The Forsaken Awakening

Inside the Tower of the Forgotten – Floor 6

Jinhyuk's heart pounded as he stared at the three abyssal knights standing beside the Watcher.

Their black armor pulsed with dark energy, mirroring the Cursed Knight standing at his side.

But there was a difference.

These knights weren't just shadows given form.

They radiated power, their presence as solid and oppressive as the Watcher itself.

The realization hit Jinhyuk like a blade to the gut.

"These aren't just summons… they're real."

The Watcher chuckled, tilting its head.

"You see it now, don't you?"

Its golden eyes burned through the darkness.

"You wield the power of shadows… but you do not yet understand them."

Jinhyuk's grip tightened on his daggers.

"And you do?"

The Watcher's smirk deepened.

"Let me show you."

Then—the knights moved.

And the battle began.

---

Clashing Shadows – Jinhyuk vs. The Watcher's Knights

The first abyssal knight lunged, its massive greatsword cutting through the air.

The Cursed Knight intercepted, his own blade clashing against it with a deafening roar.

CLANG!

The impact shook the ground, sending shockwaves through the abyssal battlefield.

Before Jinhyuk could react, the second knight flanked him from the side—

Its black spear aiming straight for his chest.

Jinhyuk teleported backward using Shadow Blink, appearing behind it—

Only for the third knight to strike from behind.

"Tch!"

He barely raised a shadow barrier in time.

The knight's sword crashed into the shield, forcing Jinhyuk several steps back.

"They're fast… too fast."

He wasn't just fighting mindless monsters.

These knights fought like trained warriors.

They anticipated his movements.

They worked together.

And worst of all—

They were getting stronger.

---

Abyssal Domain – Pushing His Shadows to the Limit

Jinhyuk exhaled sharply, forcing himself to think fast.

"I can't fight them in a fair match."

If they were using shadows—

Then he needed to use them better.

[ Skill Activated: Abyssal Domain! ]

The entire battlefield shifted, his shadow magic expanding outward.

The ground itself turned black, tendrils of dark energy rising from below.

The Cursed Knight moved instantly, his attacks now flowing through the domain like a phantom.

Jinhyuk didn't hesitate.

He summoned his Mist Stalkers, the shadow wolves leaping into battle.

Five against three.

The Watcher let out a low chuckle.

"Good. You are learning."

Then—it raised its hand.

And the knights evolved.

---

The Watcher's Power – True Abyssal Summoning

The black aura around the abyssal knights pulsed.

Their bodies shifted, armor warping—becoming even darker.

The runes on their bodies glowed red, their weapons gaining an unnatural, liquid-like quality.

A system warning appeared.

---

[ The Watcher's Summons Have Evolved! ]

Abyssal Knights → Abyssal Reapers (B+ Rank)

Stats have increased significantly.

Attacks now erode enemy defenses with each strike.

---

Jinhyuk gritted his teeth.

"Of course they got stronger."

One of the Reapers vanished.

No sound. No movement.

Then—Jinhyuk's instincts screamed.

He barely dodged sideways, a scythe of black energy slicing through his afterimage.

The second Reaper didn't hesitate, launching a dark spear straight at his heart.

Jinhyuk raised a shadow barrier—

But the spear phased through it like mist.

"What—?"

The attack pierced his side.

Pain exploded through him.

His vision blurred, his body staggering.

And that was when he realized the truth.

"They're not just using shadows."

"They're controlling them at a level beyond me."

---

A Desperate Evolution – Shadow Summoning Awakens

Jinhyuk forced himself to stay standing.

His mana was running low.

His summons were struggling.

If he didn't end this now—he wouldn't survive.

He focused everything he had, pushing his Shadow Summoning to its absolute limit.

The Cursed Knight kneeled before him, awaiting his command.

Jinhyuk's eyes burned.

"This isn't enough."

"I need more."

Then—something changed.

His shadow pulsed violently.

And a new system message appeared.

---

[ Shadow Summoning Has Evolved! ]

[ New Effect Unlocked: Shadow Reintegration ]

Allows permanent summons to merge with the caster for a short duration.

Increases physical stats, durability, and mana efficiency.

Consumes all shadow energy temporarily.

---

Jinhyuk's breath caught.

"A fusion skill?"

The Cursed Knight's body flickered.

Jinhyuk felt his own body shift, his arms encased in blackened armor, his senses sharpening.

The Knight had become part of him.

The Watcher paused, watching with keen interest.

"Now this… this is worth seeing."

Jinhyuk grinned, despite the pain.

His shadow blade formed, now crackling with abyssal energy.

"Let's see if you can handle this."

He charged forward.

And the true fight began.