed it to Zar.
The goblin's hands trembled.
"For me?"
"For war."
[Zar – Weapon Equipped: Boneblade of the Abyss (+Dark Slash)] [Loyalty Surge: 110% – Title Gained: Kael's First Fang]
Zar knelt, his eyes alight with pride.
"Master… I will never fall."
Kael said nothing. But his shadow reached and touched Zar's.
They began their ascent.
Through the deepest tunnel of the Maw. Jagged stone gave way to cracked bone. Bloodstains marked every wall — old ones, left by those who tried and failed.
Hours passed.
Until finally — a pale blue glow appeared above.
Light.
Not sunlight. But starlight — faint, cold, cast from a sky shrouded in clouds.
The two figures emerged from the cavern like ghosts.
They had reached the Surface — but not the world Kael imagined.
They were in the Middle Layer.
[Location Unlocked: Waking Wastes – Border of the First Kingdom]
The air was dry. The landscape stretched far — grey and ruined. Collapsed stone towers. Rusted banners. Bones beneath blackened sand.
Kael stood still, letting the wind touch him.
Zar covered his eyes, blinking. "So this is where they all live?"
"No," Kael said. "This is where they all hide."
Behind them, the dungeon mouth closed.
Before them — the world.
[New Faction Detected: Crimson Hunters – Hostile Alignment] [Kael's Aura Detected – Rumors Begin...]
Far away, atop a floating citadel sculpted from moonstone, a silver mirror cracked.
Inside a sacred hall, an archmage in white robes staggered, his eyes wide with alarm.
He whispered:
"...The Abyssborn lives."