Hunter of the Lost Gates-Chapter 30 - : The Final Trial

The chamber grew unnervingly silent at the hooded figure's words.

"You must face the Abyssal King."

Sai's pulse pounded in his ears. He had seen glimpses of the Abyssal King in visions—a warrior wrapped in darkness, power radiating from him like an endless storm. If this trial meant fighting him, then it would be his most dangerous battle yet.

Lena exhaled, rubbing her forehead. "Right. Because the last two trials weren't bad enough."

Sai smirked despite himself. "At least we know what we're up against."

The hooded figure raised a hand. The walls around them shifted, the air growing heavy with abyssal energy. The chamber warped, the ground beneath them disappearing into darkness.

Then—everything shattered.

The Abyssal Battlefield

Sai landed hard on a vast, cracked wasteland, the sky above swirling with black and crimson clouds. Lightning crackled across the horizon, illuminating the ruined structures of a city long forgotten.

Lena groaned beside him. "I swear, if we survive this, I'm retiring."

Sai barely heard her. His eyes were locked on the massive throne at the far end of the battlefield.

And the figure seated upon it.

The Abyssal King.

He sat motionless, clad in obsidian-black armor adorned with glowing abyssal markings. His face was obscured beneath a shadowed helmet, only his piercing golden eyes visible.

Even from this distance, Sai could feel the power radiating off of him.

Then, the King slowly rose from his throne.

His voice was deep, resonating through the wasteland.

"You have come far, Keybearer. But this is where your journey ends."

Sai felt an icy chill creep up his spine.

Lena gripped her chakrams. "Sai... I really don't think we should be fighting this guy."

Sai took a steady breath. No turning back now.

The Abyssal King raised a hand. The air trembled.

Then, in a blur of impossible speed—he vanished.

And reappeared right in front of Sai.

Sai barely had time to react before a shockwave of abyssal energy slammed into him, sending him flying across the battlefield.

The Battle Begins

Sai hit the ground hard, rolling to absorb the impact. His body screamed in pain, but he forced himself up.

The Abyssal King was already moving, closing the distance at inhuman speed.

Sai activated Phantom Step, blinking out of existence just before the King's blade sliced through the spot where he had been standing.

Reappearing behind him, Sai slashed downward—

His blade barely scratched the armor.

Sai's stomach twisted. That wasn't normal armor.

The Abyssal King turned, his movements unnaturally fluid. His golden eyes glowed as he lifted a hand—

A pulse of abyssal energy erupted outward.

Sai dodged, but Lena wasn't fast enough.

The blast struck her, sending her crashing into a ruined pillar.

"Lena!" Sai shouted.

She groaned, forcing herself up. "I'm alive! Barely!"

Sai gritted his teeth. They couldn't afford to take hits like that.

A Strategy Against the Abyss

Sai's system pinged with new data.

[Analyzing Enemy Patterns...]

[Weakness Detected: Abyssal Core Stability at 87%.]

Sai's eyes narrowed. The core... That must be the key.

The Abyssal King charged again, his massive blade crackling with abyssal fire.

Sai dodged, moving faster than ever, his system adjusting to the battle in real time.

Then, he saw it.

A brief flicker—an opening.

Sai lunged, aiming for the King's exposed flank—

His dagger struck true.

For the first time, the King staggered.

Sai didn't hesitate. He twisted the blade, sending a surge of abyssal energy into the wound.

The King let out a low growl.

Then—he laughed.

Sai's blood ran cold.

The King's hand shot forward, grabbing Sai by the throat.

"You have potential," the King mused, lifting Sai off the ground effortlessly. "But you are still weak."

Then, without warning—he slammed Sai into the earth.

A shockwave erupted outward, sending cracks through the battlefield.

Sai gasped for air, his vision blurring.

The Abyssal King loomed over him, his golden eyes burning with power.

"You seek to open the gate," he said, voice calm. "But you do not understand what you are releasing."

Sai struggled against the crushing force pinning him down. "Then tell me."

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The King tilted his head. "Would you even listen?"

Sai gritted his teeth. "Try me."

A long silence. Then—

The King released him.

Sai coughed violently, rolling to his hands and knees.

Lena, still recovering, looked on in shock. "Uh... is he letting us live?"

The Abyssal King turned, his gaze heavy.

"You are not ready to face the Abyss."

He raised his hand. The world around them trembled.

The battle wasn't over.

It was just beginning.

The Truth of the Lost Gate

As the battlefield shifted once more, Sai's system flared with a new notification.

[Abyssal Revelation Unlocked.]

[The Lost Gate Seals Something More Than You Can Imagine.]

Sai wiped blood from his mouth. He knew this wasn't over.

Lena stepped beside him. "So, what now?"

Sai exhaled.

"Now?" His eyes burned with determination.

"We find out what's really behind that gate."

To Be Continued...