The labyrinth, an underground maze where the sun cannot reach and the only illumination are naturally growing crystals that only give off enough light to barely illuminate the passages. The only inhabitants are beasts of hellish origin that roam free and devour to their heart’s content.

This is where the strong survive and the weak perish.

The sound of stampeding grows louder. Scores of demonic creatures trampling everything in their wake, their footsteps echoing through corridors and shaking the very foundation of the labyrinth. Four-legged beasts, two-legged beasts, giant insects that tower over men, and many more.

All of them chasing after their prey. A lone man.

His footsteps are light and easily drowned out by the beasts chasing after him.

“…huff…huff...huff…”

His breathing is rough. Although he has been running for over an hour, his speed has not decreased. His body contains a strength that normal men can never possess.

He knows what will happen if he slows his pace for even a moment.

“…huff…huff…huff…”

Looking ahead, the man notices the corridor splits off into two different passages. He does not know where to go. He only knows he must move forward.

His mission must succeed. For the sake of his friends and family, as well as the future of his world.

Sprinting through the unfamiliar environment, his sharp eyes notice the floor in front of the intersection moving strangely. The ground ahead becomes soft and muddy, not at all like the usual hard stone he has become accustomed with in his time here. The surface is moving up and down, as if it is… breathing.

He immediately grasps what is ahead of him.

A monster lying in wait, patiently awaiting its next meal to come within reach of its hungry mouth.

This could be a lucky break if I can make it work!

Without breaking his pace, the man leaps over the trap.

The camouflaged monster tries in vain to catch the man mid-air, but its mouth closes on empty space. However, it does not have to wait long before more prey comes barging through the passage chasing after the man.

The beasts following the man do not have time to react to the monster beneath their feet. The small fry are quickly eaten in one bite. The rest stop to fight the unforeseen enemy before they become its next meal.

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The man does not miss this chance and takes the passage on the right in order to escape his pursuers.

The hunter becomes the hunted. How ironic.

Thinking of such things, he smiles wryly as he continues to run down the dark passage.

Suddenly, a large shadow leaps at his left side.

“Woah!”

With superhuman reflexes, he brandishes a sword from his back and blocks the attack. The shadow retreats and takes a stance a few feet away.

I can’t get a good look at what it is.

The light crystals are few in this area, making it difficult for him to see his opponent.

However, he is not afraid. This is not his first battle, nor will it be his last.

The unknown creature lunges once more, trying to use its agility to catch the man off-guard and strike him down.

“Too slow!”

Blocking again with his sword, he sends a kick to the shadow’s torso before the monster has time to defend. He then counterattacks by sending a horizontal strike to its waist. The creature tries to escape the blade’s reach, but it is no match for the superior sword skills of the young man.

The sword easily slices the creature in half, which then disperses into black mist.

Confirming the creature has expired, the young man sheathes his sword and continues his quick pace

Soon enough, he comes across a large staircase that leads down into the darkness.

The man hesitates for only a moment before descending the long flight of stairs.

He does not feel fear, only his burning resolve to make it out alive.

Nothing will stop me! I will prevail! I will slay the Abyss King and celebrate my victory back home!

Further and further he goes, down the pitch black stairs that can only lead to despair.

However, the young man does not know that his current path will change his life forever...

For what awaits the young man is not what he could ever imagine...

A powerful force that created the worst conflict in history…

And it desires destruction once again…