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Chapter Eight: The Closed Circle… and the Abyss That Chooses
Arthur and Elyara stood stunned before the same entrance they had exited just minutes ago.
The air had grown heavier, and the forest seemed to reshape itself, forcing them to return.
Arthur said in a low voice, clearly shocked:
"This… is impossible. We've come a long way. How are we back here?"
The system said in a serious tone:
"[You have entered a spatial barrier of the massive monster. It was a Black-class monster. You have been forced into involuntary participation in the maze massacre!]"
Elyara shivered a step backward:
"A barrier…? So we can't leave?"
Arthur replied with a tone mixed with frustration:
"There must be a weak point… The barrier, no matter how strong, is still breakable. The problem is, we don't know where."
The ground shook lightly.
A thin line of purple light appeared along the edges of the cave entrance, like an ancient drawing awakened from a long sleep.
Arthur approached cautiously.
The symbols were not human… not from any magical school he knew.
The system said in an unusually serious tone:
"[This is third-grade Abyss magic. Not something you want to meddle with.]"
Elyara asked in muffled fear:
"What does that mean?"
Arthur answered:
"It means… the barrier is not a trap. It is… a test."
The purple symbols turned into a stronger light before etching two sentences on the rock… both understood by them despite not being written in any known language:
[The fugitives do not deserve to leave.]
[Show your intent… or vanish into the Abyss.]
Elyara said in a trembling voice:
"Does… it speak?"
The system replied in grim coldness:
"[The Abyss does not speak… the Abyss issues commands.]"
Arthur felt a strange energy gathering behind them.
He turned immediately—
And three of the same Dark White monsters they had faced before appeared.
The system said joyfully:
"[Come on! Since you didn't die from the first wave… the Abyss has decided to level up!]"
Arthur shouted:
"Is this the time for jokes?!"
Before the monsters lunged, a deep voice pierced Arthur's mind… a voice belonging neither to human nor beast:
[Show your intent… you who entered without permission.]
Arthur froze.
This voice… was not from the system.
It was from… the Abyss itself.
The three monsters approached, surrounding them from all sides.
Arthur whispered:
"We're trapped…"
But Elyara placed her hand on her chest, speaking with an unexpected firmness:
"Arthur… whatever you choose… I won't leave you."
Arthur raised his mana-formed sword—thin, weak, but all he had.
He said firmly:
"My intent… survival."
At that moment, he remembered something…
The status points he received as a reward for the first mission.
Five full points.
The system said sarcastically with a smile:
"[Oh! You want to use them now? Excellent! Let's show these fools what your precious points can do.]"
Arthur said clearly:
"Status."
The board appeared before him:
[Name]: Arthur Gray (Mike)
[Age]: 13
[Rank]: Commoner — Unclassified
[Race]: Human??? (Unknown Error)
[Origin]: Unknown
[Physical Status]: Weak — Slight malnutrition
[Cursed 5]: Five curses (Unknown Source)
[Affinity]: 48.8%
[Warning: Speed up integration to avoid future problems]
[Traits]:
• Emotional coldness
• High intelligence
• Combat analysis
• Very high mental resistance
[Statistics]:
• Strength: 3.67%
• Endurance: 8.00%
• Intelligence: 50.89%
• Luck: 10.04%
• Mana: 0.98%
• Charisma: 73.98%
[Skills]
• Eye of Insight — Level 1
Ability to analyze skills, weaknesses, and potential event paths…
Arthur said:
"Put three points in mana… and two in strength."
The system replied in its annoying voice:
"[Done, my knight!]"
The board changed:
• Strength → 5.67%
• Mana → 3.98% → (Upgraded to 4.00%)
The system said exaggeratedly:
"[Congratulations! You reached 4% mana… level of baby monsters!]"
Arthur smiled sarcastically…
A light smile, but attractive enough to make Elyara blush and look away.
Arthur said to her:
"Get ready. We'll fight and leave… with power."
Elyara nodded firmly.
She raised her hand, summoning her sparkling blue sword.
The black glossy hilt, silver gleams, and the blade igniting when she infused it with fire magic.
For a moment… Arthur realized the truth:
Elyara was far stronger than him.
And he had been foolishly trying to protect her.
The system burst out laughing:
"[Man! You were protecting the moving duchess! What a genius you are!]"
But Arthur ignored the mockery, fixing his gaze on the three monsters beginning their attack.
He said in a low voice:
"Come on… let's finish this."
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