Chapter 2: Rebirth in the Abyss – The First Awakening

Darkness.

Leon felt nothing.

No pain. No warmth. Just emptiness stretching into infinity.

For a moment, he wondered if he had truly died.

But then—a voice called to him.

[System Core Activating… Initiating Supreme Integration.]

A searing heat erupted through his body.

Leon gasped, his lungs burning as if he had been suffocating for centuries. His limbs spasmed, his senses flooded with overwhelming new stimuli.

He was alive.

But… something was different.

His vision adjusted, and for the first time, he saw where he had been reborn.

A world of ashen skies and blackened earth stretched infinitely before him. Jagged mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks piercing through the storm-heavy clouds like fangs. Rivers of glowing crimson liquid carved through the landscape, pulsing with eerie energy.

And above it all, a massive black sun hung in the sky, radiating no light—only a suffocating pressure that pressed down on everything.

Leon's breath hitched.

This wasn't Earth.

[Selene]:"Welcome to the Abyss, Leon. This is your first trial. Survive… or perish."

Leon forced himself to stand, his muscles trembling as his body adjusted to its newfound strength.

But the moment he moved, a new alert flashed before his eyes.

[System Status: Initializing Supreme Path]

⟨ Name ⟩ Leon Valeheart⟨ Cultivation Rank ⟩ Spirit Awakening (Early)⟨ Supreme Path Status ⟩ Sealed [Unlock Progress: 0.1%]⟨ Energy Affinities ⟩ Void, Primordial, Abyssal, Celestial [Locked]⟨ Combat Potential ⟩ Unmeasured

Leon scanned the details carefully.

"Sealed? Why?"

[Selene]:"Your power is beyond conventional ranking, but you are not ready to wield it yet. You must prove yourself worthy."

Leon exhaled sharply. So he had power… but he couldn't access it yet?

That meant one thing.

He needed to survive first.

And that's when he felt it—the presence watching him.

Leon's instincts flared, his body moving before his mind could process it.

He twisted just as something massive lunged at him from behind.

The First Battle – Abyssal Hunter vs. Supreme Anomaly

🔥 A monstrous beast, twice Leon's size, landed in front of him.🔥 Its skin was obsidian-black, its jagged teeth glistening with venomous saliva.🔥 Three red eyes gleamed with hunger, locked onto its newfound prey.

[System Analysis Activated]

[Abyssal Hunter]

Rank: Spirit Awakening (Mid-Tier)Threat Level: HighAbilities: Shadow Stealth, Venom Claws, Adaptive Hunting

Leon's mind raced.

"Damn it… It's stronger than me!"

The creature lunged again.

Leon barely dodged, the wind pressure from its claws slicing through the stone where he had just stood.

[Selene]:"Leon, combat adaptation required. You must engage strategically."

Leon gritted his teeth. He had no weapons. No armor.

But he had his instincts.

He darted sideways, grabbing a jagged rock from the ground. Not much, but better than nothing.

The Hunter snarled, then vanished.

Leon's eyes widened. It disappeared?

No—it was using Shadow Stealth!

[Selene]:"Above you!"

Leon rolled instinctively as the beast reappeared, its claws slamming into the ground where his head had been.

He struck immediately.

🔥 The sharp rock in his grip stabbed directly into one of its glowing red eyes.🔥 The beast howled in agony, thrashing wildly.🔥 Leon didn't hesitate—he struck again, this time aiming for the throat.

The rock tore through flesh, and black ichor sprayed into the air.

The Abyssal Hunter let out a final, choking growl… before collapsing.

Leon staggered backward, his breaths ragged.

Then—a system notification blinked before his eyes.

[Battle Complete: First Kill Achieved!]Supreme Path Progress: +2.5%Energy Adaptation: Abyssal Affinity UnlockedSkill Gained: Supreme Reflex (Basic)

Leon stared at the alerts.

His heart pounded.

This was how he was going to grow stronger.

By fighting. By adapting. By surviving.

His grip tightened.

"Fine then. Let's see how far I can go."

[Selene]:"Now you're starting to understand."

But as Leon took his first real step forward in the Abyss…

Something else was watching him.

Something far worse than the Abyssal Hunter.

And it had just become aware of his presence.