The next morning, sunlight filtered through the city’s streets, casting a golden hue over its bustling life. Jae-Hyun had woken early, completing his daily quest in the quiet solitude of his room. The routine felt grounding, a small but necessary reminder of his methodical approach to gaining strength.
Ahri, meanwhile, spent her time exploring the city. She marveled at its vibrant streets, the mingling of old-world charm with modern resilience. Merchants called out their wares, adventurers swapped stories over cups of steaming tea, and children laughed as they darted between stalls. For a moment, it almost felt normal.
Jae-Hyun used the time to prepare. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, he pulled the Fracture Key from his inventory. Its surface pulsed faintly, as though alive. The system’s voice broke the silence.
Jae-Hyun studied the key for a moment before making his decision. If I’m going to grow stronger, there’s no point in holding back. He accessed the new Quest Enhancer feature in the system and applied it to the key.
The shard glowed brighter, its surface shifting as cracks of crimson light webbed across its jagged form. He held his breath as he waited for the system’s confirmation.
System Notification: Key Enhanced. Rank C Challenge: Upper-Tier.
Jae-Hyun inspected the key again and frowned. “Still Rank C? High-tier at most,” he muttered to himself. As if in response, the system’s voice echoed in his mind, carrying a faint, mocking chuckle.
Oh, is that what you think?**
“I was right,” he muttered, his grip tightening around the key. Without wasting another moment, he activated it. The room around him dissolved into darkness, the transition almost suffocating in its intensity. When light returned, Jae-Hyun found himself standing in an entirely different realm.
System Notification: Quest Activated: Defying Odds - Rank A
His heart skipped a beat. “Rank A?” he murmured, a wave of unease washing over him. The key had shown Rank C. Was this the result of the Quest Enhancer? Did it only reveal its true difficulty after entry?
He didn’t have time to process his thoughts. The world around him demanded his full attention. The ground beneath his feet was jagged obsidian, crisscrossed with molten cracks that pulsed faintly. The air was thick and oppressive, carrying the faint scent of ash that seemed to cling to his skin.
Ahead, a massive figure loomed, seated upon a throne of dark stone and bones that seemed to pulse with a sinister energy. As Jae-Hyun’s eyes locked onto the figure, a familiar system window materialized in front of him:
System Notification:
Demon General Kaelzar - Rank ?
The name burned bright red, as if warning him of the immense danger ahead. The demon’s crimson skin was etched with glowing runes that pulsated like a heartbeat. Black horns curved wickedly from its head, and its eyes burned with an intensity that seemed to pierce through Jae-Hyun’s very soul. Despite its monstrous form, there was an unsettling elegance in its posture, as though it were royalty presiding over its domain.
Above the throne, a massive portrait hung on the wall—a depiction of a being even more fearsome, the Demon King. Its gaze radiated an unyielding power that made Jae-Hyun’s chest tighten. Yet, it was clear the figure before him was not the Demon King itself, but one of its servants.
The demon didn’t attack immediately. Instead, it stood motionless, its gaze inscrutable and heavy, as though measuring Jae-Hyun’s worth in ways he couldn’t comprehend. When it finally moved, it exuded an air of calculated menace, every step deliberate, radiating a power that seemed to mock the very notion of resistance. Its voice echoed, deep and resonant, though not spoken aloud but directly into Jae-Hyun’s mind.
Prove yourself, bearer of the future. Show me your strength and resolve.
Without waiting for a response, the demon lunged, its massive form closing the distance in an instant. Jae-Hyun barely had time to react, rolling to the side as the demon’s fist shattered the ground where he had stood.
The battle was relentless. Each blow from the demon carried the weight of an avalanche, forcing Jae-Hyun to dodge or deflect with every ounce of skill he possessed. The air itself seemed to vibrate with the force of their clashes. Jae-Hyun summoned his shadows in desperation, but they were shredded by the demon's clawed hands, their dark forms dissipating like smoke. Every strike Jae-Hyun delivered barely scratched the creature’s crimson armor-like skin, leaving him battered and breathless while the ground beneath them cracked and crumbled from the sheer power of the demon's attacks. It felt less like a battle and more like survival, yet the demon's movements hinted at something more purposeful, its actions almost guiding him into situations where his resolve and instincts were pushed to their absolute limits. The fractures in the obsidian floor mirrored the cracks forming in Jae-Hyun’s resolve, and for a moment, he faltered. His breathing ragged, his body trembling under the sheer force of the demon’s power, he almost gave in. The strength gap between them was insurmountable—the demon was on an entirely different plane of existence.
