The Transmigrated Author

Chapter 194: The Abyssal Dungeon

[South Korea, Seoul - Dobong Mountain Entrance To The Abyssal Dungeon]

The afternoon sun beat down on my back as I navigated the labyrinthine trails of Dobong Mountain.

The system's map guided me through the winding paths, away from the main hiking routes and deeper into the mountain's embrace.

The air grew thick with the scent of pine and damp earth as I followed the system's precise directions.

Eventually, I reached a secluded clearing, hidden from prying eyes by a curtain of thick foliage.

FWANG!

[You've reached the following location: The Abyssal Dungeon]

The system hadn't lied. This was my first "special dungeon." It likely existed long before I arrived.

An odd feeling emanated from this dungeon, unlike any I'd encountered before.

"Oh, forget it," I muttered. "I'll figure it out once I'm in there."

In the centre of the clearing, a dark, swirling vortex of energy pulsed ominously.

It didn't shimmer or shine, but its presence was undeniable, a gaping maw in the fabric of reality.

I cautiously approached the portal, extending a hand to touch its surface.

ZZZZZZT!

ack!!

A sharp sting, like a static shock, jolted me back.

"Right, right, right, I get it..." I muttered, remembering the system's warning. "One-time use only."

I pulled out the Silent Abyss Key, its obsidian surface reflecting the darkness of the portal.

The moment it left my hand, the vortex seemed to inhale it, a surge of energy rippling through the air.

The portal flashed briefly, then settled into a steady, ominous stillness.

FWANG!

[Warning: Entering this portal will change the events of the main story.]

[Are you willing to continue?]

The system's screen popped up before me.

I knew this dungeon was probably meant for Jan. But if I didn't enter, no one else would ever attempt to subjugate it.

If this was necessary to see the novel's end, then I had to make a decision.

Following the arrows, I found myself standing before a grand altar, a massive stone structure with three distinct entryways.

Above the altar, a single painting dominated the space.

It depicted a scene of duality: the sun on one half, the moon on the other, with symbols of hands clasped together in the centre, creating a swirling vortex of darkness that blended the light of both celestial bodies.

The sun and the moon combining... I'm not even sure if those two elements could ever be combined.

That's like mixing water and oil together...

But here, in this dungeon, anything seemed possible.

The reality of this world, my world, was shifting before my eyes.

I sighed inwardly, squaring my shoulders.

Right now, this dungeon was giving me three paths to choose from.

But since I'm not stupid to go head-in first with all these abilities.

I'm not so stupid, unlike those guilds that go head first.

"I've got it," I muttered, activating my skills.

[The Following Skill: Sensory Aura Has Been Activated!]

[Special Ability: Deadeye [Grade 9] Has Been Activated!]

My vision sharpened, extending beyond the normal human eye.

I could see the paths within each of the three entryways, up to the third room.

This place was a maze, branching off in unpredictable directions.

I couldn't see beyond the fourth room, suggesting the dungeon generated itself as I progressed.

But within the first three rooms, I discerned a pattern:

Left path: Monsters - Puzzle - Traps

Middle path: Traps - Puzzle - Monsters

Right path: Puzzle - Monsters - Traps

This was the layout revealed by my enhanced vision, a combination of Sensory Aura and Deadeye. It was time to make a choice.

____________

Authors Notes:

- Rel can use a combination of various abilities with his skills to effectively maximise an attack, defence, or perception.