The Abyss

Chapter 6: The Revival of Sebastian

The moment the system notification faded, I opened my eyes. My body felt impossibly light, as if the weight of my previous weakness had been stripped away. I looked around frantically for Edward, but he was gone. Only his sword remained by my side. I gripped the hilt, the cold steel grounding me, and began my search.

Deep in the forest, I spotted a camp of Abyssal warriors. I ducked behind a thicket, carefully observing the area for sentries or reinforcements. Once I was sure of the layout, I moved like a shadow. I crept toward their archer and took him out silently. Emboldened, I moved for the next target, but the unit leader sensed me.

He lunged, striking me with a half-powered punch. Even at half-strength, the impact was devastating; I vomited blood as my ribs snapped under the force.

"Who are you?" he demanded, looming over me. "Why have you trespassed into my territory?"

"I am Se...." I started, but he didn't wait for an introduction. He attacked again, relentless. I struggled to parry his blows, the massive gap in our power levels becoming painfully obvious.

"Don't bother," he sneered. "You don't need a name. This forest will be your grave."

I shivered, the old fear of being weak crawling up my spine. But then, a spark of memory ignited the System had mentioned a *Special Power*. Without knowing how, I willed it to activate.

Instantly, the world was swallowed by an absolute, suffocating darkness. In the center of the void, a massive throne appeared atop a flight of ancient stairs. As I began to climb, each of my footsteps released a violent shockwave. The Abyssal warriors and their leader were forced to their knees, pinned by an invisible gravity.

By the time I reached the final step and took my seat upon the throne, the weaker warriors had been torn to pieces, unable to withstand the pressure. Only the leader remained, struggling to stand through sheer will. He launched himself at me again and again, but an invisible barrier surrounding the throne deflected every strike.

Suddenly, a chime rang in my head.

*! SYSTEM NOTIFICATION !*

*Status Sight Unlocked: You can now perceive the attributes of others.*

Excitement surged through me. I focused my gaze on the leader, and his information materialized in the air.

! STATUS !

*Name: Abyssal Leader

*Level: 20

*Class: Abyssal Warrior

*Title: Commander of Abyssal Kingdom Morvane

*Power: Fire Manipulation / Body Manipulation

*HP: 1,000 / 1,000

Another alert followed immediately.

! SYSTEM ALERT !

*Quest: Kill the Abyssal Leader.

*Reward: 10,000 EXP, Skill Theft (Fire/Body Manipulation), and instant advancement to Level 20.

The prospect of skipping twenty levels in a single kill made me grin coldly. I looked down at the trembling commander. "Where is my friend? The one the Abyssal King took."

The leader’s bravado had vanished, replaced by pure terror. He remained silent until I leaned forward, my voice booming with the power of the domain: "WHERE IS MY FRIEND!?"

"He... he is in the town of Kingdom Morvane!" the leader stammered. "It’s not far from here!"

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Wel....." He started to reply, but I didn't let him finish. With a single motion, I ended his life.

*! SYSTEM NOTIFICATION !*

*Target Slain. Calculating rewards...

*You have leveled up! (Level 0 rightarrow Level 20)

*New Title Acquired: The Abyssal Slayer

*Skills Learned: Fire Manipulation, Body Manipulation.

I summoned my own status window, marveling at the change.

! STATUS !

*Name: Sebastian Eldrion

*Level: 20

*Class: Warrior

*Title: The Abyssal Slayer

*Power: Fire Manipulation, Body Manipulation

*Special Power: Domain of Darkness

*Mana: 1,000

*HP:1,000