"The Fated Rival of the Moon"

The Gates of the Abyss

Azrael Kaelthorne stood at the mouth of the Old Cave, his body drenched in the dark, foul-smelling blood of the creatures he had slain. The curved edge of his blade gleamed under the dim light, coated in drying gore. His breathing was steady—controlled.

Ahead of him, the entrance to the cave yawned open like the maw of a beast, an abyss swallowing all light. The air within was thick, suffocating, whispering of ancient horrors waiting inside.

The moment he stepped forward, the Abyssal Crown System activated.

[ Ding! The First Trial Begins. ]

[ Trial of Endurance: Survive for Two Hours. ]

[ Monsters will charge at you endlessly. ]

[ For every 10 monsters slain, gain 5 stat points and 150 System Points. ]

Azrael smirked, his golden eyes flashing coldly.

He raised his bloodstained blade and spoke to the system.

"Let the slaughter begin."

---

The Trial of Stamina

The ground rumbled.

From the depths of the cave, they came.

Beasts of all shapes and sizes—monstrous wolves with cracked bones, twisted humanoid ghouls with hollow eyes, centipede-like creatures covered in jagged spikes.

The moment they saw him, they charged.

Azrael stepped forward.

His blade moved like a crescent moon slicing through the darkness.

One down.

A wolf lunged at his side. Azrael twisted, letting it pass before severing its spine in one precise motion.

Two down.

A ghoul screeched, clawing at him. His blade cut through its rotten skull.

Three.

Then they came faster.

Azrael did not stop.

His body moved on instinct. His katana weaved through flesh and bone, each swing carving through the horde. His muscles burned, his breath ragged, but his focus remained sharp.

Minutes turned into an eternity.

The monsters never ceased. For every one he cut down, two more emerged.

But Azrael endured.

Blood splattered across his face. His arms trembled, but he did not lower his blade.

His steps became lighter. His strikes sharper.

[ 450 monsters slain. ]

[ +225 stat points gained. ]

[ +6,750 System Points acquired. ]

The last beast fell, its lifeless body joining the mountain of corpses.

Azrael stood at the center of it all—a lone figure bathed in blood.

The trial was over.

---

The Reward

Azrael's body ached. He had sustained minor injuries—cuts and bruises—but nothing fatal. His stamina was completely drained.

[ Ding! First Trial Complete. ]

[ Stats may now be allocated. ]

Azrael opened his status window and immediately distributed the points.

Strength +50

Endurance +75

Agility +50

Senses +25

Mana +25

The moment the changes took effect, his body felt lighter. The pain faded slightly, his movements more fluid.

Azrael tightened his grip on his blade and looked toward the darkness ahead.

The second trial was waiting.

And he was ready.