Chapter: After the Blood (Final Adjustment)
Zael's eyes snapped open.
Air rushed in—
Sharp.
Grounded.
Real.
"…Back."
No blood sea.
No mist.
Just the world again.
For a brief second, he didn't move.
Then—
His panel forced itself open.
Brighter.
Heavier.
Like something fundamental had been rewritten.
Notifications cascaded down.
---
> [Inheritance Trial: Completed]
[Final Evaluation: Passed]
---
Zael exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
Then—
---
> [Class Evolution Sequence Complete]
[Class Change: SUCCESSFUL]
[New Class Integrated]
[Previous Class Preserved]
---
"…Finally."
---
> [Level Restriction Removed]
[Awakener Trial Requirement: NULLIFIED]
---
A small nod.
Then—
---
> [Dao Pool Detected]
[Processing Stored EXP…]
---
Zael's focus sharpened.
"…Start."
---
> [Level Up] → 31
[Level Up] → 32
[Level Up] → 33
[Level Up] → 34
[Level Up] → 35
---
No pause.
---
> [Level Up] → 36
[Level Up] → 37
[Level Up] → 38
[Level Up] → 39
[Level Up] → 40
---
Still climbing.
---
> [Level Up] → 41
[Level Up] → 42
[Level Up] → 43
[Level Up] → 44
[Level Up] → 45
---
A brief flicker—
Then—
---
> [Level Up] → 46
---
And—
Stop.
---
> [Dao Pool Remaining: 8,760 EXP]
---
Zael let out a slow breath.
"…Perfect."
Not empty.
Not excessive.
Just enough left for flexibility.
Then—
---
> [Status Panel Updated]
---
"…Show me."
---
[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Zael Nightshade
Level: 46
EXP: 0 / 46000
Dao Pool: 8,760 EXP
Class: Abyssal Dao Sovereign
---
Attributes
Strength: 538
Agility: 572
Endurance: 556
Spirit: 618
---
Talents
Primordial Blessing (Mythical)
An ancient will that transcends all limits.
Randomly enhances: comprehension, physique, talent (non-innate), skills, or equipment
Minimum ×100,000 amplification (no upper limit)
Permanent effects
Limit: Once every 10 levels
Note: Can break through world limits
---
Authority of Infinite Growth (Unknown)
Description:
• All EXP gained is multiplied by ×10,000
• All EXP is stored within a Dao Pool instead of being used immediately
• EXP within the Dao Pool can be:
— Used to level up
— Converted into attribute points
— Used to enhance or evolve skills
— Used for temporary combat amplification
• No EXP is lost. All gains are accumulated without waste
• Devouring gains are integrated directly into the Dao Pool
• Stored EXP can be released instantly for explosive growth
• Efficiency scales with user's control, comprehension, and capacity
---
Ascendant Echo (Mythical)
Allows creation of echo clones
Clones inherit abilities and can act independently
Growth feedback between user and echoes
---
Adaptive Evolution (Mythical)
Grants progressive resistance and adaptation (up to 99%)
Applies to all forces, including abyssal corruption
---
Traits
Devour
Absorbs attributes, energy, and essence
Integrated with Dao Pool
Corrupted Harmony
Enables coexistence of Dao and corruption
Abyssal Assimilation
Converts corruption into usable growth
Dao Anchor
Prevents total loss of self
Seer
View status panels (detail varies by power gap)
---
Skills
Blade Domain
Void Step
Resonance Strike
Night Sever
Phantom Split
---
Zael stared at it.
Longer than before.
Level 46.
From 30.
In one go.
A faint breath left him.
"…Yeah."
This—
This was power.
Not borrowed.
Not temporary.
Earned.
Controlled.
His gaze lingered on the Dao Pool.
8,760 EXP.
Almost empty.
But not quite.
Enough for a decision.
Not enough for recklessness.
A small smirk appeared.
"…Good."
Because now—
Every move mattered again.
He closed the panel.
Then looked ahead.
Calm.
Focused.
"…Let's see who's still alive."
Because one thing was certain—
While he had been inside that trial—
The world outside hadn't been waiting.
Zael moved through the forest without rushing.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Just quiet, controlled steps.
The deeper he went—
The clearer it became.
They were close.
Not just anyone.
Them.
The air carried it.
Faint.
But unmistakable.
Abyssal energy.
Denser than before.
Sharper.
Zael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…So you didn't leave."
Good.
He didn't want to track them across the entire abyss again.
He slowed.
Then stopped.
Voices.
Not panicked.
Not searching.
Talking.
Confident.
Zael stepped forward.
Branches parted.
And there they were.
Three figures.
Standing in a loose formation.
Different from the ones before.
Stronger.
Noticeably.
One leaned slightly against a tree, arms crossed.
Another stood upright, calm, composed.
The third—
Watching everything.
Sharp.
Zael didn't hide his presence.
Didn't need to.
The moment he stepped out—
All three turned.
Recognition hit instantly.
"…You."
One of them smirked faintly.
"…Still alive."
Another's eyes narrowed.
"…Draven said you'd be trouble."
Zael didn't respond immediately.
He just looked at them.
Quiet.
Measuring.
Then—
Seer activated.
Their panels appeared.
Clean.
Clear.
No noise.
---
[TARGET]
Name: Kaelith
Level: 45
Class: Abyssal Reaver
Attributes:
Strength: 512
Agility: 438
Endurance: 467
Spirit: 301
Skills:
Rift Cleave
Abyss Rend
Void Crash
Talents: ???
Traits: ???
---
[TARGET]
Name: Virex
Level: 44
Class: Shadow Devourer
Attributes:
Strength: 398
Agility: 521
Endurance: 372
Spirit: 346
Skills:
Shadow Consume
Phase Shift
Dusk Frenzy
Talents: ???
Traits: ???
---
[TARGET]
Name: Morvane
Level: 46
Class: Abyssal Arcanist
Attributes:
Strength: 276
Agility: 311
Endurance: 358
Spirit: 548
Skills:
Abyss Flame
Void Pulse
Corruption Field
Talents: ???
Traits: ???
---
Zael's gaze lingered for a second.
Then he closed the panels.
"…So that's it."
No surprise.
No shock.
Just confirmation.
They were strong.
Stronger than the ones before.
But—
Not out of reach anymore.
Not like before.
Not like when he had to fight Draven half-prepared.
His fingers flexed slightly.
A faint breath left him.
"…Good."
One of them frowned.
"…What's good?"
Zael lifted his head slightly.
A faint smirk forming.
Not wide.
Not exaggerated.
Just enough.
"…Now I know I can kill you."
Silence.
Then—
The one leaning against the tree straightened.
"…You really came back for revenge?"
Zael tilted his head slightly.
"…Partly."
A pause.
"…Also needed to test something."
Their expressions shifted.
Not fear.
Not yet.
But attention.
Focus.
Good.
Zael stepped forward.
Calm.
Unhurried.
"…Last time—"
His voice stayed even.
"…I was running."
A small pause.
"…This time—"
His eyes sharpened.
"…I'm not."
The air changed.
Subtle.
But real.
The three of them felt it.
They straightened.
Postures tightening.
Energy rising.
No more talking.
No more underestimation.
Because now—
They could feel it.
Zael wasn't the same person they had fought before.
And Zael—
Finally felt it too.
The gap that once existed—
Was gone.
To be continued…