On the morning of the fourth day, Jason observed a strange phenomenon. A black vortex extended out of the ground, growing wider the higher it reached. As Jason approached, he began to hear murmuring, as if someone was whispering directly into his ear. The words were just on the cusp of being understandable and made you want to try and strain your senses so you could make out what was said.
“Hmph.” Jason forced down the urge to listen. There was a muffled scream, then silence. Up above, the vortex spun silently, making not a sound. Strangely, there was no wind. Whatever caused the vortex to spin was unknown.
When Jason reached the center of the phenomenon, he found a bottomless chasm a few thousand feet wide. The sides of the hole were unnaturally smooth as if carved with a knife. Since there were no stairs or rope, Jason wondered how to descend. As soon as he leaned over the edge to get a better look, his expression changed. “So that’s how it is.”
Jason jumped. As soon as he entered freefall, gravity shifted, and his feet landed lightly on the wall, now the ground. It was in this manner he entered the abyss.
Raising his caution, he spread out his Domain and frowned. It was like trying to push through cement. Something about the space here reduced the effectiveness of his Domain. Now, his maximum range was only a few hundred feet.
Jason prepared to fight at any moment, yet even after several minutes, there was nothing. The only thing he heard was the echo produced from his feet hitting the ground. Glancing down, Jason was able to see thin vein-like markings in the stone. Upon closer inspection, he saw them pulse as if alive.
“This place is weird,” Jason remarked aloud, though he immediately regretted it.
“This place is weird. This place is weird. This place is weird…” His voice echoed off the walls, disorienting him.
“No, you’re weird!” A scream tore through the air. Mysteriously, there was no echo.
Jason frowned and sensed with his Domain. Nothing. Shrugging helplessly, he walked deeper into the abyss, and soon all sorts of weird things happened. One time he heard shrill laughter, while another time, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
Jason remained clearheaded and knew they were merely illusions. Andy would be inspired if he came to this place. Jason had no doubt the prankster would scare the living crap out of children and adults alike.
Eventually, besides illusions, Jason felt like a thin veil was placed over him, weighing him down.
“Mental suppression?” Jason scoffed. If he hadn’t been paying attention, he wouldn’t have realized. Mental suppression of this level was nothing to him.
At some point, the vein-like markings in the ground started to squirm as black mist seeped out and entered Jason’s body. At the same time, a notification popped up in front of him.
You have reached the first level of the abyss.
If you remain here for an hour, your runes will level up to tier 2.
Time remaining: 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
“Finally.” Jason now felt this trip was worth it. According to Lavos, each level of the abyss would increase the tier of runes by one. However, the deeper you went, the more dangerous it became. Pretty much every ascender could reach this point. As for Jason, he wondered how far he could go. The abyss was a shortcut to leveling runes, and he intended to take full advantage of it.
Chapter 56
Jason inspected his runes after an hour passed. One Against Many now gave .2% fortitude for every foe within forty feet, Vitality Extraction gave .02% regeneration, and Reaper gave 2 Health. Both Unity and Long-Range Inventory remained unchanged, though a new remark appeared, saying the runes would undergo a significant change if they continued to level up. Lastly, the passive stat boosts of every rune increased by 1%.
Overall, the changes weren’t game-changing, but Jason kept in mind the first few tiers were easy to reach and continued his journey into the belly of the abyss. The harmless illusions which previously annoyed him vanished, finally giving him some peace.
After a few minutes, Jason heard something and stretched his senses. “Is that what I think it is?”
Like a creek in a secluded forest, the sound was very familiar—the trickling of water. It was a soothing sound, one which Jason had fallen asleep to many times. Now, however, he had a disturbing thought.
Domain picked up nothing, yet Jason could feel something brushing against his feet. With a curious expression, Jason swapped out one of his items. A ring emitting a soft glow lit up his surroundings, allowing him to see what was happening.
