The Forsaken Awakening

Inside the Tower of the Forgotten – Floor 5

The Black Executioner stood before Jinhyuk, its massive war axe resting on its shoulder.

It was easily three meters tall, its obsidian-black armor engraved with ancient runes pulsing with a faint, crimson glow.

The air around it felt heavy, as if the very gravity of the arena had increased.

Jinhyuk's grip tightened on his daggers.

"This thing's different."

The previous waves were strong—but this?

This was pure death.

The Executioner raised its axe, pointing it at Jinhyuk.

Then, a system message appeared.

---

[ Final Trial: The Black Executioner (B+ Rank) ]

A warrior created purely for execution.

Grows stronger with each passing second.

Weakness: Limited mobility, attack its exposed joints.

Special Ability: Executioner's Sentence – The longer the fight lasts, the deadlier its attacks become.

---

Jinhyuk exhaled.

"So I can't drag this out."

Then—

The Executioner moved.

And the battle began.

---

A Battle of Speed vs. Power

The Executioner's axe came down, slicing through the air with unnatural speed.

Jinhyuk teleported sideways using Shadow Blink—

BOOM!

The ground exploded where he had just stood, a massive crater left behind.

"Too fast!"

Jinhyuk had assumed that its size and armor would slow it down.

He was wrong.

The Executioner didn't stop.

It twisted, swinging horizontally—forcing Jinhyuk to duck at the last second.

The sheer force of the swing sent a shockwave through the arena, kicking up dust and debris.

"One hit from that and I'm dead."

This wasn't a fight he could win head-on.

He needed to fight smarter.

---

Using the Cursed Knight

Jinhyuk raised his hand, summoning his permanent shadow.

[ Summon Deployed: The Cursed Knight (B-Rank)! ]

A portal of black mist formed beside Jinhyuk—

And the Cursed Knight stepped out.

His dark greatsword shimmered, his red eyes glowing beneath his helmet.

The Executioner paused, as if recognizing the challenge.

Then—it charged the Knight.

Jinhyuk smirked.

"Good. Fight him first."

---

The Clash of Titans

The Executioner swung down, but the Cursed Knight met the attack head-on.

CLANG!

The arena shook as their weapons collided, a wave of black energy erupting from the impact.

The Knight twisted his greatsword, deflecting the force.

Then—he countered.

His blade shot forward, aiming for the Executioner's joint armor.

SHINK!

A deep cut formed on the Executioner's left knee.

The massive warrior staggered slightly.

Jinhyuk didn't waste the opening.

"Shadow Spear!"

A spear of darkness materialized above him, and with a flick of his wrist—

It shot forward.

SHUNK!

The spear pierced through the Executioner's shoulder, dark energy eroding the armor.

The Executioner let out a low growl, stepping back.

But then—its runes pulsed.

A system warning appeared.

---

[ Executioner's Sentence Activated! ]

The Executioner is growing stronger.

Attack speed increased by 30%.

Defense increased by 20%.

---

Jinhyuk's eyes widened.

"It's adapting!"

The Executioner moved even faster, forcing both Jinhyuk and the Knight to dodge aggressively.

"I need to finish this now."

He focused his mana—

And activated his strongest ability.

---

Lord of Shadows – The Final Strike

[ Skill Activated: Lord of Shadows! ]

The arena darkened, the shadows twisting unnaturally.

The Executioner paused, sensing the change.

But it was too late.

The Cursed Knight moved first, slashing at its weakened knee—

Forcing it to stumble.

Jinhyuk teleported above it, raising his dagger infused with shadow energy.

Then—he struck.

SHUNK!

His blade sank into the Executioner's exposed neck, shadows surging into its body.

The Executioner shuddered—

Then collapsed to one knee.

Jinhyuk landed in front of it, breathing heavily.

The massive warrior let out one final exhale.

Then—its armor cracked, turning into dust.

The Executioner was defeated.

---

Level Up!

[ You Have Leveled Up! ]

[ Level 25 → Level 26 ]

[ Shadow Summoning Has Grown Stronger! ]

Can now summon multiple B-Rank creatures.

Permanent summons can now evolve.

Summons gain increased intelligence.

---

Jinhyuk let out a deep breath, feeling his mana surge.

Then, a new message appeared.

[ Floor 5 Cleared! ]

[ Do you wish to proceed to Floor 6? ]

Jinhyuk glanced at the Cursed Knight, who stood silently beside him.

He smirked.

"Of course."

With a single step, he moved forward.

And the next trial awaited.