HPDBC Chapter 160 Deeper into the Abyss
Chapter 160 Deeper into the Abyss
Liria exhaled sharply, rolling her sore shoulders as the shadows around her shifted uneasily. The cavern had fallen into an eerie silence, the only sound her own steady breathing and the occasional distant drip of water echoing through the abyss.
She flicked open her status screen, her mismatched eyes scanning the glowing text as the system's familiar voice chimed in.
[+10,000 EXP Earned]
[Level Up! Liria Silverthorn has reached Level 18.]
[All stats increased by +2.]
[New Skill Acquired: Void Step (Level 1)]
She let out a low whistle, stretching out her arms as she felt the surge of newfound strength coursing through her veins.
"About time," she muttered. "I was starting to feel like I was getting my ass kicked a little too much."
[Oh, don't worry. You still are. This is just to ensure you last a little longer before your inevitable demise.]
Liria scowled. "Thanks for the confidence boost."
[You're welcome.]
She dismissed the screen, refocusing on her surroundings.
The Abyssal Labyrinth twisted ahead, its walls carved from obsidian stone that seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive. The faint glow of violet runes lined the floor, shifting and changing like liquid symbols, leading deeper into the unknown.
Liria tightened her grip on her sword, stepping forward cautiously.
Every part of her instincts screamed at her something was waiting.
She didn't have to wait long to find out what.
The first attack came from above.
A sickening hiss pierced the silence as something massive dropped from the ceiling, its shadowy form slamming into the ground just inches away from her.
Liria barely dodged in time, twisting mid-air as the ground shattered beneath the impact.
She landed in a crouch, her eyes darting and immediately regretted it.
Abyssal Widow
Level: 22
Health: 6,500/6,500
Abilities:
• Web of Despair – Creates binding webs that drain energy.
• Venomous Bite – Inflicts a poison that saps magic and stamina.
• Hunting Instinct – Gains speed and strength the longer the battle drags on.
Liria grimaced.
"Oh, hell no."
The Abyssal Widow was a monstrosity, its chitinous black body gleaming in the dim violet light. Its multiple glowing eyes locked onto her, legs clicking as it shifted, preparing to strike.
[Oh, fantastic. You get to fight a giant nightmare spider. Congratulations.]
"Shut up!" Liria snapped, dodging sideways just as the Widow lunged.
Its fangs sank into the ground, hissing as the stone sizzled under its venom.
Liria swung her sword, aiming for one of its legs the Widow reacted instantly, twisting its grotesque body with unnatural speed, its razor-sharp leg slamming into her side.
She grunted as she was flung backwards, rolling several times before catching herself.
[-400 HP]
[Health: 3,100/3,500]
[You're off to a great start.]
"I hate you."
The Widow didn't wait, firing a web toward her.
Liria slashed through it, flames igniting around her blade.
The dark fire hissed, cutting through the sticky mass, but another web was already flying toward her.
Too fast.
She barely managed to throw herself aside, but the edge of the web caught her arm, pulling tight.
Abyssal energy drained from her body instantly.
[-50 Magic per second]
[Magic: 1,750/2,800]
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!"
She twisted violently, struggling against the web, but the Widow was already on the move, scuttling forward with horrifying speed.
Liria made a split-second decision.
She activated Void Step.
The world warped around her.
In the blink of an eye, she teleported, reappearing directly above the Widow.
The monster screeched, momentarily confused Liria dove.
Her blade plunged deep into its back, black flames erupting in a violent explosion.
The Widow howled, convulsing wildly as fire consumed its chitinous body.
A final spasm racked its body before it collapsed, its massive form crumbling into black ash.
[+12,000 EXP Earned]
[+ Abyssal Core (Item)]
[+ Shadow Cloak (Item)]
Liria let out a shaky breath, wiping the sweat from her brow.
She was exhausted.
Her body ached, magic drained, and her hands trembled from the lingering adrenaline.
[You know, if you die down here, I'm not refunding your effort.]
"Oh, bite me."
She flexed her fingers, rolling her shoulders. There was no turning back now.
This dungeon wasn't just testing her strength.
It was pushing her to her limits.
Liria leaned against the stone wall, her breaths still coming in short gasps. Her muscles ached, and her magic reserves were dangerously low. The fight with the Abyssal Wraithbeast had drained her more than she wanted to admit.
She slid down to sit on the cold ground, stretching her legs in front of her. The eerie blue-green flames lining the dungeon walls flickered softly, casting distorted shadows across the jagged stone.
[You actually survived. I'm impressed. Barely.]
"Gee, thanks," she muttered, rubbing her temples.
[Since you're taking a break, might as well check your status. You did just level up, after all. Maybe you got something actually useful this time.]
Liria sighed but pulled up her status window, her mismatched eyes scanning over the glowing text.
[Status Update:]
Name: Liria Silverthorn
Race: Half-Human, Half-Demon
Level: 18
Experience: 2,500/12,000
Health: 3,800/3,800
Magic: 3,200/3,200
Attributes:
• Strength: 56
• Agility: 55
• Endurance: 54
• Intelligence: 32
• Magic: 65
Abilities:
• Swordsmanship (Level 5)
• Endurance Training (Level 5)
• Fireball (Level 5)
• Ember Swipe (Level 4)
• Blade Mastery (Level 4)
• Inferno Burst (Level 3)
• Hellstorm (Level 2)
• Water Ribbon (Level 2)
• Earth Sense (Level 2)
• Stone Shot (Level 2)
• Earth Wall (Level 2)
• Spectral Binding (Level 2)
• Nightflame Shield (Level 2)
• Shadowflare Blade (Level 2)
• Void Step (Level 1)
Liria blinked. "Damn."
[Well, well, well. Look who's finally not completely useless.]
"Was that supposed to be a compliment?"
[Absolutely not.]
She ignored the snarky remark and focused on the biggest jumps. Her strength, agility, and endurance had all increased significantly. The darkfire inside her felt stronger, more controlled, and Void Step... that was new. She could still feel the lingering energy from when she had blinked behind the Wraithbeast mid-fight.
That ability was going to be fun.
Liria smirked, rolling her shoulders. "Not bad."
[Sure. But try not to die before you actually get to the boss. That would be embarrassing.]
She sighed and pushed herself back onto her feet, cracking her neck as she adjusted her grip on her sword.
The final chamber was ahead.