“Of course it is.” Jason nearly rolled his eyes upon seeing the red liquid at his feet. Ignoring the blood-like water, he continued onward, annoyed Domain was useless here. Previously, he felt comfort in the sight it gave him, yet illusions could bypass the skill.
Just as he took his next step, a wave of blood encompassing the entire passage hit him like a truck. It appeared out of nowhere, and he couldn’t react in the slightest. The current sent Jason flying, or at least that was what he expected. Instead, he remained where he was.
Jason glanced around, a bit bewildered. He opened his mouth to try and speak but only got a reminder of how blood tasted. Seeing no signs of an attack, he stepped forward and immediately knew the second level's challenge. It felt like he was pushing against a tsunami, so mighty and vast, it seemed impossible.
Jason’s muscles expanded as he used all his strength to take a single step forward. Then another. And another. Stamina drained so quickly he wouldn’t be able to cross a hundred feet before it ran out. Jason promptly thought of a solution, pulled out his sword, and used Cleave.
Like Moses splitting the sea, Cleave created a passage for Jason to cross. It disappeared in a few seconds, yet Battle Energy was no longer as limited as it once was. With Cleave leading the way, Jason was able to pass through the second level of the abyss.
After leveling his runes, he continued onward. At the third level, shade-like monsters started to appear, while gravity increased at the fourth. After a week, Jason overcame every obstacle until finally, he arrived at the tenth and final level. Only then did Unity and Long-Range Inventory go through significant changes.
Congratulations! Your skill ‘Defense Aura’ and rune ‘Unity’ fused.
Defense Aura was a skill Jason acquired long ago. After maxing it out, it allowed him to share 100% of his defense with one ally, usually Carly. Now, it combined with Unity, fundamentally changing the rune.
Unity Aura - Ultimate Rune
Passively takes the highest defense among your equipment, then applies it to each equipped item and your body. Additionally, the defensive values of your equipment are shared amongst all allies within 100 feet.
Remark 1: The effect of this rune replaces the defense of your currently equipped items, including allies.
Remark 2: This rune applies to your hair, eyes, organs, and everything else considered a part of your body. Includes allies.
Remark 3: This rune is unique to the world, unable to be stolen, sealed, copied, or destroyed.
Passively increases the effectiveness of the Vitality stat.
The rune went beyond the category of ‘normal’ and into the realm of ‘ultimate’. There was only one time this word appeared in Jason’s life: on Roy’s Divine grade sword in his original timeline. Skills with ‘ultimate’ in their name could singlehandedly change the tide of battle, and Unity Aura fit the bill. All his companions in range would have a Tank’s defense, excluding skills like Troll Regeneration, which couldn’t be shared.
Not only that, Jason had never seen a skill or item increase the effectiveness of a stat. Vitality improved Health at a fixed ratio, yet now that ratio changed, giving Jason an extra hundred thousand health.
An ascender would be lucky to have one ultimate ability, yet the upgrades didn’t stop there.
Congratulations! Your skill ‘Indomitable Battle Domain,’ rune ‘Long-Range Inventory’, battle skill ‘Ruler of the Battlefield’, and a sealed ability inside your sword ‘Aros’s
Inheritance’ have fused.
World Conqueror – Ultimate Rune
Passive: Use your soul to sense and interact with your surroundings or attack other souls. Additionally, gain the ability to use battle skills from any location under your soul’s reach.
Active: Gain full control over Battle Energy. All skills possess the battle energy attribute. All skills that consume Battle Energy cost nothing. Lasts 1 minute. 10-minute cooldown.
Remark 1: Damage to other souls depends on your Willpower. If the difference is too high, obliterate their soul.
Remark 2: Distance reduces the effectiveness of your Willpower stat.
Remark 3: Consumes either Soul Force or Battle Energy, depending on usage.
Remark 4: This rune is unique to the world, unable to be stolen, sealed, copied, or destroyed.
Passively increases the effectiveness of Soul Force.
