Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Present

[Back to the Present]

Just then, Seojun slowly opened his eyes to find Huno licking his face. He was back in his small house, the one he had made for himself. The memories of when he first came in this place felt like they had been a vivid dream, but the sensation of Huno's affection brought him back to reality.

"Huno?" Seojun muttered, rubbing his eyes. The warm, comforting presence of his loyal companion made him smile.

The battle and the adventures with his team had indeed happened, but they had now appeared in his dreams.

Seojun stood up and tied his long hair into a neat ponytail. The length of his hair fell just to his chest, well-maintained despite its length. As he removed his shirt, he revealed a body sculpted by 500 years of battles and training. His abs were well-defined, and his chest was hard and muscular. A well-groomed beard and mustache framed his face, adding to his rugged appearance.

[How was your sleep, Host? You looked like you were dreaming, so I made Huno wake you up.]

Seojun did a few stretches to loosen up, then began his exercises, splitting and performing various movements to keep himself in peak condition.

"Nah, I just dreamt about when I first came here," Seojun said, chuckling. "It's nice to look back and see how far I've come."

He continued his routine and looked at the system hologram with curiosity.

"Since I defeated the Abyssal Behemoth, Lord of the Abyssal Wastesland why haven't I been transported to the Abyssal Lord's Domain yet?" he asked.

He awaited a response, performing a set of push-ups while standing on one finger, his balance perfect despite the unusual position.

The system's holographic interface flickered for a moment before responding with a new notification. The screen displayed an image of a dark, imposing fortress surrounded by a swirling, ominous barrier. A message appeared below.

[Abyssal Lord's Domain is protected by a specialized barrier that prevents automatic teleportation. To enter, you must bypass the barrier manually. The only way to do so is by walking through the Domain of the Abyssal Lord]

As he completed the final push-up, he flipped back to his feet and stood up straight, stretching his muscles. Seojun put on his gear and prepared to leave. He pulled his small house into his inventory, making sure it was safe for later.

Huno, his three-headed dog, approached, and Seojun climbed onto his back.

"Time to go home, Huno," Seojun said. Huno barked in agreement and started moving.

Meanwhile, On the Ebon Isle, darkness ruled everything. The island floated in the endless void of the Abyss, surrounded by a still, black ocean that seemed to go on forever. A thick fog covered the jagged shores, hiding the island's secrets.

At the center of this lonely place stood Nightsfall Keep, a huge castle made of stone as dark as the night. Its tall towers rose into the sky, like claws reaching out of the darkness. Gargoyles lined the walls, their twisted faces always watching.

A moat of swirling shadows surrounded the castle, filled with whispers and faint cries. Few dared to cross it, knowing the danger within.

Inside the castle, the halls were cold and empty, echoing with every step. In the deepest part of the keep was the Throne of Shadows. Here, in the very heart of the Abyss, the Abyssal Lord sat, watching over all that lived in this dark realm. On Ebon Isle, time seemed to stop, and reality blended with nightmare, as the island's dark magic trapped anyone who stepped onto its cursed ground.

Grimzark, the Abyssal Lord, sat on his dark throne in the heart of the Ebon Isle. He was a towering figure cloaked in shadows, with a black robe that seemed to merge with the surrounding darkness. His face was hidden by a hood, revealing only his glowing red eyes, which stared with an expression of boredom.

Around him, a group of female orcs danced and performed for his entertainment. Their movements were lively and exaggerated, meant to capture his attention. Despite their efforts, Grimzark remained indifferent, merely observing them with a detached gaze. He sighed heavily, his breath a cold whisper in the air, clearly unimpressed and disinterested by the display.

Grimzark, the Abyssal Lord, sat on his dark throne, watching the female orcs dance. He was clearly bored and finally waved his hand dismissively. Dark energy shot from his fingers, lifting the orcs from the ground. They screamed in fear as they were thrown out of the castle and into the abyss beyond the Ebon Isle. Their cries soon disappeared, leaving only silence and swirling shadows.