“There’s no way…” he muttered, his grip on his weapon weakening. Despair began to creep in, but he steeled himself, forcing his legs to stand firm. “No. Not yet.”
Taking a gamble, Jae-Hyun spoke, his voice hoarse but steady. “Why did you do that to the Demon King?”
The demon’s movement stopped abruptly, its burning eyes narrowing slightly. The glow of the runes across its body dimmed momentarily, as if Jae-Hyun’s words struck a deep chord within it. The glow of the runes across its body dimmed momentarily, as if the weight of Jae-Hyun’s words resonated somewhere deep within. Jae-Hyun continued, his words carrying the weight of his anger and confusion. “How could you betray him like that?”
The words hung in the air, and for a fleeting moment, the oppressive aura seemed to waver. Then, with a roar that shook the very ground, the demon lunged at him, its strength doubling in fury. Jae-Hyun barely had time to block the blow, the impact sending him sprawling across the fractured floor. His body screamed in pain, every movement agonizing.
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As he struggled to rise, a memory flashed before his eyes. He recognized this demon—it was the same one he had seen in the Memory Rift. It had stood against the betrayal of the Demon King, challenging the entity that imprisoned him. He remembered the way it had been struck down, its defiance silenced in an instant.
The demon loomed over him now, preparing another devastating strike. Jae-Hyun’s voice rose in desperation, a mixture of defiance and hope. “You believed in him... you didn’t betray him. I remember.”
The demon hesitated, its form pausing mid-attack. Its glowing eyes flickered as if considering his words, a fleeting moment of recognition passing through them. Jae-Hyun seized the opportunity, fumbling to retrieve healing potions from his inventory. He drank them quickly, the effects soothing some of his pain and restoring his stamina.
Standing once more, he fixed the demon with a determined gaze. “I’ll give you my best fight, in his honor.”
The battle resumed with renewed intensity. Though he was still at a disadvantage, Jae-Hyun fought with everything he had, each move sharper and more calculated than the last.
Finally, after an unrelenting exchange, the demon made a strange move—an unnatural opening that seemed deliberate. Jae-Hyun’s instincts screamed at him to act, and he didn’t hesitate. Summoning the last reserves of his strength, he pushed forward. His shadows surged weakly, binding the demon’s limbs just long enough for him to leap. With a cry, he drove his blade into the glowing runes on the demon’s chest.
The demon froze, its gaze locking onto Jae-Hyun. There was no anger in its burning eyes now—only something that resembled recognition, as though it had been waiting for this moment.
You hold the will of the Demon King, the demon’s voice echoed, softer now, almost reverent. Thank you.
The system chimed as Jae-Hyun activated Reaper's Claim, shadows coiling around the demon's massive form. As the shadows enveloped it, Jae-Hyun felt a surge of power coursing through him, an almost unbearable weight pressing down on his body. His heart pounded as the sheer enormity of controlling such a being settled over him. It wasn’t just strength; it was the burden of command, a bond forged in the depths of the Eclipse Domain. He gasped as the notification appeared in his vision.
System Notification: Reaper's Claim Successful.
System Notification: Eclipse Domain Progress: +10%.
The first step is taken. Are you ready for what's next?
The first step is taken. Are you ready for what's next?
System Notification: Shadow General Kaelzar Added.
System Notification: Shadow General Kaelzar's level has been reset to match your current power level. As your stats increase, Kaelzar's strength and abilities will be restored progressively.
New Rank Obtained: Shadow General
Jae-Hyun fell to one knee, his breath ragged as the fracture dissolved around him. The surge of power left him trembling, and a strange heat coursed through his veins. His body ached, yet he felt an undeniable connection to something greater. Kaelzar’s essence lingered in his mind—a presence of ancient strength and unyielding loyalty. It wasn’t just a General he had gained, but a bond forged in the depths of the Eclipse Domain, one that demanded respect and responsibility. He opened the system interface again, studying the new addition.
