The street fell into silence.
Rain dripped slowly from broken streetlights as the massive creature stepped out of the Gate. Its armored body scraped against the pavement with a heavy, grinding sound.
The Abyss Sentinel stood nearly six meters tall.
Its black armor plates looked like they were forged from living stone, and its glowing red eyes burned with a cold, terrifying intelligence.
Around it, the smaller monsters stopped moving.
Almost as if they were waiting for a command.
Daniel's face turned pale.
"…We're dead."
Kael didn't respond.
His eyes were locked on the creature.
A crimson system window hovered in front of him.
[Boss Monster Detected]
Abyss Sentinel
Level: 12
Threat Level: Catastrophic
Kael slowly exhaled.
"Level twelve…"
He was only level five.
The difference in power was overwhelming.
Daniel grabbed his arm again.
"Kael, we need to run. Right now."
The Abyss Sentinel suddenly moved.
Its enormous foot crashed into the ground as it stepped forward.
The impact shook the street.
More monsters began crawling out of the Gate behind it.
Kael clenched his jaw.
Running might save them.
But if the monsters spread through the city…
Hundreds of people would die.
The system window flickered again.
[Event Quest Active]
The First Collapse
Objective: Survive the Gate outbreak.
Another line appeared beneath it.
Bonus Objective: Cause maximum disruption.
Kael stared at the words for a moment.
Then he laughed quietly.
"…You really want chaos, don't you?"
Daniel looked confused.
"What are you talking about?!"
Kael stepped forward.
"Stay back."
"What?! Are you crazy?"
"Probably."
The Abyss Sentinel finally noticed him.
Its glowing eyes focused directly on Kael.
Then it roared.
The sound shook the entire street.
The smaller monsters immediately began moving.
Several rushed toward Kael at once.
Kael didn't panic.
Instead, he focused.
"Shadow Step."
Darkness swallowed him for a split second.
When he reappeared, he was behind the charging monsters.
They crashed into each other in confusion.
Kael swung the metal pipe again.
CRACK!
One creature collapsed instantly.
Another lunged at him.
Kael stepped aside and struck its neck.
THUD.
It fell.
But more monsters were coming.
Daniel shouted from behind.
"There are too many!"
Kael knew he was right.
Even if he could defeat a few…
He couldn't defeat an entire swarm.
Then something strange happened.
The crimson system window flashed.
[Special Condition Met]
Kael blinked.
"What?"
The next message appeared.
[User is fighting in proximity to an Abyss Gate.]
Hidden Ability Activated
A surge of energy suddenly spread through Kael's body.
His vision sharpened.
The shadows around him seemed to move differently.
Almost as if they were alive.
Another message appeared.
[New Skill Unlocked]
Skill: Abyss Echo
Kael whispered, "…Abyss Echo?"
The description appeared instantly.
Abyss Echo
When fighting near an Abyss Gate, the user may temporarily replicate the abilities of defeated enemies.
Duration: Short
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
"That's… ridiculous."
Another monster lunged toward him.
Kael reacted instinctively.
He raised his hand.
And suddenly—
Black energy burst from his palm.
The same energy that surrounded the Gate.
The monster was thrown backward violently.
Daniel stared in shock.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Kael looked at his own hand.
"…I think I just borrowed the Gate's power." But the Abyss Sentinel had been watching.
Its glowing eyes narrowed slightly.
Then the massive creature began walking toward Kael.
Each step shook the ground.
The boss monster raised its giant claw.
Kael felt the pressure immediately.
This thing was far stronger than the others.
But for the first time…
Kael smiled.
"Good."
He raised his hand again.
Dark energy gathered around him.
"Let's see if your Gate likes me as much as my system does."
The Abyss Sentinel roared.
And the real battle finally began.