The battlefield was a mess.
Mud covered the ground everywhere. Blood was mixed with it and broken weapons were scattered around. The cold air still smelled like smoke. Pieces of shattered armor were lying everywhere, some of them half buried in the wet earth.
It looked like a huge battle had ended here not long ago.
But the danger was not gone.
Kael stood in the middle of the battlefield, holding a broken spear tightly in his hands. His breathing was heavy and his shoulders were tense.
The remaining hound dogs slowly circled around him.
Their eyes were glowing red in the fog and low growls kept coming from their throats. They moved carefully now.
They had already seen Kael kill some of them.
So they knew.
This prey could fight back.
But predators don't stop hunting just because the prey is dangerous.
Behind them, something big moved inside the fog.
A huge bear-like monster slowly walked forward.
Its body was enormous, much bigger than the hound dogs. Thick dark fur covered its muscles and its claws looked strong enough to tear through metal.
Every step it took made the ground shake slightly.
Kael stared at it.
A heavy pressure filled the air.
This one… is different.
Much stronger.
Much more dangerous.
Kael stayed still and quickly thought about his situation.
Running is impossible.
The hound dogs had already surrounded him from every side. If he tried to run, they would chase him instantly.
And that bear… looked fast.
Suddenly a system window appeared in front of him.
[Enemy Detected]
[Ironfang Hound : Level 5]
[Total Hostile Targets Remaining : 4]
Kael narrowed his eyes.
Four hound dogs.
But the real problem was behind them.
The giant bear suddenly released a deep growl.
The sound echoed across the battlefield like thunder.
A cold chill ran down Kael's spine.
Another system message appeared.
[New Enemy Identified]
[Graveclaw Bear : Level 9]
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
Level 9.
You have got to be kidding me…
The level gap was too big.
Fighting that monster directly would almost be suicide.
The Graveclaw Bear suddenly slammed one of its claws into the ground.
Boom.
Mud splashed everywhere.
That looked like a signal.
The hound dogs attacked instantly.
Two of them jumped toward Kael at the same time.
Kael reacted without thinking.
[Shadowstep Activated]
His body vanished from that spot.
The next second he appeared a few steps away.
The hound dogs crashed into the empty space where he had been standing.
Kael quickly twisted his body and thrust the broken spear forward.
The spear pierced straight through the neck of one hound dog.
The creature let out a small cry before collapsing into the mud.
One down.
But the fight wasn't over yet.
Another hound dog lunged from the side.
Kael barely raised his arm in time.
Its jaws snapped shut just inches away from his shoulder.
Too close!
Kael kicked the beast away and stepped back quickly.
His breathing became heavier.
Using Shadowstep again and again was draining his energy faster than he expected.
If this kept going…
His body would give out before the monsters did.
Then the Graveclaw Bear roared again.
This time it started moving.
It charged forward.
Each step was heavy and powerful.
The ground trembled under its feet.
Kael's mind started racing.
If that thing reaches me…
He already knew what would happen.
He would die.
Again.
Just thinking about that made something move inside his chest.
A strange sensation spread through his body.
At first it was weak.
Then it became stronger.
Something inside him pulsed.
Once.
Then again.
Kael froze for a moment.
That feeling…
He remembered it.
Right after he awakened.
The Abyss Core.
Another system message appeared.
[Abyss Core Detected Nearby Energy]
Kael blinked.
The bodies of the monsters he killed earlier were still lying on the battlefield.
Suddenly faint black particles started rising from those corpses.
They looked like thin smoke floating in the air.
But they weren't disappearing.
They were moving.
Slowly.
Toward Kael.
The particles gathered around him and then slowly entered his body.
A cold sensation spread from his chest.
The Abyss Core pulsed again.
[Abyss Energy Absorbed]
[Physical Condition Improving]
Kael suddenly felt his breathing become calmer.
The tiredness in his muscles slowly faded.
His senses became sharper.
Even the fog around him looked clearer now.
Another system window appeared.
[Abyss Energy Stored]
[Current Capacity : 3%]
Kael stared at it for a moment.
So this is what the Abyss Core does…
It absorbs energy from dead enemies.
Before he could think further—
ROAR!
The Graveclaw Bear roared again.
The monster was much closer now.
Too close.
Kael tightened his grip on the broken spear.
The remaining hound dogs attacked again.
One of them jumped from behind.
Kael reacted instantly.
[Shadowstep Activated]
His body flickered.
In the next second he appeared behind the beast.
The spear moved.
Fast.
The hound dog collapsed into the mud.
Two enemies left.
But the bear monster was already right in front of him.
The giant creature raised its massive claw and slammed it down.
Kael jumped backward immediately.
BOOM.
The claw smashed into the ground with terrifying force, leaving deep cracks in the mud.
Kael swallowed.
If that attack landed…
Yeah.
He would be dead.
For a moment the battlefield became quiet.
Even the remaining hound dogs hesitated.
They looked nervous around the giant predator.
The Graveclaw Bear slowly turned its head toward Kael.
Its glowing eyes locked onto him.
It had chosen its prey.
Kael.
Another system warning appeared.
[Warning]
[High Level Enemy Approaching]
Kael slowly exhaled.
His heart was still beating fast.
But his mind felt calmer now.
The Abyss Core pulsed again inside his chest.
The energy it absorbed spread through his body like cold fire.
Kael lowered his stance.
The broken spear in his hands suddenly felt lighter.
Faster.
Stronger.
For the first time since this battle started, Kael felt something different.
Not fear.
But determination.
The Graveclaw Bear roared and charged again.
Mud exploded under its steps.
Kael focused his eyes.
[Shadowstep Activated]
His body disappeared again.
But this time he didn't run away.
He moved forward.
Straight toward the monster.
If I'm going to die…
I'll at least take you down with me.
The battle was far from over.
And deep inside Kael's body, the Abyss Core continued to pulse quietly.
Watching.
Waiting.
For the moment when Kael would truly awaken its power.