“Kaelzar,” he murmured, the name carrying an almost reverent weight. The fractured memory of the demon’s past flickered in his mind, and he wondered just how far this bond would take him. For now, he would use Kaelzar’s strength to grow—to prepare for the challenges ahead.
The battle was over, but his journey had only begun.
The fracture’s oppressive atmosphere began to fade as the system chimed in Jae-Hyun’s mind. The tension in his muscles loosened slightly, though his body remained sore and battered from the grueling battle. As the fiery glow of the obsidian castle dimmed, his system interface materialized before him, its text glowing faintly.
System Notification: Quest Complete
* Level Up! Level Up! Level Up!
* Level Up! Level Up! Level Up!
* Level Up! Level Up! Level Up!
* Special Reward Unlocked: Abyssal Bond (Mythical Skill)
Jae-Hyun’s breath hitched. The bold golden text on the notification screen radiated an aura unlike anything he had seen before. A new window opened, offering a detailed explanation:
Abyssal Bond
Type: Mythical Skill
Description: Grants the ability to form a growth bond with a selected person or creature. The bonded entity gains access to system mechanics, allowing them to level up, acquire abilities, and grow stronger under the bond. The bond is reciprocal, requiring mutual consent. Be warned: the death of a bonded individual will result in severe penalties, including stat reductions and potential instabilities.
System Note: The power to uplift is as heavy as the power to destroy. Use it wisely.
Jae-Hyun stared at the notification, his mind swirling with possibilities and questions. A skill that lets someone grow alongside me? He could see the potential—empowering allies to rise to greater heights, creating a force capable of tackling even greater challenges. Yet the risks were just as stark. If the bonded person fell, the repercussions could be catastrophic.
The screen lingered for a moment longer before fading into the void of the fracture. The oppressive air of the dimension lingered in his senses even as he crossed through the shimmering portal. When his feet touched the ground on the other side, the stark contrast struck him. The hotel room was quiet, its soft glow and mundane furnishings so ordinary that they felt surreal after the fiery chaos he had just endured. The faint hum of the city beyond the window reminded him that life outside the fractures carried on, oblivious to the battles waged within.
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Jae-Hyun collapsed onto the bed, his exhaustion taking over. The battle replayed in his mind, from the demon’s overwhelming strength to the moment of hesitation that had allowed him to win. He thought of Kaelzar—not just the demon he had defeated but the being who now stood as his Shadow General. The weight of that title wasn’t lost on him. Kaelzar’s past, the memories tied to the Demon King, and the new ability left him with more questions than answers. The demon’s quiet hesitation during the battle and its connection to the Demon King gnawed at him. Kaelzar wasn’t just another addition to his army—it was a piece of a larger puzzle, a potential ally in understanding the truths of the Eclipse Domain. What role would it play in the battles to come? And what truths had it yet to reveal?
Eclipse Domain Progress: 32%
The notification lingered in his thoughts. It’s tied to the Demon King’s power… he realized, his heart heavy with the implications. Every time I lose control, every time the Eclipse Domain grows, I’m walking closer to that abyss.
Jae-Hyun’s gaze shifted to his hands. He could still feel the faint echo of Kaelzar’s power, a reminder of how far he had to go. Yet, the new skill—Abyssal Bond—nagged at him. Who could he trust with such a gift? Ahri? She was strong and capable, but the bond’s risks weighed on him. Would it burden her too much? Kaelzar? The demon’s loyalty to the Demon King and its raw power were undeniable, but could a bond deepen their connection or awaken something more within it? And what of others he might meet? Would the skill force him to forge alliances he would not have otherwise considered? The possibilities stretched endlessly, leaving him uneasy. And if not her, then who?
The thought remained unresolved as sleep finally claimed him. His body surrendered to the exhaustion, and his mind drifted into uneasy dreams filled with shadows and fire. In the depths of his slumber, a single figure lingered—a throne beneath a burning sky, the faint silhouette of the Demon King watching.