Abyssal Ascent

Jinhyeok stood over the corpse of the Abyssal Devourer, his chest rising and falling in sharp breaths. His hands trembled slightly, the rush of battle still coursing through his veins.

> [You have leveled up.]

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

His body felt… lighter. Stronger. His muscles weren't just sore from exertion—they were adapting.

But there was no time to enjoy the feeling.

The howls outside were multiplying.

Jinhyeok clenched his fists, his emerald eyes narrowing.

"I need to move."

---

[Stocking Up]

Jinhyeok quickly scavenged the military outpost, searching for anything useful. The place was wrecked, but not completely looted.

He found:

Three more magazines for the M4A1.

A tactical vest for protection.

A few combat knives.

Energy bars and bottled water.

As he fastened the vest, he winced. His body was still bruised from the earlier fight. Even with his newfound strength, he wasn't invincible.

> [Minor Wounds Detected – Healing in Progress]

His regeneration was working… but slowly.

He needed a safe place to rest.

But outside, the second wave was already here.

---

[The City of Monsters]

Jinhyeok crouched behind a half-collapsed building, scanning the streets.

The city looked like hell on earth.

Corpses—both human and monster—lay scattered. Fires raged in the distance. And worst of all…

New monsters had arrived.

They weren't just the mindless beasts from before.

These ones moved differently. Smarter. Coordinated.

Jinhyeok's gaze locked onto a group of twisted humanoid figures stalking through the streets. Their bodies were elongated, their skin stretched tight over unnatural muscle. Their eyes gleamed with intelligence.

> [Abyssal Stalkers – C Rank]

[They hunt in packs. Stay out of sight.]

Jinhyeok's heart pounded.

If they were smarter, it meant they could track him.

And the moment they sensed him…

It would be over.

---

[The Chase Begins]

Jinhyeok stayed low, moving carefully through the rubble. The Abyssal Stalkers moved silently, their elongated limbs making them almost spider-like as they climbed over debris and buildings.

His plan was simple: avoid them.

But fate had other plans.

CRACK.

Jinhyeok's foot stepped on a loose piece of concrete.

One of the Stalkers' heads snapped toward him.

Their eyes locked.

Jinhyeok's blood ran cold.

For a moment, silence.

Then—

The creature SCREECHED.

And the chase began.

---

[Run or Die]

Jinhyeok sprinted as the pack of Abyssal Stalkers gave chase.

They were fast. Faster than anything he had faced before.

One leapt—

Jinhyeok rolled forward, dodging its swipe. He raised his rifle and fired blindly behind him.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

One of the Stalkers shrieked, a bullet piercing its shoulder—

But it didn't slow down.

Jinhyeok's mind raced. He needed a plan.

He wasn't going to outrun them forever.

Then he spotted it—

An abandoned parking garage.

A maze of concrete. Tight spaces. Limited visibility.

If he could lure them in…

Without hesitation, he veered left and dashed inside.

---

[The Predator's Trap]

Inside, the garage was dark, the only light coming from flickering ceiling lamps.

Jinhyeok skidded to a stop and pressed against a pillar, his heart hammering in his chest.

The Stalkers entered slowly.

They weren't stupid.

They knew he was in here.

Jinhyeok took a slow breath, gripping his combat knife in one hand, the rifle in the other.

> [Predator's Instincts Activated.]

His vision sharpened. His breathing steadied.

And then…

He struck first.

---

[Silent Kills]

Jinhyeok moved like a ghost.

The first Stalker crept past his hiding spot—

And before it could react, he slammed the knife into its throat.

SHLIK.

It gurgled, claws flailing—

But Jinhyeok yanked the blade free and vanished into the shadows before the others noticed.

> [Abyssal Stalker Defeated – +EXP]

The others grew tense.

They sensed something was wrong.

Jinhyeok smirked.

He wasn't the prey anymore.

---

[The Final Stand]

The last two Stalkers were alert now. Their eyes scanned the garage, their movements careful.

But Jinhyeok was already moving.

He grabbed a loose concrete slab and threw it across the garage.

It slammed into the far wall with a loud crash.

The Stalkers immediately turned toward the noise—

And that was all he needed.

Jinhyeok stepped from the shadows, raised his rifle, and—

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The bullets tore through the remaining Stalkers.

One fell instantly, its body slumping over a wrecked car.

The last one staggered, a bullet lodged in its chest. It hissed, baring its fangs—

But Jinhyeok was already there.

With one swift motion, he plunged his combat knife into its skull.

SILENCE.

> [You have slain Abyssal Stalkers!]

[Gaining experience…]

[LEVEL UP!]

[Level: 6 → 7]

Jinhyeok exhaled.

His body ached, but he had won.

For now.

---

[What Comes Next]

Jinhyeok took a moment to catch his breath, checking his remaining ammo.

Not much left.

He needed more weapons. More skills. More power.

Then—

> [System Alert]

[Second Wave Cleared!]

[New Quest Available.]

Jinhyeok narrowed his eyes.

Something big was coming.

And he wasn't ready yet.

But he would be.

No matter what it took.

---

[To Be Continued…]