The Transmigrated Author

[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.

"Yeah... I already used the key, so why not."

[Very well...]

FWANG!

[Side Story Quest: Solo Raid On The Abyssal Dungeon]

[Description: Reach the end of the abyssal dungeon.]

[Rewards: +1 Special Ability Upgrade, +1 Standard Ability Upgrade, 7,500 BP, 1,000 QP, 25 Base Allocated Point Stats.]

"Shit... Well, I took the quest already, so there's no turning back."

Huu...haah...

Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the portal, the world around me dissolving into darkness.

SWANG!!!!

The darkness of the portal gave way to a dimly lit chamber.

Torches flickered on the walls, casting long, dancing shadows that danced and writhed like ghostly figures.

The air was still and silent, devoid of any moisture or scent.

The walls were adorned with intricate stone carvings, depicting scenes of battles and rituals that seemed to belong to a forgotten era.

I found myself standing in the centre of a vast, circular room, surrounded by rows of stone benches, like a forgotten amphitheatre or a long-abandoned church.

A chill ran down my spine as I took in the scene and I was feeling anxious about this place.

To my left, a series of paintings lined the wall, each depicting a different scene from a grand saga.

The first showed a mighty hero with eyes closed, a sword held aloft as the sun bathed him in radiant light.

The following paintings chronicled this hero's journey: a war against four villains, light radiating from his weapon; the hero standing before four imposing towers; and finally, the towers crumbling as the hero gazed towards the rising sun.

Jan, I thought, recognizing the parallels between the paintings and the protagonist of my novel.

But my attention was soon drawn to another series of paintings on the right wall.

The first depicted a child falling from the sky, followed by a scene of a mother cradling a baby with the child standing beside her.

The next image was more disturbing – the mother lay lifeless, leaving the child and baby alone.

The penultimate painting showed the child leaving the baby at a safe house, and the final image was of the child gazing at the moon, a look of determination etched on their face.

Strange... The left side symbolizes Jan, but the other... what is that?

But following after them there was more...

At the end of each series of paintings, an arrow pointed towards the centre of the chamber.

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.