shadow Ascendants

The Abyss Knight swung its massive blade, the air screaming as it tore through the space Ren had occupied just moments before. BOOM! The sword slammed into the ground, shattering the stone floor and sending jagged debris flying in every direction.

Ren barely dodged, twisting mid-air before landing in a crouch. His breath was ragged, his muscles tense. The sheer power behind that strike was terrifying—if it hit him even once, he was dead.

"This isn't like those skeletons before. This thing is fast—too fast for something that big."

But there was no time to hesitate. The Abyss Knight was already moving, dragging its blade through the ground before lunging forward with terrifying speed.

Ren's instincts screamed. He kicked off the ground, dodging to the right as the giant blade sliced through the space where his head had been.

CRASH!

A deep gash tore through the stone wall behind him. Ren clenched his fists. He couldn't keep running.

"I have to find a way to counterattack."

He focused, feeling the shadows swirling inside him—power waiting to be unleashed.

[Shadow Claw: Activate.]

Black mist gathered around his hands, forming sharp, curved talons.

The Abyss Knight turned toward him, its glowing blue eyes locking onto its prey.

Ren dashed forward. This time, he wasn't running—he was attacking.

The knight swung again, but Ren had already anticipated it. He threw himself into a slide, barely ducking under the massive blade as it cleaved the air above him. The wind pressure alone was enough to sting his skin.

"Now!"

As he slid past the knight's leg, he slashed with Shadow Claw.

SCHRACK!

His talons tore through the knight's stone-like armor, leaving a trail of black misty energy seeping from the wound. The Abyss Knight let out a deep, guttural growl—it felt that.

Ren didn't stop. He twisted his body, launching himself upward and delivering another slash to the creature's back.

[Shadow Absorption: Activated.]

A surge of dark energy flooded into him.

"More!"

His senses sharpened. His speed increased. The fatigue in his limbs vanished.

But then—

The Abyss Knight reacted.

With terrifying speed, it spun, bringing its massive armored fist straight toward Ren's chest.

CRACK!

The punch landed.

Ren's vision blurred as pain exploded in his ribs. He was sent flying backward like a ragdoll, crashing into the stone wall with a sickening thud.

His breath hitched. Blood dripped from his lips.

"Damn it… That almost broke me."

The Abyss Knight didn't give him time to recover. It charged, its blade glowing with dark energy—a finishing blow.

Ren forced himself to stand, his entire body screaming in protest. But instead of fear, his lips curled into a grin.

"This power… It's not just making me stronger… It's waking something inside me."

The knight swung

Ren moved faster than ever before.

His body blurred, dodging the blade by an inch. He countered instantly, Shadow Claw ripping through the knight's exposed side.

[Critical Hit!]

The Abyss Knight stumbled. Its armor cracked, black mist pouring from the wound.

For the first time—it looked vulnerable.

Ren exhaled, his heartbeat pounding. He wasn't done yet.

"Let's see who survives this trial."