Chapter 6: The Final Strike

The blinding flare of light from the glowing tree lit up the forest like a sudden burst of daylight. Lin Mu shielded his eyes as the Abyssal Beast howled in agony, its body writhing in the intense light. The creature's shadowy form flickered violently, as if the darkness itself was being ripped apart from within. This was his chance.

Lin Mu's heart pounded in his chest as he forced himself to his feet, the pain in his body dulled by adrenaline. His Bone Armor had absorbed much of the damage from the previous blows, but he knew he couldn't withstand another direct hit. The Abyssal Beast was on its last legs, but even now, it was far more powerful than anything he had faced. He had to end this before it could recover.

The beast staggered back from the glowing tree, its claws scraping against the ground as it struggled to stay upright. Its glowing red eyes were dimmer now, flickering with the last vestiges of its strength. The light had weakened it, but Lin Mu needed to strike the final blow. He couldn't let the beast recover.

Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Lin Mu charged forward. His hands clenched tightly around the remains of the broken branch he had used as a weapon, though it was barely more than a splintered stick at this point. But it didn't matter. This wasn't about the weapon—it was about ending the battle.

The Abyssal Beast roared in defiance as Lin Mu closed in, but its movements were sluggish, uncoordinated. The light had drained its strength, and it could barely keep its form solid. Lin Mu dodged to the side as the beast swiped at him weakly, its massive claws missing by inches. He could feel the heat of its breath on his skin, the raw fury in its gaze, but he didn't stop.

With a final burst of speed, Lin Mu leaped into the air, raising the branch above his head. He aimed for the creature's exposed side, where the glowing cracks in its exoskeleton pulsed with dark energy. The light from the tree flared once more as Lin Mu brought the branch down with all his might.

The branch connected with the crack in the beast's armor, and for a split second, everything went still.

Then the Abyssal Beast let out a deafening roar, its entire body convulsing as the light from the tree surged through it. The dark energy that had fueled the creature began to unravel, its shadowy form flickering like a dying flame. Lin Mu staggered back, watching as the beast's body dissolved into black mist, the roar fading into a distant echo.

And then, there was silence.

Lin Mu stood in the clearing, his chest heaving with exhaustion, his body trembling from the effort of the fight. The Abyssal Beast was gone—defeated. The oppressive darkness that had filled the forest was beginning to lift, the eerie silence replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of birds. The world was slowly returning to normal.

But Lin Mu knew that this wasn't the end. The system had given him a mission: Investigate the Source of the Darkness. The Abyssal Beast had been a guardian of sorts, a creature tied to the dark power that had been spreading through the forest, but it wasn't the source. There was something else out there—something even more dangerous.

System Notification:

You have defeated the Abyssal Beast. Evolution Points +20.

New Skill Unlocked: Abyssal Strike (Active).

Lin Mu's mind barely registered the notification as he collapsed to the ground, his body finally giving in to the exhaustion that had been building throughout the fight. His limbs felt like lead, his vision blurry, but he forced himself to check the system screen. He had earned 20 Evolution Points from the fight—enough to make significant upgrades. But first, he needed to understand the new skill he had unlocked.

Abyssal Strike (Active): Imbue your weapon or fist with the dark energy of the Abyssal Beast, dealing massive damage to enemies. Can be used once every 10 minutes. Cost: 5 EP per use.

Lin Mu nodded to himself. This skill could be a game-changer in future battles, especially against enemies like the Revenant and the Abyssal Beast, which had seemed nearly invincible until he found their weaknesses. But for now, he needed to rest and recover.

He glanced at his Evolution Points. With 20 at his disposal, he could strengthen himself further, but he was careful not to make hasty decisions. He needed to be prepared for whatever was next, and that meant choosing his evolutions wisely.

Available Evolutions:

• Advanced Strength Enhancement – Cost: 5 EP

• Advanced Endurance Enhancement – Cost: 5 EP

• Shadow Cloak (Active) – Cost: 10 EP

• Abyssal Healing (Passive) – Cost: 15 EP

Lin Mu's eyes lingered on Abyssal Healing. It was a passive ability, meaning it would work constantly without him having to activate it, and it promised to significantly boost his recovery time. In a world filled with powerful enemies, having the ability to heal faster could make all the difference. He selected it without hesitation.

Abyssal Healing acquired. Your body now regenerates at a faster rate. Major injuries will heal within minutes, and minor wounds in seconds.

With 5 points left, Lin Mu decided to enhance his endurance, knowing that his survivability in battle depended not just on speed and strength, but on how much punishment his body could take. He activated Advanced Endurance Enhancement.

Endurance: 10

Lin Mu leaned back against one of the glowing trees, closing his eyes for a moment as his body adjusted to the new evolutions. He could feel the effects of Abyssal Healing already taking hold, the lingering soreness in his muscles fading rapidly, the bruises on his skin disappearing. But even with the boost to his endurance and healing, he knew he couldn't relax. Not yet.

The system had given him a mission, and the source of the darkness was still out there, waiting.

As he sat in the clearing, catching his breath, Lin Mu's thoughts drifted back to the Abyssal Beast. It had been a terrifying opponent, but there had been something strange about the way it reacted to the light from the trees. The system had mentioned that it was weak to Holy Light, yet the glowing trees seemed to have a similar effect. Was the forest itself tied to the light? And if so, what did that mean for the source of the darkness?

His thoughts were interrupted by the faintest sound—a rustle in the trees behind him. Lin Mu's eyes snapped open, his senses on high alert. He stood up, his hand instinctively reaching for his makeshift weapon, though he knew it was barely more than a stick at this point. The air around him had shifted again, growing colder, more oppressive.

Whatever was out there, it wasn't friendly.

Slowly, cautiously, Lin Mu began to move through the trees, his footsteps silent as he followed the sound. The forest had fallen eerily quiet again, and every step felt like it was being watched. He had faced the Abyssal Beast and survived, but this felt different. This wasn't a creature of brute strength or speed—this was something more insidious.

The darkness that had lifted after the beast's defeat was starting to creep back in, the shadows growing longer, the trees dimming. Lin Mu's heart raced as the sense of dread returned, stronger than ever.

And then, he saw it.

In the distance, just beyond the tree line, a figure stood, cloaked in shadow. Its form was barely visible, but Lin Mu could feel the darkness radiating from it, an overwhelming presence that sent chills down his spine. This was no ordinary enemy. This was the source of the darkness.

The figure turned, its glowing red eyes locking onto Lin Mu, and for the first time since arriving in this world, Lin Mu felt true fear.

System Notification:

Warning: Source of the Darkness identified. Threat Level: Extreme.

Lin Mu's grip tightened on his broken weapon as the figure began to move toward him, the shadows swirling at its feet. Whatever this was, it was beyond anything he had ever faced.

And he was going to have to fight it.