The Abyss parted for him.
Step by step—
The creatures moved aside.
No attacks.
No resistance.
Only silence.
Jin Muyeon walked forward calmly.
Blood still dripping.
Body still damaged.
But nothing dared touch him.
"…So this is dominance," he muttered.
[Abyss Predator Active]
The deeper he went—
The darker it became.
The red sky dimmed.
The ruins grew older.
Then—
He saw it.
A structure.
Massive.
Ancient.
A broken temple.
Black pillars.
Cracked stairs.
Symbols carved into every surface.
"…This place…"
The system flickered.
[Unknown Structure Detected]
[System Interference Increasing]
Muyeon stepped closer.
The creatures behind him stopped.
They didn't follow.
"…Not allowed?" he muttered.
Silence.
Then—
A sound.
Not a growl.
Not a scream.
A heartbeat.
THUMP.
Muyeon froze.
Again.
THUMP.
Stronger.
He looked up.
At the temple entrance—
Something stood there.
Still.
Watching him.
Different.
Not twisted.
Not broken.
Perfect.
Humanoid.
Tall.
Lean.
Its body was covered in dark markings.
Like veins made of shadow.
Its eyes—
Glowed faintly.
Not empty.
Aware.
Muyeon's instincts screamed instantly.
DANGER.
Far worse than the Elite.
"…So you're the real thing," Muyeon said quietly.
The creature tilted its head.
"…You… smell wrong."
Muyeon smirked.
"…I get that a lot."
A pause.
"…You killed one of mine."
Muyeon's eyes sharpened.
"…Your pet attacked first."
Silence.
Then—
The creature stepped forward.
The ground didn't crack.
It didn't need to.
Its presence alone—
Was enough.
The swarm behind Muyeon retreated further.
Even they feared it.
"…Kneel," the creature said.
Muyeon didn't move.
"…No."
The creature's eyes glowed brighter.
"…Everything kneels."
Muyeon smiled faintly.
"…I'm not everything."
Silence.
Then—
It moved.
No warning.
—
Muyeon's body reacted instantly.
He twisted—
But—
CRASH—!!
Too late.
He was slammed into the temple steps.
Stone shattered beneath him.
[HP: 11% → 6%]
"…Tch—!"
He barely saw it move.
"…Faster than me…"
The creature stood where he had been.
"…Weak."
Muyeon slowly stood.
Blood ran down his face.
But his eyes—
Still sharp.
"…You talk too much."
He stepped forward.
[Abyss Predator Intensifying]
The pressure around him increased.
But—
The creature didn't react.
Didn't slow.
Didn't kneel.
Muyeon's eyes narrowed.
"…So it doesn't work on you."
The creature smirked slightly.
"…I am not prey."
A pause.
"…I am the Abyss."
Silence.
Then—
Muyeon smiled.
A real smile.
"…Good."
His stance lowered.
For the first time since entering—
He felt it.
A real fight.
Not survival.
Not dominance.
Challenge.
The creature moved again.
Muyeon moved too.
BOOM—!!
Their clash shattered the temple entrance.
Shockwaves spread outward.
The swarm fled completely.
Because now—
Two apex predators had met.
And neither would kneel.