Chapter 7: The Abyssal Gate Opens

Kael stood before the massive stone door, its abyssal runes pulsing in sync with the energy coursing through his veins. The dungeon had shifted, adapting to his presence. He had defeated the Abyssal Warden, yet the system's last message still rang in his mind.

[Dungeon Core Reaction Detected.]

[Abyssal Gate Awakening in Progress.]

The weight of those words pressed down on him. This wasn't just another passage leading deeper into the dungeon—it was something far more significant.

He reached out hesitantly, his fingers grazing the surface of the door. A sudden jolt of power surged through him, making his entire body stiffen. His vision blurred, and for a brief moment, he saw something—a glimpse of the abyss itself.

Darkness stretched endlessly, shifting forms of shadow twisting and merging like living creatures. And at the center of it all, something massive—something watching.

Then, it was gone.

Kael stumbled back, gasping. His heart pounded as the runes on the door flared to life, reacting to his presence. The stone trembled, and with a deep, resonant rumble, the gate began to open.

A rush of cold air surged forward, carrying the scent of something ancient—something untouched by time. Kael braced himself, tightening his grip on his sword. No turning back now.

As the gate fully parted, he stepped inside.

The chamber beyond was vast, unlike any he had seen before. The walls stretched high into darkness, the ceiling obscured by swirling abyssal mist. The floor was smooth obsidian, reflecting dim purple light that emanated from the very air.

Then he saw it—

A massive altar stood at the far end of the chamber, surrounded by floating abyssal crystals. They pulsed with a steady rhythm, as if beating in time with the dungeon itself. But what truly held his attention was the figure standing before the altar.

Draped in abyssal-black robes, the entity exuded an overwhelming presence. It turned slowly, revealing a featureless mask with glowing runes etched into its surface.

[Abyssal Harbinger: Keeper of the Forgotten Gate.]

[Threat Level: Extreme.]

Kael's breath hitched. Extreme?

He barely survived the Warden—this was on an entirely different level.

The Harbinger raised a hand, and the air around Kael solidified. A crushing force wrapped around him, pinning him in place.

[Abyssal Suppression Activated.]

[Movement Restricted.]

Panic flared through him. He struggled, but his limbs wouldn't respond. The Harbinger spoke, its voice a low, echoing whisper that slithered into his mind.

"You are unworthy."

Kael's body tensed as his vision darkened. The abyss itself seemed to reach for him, dragging him down into nothingness.

But something inside him resisted.

His Abyssal energy flared, surging against the suppression. His status screen flickered, a new prompt forcing its way into his consciousness.

[Abyssal Influence Resisting Suppression.]

[New Passive Ability Unlocked: Abysswalker's Will.]

A sudden shockwave erupted from Kael's body, shattering the force restraining him. He staggered, barely keeping his balance, but he was free.

The Harbinger tilted its head, as if intrigued.

Kael didn't give it time to react.

He activated Shadow Step, vanishing into the abyss and reappearing beside the Harbinger, sword slashing downward.

The blade clashed against an invisible barrier. A ripple of dark energy burst outward, sending Kael skidding backward. He barely caught himself before he hit the obsidian floor.

The Harbinger raised its hand again. This time, the floating abyssal crystals around the altar shattered, their fragments merging into something new.

A weapon materialized in its grasp—a long staff, its edges jagged with abyssal shards. It pointed the weapon at Kael.

The entire room shook.

[Abyssal Trial Initiated.]

[Defeat the Harbinger to Claim the Abyssal Gate's Power.]

Kael steadied himself, adrenaline surging. This wasn't just a fight.

This was a test.

The Harbinger lunged.

Kael barely managed to dodge as the abyssal staff slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave of pure darkness outward. He leaped, flipping midair and landing behind the entity, thrusting his sword forward.

The Harbinger twisted, deflecting the strike with unnatural precision. It countered immediately, sweeping its staff in a wide arc.

Kael raised his blade, blocking just in time—but the force of the impact sent him flying.

He crashed into the ground, pain lancing through his body. His vision blurred, but he forced himself up. If I slow down, I'm dead.

His mind raced. It's faster than me. Stronger than me. I can't win in a direct fight.

Then, a realization hit him.

The altar.

The Abyssal Crystals had shattered when the Harbinger summoned its weapon. The energy that had been contained—it was free now.

Kael's eyes narrowed. If I can tap into that power…

He feinted left, drawing the Harbinger's attack. The staff slammed into the floor, but before the entity could recover, Kael activated Shadow Step, reappearing next to the altar.

He reached out, placing a hand on the obsidian surface.

A surge of abyssal energy flooded his body. His status screen flashed wildly.

[Abyssal Core Synchronization Detected.]

[Abysswalker's Will Strengthened.]

[New Ability Acquired: Abyssal Overdrive.]

Kael felt his strength double. The abyss no longer felt like something consuming him—it felt like something he could control.

The Harbinger moved to attack, but this time, Kael met its speed.

Their weapons clashed, sending waves of abyssal energy spiraling outward. Kael pressed forward, his strikes now matching the Harbinger's. He dodged, countered, and struck again, his movements more fluid than ever before.

With a final Shadow Step, he appeared directly above the Harbinger, blade descending in a swift, precise arc.

The strike landed.

The Harbinger froze, abyssal energy crackling through its form. It let out a low, distorted whisper before its body collapsed inward, dissolving into the abyss itself.

[Abyssal Harbinger Defeated.]

[Abyssal Gate Fully Awakened.]

[New Path Unlocked.]

Kael exhaled heavily, his body trembling from the exertion.

The altar pulsed once, and before him, a new passage formed.

A spiraling abyssal staircase, leading even deeper.

Kael clenched his fists. The dungeon wasn't done with him yet.

With one last glance at the altar, he stepped forward—descending into the unknown.

End of Chapter 7.