The air shifted as Kael stepped closer to the giant pit at the center of the Abyss Nest.
Unlike the usual darkness, the pit exuded a heavy aura that seemed to press down on his chest. Wild energy emanated from the depths like the breath of a sleeping giant.
Kael's steps halted at the edge of a massive circular chasm that spiraled downward like a natural tunnel.
The Spirit Devourer emerged from the shadows, its form more solid than before, as if the energy of the Abyss were strengthening it.
"Down there," it said quietly, "is a realm even monsters dare not trespass without reason. Only true predators can live in the heart of the Abyss."
Kael looked down.
There was no bottom. Only darkness that pulsed like the heart of the world.
"What's down there?" Kael asked.
The Spirit Devourer smiled broadly—a smile without lips, just a red glow in its four eyes.
"Not what, but who."
Kael tensed.
Before he could ask further, a voice boomed from the depths.
DOOM… DOOM… DOOM…
Not footsteps… but the beating of a heart.
Descent into the Abyss Core
Kael entered the spiral tunnel, descending with his sword at the ready.
The further he descended, the stronger the energy pressure.
Monster bones littered the walls, half-charred. As if a monster trying to escape from below… eaten before reaching the surface.
"This isn't like a forest," Kael muttered.
The Spirit Devourer chuckled.
"Because you're no longer in a forest. You're in the mouth of a giant predator… an underground world that devours anything that enters."
Kael wasn't afraid.
In fact, his muscles felt increasingly hot, as if his predatory instincts were sharpening.
After a few minutes, Kael reached the bottom of the tunnel.
A large chamber opened up like a giant cathedral.
There was no light from above, but the walls radiated a strange bluish-black glow—like energy seeping from the cracks in the world.
In the center of the chamber stood a large circular stone altar.
And on it… something slept.
Apex Predator — Abyss Reaver
It opened its eyes before Kael could determine the creature's form.
Four red eyes flashed simultaneously.
Kael swallowed.
The creature resembled a wingless dragon, its body long like a giant snake, but with four massive legs with claws that could tear through steel. Its skin was pitch black, cracked like dark lava being sucked in.
Every breath it took radiated an energy that sent shivers down Kael's spine.
Some kind of ancient writing appeared in the air:
[Abyss Reaver — Rank: D+]
Level: 49
Type: Abyssal Predator
Status: Watching You
Kael automatically took a stance.
The Spirit Devourer spoke softly:
"This creature… is a predator that has been consuming other monsters for thousands of years. Even a Spirit Devourer like me wouldn't be able to devour this creature while I was alive."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Then… this is the perfect opponent to test my strength."
The Abyss Reaver growled lowly.
The sound shattered the surrounding rocks.
GRAAAARRRR…
The Battle Begins
The Reaver shot up, its massive body moving faster than the wind.
Kael barely saw it.
ZWOOSH—!
But predatory instincts took over.
Kael ducked and leaped aside just before the Reaver's claws ripped through the air where he stood.
The ground ripped like rags.
"So fast—!"
The Reaver turned, its eyes blazing brighter.
It opened its mouth, revealing razor-sharp teeth coated in black energy.
SHSSSSH!
It spewed a torrent of abyssal energy.
Kael spun around.
"Shadow Prowl!"
He vanished from his position.
A pitch-black blast slammed into the cave wall—
BRRRRRRAASSSSSHHHHH!
—creating a large crater.
Kael moved quickly behind the Reaver and slashed at its back.
His sword pierced… but only barely.
CLANG!
"Its skin is much tougher than a Gorger's," Kael growled.
The Reaver slashed its body, sending Kael flying several meters.
The Spirit Devourer shouted,
"Kael! This creature possesses the Abyssal Core! You must destroy it from within!"
Kael rose, blood streaming down his temples.
"Then… I must bring my sword as close as possible."
The air shifted as Kael stepped closer to the giant pit at the center of the Abyss Nest.
Unlike the usual darkness, the pit exuded a heavy aura that seemed to press on his chest. Wild energy emanated from the depths like the breath of a sleeping giant.
Kael's steps halted at the edge of a massive, circular chasm that spiraled downward like a natural tunnel.
The Spirit Devourer emerged from the shadows, its form more solid than before, as if the energy of the Abyss were strengthening it.
"Down there," it said quietly, "is a realm even monsters dare not enter without reason. Only true predators can live in the heart of the Abyss."
Kael looked down.
There was no bottom. Only darkness that pulsed like the heart of the world.
"What's down there?" Kael asked.
The Spirit Devourer smiled broadly—a smile without lips, just a red glow in its four eyes.
"Not what, but who."
Kael stiffened.
Before he could ask further, a voice boomed from the depths.
DOOM… DOOM… DOOM…
Not footsteps… but heartbeats.
Taking a Risk
The Reaver swung its tail.
CRACK!
Kael parried with his sword, but the force was too great.
Kael was thrown against the wall.
"Ugh—!"
His HP immediately dropped drastically.
But Kael's eyes only grew sharper.
"This… is better than I imagined."
Speed.
Skin toughness.
Abyss burst.
This is no ordinary monster. This is an apex predator.
Kael raised his sword and concentrated dark energy into the blade.
"If I can't penetrate its skin from the outside…"
He leaped high.
The Reaver looked up and opened its mouth.
"—then I'll slash through YOUR MOUTH!"
The Abyss Reaver burst again—
but Kael had read the timing.
He twisted, bent his position in midair, and launched himself into the burst, spinning his sword.
"Devour Spiral Slash!"
ZWOOOSH—KRRAAAAAASSSHH!!
Kael's sword pierced the Reaver's mouth, sliding into his throat.
The Reaver screamed—a sound that shook the entire cave.
GROOOOOAAAAARRRRR!!!
Kael plunged the sword deeper and activated the devour power.
"DEVOUR SURGE!"
Black energy flowed through the sword and into the Reaver's body.
Black cracks appeared within his skin.
His body began to tremble violently.
The Spirit Devourer whispered:
"Good… destroy the abyss core."
Kael pressed his sword deeper.
"I don't even need to look for it—"
Black energy erupted from within the Reaver.
"—because I will EAT it all!"
The Predator Has Fallen
The Abyss Reaver exploded in a massive burst of black energy.
BOOM!!!
The devour energy enveloped Kael like a storm.
But it didn't hurt him—all the energy was absorbed into his body.
Notifications appeared one after another:
[Apex Predator Devoured!]
Energy Gained: 9,400
Level Up x 3
Skills Gained:
– Abyssal Carapace (D+)
– Void Breath (C)
– Predator's Domain (C)
Evolution Progress: 100%
Evolutions Available → [Devourer Form: Stage I]
Kael stood in the center of the large crater created by the explosion.
His eyes gleamed dark purple.
"This… is an extraordinary development."
The Spirit Devourer stared at Kael with its four sharp eyes.
"Kael… after this evolution, you are no longer an ordinary human. Even the world system will consider you a threat."
Kael gripped his sword.
"Good. The sooner I become a threat, the sooner the world will acknowledge my existence."
The Spirit Devourer smiled darkly.
"If you're ready to evolve… let's begin."
Kael closed his eyes.
His body was enveloped in seething black energy.
The evolution had begun.
And Kael's journey as a true predator had just entered its most dangerous chapter.