Outside the towering walls of Suncrest City Base, the air felt heavy.
Five hundred meters ahead loomed the Abyss—a dangerous chasm, eerily dark, filled with ominous energy.
It was a dark, endless tunnel with no end in sight. Any mortal who ventured close to it was torn apart by strange forces.
Many scientists had attempted to use drones, only for them to be lost forever.
Some claimed the Abyss was another world altogether, while others insisted it was another dimension.
But one thing everyone agreed upon: the Abyss was a terrifying place with little chance of survival.
Upon entering the Abyss, the only chance of return came when an Awakener cleared the first floor.
They would be granted the chance to come out and visit the surface for only 24 hours.
Afterward, they must return to the Abyss.
Many had tried to find a loophole in the 24-hour grace period but found it impossible.
The Abyss was more terrifying than anyone could have imagined.
No matter the distance from the Abyss, when the time was up, Awakener would magically find themselves back in the Abyss.
Apart from that, they would receive a severe punishment that varied from person to person.
Since then, no one had attempted to find a loophole in the grace period.
At the Abyss boundary, Thoren stood calmly, his expression unreadable.
Beside him, his father offered advice, his face filled with unwillingness.
"You must remember to take care of yourself," his voice was low, filled with deep pain. "You don't have to worry about anything. Just stay alive."
"Your father is right. Staying alive is the most important thing," Serene said, reaching out to hold his frail hand.
She wanted to say many things, but nothing came out. Since Thoren awakened, his fate was already sealed. He must enter the Abyss.
Looking at his father and mother, Thoren flashed them a reassuring smile. "Father, Mother, you don't have to worry. I promise to stay alive."
Serene nodded with trembling lips. "That's all we need."
She held back her tears and flashed him a warm, loving smile.
Elara stood by the side, clenching her fist. "Just wait for me. When I awaken my occupation, I'll save both you and our older sister."
She might say hateful things to her older brother, but that was all a facade to hide her pain, fear, and insecurity.
She loved her weak brother but did not know how to show it.
She wished to give him a warm hug but restrained the impulse, biting the corner of her lip.
While the Starfall family's emotions simmered in silence, two men watched from a short distance, wearing mocking smiles.
They were the two loan sharks.
"Poor family," one sneered. "Do you think the boy will crawl back before the debt takes them?"
"Unlikely," the other replied. "An Awakener with that kind of occupation? He's already dead."
Their laughter was low and cruel, but the Starfall's didn't notice. Their world had already narrowed to the boy standing before the Abyss.
While the sharks plotted how to entrap the Starfall family, the military commander stepped forward.
It was time.
"You may depart." His word was simple, but it decided the fate of the next batch of young awakeners.
Quickly, all the awakeners moved forward toward the horrifying darkness in the distance, as if it wished to swallow all the light in the world.
Thoren walked calmly among them. Some awakeners brimmed with confidence, others wore traces of nervousness, and a few had expressionless faces.
As they drew near the massive dark tunnel, everyone's heart quickened. Yet no one retreated. It wasn't as if retreat was an option.
Since they entered the sphere of the Abyss, a powerful force guided them toward the center.
Suddenly, a strong force pulled Thoren and all the fresh awakeners into the massive tunnel.
Whooosh!
Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhhh!
The air around them twisted, gravity losing meaning. Wind howled past their ears, tearing at their clothes.
For a fleeting moment, the world turned upside down before light devoured the darkness below.
Everyone was free-falling, and many could not help but scream subconsciously.
Thoren, however, remained calm as he fell into the endless darkness.
He tried to look up, hoping to see the sky, but all that greeted him was darkness. His former home sky was long gone.
A deep sigh escaped his lips as he braced himself for the future ahead. As a transmigrator, his mental fortitude was far higher than that of ordinary people.
He did not worry about things he could not control. His thoughts were fixed on his future plans.
Suddenly, bright light appeared from below, and their high-speed fall began to slow.
Gradually, they came out of the dark tunnel and found themselves in a massive open world.
Still in the sky, they could see an endless plain with mountains and forests.
The scene, however, was cut short as they landed on the ground. Those who were prepared did not fall on their butt.
Thoren landed with some difficulty. His weak body posed a major problem, but he did not concern himself with it immediately.
"Ah! Is this the Abyss?"
"Wow. This is different from what I imagined."
While many were fascinated by their surroundings, Thoren focused on his stats. To him, that was the most important thing. It was the only thing that would determine his survival and future.
[Name: Thoren Starfall]
[Occupation: Necromancer]
[Rank: Iron]
[Level: 1 (0/300)]
[Attributes: Strength 6, Agility 8, Constitution 7, Intelligence 14, Perception 10, Charm 12]
[Spirit: 10]
[Skills: Undead Summoning, Bone Manipulation Skill]
[Talent: Undead Space]
[Abyss Market: Unavailable (Available at Bronze Rank)]
[Attributes: 0]
[Inventory]
Looking at his stats, Thoren did not show any change in expression, but when his eyes landed on his talent, something shifted.
[Talent: Undead Space. Rank: Ex-Rank
Details: A boundless pocket dimension forged from the laws of death itself. This infinite space allows the user to store, develop, summon, preserve, and command limitless undead without restriction.]
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