Chapter 11: The Warden of the First Gate

The air grew heavier. A sinister pressure weighed down on Ren’s body, making his breath hitch.

From the depths of the Abyss, a figure emerged.

Towering over the battlefield was a monstrous being clad in darkened armor, its face obscured by a jagged helmet. Its glowing crimson eyes burned with intelligence—this wasn’t a mindless fiend.

It was the Abyss Warden.

[Abyss Warden - First Gate Guardian]
[Rank: High Abyssal]

The other creatures immediately withdrew, forming a twisted ring around Ren and their master.

The Warden raised its massive, obsidian greatsword, the air distorting around its sheer weight.

Ren exhaled, gripping his blade tighter.

"I’m not the same weakling I used to be."

The Warden struck first.

A single downward slash split the air, a shockwave tearing apart the wasteland beneath them. Ren barely dodged, rolling to the side as a deep crater formed where he had stood.

“Tch.”

This wasn’t like the low-level fiends. This thing moved with intent, with calculated power.

But Ren wasn’t planning to hold back either.

His eyes glowed with abyssal energy.

[Void Monarch System - Authority Unleashed.]
[Skill: Abyss Step Activated.]

His body blurred.

In an instant, Ren vanished.