❖Volume 2: Sovereign Of The Abyss❖
"Huaaah."
The morning warm light fell on me through the windows, showing the arrival of the new day and waking me up.
Rubbing my eyes, I stood and went to take a shower.
After taking my shower, I sat on my bed and tried to sense my second affinity again.
'I'm getting closer. I almost feel it!'
It's been 4 whole years since I awakened my core. I was lucky enough to form my core at the age of 10, giving me a significant amount of contribution points to leave the slums and live a good life until the academy.
After 1 year, I awakened my core, becoming a Tier 2 Cultivator and getting even more points, but that was the end of my luck.
I had to spend 1 year to sense my first affinity—whiche was fire—and after 3 years I was still trying to sense my second affinity without forgetting that I also need to sense my third affinity to start making my cultivation technique.
But there was progress at least. I was sure it's black. It could be something like darkness or space if I was lucky!
'And I'm glad that I got 3 affinities. Some people don't even get one, haha.'
After an hour, I got bored and decided to go train a little.
I stood up from my bed and left my home, then rushed towards the elevator. I was living in a small apartment, even though I have some points—I still preferred the simple life.
*Thud*
"Ouch!"
In my rush, I accidentally hit one of my neighbors.
"Oh, Nameless? Why are you always in a hurry? The world won't end today."
"Sorry Mr. Rex. I will be cautious next time." I bowed in apology, then left the apartment.
After running for 15 minutes and taking the metro for 5 minutes, I reached the nearest training facility.
I stood in front of a black desk. There was a woman sleeping on the chair behind it, but I was already used to this.
"Mrs. Ronica, WAKE UP!"
"Huh?? Wha… oh, it's you."
"A normal Tier 2 room for 3 hours and my favourite sword please. Oh, and some donuts if you can.
"Huaah, yeah sure. 5000 for the room and 100 for the donuts."
I gave her the points then followed her to a room in the underground.
The room had only some dummies, a steel target and a machine that shoot arrows.
Ronica's ring sparkled for a moment before a metal one handed longsword appeared in her hand.
"Just don't break it again. I will go make your donuts."
"Thank you."
She closed the door and left, leaving me alone.
"Let's see if I can do it this time."
I made a small burst of flame under my leg and lunged forward, aiming my sword at the dummy.
Suddenly, I stopped before the tip of my sword could touch it.
"Still nothing. How did the man in the video do it?!"
I was trying to learn a technique called fire thrust. It was supposed to lunge forward and make a thrust that would launch a small flame burst like a fire ball.
In other words, mimic the magic.
I kept trying for half an hour before hearing someone entering the room.
"Here is your food." Ronica said while giving me a box filled with donuts.
I opened the box and started eating the first one. I closed my eyes and took the first bite.
*Squish!*
The deep and rich flavour hit me instantly. I could feel the sweet chocolate melting in my mouth and the creamy filling spreading across my mouth.
Immediately, all my exhaustion disappeared as if it never existed.
Then I took the second bite.
*Clack!*
"Huh??"
Instead of the soft donuts, I found nothing. I didn't even feel anything on my hand.
I opened my eyes to understand what happened.
"....!"
I wasn't in the room anymore, instead I found myself in front of a forest!
'W–what is happening.'
"Who are you!"
"What the hell!"
"Is this a trap?"
"I feel... Weaker."
"Identify yourself, Now!"
I found tenths of people around me, each one of them wore a black leather armor and had a weapon.
I stood up instantly, my body started shaking unconsciously.
'Where am I! That's not right. Am I dreaming?'
Then I noticed that I was wearing a similar black armor and had a katana at my waist.
Before I could process what was happening, I heard a loud screams.
"DEMONS!!!"
"We fell into Eldorians trap. Prepare to fight!"
"Death for Eldorians!!"
"Buhahaha, fighting demons on the morning—What a great day!
I found many humanoid figures standing there. They had multiple skin colors but what made them similar were the horns on each one head.
'D–DEMONS?! No please no. I'm not ready for this!'
I always knew that I may end fighting demons someday, but that was supposed to be after the academy!
"Brat, Stop standing there. Unsheathe your weapon!"
A sudden voice took me out of my daze. I unsheathed the katana and stood in a battle stance… or tried.
I was still panicking, my mouth was shaking and even my aura was weakened. But there was nothing I could do. I wasn't ready for that.
I stood behind the man that shouted at me. There were also humans, orcs, dwarfs and elves behind me.
In front of us, the demons also gathered together, both sides were ready to move at any time.
My grip on the katana tightened, the flames covered my whole body. There was an orc with a great axe taking the first step, but suddenly...
"Why don't you all stop now? You are not enemies here."
A strange figure appeared in front of us.
"The hell is that!"
He was wearing a black suit with black gloves. Hiding his body completely but showing a male body. But his face was the scariest thing I have seen in my life!
His featureless face was shining as if made of pure light, with only a black hole at where his left eye was supposed to be. Small black cracks spiderwebbed out of it.
I noticed that the demons had shocked expressions too. But if that wasn't related to them, then what was happening?
"I greet all the chosen Challengers. Welcome to the Land of Challenges! Where you would fight 5 deadly challenges for a chance to change your fate!"
Suddenly, the lower part of his face cracked and opened, turning into a terrifying smile that made me freeze.
"Here, you will either return to your home with all the glory… or simply die."