The Dark Threshold

The Dark Threshold

Jihwan took slow, labored breaths as he staggered to his feet, the weight of exhaustion pulling at him. The Abyssal Warden had been an enormous challenge, but somehow, he had prevailed. His body ached, and every movement felt like it cost him a piece of himself, but the rewards were undeniable.

[HP: 60/100]

[Stamina: 15/100]

He glanced down at the Abyssal Blade, the dark weapon now resting in his hands. It hummed with a deep, dark energy, as though it was calling out to him. The blade felt heavier than any other weapon he had wielded, yet it also felt natural, as if it belonged to him.

[Abyssal Blade: Dark Energy Infused Weapon]

[Attack Power: +200]

[Special Effect: Absorbs Dark Energy to Empower the User]

A chill ran down his spine as he examined the weapon. He could feel it—the dark energy that thrummed within it. It was an intoxicating power, but also one that demanded respect. Jihwan couldn't afford to let it consume him.

But that wasn't the only thing on his mind. He could feel something else—the presence of other entities beyond the walls of the dungeon, lurking, watching.

[Cursed Watcher: Sense of Danger Intensified]

The Cursed Watcher had activated again, alerting him to a growing presence. His senses were tingling with anticipation, and Jihwan knew that the moment of respite he had earned was short-lived.

The dungeon shifted. The walls trembled, and the very air seemed to grow colder. Shadows lengthened and writhed in the corners of his vision.

Suddenly, the ground cracked beneath his feet, and from the fissure emerged another figure—something far worse than anything he had faced before. The dark aura surrounding it was palpable, suffocating.

[Stage 4 Boss: The Shadow King]

The figure was massive, its body cloaked in pure darkness. Its eyes glowed a malevolent red, and it radiated an overwhelming sense of power that nearly crushed Jihwan's resolve.

[HP: 5000/5000]

[Attack: 300]

[Defense: 250]

[Special Ability: Shadow Vortex – Summons a Vortex of Dark Energy to Attack All Targets in Range]

Jihwan could feel the crushing weight of the creature's aura as it loomed over him. This was no ordinary monster. This was the embodiment of darkness itself, a force that had been lingering in the depths of the dungeon, waiting for the right moment to strike.

He clenched his fists around the Abyssal Blade. His Stamina was low, but he had no choice but to fight. The Shadow King was his next challenge, and it would take everything he had to survive this encounter.

But he wasn't alone. The Abyssal Blade pulsed in his hands, as though sensing the incoming battle. The power within it seemed to surge, eager for the fight. Jihwan took a deep breath, steadying himself. The Cursed Watcher skill was still active, allowing him to anticipate the creature's movements, but he would need to be faster and smarter than ever before.

The Shadow King moved with terrifying speed, its massive form blurring as it lunged toward Jihwan. The ground shattered beneath its feet, and the force of its charge threatened to crush him.

Jihwan barely managed to roll out of the way, his Silent Throw skill activated as he hurled blades of light at the creature. The attacks hit their mark, but the Shadow King's dark energy absorbed them, causing no visible damage.

[Skill Activated: Shadow Vortex]

The Shadow King's form shifted, and it released a torrent of dark energy that sucked the air from Jihwan's lungs. The vortex spun around him, pulling at his body like an unstoppable force.

[HP: 30/100]

[Stamina: 5/100]

The Shadow King's grip on the battle was tightening, and Jihwan knew that if he didn't act fast, this fight would be his last. His body was on the edge of collapse, but he couldn't afford to give up.

[Abyssal Blade: Empowered by Dark Energy]

Jihwan raised the Abyssal Blade high, summoning all the energy he had left. The blade pulsed with dark energy, growing brighter as it absorbed the surrounding darkness. The vortex was still raging around him, but Jihwan ignored it. He was focused only on the Shadow King.

With a roar, Jihwan launched himself at the Shadow King, using Shadow Walk to phase through the vortex and close the distance. He swung the Abyssal Blade with all his strength, aiming for the creature's heart.

The blade cut through the air, leaving a trail of dark energy in its wake. The Shadow King let out a screech of pain as the weapon pierced its chest, the dark energy flooding into its body. The creature's body trembled, and for a moment, it seemed as though it might collapse.

But then, the Shadow King let out an earth-shattering roar, its form shifting and regenerating as it summoned a new wave of dark energy.

[Skill Activated: Shadow Regeneration – Restores 50% HP over Time]

Jihwan felt the cold sting of dread as he watched the Shadow King regenerate its wounds. He couldn't afford to let this battle drag on any longer. He needed to find a way to break through the creature's regeneration and end the fight once and for all.

[Cursed Watcher: Amplified Detection]

The Cursed Watcher skill's enhanced detection abilities gave Jihwan a fleeting moment of clarity. He could sense the flow of energy within the Shadow King, and he knew that if he struck at the right moment, he could shatter its regeneration.

With a grunt, Jihwan focused all his remaining strength into the Abyssal Blade and charged once more. He used his Silent Throw skill to launch a barrage of dark-infused blades at the Shadow King's heart, distracting it long enough for him to make his final strike.

He leaped into the air, closing the distance between himself and the creature in a single bound. With a final, powerful swing, Jihwan drove the Abyssal Blade deep into the Shadow King's chest, shattering its core.

The Shadow King let out a final, deafening scream as its body disintegrated into pure darkness, leaving behind only a lingering black mist.

[Stage 4 Boss: The Shadow King defeated!]

[EXP Gained: 1500]

Jihwan collapsed to his knees, his body spent, but his heart pounding with exhilaration. He had done it. The creature that had threatened to overwhelm him was no more. But even in his moment of victory, he knew that this was only the beginning of the true darkness that awaited him.

The dungeon was silent once again, but Jihwan could feel it—the Abyss was far from over. The next challenge would be even more deadly, and he would need to be ready.

[New Skill Acquired: Shadow Regeneration – Regenerate HP by absorbing nearby Dark Energy]

[New Weapon: Abyssal Core – Amplifies Dark Energy Attacks]

Jihwan looked ahead, determined. He had survived the Abyssal Warden, the Shadow King, and now, he would continue to push forward. Because in the end, it wasn't just the dungeon he was conquering—it was the darkness within himself.

The real challenge was only just beginning.

End of Chapter