Nightborn Evolution

The tunnels seemed darker than before. Even with the dim emergency lights flickering along the walls, the weight of what Kairo and Lena had just encountered hung over them like a suffocating shadow.

They moved quickly, their footsteps echoing through the underground passage. Every sound, every flicker of movement in the corners of Kairo's vision, sent his instincts into overdrive.

Lena kept glancing at him. "You alright?"

Kairo clenched his fists. "I don't know."

That voice… The one that spoke when he touched the Abyssal Core. It wasn't just a voice—it felt like something alive, watching, waiting.

The system had remained silent, almost as if it, too, was wary of what they had found.

Then, without warning—

[New Notification.]

[Abyssborn Activity Detected.]

Kairo's heart skipped a beat. "Lena… we're not alone."

She immediately drew her blade. "Where?"

Before Kairo could answer, the shadows ahead shifted.

The air grew heavy, the temperature dropping. A low, guttural growl echoed through the tunnels.

Then—they appeared.

Four figures stepped into the dim light. Their bodies were twisted, humanoid but wrong. Their skin flickered between solid form and liquid shadow, as if reality itself couldn't decide what they were. Their eyes were deep voids—empty, endless.

Lena's grip tightened on her weapon. "You've got to be kidding me."

Kairo took a slow breath, forcing his body to steady.

The lead Abyssborn tilted its head, studying him. Then, it spoke—a voice like distant echoes, layered with whispers.

"You… are not ready."

Kairo barely had time to process the words before it lunged.

Kairo barely dodged as a clawed hand sliced through the air where his head had been. He countered with a punch, his fist glowing faintly with energy.

THWACK!

His strike landed—but it was like hitting water. The Abyssborn's body rippled, absorbing the impact before reforming instantly.

Lena swung her blade, but the creature melted into the shadows, reappearing behind her.

Kairo's system flashed.

[Analysis Complete.]

[Weakness Identified: Abyssborn bodies are unstable in direct light.]

Kairo's mind raced. Light.

He activated his energy pulse, channeling his abilities into his palm. A bright flash erupted, momentarily blinding the creatures.

They hissed, their forms flickering violently.

Lena wasted no time. She sliced through one, her blade cutting through the weakened form. The Abyssborn shrieked, its body unraveling into darkness.

But the others adapted.

The lead Abyssborn raised a hand, and suddenly—the lights in the tunnel shattered.

Darkness consumed everything.

Kairo cursed. "That's cheating."

Lena was breathing hard. "Now what?"

Kairo steadied himself. If light was their weakness, then he had to become the light.

He focused, tapping into his Nightborn energy. His body pulsed with a faint glow, his presence pushing against the encroaching darkness.

The Abyssborn hesitated.

Kairo smirked. "Not so scary now, huh?"

He moved. Faster than before. Stronger.

His fist collided with one of the creatures, and this time—it didn't recover.

It screamed as its form disintegrated.

Lena struck down another, her movements swift and ruthless.

The last Abyssborn let out a low growl. It didn't attack. Instead, it whispered—

"We will be watching."

Then, it melted into the ground, vanishing as if it had never been there.

The tunnels fell silent.

Lena exhaled. "Tell me that's the last of them."

Kairo shook his head. "I don't think so."

He checked his system.

[Abyssborn Threat Level Updated: Increasing.]

[New Objective: Prepare for the next encounter.]

Kairo clenched his fists.

This was just the beginning.