Chapter 23: The Awakening of the Void Monarch

The black sun grew larger. Its gravity twisted reality, pulling debris, energy, and even the very air into its suffocating mass.

Ren could feel his body straining under its pull. If that thing descended, there would be nothing left—not of him, not of the dungeon, not of anything within miles.

Nyx smirked. “Let’s see how long you last.”

He lowered his hand.

The black sun fell.

Ren’s mind raced. Dodge? No. Too fast. Block? Impossible. Counter?

The Void Monarch System pulsed.

[Emergency Adaptation Activated.]
[Warning: Power Levels Exceed Safe Limits.]
[Proceeding with Forced Evolution.]

A sharp pain tore through his body. His veins darkened, his bones burned, and something deep within him shifted.

Ren gritted his teeth.

If this is what it takes to win… then so be it.

He let go.

A pulse of void energy erupted from his core.

[Void Monarch’s Authority: 30% Unlocked.]
[New Ability Awakened: Abyss Devourer.]

His shadow stretched, rising like tendrils of a living abyss. The air froze as an unfathomable force spread from him.

Ren raised a single hand—

And grabbed the falling black sun.

Nyx’s smirk faded. “What?”

The massive sphere of destruction shuddered. Instead of crushing him—

It was being consumed.

The flames, the abyssal energy, the raw devastation—it was all pulled into Ren’s body. His veins pulsed with forbidden power, his aura growing darker, heavier, monstrous.

He grinned.

"My turn."

With a single motion, he compressed the energy into his palm—

And hurled it back at Nyx.

The black sun collapsed into a spear of pure annihilation, twisting space itself as it surged toward the Abyssal Monarch.

Nyx's golden eyes widened.

BOOOOOOM!

The impact shattered the abyss.

A colossal shockwave ripped through the cavern, tearing through pillars, walls, and anything unfortunate enough to be caught in its path.

When the dust settled—

Nyx was kneeling, his armor cracked, abyssal blood dripping from his mouth.

He touched his wound, then laughed.

"Amazing." His voice was hoarse, but his eyes shone with something new.

Excitement.

"You… might actually be worthy of the throne."

Ren exhaled, steadying himself. He could feel the power surging within him, but his body was still adjusting. His vision blurred for a second, but he forced himself to stay standing.

"The throne?" Ren spat blood and wiped his mouth. "I'm not here to inherit anything."

He took a step forward, his aura flaring.

"I'm here to take it."

Nyx's smile widened.

"Then let’s see if you can."

The final battle was about to begin.