The canyon trembled. The Stone Ogres roared as they surrounded Kai Draven. Six massive monsters charged forward, their stone fists smashing the ground. Dust exploded everywhere. Kai moved like a shadow. He ducked under one attack and stabbed his dagger into the monster's leg joint. The giant creature staggered. But the real damage came from behind. The Shadow Warlord raised its massive axe. BOOOOOM. The blade crashed into the Stone Ogre's back. Stone fragments exploded across the canyon. The monster collapsed.
Enemy Defeated
Devour Available
Kai placed his hand on the corpse. "...Devour." Black tendrils spread across the ground. The massive body dissolved into dark energy. The power flowed into Kai.
Devour Successful
Strength +3
Vitality +2
The system window flashed again. Abyss Points Gained: +50. Kai frowned slightly. "Abyss points?" But there was no time to think. Another Stone Ogre attacked. Kai jumped backward. At the same moment, the Shadow Hound Alpha leaped onto the monster's shoulder and tore into its neck. The Stone Ogre screamed. Kai dashed forward. His dagger pierced straight through the weak point. The monster fell.
Enemy Defeated
Devour Successful
Abyss Points +50
One by one, the monsters fell. The Shadow Warlord crushed another. Kai finished the last one. Soon, the battlefield became silent again. Six B-Rank monsters were dead. Kai devoured them all. The system messages flooded his vision.
Level Up
Level 16 → Level 18
Strength +5
Agility +4
Vitality +4
Then suddenly—A new notification appeared.
New Feature Unlocked
Abyss Shop Available
Kai blinked. A dark interface appeared before him. Rows of items filled the screen.
Weapons.
Potions.
Strange system items.
Kai scrolled through the menu slowly.
Abyss Shop
Potions
Minor Healing Potion — Restores 30% HP
Cost: 20 Abyss Points
Advanced Healing Potion — Restores 70% HP
Cost: 60 Abyss Points
Weapons
Shadow Dagger — Agility +10%
Cost: 120 Abyss Points
Abyss Blade — Devour efficiency +15%
Cost: 200 Abyss Points
Upgrades
Shadow Storage Expansion — +5 shadow slots
Cost: 150 Abyss Points
Shadow Soldier Strength Boost — +10%
Cost: 100 Abyss Points
Kai checked his current points. Abyss Points: 300. Kai smiled slightly. "This system keeps getting more interesting." He thought for a moment. Then selected an item.
Purchase Confirmed
Shadow Storage Expansion
Cost: 150 Abyss Points
A wave of dark energy flowed through Kai's shadow. The abyss space inside him expanded.
Shadow Storage Capacity Increased
3 → 8 Soldiers
Kai nodded in satisfaction. "Good." Now his future shadow army could grow much larger. But just as he finished checking the shop—The ground suddenly trembled. A much heavier presence appeared deeper in the canyon. Kai looked toward the darkness. His Predator Instinct activated instantly. A massive red warning symbol appeared.
Boss Monster Detected
Kai smiled. "Looks like the real fight is starting."
END OF CHAPTER 21