Primordial Awakening: I Can Evolve My Skills Infinitely

Now that he had leveled up to level 9, Sam only needed one more level before being able to go through his advancement task and reach [Master] rank.

He wasn't supposed to be here.

Most people didn't even come close to touching the [Fifth Layer] unless they were well into the [Ascendant] rank.

Sam, on the other hand, was still just an [Expert], yet here he was, walking the same floor that devoured countless stronger adventurers.

To anyone else, it was suicide.

But Sam was different.

He had just one-shot the boss of this layer, a creature that was over level 60.

Sure, the only reason it was possible was because it had been under the effects of the [Doom] status, he wasn't stupid enough to ignore that, but still.

He did it. That was proof enough.

Still, as much as his level made him smile, he couldn't ignore the part that concerned him more.

His [Hatred Bar] was almost full… but it was also about to vanish.

That bar was tied to his [Hatred] affinity's special milestone reward, one he wouldn't get if he hit level 10 before maxing it out.

He glanced down at the fallen body of the [Rune Dragon], the massive boss he had just defeated.

Its body shimmered faintly, as two glowing items floated above it.

The first item caught his attention immediately.

---

[Rune Scroll]

[Rank: Epic]

[Description: Using this scroll will allow you to learn a random rune.]

[Hell-Mode Analysis: Impossible for us.]

---

"Wait... what the hell are runes?" Sam asked out loud, frowning slightly.

A panel popped up to answer.

[They improve your stats and some skills, but we can't use them.]

"Oh." Sam blinked, then nodded. "Makes sense, I guess."

His gaze shifted to the second item.

---

[Rune Dragon Teeth]

[Rank: Legendary]

[Description: Capable of creating weapons embedded with 'runes,' allowing these weapons to be stronger.]

---

"Huh..." Sam muttered.

He placed both the scroll and the dragon teeth into his [Spatial Inventory].

They probably didn't have correct value in the current market, after all, this entire layer hadn't even been explored before.

It was untouched territory.

No one would know how to even price these things yet.

Besides, he already had enough money.

At this point, the only things worth keeping were tools he could use later or maybe trade for something better down the line.

Having an infinite inventory helped too.

Once the items were stored, Sam looked ahead.

A white portal had opened at the far end of the room, glowing faintly.

"I guess that's my cue to move on," he thought, stepping toward it.

[Fabulous~]

Sam immediately froze.

Several floating panels appeared around him out of nowhere.

[You need to keep going~ Primordial~]

[Keep trying as hard as you can~ I'll add you to my collection when you die~]

Sam's eyes narrowed. "Sure," he said quietly, his voice flat. His eyes, however, gleamed with a sharp crimson glow. "Yet you won't show yourself in front of me."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the entire room began to tremble.

[HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~]

A twisted laughter echoed all around him, enough to make even Sam's bones feel cold.

It felt as if the sound was clawing its way into his mind, deep and cruel.

Jevil's laugh wasn't meant to entertain. It was mocking, piercing, wicked.

Sam could feel it.

That thing wasn't just strong, it was overwhelming.

[Child~ If I showed myself to you at this moment, you would immediately die~]

[I have seen all of your battles until now~ And you are no match to me~ Even less to the next "Forsaken Lord"]

[Know your place]

The strange half-smiling, half-weeping mask symbol flared again, glowing faintly from the corner of one panel.

Sam stood still, thinking.

He didn't know what the "Forsaken Lords" were exactly—but from the feeling this thing gave off alone, it was clear.

These weren't enemies you beat by luck or raw strength alone.

They were monsters in every sense of the word.

But even if Jevil was right…

"So what," Sam whispered, teeth clenched, eyes burning. "It was the same for all the others."

He had no choice but to keep going.

Try or die. That was it.

And he wasn't about to just lay down and accept death.

Not now. Not after everything.

They all wanted him dead, every one of these creatures, layers, and forces.

So if he had to choose… Then let it be them who died.

"Do you really think someone like me is going to die to you?" Sam said.

He didn't know the truth about what he was. Not yet.

He didn't know why he was called a Primordial or what it really meant.

But one thing was clear. They feared him.

These monsters, these ancient beings, they were cautious. Nervous. Always watching from afar.

That meant something.

"You'll fall like the rest," he continued. "And once you do, I'll add your corpse to my collection."

[...Very well.]

This time, the weeping half of the strange mask lit up instead of the smile.

[You're no fun~ And it seems like you've made your choice~]

[I'll enjoy watching that regret fill your face as you die~]

Then the panels vanished. Silence returned.

Sam exhaled deeply.

"Finally," he muttered.

Those floating screens had been getting on his nerves. He knew Jevil wasn't even the last.

There was still one more Forsaken Lord after him, and who knew what came after clearing the six layers.

But he couldn't stop now. He had to kill them all. No matter what it took.

And that quiet fury inside him, the hatred he felt for everything this realm had done to him, suddenly... reacted.

Ding!

A small notification rang out.

Sam turned.

[Hatred Bar: 100%]

[Your hatred for those that stand in your way is strong, Primordial.]

"...!" Sam's eyes widened.

The last time he checked, it had been stuck at 96%.

He hadn't expected the conversation with Jevil to be the push it needed.

And just before level 10, too.

He'd been unable of using [Stars of Hatred], his unique skill tied to the affinity.

But now, now he had done what the system asked.

He had filled the [Hatred Bar].

And that meant—

[4. You gain no skill now. Instead, you must fill the "Hatred Bar" before reaching Level 10 to unlock a powerful skill (Hatred Affinity)]

Fwish—

Crimson particles began to swirl around the panel.

The hatred bar pulsed once… then dissolved, seeping into Sam's chest.

His whole body felt warmer—stronger.

That same burning anger, once caged in the bar, was now coursing through his veins.

And then—

Ding!

A crimson card materialized in front of him.

[Take the card, Primordial.]

Sam stepped forward without hesitation.

It was the same as before.

[Shadow] and [Chaos] had given him skill cards when he passed their milestones.

Now it was [Hatred]'s turn.

The card glowed like a burning ember in the dark.

He reached out, flipped it, and read the text that appeared.

---

[Forsaken Spirits]

[Rank: Legendary]

[Description: Upon defeating a boss or powerful opponent, you will be able to see their spirit. If you manage to overpower their will and hatred at that moment, their spirit will join your side.]

[You only have one slot for spirits, and a single attempt to recruit them. Fail, and the spirit disappears.]

[Hell-Mode Analysis: Your determination will surpass theirs =)]

---

Sam blinked, then slowly smiled.

That was… absurd.

The ability to take the spirits of defeated enemies?

Even if only one at a time, that was beyond broken. He nodded once.

The card shimmered into particles, which flew toward his chest and vanished inside him.

Ding!

[Congratulations to Sam Walker for learning the skill: Forsaken Spirits (Legendary)]

It felt good. Deep, satisfying.

Somehow, Sam knew this skill was going to be insanely useful.

But just as he turned around, ready to finally leave the [First Floor] and head for the next...

He stopped.

"Huh?"

Something shimmered above the [Rune Dragon]'s corpse.

A faint, glowing crimson spirit.

It was the shape of the dragon, but translucent, like a ghost made of energy.

Sam's eyes widened slightly.

"Oh."

So that was it. The skill had already taken effect.

The [Rune Dragon] was a boss. Its spirit had appeared.

And now, he had a chance to try and recruit it.

He didn't fully understand the "overpower their will and hatred" part yet, but that didn't matter.

This was his chance to see what the skill could really do.

[Proceed.]

Sam stepped forward. Toward the dragon's spirit.