I Ascend Alone-Chapter 36: Temporal Labyrinth Part IV

Frozen time?

I frowned. Before, time inside the labyrinth moved faster than the outside world, but now... it had completely stopped?

That meant no one outside would even realize how long I was in here.

I exhaled.

That was fine. If this place wanted to test my limits, then I'd push past them.

Steeling myself, I advanced down the corridor.

The passage opened into a vast chamber, unlike anything I'd seen so far.

Towering pillars of dark stone stretched high above, disappearing into an endless black void. Blue runes pulsed faintly along the floor, forming intricate patterns that twisted and shifted as I stepped closer.

At the center of the chamber, a monolithic door loomed, covered in deep, jagged carvings.

***

[ System Notice ]

You have reached The Abyssal Hall.

The door ahead is locked. To proceed, the seal must be broken.

Trial Condition: Defeat the Gatekeeper.

***

As if responding to the system's announcement, the temperature plummeted.

The shifting runes on the floor flared violently, casting deep shadows across the chamber.

Then, the shadows moved.

A massive, armored figure emerged from the darkness, its gleaming black gauntlet gripping a jagged greatsword wreathed in ethereal fire. Its helmeted head tilted slightly as if studying me, the narrow, burning slits where eyes should have been locking onto me with unnerving intensity.

I felt its killing intent before the system even confirmed it.

***

[ System Notice ]

Gatekeeper of the Abyss has awakened.

Rank: B-

Class: Abyssal Guardian

***

I gritted my teeth.

This thing wasn't just strong—it was designed to be unkillable unless I hit it hard enough in a single, decisive strike.

Which meant this wasn't just about endurance. I had to adapt and finish it fast.

I activated Phantom Dash, my body blurring as I shot forward.

The Gatekeeper reacted instantly. Its greatsword carved through the air, a black flame-trail splitting the space where I had been a fraction of a second ago.

I reappeared behind it, my cloak's Abyssal Veil making my movements harder to track. My grip on Umbral Fang tightened, its Shadow Infusion effect already kicking in, the dagger drinking in the darkness to enhance its cutting power.

The Gatekeeper didn't hesitate. It pivoted faster than something its size should be able to move, bringing its greatsword into an upward cleave.

I barely twisted my body in time, the blade's dark edge grazing my shoulder.

Tch. Even a near miss stings.

I landed smoothly, eyes narrowing. I couldn't drag this out.

I needed to end it in one decisive strike.

A plan formed in my head almost instantly.

Step one: Force it into an opening.

I summoned my Elite Orcs once again.

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With a roar, the two towering warriors charged forward, their massive weapons colliding with the Gatekeeper's greatsword. Sparks flew, the sound of metal against metal echoing through the chamber.

The Gatekeeper held its ground, its Unyielding Sentinel effect keeping it from staggering.

Good. That was fine.

Because I wasn't trying to overpower it.

Step two: Create an opening.

I activated Phantom Dash again, blinking above the Gatekeeper.

As I fell, I poured everything into Umbral Fang, channeling every ounce of Adaptive Growth's combat efficiency into my grip.

The Shadow Infusion effect flared to life, the dagger's edge wreathed in pure darkness.

Step three: End it.

The Gatekeeper sensed the threat and moved to raise its blade, but it is too late.

My dagger struck true, plunging straight into the exposed gap in its armor, right between the plates at the back of its neck.

[ Phantom Rend ] triggered.

[ 10% Defense ignored. ]

The darkness swallowed the Gatekeeper from within, spreading like veins of black lightning through its entire body.

The armored giant froze.

For a second, nothing happened.

Then, the Gatekeeper collapsed.

Its greatsword hit the ground with a deafening clang, the shadows around it flickering and then vanishing completely.

***

[ System Notice ]

You have leveled up

You have leveled up

You have leveled up

***

I exhaled slowly, my grip on Umbral Fang is relaxing.

The monolithic door ahead rumbled.

The seal was breaking. And whatever was beyond it was waiting.

I smirked. "Let's see what you've got." As I stepped toward the now-open door, the system notifications finally caught up.

***

[ System Notice ]

Gatekeeper of the Abyss has been defeated.

Processing rewards...

