Chapter 2: The Abyss
The strange voice echoed again, resonating deep within his very being.
"Was it worth remembering?" Nova muttered mindlessly.
He pondered the question. His life had been filled with hardship and pain, but there were moments—small, seemingly insignificant—that brought him a semblance of joy.
The stray dog that licked his hand, the elderly librarian who let him read books for free, the sunset he watched alone that painted the sky in hues of pink and gold.
[Worth... or worthless... is for you to decide.]
Nova fell silent as his eyes searched the darkness.
What did he truly want?
"I... I want a meaningful life. My life was not meaningless..." His eyes began to brighten as they regained clarity. "My so-called worthless life shaped me into who I am. The pain, the loneliness, even the small joys—they're all a part of me. I won't lose the last remaining thing I have."
His hands trembled—not from fear, but from a newfound resolve. The years of frustration, the tiny victories, the person he had become—all of it mattered.
Taking a deep breath, he screamed into the void, his voice echoing infinitely, "I WILL NOT LOSE MY MEMORIES!"
There was a moment of absolute silence.
[Good. Then you shall fight the Abyssal Monsters for the next 1,000 years.]
Nova's eyes widened. "Wait, Abyssal Monsters? What does that even mean?"
The darkness around him began to shift.
The void morphed, shadows swirling and coalescing into grotesque forms as he felt the surroundings change.
He found himself in an abyssal realm where darkness reigned supreme. The ground beneath his feet was cold and damp, the air thick with a metallic scent that stung his nostrils.
Ethereal figures with glowing red eyes and mouths full of jagged teeth emerged, their bodies made of swirling darkness and blood.
The air grew colder, and a chilling wind howled around him, carrying whispers of despair.
[The Abyssal Monsters... the eternal scourge of existence. The Abyss awaits. Steel yourself, Young One.]
Nova felt his back turn cold as he swiftly stepped back, shouting, "What? How? I don't even know how to fight!"
His plea was met with silence as the first Abyssal Monster lunged at him, its bloody claws extended.
He instinctively dodged, stumbling on the wet soil. "Shit! How can I even—"
But before his words could finish, another Abyssal Monster attacked him with its tail.
He hurriedly ducked as the tail grazed past his head, a sharp wind slicing above him.
Heart pounding, he looked around desperately for something—anything he could use as a weapon.
But there was nothing in the vicinity, except darkness and the wet soil, which seemed to be pulling him down.
Nova's forehead was drenched in sweat, fear gripping his chest. "This can't be happening," he whispered.
Just then, a voice echoed in his mind.
[Your will is your greatest weapon. Devour those who wish to devour you.]
Nova heard the words clearly, and they ignited a fire in his heart. Roaring out loud, he spat back, "Screw you! Give me a weapon, not some bullshit motivational speech!"
His outburst was cut short as the bladed monster swung its arms at him.
He hurriedly tried to dodge the attack, but the sharp blade made a deep cut on his thigh.
"Ughh," he grunted, clutching his leg. Pain seared through him, but he knew he couldn't stay in the same place.
He shakily stood up and looked at the three Abyssal Beings circling him.
Anger bubbled within him. 'Is this how it ends? After everything?'
"Come on, you bastards! I'll bite off at least a piece of flesh even if I die!" he shouted, charging forward with reckless abandon.
He swung his fist at the claws of one of the Abyssal Monsters. To his surprise, his punch connected, and a faint spark of dark light flickered upon impact, halting the monster's advance.
"What was that?" Nova thought, a flicker of hope igniting within him.
But the pain in his leg made his movements sluggish as he tried to follow up with another attack.
The Abyssal Monsters didn't miss this opportunity. The tailed one attacked from behind, its tail drawing blood on his back, while the bladed beast slashed at his legs.
Nova gritted his teeth, agony coursing through his body as he stumbled forward.
"Aaagh!" Blood dripped from the corner of his lips as the impact from the tail sent him sprawling.
He wiped the blood with his hand and glared at the beasts, determination burning in his eyes.
'I won't go down like this!'
His gaze locked onto the Abyssal Monster wielding the sharp blade.
'If I can just get that weapon...'
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to ignore the searing pain, and sprinted forward. His vision blurred, but he focused solely on his target.
The Abyssal Monsters moved in unison. The clawed monster lunged, swiping at his head.
Nova sidestepped, his movements fueled by sheer willpower, and punched the monster squarely in the face.
A darker spark of light erupted from his fist, and the monster recoiled with a shriek.
'Yes!' he exclaimed internally, but there was no time to waste.
He pushed toward the bladed monster. As it raised its weapon to strike, Nova lunged forward, grabbing its arm while striking its face with all his might.
A surge of energy coursed through him, the dark light from his fist blazing brighter than before.
But his triumph was short-lived.
"Ughh!" Nova coughed up a mouthful of blood as the tailed monster's appendage pierced through his chest.
He slowly turned his head to see the tailed Abyssal Monster grinning wickedly, its glowing eyes filled with malice.
His strength waned, his grip on the bladed monster loosening.
"No... not yet..." he muttered, his vision darkening.
The bladed monster seized the opportunity, slashing at his legs and bringing him to his knees.
Nova's thoughts raced. 'Is this it? Am I going to die here?'
The tailed monster withdrew its tail, and an unbearable cold spread through his body.
He collapsed onto the cold, damp ground, the taste of blood filling his mouth.
"I can't... give up..." he whispered weakly, tears welling in his eyes.
But the Abyssal Monsters showed no mercy.
The tailed one struck again, its tail slicing through the air.
He couldn't even finish his thoughts as the tail pierced through his heart, and darkness enveloped him.
[You have died.]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone