.
.
One week later...
The Heavenly Dao Academy had returned to its usual rhythm.
Students trained.
Elders gave lectures.
Life continued as though the battle in the Dragon King's Ruins had never happened.
Only a handful of people knew the truth.
A war capable of destroying the Eternal Divine Realm was only one year away.
Knox stood on the highest peak of the academy.
The black crystal Nyx had given him rested in his palm.
It pulsed with a strange rhythm.
Almost like a heartbeat.
Behind him, footsteps approached.
"You really plan to go alone?"
It was Seraphina.
Her silver hair danced in the wind as she crossed her arms.
Knox smiled.
"The Abyss isn't a sightseeing trip."
"I know."
"Then why are you here?"
She looked him directly in the eyes.
"Because every dangerous place you enter somehow becomes even more dangerous."
Knox laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Before they could continue, Alexander, Lyra, Adrian, and Orion arrived.
Even Leon stood silently at the back.
Alexander folded his arms.
"You thought we'd let you disappear without saying anything?"
Orion smiled.
"Besides, I still owe you a rematch."
Knox shook his head.
"You'll have to wait."
The System suddenly activated.
[Ding!]
Main Quest: Journey to the Abyss Realm
Objective: Obtain the Crown of the Fallen King.
Optional Objective: Recruit one Abyss Lord.
Warning: Time flows differently inside the Abyss.
Nyx's voice echoed from the shadows.
"You've gathered quite an interesting group."
She stepped out, still wearing her silver fox mask.
Even the academy elders failed to notice her arrival.
Alexander instinctively reached for his sword.
"Who is she?"
Knox answered calmly.
"An ally."
Nyx chuckled.
"That's the first time anyone has called me that in thousands of years."
She raised a hand.
The black crystal floated into the air.
Ancient runes surrounded it.
A massive portal slowly opened.
Beyond it...
There was no sky.
Only endless darkness.
Mountains floated upside down.
Rivers flowed upward.
Purple lightning split the void.
This was...
The Abyss Realm.
The pressure pouring from the portal made even Orion step back.
"So this is another world..."
Nyx nodded.
"The prison of fallen kings."
"The birthplace of countless demons."
"And..."
She looked at Knox.
"The land where the First Villain forged his empire."
Knox's eyes sharpened.
"So he really ruled this place."
Nyx smiled.
"For a time."
Before entering, Knox turned toward his companions.
"This journey will be different."
"There are no academy rules."
"No elders."
"No rescue."
"If you follow me..."
"You may die."
Silence.
Then Alexander stepped forward.
"I've never feared death."
Lyra smiled.
"I still owe you my life."
Orion crossed his arms.
"I refuse to let my rival grow stronger alone."
Seraphina sighed.
"You already knew my answer."
Even Adrian stepped forward.
"Our paths may be different..."
"But our enemy is the same."
Knox looked at them for a long moment.
Then nodded.
"Very well."
The six geniuses stepped through the portal.
The moment they crossed—
Gravity vanished.
The world twisted.
An overwhelming force pressed against their souls.
Then...
They landed on black sand beneath a crimson sky.
The air smelled of iron.
In the distance stood countless ruined castles.
Each radiated an ancient, terrifying aura.
[Welcome to the Abyss Realm.]
Current Region: Valley of Fallen Kings.
Danger Level: SSS.
Local Ruler: Unknown.
Suddenly...
Thousands of crimson eyes opened in the darkness.
Growls echoed across the valley.
Creatures unlike anything they had seen before slowly emerged.
Humanoid.
Covered in black scales.
Holding rusted weapons.
One of them sniffed the air.
Then it smiled.
"Fresh humans..."
Another licked its lips.
"And..."
"It carries the scent of the First King."
Every creature turned toward Knox.
They knelt.
The entire valley fell silent.
Their leader lowered his head.
"Welcome home..."
...Your Majesty.
Knox's companions froze.
Knox himself narrowed his eyes.
He had never been here before.
So why...
...was the Abyss calling him its king?
.
End of Chapter 24