***

I stopped just before crossing the threshold, my instincts telling me to check my rewards first. I wasn't about to charge into whatever was ahead without knowing what I'd gained from this fight.

I opened my status window.

***

[ Rewards Obtained ]

Abyssforged Gauntlets (Rare Equipment)

Durability: High

Effect 1 – Impact Absorption: Reduces the force of physical attacks received by 15%.

Effect 2 – Abyssal Grasp: Increases grip strength and weapon handling, improving dagger control and barehanded combat.

Effect 3 – Evolvable: This equipment has the potential to grow stronger.

Skill Scroll – Shadow Veil (Special Item)

A consumable scroll that grants a unique passive skill.

[Shadow Veil] – Passively blends the user into darkness, making them harder to detect in dimly lit environments. Enhances stealth-based movement.

Abyssal Core (Mysterious Item)

A pulsating dark crystal containing the lingering essence of the Abyss.

Effect: Unknown. Requires further examination.

***

I frowned.

The Abyssforged Gauntlets were solid—especially with the Impact Absorption ability—but what really caught my attention was the Abyssal Core.

An unidentified item? That was rare. The system usually listed effects immediately unless something was either too powerful or required a specific trigger to activate.

I'll figure that out later.

For now, I equipped the Abyssforged Gauntlets, feeling a slight weight settle over my hands as the blackened metal adjusted to my form. They fit perfectly, almost as if they had been made for me.

I then activated the Skill Scroll – Shadow Veil and watched as the parchment disintegrated into dark mist, sinking into my skin. A slight chill ran through my body before vanishing.

[ New Passive Skill Acquired! ]

[Shadow Veil (Passive)] – Your presence melds seamlessly into darkness, making you harder to detect. Stealth and evasive maneuvers in shadowy areas are enhanced.

***

[ Updated Status Window ]

Name: Ryzen Kael

Level: 20

Class: System's Avatar

Adventurer Rank: B (Rank Up!)

-

[ Titles ]

First Blood

+2% Attack Power against Monsters.

Sole Survivor

When facing enemies alone or higher-level than you, all stats temporarily increase by 15%. Near-death experiences trigger Survivor's Instinct, ignoring fatal damage once per battle for five seconds (24-hour cooldown).

One Who Defies Death

Upon surviving a battle where death was certain, gain a temporary boost of +5% to all stats for ten minutes. Additionally, the system acknowledges your will to fight beyond your limits.

Abyss Slayer (NEW)

Grants +20% bonus damage against Abyssal creatures. Your presence is marked by the Abyss, making certain entities wary of you.

-

[ Stats ]

Strength (STR): 35

Agility (AGI): 40

Vitality (VIT): 35 

Intelligence (INT): 30

[Unallocated Stat Points: 30]

-

[Exclusive Skills]

Adaptive Growth (Active)

Eclipse Sovereign (Upgraded) (Active/Passive)

Phantom Dash (Active/Passive Hybrid)

Summoning Core: Shadow Fang (D-Rank Familiar)

Predator's Instinct (Passive Skill)

-

[ Weapons & Equipment ]

[Umbral Fang (Unique Dagger)]

Attack Power: +50

Shadow Infusion: Absorbs ambient darkness to enhance cutting power.

Phantom Rend: Attacks ignore 10% of the enemy's defense.

Evolvable: Has the potential to grow stronger.

[ Abyssforged Gauntlets (Rare Equipment)]

Impact Absorption: Reduces the force of physical attacks received by 15%.

Abyssal Grasp: Increases grip strength and weapon handling, improving dagger control and barehanded combat.

Evolvable: This equipment has the potential to grow stronger.

-

[ Special System Stats ]

Fatigue: 5/100

HP: 1,680/1,680

MP: 870/870

***

With my recent battles in mind, I carefully made my selections:

+10 to Intelligence – Increasing my mana capacity and skill effectiveness.

+5 to Vitality – Boosting my endurance and overall durability.

+10 to Agility – Enhancing my speed, reaction time, and evasiveness.

+5 to Strength – Improving my raw physical power for stronger attacks.

The system flickered as my stats adjusted.

***

[ System Notice ]

Your stats have been successfully allocated.

Updated Status:

Strength (STR): 40

Agility (AGI): 50

Vitality (VIT): 40

Intelligence (INT): 40