Chapter 7: The Hunter's Gamble

**Chapter 7: The Hunter's Gamble**

The next few days after the rift closed passed in a blur for Darren. Physically, he had healed quickly, thanks to the basic potions and medical treatments provided by the Association. Mentally, however, he was far from recovered. The weight of the Abyss still clung to him, a constant whisper at the edge of his consciousness.

The other hunters, particularly Joon, kept their distance. Even Captain Hwang, who had stood by him during the raid, seemed more cautious now. Darren couldn't blame them. He could barely trust himself anymore.

Sitting alone in the Association's small barracks, Darren stared at his hands. The dark energy still lingered there, faint but ever-present. He hadn't used the Abyssal power since the dungeon raid, but it hadn't left him either. It was as if it was waiting, biding its time until Darren would need it again.

His system window hovered in his peripheral vision:

[Corruption Level: 7%]

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get that number out of his mind. It was a constant reminder of the darkness growing inside him. And he knew it was only going to get worse. He had unlocked something dangerous, and it wasn't something he could just walk away from.

A knock at the door pulled Darren from his thoughts. He quickly dismissed the system window and stood up. "Come in."

The door creaked open, and to his surprise, Captain Hwang entered. The older hunter looked more worn than usual, his expression grim. He shut the door behind him, glancing around as if to make sure they were alone before speaking.

"We need to talk," Hwang said, his voice low and serious.

Darren nodded, motioning for him to sit. "Is this about the rift?"

"In a way." Hwang settled into the chair, leaning forward with his hands clasped. "The Association is… concerned about what happened. They've never seen anything like that before. You using Abyssal energy—it's unheard of."

"I didn't have a choice," Darren replied, feeling the familiar wave of frustration and guilt rise up. "I wasn't trying to—"

"I know," Hwang cut him off gently. "You did what you had to. But the Association doesn't see it that way. They see you as a potential threat."

Darren's stomach twisted. "What do you mean by 'threat'?"

Hwang let out a long sigh, his gaze heavy. "There are rumors circulating that you're becoming corrupted by the Abyss. Some of the higher-ups are even talking about having you quarantined—isolated until they can figure out if you're a danger to others."

Darren's heart pounded in his chest. Quarantined? He wasn't a monster… yet. "But I saved everyone. I closed the rift!"

"I know. But they're scared, Darren. You're walking a thin line here. That kind of power… it's dangerous. And if they decide you can't control it, they might not give you a second chance."

Darren sat back, his mind racing. He had known the Abyssal power would make people wary, but he hadn't expected this. The Association was supposed to protect hunters like him, not treat them like criminals.

"So, what am I supposed to do?" Darren asked, his voice tight.

Hwang was silent for a moment before leaning closer. "There's one option. It's risky, but it might be your only shot."

"What is it?"

"There's a special dungeon—the Abyssal Labyrinth. It's rumored to be connected to the Abyss itself. The few who've gone in… well, they don't come back. But it's said that those who manage to survive its depths can gain control over Abyssal powers, mastering the corruption instead of being consumed by it."

Darren's eyes widened. A dungeon connected to the Abyss? It sounded like a suicide mission, but if there was even a small chance of controlling the power inside him, it might be worth the risk. "How do you know about this?"

"I've been around long enough to hear whispers," Hwang said, his expression serious. "The Association won't tell you about it. They're too afraid of what's inside. But I've seen hunters like you before—ones who got too close to the Abyss. They either disappeared or… became something else."

A shiver ran down Darren's spine. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying you need to decide. Stay here, and the Association will likely lock you away. Or you can take a gamble—venture into the Abyssal Labyrinth and try to gain control before it's too late."

Darren's mind raced. The choice before him was terrifying. If he stayed, he would lose his freedom, locked away as a potential threat to society. But if he went into the Labyrinth… there was no guarantee he'd come out alive. Worse, if he failed, he could become a monster, fully corrupted by the Abyss.

But what other option did he have? He couldn't keep running from the power inside him. Sooner or later, it would consume him if he didn't learn to control it.

"I'll do it," Darren said, his voice firm, though his heart was pounding. "I'll go into the Labyrinth."

Hwang nodded, though there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "I thought you'd say that. But Darren, understand this—once you enter the Abyssal Labyrinth, there's no turning back. You either master the darkness, or it masters you."

Darren swallowed hard, his resolve hardening. "I understand. I'll make it through."

The captain stood up and placed a hand on Darren's shoulder. "I hope you do, kid. The world's already dark enough without losing someone like you to it."

Darren watched as Hwang left the room, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. The Abyssal Labyrinth… a place where few returned, but where he might find the key to mastering the power that was already destroying him from the inside.

He had no choice. If he wanted to survive, if he wanted to control the Abyss before it controlled him, he had to venture into the unknown. Into the Abyss once more.

*Corruption Level: 7%*

The system's warning lingered in his vision, but Darren pushed it aside. The next step in his journey was clear.

He was going to the Abyssal Labyrinth.