Itsuki stepped through the other side of the rift, the faint hum behind him warping the air like a trembling veil. Without wasting even a second, he made a beeline for the pillar tucked into one of the cavern's corners. As he slipped behind it, the sight waiting for him tugged a small, satisfied breath from his chest.
The crystal blade lay exactly where he'd hidden it.
Perfect…
He crouched and grabbed it, fingers closing around the cold surface. Then he pulled out the remaining strips of cloth he'd cut earlier and tied them firmly around the base, wrapping until the crystal had a makeshift handle. Unlike the tiny shards he and the other workers mined, this one wasn't small in the slightest—it was the length of an arm from elbow to fingertips, humming faintly with a muted, deadly glow.
He tugged the handle with force, testing its grip.
I bet I actually look really cool right now. If only anyone besides me and the True Light's system could be here to witness this selfless act…
A soft chuckle escaped him—half mockery, half amusement. Even he couldn't pretend. Leveling up, pushing the system, testing the limits of whatever the "True Light" was—that sat at the top of his priorities, not charity work.
He loosened his shoulders and stretched, steadying both body and mind for the horrors waiting further inside the cavern.
Then the familiar chime echoed through his skull as the system's dashboard materialized.
[System Notice]
[You have entered a Domain Rift with a high amount of Abyssal Mana present]
[Hero Objective]
[Explore the deepest parts of the Rift and eradicate any Abyssals present]
[Abyssals Killed 0/??]
Just like before… except this time, there isn't going to be any—
[System Notice — Failure to complete Objective will result in punishment]
He rolled his eyes lightly.
Of course… Well, I guess it doesn't matter. I don't plan on leaving until I've killed every single Abyssal in here anyways. Let's really see what you've made me capable of, True Light...
He stretched again—though in reality, it was just him delaying the moment knowing he'd have to walk deeper into the dark, where things with too many teeth and too much intelligence for their kind waited.
As the thought crossed itsuki's mind, the system's dashboard flickered again, and another tab slid forward, showcasing the Archetype. His eyes locked instantly onto the one he'd been inwardly mulling over since.
[Assassin]
[Description: Experts in stealth, precision, and critical strikes. Operates best when undetected or striking from shadows.]
[Traits: Increased agility, reduced sound output, enhanced lethality on weak points.]
[Recommended For: Covert operatives and silent eliminators.]
[Note: High risk, high reward — requires precision and timing.]
He stared at it silently, the reflection of the glowing text flickering in his eyes.
And then he tightened his grip on the crystal blade.
Just as I thought.
It really was out of the ordinary that I'd managed to kill that beast with only two strikes. At the time, I chalked it up to luck—panic-driven instinct, maybe adrenaline. But now…
I guess my Archetype had a role to play in it.
He remembered the way his body had moved without hesitation: the clean strike at the neck, the follow-up to the head, each attack feeling precise and deliberate… despite the fact he hadn't been thinking that much at all.
Even the dodge he made then was quick and sharp, almost silent—felt less like something he consciously executed and more like something that had been programmed into his muscles.
Apart from the force I used and the intent to kill it… everything else just, happened.
His gaze lingered on the Archetype description, eyes narrowing slightly as he scrolled through again, absorbing every line, every detail.
He stood there for a few more minutes, lost in thought, mentally replaying the battle, replaying how his body had reacted. Everything was starting to line up in ways that made both perfect sense—and absolutely none at all.
Finally, he exhaled slowly.
Then, he turned toward the deeper parts of the cavern, where the darkness of the Abyss in front of him waited and began walking forward.
*****
Itsuki pushed deeper into the cavern, each step somehow feeling heavier than the last.
Every part of him—ears, skin, instincts—stretched thin, straining for even the faintest sound that might spell danger.
It felt similar to the first time he'd passed through this place… except then, he'd had a lamp. Now, the only light came from the dim, scattered glimmers of aether crystals embedded in the walls, the ceiling and the floor—cold, pale reflections that did nothing to ease the weight of the darkness surrounding him.
I don't remember it being this nerve-racking… Why won't they just come out already…
He kept walking, forcing the louder thoughts back, doing everything he could to focus on the one thing that mattered right there and then—surviving.
Then, he heard it.
Wet footsteps yet again.
The same disgusting slap of flesh and moisture he had heard before the first Abyssal he killed had burst from the shadows and nearly taken his life.
He instantly froze, a cold rush running through him. The crystal blade tightened under his grip as he angled his head, listening.
Who am I kidding… It's definitely coming from ahead.
I can't get afford to get caught out cold now.
He sank into a stance, his eyes narrowed at the vague shape emerging from the darkness.
Then, it lunged out.
A tall beast, the same figure he remembered, tore out of the shadows. And right behind it—
Another followed.
Shit! Shit! Shit!—
No. Don't think. Don't—
With that, he immediately lunged forward.
The first Abyssal in front charged without hesitation, its long arm slicing through the air toward Itsuki's head.
Still sprinting, Itsuki dropped his weight and dove forward, slipping under the incoming strike by a hair. He hit the ground and rolled onto his back, the crystal blade still locked in his grip as if chained to his hand.
The second Abyssal was already above him.
It raised the crystal blade it held, ready to cleave him in half from skull to spine.
As the blade came down with monstrous force—
Itsuki dove again.
Head first, low and quick—he shot besides the creature's legs, and in passing, slashed across the back of its ankles with the sharp edge of his blade.
The creature let out a short, guttural cry as its legs buckled. It dropped to one knee, planting its own weapon into the ground to keep itself from collapsing fully.
But, Itsuki didn't give it the chance to rest.
He sprang to his feet, sprinted toward it, and drove the crystal blade deep into the back of its skull.
The creature toppled instantly, its body pitching forward and collapsing onto the crystal it had used to brace itself.
A chime echoed through his mind as the system's window popped up above him while his gaze flicked toward the second Abyssal.
[Hero Objective]
[Explore the deepest parts of the Rift and eradicate any Abyssals present]
[Abyssals Killed 1/51]
But he ignored it.
Instead, he ripped his blade free, turned, and charged straight at the second Abyssal—who was already barreling toward him as well, arm raised to strike.
The clash should've been immediate.
But Itsuki wasn't stupid.
Just before they collided, he dropped low again—then slid beneath the creature's legs in one smooth motion. Before it even had time to pivot, he had already leapt onto its back.
Without hesitation, he plunged the crystal blade straight into the back of its skull.
The second Abyssal crashed forward, dead before it hit the stone floor.
[Hero Objective]
[Explore the deepest parts of the Rift and eradicate any Abyssals present]
[Abyssals Killed 2/51]
Itsuki rose slowly, chest rising with controlled breaths as he finally glanced at the floating system message.
Shit… why was that actually so easy?