The Forsaken Awakening

Inside the Tower of the Forgotten – Floor 9

Jinhyuk stepped through the portal, his body still adjusting to the raw power of Abyssal Grasp.

For the first time, he wasn't struggling against the abyss.

He had claimed it.

And now, as he arrived on the Ninth Floor, he felt something… different.

The Tower itself was reacting to him.

The air was thick with tension, as if something was watching.

Then—

A system message flashed.

---

[ Trial of the Ninth Floor: The Challenger's Gauntlet ]

Objective: Defeat the floor's Guardian in single combat.

Failure Condition: Death.

Bonus Condition: Win without using summons.

---

Jinhyuk's eyes narrowed.

"So it's a one-on-one fight this time?"

He exhaled, cracking his knuckles.

"Fine by me."

The ground trembled beneath him—

And the Guardian appeared.

---

The Ninth Floor Guardian – A Test of Strength

A massive suit of black armor rose from the ground, standing nearly five meters tall.

Its form was covered in jagged metal, glowing red runes carved deep into its plating.

But what drew Jinhyuk's attention the most—

Was the massive two-handed sword strapped to its back.

A system message flashed.

---

[ Guardian Identified: Abyssal Juggernaut (A+ Rank) ]

A warrior crafted from the abyss itself.

Can absorb and reflect enemy attacks.

Grows stronger the longer the battle lasts.

Weakness: Core is exposed when striking.

---

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue.

"So another endurance-type boss?"

But then—

The Juggernaut moved.

Faster than something its size should be able to.

And in a single motion—

It swung its greatsword down at him.

BOOM!

The ground shattered under the force of the strike.

Jinhyuk barely dodged, teleporting to the side with Shadow Blink.

"Too fast!"

He expected something slower, but this thing had speed and power.

A deadly combination.

But Jinhyuk only grinned.

"Good. I needed a real challenge."

---

The First Exchange – Speed vs. Power

Jinhyuk launched forward, his daggers flashing.

He aimed for the Juggernaut's exposed joints, testing its defenses—

But the massive warrior twisted, its armor absorbing the attack like a sponge.

Jinhyuk felt the resistance immediately.

"Tch. It's tougher than I thought."

The Juggernaut retaliated, swinging its sword in a wide arc.

Jinhyuk ducked, rolling under the attack—

But the moment his feet touched the ground, a pulse of abyssal energy erupted from the armor.

BOOM!

The shockwave blasted him backward, slamming him into a stone pillar.

Jinhyuk coughed, shaking off the impact.

"This thing counters even if I dodge?"

Then—a system message appeared.

---

[ Abyssal Adaptation Activated ]

The Abyssal Juggernaut is learning from your attacks.

Your next strike must be unpredictable.

---

Jinhyuk's mind worked fast.

"If it's adapting to me—then I have to change the way I fight."

He grinned, shifting his stance.

"Fine. Let's try something new."

---

Abyssal Grasp – Turning Its Power Against Itself

Jinhyuk focused, reaching out with his newly awakened skill.

[ Skill Activated: Abyssal Grasp! ]

The shadows around him twisted, coiling toward the Juggernaut.

The Guardian raised its sword, ready to counter—

But Jinhyuk didn't attack its body.

He attacked its weapon.

The massive greatsword trembled, its abyssal energy shifting unnaturally.

The Juggernaut hesitated.

Then—it lost control.

Its own sword turned against it, swinging upward—

And in a flash of black light,

the blade cleaved through its own chest.

SHUNK!

The Guardian staggered, its core exposed.

Jinhyuk grinned.

"Gotcha."

He teleported forward—

And with a final shadow-infused strike,

He tore through its core.

The Juggernaut let out a deep, echoing roar—

Then collapsed.

Defeated.

---

Level Up!

[ You Have Leveled Up! ]

[ Level 30 → Level 31 ]

[ Abyssal Grasp Has Strengthened! ]

Now affects more complex structures.

Increased ability to disrupt abyssal-based enemies.

---

Jinhyuk exhaled, shaking off the lingering energy.

The battle had been fast, but it forced him to think differently.

If the abyss adapted to him…

Then he had to keep evolving faster.

Then—

A new system message appeared.

---

[ Floor 9 Cleared! ]

[ Do you wish to proceed to Floor 10? ]

---

Jinhyuk paused.

Something about this felt… off.

The Tower had always been difficult, but now it was actively changing in response to him.

Almost like it was watching.

Testing him in a way that was beyond normal.

Jinhyuk smirked.

"If you're watching, then keep watching."

Without hesitation—

He stepped forward.

And the Tenth Floor awaited.