My Afterlife System!

The Abyssal energy pulsed violently, as if the very world was watching. Nyx barely reacted to his wound, his stance unwavering.

Jihwan adjusted his grip on Killer of Darkness. This wasn't just a fight. It was a trial, and the Abyss would not accept him unless he proved himself completely.

A deep voice echoed through the arena.

[ The Abyssal Trial has begun. ]

[ Heir of the Abyss vs. Abyssal Challenger: Nyx ]

[ Victory Condition: Defeat the Challenger. ]

[ Failure Condition: Death. ]

Jihwan exhaled. No turning back.

Nyx lifted his sword. "You carry the mark of the Abyss, yet you hesitate. Why?"

Jihwan said nothing. He was analyzing, calculating. Nyx was an S-rank opponent—far beyond him. A direct fight would be suicide.

Nyx moved first.

His blade cut through the air, leaving a trail of abyssal fire. Jihwan barely dodged, heat licking his skin. The second attack followed instantly.

CLANG!

Jihwan blocked, but the force sent him skidding back.

Too fast.

Nyx pressed forward, relentless. Every clash rattled Jihwan's arms, forcing him further on the defensive.

He needed an opening.

Jihwan activated [ Death's Shroud ].

Darkness swallowed him whole. He became one with the shadows, his presence vanishing.

Nyx's blade halted mid-strike.

That hesitation was all Jihwan needed.

He reappeared behind Nyx—blade flashing—SLASH!

A deep wound tore across Nyx's side. But before Jihwan could follow up, an explosion of abyssal energy sent him flying.

[ HP: 4000/5000 ]

[ Nyx HP: 3500/5000 ]

Jihwan hit the ground hard, rolling to his feet.

Nyx's red eyes glowed. "Impressive. But you rely too much on tricks." He raised his sword. "Let's see if you can survive this."

The air shifted.

Jihwan's instincts screamed—move.

Nyx drove his blade into the ground.

BOOM!

Dark flames erupted, consuming the battlefield. Stone melted. Shadows howled.

Jihwan barely escaped the inferno, his breath ragged.

This wasn't sustainable. If Nyx could keep this up, Jihwan would be worn down.

Then I have to end it first.

His sword pulsed with dark energy. He activated [ Abyss Breaker ].

Nyx charged. Jihwan did the same.

Blades clashed.

But this time—Jihwan didn't defend. He attacked. Relentlessly.

A cut. A feint. A deep stab. Nyx staggered.

[ Nyx HP: 1000/5000 ]

For the first time, Nyx exhaled slowly.

"You have earned this battle."

Jihwan's body burned with exhaustion, but he pushed forward. The system responded.

[ New Skill Unlocked: Abyssal Slash ]

→ A single devastating strike, amplified by the Abyss.

→ Damage scales with Dark Energy.

→ Can only be used against worthy opponents.

Jihwan's lips curled into a smirk.

"Let's finish this."

He raised his sword—abyssal energy crackling—

And struck.

"Abyssal Slash!"

A black crescent of pure destruction tore through the battlefield, cleaving Nyx apart.

Nyx's body froze. A deep chuckle escaped him.

"You truly are the Heir of the Abyss."

Then—he collapsed.

[ Victory Achieved! ]

[ Abyssal Challenger Defeated. ]

[ Rewards Unlocked. ]

→ Level Up!

→ Title Obtained: Abyssal Warrior

→ New Skill: Abyssal Suppression

→ Dark Energy Increased by 100 Points

Jihwan exhaled, lowering his sword. The battlefield dimmed, the Abyss retreating.

He had won.

But this was just the beginning.

The battlefield was silent.

Jihwan stood amidst the fading remnants of the Abyssal Trial, his breath steady despite the exhaustion weighing on him.

Nyx's body had vanished, swallowed by the shadows, leaving nothing behind but the lingering presence of the Abyss.

Then—

A system message flickered before him.

[ You have overcome the Abyssal Trial. ]

[ You have been acknowledged. ]

Something within him shifted.

Dark Energy surged, threading through his veins like liquid fire, pulsing in sync with his heartbeat. It wasn't just power—it was recognition.

The Abyss was responding to him.

Jihwan clenched his fist.

His senses sharpened. The whispers of the void grew clearer, as if something… or someone… was watching.

This power—

It wasn't just an increase in strength. It was proof.

Proof that he was no longer just a survivor.

He was stepping into something far greater.

Abyssal Rewards

The air cracked. The ground trembled beneath his feet.

Then—

A voice, deep and ancient, resonated through the void.

"You who have conquered the Trial… step forward."

Jihwan's gaze snapped upward.

Before him, a massive dark gate materialized, abyssal energy writhing across its surface like sentient shadows.

This wasn't a mere reward.

It was a summons.

"Tch… Not even a moment to breathe?" he muttered.

But there was no hesitation in his steps.

Hesitating now meant losing the chance to understand the Abyss.

To command it.

He walked forward.

The gate opened.

Inheritance of the Abyss

The world twisted.

Jihwan stepped through the gate and found himself standing in a vast hall, a place beyond mortal comprehension. The air was thick with abyssal energy, swirling like a storm held in suspension.

Towering obsidian statues lined the chamber, their hollow eyes glowing faintly, as if judging him. Floating dark flames flickered overhead, casting eerie shadows along the polished stone floor.

And at the center—

A throne of shadows.

A figure sat upon it, draped in darkness itself. Its form was barely visible, but its presence was overwhelming. The only clear feature—two piercing red eyes, staring directly at him.

A voice, weighty and ancient, filled the chamber.

"So, you are the one who has been chosen."

Jihwan didn't flinch.

"Who are you?"

A low chuckle.

"I am the Keeper of the Abyss—the one who watches over those who seek its power."

"And you, Jihwan, have been deemed worthy."

His grip tightened around his sword.

"Worthy for what?"

The Keeper leaned forward, abyssal energy rippling from his form.

"To claim what was once lost."

The hall darkened. The abyssal flames dimmed.

Jihwan felt something shift again—this time, deeper, reaching into the very essence of his being.

A system message appeared.

[ New Quest Unlocked: Inheritance of the Abyss ]

→ The Keeper of the Abyss offers you a path forward.

→ Accept or decline.

Jihwan exhaled slowly.

A choice.

But was it truly a choice?

He had already stepped too far into the Abyss to turn back.

His finger hovered for a second—then pressed [ Accept ].

Abyssal energy surged around him, engulfing him completely.

The statues trembled. The throne pulsed with power.

The Keeper's voice echoed one last time.

"Then let the true descent begin."

Darkness swallowed everything.