LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Whispering Abyss
The air around Ethan felt heavy, as if the darkness had grown a consciousness of its own. His body tingled with newfound power, yet unease settled in his chest. The fusion with the Abyssal Core was complete, but its effects lingered in more ways than one.
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[Status Window]
Name: Ethan Cross
Class: Abyssal Harbinger
Level: 4
Race: Human
Title: Bearer of the Abyssal Core
HP: 180 / 180
MP: 150 / 150
Strength: 18
Agility: 16
Endurance: 14
Intelligence: 15
Wisdom: 13
Luck: 5
Charm: 5
Skills:
Abyssal Grasp: Summons a shadow hand to immobilize or damage a target. Damage: (50 + 1.5×INT) = 72 per second.
Shadow Step: Teleport to a nearby shadow (Range: 5 meters). Costs 10 MP.
Creation of Shadows: Reanimate corpses or bones as Shadow Servants. Strength and duration depend on the user's level.
Abyssal Aura (Passive): Increases damage dealt in dark environments by 15%. Enemies in close proximity may suffer a Fear debuff.
Items:
Darksteel Dagger (Attack: 10, Special Effect: Chance to inflict Bleeding [10 damage per second for 3 seconds]).
Shadow Cloak (Defense: 5, Effect: Conceals user in darkness for 5 seconds).
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The passive skill Abyssal Aura was a game-changer. Ethan noticed that his attacks were now stronger in the dim dungeon, but the warning about Abyssal Beings unsettled him. He shrugged it off and advanced deeper into the dungeon.
The Tomb of the Forgotten wasn't like any other dungeon Ethan had encountered in games. Instead of linear paths leading to a boss room, this place was sprawling, with multiple levels and hidden passageways.
The walls depicted carvings of an ancient civilization that worshiped the Abyss, offering sacrifices to gain its favor. Their greed for power ultimately led to their destruction, leaving behind this cursed tomb.
"The Abyss devours all," the carvings warned repeatedly.
Ethan stumbled upon a large chamber where faint chanting echoed. At its center stood a tall, gaunt figure in tattered robes, holding a staff of twisted black wood.
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[Status Window: Keeper of the Forgotten]
Name: Keeper of the Forgotten
Race: Undead
Level: 10
Title: Guardian of the Abyssal Tomb
HP: 500 / 500
MP: 300 / 300
Strength: 20
Agility: 15
Endurance: 25
Intelligence: 20
Wisdom: 18
Luck: 3
Charm: 0
Skills:
Necrotic Pulse: Deals 75 damage to all living beings in a 10-meter radius.
Summon Shades: Calls forth shadowy minions (Level 6).
Dark Barrier: Reduces incoming damage by 50% for 10 seconds.
"I smell the stench of the Abyss upon you," it rasped. "You bear the Core, yet you know nothing of its burden. Have you come to embrace it, or to defy it?"
Ethan hesitated but replied honestly. "I… don't know."
"Then you are not ready," the Keeper said. "Prove your worth."
The chamber darkened, and four humanoid figures formed from the shadows.
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Combat: Trial of the Abyss
[Event Triggered: Trial of the Abyss]
Shadow Sentinels Summoned (Level 6)
HP: 200
Attack: 15
Skills: Slash (Deals 20 damage), Guard (Blocks one attack).
Ethan teleported behind the first Sentinel and slashed with his dagger.
Base Dagger Damage: 10
Abyssal Aura Bonus: +15% (1.5)
Total Damage: 11.5
Bonus Effect: Bleeding (10 damage per second for 3 seconds).
The Sentinel staggered, taking 31.5 total damage from the Bleeding effect.
"Abyssal Grasp"
Ethan summoned a shadowy hand to immobilize the second Sentinel, dealing 72 damage per second.
Damage over 2 seconds: 144
Remaining HP of Sentinel 2: 56
Ethan quickly finished it off with two strikes from his dagger, dealing 23 damage total, reducing the Sentinel to zero HP.
"Creation of Shadows" Ethan reanimated the fallen Sentinels.
Shadow Servants HP: 100 each
Attack: 12
The two Shadow Servants turned on the remaining Sentinels.
Shadow Servants attacked Sentinel 3, dealing 24 damage combined.
Ethan struck with his dagger, dealing 11.5 damage.
Sentinel 3 fell after sustaining 35.5 total damage.
The last Sentinel fought fiercely, using Guard to block an attack and retaliating with Slash, dealing 20 damage to Ethan.
Ethan countered with Abyssal Grasp, dealing 144 damage over two seconds, destroying the final enemy.
[Trial Complete: The Door Open]
Ethan stood victorious but breathing heavily. He had sustained 20 damage, reducing his HP to 160/180.
The Keeper watched silently.
"You are stronger than I thought," it said. "But strength alone will not save you. The Abyss is patient. It will consume you, as it has consumed countless others."
Ethan frowned. "Why do you care?"
The Keeper chuckled. "Because I was once like you—a fool who sought power without understanding its cost."
The Keeper vanished, leaving behind a glowing orb.
[Item Acquired: Abyssal Fragment]
An artifact containing a fragment of Abyssal power. Enhances Abyssal skills by +10% damage.
Ethan descended the staircase revealed behind the altar. The shadows grew denser, and a faint, otherworldly hum filled the air.