Chapter 8: Descent into the Abyssal Labyrinth

**Chapter 8: Descent into the Abyssal Labyrinth**

The day came faster than Darren anticipated. He stood at the edge of the abyss, the entrance to the fabled Abyssal Labyrinth yawning before him like a black hole in the earth. Cold winds swirled around him, carrying with them the scent of ancient, forgotten things. The jagged stone arch that marked the entrance was covered in strange runes, glowing faintly with Abyssal energy.

Behind him, Captain Hwang stood silently, his face grim. No other hunters had come to see Darren off—word had spread about his decision, and most had written him off as a lost cause. Joon, of course, had made no secret of his belief that Darren was walking into his own death.

"You sure about this, kid?" Hwang asked one last time, his tone filled with concern. "There's still time to back out."

Darren stared into the darkness of the Labyrinth, his heart pounding but his mind resolute. There was no going back now. He could feel the pull of the Abyss inside him growing stronger every day. The whispers had become more frequent, the corruption gnawing at his mind. If he didn't take control soon, it would consume him.

"I have to do this," Darren replied, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at his insides. "If I stay, the Abyss will take me eventually. At least this way, I have a chance."

Hwang nodded, though the sadness in his eyes was unmistakable. "I get it. Just… be careful in there. The Labyrinth isn't like any other dungeon. It changes, it warps, and it preys on your mind. Keep your focus, and don't let it break you."

Darren took a deep breath and turned to face the entrance. His body tensed as he stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the Abyssal Labyrinth. As soon as he did, the world seemed to shift, the air growing thick and heavy with dark energy. It was as if the Labyrinth itself was alive, watching him, waiting for him to make a mistake.

The moment he was inside, the entrance vanished behind him, sealing shut with a dull *thud*. There was no turning back now.

The interior of the Labyrinth was unlike any dungeon Darren had ever seen. The walls were made of a smooth, obsidian-like stone, and strange, pulsating veins of Abyssal energy ran through them, casting eerie shadows along the floor. The ground beneath his feet felt uneven, almost like it was moving ever so slightly, as if the Labyrinth was shifting beneath him.

"Stay focused," Darren muttered to himself, his senses on high alert. His "Sense Danger" ability wasn't giving him any immediate warnings, but that only made him more uneasy. The Labyrinth felt… alive, as if it was watching him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

He moved cautiously down the dark corridor, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. His Abyssal power stirred within him, but he resisted the urge to tap into it. The corruption level was already at 7%, and every use of that dark energy would only bring him closer to the edge.

After what felt like hours of walking, Darren reached an open chamber. The space was vast, its ceiling disappearing into the shadows above. In the center of the room stood a massive stone pillar, covered in more of the glowing Abyssal runes. The air in the chamber was thick with power, and Darren could feel it pulling at him, whispering promises of strength.

But there was something else. A presence. He wasn't alone.

A low growl echoed through the chamber, and Darren's blood ran cold. He turned slowly, his eyes scanning the shadows, and then he saw it—emerging from the darkness, a creature unlike anything he had ever encountered before. It was massive, easily twice the size of any dungeon boss he had faced, with a twisted, humanoid form. Its skin was a sickly gray, covered in black, writhing tendrils of Abyssal energy that seemed to pulse with life. Its eyes were empty voids, and its mouth was filled with razor-sharp teeth.

[Abyssal Warden (Level ???)]

The system's warning flashed in his vision, but there was no level displayed. That meant one thing—it was far beyond his current power. Darren's heart pounded as the creature let out a deafening roar, its body surging forward with terrifying speed.

He barely had time to react.

Darren dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the Warden's massive claw as it smashed into the ground where he had been standing. The impact shook the chamber, sending cracks spiderwebbing through the stone floor.

*I can't fight this!*

The thought hit Darren like a sledgehammer. He was outmatched, and he knew it. But there was no escape—no way out of the Labyrinth until he completed his objective. He had to find a way to survive.

The Warden lunged at him again, its claws slashing through the air. Darren rolled to his feet, his mind racing. He couldn't fight it head-on, not like this. He needed to think, to find a weakness.

The creature swung again, and this time Darren barely managed to parry the blow with his dagger. The force of the impact sent him stumbling back, his arms trembling from the effort. The Warden was relentless, pressing its attack without giving Darren a moment to breathe.

In the back of his mind, the Abyssal power stirred, urging him to use it. *You can't win like this,* the voices whispered. *Let us in. Let us help.*

Darren gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face as he dodged another blow. He was running out of options. If he didn't do something soon, the Warden would tear him apart.

Finally, with no other choice, Darren tapped into the Abyss.

Dark energy surged through his body, filling him with a cold, terrifying power. His vision sharpened, his movements became faster, and his senses heightened. The Warden's attacks no longer seemed as overwhelming, its movements slower, more predictable.

Darren leaped forward, slashing at the creature's side with his dagger. The blade connected, but instead of cutting flesh, it sliced through the tendrils of Abyssal energy that covered the Warden's body. The creature howled in pain, recoiling as the dark energy around it flickered and weakened.

For a moment, Darren felt hope. The Abyssal power gave him the edge he needed—but with it came a cost. The system flashed again:

[Corruption Level: 9%]

The voices in his head grew louder, more insistent. *More. Use more. Let us in.*

The Warden, now enraged, charged at Darren with renewed fury. But Darren was faster now, his body moving in sync with the Abyssal energy coursing through him. He darted around the creature, landing blow after blow, weakening it bit by bit.

But with every strike, the corruption grew.

[Corruption Level: 10%]

*You are one of us. You cannot resist.*

Darren's breath came in ragged gasps as he fought to maintain control. He could feel the darkness pulling at him, threatening to overtake him. The Warden was weakening, but so was Darren's hold on himself.

With a final, desperate surge of energy, Darren drove his dagger into the Warden's chest, piercing through the Abyssal tendrils and into whatever core lay beneath. The creature let out one last, ear-shattering roar before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a pool of dark energy.

Darren staggered back, barely able to stay on his feet. The chamber was silent once more, save for the faint hum of the Abyssal energy still lingering in the air.

[Corruption Level: 11%]

He had won, but at what cost?