After some testing, Jason was astonished to discover the ability to use Cleave, Sever, and Chop from any distance, angle, or direction in Domain’s range. Best of all, it only took a thought.
Perhaps as a side effect, the shape of Jason’s soul was no longer an orb but a massive sword. The sword’s condition was perfect, lacking any blemish or rust. Engraved near the hilt was his name—Jason Woltz. An aura of utmost confidence emanated from the soul, while hidden underneath was a sharpness to cut through any obstacle.
“Huh.” Jason rubbed his chin as he observed. “Well, a sword is better than an orb, I guess?”
Jason inspected his other runes, and besides the increase in their ratios, they didn’t evolve into Ultimate runes. Not only that, this seemed to be the last level, so there was no reason to stay. If you considered the abyss a rite of passage for demons, it should be over now. There were no more upgrades to be had. At least, that should be the case, if not for the wall of jelly-like substance.
“Is this the end?” Jason had spent over a week traveling through the seemingly endless abyss, only to arrive before this strange wall. If the abyss had an end, just make it a standard wall; why make it so weird?
Moving cautiously, Jason approached the wall, and just as he was about to touch it, a notification popped up.
You have reached the heart of the abyss…
…infinite essence lies ahead, but beware…
…go beyond, and lose your memory with every death…
…go beyond, and fight for eternity.
“Yeah, no thanks.” Jason withdrew his hand and left without a second thought. This trip was already fruitful enough, no need to fight for eternity.
Much to Jason’s relief, the trip back was much more comfortable, and he only took a day to reach the entrance. When he climbed out of the hole, he sighed with relief upon returning to the living world. Spending a week in pure darkness took its toll, but more importantly, he desperately needed a bath.
Chapter 57
On the first night since leaving the abyss, after doing a sweep with his soul, Jason’s Health increased by 390, while his Health and Stamina regeneration increased by 2%. Tier 10 Vitality Extraction and Reaper were much more efficient compared to Tier 1.
Although, there was one mishap, much to Jason’s annoyance. At first, he thought if Vitality Extraction activated a hundred times, he’d be able to regenerate his Health and Stamina to full in one second every second. The reality was it increased his current regeneration rates by 1%. Once he thought more in-depth about it, he understood the cost of creating a rune the way he intended would be much too expensive. Only then did he feel better.
As Jason traveled back to the haven, his desire for high-quality food was at an all-time high. Ever since arriving on this floor, Peter had gone all out on providing for the Alliance, especially food. After nearly two weeks of eating rations, Jason felt like an addict starved for drugs. Hopefully, the budget still allowed for top chefs to visit the haven, or else he would search them out himself.
In the afternoon, on the third day, Jason caught sight of a blue dome in the distance and sped up. “I’m back! First, a bath, then some grub.”
Just as his mouth began to salivate in anticipation, he noticed something wrong. Monsters encompassed the haven. Ebba’s undead, perhaps? It was too far to make out, so Jason used Domain.
Upon doing so, he found some five thousand pure demons barricading the haven, the weakest being Level 260, with seven runes. Each was equipped in a suit of armor and wielding various weapons as they stood in complete silence. Most noticeable was the aura they exuded, so thick and heavy it could crush the hearts of normal ascenders. Jason observed another thing: the symbol of seven snakes embedded on every demon's front left chest.
Even Jason, with his current killing speed, was only Level 212. Right now, he gained a level or two a day, but what about the Alliance? Two weeks ago, only Shenlong and the rest could compete with a demon or two of this caliber. The haven stood no chance. However, if this army belonged to the doom hydra, why weren’t they attacking and instead surrounding the haven?
Surprisingly, as soon as Jason’s Domain swept out, a handful of demons flinched and looked around, while a few immediately looked in Jason’s direction. In the mental plane, several demons unleashed various attacks, lowering Jason’s Soul Force. The damage was negligible. Firstly, Jason’s Domain came from the mist surrounding his soul, so his core was undamaged. Secondly, the difference in Willpower was great, so it was like an ant chewing on Jason’s hand.
