Abyssal Ascent

Jinhyeok stood in the wreckage of the collapsed building, his breath heavy, his fingers still tightly gripping the bloodstained iron pipe. The Abyssal Howler lay buried beneath the rubble, its sickly yellow eyes now dimmed forever.

But there was no time to celebrate.

In the distance, howls echoed through the ruined city. More were coming.

> [System Alert]

Second Wave Begins Now.

New Threats Unleashed.

A cold chill ran down Jinhyeok's spine. The first wave had been bad enough. He had barely managed to survive against a single C-rank monster.

If the second wave was worse…

He had to move.

---

[Preparing for War]

Jinhyeok sprinted through the desolate streets, his enhanced agility making his movements swift and precise. Thanks to Ravager's Agility, he could feel his speed increasing with every step.

The air was tense.

The city felt… wrong.

Like something was lurking in the shadows, watching him.

His mind raced as he thought of his next steps. Surviving the second wave meant more than just killing monsters.

He needed:

1. Better weapons. His iron pipe was too weak for stronger enemies.

2. More skills. His current set was decent, but he needed something deadlier.

3. Allies. If possible. He couldn't be the only survivor left.

His emerald eyes scanned the area. A few blocks away, he spotted a military outpost.

A broken barricade. Scattered weapons. Blood.

His instincts screamed danger.

But that also meant resources.

Jinhyeok took a deep breath.

"Let's do this."

---

[The Armory]

The inside of the outpost was eerily silent.

Broken radios crackled with static. Shell casings littered the floor. The smell of rotting flesh lingered in the air.

Jinhyeok moved carefully, gripping his weapon tightly.

> [Skill Activated: Predator's Instincts]

His senses sharpened. He could hear something breathing in the next room.

Slow. Heavy.

Not human.

Jinhyeok peeked around the corner.

And froze.

A towering figure stood over a pile of corpses, feasting. Its body was humanoid but grotesquely mutated, with long, bony arms, rotting flesh, and jagged teeth that gnashed hungrily.

> [Abyssal Devourer – C+]

Jinhyeok cursed under his breath.

This thing was stronger than the Howler.

And worse…

Its milky white eyes suddenly snapped toward him.

It had sensed him.

And it was hungry.

---

[The Fight for Survival]

The Devourer moved fast—far faster than something its size should.

Jinhyeok barely had time to react before it lunged, its long arms swinging downward.

BOOM!

The impact shattered the ground where he had stood.

Jinhyeok rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. His mind raced.

A direct fight was suicide.

He needed strategy.

His eyes flicked to the room's layout.

There—a rack of military-grade weapons in the back.

If he could just get there—

The Devourer charged again.

Jinhyeok dodged left, then feinted right, using his enhanced agility to maneuver around the beast.

The monster swiped at him—just barely missing.

With one final burst of speed, Jinhyeok lunged for the weapons rack.

His hands closed around a combat knife and an assault rifle.

> New Weapon Acquired: M4A1 Assault Rifle

New Weapon Acquired: Military Combat Knife

A wicked grin spread across Jinhyeok's face.

"Alright, you bastard. Let's play."

---

[The Hunter Becomes the Hunted]

The Devourer roared, its elongated limbs twitching as it charged again.

Jinhyeok raised the rifle—

And pulled the trigger.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The bullets ripped through its flesh, black ichor spraying across the walls.

But the creature didn't stop.

It shrieked and lunged again, undeterred by the bullets.

Jinhyeok cursed. Guns alone wouldn't be enough.

He needed to get close.

As the Devourer swung again, Jinhyeok dodged, ducking under its clawed hand.

And then—

He struck.

With all his strength, he plunged the combat knife into the Devourer's neck.

SHLIK!

The monster let out a guttural scream, its body spasming violently.

Jinhyeok gritted his teeth and twisted the blade.

A sickening crack echoed through the room.

The Devourer collapsed.

Jinhyeok yanked the knife free, panting.

Then—

> You have slain an Abyssal Devourer!

Gaining experience…

Level Up!

Level: 5 → 6

New Skill Acquired: [Enhanced Physicality (D-)]

Jinhyeok grinned.

He was getting stronger.

But the second wave wasn't over yet.

And outside…

The howls were getting closer.

---

[To Be Continued…]