Chapter 24 – Trial of the Abyss
The following morning, the city buzzed with the usual hum of hovercars and distant energy streams. Yet Biro Kael felt a tension in the air, a subtle vibration that prickled his senses. The fragment pulsed more insistently than usual, warning him that something greater than a mere B-level rift was waiting. Lyra walked beside him, her eyes scanning every shadow with a predator's precision, aware that today would test them beyond anything encountered so far.
Their destination was an abandoned industrial sector near the edge of the city, where rumors whispered of a hidden rift known only to the bravest—or the most desperate. The fragment guided Biro, pulling him toward a narrow street covered in fog and rubble. The atmosphere was thick, as if the air itself resisted their presence. Faint ripples in the air hinted at energy anomalies, and every instinct within Biro urged caution.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. From the haze emerged a creature that dwarfed anything Biro and Lyra had faced before. Towering at nearly three meters, it bore the features of both reptile and shadow, its scales reflecting a dark luminescence. Its eyes, deep crimson, glimmered with a cunning intelligence. The rift above it flickered violently, a S-rank indicator glowing faintly before Biro's system panel.
[System Panel – Rift Encounter Detected]
Monster Type: Abyssal Wyrm
Power Grade: S
Recommended Action: Extreme caution, coordinated attack essential
EXP Reward: High
Lyra froze for a fraction, her dagger clenched tightly. "S-rank…" she muttered. "This isn't like the last fight. We can't just dodge and strike."
Biro's fragment pulsed urgently, feeding him instinctive insight. Every movement of the creature was deliberate, every shift of its massive body calculated. It was not just strong—it was intelligent. His pulse quickened, but he calmed himself. The fragment's hum became a rhythm, guiding his mind, connecting his instincts to the surrounding environment.
The Abyssal Wyrm lunged with terrifying speed, far beyond its size. Biro rolled, narrowly avoiding its talons as debris scattered across the fog-choked street. Lyra struck from the shadows, slashing its flank. The creature roared, a sound that shook the nearby buildings, and retaliated with a sweeping tail strike. Biro ducked, feeling the fragment surge violently as it enhanced his reflexes beyond normal limits.
"Coordinate!" Biro shouted. "Follow my lead!"
Lyra nodded, their previous synergy guiding them like a dance. Biro feinted left, drawing the creature's attention, while Lyra struck from behind. The Wyrm twisted mid-air, claws swiping at both of them. Biro released a controlled pulse from the fragment, a burst of raw energy that destabilized the creature momentarily. Lyra's blades cut through the instability, leaving shallow marks on its shimmering scales.
The battle dragged on, each maneuver more intense, demanding precision and stamina. Biro felt the fragment pushing his limits, showing him opportunities and weaknesses, he could barely comprehend. He realized that instinct alone would not suffice—they needed strategy, timing, and full trust in each other. Each time they nearly fell, the fragment nudged him, guiding him to safer ground, teaching him the rhythm of combat.
Finally, a plan formed. Biro would draw the Wyrm into a narrow alley while Lyra attacked from above, striking the creature's exposed side. They executed perfectly, a flawless combination of intuition, raw power, and instinct honed by previous battles. The fragment responded, amplifying Biro's movements into a precise, devastating strike. The Wyrm roared, staggered, and then was pulled forcefully back into the rift, which collapsed with a shockwave that rattled the surrounding buildings.
Both sank to the ground, breathing heavily, sweat mixing with the fog around them. Lyra smiled, her eyes reflecting both exhaustion and exhilaration. "We did it," she whispered. "S-rank… and we survived."
Biro clenched his fists, the fragment pulsing gently, satisfied yet restless. "This is just the beginning," he said. "Every rift, every monster—each is a lesson. Every battle makes us stronger."
Above, unseen, the threads of the Omniversal Authority shifted subtly. Observing, calculating, noting the growth of the boy who carried the fragment of the Primordial Omniversal bloodline. The Abyssal Wyrm had been a test, and Biro had passed—not through raw power alone, but through instinct, strategy, and trust.
The city returned to its usual rhythm, unaware of the battle that had occurred in its shadows. But Biro Kael felt it—the surge of experience, the sharpening of his senses, the fragment guiding him toward mastery. And somewhere in the distance, another rift shimmered faintly, waiting to test him further.
Biro exhaled, looking at Lyra. "Rest later. We keep moving."
Lyra nodded, smiling faintly. "Together."
The night deepened, alive with whispers of power, danger, and unseen possibilities. And Biro, fragment pulsing in sync with his heartbeat, felt the inexorable pull of destiny guiding him toward challenges far beyond what he had ever imagined.