The wind in the Dark Forest felt different as Kael advanced further north. The temperature dropped slowly, but it wasn't a piercing cold—it was a chill that came from predators watching from the shadows.
Kael stopped in his tracks as the Spirit Devourer appeared beside him, its black form flowing like mist.
"From this point on," the Spirit Devourer said, "all creatures living in this region are hunters, not prey. If you make even one mistake, you'll be dead in seconds."
Kael nodded. "Good. I need a challenge."
The Spirit Devourer grinned.
"You're becoming more and more like me."
Kael didn't answer, but his eyes focused ahead.
In the distance, a large valley lay shrouded in dark mist. Hills surrounded it, like a natural wall separating the outside world from something deeper, wilder. The faint scent of blood wafted from below.
And in the center of the valley—a giant, gaping hole, like a black mouth ready to swallow anything that entered.
It was the Abyss Nest.
Predator Gate
As Kael descended over the boulders to the edge of the valley, a system notification appeared.
[WARNING]
You have entered a high-level danger zone.
[Abyss Nest — Outer Ring]
Monster Level: 25–35
Type: Beast, Aberration, Mutated
Threat: High
Kael slowly took a breath. The air here could hardly be called air—more like a mixture of metallic odors, blood, and wild energy.
However…
Kael's predatory instincts stirred, not from fear, but from challenge.
"Where do we start?" Kael asked.
The Spirit Devourer pointed at the valley with its chin.
"In the outer ring, the monsters are still clustered in small groups. They will test your mettle. If you can't take out a few dozen, don't even dream of breaking through to the middle ring."
Kael nodded.
"Okay. Let's begin."
First Battle — Hunting Pack
It didn't take long for the first monster to approach.
Kael heard heavy breathing, swift footsteps, and the scraping of claws on the ground.
Three, six, no… nine.
A whole pack.
They emerged from the trees like black shadows—Fangmaw Hounds, black-furred demon dogs with gaping mouths that reached all the way to their ears, baring rows of needle-like teeth that dripped acid.
One of the hounds roared—
And the entire pack charged Kael like a black storm.
Kael drew his sword.
"Shadow Step."
ZRAK—
Kael's body vanished. In a split second, he appeared on the right side of the pack, cutting down two hounds at once. They didn't even have time to scream—their bodies withered like dead leaves.
The other six hounds circled, trying to encircle them.
But Kael saw everything in slow motion.
"Now I understand… how the predators of this world move."
One hound leaped from the left.
Kael dodged without looking—a spontaneous movement, pure instinct.
He spun around, kicking the hound in the jaw. CRACK!
The hound was thrown ten meters and died instantly.
The rest attacked in unison.
Kael stabbed his sword into the ground.
"Devour Pulse."
BOOM!
A black wave exploded out, sapping the energy of everything it touched. The remaining four hounds fell at once, their bodies shrinking and withering away in seconds.
A notification dinged.
[9 Fangmaw Hounds Devoured]
Energy Gained: 2,050
Kael's stats increased significantly.
Kael took a deep breath.
The battle had only lasted… a few seconds.
"Faster than I expected," the Spirit Devourer muttered.
"But don't relax. That's just the beginning."
Kael stared at the giant hole in the center of the valley.
"…I'm waiting for something stronger."
Middle Ring — The Real Hunt
Kael moved toward the center of the Abyss Nest.
The closer he got, the stronger the monster's aura became. Even the ground was cracked and scarred by massive claws.
A new notification appeared.
[Abyss Nest — Middle Ring]
Monster Level: 35–45
Type: Aberration, Mutated Beast, Hybrid Predator
Threat: Very High
The Spirit Devourer paused.
"You have to be more careful here. These monsters aren't just fast and strong. They can use basic magic."
Kael smiled faintly. "Good. I have magic now too."
At that moment—
DOOM… DOOM… DOOM…
A heavy sound like a giant's footsteps echoed from the dense fog.
Kael spun his sword.
From the fog, a creature nearly three meters tall emerged: the Abyss Gorger, a massive humanoid with gray skin, white, pupil-less eyes, and a vertical mouth that split its face.
Kael straightened.
The Spirit Devourer laughed.
"These monsters aren't prey. They're slaughterers."
Kael stared at it fearlessly.
"Good. I want to see if I can slaughter them back."
Abyss Gorger — A Truly Dangerous Opponent
The monster roared, its sound shaking until the ground rumbled.
GRAAAAAH!
Kael moved first.
"Silent Step."
His body leaped forward, silently, without the slightest sound.
He slashed at the monster's waist.
CLANG!
The sword bounced off.
The monster's hide was as hard as steel.
Kael stepped back. "Its resistance is incredible."
The Abyss Gorger swung its arm.
Kael dodged, but the wind from the swing alone broke trees.
CRAAASH!!
Kael thought quickly.
"If the hide can't be cut from the outside..."
The Spirit Devourer finished:
"Cut it from the inside."
Kael smiled.
"Right."
He jumped, dodging the monster's attack and landing on its shoulder.
The Abyss Gorger tried to grab Kael, but he plunged his sword into the gap in the monster's neck and activated his skill.
"Devour Surge!"
BWOOOOSH—
Black energy spread from the sword, seeping through the monster's body. Its skin turned black, then cracked.
Kael withdrew his sword and leaped away.
In a matter of seconds—
The Abyss Gorger exploded from within, its body turning to black dust.
A long notification chimed.
[Abyss Gorger has been devoured]
Energy Gained: 3,600**
Skill Gained:
– Stonehide Fortification (D)
Kael's stats have increased HUGELY.
Kael sighed.
That was… strong. But he's stronger.
The Spirit Devourer appeared.
"Are you ready to enter the deepest ring?"
Kael looked at the giant black hole in the center of the valley.
That was where hundreds of high-class monsters lay.
The place where the apex predators of the Abyss Nest resided.
Kael drew his sword.
"I'm ready."
And he stepped forward into the darkness.