The silence was broken only by the soft clink of glass as Grimzark poured himself a goblet of black wine. The dark liquid swirled ominously in the glass, reflecting the eerie light of the Throne of Shadows.

At that moment, a trembling demon approached, bowing deeply. "My lord, is there anything you need?" he asked nervously.

Grimzark took a slow sip of his wine and then addressed the demon. "Have you found out who defeated Behemoth?" His voice was cold and menacing, making the demon shiver.

The demon hesitated, then replied, "It was a human."

This piqued Grimzark's interest, and he waited for the demon to continue.

The demon added, "He calls himself Han Seojun, my lord. He has a Cerberus and a Hydra accompanying him."

Grimzark, the Abyssal Lord, leaned back in his throne, a thoughtful smile curling on his lips. "A Cerberus and a Hydra," he mused, his voice low and dangerous. "That human must be incredibly strong to command such powerful beings." Sёarᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

His eyes gleamed with a new, intense interest. "Han Seojun, you say? This could be very intriguing."

He turned to the trembling demon, his smirk widening. "Find out where this human is. I want to know his location immediately. It seems I may not be bored for much longer."

The demon nodded quickly and began to scurry off, eager to fulfill the new command. Grimzark watched him go, his thoughts already racing with the possibilities of meeting this formidable human.

As the demon disappeared into the shadows, Grimzark rose from his throne, the anticipation in his dark eyes growing. "Han Seojun," he repeated with a chilling excitement. "Prepare yourself. I'm coming for you."

With a final, satisfied smirk, Grimzark turned and strode away, his presence making the very air around him crackle with dark energy. The abyss seemed to stir with an unsettling sense of anticipation, mirroring the Lord's growing excitement for the encounter that lay ahead.

Grimzark was deep in thought, savoring his dark wine, when the demon suddenly appeared, panic in its eyes.

"My lord! The human is approaching! He's riding the Hydra and crossing the sea!" the demon exclaimed urgently.

Grimzark's eyes widened in surprise, and he burst into a loud, booming laugh. The sound echoed through the chamber, mingling with the shadows around him.

"Interesting human!" Grimzark roared with amusement. "Prepare a proper greeting! Don't stop or block him—let him show himself to me."

The demon looked confused but could not refuse. It nodded quickly and hurried off to carry out the orders.

As the demon departed, Grimzark's laughter continued, a chilling sound that filled the chamber. "I can't wait to delve into your memories and play with them," he said with a wicked grin. "Let's see just how strong your mind really is, human."

The abyss seemed to pulse with Grimzark's excitement, the anticipation of the encounter filling the air with a dark, electric tension.

Seojun stood at the edge of the Obsidian Abyss, a dark, endless expanse of water stretching before him. The sea's black, swirling waves seemed to absorb all light, creating a sense of danger and mystery. Across the sea lay the island where the Abyssal Lord, Grimzark, resided.

A system notification appeared in front of him with a soft chime.

[You have reached the Obsidian Abyss. This dangerous sea separates you from Grimzark's island. Watch out for hostile creatures in these waters. Proceed with caution.]

Seojun read the notification with a focused expression. He looked down at Huno, his three-headed dog, and gave a nod.

"You've done well, Huno. Take a rest now," he said quietly. With a thought, he unsummoned Huno, allowing the dog to return to the safety of his ring.

Next, Seojun turned to the Hydra beside him. "Silla," he called out.

The Hydra, who had been in its smaller, human-sized form, responded immediately. As Seojun spoke its name, Silla began to grow, expanding rapidly until it was massive, towering over the shore. Its silver scales gleamed even in the dim light.

Without hesitation, Silla leaped into the Obsidian Abyss, creating a huge splash as it hit the poisonous water.

[Silla has a natural Poison Resistance, allowing you to cross the Obsidian Abyss safely. ]

Warning: The waters are highly toxic. Without proper protection, exposure can be deadly.

Seojun read the notification,He climbed onto Silla's massive back, holding on as he began to swim strongly across the dark sea.