Chapter 196: Abyss Ruler Scroll!
On the pitch-black scroll, intricate dark purple patterns were engraved, one after another. Amid the endless darkness, the scroll seemed to radiate an aura that made it the very heart of shadow.
It exuded a breathtaking power.
Even now, Novak felt as if he were still dreaming.
The Abyss Trial for becoming the Master of the Abyss was said to be an ordeal that no god could complete, and no one had ever passed it. Naturally, no one had ever truly unlocked the profession of Abyss Master. All of this made Novak realize just how precious the scroll in his hands was at this moment.
He had originally thought that facing Satan's schemes would mean he'd have to retrace his steps into the past. But reality had far exceeded his expectations.
Now, the scroll felt so real in his hand—it was completely his to wield. Novak took a deep breath, gazing at the scroll once more:
[Abyss Master Transfer Scroll (SSS)]
[The abyss is the end of everything. From it, all depths and despair are born. Even the Cosmic Will dares not reach its depths. Here, the gods fear to tread.]
[In the abyss lies madness, wrath, violence, and blood! The authority of the abyss is the dark side of the entire universe, the ladder to the highest realms, the darkness that consumes all. To possess this power is to have everything.]
[Professional transfer requirements: Level 10 and completion of the 'Abyss Trial'.]
Indeed!
Novak's eyes lit with excitement.
He cast a quick glance into his secret warehouse. There, across from him, lay another scroll—this one an inky green color.
Mist coiled around it, wrapping it densely.
Novak slowly reached out, taking up [The Scourge Of Life] scroll as well, and couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face.
"Respected Sir, what is that? A job transfer scroll!? This power feels somewhat akin to Beelzebub's..."
However, the voice continued, "...But there is no profession that can compare to that of the Master of the Abyss."
At the sound of Satan's words, Novak immediately had a thought, and his spirit isolated the Hell King's Ring from further communication.
Satan's power was indeed useful. With treasures like those from Hell, comparable to the Hell King's Ring, there were likely even more to be found!
So, keeping this evil king of Hell could be worthwhile.
But Novak would never let this demon influence him, nor would he allow him to pry into his secrets.
After blocking Satan's perception, Novak promptly stowed both profession scrolls into his system storage.
Darkness began to envelop him slowly, and as it spread, his body seemed to rise.
Finally, the darkness shrouding him started to dissipate.
At that moment, the world around him grew clearer.
The blood-red sky, the Abyssal Well atop the distant hill, and the vast, unbounded land appeared in his vision, no longer a mere illusion or simulation from the Abyss Trial.
From the mountain, Novak could see everything below, including the low-level demons newly hatched from demon eggs.
He wondered briefly if a demon lord might emerge from among them.
But it didn't concern him; his gaze was focused on the abyss. He hesitated, only for a moment.
In his hand, another scroll appeared.
It was none other than the one he'd used to summon Zogwort long ago!
The abyss seemed to have a certain resistance against the Cosmic Will, making it impossible for cosmic powers to penetrate too deeply.
If that were true, could he summon the gods on the first floor of the abyss? Could Zogwort enter?
If it was only a projection on the first floor, there shouldn't be any issue.
With that thought, Novak moved quickly, heading to a nearby mountain where there were fewer traces of demons.
The first layer of the abyss shouldn't be too restrictive. Although the true gods of the universe harbor a deep fear of the abyss and avoid stepping foot inside, it isn't impossible for them to enter.
For now, Novak had no desire to leave the abyss entirely.
His turbulent emotions caused his clenched fist to tremble involuntarily at this moment.
The long-awaited job transfer was finally within reach!
Not only that, but it would involve using two unprecedented SSS-level transfer scrolls—an opportunity beyond his wildest dreams!
He thought back to the countless times he had challenged himself in the abyss, repeatedly clawing his way back from the brink of death. From the very first layer, he had climbed cautiously, with unwavering focus.
Against each abyss lord guarding a floor, he had fought with everything he had.
Of course, his greatest advantage lay in the mysterious Hourglass of Time.
Even when facing Satan's schemes, Novak's primary reliance was still on this artifact.
He firmly believed that one day, he would unlock the full scope of the Hourglass of Time powers.
But now, the immediate priority was to strengthen himself. This crucial step was finally within reach.
Taking a deep breath, Novak extended his hand, and with a quick squeeze, the special mission scroll shattered in his grasp.
A faint light began to spread from the summit of the abyss.
Novak felt something—a sense of dark eyes turning toward him the moment the scroll broke, locking onto him instantly.
He had never felt anything like this on Kepler.
The endless fierce battles had honed Novak's perception to an almost subconscious level.
Even if it was the gaze of a god, he could sense it.
The light continued to gather.
Then, the familiar scene reappeared before him as the Light Gate slowly opened.
From within it, a figure emerged.
This time, however, unlike in De M-anila, Zogwort seemed much more cautious. He glanced around warily before stepping out of the light gate.
Looking up, Zogwort met Novak's gaze, and with a faintly exasperated smile, he spoke:
"My dear friend, of all places, why did you choose to meet in this ghostly realm? Even hell has a branch of our chamber of commerce. But here in the abyss, these cursed, violent demons have no concept of trade!"