The Abyss Forged Warrior

Pain burned through my chest, the aftermath of the lightning bolt still crackling against my skin. My fingers twitched, the sensation of raw power lingering in my nerves like a phantom limb.

But I didn't stop.

I couldn't stop.

The hobgoblins were still coming. The mages were still casting. And this battlefield—this hellish, abyssal trial—was my crucible.

I tightened my grip on Shusui, feeling the weight of the blade settle into my bones.

Then I moved.

The first hobgoblin lunged, a crude iron spear thrusting toward my gut. I twisted my body at the last moment, letting the tip scrape past my ribs, then brought my sword down in a brutal, two-handed slash.

Steel met flesh.

The hobgoblin's head split open, a wet crunch filling the air as blood sprayed across my face.

[ You have slain a Hobgoblin Warrior! +900 EXP ]

A fireball streaked toward me from my right.

I pivoted, dragging the still-standing corpse of the hobgoblin into its path. The impact incinerated the body, filling the air with the stench of burning flesh.

I was already moving.

I dashed forward, closing the gap between me and the mage.

His hands trembled, his lips muttering another incantation—

Too slow.

I slammed the Bloodfang Dagger into his throat, twisting hard.

[ You have slain a Hobgoblin Mage! +1,500 EXP ]

His glowing eyes widened as he crumpled, black blood pooling around him.

And then—

[ Basic Magic Mastery has increased! ]

[ New Skill Acquired: Mana Sense (Passive) ]

A pulse ran through my mind.

For the first time, I could feel the flow of mana around me—like invisible currents in the air, shifting and swirling with every movement. It was intoxicating.

I grinned.

This dungeon wasn't just making me stronger.

It was making me something more.

The battlefield fell silent. The last of the enemies had fallen.

I exhaled, sheathing my sword. My body ached, my muscles screaming from the brutal fights, but my mind was sharper than ever.

Then the system chimed.

[ System Reward: Dungeon Completion Bonus! ]

[ You have cleared the Intermediate Dungeon: Trial of the Forgotten Abyss. ]

[ Time Outside Will Resume. ]

[ Processing Rewards… ]

[Reward 1]: Intermediate Loot Chest (Contains weapons, skill books, and rare materials.)

[Reward 2]: 10,000 System Coins

[Reward 3]: Abyssal Warrior's Mark (A mysterious emblem pulsing with power.)

I reached out, my fingers brushing against the chest that materialized before me. The moment I opened it, a surge of energy rushed through me.

[ New Weapon Acquired: Abyss Fang (Rare) ]

[ A blade forged from abyssal iron, capable of absorbing mana and regenerating durability. ]

[ New Skill Acquired: Phantom Step (Intermediate) ]

[ Allows the user to briefly flicker out of reality, avoiding attacks. Mana Cost: 5 MP per use. ]

I clenched my fist, feeling the energy settle into my veins.

Stronger. Faster. More dangerous.

This was what I needed.

This was what I had to become.

The dungeon collapsed around me.

In an instant, I was back in the governor's hall.

The scent of blood was still fresh, the bodies of our slain enemies still warm. But for me, it had been days inside that trial.

My companions barely noticed I had disappeared. To them, it had been mere seconds.

Zhao Yue looked up first, her sharp eyes scanning me. "You're different."

I smirked. "I leveled up."

She frowned but didn't press further. She knew better than to question the system's strange mechanics.

Mei, however, immediately rushed toward me.

Her hands glowed with golden light, reaching for the burn on my chest—then she gasped. "Your wound—it's already healing?"

I glanced down. She was right. The scars were fading faster than normal.

[ Effect of Abyssal Warrior's Mark: Passive Regeneration Increased! ]

So that was it—another hidden effect.

"I'm fine," I muttered, stepping past her.

The others were recovering. Yusheng sat on the floor, wrapping a bandage around his arm, while Jiang Chen was sharpening his sword.

Chen Rui was watching me. His sharp eyes flickered with something unreadable.

"You're getting stronger fast," he said. "Faster than any of us."

I met his gaze. "I have to."

His smirk was small, but knowing. "Yeah. You do."

The system chimed once more.

[ System Farm Update: Your Crops Have Matured! ]

I blinked. Right. The potatoes.

I opened my inventory and saw them there—perfectly grown, each one brimming with vitality. I took one out, tossing it to Yusheng. "Here. Eat this."

He raised an eyebrow but took a bite. A second later, his eyes widened.

"Holy shit. This is… refreshing?"

[ Effect: Consuming System-Grown Potatoes Restores 10 HP & 5 MP. ]

A small bonus, but useful nonetheless.

I tossed one to Zhao Yue, then another to Mei.

We needed every advantage we could get.

And this? This was just the beginning.

The night passed in uneasy silence.

I stood by the shattered window, looking out over the ruined city.

Beyond these walls, something darker was stirring.

The governor was dead, but the truth he had hidden—about the sacrifices, the Outer Gods, the fort's corruption—was still out there.

And we were about to tear it wide open.

A storm was coming.

I could feel it in my bones.

But I wasn't afraid.

I smiled, gripping my sword.

Let it come.