Even so, the fact these demons could detect and retaliate to Jason’s Domain gave him a rude awakening. Domain was a double-edged sword.
Just as Jason was about to wipe out the army with a thought, he stopped and decided to proceed more cautiously. Extending his Domain further in, he found to his relief the Alliance was safe and unharmed, though they looked as if they hadn’t slept in weeks. Every man and woman stood on the wall in a face-off with the demon army.
I just got back. What’s going on? Jason found Peter and sent a message through telepathy.
Peter jumped in fright from the sudden voice in his head, alerting the ascenders around him. After telling them it was nothing, he responded. Damn it all. You finally decided to come back?
I told you it would take up to two weeks, Jason responded weakly, aware Peter’s nerves were stretched thin.
Ugh. Peter’s expression was dark. Sethess suddenly arrived about a week ago. That’s the doom hydra’s name, by the way. Thankfully Lavos was here, and after a brief discussion, the two found somewhere to duel. Meanwhile, this damnable army has prevented us from farming essence the entire time. About a hundred ascenders were out farming at the time Sethess appeared, so I hope they went to the minotaur tribe after seeing the blockade.
Jason did a quick check in every direction. I don’t see anyone in any direction for several miles.
That’s good. Peter let out a heavy sigh in relief. This entire time he was uncertain as to whether the ascenders out hunting were dead or alive.
Should I wipe these guys out? Jason asked calmly.
I’ve thought about this, Peter began. Sethess didn’t seem to have any intention of wiping us out; in fact, he considered us a new tribe. The guy only seemed interested in fighting Lavos. Turns out he’s a battle maniac, and he loves to duel Lavos since they’re similar in strength.
Then why are they surrounding the haven for so long? Jason voiced his concern. There was no need to alert the demon generals if they didn’t need to. Right now, they needed to stay low and take their time growing stronger.
Peter’s tone lacked confidence. I’m not sure.
So what should I do? I can wipe them out and help Lavos kill the doom hydra, Jason suggested.
Peter didn’t respond right away. Lavos couldn’t stop Sethess from destroying the Alliance, so should they take the initiative or pretend to be non-threatening? It all depended on Sethess, but his intentions were unknown. It wasn’t like they could ask him, ‘Hey, are you planning on killing us? No? Cool.’
Seeing Peter’s hesitation, Jason a
sked, What were the hydra’s stats?
Level 300, 20 million Health, and thirteen runes. What do you think? Peter didn’t understand Jason’s current strength, so he lacked confidence in taking action.
No problem. I don’t know if I can kill the hydra alone, but if Lavos is there, it’s dead for sure, Jason answered firmly.
Peter tried to find any flaws. What if he’s resistant to your skill or you run out of Soul Force before killing him?
That was before I went to the abyss. Jason recounted the benefits he’d gained as well as shared his new skills.
Peter’s eyes twitched as he went through them. You’re growing a little too fast, dude.
No comment. Jason chuckled. So, what’s the plan? Kill or not?
Peter fell silent for a whole minute before his expression grew fierce. Kill!
Five thousand bodies hit the ground as soon as Peter responded.
The sudden change shocked the ascenders as their jaws collectively dropped. In one moment, a terrifying army surrounded the Alliance, and in the next, a ring of essence and equipment.
Meanwhile, a mile or so from the haven, Jason collapsed to his knees and vomited. All he could see were flashes of light as his body trembled from sudden fatigue. Struggling to stay awake, Jason rolled onto his back and activated Meditate. A glance at his Soul Force showed it sitting at 28%.
Jason could only blame himself for wiping five thousand Tier 7 and up demons at once. Killing thousands of low-tier demons was no problem, but he underestimated the cost this time, resulting in his current condition.
Towers of Heaven: A LitRPG Adventure (Book 3) Page 25